A Sneak Peak at my New WIP

Wow. Where has the time gone? The last time I posted on this blog The Rise of Skywalker was new to theaters. Well, here's hoping I can post more frequently in the future.

On the writing front, as the title suggests, I have a new work in progress that I'm currently working on. Currently I'm six chapters in and it's coming along swimmingly. As both a celebration and a shameless self-promotion gimmick, I'm posting  the first chapter for your reading pleasure. Without further ado:

So Shines a Good Deed: Chapter 1

So Shines a Good Deed: Chapter 1

Bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, the 16-year-old boy appeared radiant. Many patrons, not yet drunk, avoided the display. The light reflecting off Ashton’s polished armor was too bright for some, even giving his red hair a copper sheen. His green eyes took in his surroundings.

The miners had not finished their work, resulting in a sparsely populated establishment

As the novelty of another customer entering the Rabid Badger at sunset wore thin, the patrons turned their attention back to their drinks a few seconds later. 

At the bar, Ashton quickly found an empty seat. He sat down, relieved to rest after only briefly acknowledging the crowd. With a throat-clearing sound, the sullen half-Orc barkeep, busy wiping down old mugs, added his current mug to the others.

“What will you have, Knight?”

“I’d like some ale and mutton. A bed as well, if you've got one. There’s no need for titles. I'm not a paladin yet, though I aim to become one.”

With a shrug, the half-orc poured a mug of ale for his latest patron. “I don’t see someone like you near the mountains often, with such immaculate arms and armor.”

“It belonged to my father.” The young man said after taking his first swig of ale, setting the mug down with a thunk. “He was a knight himself; one of the Daylight Brotherhood.” The half-Orc noted just a slight swell of the human's chest as he spoke those words and allowed himself to chuckle. 

“Their reputation is well-established,” Korag said, “but you haven’t explained why you're so close to the mountains.”

The human’s hesitation made the barkeep pause; Ashton bought time by nursing his ale. 

“I don’t hail from First Landing. My family has its roots in Miner’s Respite, where they were born and raised. They've all gone their separate ways now, though. One's a ship captain in the Narellean Royal Navy. A sibling worked mines; another took up adventuring. I haven’t heard from either of them since our separation.”

 ”All right, I get it. Your life story wasn’t necessary.” The barkeep grumbled, though that didn't stop him from continuing the conversation.

“Have you got a name?”

Before answering, the human took a third drink.

“Ashton.” he said before taking a bite of mutton. “What about you?”

He expressed his feelings with a single, two-syllable word, “Korag”. 

Raising his glass as if in a toast, Ashton greeted Korag. “Pleasure to meet you.” You run a fine establishment, if I may be so bold to say.”

“This place? This place serves for now. To be honest, my current situation is far from ideal. What’s your opinion of the mutton?“

Ashton, surprised by the question, hesitated before answering. “It's very good.” He said, hedging a bit, unsure of what sort of compliment the barkeep was fishing for. Korag, for his part, gave an amused snort.

“This is nothing. It’s an old recipe I made when I first started cooking. We reserve the real delicacies for those who can afford them. Fortunately, I'm feeling generous today.” That said, Korag snatched the leg of mutton from his plate, throwing it into the nearest trash bin. A serving wench took the plate, moving as if expecting this. Ashton’s jaw dropped, but the half-Orc was already poking his head through the kitchen door.

“Bring out the house special, Lilly.” Ashton watched as he caught a female voice reply to Korag's order, though the noise from the kitchen prevented him from understanding the actual words.

“It’s undercooked? Re-fry it! Have I taught you nothing, girl?” 

Then came another pause.

“That's a good lass. Three minutes; Heard.” 

Korag produced a pitcher to refill Ashton’s ale mug, turning to face him. “Try this; you’ll love it. It’s a dish I invented during my time in the arena.”

Lilly, with a steel serving tray, emerged after three long minutes.

Intrigued, Ashton’s surprise and annoyance gave way to curiosity about why he had thrown his dinner out. Loudly growling, his stomach readily agreed to the prospect.

Unlike the other staff members serving food and drinks, Ashton noticed something different about this one. In the tavern’s torchlight, the girl’s golden hair glowed, highlighted with streaks of amber, pink, and purple not unlike the colors produced by a sunset. Her alabaster skin was a stark contrast to someone who had spent their life in a hot kitchen. She matched his height. The half-Orc barkeep towered over both. It was her eyes that most thoroughly caught his attention, however. Bright gold irises looked back at him as she gave him a cheery smile and lifted the lid of the serving tray. 

The aroma hit him with full force, like a blunt object. With his curiosity about the kitchen girl gone, Ashton smiled, comparing the flavors to the aroma of the dish.

Misinterpreting his hesitation as reluctance, she gave him encouragement. “Go on. Take a bite.”

Hearing his stomach rumble once more in protest, he dug into his meal.

The meal did not disappoint. The explosion of seasoning on his tongue caused his eyes to widen. Needing no further prompting, Ashton devoured the rest of the meat, only barely remembering to keep his table manners. He finished his meal, downed half his ale, sighed, and rested his head in his hands. A small giggle escaped the kitchen girl as she observed Ashton's reaction, the look in her eyes, and Korag's lack of reaction beyond a smirk telling him they'd seen this sort of thing before. 

“Works every time, eh, Lilly?” Korag said at last, prompting another giggle from the kitchen girl.

“How...how did you...I've sampled nothing like that before; Not from this town.” 

“No one has better recipes than Papa.” Lilly said, her chest swelling with pride. “You won't find any better chef if you searched the entire continent.”

A belly laugh was Korag’s response to the compliment. “That's enough. Swell my head anymore and I won’t fit through the doorway.”

At her father’s words, Lilly giggled. “It's true. No one can best you in the kitchen, Papa.”

Ashton said, “There’s always someone better,” then realized the unintended meaning too late. Lilly’s cheerful expression, turning to angry defiance, caused nervous butterflies to form in his stomach. “There's no one better than Papa; not in the kitchen.” She declared. Ashton shrank back, but Korag only laughed again. “He's right, though, Lilly. Perhaps someone better exists, but I haven’t encountered them yet.”

“I apologize for any offense caused. My words are occasionally thoughtless.” Before either of them responded, the tavern doors swung open and crashed against the inner wall as several filthy, thuggish looking men came in. Their leader, a human male built like a bull, met Korag's eyes. 

“Hey, Greenskin! Mutton and ale for the boys and me,” Ashton cringed, wondering what trouble this person was inviting by insulting his host. Astonishment caused Lilly’s mouth to form a wide “O”. The barkeep had not blinked.

“You heard the man. Food for the newcomers.”

Although about to protest, the girl instead sighed, then nodded in agreement. “Yes, Papa.”

Ashton, leaning forward, whispered to Korag. “You can’t let them talk to you in that manner, can you?”

Although Korag’s tone had lost its jovial quality, his facial expression remained unchanged. “They are paying customers. I can't afford to put them off.”

“They insulted you!” 

“You think it's the first time?” He asked, chuckling without mirth at Ashton's statement. During my penniless days in the arena, I heard far worse.”

“Are you really going to put up with that?”

“Yep. Their money is just as good as yours.”

“Incredible. Had they said that to my siblings, they would have thrashed them.”

Korag scoffed. “Well, your siblings aren’t here. Those men are big enough to trouble me. I doubt, boy, that they’re too concerned about you.”

Ashton narrowed his eyes, trying for an intimidating stare. Korag’s lack of reaction led him to believe he had failed.

“It's not right. This establishment belongs to you. You should have asked them to leave and refused to serve them.”

“I'm in this business to make money, boy, not friends.” Korag said. “I will not lay out a bunch of lickspittle thugs just because they call me a name I've been hearing all my life. When you get to a certain stage you learn to pick your battles.”

“We take them together!” Ashton insisted, unwilling to fold. “You’d have no trouble with three of them. I can handle the other two. I took on both of my older brothers in fights when we were younger. You could ask them if only they were here.”

Korag scoffed again in response. “Right. You win a few wrestling matches as a child, and you think you're invincible because of it. I've seen your kind come in here more than once, boy. They return broken every time. No, thank you.”

Ashton slammed his fist on the bar in frustration, causing several patrons to take notice. The boy showed no sign of being aware. 

“They’ll get away with it if you let them. That’s why they attempt such actions; no one challenges their wrongdoings.”

“What would you have me do, boy?” Korag snapped, the first hints of anger entering his tone. “Roar at them? Bear my tusks for all to see? Chew their limbs off while I smear their blood on my face like war paint?” Korag took a deep breath to steady himself.

“I will not prove them right to think me a monster, boy. I've worked too hard and too long to cultivate the identity I have, and I will not ruin it because someone didn’t keep their bloody mouth shut. Understand?”

Ashton wanted to protest, but found no words to counter Korag's point. Orcs’ reputation preceded them; the civilized kingdoms knew them only as savage brutes preying on civilized societies. Yet even as he realized the truth, he still felt a surge of guilt. He turned to observe their boisterous behavior, bristling at their entitled demands for food and drink. The only sound was the grinding of his teeth.

”I hate letting people get away with making trouble.” Ashton said once he calmed down. Personal responsibility would benefit all.”

“Noble sentiment, boy,” Korag said with a chuckle devoid of any mirth. “Like I said, you'd best learn to pick your battles. Even the greatest warrior knows when it's more appropriate not to fight.” 

Ashton mimicked Korag’s earlier chuckle. “You sound just like my father. He always said something similar when we were children.” 

“A wise man, your father.” Korag said as he refilled Ashton’s ale for a third time.

“Yes, he was. He always found the perfect quote for any situation. I always wondered where he’d gotten them all.”

Korag opened his mouth to reply, only to be stopped by angry shouts from the table containing the five ruffians. “Oy, Tusker! Do we have to refill the pitcher ourselves?” 

Ashton bristled again, his anger and the alcohol he'd consumed making him lightheaded. “I could take them if you helped me...” He said, but Korag continued to stand firm.

“No. I'll not prove them right. You do as you like, though. I'm sure they'll go easy on you.“ The jab stung. Prior experience didn’t lessen Ashton’s difficulty tolerating this. 

”Fine, but if they cause any real trouble, they're going to wish they hadn't.” 

Korag laughed, finding himself admiring the boy's bravado despite the risk. “Well, they'd best stay on our good side, I suppose.”

Another shout interrupted Ashton's reply.

“Oy! Half-breed! I said we need a new pitcher! Make it snappy!”

Despite himself, Ashton kept his seat. Luckily, Lilly’s arrival with two pitchers of ale calmed things. 

“Here you go, boys. Two for the price of one. Sorry for the wait.”

The group’s leader eyed her up and down. A chill ran down Ashton’s spine upon recognizing the look’s meaning. Korag might have correctly assessed their superior numbers, but to tolerate such discourtesy toward a woman—

*SMACK*

Skin hitting skin startled Ashton from his reverie. The girl yelped, blushing and rubbing her backside as she fled behind the counter. 

Ashton's knuckles turned white as he gripped his ale mug, his grinding teeth the only noise in the tavern now. Chairs and tables scraped against the floor as customers left, leaving the five men and Ashton the only remaining patrons. Korag was doing his best to remain stoic, but the scene that had played out before him had an effect. Those red eyes unnerved him more than the human’s leer. Was he about to get his wish? Was this something he desired?

Ashton lacked time for further thought; Korag approached them, ale in hand.

”I've tolerated you so far.” He said, his voice even, tranquil. “Insult me as you wish, but keep your mitts off of my daughter. I'll not warn you any further.”

They exchanged glances. Moments later, they broke into more laughter. They sounded as if Korag had told a hilarious joke.

Korag did not see the humor.

Ashton sat riveted to the scene as the men stared the Orc down. The five exchanged a glance and broke out in chortles once again. 

A roar split the air as Korag's anger got the better of him, his ham-sized fist shattering the wood of the table as if it were glass. The force of the blow caused the entire group to fall, landing square on their backs.

“Typical Orc!” one man had the audacity to shout, even as he and his companions backed away from the now destroyed furniture as fast as they could crawl. “Can't keep his temper under wraps, so he bothers a bunch of innocent bar patrons!”

“That's a lie!” Ashton could stay silent no longer. “You've been causing nothing but trouble for him since you showed up here acting like hooligans.” Backing up his words with actions, he stood and paced toward Korag to stand beside him. “I'd suggest you apologize to the man, and his daughter, or else.” 

The five men rose, encircling the pair. 

”And who the bloody hell are you, pipsqueak? Their leader snarled, dismissing Ashton’s request. 

“Ashton, son of Anthony.” The boy answered. “I'm also this man's friend and acquaintance, so if you make problems for him, you cause trouble for me.” 

A low growl came once more from Korag, who folded his arms. The five thugs exchanged a glance between themselves and the pile of debris that had once been Korag’s table.

“Well?” Korag growled, baring his teeth just enough to appear threatening.

Before he could further insist on a proper apology, they stepped towards the door. Ashton grinned at seeing them fighting to be the first through the tavern exit. The Orc took an impatient step forward. The men scrambled out.

Ashton smiled and gave a single nod at the exit as Korag let out a relieved sigh.

“I need a new table. Bollocks.” 

“Well, they left. That's something,” Ashton said, trying to see the silver lining. 

“That was too close, regardless. I have more important things to do than fight nameless ruffians who can't keep their hands to themselves. We're lucky it only cost me a piece of furniture.”

“Are they gone?” Lilly's soft tones carried from the kitchen doorway as she looked around like a deer searching for predators. 

“They're gone, poppet.” Korag assured, his words softening as he addressed her. Reassured, Lilly rushed out and embraced Korag tightly, looking positively doll-like when held up against his massive frame.

A niggling thought that had been lingering in the back of Ashton’s mind suddenly came the forefront, the puzzle pieces clicking into place.

“You called her your daughter. She's not an Orc...”

“She's adopted, boy.” Korag said, in the sort of tone one might use when talking to a simpleton. Ashton had the grace to blush with embarrassment at realizing the obvious. 

“Papa found me when I was a baby,” Lilly explained, “on the altar in the shrine to Ambriel here in town.“

“That I did.” Korag confirmed. “I thought it was a coincidence. Right place, right time. That sort of thing.”

”Are the rest of the townspeople aware?” Ashton asked. 

Korag’s reply was blunt. “No. The last time I slipped up, the townsfolk didn’t react well. They tried to take her from me.”

“Well, thank the Celestial Court they didn't succeed.” Ashton touched his hand to forehead, chest, and both shoulders, making the sign of the Winged Sword with his right hand. “It's obvious you care about her a great deal.”

“Aye, and I'll do anything to keep her safe, even make myself look weak to avoid a fight if necessary.”

Lilly's cheeks flushed from a pale alabaster to a bright cherry red. “Papa, stop it. You're too much.“ Korag only laughed. “You love me anyway.” He quipped.

Lilly giggled. “Of course.”

Korag laughed again, turning once more to Ashton. “You said you needed a room for the night, didn't you, boy?”

“I did.” The boy replied, his voice was weaker than before.

”Well, that's settled, then. You're staying here.

Ashton's eyes widened. “Oh, sir, no, I couldn't impose...”

“You’re not.” Korag held up a hand, declaring the subject closed. “You stood up for my daughter and me. It's only right that I repay you.“

“You’re providing a service, though, sir. You deserve to be paid for it.” Ashton reached for his coin pouch, only to be stopped by Korag’s next words.

“All right, then, we’ll compromise. I’ll run you a tab. You can pay me some time later, but for now we’ll not worry about it. Fair?

With no way to refuse without insulting his host, Ashton let his shoulders sag in defeat. “As you wish, then. I insist on paying for breakfast in the morning, though.” 

“Done.” Korag agreed, slapping the squire on the shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie. “You head on upstairs now. First door on your right. Lilly, be a dear?”

The girl obeyed, scurrying over to give the young man a brass key hanging from a small wooden tag with the number 3 on it. 

“Sweet dreams!” She called up as the youth ascended the stairs. “Good night, both of you.” He said with a wave before disappearing to his room.

Korag turned to his daughter after giving Ashton an appraising look as he disappeared upstairs.

”Do you think he realized?”

She shook her head. “No, I don't believe so. He didn't react like some others do.”

“I saw. Best keep our guard up. Knight or not, we don't know how he'd respond to finding out about your true lineage.“

”He stood up for me, though.”

“Aye, he did. He's earned some trust for that. Even knights are vulnerable to greed. Just because he wears some fancy armor and carries a nice-looking sword doesn't make him incorruptible.”

Lilly frowned, knowing her father was right. “I still like him. I think he's a good one. At least, he will be once he takes his vows.” 

Her father chuckled a bit. His daughter's attitude never ceased to amaze him. You’re a rare find, Poppet. Come on, it's late. Cool down the ovens and close the kitchen. Time for us to get to sleep.

“Yes, Papa.” Lilly bounced as she obeyed. Korag removed the shattered table to the trash heap just beyond the house, where the town’s waste collectors would pick it up in the morning. Snuffing the light hanging on the outside doorframe, Korag locked the door and windows before retiring to his own room, Lilly not far behind him as they climbed the stairs.