The Valkyrie's Last Drink

"I'll have a Grandma's Uncle Fish." I blinked at the customer. "You got it," I said & turned around to grab a glass. I'd never heard of a Grandma's Uncle Fish cocktail before. I snuck a peek at our cheat sheet, a list of drink recipes we keep behind the bar, but it wasn't there.

I moved a few bar things around, looking busy, but secretly I scrutinised the punter with shifty little glances in the huge, gilded bar mirror. She was easily three metres tall and wearing a stovepipe hat with an airhorn attached to the front. No doubt she was here to kill me.

I wish I’d never publicly rebuked the Valkyrie Princess. I could have simply declined her advance in a polite way! But my big mouth got me in trouble again, and now there is a price on my head.

I should have went on, just as father told me to do. I wonder if the people of Valkyrie will have mercy over my heart.

Staying here in Valkyrie may no longer be an option. If the people don’t accept my explanations… If they start to come after me, I’ll have no choice but to flee. I thought back to the lessons my father taught me. Should I hide? Run? Fight? I would know soon enough.

I knew the moment I heard a knock at the door that I had outstayed my welcome. It was the butcher, the mayor, and a soldier who crassly invited themselves in. I served tea ahead of our difficult conversation. By the time voices were raised the poison had done its job.