Session 76, part 3
5th of Land’s Blessing
Glod presents his latest findings.
“Guess the things aren’t too bright at least,” Epona says.
“Well, I guess we’ll have to wait until Glod finds the next page until we find out some details about them. Until then, we’ve got another day of traveling to do,” Kerwyn says.
The third day of travel brings everyone to the familiar town of Celes. Though not as damaged as Remnas, the city appears to have taken some damage. A small portion of the city has burnt down, but is being rebuilt.
“So where are we heading?”
“Dinner,” Kerwyn says, heading through the bridge and across the square.
Across the river, they make your way to the Crystal Hall. They walk through the large wooden doors, entering the dining room. The place looks totally empty, but they hear someone coming from the direction of the kitchen.
“And here I thought we wouldn’t have anyone coming by today…” The head chef Gendrew walks into the dining room.
“How’s business?” Glod asks.
“Slow lately, but I’d rather be feeding people for free than throwing out today’s work! It’s good to see you again,” he says, giving those he recognizes a hearty handshake.
“You too,” Glod says.
“Haven’t been cooking up any new killer recipes, I hope,” Gante says.
“Hah! Guess I’ll never live that one down… You guys go ahead and take a seat. I’ll get things out in just a few.”
“Thanks!” Epona says.
Mathus looks up and down the finely decorated dining room. “Okay… what in the world did you guys do to get this kind of treatment?”
“Let’s just say that magic, molten tomato sauce, and Kerwyn’s near death experience have something to do with it,” Epona says.
“You forgot to mention that last one was at your hands, Epona,” Kerwyn says.
“Well, I fixed you up. That counts for something.”
“Well, if you hadn’t shot me in the first place, you wouldn’t have had to fix me up. And speaking of tasty, where’s that food?”
“Right here, guys.” Gendrew wheels in a cart of steaming-hot food: chicken, beef, vegetables, and bread, all piled up as a mountainous dinner.
“You know,” Glod says through a leg of chicken, “I could conjure up an illusory advertisment for you. Something big in the sky above your restaurant. Wouldn’t last too long, but might draw in a few people.”
“Heh, we aren’t quite ready to get back up to capacity. Lot’s of work to be done, so most of the staff is taking off.”
“Well, if you’re not busy, maybe you can tell us how Celes weathered the war while we eat. It looks like most of the damage to the city is pretty isolated.”
“It’s been quite a ride. Started with the major guard houses catching on fire. Seems a strike team set that up, taking out most fight we could put up. And it was bad, I tell you. They managed to lock up the doors from the outside, basically trapping everyone inside. Probably lost a good hundred men. After that, most people thought they’d try cooperating, avoid anything like that happening. Those things aren’t very strong, but they’re definitely clever.”
“Wish we could’ve been around to help, but they won’t be a problem anymore for a long while hopefully,” Gante says.
“So how long you fellas in town for?”
“Just passing through, we’re investigating some other important items,” Gante says.
“Well, next time you’re in town, stop by.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Glod says.
“You can count on it, and here, you need this more that us right now,” Gante says, handing Gendrew a handful of gold.
“Heh, normally I wouldn’t take that from a friend, but you guys are treasure hunters…”
“You’d be amazed what you can find inside giant catfish temples,” Glod says.
The team bids Gendrew farewell and makes their way to the Riverside Inn.
