Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

Continuing through the series, we have an excerpt from Legends of Windemere: The Merchant of Nevra Coil.  It does contain a spoiler in that you will see what the titular Merchant has made to give the champions a headache.  This is mostly playful banter around some liberties taken with one of the objects at Nyx’s expense . . . which ends up being a bad thing for another champion.  Poor guy had to open his mouth.

The half-elves jump to their feet, Kellia already reaching for Aedyn’s arm to pull him back into his chair. Both of the young men are surprised when Nyx steps between them, the caster holding back the tears in her eyes. Still holding the figurines, she places a closed fist on each of their chests and keeps her head down to avoid seeing their angry faces. She relaxes slightly when Fizzle lands on her head and prepares to unleash his calming breath at anyone who tries to get violent. The tension continues to rise with neither Luke nor Aedyn willing to push their friends out of the way.

“Do you think my figurine’s bust is too big?” Nyx casually asks, holding up her doll and smirking at Sari. The gypsy nods her approval and covers her mouth to muffle her snickering. “I don’t see how I would be able to fling spells on the run with these things bouncing around. Even strapped down, they’d get in the way and I’d probably end up setting them on fire. Maybe the creators got confused with me and Trinity because her doll is rather . . . small. What do you guys think?”

“I never paid attention, but they do seem out of proportion on your toy,” Aedyn admits as he sits down. He picks up the figurine of Fritz and fits it into the saddle of a Bessaria doll. “I apologize for my actions. It appears Nimby is still a sore subject between us even after all this time.”

“But he might be the key to figuring out who did this,” Luke whispers, staring at the halfling thief’s replica. He looks up at the sound of Nyx clearing her throat, the caster waiting for an answer to her question. “Yes, your figurine has more curves than the real you. Take it up with the gnome inventor when we meet them. Heck, show up with your shirt off if that’ll help get your point across. At least they got your legs and scowl right.”

“The butt is rather impressive too,” Delvin nonchalantly adds with a yawn. He is flung over the table by a wind spell that cushions his fall to the floor. “I thought it was a compliment since you were concerned about your chest. It’s been a long journey, so give me a little bit of a break here. More importantly, why does Luke get to make a comment about you being topless and I can’t say you have a nice rear?”

Nyx bites her lower lip, fearing that she may have overreacted. “It’s quite simple, Mr. Cunningham. I know Luke is teasing and has no interest in me. You’re in a different category and will forever be held to a different set of standards.”

“So we’re going to be together forever?”

“Ye . . . N . . . By the gods, I hate you.”