Chapter 78: The Feud

Chapter 78: The Feud

“Do you want to do the talking, Annie?” I asked, as I adjusted the carry platter. The moment would be ruined if I spilled the drinks.

“Yes. You can come across as insincere. Sorry Pete.” Annie shifted from foot to foot, pumping herself up.

“No, no. I absolutely am insincere when it comes to crap like this. It’s a habit from dealing with a world where the customer is always right.”

“Okay. Is Balin ready?” Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

“He and Tania both gave me the signal a moment ago.” Aqua called from the door to the kitchen.

“Let’s do this.” Annie moved forward and I followed behind her, carrying the drinks.

There was no fanfare, nothing that would mark the next events as out of the ordinary. This was simply the owner walking over to greet some distinguished guests.

“Master Brewer Browning!” Annie said, making a small bow. “You made it!”

Malt waved. “‘Allo little Goldstone!” Annie gave him a strained smile.

Browning looked up from his menu. “Annie Goldstone. I see that you’ve made a lot of changes in the scant few weeks that you’ve been in charge.”

“Yes, I -” Annie began.

“It’s a shame that so much of it is a slight against your ancestors.” Browning interrupted. “Do you really think all those Goldstones hanging in your foyer would be proud of the circus you’ve turned this brewery into?”

Annie grunted, but continued to smile. “I think my ancestors would be proud that we’ve made the brewery a place where dwarves can come and partake in our heritage. We actually took some pointers from Master Drum, one of the senior members of the Guild. I wasn’t aware that brewpubs were frowned upon.”

“They’re not.” Malt butted in. “Browning’s just wound up tighter than Lunara’s Lace ‘cause he’s never eaten half the things on this menu. He’s just jealous.”

Browning glared at Malt. “I was saying that a little more decorum could be in order. I noticed those pro-drinkers seem to have their own booth!” He pointed to where Beatbox and Tania were signing autographs. Tania looked up at the motion and fixed Browning with a steely glare. He wilted immediately, then turned back on Annie.

“Your... labourer promised my table a round of drinks - on the house - to apologize for your lack of etiquette.” He said with a derogatory emphasis on ‘labourer’. Jerkwad. “In case you were not aware, it is customary to invite the Honourable Guild of Brewers to the opening of a new brewery.”

“Of course, Master Brewer Browning.” Annie replied with false innocence. “However, we weren’t opening a new brewery, simply re-opening after a renovation. If I’d been aware that you wanted an invitation I would have been happy to extend one. Unfortunately, the Guild has not been communicating with us recently. Either way, I am happy to make good on Brewer Pete’s offer. He received his Specialization earlier this week.”

“She’s got you there, Browning.” Malt interjected. "Congratulations, lad!"

“Not now, Malt!” Browning ground out.

“Aw - go suck on Solen’s Socks Browning and get off yer goat. Are those our drinks? Bring them here!”

I swept in and deposited a mug in front of each of the brewers. The twins barely gave me a second glance, same with the green-bearded beauty. At least the gentledwarf with the mutton-chops gave me an acknowledging nod. I passed the last mug to Annie and she raised it in a toast.

“To the future of Beer in Minnova! Long may our brews prosper. FOR THE ANCESTORS.”

The six dwarves each raised their mugs and echoed. “FOR THE ANCESTORS.” Malt paused and sniffed the air, seemingly confused for a moment. Then everyone brought their mugs back and chugged.

As one, five dwarves spat their beer across the table, instantly showering the party with sticky brown fluid. All except Annie, who finished her sip with a stately gesture, and Malt, who swished his with interest.

“This! This! -” Browning sputtered. His lips puckered, and his eyes dilated until they were nearly all white. The other brewers cried out in distress or rage. One of the twins actually fainted in his chair. The dwarfess shrieked so loud my ears rang for a moment. All around us in the pub, activity ceased as everyone turned to see what had happened. There was a hush in the rest of the room, like the calm before a storm.

“As if you have a chance. As the Terms are accepted, you may declare the Contest.” Browning crossed his arms in impatience.

“The Contest will take place in the field of brewing!” I pronounced with gusto.

The brewers laughed, their mocking jeers echoing in the pub. Even Malt looked amused. Browning was practically beside himself with mirth.

“Ha! You think that you can compete with the entire Honourable Guild of Brewers in brewing!? Annie Goldstone, does this fool truly speak for you?”

“Here is our challenge!” I pitched my voice to carry in the entire room. “The decamillenial fast approaches! Now is the time to reinvigorate our traditions! To celebrate the meeting of the new and the old! To spread the word of The Brew! For our Challenge, we will make Minnova talk about beer!”

That shut them up. The brewers looked at each other in confusion, and there was a low murmur in the rest of the pub. “Talk about beer?” Malt asked.

“Yes. In two weeks the Goldstone Clan and the Honourable Guild of Brewers will each release a beer that they think the dwarves of Minnova will appreciate. Sixteen days later, the beer that is the most talked about by the populace will be the winner!”

“What, do you think that your radler will be capable of sparking anything other than horrified whispers?” Browning said with a barking laugh. “At least your Contest is one worthy of the True Brew! We accept! But-” Browning frowned, “how do you plan to judge it?”

It was still going according to plan. Browning was such a pompous ass he never even considered the danger hidden in that Contest. I hid glee in my heart and began, “We’ll start with a random sample of dwarves -”

“I think I can be of help.” A voice interrupted from behind me.

The crowd parted to reveal Prophet Barnes. I’d completely forgotten he was here! Argh, this was no longer going to plan! The elderly dwarf padded forward and everyone made the usual holy sign.

“Prophet Barnes.” Browning said respectfully. “Are you here to judge these forsaken souls in Barck’s name?”

“You presume much, Master Brewer Browning, to use Barck’s name. Shut yer trap.” The Prophet snapped. “Only one of us speaks for the Gods here, and it certainly isn’t you!”

Browning shrunk back, and bowed in obeisance.

“Now,” Barnes continued. “This Feud has a wide enough impact that it interests the Gods.”

There was a gasp around the room, and even Annie looked horrified. Knowing Barnes and the Gods in question I... withheld judgment. Seven of those Gods weren’t really on my side after all.

Barnes waited a moment to build suspense and then dropped a bomb. “Midna, Goddess of Communication Herself, will provide the result of this Feud.”

*Bing!*

The Feud

You have been challenged to a Feud that will decide the course of Brewing in Crack forever! Will you win? Midna will be the judge of that! Don’t you dare lose.

Feuds Won: 0/1

Reward: +0.2 Cha, [Blessed] condition

Do you accept?

Yes/No

After a moment of stunned silence, the pub rocked on its foundations.