Excerpt: Beware the Thorns

“What is that you’re drinking?” She peered over to him, curiously trying to discover what that strong odor was. He turned and glared up at her.
“I don’t think a thin waif like you could hand something like this.” His voice was gruff and gravely, like he had stones in his throat. Lillian then realized she had never properly talked to a dwarf before. It was going to be an interesting experience. Hopefully this would give her some insight into them when she became queen. But right now, she had to remember what Oliver said, she’s just a normal sixteen year old girl, not the heir apparent.
“I would still like to try. You seem to be enjoying it well enough. And if I don’t like it, you can have it, free of charge. I’m feeling adventurous today.” The dwarf gave her a dubious stare and shook his head. But she persisted, giving him a completely eager look. Finally he sighed and waved the bartender over.
“Give her a pint of the Firebrand. She’s feeling ‘adventurous’.” The barman looked Lillian over, raising his eyebrow incredulously at her. She drummed her fingers on the bar impatiently and the barman just shrugged and pulled out a pint, placing it in front of her and then pulling out a big black bottle, pulling out the cork and pouring her some. Once he was done, she handed him a few pieces of silver from her coin purse and grabbed the pint. She smelled it curiously, taking in its sharp, spiky tang. It tickled her nose hairs almost to the point of sneezing. The dwarf watched her curiously as she picked up the pint and took a taste. She scrunched up her face after the first taste, shaking her head and blinking rapidly.
“That’s…..” she blew out a breath. “That’s…..wow. It’s powerful, that’s for sure. It burns on the way down but it’s so smooth after that. It’s delicious!” She took another sip, reveling in the way it made her feel. She felt warm all over, right down to her toes. She felt the warmth spread out from chest in waves with each sip. With each sip she became more relaxed and before she knew it, the drink was gone. She looked at the barman and waved him over, wanting another one. He and the dwarf exchanged glances and the dwarf just shrugged as the barman poured her another pint.
By the time Oliver found Lillian she was on her third pint and involved in quite a heated discussion with the dwarf over the properties and strength of their weapons compared to elvish steel.