Chapter 11

As Brynn made her way out of the changing stall, I quickly began to change back into my clothes. The only thing I want to do now is to pay and make my way down to the tavern for a bowl of stew. With that in mind, I grabbed my bag and made my way to the register.

Brynn was there, patiently waiting for me. The flock of women had moved on from the window, slowly waddling through the same shoe section I was in. 

“That’ll be 250 parms.”        

Digging through my pouch, I produced two fluv coins and one ruben coin. 

“Thank you.” Brynn smiles as she accepts the money, “I’m assuming you have plans since you want us to deliver it.”

“I’m going to head down to the tavern.” I answered, “I’m craving their rabbit stew.”

“There’s a pub around here that sells rabbit stew?”

“They don’t have it too often during this time of the year. I doubt they’ll have a bowl left for me.” I’m hoping Pertrece remembers to save enough for me. I’ve had a long week and there was nothing I wanted more than to eat my weight in sandwiches, alcohol, and stew.

“Do you mind showing me where this tavern is?”

“Of course.” I grinned, “It's the least I can do since you're helping me find shoes to match my dress.”

Brynn excitedly scrambled from behind the counter, following me out the shop. The streets weren't bustling as much. Only a few wandered about, the rest probably returned home or grabbed lunch in a random pub.

“Just down the road.” I pointed, “It’s the one called Humblers Tavern.”

“I don’t think I ever ate there.”

“It's not much appearance wise, but their food is amazing.” 

“They could do with a makeover.” Brynn agreed, “Maybe some paint could do. Or-”

As she droned on about the exterior, I slowly began to tune her out. My attention was being drawn to something else and this was nothing that I haven’t heard before. Ruzette loves to voice her opinions on it on various occasions. Whether it was a new coat of paint or swapping the chairs out, Ruzette would harp on about it until we dragged her home.

It was annoying.        

Even more so when she was drunk. 

There were people swarming the pub that stood in front of us. A man was shouting out orders to the workers. Some of the workers carried out chairs and tables, while others stormed in with sledgehammers. A few mages mingled around the entrance, one in particular peeking into the emptying pub while the others chatter amongst themselves.

I was confused about what was happening over there. It isn’t normal for people around here to shut down their stores.

“I’m sure they’ll be able to get more customers if they just-”   

I interrupted her, “What happened to the Charters shops?”

“Huh?” Brynn turns her attention away from the tavern towards me. My gaze was still focused on the commotion. Noticing that my attention was elsewhere, she followed it, “Oh!” Brynn gasps. Feeling Brynn tugging on my sleeve, I finally turned my attention back to her. “Well, if anyone asks you, you're supposed to say someone bought them out.”

“I'm supposed to say that?”

Brynn paused, giving a glance to the people that also stopped to watch what was happening. Noticing that they weren’t paying attention to us, Brynn turned back to me, voice lowering to a whisper. “The rumor that's going around is that they were threaten to give up their shop.”

I blinked, “Who did they piss off?”

“Who knows?” She shrugs, “Probably a lord of some sort. I have money on Lord Sunttons.”

“He’s an evil bastard.” I frowned.

“One of the worst.” Brynn agreed. 

I'm not all that saddened about their situation. I've only had one encounter with them and it was one I would love to forget. Nothing but a couple of overly arrogant, racist white people that didn’t take too kindly to me entering their shop. 

That day began with a trinket in their window catching my interest, only to end with me hysterically crying as I was chased out of the store.

Not my fondest memory.

“Good riddance.” I grumbled. Watching as they continue to filter in and out, I force myself to turn my attention to Brynn. “As much as I would love to watch their shop get torn down, I really need to get some food in me.”

“I probably need to head back to the store anyway.” Brynn agreed, “Thank you for showing me where that pub is. I honestly had no idea there was a pub that had such a thing in this town.”

“It's nothing.” I waved off her gratitude. I was more than happy to share the news of good food to whoever will listen. “Everyone should enjoy the wonders of rabbit stew.”

We exchanged a few more words before we parted ways. I watched as Brynn scurried back into the shop, easily handling the growing crowd of women that was swarming the store. I made my way down the cluttered path, eager to fill my stomach with food and booze.