The Fell Good Flue by Robin Miller

with some spices in it, and I pulled out a piece and put it on a cutting board. With another sharp knife I cut it up in small chunks and tossed it in a pan. A sizzle came to the air, as well as the scent of meat, and I chopped up an onion to go in the fry as well. Then mixed and stirred as the juices started to blend. Brandy came down and to the kitchen saying, “that smells good, what else would you like with it?”
I said, “you over a hot stove, or me with a seat under my ass.”
Brandy, “either one will get your feet moving first, but the chair is over there.” I said, “okay, you talked me into it, the journey of a thousand steps begins with the first one.” And I went to my padded chair in the liven room, and packed my pipe.
Brandy said, “short trips take less time, but are often required to be made more often.” As my ears caught what she heard on the air, a horn was blowing out a familiar note that said a zipper was on the way. I lit my pipe and looked out the window to the next building, and a runner was on top with a bag as big as he was. I yanked on a brake release and he zipped over, landing on the roof with a great thud. Then down the stairs with it saying, “greetings, this is the hide scrapped and rubbed, thought you would like a look before it goes to the tanner.” And he walked it over and set the large bundle by my feet.
I said, “it was a big one, was it not?”
He said, “indeed it was, even dead its weight can kill a man as cargo.”
I said, “sit, have a sip to wet your tongue, tell what word the streets have.”
I passed him a bottle and he tipped it up, then said, “the smoke house is hot, and meat hanging, bones are being cleaned as well. All made the trip with no sightings of dog, and the lines are right as they should be.”
I said, “I went to see my wolf and give him a drink, now his new bowl will do that for me.” He said, “that made the wind, and of Laurence as well, running a line to it as we set.” He took another drink and passed the bottle back.
I said, “his things, and a few from others, have been put to use today. What news of the south run and open ground there.”
He said, “rabbits taken by the dozen, a string is on its way here, figured you would of got to them if time put you there. The swingers hand is not festering, and he has no fever, getting a few things done around his home as you are.”
I said, “yes, but I’m still zipping today, and I know what it’s like with a bad hand. I was lucky to keep both safe in watering the wolf, and now they’re getting used around here. With much luck I’ll put them to some more use before they need to take the lines again.” He said, “the trader that came to town the other day had honey, fresh with wax cone, I have a wrap here,” and he handed it to me.
Brandy said, “now tell me some tea is on the way.”
He said, “word true on that, or so says the wind, the trader had a stash in the hills of herbs and things that were well keep. A sack of great value and promise of clear path to more, and he takes care of himself well with the weapons he has.”
I said, “how long will he be in the city?”
He said, “hard to tell, he is looking the prospects over, and that may include a few of the women.”
Brandy, “I think I want to meet this man.”
I said, “I knew you were going to say that.”
He said, “so did TT, so the word is the man is being shown our way, if he has the will for it a swinger may escort him soon.”
I said, “have another drink, your words keep bringing cargo.”
He said, “no more of that if you please, drunk on a wire is not how I want to be found, but high in low places can be a pass time.”
So I lit my pipe and took a toke, then handed it to him, and he dragged a lung of smoke and said, “now that’s the good stuff, you get and give some of the best.”
I said, “kill the bowl and keep the memory, they are all that’s worth it at the end of the day.” He took another drag and