Chapter 187
Never Ever.
Hawkin
Brewer’s Reputation: 44
I couldn’t remember the last time I had been around so many people. It was easy to put on a smile and to shake hands, but it was draining. When adventurers had begun showing up in my woods, it was at least on my home base. The tavern didn’t quite feel like it belonged solely to me, especially with the hand which the Dream Cutters had in crafting the environment. I was surprised to find myself expecting some kind of ownership over it. It had at first seemed like it was mine, and everyone congratulated me like it was.
One by one, I thanked everyone for their words. Then I met Corylus for the first time.
He smiled like a child. “The man himself!” he said. “It’s an absolute delight to meet you! Tell me, how is little Bellesweet? Has she grown? My, what a joy it is to finally see your face. Please forgive me, I’ve gone quite giddy. What you’ve done for me… Gah, I’ve no words…” Corylus stammered mutely for a moment. “No words!”
“My pleasure,” I said. “And thank you for being so kind to Abigail.”
“Young man, that woman is remarkable! I can’t imagine the kind of wretch who’d behave in such a way. Well, actually Hiccup did mention a man, but that was well before you blossomed in her heart. It seems you’ve turned all our worlds upside down.”
“Looks like I’m turning my own world upside down too.”
“My dear boy, until now I’ve only known you through Abigail. I thought perhaps she’d exaggerated your particularities. But now it’s painfully clear, even to my aged eyes. This is far too many people for you to be around in one day, isn’t it?”
“Yup, I’m so far outside my comfort zone that I might as well be traveling.”
A butler approached me, and I knew from their bearing that it was Riggvelte. “Master Ballow—” he said.
I waved my hands. “Oh no, don’t call me that. Please.”
“Master Hawkin, I would like to introduce you to Ethan Hiccough.”
I nodded to Riggvelte, and said to Corylus, “It was a great pleasure to meet you. Your little bear was a beautiful girl. I’m so glad I got to see her.”
Corylus beamed. He almost seemed as happy as Barnacle-eyes got when she found the perfect onion. Pure joy was in his eyes, and he returned the nod before I followed Riggvelte.
We conversed as we crossed the tavern, and no matter how many times I asked to be addressed by my first name only, he would respond with “yes, master hawkin”. This went on all the way to the bar.
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Hiccup was there, and he had just filled a tankard with one of my spontaneity beers. The pink foam was proof that the beer was an apple wheat beer which Abigail and I had collaborated on. He was in the middle of a conversation with Abigail when he turned to Riggvelte and I.
“Abigail, did you swap my beer for an anti-gravity ale?” he said. “It feels as though my soul may take flight. Quickly, hold me down before I lose my chance to meet the world’s most evasive brewer!”
“Master Hawkin,” said Riggvelte. “May I present Master Hiccough.”
Hiccup put on an authentic charming smile. “Enchanted to finally meet you!”
“Are you truly Abigail’s friend?” I said.
“Pardon?”
“You lied to her. It hurt her deeply.”
Hiccup sighed. “Hawkin, I have no excuse. However, if I may be frank with you, I don't regret it. The events that transpired afterward have ultimately saved me.”
“If I may, Master Hawkin,” said Riggvelte. “As witness to Master Hiccough’s character, I can corroborate that.”
“What I did was foul,” said Hiccup. “But how can I regret the path that led to one more conversation with my late love? Though it may seem empty to you now, I promise to never break Abigail’s trust again.” To Abigail, he said, “And I do realize that there are still so many steps I’ve yet to take before that trust can be repaired.”
“I understand,” I said.
“Please Hawkin, I must thank you a thousand fold. Come to my estate. Let me treat you to all I have to offer. You’ve haven’t seen Silo #43, have you? I’d be happy to accommodate you for as long as you’d like.”
“I won’t be going to Lavenfauvish, but thank you.”
“Ah, but you must come see my beer cave. As Abigail can attest, I’ve got quite the collection. Several Fable rank bottles which I’ve been saving. Enough to last us for months!”
“That’s very kind of you,” I said, “but I don’t see myself ever going to Lavenfauvish. The bar here is as far from my home as I’m willing to go.”
“How could any Brewer forgo Lavenfauvish? The city boasts the highest concentration of prestigious breweries in the world. If you’re in a rush, I’ll narrow down the best of the best. A week should be enough time. But we must search for treasures while you’re there. So perhaps two weeks would be best. There are shops brimming with some of the rarest, most sought after ingredients in the Brewer’s Guide. We can explore it all when you visit. I’ll buy you anything you fancy!”
“Again, very kind, but I will never go to Lavenfauvish,” I said.
“But what about the festival? Not to enter, of course, but to enjoy the festivities. You should have seen how much Abigail and our companions enjoyed this year's extravaganza! All that was missing was you!”
“I appreciate how hard you’re going at this. Really though, nobody, not even a god, could convince me to travel right now.”
“One day,” he said. “Give me just one day. You won’t have to set foot away from my mansion. I’ll bring the wonders of the city indoors. It would allow me to show you a small thank you for all that you’ve done for me, for Ashlee, for Abigail, for Corylus, and even for Eric.”
“Hiccup, I thank you very much. But the amount of people I’ve had to deal with lately has pushed me into burnout. It’s been painfully reaffirmed that some things just aren’t for me. And they never will be. So please understand. I won’t be traveling to Lavenfauvish. Ever.”
“Then perhaps an evening? Only a few hours of your time. Please, I’m desperate to treat you to a lavish feast.”
“It’s not happening,” I said.
A group of adventurers raised their voices in what sounded like alarm. The crowd began quickly parting.
“Hawkin!” said a man. “Aye, where’s the bastard!”
“Good heavens!” said Hiccup. “Is that Eric?”
Riggvelet rocked on his heels. “Who else would have profanities precede him?”
Erik burst through the crowd, and he halted before us. “Hawkin! Is this Hawkin?”
“I am. What’s going on?”
“Barnacle-eyes needs you!”