“Goblins like building things, for some reason,” Lakaris said with a detachment from his own race, “and we have some of these classes engrained in our blood in the same way the Vanedenis have [Heroes] in theirs. Or how the Sirens, with their devious classes, should be declared monsters and be slain with no quarter for negotiation.”

Claudius and other diners go stiff when the green guy mentions the Sirens.

“Master Lakaris, we shouldn’t—”

“Shut it,” Lakaris snarls, “I’d personally murder every single one of those treacherous creatures. Bastards, to the last one of them. If they take offense with my words, I’ll be happy to address their concerns in one of my fortresses.”

Lakaris’s temper flares up for a second, but he does a U-turn in the next moment.

“I’m sorry, the older I get, the more I lose my temper. I’ve lost some people at sea, and I’m pretty sure the Sirens were behind it. So, I don’t like them. But I shouldn’t have spoken like that. Again, I’m sorry.”

I look at the Goblin, bewildered. How come this guy goes on a rampage one second and then does this the other? I look around, and I see that I’m the only one surprised.

Is this a typical Goblin thing? Do they have bursts of rage followed by heartfelt apologies?

“Anyway, Goblins are everywhere. We don’t have our own cities, and we share most of our settlements with other races. Unlike Elves and Humans, we go along with everyone.”

Everyone but Sirens, it seems.

Plus, I’m really liking the idea of clamshell bikinis right now. However, I feel like it wouldn’t be a good moment to ask if they indeed wear such apparel.

“I’m part of the [Architecture] Guild, which is mostly managed by Goblins, not unlike the [Engineers’] Guild and a few others. We don’t discriminate toward other races, but few are as interested in these professions as we are.”

“Are Goblins good [Smiths]?” I ask.

“I see why you might think that, but the answer is no, we are not. Elves are very good at smithing, probably among the best. Plus, their good magical aptitude makes them more than capable at handling magical metals.”

“Huh, that’s cool. Who’s the best at magic, then?”

The Goblin inhales lightly at that question.

“Depends on whom you ask. If you ask this question on Kome, depending on whom you are talking to, you will get two answers: the Vanedenis will say it’s the Vanedenis, the Ahalis will say it’s the Dragons, their former masters. If you ask the same question anywhere else, most will say it’s the Hydras.”

So, Dragons are a thing. And something tells me that my dear spellbook was a Dragon’s property or maybe even a more dangerous creature.

“What’s a Hydra? And an Ahali?”

Lakaris looks at Stan, incredulous. He’s probably wondering how it is possible for me to be so ignorant. Well, Lakaris, friend, I come from another world, what else can I say?

“A Hydra is a humanoid form that evolves into a bigger and bigger creature when it levels. The legendary one who fought for world-domination a couple of millennia ago had seven heads. In Hydra culture, it’s believed that the maximum could be nine heads, but there are no real records of that.”

“World-domination?”

“The Hydras tried to take over the world when their society was at the forefront of magic. Almost every other race came into a united front to fight them. It’s the biggest conflict we have a record of.”

“Oh, so I gather the allies won,” I laugh.

Stan and Lakaris exchange a poignant look.

“They didn’t? But we are not under a Hydrean dictatorship, are we?”

Lakaris sighed.

“The Vanedenis joined the conflict as a third player, and they defeated both, forcing everyone to pay annual taxes to them. They had the Hydras pay so much in reparations that their economy has not yet completely recovered to this day. The number of artifacts and relics they stole from their academy and capital is insane.”

“Wait a second, are you telling me that these Vanedenis attacked both parties, and they won? Why does Vilith say they are in trouble now? Aren’t they some super-warriors?”

“It’s a long story, young man,” Lakaris slowly looks around while answering, “and it’s not my place to tell. Ask your Vanedeni friend for details. I’m sure she would provide you with many. They don’t like when outsiders butt in their stories and spread rumors. They may have fallen in disgrace, but history has taught us to respect them even if we think they are done. Because no one has ever truly defeated the Vanedenis.”

There’s reverence in Lakaris's tone for the first time since we have begun discussing.

“Yeah, I’ll skip the asking part. Vilith already wants me to help her people; I’d rather keep to myself as much as possible before she truly manages to rope me in somehow.

Lakaris’s eyes go wide, and now I can see his irises have more than one color. They are green, purplish and black.

“A Vanedeni asked you to help with their war?”

Before I can answer that, I hear steps behind me.

“Master Lakaris, we are here.”

Two middle-aged men in long robes shoot an icy stare at me.

Oh, right.

The bet.

Well, let’s get going!