The Broken Shield

By: Heath, Rowan

The war is over. The lunch rush has just begun.

Rorek "The Mountain" Cleave-Helm has successfully transitioned from Warlord to Innkeeper. His knees are (mostly) healed, his Star-Fall Lager is the toast of the region, and he finally has a girlfriend who doesn't try to kill him. Life at The Empty Scabbard is good.

It is also entirely too loud.

Success has brought crowds, and crowds have brought a new enemy: Capitalism.

Across the street, a flashy new tavern franchise called The Gilded Griffin has opened its doors. Run by a charismatic high-level Bard, it offers magical mood lighting, bottomless mead, and a distinct lack of soul. To save his business, Rorek decides to expand his humble inn.

There is just one problem.

When Rorek breaks ground on a new wine cellar, he discovers he isn't the only one living on the property. A tribe of Kobolds has been squatting in the foundation for centuries. They are noisy, obsessed with shiny spoons, and have immediately unionized against the renovations.

Now, Rorek is fighting a war on three fronts:

The Corporate Rival trying to buy him out.The Reptilian Staff living in his basement.The Incognito King upstairs, who just wants a quiet vacation and is terrible at hiding his identity.

Rorek might have hung up his sword, but he'll need his shield more than ever-not to block arrows, but to serve the roast.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GCKMVCSL
• ISBN13: 9798233882043
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Iron Kettle Press
• Length: 118 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"