The next day turned into a whirlwind of activity. First they went all over the building, inspecting the worst of the rot and other building issues. The rain-barrels were thankfully intact except for one. But the roof itself had nearly collapsed and the third floor was simply unsafe. If left unchecked, it would eventually ruin the entire building.

However, it wasn't safe for Kreet and Kallid to wander the streets looking for builders to ask about the repairs. Yet downstairs there was a steady stream of people coming and going, primarily for the lavatories but Marge had made a large vat of soup and was making a bit of extra coin selling those for a copper per bowl.

Kallid had come up with a sign asking for people experienced in building repair, and they interviewed quite a few, settling on three men who were actively working on buildings in a more prosperous part of the city. Kreet particularly liked the foreman as he had been quite honest with what he thought it would cost for materials. Others had quoted amounts that were either ridiculous guesswork, or intentionally lowballing and sure to rise later. As for labor, all three happily shook their heads.

"Payback," the foreman said. "For the sewers. But we can't afford to buy the materials for you. We should be done with our current job in three days. We can get started then."

"One problem though," Kreet said as they sat around a table with their bowls. "I really can't go out to get the materials for obvious reasons. In fact, I think I'm nearly stuck here around block 104 where the people know me now.

"Hmm," the foreman said, then he eyed Sigmundurr.

"I thought of that," Kreet said, guessing what that look meant. "But Sig doesn't know anything about such things."

"Oh, it's not that," the man replied. "I was just thinking how much we could use a man like that at our current site tomorrow."

Sigmundurr turned around at that, knowing he was being talked about.

"What, an honest day's work? Me? Sorry man, I'm an Adventurer!"

"Lifting buckets of plaster is quite an adventure," the foreman smiled.

"What are you getting at?" Kreet said, cocking her head to the side.

"If your man here could be persuaded to help us out - just for a day - I could be persuaded to borrow a cart, buy your supplies, and bring them here tomorrow after

Kreet turned to Sigmundurr. "What do you say Sig? It wouldn't hurt you to do one day's work in your entire life, would it?"

"What time?" Sig asked, his eyes narrowing but knowing it was going to be absurdly early.

"Sunrise. We'll stop by and pick you up on our way."

"Oh. Alright. But just one day. I wouldn't want people to start talking about the day-laborer Sigmundurr! It would ruin my reputation!"

Kreet hopped off her chair and gave Sigmundurr a sincere hug. "Thanks Sig. Thanks for everything."

"Oh, now - get off me. That'll ruin my reputation too you know."

"Alright, it's a deal. You can stack the stuff up in the courtyard out back," Kreet said, shaking the man's hand. "Wait here, I'll go get the money."

"What?!" the foreman asked as if she'd said something outrageous. "You have that kind of money here? We're talking over a hundred gold!"

She nodded her head hesitantly.

"Gods, you're in trouble Kreet," he said. "If people knew you had money like that in here, this place would be ransacked tonight. Samuel... Bart, don't you dare whisper one word of this to anyone. I'm serious. Not even to your wives, and Bart - especially not to your cousin!"

"I give you my word. My toilet's working too now," said the one known as Bart. "But really, little kobold, you really can't let people know that around here!"

"Well, okay. Fine. But then how do I pay you? How do you pay the suppliers?"

"Credit. It's like an honor system. You just pay me, like, one gold now and you keep paying me till it's paid off. It's what I do for the supplier too. Really, as long as nobody skips town or stops paying, it's a great system. The supplier gets bigger sales, we get everything up front. Again, as long as everyone is trustworthy, it works great. And after what happened yesterday, we know we can trust you. Nobody would have gone down in that sewer that was planning to leave soon! Of course, there's some interest..."

By the time the transaction was concluded, both Kreet and Kallid had learned one hell of a lot that she didn't know before about how business was conducted in the city. When finally the three workmen rose, she shook the foreman's hand and thanked them for their honesty and charity.

"Not a problem, Kreet. But you do what I said - hide that money where nobody knows about it. You hear me? Nobody! Sigmundurr is a strong man, no doubt, but he can't be everywhere, and he's got to sleep sometime. You do not want it getting out that you've got a hoard of gold in here!"

Kreet had stashed the money away in some rafters within the hour.

And then they really got to work. The foreman had pointed out some timbers and loose material that would all have to be cleared away before they could begin their work, so they started clearing out the rubbish that very afternoon.

By the time the sun had set, all three were exhausted. A section of the rooftop was still sturdy, though, so they climbed a ladder and sat there to rest while the cool of the evening came on and the stars came out.

"Well, we did a lot today I think," Kallid said "And Sig, you were great. We both know you did all the hard work, and you're going off to do more tomorrow for us. Sig, I don't know how to thank you enough. We'll miss you terribly when you're gone. If I didn't know how happy Eilistraee made you, I'd beg you to stay on."

"Oh, come on. Don't try and make me feel all mushy. I just hope everything works out for you two here. Right now the locals obviously love you. You'll need that."

"Us five," Kreet laughed. "Well, there's no telling what the future might bring, but at least right now it's looking pretty good. There's still a lot of work to do, but I think we've already made some friends around here. We didn't expect that when we got here!"

The three sat quietly and contentedly for a while, watching the stars come out and the moon rise.

"I understand you've already made a name for yourself here, Kreet," said a silvery voice behind them.

The three turned around. She stood surrounded by a dim halo, her dark skin as black as the space between the stars while her hair moved of its own accord, ignoring the cool breeze that flowed over the rest of them.

"Eilistraee," Sigmundurr said, rising from his seat and smiling from ear to ear. It was a look Kreet hadn't seen for a long time.

"Hi Sigmundurr," said the goddess. "Did you miss me?"

"For a pregnant goddess, you don't show it!" Sigmundurr laughed and took the goddess in his arms roughly, planting a kiss on her that looked for all the world like he wanted to eat her face.

That set her laughing. "Get off me you brute!"

"Never, if I have anything to say about it," he said, but released her.

"You'd best remember that. Goddesses can be awfully jealous people. As for the pregnancy, sorry Kreet but I get to control my form. Afraid you... Oh! Oh my! Three!"

The goddess knelt and touched Kreet's belly, feeling the lives within.

"I swear there were only two last time! Kallid, you amazingly fertile man!"

Kallid's eyes began to turn to violet.

"Well you helped. You and your damned moondance," Kreet said with mock offense. "We figure the third was conceived that night."

Eilistraee nodded. "That makes sense. Our presence tends to do things like that. Oh, this third one is going to be a special one too. You made an especially good one here, Kallid. He will grow to be a leader!"

"HEY!" Kreet said, taking her belly away from her hands. "We're not supposed to know the gender yet, let alone their future! Besides, I was there too you know."

"Sorry," Eilistraee said, standing back up. "I have to be careful what I say sometimes."

"Eilistraee," Sigmundurr said, his face now betraying a concern he hadn't shown before. "I... I think I need to stay a few more days with Kreet and Kallid."

"What's this? You'd rather stay here than come see the new home I've built for us?" she said, but her dark face displayed a bit of a smile. "I knew I'd stayed too long away from my bull. You've fallen out of love for me!"

"I don't think that's possible, Eilie," Sigmundurr said with a quite sincere look.

"Don't be silly, Sigmundurr. Of course it's not. Unless lured by another goddess. But you've made commitments, haven't you? Commitments to these two fine kobolds."

Sigmundurr nodded.

"I know. I'll return again when the moon is next full. You will be ready then. The fact is, it is I who missed you. We goddesses aren't used to denial - even self denial. I saw you three sitting here from up there and couldn't resist. And... there may have been another reason for me visiting you now. But you are already becoming a better man, Sigmundurr. To turn me down for your friends... that's not an easy thing to do for a mortal. I am impressed. My bull is more stubborn than I thought. Don't change, Sigmundurr. I love my bull."

Kreet didn't want to admit it, but she was relieved. Doing the work for the foreman wasn't that important, but she really didn't want to face Big Jake without Sigmundurr nearby.

The two began another kiss that became more passionate as Kreet and Kallid watched.

Kreet tugged at Kallid's tail with her own. "Come on, Kally. This time we need to go for a walk!"

The two climbed down the ladder and out into the street.

"You think we're okay to go alone out here?" Kallid asked while looking up and down the street.

"We can't stay locked up in the Baby Dragon forever. And it's still pretty early. Let's at least give it a try. Besides, I have a feeling that with her up there, we'll be fine."

Kallid followed Kreet's glance up to the roof. A glow of moonlight was coming from the rooftop. It wouldn't have been noticed by the locals.

They walked hand-in-hand slowly up the road towards the main road. The smell had already improved markedly, but it remained a pretty run-down area. Whole families sat on steps to take advantage of the night's coolness.

"Hi, Kreet!" called someone from a group on the other side. She waved and saw the hands of both a father and mother wave back. She wished she could remember their names.

"I'm Kallid!" called her mate with a hint of a laugh.

"Oh! And hi Kallid!" called the woman, understanding his intent even if her husband didn't

Two kids came running up to them. Kreet recognized one from the day they'd arrived.

"You're Paula, right?"

She nodded rapidly, but didn't say anything. Kreet knelt and held out her hand to the boy. "And what's your name?"

From across the street, she heard the mother answer. "That's Cerne. They might be a little scared of you though."

"Hello Cerne," she said in as sweet a voice as she could. The boy took her hand and shook it, mimicking what he'd surely seen adults do."

"Well good to meet you Cerne and Paula," she said. But the boy removed his hand and held it out to Kallid, who dropped to his knees and shook the little man's hand as well. "Good to meet you Cerne. We live over there."

"I know. Baby Dragon," he said.

"That's right. We live in the Baby Dragon Inn. We're your new neighbors."

Paula cleared her throat.

"Yes Paula?" Kreet asked.

"Can I touch your tail?"

Kreet laughed. "Sure you can."

"Ooo. It's slimy!"

"No. It just feels like it because it's smooth. Feel your hand. If it was slimy, you'd feel it on your other hand."

"Oh!" Paula said. "It's very smooth."

"Yes. It is."

"Are you a good dragon? My father says you're a good dragon."

"Well, I'm a kobold actually. But I'm a good kobold!"

The little girl suddenly gave her a hug, and Kreet returned it lightly.

"Sorry, Kreet," said the father. "She's a hugger."

"I don't mind. But thanks... for not being afraid of us."

"There's a lot worse people to be afraid of than you two. Welcome to the neighborhood!"

Kreet looked at Kallid. The boy was now giving him a hug too.

"Thanks!" was all she could think to say.