Apie Fields was just on the other side of pleasant to look at. The kindest term Ivy could produce for the style was rustic. But the word plain continued to pierce her thoughts. Plain and slightly dirty. She thought little villages like this were supposed to be colorful, whimsical even. Ramshackle cottages each of their own style and mark on the landscape. These just looked like houses and stores. Like background houses. Yes, like those. The ones the artist got to lazy to add much detail too, just the essentials.

But Ivy knew this was the place she needed to get her feet under her. Well to get Lilys feet under both of them. These drab, horribly dressed people needed a knight in shining armor. A real one, not just a beetle who looked like one. Maybe she could convince someone to lock up all these goats to. These kinds of towns always have a few just running around.

“So, this memaw? Is she affable?” Ivy said waving at a few gawkers. It was like they’d never seen a crimson skinned demon riding a seven-foot-tall horse before.

“I dunno about affable, but she’s real nice.” Heracles said, his voice not concerning itself with Ivys ears. “Her and Patty run the tavern just ahead.”

“Oh, a tavern~. All the best stories begin in taverns. Is it dark and dingy? A grimy den of ruffians?” Ivy asked hope slowly building.

“No uh… no grime. Not more than normal. And Memaws got a no rough boy policy.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I suppose everywhere can’t be as derelict as one would like.”

Ivy rode and Heracles strode up to a two-story wooden building. Far too homey to be the kind of place where shady individuals would send you on extraneous quests. It looked like a nice little eatery. The only signifier it was a tavern was the faint smell of cider and a classic swinging sign. It bore the image of a drinking horn overflowing with orangish liquid and the words “The Bulls Horn” at the bottom.

Ivy dropped off Lily and looked at the place, focusing in on the sign. “Quite the um… name, ay friend?”

“It’s pretty common where I come from.” Heracles said.

Ivy looked at him shocked. “You name establishments after The Horned Horror in your deserts?”

“Ooooh you meant the bar. Nah we aint got any horny horrors in the desert. Just regular ones.”

“Of… course. Um, anyways! Would you happen to know where I could stable my horse?”

Heracles shook his head. “Nope. Patty might know, but I don’t really ask horse questions.”

“I see.” Ivy ended up tying Lilys reins to a fence post off to the side of the tavern. Lily was uncomfortable without her stall but oddly didn’t much mind the open space.

Heracles had entered the Bulls Horn while Ivy was busy with her horse. Ivy heard voices inside greeting him kindly. She noticed as Heracles moved from her, she could no longer hear his responses. With far too much pomp, the heiress swung the heavy wooden door open and stood a beat in the doorway, awaiting reactions. She was met with nothing to work with. No happy greetings like Heracles but also no grumbles or suspicious glances.

Some farmers and lumber jacks were drinking and eating some stew. No shady types, no cloaked rogues. There was even a cat sleeping by the fire. The working folk just looked her way, checking to see if they knew her, then returned to idle conversation.

Slightly disgruntled, the rider strut over to the bar where she saw Heracles settle down into a bar stool. That stool happens to be the true hero of this story. Capable of anything and up to any challenge. The poor things’ legs buckled and creaked under four hundred and ten pounds of pure bug protein. But it struggles on, for it knows the fate of stools who shatter. And his son will not have firewood as a father.

Ivy stood next to where Heracles was sitting. Heracles called out to someone Ivy assumed was in the kitchen. While the limits of hearing the beetle in your brain was smaller than a voice could carry, it seemed to ring out clear and clean within the range even through walls. Ivy heard a muffled laugh and a call of just a minute come from the kitchen. And as is custom they waited the just a minute.

When the door swung open Ivy saw a tall barrel-chested man, with muddy green skin and small boar-like tusks poking from the corners of his mouth. Along with him was a likewise green skinned girl, carrying mugs of cider. She ignored the bar and headed to the tables. Ivy raised her hand to greet this man but was struck by the smells of the kitchen. The mouthwatering scent of searing meat, the warm embrace of cinnamon and apple, and something smelling pleasantly of mint. All of it filled her mind with imagined tastes. This would be the moment where a hand of steam beckons her into the kitchen.

The tusked man wiped his hands clean with a rag. “The usual Heracles?”

“The usual twice plus pie, Patty. We’re celebrating!” Heracles said as he placed a hand on Ivy’s shoulder. “Me, Marco and our new buddy just took out that griffin at the Zolts place!”

The large bartender looked at Ivy with peeked interest. “Is that so? You a mercenary too?”

Ivy gave a sing-songy laugh. “I prefer the term Hero actually. But I suppose mercenary can work for the time being.”

Patty nodded in that way polite people do when they don’t believe you. “A hero? Town could use a couple of those. Aint gotta pay em!” Patty, along with the few in ear shot, descended into light laughter.

Ivy laughed as well in her practiced musical way. “Quite right friend, quite right.”

“Let me get you two those drinks.” Patty said after the pleasantries were had.

Ivy sat down beside Heracles while Patty began preparing mugs for the two mercenaries. Ivy protested once she saw him reaching for two bottles of Zolt cider.

“Oh sir! Don’t you have anything else to drink besides cider?”

Patty gave her a chuckle and a shrug “Nothing else that’ll put any hair on your chest.”

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“I’d settle for tea.” Ivy said giving a to wide grin.

Patty nodded while he poured Heracles the cider. “Memaw just might have something back there for you. Let me check.”

“Oh! Could you have this Memaw come out as well. I wish to meet her!” Ivy said while Patty smiled at a man down the bar.

“Well, sure. I bet she’d love to.” He said with a tusked grin. He left after topping off a few patrons drinks, disappearing to the kitchen.

After a few moments of waiting and listening to the sounds a beetle makes when drinking, Yesenia and Marco entered the tavern. Yesenia glided over to sit quietly next to Ivy, but Marco took a detour to a table of young men.

“Hey, could you boys haul in a griffin over to grots place. Said he could use some feathers last time I was over, I’d say it’s got plenty” Three men from the table stood and exchanged a few words with Marco before heading to the door. “Remember Grot just needs the feathers ,you boys split up the rest.”

Marco made his way to the wizard, rider and beetle at the bar. Ivy was grinning as she was looking at him.

“Yes?” Marco said seeing her catlike grin.

“And here I thought Apie Fields didn’t have any heroes.” Ivy said semi mockingly.

“It’s just a griffin carcass, Grots a fletcher. He needs feathers. I need arrows at a discount.” Marco rubbed at his bandage as he sat on the other side of Heracles.

“Of course, darling~.” Ivy chuckled out.

Ivy could hear Marco grumbling, but that quickly ceased as the door to the kitchen opened again. Patty came out with two steaming shepherds’ pies. The mashed potatoes on top were perfectly fluffy and browned on just the peaks. And just the smell of the meat and veggies inside were enough to cause the mouth to water. There were even little hearts baked into the pies crust. Along with the meaty meals were two helpings of apple crumble. The dessert looked well enough, but Ivy was very partial to meat-based foods.

Ivy was so enraptured by the look and smell of her meal she hardly noticed a cup of tea being placed before her. The teacup was placed by a scrawny, bushy haired, and pale skinned old woman smiling pleasantly at Ivy.

Ivy looked at her beside the gigantic tank of a man. “Would you happen to be Memaw Martha Herbata?”

The old woman nodded. “Been Memaw bout fifteen years now. Been Martha a bit longer.” She let out a quite giggle. “Now, what was it you needed dear?”

“Well, Ma’am-“ Ivy started.

“Oh, call me memaw honey.” Memaw interrupted.

“Memaw, yes. I was actually told to look for you. A dear friend said you could provide work for me. I was also hoping that could be extended to my friend. They’re a wiz- “

Yesenia kicked Ivy hard in the ankle. For such a small person Yesenia had a kick like a mule.

Ivy feigned a cough to hide the mistake along with the pain. “They’re a…. wise council in my adventures.”

Memaw nodded sagely. “Oh, don’t worry. I had many “wise counselors” in my time. Until I met Dennis.” Memaw gestured to a small painting of a very large green tusked man, one beefy arm around a petite, scrawny, black-haired woman.

Ivy laughed before understanding. “Of course, then you under- wait no. No no no, I believe you’re misconstruing my words.”

Memaw chuckled and shook her head. “No shame child. Whenever you’re ready, Memaw will be here. Now who was it that sent you?”

Ivy began to blush at Memaws remarks and Yesenia’s shear lack of embarrassment. “I was sent by Bellona of the Stones Fist clan. She said you could give me quests.”

Memaws ears seemed to perk. “Boulder breaker Bellona? Sent you to me?”

“Boulder Breaker?” Ivy questioned.

“Just a nickname dear. Time long past. Yes, I think I’ll give you work.” Memaw looked at Heracles and Marco. “Would you boys be alright extending our deal to these two?”

Heracles immediately responded affirmatively, then he took a beat and looked at Marco. “Oh uh…Up to you though Marco.”

Marco leaned back in his stool, looking around the large lump of beetle flesh in the way. He stared at Yesenia and Ivy, the latter of which was giving him very practiced puppy dog eyes. The former had stolen Ivy’s cup of tea and was staring deep into it.

After enough seconds to be uncomfortable Marco nodded and returned to his newly poured drink. “Sure. Don’t see why not.”

Ivy jumped out of her stool and gave a rather undignified cheer as she pulled Yesenia into a tight hug. Nearly spilling the tea Yesenia had stolen. “You hear that! We did it!”

Yesenia looked up. “Did what? What did we do?”

Marco stood up and stared firmly at the pair. “Course, I only mean you Ivy.”

Ivy let go of Yesenia and who now tore themselves from the drink. Both looked at Marco with different levels of confusion.

“What do you mean?” Ivy said.

“You’ve got a weapon, armor and a horse. Yesenia aint got any of that. They can’t help with our work in a practical way.” Marco said frankly.

“But they’re-“ Ivy said frustrated.

“Practical way, Ivy” Marco emphasized the first word harshly.

Ivy balled her fists up. “Well, that’s… that’s not fair!” Ivy shouted.

A few patrons of the bar looked over. The bar maid watched with wide eyes backing away. Patty stood between the bar and Memaw, Memaw didn’t like that much. Heracles looked back and forth between Marco and Ivy. His mandibles trembled in the same way your lip does when you don’t know what to say. Yesenia just watched Ivy intently as she spoke.

Ivy continued. “Just because Yesenia can’t…. Wield a sword, doesn’t mean they aren’t useful to our cause.”

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying the ways Yesenia is useful aint what we need out there.” Marco retorted.

“You don’t even know them! How can you pass judgement like that!” Ivy took a step forward.

Marco took a step as well. He looked down on Ivy, his height equal to her horns but not her eyes. “Exactly. I don’t know you neither. I’m willing to take a risk, cause you proved yourself. Yesenia hasn’t.”

Ivy clenched her fists will her knuckles became a dull pink.

Ivy raised an accusing finger to Marcos chin. “You can’t-

A small hand pulled on the back of Ivys tunic. Ivy was yanked back far too easily for someone of her size. Much too easily after she realized Yesenia was the yanker.

“That’s quite enough. I’m fine on my own.” Yesenia now took Ivy’s place standing against Marcos’s bulwark.

“Is that so?” Marco said

“It is.” Yesenia raised the cup of stolen tea up to Marcos face. “Drink.”

Marco looked at it and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“You took my tea!” Ivy shouted.

“Hush Ivy, I’m making a point.” They shook the tea gently. “Drink Marco.”

Marco shook his head in annoyance but took the cup from Yesenia and, in one defiant drink, downed the contents. “Mint. Just like every batch. Ya happy now?”

“Is it? If that’s true, I may have overestimated your perceptiveness.” Yesenia then tugged the bandage off Marcos’ arms, to which he reacted with anger. Then confusion suffocated his quick reation.

Marcos gash was closing. Very quickly. In a matter of seconds, the wound was gone. No cut, no pain, not even a scar. Only some dried blood on a tattoo of a howling dog.

Marcos fury reignited as he grabbed Yesenia by the collar of their cloak, nearly taking them to their tip toes. “What did you do!”

Yesenia let out a laugh that chilled the room. “I noticed something you didn’t. Simple as.”

Marco looked at the cup then at Memaw. “What was in this tea, Memaw.”

Memaw let out a chuckle and stepped out from behind her son. “Well… tell you the truth I’ve been… experimenting with a new recipe.”

Patty looked at his mother with shock plain on his face. “Mama!”

“Patrick, I don’t wanna hear it. It’s perfectly safe. And besides me and Marcy are the only ones who drink it anyway.” Memaw said.

The teen barmaid bolted up to the bar. “You told me that was just wild mint!”

“It is wild mint! It’s just…” Memaw trailed off.

“You accidentally made quite a good facsimile of a basic healing elixir. Of course, potions do not count as magic under your laws. Just a simple, if strong, home remedy.” Yesenia explained to the entire rooms surprise.

Marcos anger slowly cooled. “ What are you gettin at with this.”

“What I’m “gettin” at is I know things you don’t. I see things you don’t. And I believe that’s valuable in this line of work.”

Marco grit his teeth. “I see...”

Yesenia softly removed Marcos hand from their cloak and pat it. “Bare minimum, I can carry the tea.” They looked at Memaw. “We are going to need quite a bit more of it actually. That is unless my friend here thinks he can keep his arm out of a monster’s mouth next time?”

Memaw gave a soft chuckle and nodded. “Of course. Come on Marcy, you’re helping memaw.” The bar maid followed her Memaw into the kitchen reluctantly but obediently.

Yesenia moved from Marco and took their seat again at the bar. “So, Patrick. Is there any work.”

“Uh- let me see.” He started looking through notes and flyers behind the bar, a bit frazzled.

Ivy sat as well, leaning over to Yesenia as Marco grumbled and walked outside.

Heracles made a pleasant chirping noise with his true mouth. “I’m real happy you guys got through to him. We’ve been needing a few more hands around here excited to help people.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m excited.” Yesenia said blankly with just a hint of anger.

“But you-“ Heracles blurted.

Yesenia looked at Ivy from the corner of their eye. “I wasn’t going to let you defend me alone.”

Ivy placed a hand on her chest and looked sadly at Yesenia. “You’re so sweet!” Then she pulled her wizard into a tight hug.

Yesenia gave Ivy a few pats on her hand. “Mhm. Sure.”

“Here it is!” Patty said holding up a letter. “Got this yesterday, seems like the most important. Ole Ryba up at the docks has had a couple problems with something wreaking his dinghies.”

Heracles chirped. “Heh. Dinghy.”

Ivy took the letter and saluted Patty. “We won’t let you down sir. You have my word.”

“Well cool off there soldier, I wasn’t done just yet. Now it doesn’t come from the most reliable source but.” Patty leaned over the bar and whispered. “Some say this thing wreaking the boats is...”

Pause for dramatic effect.

“A dragon.”

“A dragon!” Ivy shouted with her entire chest. “That’s amazing! We’ve gotta tell Marco!!”

Ivy rushed out of the bar, clutching the letter like a cherished relic. Heracles quickly followed lumbering out of the tavern calling out to Ivy about wasting food. He carried with him the beautiful pot pies and apple desserts. Yesenia only followed after they had loaded up their satchel with as many, still warm jars of tea as they could. Memaw protested at the weight asking them to get help. Yesenia assured her weight wasn’t an issue for them. Yesenia strode out of the Bulls horn. Their footsteps making very little noise for the heft they hauled.