Blom doesn’t stop livin’ just because the gods take a day or two of holiday. Some folk in Assol didn’t believe in the gods, and some others made their loud claims that no such gods patrolled the spheres of the world. Those folk’ve’a right to voice their views as much as any other fella. Difference is maybe those folk SHOULD keep their flazzin’ mouths shut if the peace is to be kept in certain establishes.

Or so Blom believed (to himself and not loudly at a tavern irrespective of how many tankards had been poured in ‘im). Anyway, Blom had passed that fiery point in his life when all thoughts had to be shot forth like a Jibberjab in the Kajuhicky Rebellion. Instead he thought ‘em to himself.

And that don’t matter in the slightest on account of another mornin in Gilba Gilba that required some inn maintenance. Practical matters before philosophizin’, and philosphizin’ after the practices that matter went the saying. It being Hurgsday, the Ragged Maiden’s inn-tern was not on the bill o’ rosters and Blom was on his own for the day.

“And I said I dunnit care what’ve been goin’ round up in the parts o’ the Crown,” a nasally voice was coming out from the common room, “if you’ve got any sort of issue with the way I package me levies, send a right constable on down and don’t let some lackey poke me for what I’ve got!”

Indistinct murmurs of assent rumbled in response.

“Aye he up ’n went in on me for the same purpose!” another voice whined.

“Don’t like what the Crown’s been up to of late.”

“If the King’s got a shortage o’ coin he can start by lookin’ in his mirror and tryna read the thoughts of the ol’ cackler he sees innit!”

“Aye!”

“A-heyyyooo!!”

“You tell ‘em, Hormer ol’ boy!”

Blom’s lips pressed together in vague annoyance. He kept polishin’ the tankards and mugs and wiped off his counter until it shone like the gems of the Crown. All kinds of complaints bubblin’ in in the last few weeks. Blom had lived a time or two and he knew the Crown meddlin’ in the affairs of the Outlands was naught a good sign. He let the guests have it out in the common room. Stiflin’ the complaints of common folk however loud or hot was the quickest way to drive ‘em underground and out of earshot. Blom had his own reasons to keep abreast of the news.