Small Talk

By Rachel Dib

Every patron averted his gaze as Karis walked into the tavern. Even the barkeep avoided her eye while he took her order. She selected a random ale from the list and sat down. The tavern’s occupants continued to converse in hushed whispers.

Karis rolled her eyes and faced the room. “Look, I’m not here to predict anyone’s death, okay?”

Her gaze fell on a blond man in the corner, and she tilted her head. “Well, maybe his death. But that was an accident. I’m here looking for something… er, someone.” She shrugged. “I have specific business.”

When the tavern’s occupants continued to stare surreptitiously at her from behind their tankards, Karis sighed and turned back around.

“Don’t take it personally,” a voice squeaked from the bar.

Karis blinked. A brown spotted hamster sat to the right of her mug.

“I bet none of them have seen a real Valkyrie before,” the hamster continued. “They just know the legends: an angel that predicts death.” The hamster’s snout quirked in a lipless attempt at a smile. “You sure are pretty.”

Karis took a sip of her beer and grimaced. “I’m not bothered. People believe what they want to believe.”

“If you say so,” the hamster replied. “By the way, the best ale in this place is the Rock-hammer Special. Everything else is spittle.”

Karis considered the rodent for a moment, then shrugged and ordered his suggestion. When the new brew arrived, she took a sip and lifted a brow. Who knew hamsters had good taste?

“So, who are you looking for?” the hamster asked. “I’ve spent a lot of time here. I might know him.”

“I’ll know him when I see him.” Karis glanced around the tavern. Again, her eyes fell on the blond man. Tuesday, the eighteenth, at 12:52 p.m. Knife to the heart. She shook her head. I’ll let it be a surprise.

“Are you sure? You could be waiting a while.”

“Yep.”

The hamster nodded. “In that case, I recommend the snort burger on rye. Tastiest meal you’ll ever eat.”

Karis looked down at the hamster. “Snort burger?”

“On rye, yes.”

“What is a snort burger?”

The hamster twitched an ear. “Don’t ask. Just eat. You’ll thank me later.”

Karis shrugged. He was right about the ale. And I am hungry.

She ordered the meal. It arrived, a bright orange patty smothered in everything from onions to something with legs that Karis hoped wasn’t a spider and sandwiched between two thick slices of rye. She glanced suspiciously at the hamster.

“Bon appetite,” he squeaked up at her.

Karis took a cautious bite and groaned. The burger was juicy, tender, and slightly sweet. All the random condiments added to the flavor, right down to the crunchy legged creature—which Karis was careful to keep hidden beneath the bun.

“Good, right?” The hamster tapped his little feet in excitement. “If you feel like sharing…”

Are hamsters supposed to like burgers? Karis wondered. But then, they don’t usually talk or have ale preferences either. She tore off a chunk and set it before the hamster.

“Many thanks,” the hamster said and dug in.

As they ate, the tavern door swung open. A man started to enter, took one look at Karis, and quickly headed out again. The barkeep shot her a glare.

“I hope that wasn’t him,” the hamster said.

Karis shook her head. “It wasn’t.”

The hamster nodded. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me who or what you’re looking for?”

Karis sighed. “I’m looking for a man about a horse.”

“A horse?” The hamster tilted its head. “What kind of horse?”

“The atypical kind.”

“Atypical as in super-fast? Insanely beautiful? Winged?”

“It seems you already know the answers to your questions,” Karis replied brusquely.

The hamster looked away. “Most Valkyries already own such horses.”

“You can’t own a Pegasus,” Karis snapped and then sighed and closed her eyes. It’s not his fault I’m frustrated.

Unbothered by her outburst, the hamster tapped his front paws and twitched his nose. “I’m glad to hear you say as much,” he replied softly. The hamster took one last bite of burger, then turned toward Karis. “Take me with you when you leave, and I’ll give you what you seek.”

Karis lifted a brow. “You know where I can find a Pegasus?”

“I do.”

“And you’ll just take me to it?”

The hamster nodded. “I will.”

Karis chewed her lip. “All right.”

The hamster tapped his feet again. “It’s a deal.”

Karis paid her tab, then held out her hand. The hamster scampered into it.

“Head toward the forest,” the hamster directed. “I’ll lead you from there.”

Ominous, she thought but obeyed.

They entered the forest, and the hamster demonstrated an accurate sense of direction. He seemed to know every tree and briar, following the forest’s pattern with exact precision. Eventually, the trees opened to reveal a secluded meadow filled with a sea of silver flowers that glittered and danced in the wind.

“It’s beautiful,” Karis breathed.

“It is,” the hamster agreed. “Put me down.”

Karis gently set the hamster on the ground, and he immediately skittered off, disappearing in the meadow’s growth.

“Hey! What about the Pegasus?”

Only a bird twittered in response.

Karis crossed her arms. “I can’t believe I got tricked by a hamster.”

Sighing, she began to turn away, but a flicker of movement drew her eye. A whirlwind of silver appeared at the field’s center. Karis blinked. A shape formed within the swirling winds and gradually solidified into a giant mass.

Karis’s jaw dropped. The whirlwind dissipated to reveal a Pegasus. Its mane fluttered in the wind. Sunbeams bounced off its coat, creating a dazzling white light so bright and pure, rainbows flickered in and out of existence around it.

I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

The Pegasus met her gaze. “Whoo,” it whinnied, shaking its mane. “Want to grab a milkshake? I know a great place that uses gefilte fish. Best shakes ever.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Dib is a stay-at-home mom of three small children. After marrying a soldier, she left her home state of South Carolina to live in random places across the U.S. In her limited spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and playing board games. Her other published work can be found in online magazines.

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