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    Zealots and Zeniths
    Zealots and Zeniths
    Zealots and Zeniths
    Ebook242 pages2 hours

    Zealots and Zeniths

    By S. Usher Evans

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    About this ebook

    Summer has arrived in Pigsend, and it’s not just the sweltering temperatures putting everyone on edge. It’s the sixth anniversary of the war ending, and a cadre of soldiers is camping north of town to keep the peace and monitor for strange activity. Rumor has it a rebellion is brewing, one that threatens to plunge the country back into war—not that anyone in Pigsend is keen on that.

    At the Weary Dragon, Bev’s playing host to the usual set of travelers, including butcher Vellora’s old commander Andres. The retired kingside soldier came to visit with his dear friend as well as provide some insight into Bev’s mysterious past. But when the queen’s soldiers find themselves the victim of mischief in their encampment, they’ve got one suspect - Andres.

    Bev’s on the case to clear his name, but things aren’t quite as simple as they seem. Could Andres really be fomenting rebellion in plain view, or is there something else more magical happening?

    Zealots and Zeniths is the seventh book in the Weary Dragon Inn series, a cozy follow-up to Veils and Villains.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherS. Usher Evans
    Release dateJul 30, 2024
    ISBN9781945438837
    Zealots and Zeniths
    Author

    S. Usher Evans

    S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a “real job” as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.Evans is the author of the Razia series and Empath, both published by Sun’s Golden Ray Publishing.

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      Book preview

      Zealots and Zeniths - S. Usher Evans

      S. Usher Evans

      Pensacola, FL

      Version Date: 6/22/24

      © 2024 S. Usher Evans

      ISBN: 9781945438837

      All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

      Map designed by Luke Beaber of Stardust Book Services

      Line Editing by Danielle Fine, By Definition Editing

      Sun's Golden Ray Publishing

      Pensacola, FL

      www.sgr-pub.com

      For ordering information, please visit

      www.sgr-pub.com/orders

      The Weary Dragon Inn Series

      Ale and Amnesia (Novella)

      Drinks and Sinkholes

      Fiends and Festivals

      Secrets and Snowflakes

      Beasts and Baking

      Magic and Molemen

      Veils and Villains

      Zealots and Zeniths

      Campaigns and Curses

      Perils and Potions

      Royals and Ruses

      Chapter One

      Leaving already?

      It was barely five in the morning, but the summer sun had already made its appearance. Which meant Bev's overnight guests at the Weary Dragon Inn were doing the same, ready to hit the road and make the most of the long day. Last night's guests included a trio of young merchants who'd requested separate rooms, a bard (who blessedly kept his lute to himself), a couple traveling to their son's wedding, and an old woman who was seeing the country before she was too infirm to do so. She was the last of Bev's guests to depart, and Bev had hoped the sweet dear might stay a little longer, at least so Allen the baker would have someone to appreciate his breakfast pastries.

      I wish I could, but I've got to take advantage of all this sunlight, the old woman said with a smile as she walked toward the door. On my way to see what the Middleburg fuss is about!

      Then she was gone, and Bev had the unfortunate task of telling Allen that he'd baked muffins for nothing when he walked in ten minutes later.

      Suppose I've got to get over here earlier, don't I? he said, his shoulders slumping as he put the full basket on the counter. Maybe Biscuit wants one. Where is he, anyway?

      Bev thumbed toward the kitchen where her laelaps, a magic-detecting creature who resembled a small, golden-furred dog, was presumably sleeping.

      He was up all night, pacing my room, Bev said. The strangest thing.

      Allen frowned. Is he sick?

      I don't think so. Bev shook her head. He's eating normally, smiles when I talk to him, wags his tail. But he gets in these moods where he scents something and can't stop sniffing for it. Sometimes it's hard to snap him out of it.

      Hm. Allen shook his head. Maybe it's the solstice? Strange things happen sometimes, you know. Remember all that snow we had over the winter?

      Bev shrugged. Maybe. Who knows with him, though, eh? Bev helped herself to one of the muffins. Maybe Etheldra will be able to sell them for you.

      Hope so, Allen said. Speaking of, do you think I could ask her to pay me back for the wedding? Vicky says I should, but she's all the way in Sheepsburg, so it's easy for her to say.

      Bev chuckled. Allen and Vicky Hamblin, the seamstress's apprentice, had been engaged and keen to put on the most extravagant wedding Pigsend had ever seen in order to impress Vicky's snooty aunt. But they'd encountered mishap after mishap, until it was revealed that Vicky's other aunt had cursed the wedding to gain access to Vicky's secret inheritance. But the curse had also uncovered the truth about Vicky and Allen—that perhaps marriage wasn't for them after all. Instead, Etheldra Daws, the taciturn tea shop owner, and Earl Dollman, the carpenter, had gotten married, and the wedding had been as beautiful and wonderful as any Bev had been to. Vicky had left with her snooty aunt to Sheepsburg to sort out the inheritance and perhaps see the world.

      I don't know if I'd want to broach that subject with Etheldra, but maybe Earl can when they get back from their honeymoon, Bev said. So you've been writing to Vicky?

      Oh, yes. We exchange letters about once a week. When Bev gave him a curious look, he waved his hand. I still care for her very much. And she cares for me. But we agreed it's best that we go our separate ways for now. If fate has us rekindling things, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

      Bev smiled. That all sounds very mature.

      I'll tell you one thing: I never want to have anything to do with a wedding like that ever again, Allen said with a shake of his head.

      Bev couldn't agree more. I'm glad you two are staying in touch, though. I know Apolinary misses having her help at the seamstress shop.

      I told her I'd keep an eye on Grant, too, Allen said. Apparently, he's decided he wants to be a farrier like PJ Norris, though I think it's just an excuse for the two of them to cut up. Valta Climber says she wants to be a farrier, too, but her parents told her no.

      I'm sure Grant's got his reasons for wanting to stick close to his friend. Number one being PJ was a dragon shifter, and Grant and Valta wanted to stay to make sure he didn't have any more episodes. But Allen, as beloved as he was, didn't know that. If anyone found out, especially a queen's soldier, the young boy would be arrested immediately and taken away.

      Allen, who never really thought much of Grant, shook his head. Would be nice if he'd help out at the bakery. We're up to our eyeballs in orders for the solstice.

      That's good, isn't it? Bev asked. Money in, and all that.

      Yeah, we're just working like mad to get it all done, Allen said. As much as that wedding was a nightmare, it really was great for my client base. People raved about Lillie's wedding cake, and she made a special pie for Kaiser Tuckey a few weeks ago. Suddenly, we're swamped.

      I'm glad you two are still working well together, Bev said. And that she's been good for business. Lots of solstice pies, then? It's been a banner year for produce. I'm sure there's plenty at the market.

      I'd say we're buying up all the fruit as fast as it can grow, but no matter how many crates of peaches, berries, and plums we buy, there's always more the next day, Allen said.

      Bev had seen the same when she'd visited the farmer's market the other day. Maybe I'll have to buy one of those pies, then. Perhaps for the solstice. Might be nice to do something special for whoever's in town that day. She paused. Or maybe I'll make one myself.

      Missing bread that much? Allen said with a laugh.

      Bev sighed. With the temperatures climbing, it was hard to time proofing her bread. One could fire up the oven to warm a place in the winter, but it was impossible to cool it down in the summer. Not to mention, having the oven on when things were already sweltering wasn't Bev's idea of fun. So Bev had, for the first time in months, not made her bread the night before.

      Etheldra's going to be furious when she gets back from her honeymoon, Bev said.

      She'll survive, Allen said with a laugh. But it'll be cooler again in no time. Chin up, Bev!

      ~

      As much as she wished otherwise, cooler temperatures were far off. Summer was Bev's least favorite time of year. Not only because she could no longer make her award-winning bread, but it also heralded the anniversary of the day Bev had arrived in town. Six years since she'd awoken in Wim's garden, staring at the blue sky without a clue who she was or where she'd come from. Of course, now she had a few more clues, some certain, others an open question. And she was hoping that in the next few days, Vellora Witzel's old commander would arrive and put many of those questions to rest.

      The butcher had been a soldier in the king's army, and had been in a particularly gruesome battle—one Bev seemed to have a memory of. Bev wasn't exactly sure it was her memory, because she only had it when she touched an amulet called a wizard's helper. It was entirely possible the bloody scene was the amulet's memory, not Bev's, and she was just the unfortunate person who'd managed to activate it.

      Possible, but something in Bev's gut told her that innocent view of things wasn't likely to be reality.

      Vellora's commander had been high-ranking in the war, and Vellora thought he might know more about the powerful magical wielders who'd also been at the battle. So she'd written to him, and at Allen and Vicky's not-wedding a few weeks before, Vellora had told Bev the commander would be arriving today and staying through the solstice. Bev had been a bit on edge the past few days, wondering if he'd recognize her immediately or if this was all a big waste of time.

      She pondered those questions as she left the kitchen to check the sheets she'd washed earlier. In the hot sun, they were already dry and ready to be put away for the next round of guests. Bev pulled them off the line, the sun burning the back of her neck as she worked, and tried to keep a positive attitude as she carried them back inside.

      Just beyond the kitchen door, propped open to allow maximum airflow, Bev's trusty magic-detection creature, Biscuit, was pacing the floor again, his nose pressed to the ground. Bev placed the basket on her kitchen table, watching him for a few moments.

      You all right, Mr. Biscuit? she asked, eyeing him.

      He stopped, looked at her, and wagged his tail furiously, his tongue unfurling from his mouth as he smiled.

      You let me know if there's anything I can do, Bev said with a chuckle as she carried the laundry toward the stairs.

      It took no time to fold, and after checking each of the empty rooms again to ensure they met her standards, she returned downstairs to continue her daily chores. Without the bread to contend with, there were fewer things on the list, and Bev missed the scent of yeast, flour, and rosemary. Lillie, the magical baker who lived next door, had offered to help out with the process, using her pobyd magic to infuse the dough so it wouldn't overproof, but Bev had declined. Bev's rosemary bread was her own version of magic, and to include someone else in the process felt wrong. Not only that, but one never knew when a queen's soldier might arrive, and they would be very interested in a full pobyd.

      Bev tapped her fingers on the front desk where she usually greeted her guests for the night. It was morning still, and she doubted she'd see anyone until later in the afternoon. Longer days meant longer travel times, and it wasn't uncommon for her to get guests near nine o'clock these days. Another strike against the summer season.

      Without anything else to do, Bev decided to pay her friends at the butcher shop a visit a few hours early and see if Andres had arrived yet. Across the street, Ida was hard at work dressing a pig, while Vellora was working on a large cow. The smaller of the two, Ida, had supernatural strength and demonstrated it as she hoisted another perhaps three-hundred-pound pig onto the hook.

      Oh, morning, Bev! Ida said as the bell above the door tinkled. What's on the menu tonight?

      Not sure, Bev said, sidling up to the counter and smiling at the two of them. Just here for a social visit.

      Things that quiet at the inn? Ida said with a laugh. Shouldn't you be bustling?

      I am, when it's dark, she said. But the sun's up around five these days and doesn't go down until late. She made a face. Ready for the summer to be over.

      It's a long time until then, Vellora said, wiping her brow. Unfortunately.

      Oh, buck up, you two! At least there isn't snow up to your knees out there, Ida said. And Bev, you should be happy things are quiet. Especially after all the excitement of Allen's…erm… Etheldra's wedding.

      Ida was right about that. Suppose it is nice that the only thing to talk about is dinner. Which, speaking of… Bev smiled. What do you have that's quick to cook?

      What, don't want to slave over a hot oven all day? Ida asked with a chuckle.

      Pork loin could be done quickly, Vellora said.

      Bev eyed Vellora, finally deciding to ask the question she'd come here for. Erm, when do you think your commander will arrive?

      Hard to say, she said. Later this evening, I'd guess. It's quite hot to be traveling during the midday hours.

      Bev nodded, trying to keep the nerves off her face. Well, better make sure I do something nice for him. Maybe I'll pop down to the market again and pick up some fruit. Allen says the farmers are overrun with it.

      It is that time of year, Ida said.

      ~

      Bev's trusty mule Sin was getting up there in age, and the heat might make her ornerier, so Bev left her in the stable. Biscuit had finally stopped pacing and was fast asleep on the hearth, so Bev left him, too. She wasn't planning on getting a full slate of produce, just something to accompany dinner this evening. Peaches sounded lovely, so perhaps a compote with some sage from Bev's garden.

      On the road ahead, a short man with a domed head and pronounced jaw pushed a large cart filled with produce. He wore a scowl, as if everything in the world offended him, which was truer than not. He didn't acknowledge Bev at all, so she decided to be the nice one and greet him first.

      Morning, Officer Nog, Bev said.

      The man tripped over his feet and glared at her. "Don't be callin' me that out here!"

      Nobody's around, Bev said, gesturing to the empty road. But point well taken. How are things where you are?

      Fine. He adjusted his grip on the cart. Dandy.

      He kept walking and Bev shook her head. The goblin (who was wearing a potion to make him look human) lived in a hamlet called Lower Pigsend, which held all the magical creatures the queen had outlawed. Bev's dear friend Merv, a six-foot moleman, had taken her there, and embroiled Bev in a search for a missing talisman. Long story short, Officer Nog was now on the hook for ferrying fresh produce from the farmers' market to the citizens down below as penance for his role in keeping the citizens in the dark. Bev saw him every time she visited the market herself, and he hadn't once seemed happy to see her.

      Bev chuckled and continued on to the farmstands set up along the road. But when she approached, she could scarcely believe her eyes. She'd been here a few days ago, and the produce had been plentiful. But today, it was practically overflowing with every kind of fruit and vegetable she could imagine. It wasn't just the quantity, either. The onions were the size of a child's head; next to that were tomatoes so red and plump they looked on the verge of bursting. Blackberries and blueberries and strawberries and raspberries—fruit that should've been at the tail-end of its season—were as bright and perfectly ripe as they'd been earlier in the spring. Even the winter leafy greens were still vibrant.

      Morning, Bev! farmer Alice Estrich said, waving her down. The other farmers watched Bev warily, perhaps hoping she might visit them, too. They certainly had enough fruit to get on with. What can I sell you today? Clearly, I have a little bit of everything.

      Clearly, Bev said with a laugh. I don't think I've ever seen so much produce in my life. What do you think's going on?

      Haven't a clue. She shrugged. I can't sell it fast enough. I pick the plants clean then, the next morning, I come out to find them full again. She gestured to the berries. These won't go bad, either. Been waiting for them to get softer so I can make jam, but they don't want to. So I figured I'd sell 'em. Got plenty more at home anyway.

      Interesting, Bev said. But I'll take some peaches. Got my mind on a compote this evening for some pork. Too hot to do anything too long in the oven.

      Can I interest you in some rhubarb, too? Maybe a strawberry-rhubarb solstice crumble could be on the menu? Alice asked. When Bev declined, she wilted. Drat. Bathilda threatened to run me off if I brought any more to her front door.

      Well, we can't have that. Bev chuckled. How is Bathilda?

      I'm a little worried about her. Alice sighed. She's become something of a recluse lately. She'll barely open the door for me.

      Bev hoped she wasn't involved in another round of mischief. The farmer had once kept an illegal herd of magical sheep on her property, but had told Bev the effort was more than the gold she'd received for them.

      Alice lifted a peach and smiled. "Please take

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