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Disclaimer: I have read this book of my own volition. Any and all opinions and interpretations contained herein are my own.
The Spoiler Report is a recounting of the major events of the novel mixed with my own interpretation of the meaning and symbolism of events, emotions, and actions. Reading this report is NOT a substitute for reading the actual novel and should not be taken as such. Not every single detail, feeling, and event is divulged within. It is essentially a lengthy outline of the story. Many details and all dialogue have not been included. This report is for those who appreciate knowing what happens or feels they may miss things when reading, or just want to have a detailed overview of a book before, or during, reading.
****THIS REPORT CONTAINS SPOILERS****
This is not a book review. For the full review of Legends & Lattes please visit HERE.
One last warning – SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Viv, A strong and powerful orc, is just dispatching the Scalvert Queen. After reaching into her head and retrieving a stone, forsaking the rest of the queen’s wealth, she leaves the rest of her crew to celebrate without her. After 22 years of the same life, Viv is ready for a change.
After some travel, Viv arrives in Thune, a city she has carefully chosen as the perfect place to set down roots. Something she has never done. With her sword, Blackblood, the Scalvert Stone, a witching rod, and a handful of food and coin, she enters the city. Depending on the witching rod to show her where to settle her future.
It leads her to a rundown livery shop, long closed. Laney, an older woman whose place is across the way, tells Viv where to find the owner of the forlorn shop. Viv heads to the tavern, in the early morning hours, to talk to the owner.
Hunting down Ansom, the livery owner, was not difficult. Negotiations begin right away as Ansom clearly believes, despite her size, he can swindle Viv. No dummy, Viv counters, further proving Ansom’s worthlessness as a businessman, highlighting his greed. Quickly, the deed is signed over to Viv. The orc is now in possession of a dilapidated livery that she intends to turn into a coffee shop.
Coffee. No one seems to know what it is. Viv, herself, has only known about it for six months.
Once in the livery, Viv buries the Scalvert Stone, along with all her hopes and dreams, under a flagstone.
The following morning Viv meets Calamity, Cal, a hob, at the shipyards. Watching him work, she instantly knows he is the man to help her build a ‘restaurant’. She uses restaurant since no one there seems to know what coffee is. Showing Cal the sketches she drew of her dream shop, Viv finds herself a bit embarrassed and anxious of his possible judgement. In his very ambiguous tone, Cal accepts the job and becomes Viv’s building partner.
For what seems like the first time in her life, Viv feels lonely. She is used to running campaigns and missions with her crew – D&D style. Before, if she was to be in a city such as Thune, it was just to pass through, along with her crew. Here, she has no friends. She is not passing through. Her behavior from this point will stick with the face people will routinely see.
Speaking with the owner of the tavern she chose for dinner that night, who also happens to be the owner, Viv allows herself to dream of her own shop and its possibilities.
Trusting Cal more than most had ever, they begin the new project. Working happily until what seems to be the equivalent of a mobster tax collector interrupts. No threats, no agenda, just calmly scouting.
The first delivery of coffee beans arrives. Viv is absolutely passionate about coffee. Her first experience with it had almost been a religious experience. Cal, like most people, has never heard of the stuff, and decides he will just have to trust her.
Viv asks Laney about her earlier visitor. Turns out he works for the Madrigal, a local kingpin. Laney suggests that Viv just comply with their demands.
After a few weeks of work, the livery no longer looks like a livery. Completely transformed into Viv’s dream.
Thinking of a name, Viv jokes with Cal having not really thought about one until now.
The Madrigal man returns, this time with company. Informing Viv that the whole street is under the watchful eye of the Madrigal. Such protection requires a monthly fee. Viv acknowledges this request but implies that she won’t be complying. Cal warns her to do as she is told, at the same time quietly supporting her decision to defy them.
Cal insists she needs a kitchen in her shop. Just in case the ‘bean water’ doesn’t work. But now Viv can make Cal his first coffee – black. It grows on him, somewhat, the more he sips it. Not that he says as much. The man is more grunts than actual words.
Viv hires Tandri, a succubus, to be her shop assistant despite a fumbling awkward beginning on the orc’s part. Tandri is very efficient and blunt. Traits Viv appreciates. With Tandri’s help, Viv acquires a great deal of items for her shop in way of decorations and necessities. Things she initially struggled with.
Roon, one of her old crew members, shows up with one of her deliveries – a very fancy and shiny coffee machine. Before he leaves, he gives Viv the means to be able to call upon him, quickly, in the future. Should she need his help.
Viv makes Tandri her first cup of coffee. The succubus is immediately smitten giving Viv hope.
Cal brings Viv a sign for her shop; a present. Legends and Lattes is born.
Viv makes a different type of coffee for Viv and Cal – a milky bean water. They both love the lattes.
Legends and Lattes opens to not a single customer. They need to regroup. Fortunately, Tandri has some ideas. They need a grand opening. The second opening brings a handful of people including a university student who studies ley lines. He chose the café since the ley lines that ran under it are acting differently. Viv worries the Scalvert Stone has something to do with that.
A 140-pound dire cat also finds solace in the shop.
Fennus, someone who used to campaign with Viv and her crew comes into the shop. They had never really been friends. Barely even acquaintances. Claiming he only wanted to congratulate her on this new stage of her life. She is not buying that.
Amity, the dire cat, becomes quite the asset to the shop as its unofficial protector.
Viv and Tandri recruit Thimble to add some baked goods to their growing menu after melting over ginormous cinnamon rolls. A pastry whose aroma brings in even more customers. Viv is finally feeling a sense of balance – rightness.
A nervous bard, Pendry, asks to entertain her guests. Therefore, collecting another member to her rag-tag group of underrated misfits.
The university fellow wants to lay wards on the shop to further study the ley lines. Claiming it won’t be noticeable.
The Madrigal thug shows again with a grip of support wielding knives. Diplomatically reminding Viv of the taxes she owes at the end of the month. Tandri, who is present for the exchange, reminds Viv that while the shop is important, it shouldn’t be her all.
Viv summons her old crew; Roon, Gallina, and Thivus. Along with Tandri, Viv pleas for help taking care of the Madrigal situation. Despite Tandri’s insistence, Viv wants to do anything other than give in and pay the Madrigal.
Gallina returns the following day and urges Viv to meet with the Madrigal prepared; wink, wink. But the orc doesn’t want to fall back into her old ways. She left that life behind when she decided to settle in Thune. Gallina also leaves Viv with a warning about Fennus. Something has been off about him recently.
Thivus is able to set up a meeting with the Madrigal for Viv. She is an older, crocheting, woman who agreed to meet with Viv because they have both had dealings with Fennus. Someone neither of them is incredibly fond of. The Madrigal knows about the Scalvert Stone courtesy of Fennus. Viv and the Madrigal forge an understanding and agreement during the meeting.
Viv tells Tandri everything that was said during the meeting with the Madrigal, including the Scalvert Stone. Also, the understanding the two made – a weekly delivery of Thimble’s delicious cinnamon rolls.
Thimble shows up at the café with ice in order to ensure the eggs and cream keep longer. Inspired, Viv invents an iced latte and offers one to the university man who claims he is not a fan of hot beverages, Hemmington. Viv would like him to lay another ward after receiving several warnings pertaining to Fennus.
Viv befriends Durias, a gnome that plays chess by himself in front of her shop. Amity is also a fan of his.
Thimble introduces Viv and Tandri to chocolate. Eventually bringing another delicacy, chocolate croissants, to the shop.
Tandri nervously invites Viv on a picnic to celebrate their victory with the Madrigal. Learning about Tandri’s background as a succubus and the prejudice of being such. Adding another layer to their relationship that has been steadily growing thicker and more involved. But everything falls into a companionable dance routine.
Tandri devises a way for the customers to take their beverage with them to go. Viv admits that the shop is as much Tandri’s as much as it is hers. Hinting at the importance the woman has gained in Viv’s life, but fumbles with the words.
The ward Viv had Hemmington lay is set off in the middle of the night. Fennus broke into the shop to search for the Scalvert Stone. Amity defends the shop, chasing Fennus away.
Viv has wondered, since the beginning, if her success is due to the stone. Worried what might happen if it is stolen. What would happen if she lost the shop?
Things return to normal. After a few weeks, the Madrigal casually visits as the inconspicuous older woman she is. Delivering an unspoken message – Fennus will return soon.
Tandri now insists on staying with Viv in the living space above the shop. Especially since Hemmington’s ward has been spent and never replaced. They sleep back-to-back, but Viv sleeps deeply for the first time in a very long time.
Another night Viv and Tandri in the same bed, they are awoken by Amity in the middle of the night. The building is on fire. All the doors have been ignited first, trapping them in by smokeless, green flames. Saving Tandri, her lockbox, and coffee machine, Viv leaves Blackblood and the Scalvert Stone to burn in the fire. As soon the flames are extinguished and she is able to get inside, Viv forges her way into the ruins of her dreams. No surprise, the Scalvert Stone is gone.
Eventually Tandri is able to get Viv back to her place to rest before returning to the pile of ashes that was Legends and Lattes.
Blackblood is ruined, the last relic that tethered Viv to her old life.
Cal attempts to motivate Viv to rebuild. But she is still too burdened under the weight of despair and hopelessness. She is angry and bitter. It is Tandri’s compassion and understanding that breaks through as they both wordlessly acknowledge their growing feelings toward each other.
The cleanup begins. Cal, Tandri, Pendry, Thimble, Hemmington, and Laney all chip in to help without Viv ever having to ask. The Madrigal even anonymously contributes to the café’s resurrection.
Durias stops by and clears up a few myths about the Scalvert Stone. It doesn’t bring luck as Viv was initially led to believe. It calls like to like. The stone brought Viv her people because of the person she is, not the success of her shop.
Roon and Gallina deliver two stoves Tandri and Cal bought Viv. The two have also restored the café sign with the remnants of Black Blood mounted into it.
The shop reopens to an eager and welcoming crowd. Hemmington is there and admits that the ley lines have mysteriously returned to normal. The Madrigal visits as it seems the two have become clandestine friends of sorts.
At the end of the first day, Viv gives Cal, Tandri, and Thimble a right of partnership. Recognizing that the shop is equally theirs.
Viv shows Tandri the renovated living space. Including a second bedroom for Tandri who thanks the orc by releasing her true self and kissing her in lieu of a verbal answer.
Fennus returns to town to see if the rumors are true about the café rebuilding. Sowing doubt into his mind about the power of the stone. The Madrigal lackey confronts Fennus about the stone. The Madrigal, of course, is very interested in it. Fennus escapes the Madrigal’s crew only to run into Amity a moment before the dire cat leaps at him.
