CHAPTER 43 The Unigoat Fell Apart in My Mouth

Henrietta

The battle had been fun, but now it was done, and something very important had to happen.

Food. I was starving.

This was the norm when I did intense dungeon delves as well. I came off cooldown from my [Quick Step] and [Swordsmanship] needing a full waterskin and a loaf of bread. My rations were pretty scarce at this point, and what with everyone running around trying to get the outpost back in order, I was left in a bit of a sorry state.

Which was why I may have come back to Keith pleased but a touch hangry.

"I've straightened out the young griffin, and he'll head out when he gets his wind back," I told Keith and the dwarfess holding Hubert. "He intends to find his brother—that's the griffin who followed after him into the mountains—and report back to the flock. Or pride?"

"You speak griffin?" The dwarfess looked surprised. She sounded surprised, too.

"No, but I have a very high [Social] skill, which includes interpersonal communications. It promotes the capacity for empathy and understanding between two individuals," I explained. The [Social] skill had been the skill that I was born with.

Individuals usually received their first skill at level one. The only thing on their character sheet to base that skill off of at that point was their species, name, and any titles they might be born with. Dwarves were unique in that their famous [Control: Size] skill started out pretty useless as just [Control] until level ten. Instead of receiving their second skill at level, their [Control] skill raised to [Control: Size] without having to spend years leveling up the skill. They resumed gaining a new skill every ten levels just like everyone else after that.

"Princess." The dwarfess had crossed her arms and was looking rather irked. "I thank you for your help with settling the feud between us and the griffins. However, I really must—"

"Sorry to cut you off," I cut her off. "But do you have a shop in the outpost that sells food?"

"Excuse me?"

"Ria," Keith reminded helpfully, "her name is Corporal Nova, and she would be happy to take this conversation to Polman's Tavern. Wouldn't you, Corporal Nova?"

The dwarfess gnashed her teeth. I had rarely seen someone who wore their expressions so openly. I couldn't understand why she was so angry.

Alright, picking her up probably hadn't been the best first impression.

"I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. But could we please go get something to eat?" My stomach rumbled, proving my distress. "It's usually fine, but I've been pushing myself to the max to get here, and I'm honestly starving. I had berries for lunch."

"I have to get back to things here," Keith told me. "Are you staying in Frolin overnight or heading out to Gren's Keep?"

"Is there an inn? I like the idea of a real bed tonight …"

"There are a few rooms at the tavern. Usually for those too far gone to walk out at closing time," Corporal Nova said.

"Perfect." It was better than sleeping with sticks and rocks poking you.

"I'll check in tomorrow," Keith bid farewell, and Hubert took off to the skies.

Corporal Nova led me around the group righting the overturned carriage. Nolin was doing most of the heavy lifting, as he was still in his giant form. We exchanged nods as I passed. I was happy I hadn't needed to crush him into submission during the fight, as his battle strategy had involved defending with his fists and not felling foes.

Polman's had gotten off lightly with just a crooked sign where an errant boot had flung out of line and hit it. The building had two entries; half the entire tavern entry wall opened on sturdy hinges, and a smaller-than-I-sized pair of swinging doors in the middle of the bigger door. I opened the bigger door instead of opting to duck.

Inside, the room was a mix of the two sizes. Two giant chairs at a giant table in the first row, dwarf-sized everything else behind. The table was as tall as King Keith, and we walked under it to find a place to sit.

"Now, Princess." The corporal seemed much more at ease once she was comfortable and holding a drink. Hers was a stout, and I had a refreshing lemon radler. "As ambassador to the Dark Enchanted Forest and council member of this outpost entry into the dwarven lands, it is with every diplomatic delicacy that I wish to issue a formal complaint."

"I'm listening," I said. I was listening, but my focus might have been on the bowl of mountain unigoat stew being plated behind her at the bar.

"The Frolin designation is considered under the Baldorin Council. As such, any harm inflicted on our citizens is in violation of our treatise with Nilheim. The penalties of which—"

"I'm going to stop you right there, Corporal Nova," I told the military dwarfess. "I am not a citizen of Nilheim."

"But King Keith—"

"Was simply making sure that everything was delivered properly," I rudely interrupted her again, conscious of the stew now being carried our way. "I'm also sure that provision for the ‘execution without trial' of any Nilheim citizen in Frolin would breach the same treaty?"

"But they are monsters." The dwarfess shook her head. "They aren't people."

"You know my father feels much the same way about dwarves," I said offhandedly. That definitely did not win me any diplomacy points. Trade was open between Baldorin and Drendil, but that didn't stop prejudice. "And he is wrong, too."

Finally, the stew had arrived. I reverently picked up my spoon and dipped it into the bowl. The unigoat, parsnips, potatoes, and thick broth smelled divine.

"I can't believe you just said that to me." Corporal Nova slammed her fist on the table, rattling my bowl and knocking over her own tankard.

I braced the stew with my free hand and sent her a look that probably mirrored my [Killing Intent] perk. "Watch it!"

At the same time, one of the dwarves waiting tables yelled, "Mind the beer, Nova!"

The dwarfess took a deep breath and resettled herself. I finally took my first bite of the stew, and all else faded away. The broth was thick and rich. The herbs earthy. The unigoat fell apart in my mouth. The vegetables were soft but still held substance. It probably had too much salt, but after my travels, it was exactly what I needed.

I appreciated the taste so much that a delicate sound of pleasure escaped me. Corporal Nova looked on in disgust but ordered her own bowl.

"You know, it's hard to be irate with someone who likes my husband's cooking that much," she told me.

"Is Polman your husband?" I asked around a mouthful.

"No, that was his grandpappy," she replied. "Marvin runs it now, but he kept the name."

"Listen," The stew did wonders for my mood and as I regained myself I tried to employ the etiquette skills my mother had beaten into me. "Corporal Nova, I apologize for any injury my part in returning the eggs has caused to the dwarven outpost. I would like you to know that I acted in good faith and would like to keep good faith with the dwarves going forward."

Corporal Nova eyed me for a long second and then sighed again. "Alright Princess. I'll accept your apology on behalf of Frolin, but I don't appreciate how cavalier you are with us and I expect you to show respect and dignity to my countrymen in future."

"That I can promise." I emptied the bowl and waved the server for a second serving.

I spent the rest of dinner chatting with the prickly corporal and meeting Marvin and some of the other crew. At one point, Chancellor Grimly came in to greet me and let us know most of the damage had been repaired and everyone could go on with their lives.

Which meant I could go shopping around the outpost before bed!

I just needed to follow my very important must-follow rule: don't buy more sharp, shiny, pointy things. I could do this.