image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5b1d7ad-50a0-42ad-b58b-160a92eea989/dh0csh2-9469e0f8-a609-448c-84cc-aa682ae9b00b.png/v1/fill/w_1689,h_473/chapter_six_by_lizzielance_dh0csh2-pre.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NTc0IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZjViMWQ3YWQtNTBhMC00MmFkLWI1OGItMTYwYTkyZWVhOTg5XC9kaDBjc2gyLTk0NjllMGY4LWE2MDktNDQ4Yy04NGNjLWFhNjgyYWU5YjAwYi5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MjA0OCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19._4y1xtWR2TplOrWz7t2VSnk_DYPkkngzVPtHzthjQb4]
"Hey! Miss Ellis, where's NPC Chef Celine of our great Towne Fat Duck? I want to eat her food and give my review before we part to slay a dragoon!" Devnar grinned maliciously towards Celine's mother as she metaphorically stabbed him with her glaring, clearly tempted to stab him in reality.
"I'll be your Chef tonight; I'll cook you a meal that I am sure will give you fiery feedback." Bahamut interjected before Ellis went through with stab-er, smacking Devnar for his insolence.
He had been assisting Ellis in the tavern whenever Celine laid down to sleep, which was often the past couple days during her recovery from the quest results. She seemed most often in a daze as she worked and would have slipped up on orders were it not for his keen hearing and quick corrections. It felt rather fortunate that she was sleeping at this moment as she didn't need to meet the source of her agony. Not yet.
"Fiery feedback, eh? Hm?" Devnar squinted at Bahamut as he tried to recall where he saw him last then snapped his finger, "Oh yeah, you're the dark elf that took Celine out of the training grounds. So you cook? Then do make me a meal for that fiery feedback you're in such desperate need of in this tavern." He grinned maliciously as his two friends giggled at the clear discomfort they're causing Ellis. “Besides, it’s best this tavern serves the best of this town before we join the army to take down that Dragoon.”
"...Hah! Gang ahead, Amu, mak' thaim a meal thay wull ne'er forgoat."
Bahamut bowed in acknowledgement of the permission, turned then walked through the dining area through the door into the kitchen behind the bar.
It hadn’t taken him long to return to the floor with a tray of three broth soup bowls topped with shredded cheese, three brioche buns and mugs of ale. He set the items down before the three patrons without uttering a word, then bowed politely with a wave of his hand to encourage them to enjoy their meals.
“Tch, soup? Must be low on business to only be serving your best Guards just soup instead of a scrumptious meal of meat!”
“On the contrary, the soup is most nutritious and will give your stomachs a fill without weighing you down should combat occur. I thought it best you all be at your ready instead of slowed down from the churning of large meats.”
“Is that right?” Karen raised a brow at Bahamut’s explanation.
“That is right. I have experience in combat and can assure you that a lighter stomach ensures faster strikes.”
“If you’ve experience in combat then whatcha doin’ here?”
“I owe Chef Celine my life.”
It dawned on them that Celine seemed to have indeed had an adventure while on her quest, so there wasn’t much more to inquire about with the seeming dark elf. They each then proceeded to enjoy their meals in as boorish a manner as any uncivilized individuals can get, looking to get a reaction from those around them.
While most refused to look their way, physically ignoring but still listening, Ellis wrinkled her nose at their display of ravenously eating their meals and making a raucous of their chatter. Bahamut watched on without showing any sign of change to his poised demeanor.
That is, until the trio finished eating their meals. His lips spread into a wicked smile and dark delight danced in his purple gaze, setting them on edge at the sudden change.
“Why are you smiling like that? Did you poison our food?” Karen asked with a hand raising to her throat. The other two grabbed the hilts of their blades.
“I suggest you read that.”
They stared in confusion then jolted when the opaque screen appeared before them.
image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5b1d7ad-50a0-42ad-b58b-160a92eea989/dh0csgv-134cebc3-030b-46b2-87d3-6bd252c0b525.png/v1/fit/w_828,h_984/chapter_six_status_window_by_lizzielance_dh0csgv-414w-2x.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTMzOCIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2Y1YjFkN2FkLTUwYTAtNDJhZC1iNThiLTE2MGE5MmVlYTk4OVwvZGgwY3Nndi0xMzRjZWJjMy0wMzBiLTQ2YjItODdkMy02YmQyNTJjMGI1MjUucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTExMjUifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.AHv3Q2uyiEWCs31hp1ybUu-EP31cgNpeeRY_YKUF7NM]
“What is the meaning of this?! Blessed? Misfortune?!!”
“How is misfortune even a blessing?! What did you do, boy?!!”
Bahamut barked out a laugh then stepped forward to place a hand on the table and lean over to appear as though he were looking down on them. “It is a blessing for you shall not die from the misfortunes to occur, you all will remain living. Curses kill, blessings aid.”
“Aid?!” Devnar jolted up and unsheathed his blade, “How is this to aid us?!”
Bahamut straightened up as he looked down to the tip of the blade pointed at his throat, raising a brow but his wicked smile remained in place. “A blessing can be an aid but not always directly for the one that gains the blessing.”
“What is going on?” Celine yawned as she stepped into the dining area from the kitchen, pausing at the sight of Devnar’s sword at Bahamut’s throat. “What is the meaning of this?!”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“That’s what I am asking of this dark elf, Celine. He’s cursed us!”
“What?”
“Blessed, you mean. Oh, I wouldn’t-”
Devnar was turning his form to better face Celine while maintaining his sword at the disguised Dragoon but then his ankle caught onto his chair causing him to stumble, lowering his sword with full intention of jabbing the floor to stop himself but instead his sword found a knot hole in the floorboard to get embedded. Still in motion of falling to the floor, they all watched as the blade suddenly bent in a way that would cause the blade to either break or force itself right again, the latter is what occurred. The guard yelled out as his blade knocked him back and sent him flying into the table that broke at his sudden impact, sending all dishes flying into the air and all of it crashing down on Karen and Dick.
Dick gained the worst of the damage from a falling bowl, jumping up in pain as he held his bald head only for his footing to slip on the spilled leftover soup that landed on the floor, causing him to scramble to catch himself only to spin and tumble his butt into the fireplace.
All the patrons watched wide-eyed as Dick howled in pain in his struggles to get free of the fires and go crashing into both Karen and Devnar, who was in the midst of getting out of the broken table. Karen yelped out at Dick pushing her against the leg of the table now jabbing into her side. Then they all heard laughter, all eyes turning to see Celine doubled over in laughter at the humiliation of the trio whilst they still continued to struggle to a firm stance. The rest of the patrons joined in with Celine’s laughter that would pitch higher as the trio now in unison made to leave McGizzard in retreat.
“W-what, hahahah, was that?”
Bahamut’s wicked smile softened as he turned to Celine, bowing in respect to her. “A simple expedience of their due for their actions against you, Little Flint.”
“Did you really curse them?”
“No, I blessed them with misfortune. At the end of the day they will be tired but alive and will remain blessed until you leave this town.”
“You can do that?”
Bahamut smirked with a raised brow, “You doubt even after all that?”
“Hoooo! Ah knew yer cooking wis ill, amu, bit mah goddess that wis maist amusing! whit did ye dae tae thair soups?”
“Oh, I just used the soup you’ve already made, Lady Ellis, and simply added a blessing worthy of their actions since my arrival to Towne Fat Duck.”
“Whit ye be, a Saint?”
“Does it matter, Mame? Amu just blessed our tavern with a dinner and a show for our patrons and justice for me.” Celine rested a hand on Bahamut’s shoulder, smiling happily for the first time since that night. “Thank you for this.” He rested his hand on hers and nodded in acceptance of the thanks.
“Excuse me, can I have more ale? All that laughter has dried me.” Called a patron.
“Aye! Let's git tae wirk, we're aye in th' midst o' oor rush 'n' thare ur mony mooths tae feed.”
Celine chuckled as she turned to head into the kitchen for cooking, feeling refreshed enough now to take on the task again. She didn’t know how much she needed to see Devnar, Karen and Dick be served justice until she witnessed what Bahamut dished up to the trio. Now she needed to ponder what to do about her situation of being named Chef of the town and if there is anything she can still do to pursue her dream.
image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5b1d7ad-50a0-42ad-b58b-160a92eea989/dh0csim-020f9736-0f2f-4f46-9c61-9c18054a7946.png/v1/fill/w_1217,h_219/page_break_by_lizzielance_dh0csim-fullview.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MjE5IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZjViMWQ3YWQtNTBhMC00MmFkLWI1OGItMTYwYTkyZWVhOTg5XC9kaDBjc2ltLTAyMGY5NzM2LTBmMmYtNGY0Ni05YzYxLTljMTgwNTRhNzk0Ni5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTIxNyJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.e-Za8cOTVQHfE-LeYChKIdyfToKAI3Ogzo6OdLBnA0g]
Late into the night, after all patrons left the tavern and they could lock up, the three sat at a table with leftovers spread between them. The table that had been destroyed earlier that day had already been removed during a brief break in patronage rush, which did cause them to do some rearranging of the table set up.
They ate silently as it was clear Celine was still pondering over her current situation and Bahamut’s eyes seemed a bit glazed over. Ellis figured he was tired after having done so much in the last few days of covering for Celine, shy of cooking since the man proved incapable in that regard.
“Mm! Ah nearly forgot.” Ellis stood up from the table and went into her bedroom off the tavern floor that doubled as her office then returned with a handful of papers. “Ah git freish papers fur oor boord.” Setting the stack down as she plopped back down to continue eating. “Hae a keek, mm?”
The stack was a monthly matter as it contained information from the various guilds and kingdoms across the continent La’an. While Kings and Queens saw to ruling each of their kingdoms with smaller breakdowns into the various fiefdoms, it was ultimately the guilds and trades that ruled over this land. The stack of papers was just one way of spreading information amongst all trade posts and taverns.
If one wanted to safely travel and avoid the occasional battlegrounds between kingdoms as rulers fought over territory, it’s wise to become part of or be endorsed by a guild. Or hire guild members for protection but good-hearted PCs that don’t take advantage of the NPCs were few and far between.
Celine rifled through the stack of papers, separating them out of habit to have a growing pile of the wanted posters, pertinent information for what guilds are seeking, important trades that are happening, and announcements from their own local Royalties. Once separated, she then tugged the guild fliers closer to view them over, pausing on the one for the Adventurer Guild.
“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!”
Celine and Ellis jolted up at Bahamut’s sudden burst of laughter that sent shivers down their spine.
“What are you laughing about, Bahamut?”
“Hm?” Bahamut stopped laughing, having been manipulating an illusion of his Dragon form as he came off dazed to the duo. “Oh, a joke I heard that just struck my mind. Have you figured out where we are to go, Celine?”
“Um, well…” Celine leaned back on her chair, looking down at the flier in her hand. “Considering I am locked to this town, I don’t think I can go anywhere.”
“Hmph, Ah ought tae hae given that bas a guid wallop fur whit he did tae ye.” Ellis spat off to the side in spite.
“Hahah well, that Blessing seemed a better ending than you hurting your fist on a sorry face like that.”
“You’re not locked.”
The mother-daughter pair looked in unison at him, “Whit?”
“You’re not locked to this town, it wasn’t a quest that could possibly cage you. It just gave you a permanent title.”
“So… Ye'r saying that Celine kin gang as she pleases 'n' juist hae -that- as a wey o' a title?
“Mmhm.”
“I can go…” She lowered her gray eyes down to the flier in her hands. With a sharp intake of her breath, she slapped the paper on the center of the table with a wild smile delighting her facade. “Then I want to do this!”
Ellis and Bahamut leaned forward to look over the flier.
image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5b1d7ad-50a0-42ad-b58b-160a92eea989/dh0csgg-72e2b358-e2b5-4e93-b8d3-f28b08014a9c.png/v1/fit/w_828,h_1242/chapter_six_flier_by_lizzielance_dh0csgg-414w-2x.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTkyMSIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2Y1YjFkN2FkLTUwYTAtNDJhZC1iNThiLTE2MGE5MmVlYTk4OVwvZGgwY3NnZy03MmUyYjM1OC1lMmI1LTRlOTMtYjhkMy1mMjhiMDgwMTRhOWMucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEyODAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.10-Ts8O73yFAZHouLm0921vzZEmottXnC3Qv8wc0PRA]
“Then Sa’Cardo Cove is our next destination, My Little Flint.” Bahamut took a bite of his bread with a broad grin, leaning back in his chair as he admired his excited companion.