Book 2: Chapter 16: Call in the Copper

Book 2: Chapter 16: Call in the Copper

We sent Raspberrysyrup off with bells and whistles, and then prepared for the dinner rush. Kirk had picked up the ropes over the past couple days, and that removed a lot of pressure from the pub side of things. Bran and Lemontwist were managing the kitchen expertly, and Aqua had discovered she actually liked waitering with Kirk. He was efficient enough that she could focus on seating and taking orders. The two of them were a well-oiled machine, and they even had time to occasionally stand at the counter and chat while Johnsson poured drinks. I stood behind the bar and ‘managed’ while fielding the occasional conversation.

The first to arrive were some regulars, along with Emerelda and Beatbox. Emerelda and I flirted for a while until Rumbob arrived with a ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and the three pro-drinkers went to party with a crowd of covetous fans. Half-way into the dinner-rush Annie arrived with a slightly shell-shocked looking Balin. We gave them a hard time, but realistically nobody blamed them. It was hard enough on Annie with Balin being in the dungeon most days, so we let them have their fun while he was around.

I made a note to have Drum take Jeremiah out fishing tonight. Maybe the two of them could even go camping. Your brother’s got your back, Balin! Of course, if I went back tonight and found our shared flat had served as a rumpus room, I was going to put snakes in the sheets. Speaking of which, I’m rich... why am I still sharing a room?

I was considering whether I wanted to buy a place here in Minnova or wait until I inevitably went to the capital, when Annie approached me, her face stormy.

“Pete, Raspberrysyrup was here!?”

“Aye.”

“Raspberrysyrup was here and you didn’t invite me!?”

“You were busy.”

“I would have come for that!!!”

“Wasn’t that what you were doing with Balin?”

Annie paused to consider my words and then her face went through a fascinating series of colour changes. The flush started at her neckline, hidden behind her slightly disheveled blonde beard. Then a light pink that swept up to her eyebrows, before it darkened to red. Eventually she began to shake and her forehead became a dark reddish-purple. There was probably a name for that colour. I sighed, reminiscing; Caroline would have known.

“You, you - “ Annie spluttered, pulling back a fist. She usually preferred kicks, but I was on the other side of the bar.

“Malt says we can come back to the Guild, but there’s a catch.” I cut her off.

Annie paused mid-swing and almost stumbled. “What? Really!” She broke into an enormous smile. “How!?”

“Let’s go to the office. Promise not to hit me and I’ll tell you.”

“No promises, let’s go.” Annie headed for the door to the brewroom, brushing past Aqua and Kirk who were chatting beside the transom.

Sigh. I followed behind, then activated [Flesh to Stone] as I passed through the swinging door.

—

Annie stared out the window into the brewroom and tapped her aching foot as she considered my proposal.

“You think we should use wheat beer to increase the - what did you call it? The target market?”

I nodded enthusiastically. “That’s right! Raspberrysyrup said she didn’t mind tha taste, and she’d be happy to become the ‘face’ of a new generation of beers.”

“It’s compelling.” Annie went back behind her desk and sat down. I was seated in the middle of the room where I had easy access to the door. I was pretty sure she’d calmed down, but you never could tell with dwarves.

“The only problem is tha distribution. Aqua said to talk to you about it.” I said.

There was the usual feeling of pressure in my head when I used the Ability, and when it cleared, I had my answer. Along with a very welcome prompt.

Ability Improved!

Repeated uses have improved your [Flash of Insight]!

You may now use it twice a day!

Score! Ahhh, Archis's Apples! I should be using [Stoneskin] more often!

I began to desperately dig through my pockets, praying to all the Gods but Barck that I hadn’t lost what [Flash of Insight] had helped me remember. I found it in my breast pocket, a simple square of grey cardstock. Even though it was made of paper it was firm as steel, and an emblem of a flaming gear shone upon the front.

“What’s that?” Annie asked, leaning over her desk to see.

I grinned wolfishly. “An IN.”

—

Two days and a flurry of activity later, Balin and I stood in front of a massive gate set in a massive wall half the height of Minnova’s own. It easily dwarfed all the other local architecture to the point of comedy. It looked like once you reached a certain gold value, things like ’building codes’ could be bent. Balin was in his golden armour and shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot.

“I donnae see why I need ta come with. I could be spendin’ the day with ma Annie”

“Because he knows both of us, and besides, having the ‘Balin of Goldenlight’ along could be useful. Wasn’t that half the point of you becoming an adventurer in the first place?”

I glanced at Balin, who blushed at my praise. Seriously, the two of them were perfect for each other.

“It’s a silly name...”

“It’s a sexy name. You sound like a superhero.”

“A what? What kinda soup is heroic?”

I sighed. “Never mind. Let’s do this.”

We walked up to a guard post at the front gate, and a gnomish guard in full plate - he looked like a tiny tank - nodded at our approach.

“Name and reason for visit?” He asked, curtly.

I held up the business card. “Brewer Peter Roughtuff here to see Engineer Copperpot. We’re expected.”

The guard held a stone slab over the card and the gear flashed. He nodded. “Everything looks in order Brewer Roughtuff. Welcome to Pot Manor.”

The gates swung open, and I went to drag Balin in behind me. But he was already ahead, striding resolutely forward.

I smiled, and followed my brave brother inside.