Chapter 3
Well…I guess it could be worse.
Lizzy's stomach rumbled painfully, reminding her that she hadn't eaten a real meal since they had escaped their master two days prior. She walked through the markets of Resken at what she hoped was a casual pace, kicking herself for not making a plan for when she was finally free.
After the initial shock of her last fight was over, the remaining slaves quickly moved to gain as many supplies as they could from the wagons and bodies littering the road. The two dragonborn guards raided Master Yanis' body after Lizzy refused to even look at him after ending his life and had easily found the key to their collars. Once everyone was released and the usable supplies spread evenly amongst the freed slaves, they had bid their farewells and hurried in separate directions.
The dragonborn left without a backwards glance. The other fighters bolted as soon as the fighting had stopped, but the little ones paused to thank her. They each gave her a warm hug, whispered prayers in their native tongue, and promised they would reach their previous home safely.
In a matter of minutes, Lizzy had stood alone in the middle of the road, the distant sounds of Resken reminding her to move before any guards stumbled upon the scene. She took a tattered piece of cloth from the wagon, wrapped her blade tightly, and decided to hide in the forest until she mustered enough courage to make her way into town.
She immediately regretted her choice. The current sounds of Resken were louder and the streets more congested than she thought possible. She tucked her cloak tighter around herself and adjusted the hood until it covered her tapered ears and dark hair. A small pouch of money dangled from her waist. Part of her earnings after her final job.
Her stomach rumbled again.
Wrapping her arms around herself to block the sound, Lizzy ducked past the crowd and followed her nose down the street. She gave the passersby a wide berth and kept her head down. Her heart pounded in her chest, once again reminding her that she had never before traveled into the bowels of the city proper.
Her nose eventually led her to a large building. Colorful banners waved in the breeze and a weathered, wooden sign with green lettering stood in front. Lizzy stared at the writing, wishing she could read it, but the waving willow tree painted on the wood and the smells of roasting meat drew her up the wide steps. The sounds from within the tavern drifted outside and Lizzy took a heaving breath before carefully and slowly opening the door.
The interior was brighter than she expected. And no one immediately yelled at her to leave. Not wanting to push her luck, she entered quickly and quietly shut the door behind her. Conversations remained uninterrupted around her. Fancy lamps hung on the walls, casting light on the multiple tables around the square room. Laughter filled the air and a small gnome darted from table to table.
Spotting a bar with empty stools near the back, Lizzy hurried across the wooden floor and settled into an empty chair. She rested her weapon against the bar table and folded her hands together. Her foot bounced in place and she made an effort to still the limb. Her head stayed ducked beneath her hood, which allowed her to peek out of the corner of her eye at the other customers in the shop.
"Now what can I getcha?"
Lizzy startled at the feminine voice. The gnome from earlier stood on her opposite side, her large eyes blinking up at Lizzy. A wide smile spread across her face.
Lizzy bit back a gulp. "Um…just a small meal, please."
"Small? Are you sure?"
Lizzy ignored the way the gnome's brows rose and her eyes took in Lizzy's large size. Instead she nodded and reached within her cloak to loosen her small money pouch. It was hardly more than a few coppers and silvers, but it was more money than she had ever held in her life.
"I don't have much. Will…will this be enough?"
The gnome's eyes blinked, a strange sheen forming in their depths. A booming voice spoke in front of Lizzy.
"Aye, that sure will. Just a few coppers for one of the best meals yer ever gonna have, this side of Resken."
Lizzy blinked, her mouth hanging open at the tall half-orc, taller than even her, standing in front of her. He wiped a glass cup on the opposite side of the counter and his fangs gleamed in a small smile.
"Dontcha worry none. 'Ole Tilly there will get ya yer money's worth and then some, I reckon."
"I'm not old! And I am fair to all my customers, thank you very much!"
The orc snorted and rolled his eyes, smiling at Lizzy as if sharing a secret with her. "Of course ya don't make favorites."
The gnome huffed and Lizzy heard her small feet pounding the boards. She continued to watch the orc, her gaze following every move he made. He handled each customer with ease and raised his booming laughter with the rest of the group. He roamed the room for several minutes before making his way back to the table. Lizzy turned on her stool to watch.
He raised a dark brow at her. "Any reason why ya keep starin' at me?"
"Oh!" Lizzy startled, heat filling her face. "No! I mean, not really. It's just…I've never seen another…another half-orc before."
With shaking hands she lowered her hood. She kept her shoulders hunched, glancing to the side to see if anyone reacted. She'd have to bolt at the first sign of trouble. She had enough fights to last a lifetime and she had no intention of willingly entering one again.
"Now don't be scrunching like that. All are welcome in the Spryhouse and as long as ya don't do anything to upset the other customers, well then yer welcome as well."
Lizzy shook her head. "I don't want a fight!"
The orc blinked and set down his glass. "Well now, I was more talkin' about a good old argument, maybe some insults here and there…but ya went straight to fightin'. Wonder why that is?"
He raised the other brow and Lizzy ducked her head. She fiddled with her nails, noticing the vast difference between her chipped, dirty fingers and the other orc's clean, callused hands.
"Um, no reason. Just…" Her voice stuck in her throat. What could she possibly say that wouldn't get her kicked out from underneath a warm roof and the promise of good food?
"Lemme guess. Ya have a story that yer not quite sure if ya can tell."
Her head jerked up, mouth open again.
The orc chuckled and waved a hand. "We get all kinds of folk around here. Yer's isn't the only story like that, so my earlier promise stands. Ya make no trouble for the guildhouse and ya can stay.
Tears burned her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
The orc clicked his tongue. "No need to get teary on me. Tilly will have my head if she finds out I…"
"What did you do to our customer, Kogash? Can't you see the girl has been through a rough patch already?"
Tilly set a steaming bowl of what looked like stew and a large loaf of bread on the counter in front of Lizzy before turning and smacking Kogash on the arm. Lizzy ignored the pair's bickering and slowly lifted a spoonful of stew to her mouth. She chewed slowly, letting the warm flavors of meat and vegetables wash over her tongue.
Biting back a groan, she huddled over her bowl and shoveled stew into her mouth, hardly taking time to breath between each bite. The still warm bread burst with flavor and became the perfect tool to scoop up any missing droplets. In a matter of seconds her bowl was scraped perfectly clean, yet her stomach still rumbled.
"Goodness me, I'll take that as a compliment," Tilly chuckled, taking the empty bowl with a shake of her head.
Lizzy's face burned. "I'm sorry…I was just hungry, I guess."
Tilly paused and set the bowl back onto the counter. "When was the last time you ate?"
"Um…" Lizzy thought back to her last underground fight, the orc attack…the master finally meeting his end. "At least a day? Maybe two?"
"Where are you heading after this?"
She shrugged, fiddling with the edge of her cloak. "I dunno. I was in a…rough patch there for a while, so I don't have much money and this is the first time I've even been in this part of Resken." She swiped under her eyes, surprised to find her cheeks damp. "And I don't know what to do or where to go, and I'm scared…"
Tears flowed down her face. She hated crying. The warm meal in her belly made her soft, that was all. And Tilly's kind, motherly look was so similar to her own ma's that Lizzy felt the words bubbling up to the surface.
"Do ya have any skills? A way to help ya earn some coin?"
Lizzy shook her head and blinked at Kogash. "No, the only skills I have are fighting…oh!" A warm memory flashed through her mind, "And weaving. Maybe? I used to knit with my mother all the time, when I wasn't helping her in the kitchen."
"You know how to cook?" Tilly practically jumped on top of the counter, her eyes wide and bright.
Lizzy scratched her hair. "Um, I think so? It's been years though, so I don't know if I remember or not."
"Oh sure you do," Tilly waved off her comment, "It's just like riding a horse. You'll pick it back up in no time!"
"Tilly, what are ya thinking now…"
"Oh hush you," another wack to a burly arm. "What say you to helping me in the kitchen for a few days? Earn some coin before you head out."
"But…" Lizzy blinked, "But I—"
"I know the perfect spot for someone like you. A new town that just recently popped up. Arveya, have you heard of it?"
Lizzy shook her head and Tilly hopped to the ground and rounded the counter.
"Not surprising, since the new lords and ladies were just recently given a noble title. A reward, you see, for helping out the king."
Tilly took Lizzy's hand and began to drag her to the side of the tavern, keeping up a steady stream of chatter that made it impossible for Lizzy to protest.
"I'll take care of yer weapon, don't worry!" She heard Kogash holler after them.
"Now let's see. A warm bath first, I think. A haircut, perhaps…I'm sure you are eager to show your clan tattoos once more. Then another meal. Goodness, I should know that wasn't nearly enough to feed you, the poor dear. Then I'll start teaching you the way around my kitchen. Is there anything in particular you are especially fond of cooking?"
Lizzy's feet paused in the hallway, making her arm stretch between her and her hostess. Tilly turned, brows upturned as she waited for Lizzy's answer.
A warm ache settled on her heart, both painful yet comforting at the same time. The tension eased from her shoulders and she smiled her answer.
"Apple tarts. My mother's recipe."
Yay for introducing my DM's NPC's from our main campaign! Our party loves Tilly and Kogash!