Chapter Fifty-Seven - Pomf

Chapter Fifty-Seven - Pomf

Chapter Fifty-Seven - Pomf

Green Holds gate was guarded by a single older grenoil with wrinkly skin and a quarterstaff by his side. When he saw us coming from within his tower he turned on a magical light and brought it around so that it illuminated the pair of us.

Amaryllis had to shout up to him that we were with the Exploration Guild and that we were returning from a mission before he opened the gates a crack and let us in.

I wouldnt normally let folks in at zese sorts a hours, but it aint right to keep two young ladies out when its dark out, the guard grenoil said.

Thank you, sir, I said.

I was a little disappointed that I didnt get to see Green Hold during the day when it was no doubt bustling with activity, but I still got to admire the pretty stone and mud homes. Some of the buildings were a little strange, big rounded things that reminded me of the Roman colosseum but way, way smaller, with the words Tadpole House on a few signs above the doors. Others were simple enough, shops and homes and, of course, a large inn.

We made our way to the last of these, the tallest building in town - apart from some of the guard towers - all stone and wood with a blue-shingled roof. The sound of gentle chatter drifted out of the building, mingling with an instrument that sounded a bit like a bagpipe but higher in pitch.

Lets find that bastard, Amaryllis said as she kicked the door open and stomped into the inn.

I was caught flat-footed for a moment. I knew Amaryllis was a little miffed, but I didnt expect her to suddenly turn as angry as she did.

The crowd in the inn hushed up, dozens of froggy faces turning towards the entrance where Amaryllis stood, hands on hips and face set in a furious scowl. She scanned the room and I could pinpoint the exact moment she spotted Gabriel because her arm shot up and she pointed to the man.

Gabriel was sitting by the bar, a few empty cups before him and his big flabby cheeks tinted a nice rosey colour. The patrons around him edged away from him as Amaryllis spoke up. You! You toad-skinned, no good bastard!

I walked in behind her and waved at all the nice grenoil sitting around and watching the show.

Come here you slimy jerk! Amaryllis said as she stomped across the entire floor, grabbed Gabriel by the scruff of his jacket and dragged him off to the back of the inn. There were little booths to the side, but she walked right past those and straight up the stairs, presumably to reach the rooms upstairs. Gabriel started to fuss and fight a bit, but his swings were all wild and not very strong, and Amaryllis had a lot of pent up rage fueling her.

Ah, I said the moment they disappeared at the top of the stairs. Every eye turned to me. Im sorry about my friend, I said. We had a bit of a day, you know? So, um, I heard some nice music from outside, who was playing that? I smiled at them all.

No one answered, but they did return to their meals and beers and I heard more than one person speculating on what Gabriel had done to earn a young girls wrath.

In the corner, a large grenoil man started to blow into a strange sort of bagpipe while another pulled up an accordion and a third started plucking the strings of what sounded like a stand-up bass but looked like a very large fiddle.

I wanted to stare some more, but I heard a bang from upstairs and decided not to dilly dally too much.

Oi! the grenoil behind the counter said. If she breaks anything youre paying for it!

Yes sir! I said before taking the steps two at a time.

The top of the stairs opened into a cozy lounging area, though it was empty save for one grenoil that looked to be knocked out on a couch. One of the bedroom doors was wide open and I could see Amaryllis shaking Gabriel within.

Tell me! Tell me who paid you off you slimegoblin, you lily-livered amphibastard bug-eating... mudlicker!

I blinked as I tried to parse what she was saying. I was quite certain that at least half of those had been hideously speciest. Um, I said as I walked into the room and placed a hand on Amaryllis shoulder. Its okay? Maybe dont kill him? Please?

Amaryllis puffed up. Literally. Her feathers poofed upwards and even her hair stood on end a little. She suddenly looked twice as big as she had, but it was all fluff. He betrayed me! she squawked.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, but it was too late, a giggle had already escaped.

Right, if something happens well be two fighting it off, I said.

She nodded. Im heading up now, are you coming?

Im going to grab something to eat first, I said.

She shrugged her shoulders, and I noticed that at some point her feathers had unpoofed themselves and were back to laying flat across her arms. Suit yourself. Knock twice and call out your name before entering. Im going to set a spell on the door.

Zat spell of her's had better not damage my door, the innkeeper said.

I smiled and pulled up a chair. I know its a bit late, but are you still serving supper? I asked.

Aye, we are, the innkeep said. Whatll you have?

Something filling, I said. Um, but no bugs.

Bah, humans, the innkeep said before he waddled off to the back. I fetched a handful of coppers out of my backpack while he was gone and had them waiting in a neat stack by the time he returned and placed a tray before me.

It was simple fare. Some chicken, some potatoes and gravy and a few other veggies to the side. Still, it smelled good and the glass of milk he set next to it was chilled to the touch. Did they have magic to keep food fresh? It would make sense.

So, youre wiz ze exploration guild like zat scoundred Gabriel?

Yup, but Im not a scoundrel, I said as I dug in.

The innkeep laughed. You dont look ze sort, no. Im Jules, ze owner of zis fine hole in ze wall.

Ah, Im Broccoli, Broccoli Bunch. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I was hungry and a bit nervous. Whats the name of your inn?

Zis is the Croak and Stagger, Jules said with obvious pride. My grandpa was a rogue with ze army for some time. Build zis inn, married my grandmozer and my family lived here ever since.

Thats a sweet story, I said. I took a sip of the milk. It was a little strange tasting, but maybe it was just not pasteurized, so I fired a bit of cleaning magic into it just in case. Hey, Jules, could you tell me anything about the cervid?

Ze cervid? Zose no good horse-wannabes? Bah. Cant tell you too much. Zeir entire nation is bent on taking up as much space as zey can. Weird folk. Not a good one in ze lot of zem.

I didnt believe that, but I wasnt about to say so aloud. Is it true they came here once?

Zey certainly tried. But we gave zem a good thrashing and zey never tried again, ze cowards couldnt handle a bit of a tussle in ze mud.

Hrm, so if there were cervid around now it would be unusual, wouldnt it? I wondered.

Jules looked at me long and hard. Yes, yes it would be.

I finished the last of my milk and set the cup aside, then brushed the back of my hand across my mouth to get rid of my milk mustache. Thanks Jules, the meal was super good. See you in the morning!

Aye, Ill make sure your breakfast is just as good, the innkeep said as I stood off the stool and made my way upstairs. I had a lot to think on, and some sleep to catch up on. I hoped that half a nights rest would be enough.

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