The ride back to the hotel wasn’t pleasant. For me, anyway. Halona had a ball.

“Really Master Ranger, I do like her! So fiery! So passionate! From the looks of things, brilliant, or at least talented. A responsible older sister with adorable siblings! And now she’s your personally sponsored inventor and possible, uh…”

“Coppersmith.” I supplied dryly. I’d given up trying to get her to shut up about Orna, the little drama of the bets, or the whole damn situation in general. Every time I tried to get Halona to shut up, she waited precisely twenty seconds before starting over from scratch.

I’d actually timed it at one point to be sure.

At this point, it hurt less to just go along with her bizarre imaginings.

“Coppersmith!” Halona continued, smiling in the biggest, bucktoothiest way possible simply to annoy me. Which it did.

“I don’t even know if she’s got any talent, or skills or devices worth all the expense from me, and excitement from you.” I told her with a long suffering sigh. We’d finally reached Broadway Street, but since this was a big city, it was crowded, and the traffic was slow.

The sun was starting to set, and the gas-lamps and street gaslights were beginning to flicker into warm glows along the roads.

“Oh please.” Halona just shrugged, as if the whole point of the bets and little dramas, that being Orna’s skills, was irrelevant. “She could be the worst skilled apprentice in her field in its short history, which I doubt considering they were trying to sabotage her, and it still wouldn’t matter!”

“Oh wouldn’t it now?” I asked, looking at her in askance. “And pray tell, why wouldn’t it matter? I paid a lot of money up front for her skills, and bet a hell of a lot more after that. Again, all over her skills in her chosen field.”

“Yes, and that was a fun, exciting, and adorable pretext.” Halona laughed at me as we slowly clomped our way down the road. “And the fact that she was fiery, beautiful, and utterly adorable had nothing whatsoever to do with it.” She looked at me with an evilly delighted look.

“And the way those modified clothes hugged all her curves so enticingly was completely lost on you, I’m sure.”

I stared, tried to speak back at her, felt my face start to grow hot, and in the end studiously looked away from her triumphant look.

“It never crossed my mind.” I muttered, irritated, though I wasn’t sure with who or what. Apart from the evil woman next to me who positively cackled at my response.

“Oh Master Ranger! That’s adorable! Oh, this is going to be so much fun!” She gloated, loudly. “I knew Miss Lillianne had gotten deep under your skin, and now for little fire hair Orna as well? Oh! Just wait until they meet!”

I blinked in confusion as the gates for the hotel came into sight.

“Meet?” I asked, confused. “Why would they meet?”

Halona looked at me in surprise for a moment, then promptly burst out laughing. I just continued to stare, lost. She struggled to get her breath back, looked at me for a moment, then promptly started laughing again, hard.

So hard in fact that she had to stop walking for moment, as both her human half and horse half were shaking so much from her mirth.

“You really don’t see it? How? Oh, no wonder Miss Lillianne has such fun with you!” Halona finally gasped a moment later, once her laughter was under control. “Why wouldn’t she go and talk with the woman apprentice Coppersmith who is now at the center of two massive bets with powerful people, including the legendary Wild Ranger?! With so much wealth on the line, and the fate of a centaur, and possibly the future of this entire city? Really Master, have you met Lillianne?”

Halona started giggling again.

“She’ll run poor Orna down by noon tomorrow and shake the whole story out of her! And what a story it is!” She looked at me with another wicked grin. “And the story of our train ride to get here hasn’t even released yet. By this weeks end, Master Ranger, you’ll be the most famous person in this city. Again.”

I stared at her for moment as we finally reached the front of the Hotel, and groaned in sudden shock when I realized she was right!

“I need a damn drink!” I moaned, suddenly feeling like a complete fool. “Or a whole damned bottle! Damn it!”

“No time for that!” Halona laughed as a Bell Boy came running over to take Butterballs reins and lead both my horse and gloating centaur companion to their stalls. “You have a dinner to get ready for. Somehow, I am willing to, bet, that you will have some extra unexpected guests show up for it.”

“Ah hell.” I groaned as I hopped down, suddenly feeling very tired, and very sore. Especially since I suspected she was right about that parting shot. Half the well-to-do of the city had heard about that bet, and by now, word of it was probably spread over the other half of the city.

If not more.

Which meant the who’s-who of suited up deal makers would probably start showing up, looking to ask for money for investing from me.

None of it had even occurred to me for some reason either. And it really should have! The hell was wrong with me that I couldn’t see this problem coming from a mile away?! Are there blinders on my face or something? I thought, sighing as I headed inside.

How do I not see these things coming? I feel like an idiot!

Unfortunately, I had no more time for self-pity as I headed up to my room to get a bath drawn, and to get cleaned up. Then I had to find some clean, respectable clothes to wear for my impromptu dinner reception. Me and my big mouth. I thought darkly as I headed up to my room to begin getting ready.

I needed coffee.

Fortunately, that’s what room service was for!

Time passed quickly enough, and I found myself waiting down in the large dining area the hotel had. The room was large, well lit, and well furnished with many square tables and wooden chairs. The gas lamps gave off a warm glow, and combined the the chandeliers, there was a warm, sparkly, almost intimate feel to the place. Several waiters moved around as many people held quiet conversations.

I sat at a small table by the wall, far away from any other people, and sipped at a ice water glass. I really preferred ice in my drink, I had found, and wouldn’t have it any other way if possible. A strange luxury addiction, I conceded, but one I didn’t want to do without if I could avoid it.

Occasionally, I saw a few people steal a glance at me, but on the whole, here at least, I could relax from the attention of the masses.

I waited a little while longer, before a bell boy made his way over to me, looking pained but professional.

“Pardon me sir, are you expecting a visit of some kind?” He asked as soon as he reached me.

“Depends,” I replied with a chuckle. “Who is it?”

“A young woman and two children with her.” He answered back immediately.

“Excellent.” I smiled, looking forward to this. “Go ahead and bring them over. I’ve been expecting them.”

“Ah, sir, are you sure about that?” The young bell boy asked, looking concerned.

“What’s the problem?” I asked, frowning.

“It’s just that management is unhappy with how they look.” He explained.

“Something about how they are too low brow to come here. I guess their patchwork clothes are what they are complaining about.”

“Sounds like troublemakers looking for an excuse to cause trouble.” I replied with a roll of my eyes. “They are expected by me, invited by me, and as of this afternoon, stand at the center of massive fortunes riding on bets around them. You can tell management that they’ll be able to read all about it in the newspapers over the next couple of days. In the meantime, I would like the people I invited to dine with me, brought over here please.”

“Right away sir!” He nodded and practically scurried off to the door. I didn’t know whether to chuckle or roll my eyes at this nonsense, so I settled on both.

A moment later, the Rowan family was led into the dining room and over to my table. I took the time of their reaching me to look them up and down, and while I was personally impressed, I could see where the manager fits were coming from. Their clothes were nice, a pair of nice green dresses for the girls and a reasonably fitting suit for the boy, but they all did have more than a few patches on them.

The three also looked a combination of nervous and awestruck as they looked around the room. And hungry. Very hungry, if the way the eyes of Vivian and Oscar lit up at all the plates of food was any indication. Honestly though, Orna’s bright blue eyes weren’t much better, and she looked ready to both drool and pounce at some of the tables on her way over to me.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at that.

Still, they were surviving, even thriving, and had been before I ever showed up, despite everything. So, pity would not be something they would want, or likely tolerate. As I looked at Orna in particular, how she stubbornly carried herself well as she walked over to me, despite some looks and whispers, I knew I didn’t need to feel sorry for them.

More like impressed, really.

I smiled and rose as they came over to my table. “Welcome.” I said, gesturing to the chairs. “I don’t know much about city etiquette, so you’ll have to make do with country frontier style. Please, join me.”

“It’s a pleasure Mr. Jake.” Little Vivian said, smiling as she promptly stomped all over her sisters attempted reply, causing Orna to blush in embarrassment. I just laughed and bowed at my waist to the little tyrant.

She drew herself up regally and gave me a elegant nod and curtesy, which she promptly spoiled by giggling as soon as she did. The rest of us all started chuckling at that, and the tension died down a little.

“Let’s all get seated, order up some food, and talk.” I suggested, and everyone quickly sat down.

The waiters were first class, and quickly brought us glasses of water and menus before vanishing, and everyone began going through the long menu. After a few minutes, we had all ordered and were soon waiting for our food to arrive.

“So, did you figure out what was sabotaged?” I asked with an amused smile.

“Yes! That little bastard!” Orna snapped, her fire instantly shooting to full blast. “He mucked around with some of my devices, but he was so stupid about it! It was so obvious because he took things right off the devices, right out in the open.”

“Yeah, he didn’t seem all that bright.” I chuckled. “Just watching him try and sneak into your tent was an embarrassment.”

“Is that why you made that big show?” She asked, focusing on me intently. Sitting on either side of her, her two siblings both did the same.

“No, that was that Guild Rat Bastard was making that big show.” I answered with a shake of my head. “I merely realized what he was doing, didn’t like it, and decided to steal his little stage.”

“Why help us?” Oscar asked quietly, almost timidly. “You don’t know us, or owe us anything.”

“True, but I know talent when I see it, and I know bullies when I see them.” I answered, meeting his eyes respectfully. “I hate bullies. Everyone does, but I had the ability and the knowledge at the time to do something about it, so I did. I’m happy to help, and it looks like I made a good bet.”

“More than one.” Orna muttered with a wiry smile. I sighed in exasperation.

“The second one with Mr. Granes was totally unplanned.” I glared at the memory, causing everyone at the table to smile. “He did to me what I had just done to rat face. And he trapped me pretty good, all over my traveling companion.”

“Where is Ms. Halona anyway?” Vivian asked excitedly, looking around for the centaur woman. Or at least, I assumed she was. “I wanted to chat with her.”

“She did seem interesting.” Oscar muttered. “Maybe she would like me to play her a song?”

He was still clutching his violin case, even here. I idly wondered how good he really was. Maybe I’ll get to find out. I thought with a quiet smile.

“What is it with everyone loving that smart mouthed horse woman?” I asked in mock annoyance, causing all of them to laugh or giggle.

“She’s so much fun!” Vivian replied, too young to understand my question was rhetorical.

“Well, she’s in the Hotels stable barn. She has her own modified stall, and is there at the present.” I explained with a shrug and gestured around us. “She’s so big that delicate places like this don’t really mix well with her. But, if it means that much to you, I suppose I can have some bell hops take you two, and your dinner, over to her for a visit.”

Their faces lit up in instant excitement, despite the fact that it was getting late, and I chuckled. “If you really want to, and if your sister says it’s okay.”

“Please!” They cried in unison to Orna, who half glared, half smiled at them and me, before rolling her eyes and nodding in defeat.

“Fine.” She sighed out, glaring while fighting a smile at the same time.

“Yes!” They cried together again.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I signaled for a waiter. One hustled over, and I explained that the children wanted to visit with Halona, with their meals. He quickly nodded and trotted off, with a hefty tip and the brother and sister duo in tow.

Now it was just me and Orna. Suddenly it seemed so much quieter. We both laughed as we each took a drink and relaxed or a moment.

It was nice.

“I wanted to thank you again Mr. Ranger, for helping me as you did.” She said with a much softer smile. “Though, you could’ve saved yourself a lot of money by just telling me, and everyone else for that matter, that the guild was trying to cheat.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” I asked, laughing. I was gratified when the beautiful redhead started laughing with me.

“So, it was for fun that you tossed out a bunch of gold on a complete stranger, and humiliated one of the most ruthless rat bastard guild heads in the city?” She asked, giving me a half coy, half exasperated look. “I’m so glad my future was good for a lark.”

“Oh, not just a lark.” I disagreed smugly, grinning at her. “The fact that you’re beautiful certainly helped. And from the look of things, the other fact that you were fully ready to slug that little bastard certainly didn’t hurt.”

“So glad I could play a part in my own future.” She replied, mock glaring at me as a waiter approached us. “And here I thought talent and success had some small part to play.”

“Do you have the talent to create useful, functioning Coppersmith Devices that people will want to have?” I asked calmly, meeting her eyes without blinking.

“Do you have the confidence to present your devices for the public to look at, and to show why your creations are worth their time and money?”

“Of course!” She snapped, her fire and steely confidence flaring up once again.

“Then I’m fine with spending money on you, and am fully looking forward to helping you present your devices for everyone to see.” I replied with a shrug.

“Win or lose, I’m happy to help you have a big stage to show off your creations. Now it’s up to you to do it.”

She blushed, and suddenly looked both excited and nervous, but just as she moved to speak, the waiter reached us and bent over to speak with me. The move caught me off guard, and I suddenly wondered what had happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Orna swallow whatever she had been about to say, as she looked on with curiosity.

“Sir, a visitor has come, and would like to join you.” The young waiter whispered, looking very nervous.

“Who?” I asked, lost. The only person in this city that I knew was the accursed Lillianne Lancaster, who I knew for a fact was busy writing up her cursed articles. Or was off with her sister, who would soon be writing the next round of wretched dime store novels.

“Mr. Andrew Carnegie.” The waiter whispered, his voice practically trembling at each syllable.

I blinked in confusion for a moment, trying to place the name, before it clicked, and then I just stared at the waiter in utter shock for moment.

The Steel King? I thought, stunned. The guy who built that giant bridge across the Mississippi? If I remember right, one of the richest men in the country, by a crazy wide margin. And he wants to speak with me out of the blue, my first night in the city? What the hell?

“By all means, show him over,” I replied slowly, feeling like the ground was shifting under my feet. “Get him a drink, and a menu.”

“Right away sir.” The waiter nodded and walked off as fast as he could, looking like he would’ve run if he could’ve.

“What is it?” Orna asked, looking concerned as she looked at me.

“Oh, just one of the richest, most successful and powerful men in the country.” I replied with a forced nonchalant shrug. “And I guess he was just happening by and fancied himself a visit.”

“You’re not joking, are you?” She asked, looking concerned.

“Nope.” I replied, forcing myself to breathe and relax. I didn’t like being ambushed, and today had had me being ambushed repeatedly. At this point, I was more than a little sick of it.

“Well then,” Orna said with a resolute shrug of her slender shoulders. “We’ll just have to welcome him with open arms, and deal with whatever he wants.”

I smiled at the set in her jaw, and the quietly burning fire in her bright blue eyes. Damn she’s beautiful! I thought, calming down as I looked at her.

“Yes we shall.” I smiled, and then rose in greeting as the waiter came back over with a middle aged bearded man in tow behind him. “Let’s greet one of the most powerful men in the Eagle Union.”

“Should be interesting.” She quipped with a chuckle as she rose alongside me as the waiter reached us.

“Mr. Ranger, Miss Rowan,” the waiter bowed slightly to both of us before smoothly stepping to one side and gesturing to the well dressed businessman next to him. “May I introduce Mr. Andrew Carnegie.”