Love and War: Tavern (Part 2)

“Well, hello there.” A, red headed, female, firbolg, barkeeper stated as Giat and Ella walked in. “Something I can get you two?”

“We’d just like to speak to the owner, actually.” Giat stated observing his surrounding. The tavern was somewhat empty, but given its location that was also somewhat expected. The firbolg female carried on serving the group of short humans who seemed to hold their ale rather well. Her hair was far more overgrown than even Ella black hair. And with the beards these small humans were growing, Giat felt out of place with his short and trim brown hair.

“I’ll be right with you. “ the firbolg stated casually passing out beers.

“It’s rather important.” Giat stated. “If you could just call the owner now?” The firbolg rolled her eyes.

“SHE’LL be right with you.” The firbolg stated before placing a beer down in front of the short human who appeared ready to protest. “Shut up, and drink your beer. I don’t need anymore dwarven rough housing, today.” She walked behind the counter. “The name is Sofia Denwyng, and welcome to Wild Moon tavern.” She introduced herself. “What can I do ya for?”

“I’m Ella and this is Giat. We ...sort of fell down a cliff east of here.” Ella began. “There didn’t seem to be a way back up, so we followed a robot here.”

“A simpler scouter, I believe.” Giat clarified. “Though it seemed rather old, and not a model I thought the Telenian empire made.” Sofia looked at them before looking back to the dwarfs who looked equally confused.

“Forgive me dears, but I think you better just sit down.” Sofia stated glaring at dwarfs as they rather loudly agreed. “It...must’ve been quite the fall?...” Ella stomped a hoof into floor, and banged the table.

“We need to get home!” Ella yelled. “Which is up the cliff to the east.”

“I’m sorry, but so far as I know this about as east as people live.” Sofia stated. “I suppose Argus will bring you up, if you insist.”

“I will do no such thing!” Argus the dwarf protested. “Ain’t nothing passed Brinkrim Cliff but a bunch of useless swamp!”

“There’s a couple ingredients that make Blacksmithed Beelzebub~” Sofia stated in a sing song tone. “Could be pretty cheap for a spell, if I had some extra.” With that Giat and Ella were practically loaded on to the wagon. “My dwarfish ain’t that good.” Sofia stated handing the list off. “But I think you boys can figure it out.” With that she waved the wagon off. “Well, don’t you lot have interesting timing” She ushered a group of charters in.

“Now let’s see here” Argus began mumbling as he read over the list, and swatted some hands away as they poked him. “Come found it! What ya....on about...” one Giat’s companions ran off, and Argus turned around. “There’s really more of ya?” He stated shocked. “A hidden kingdoms worth.

“We thought our world rather small.” Giat stated. “Perhaps there’s enough land for both our people, afterall.” He turned looking towards Ella who smiled.

“Ella!” Another faun shouted running up to her, and hugging her as she hopped down. “Whatever you soldier did shall be returned. Mark me!” She stated as more soldiers approached as well.

“Whatever we’ve done? You have robbed a soldier of his armor!” Another soldier shouted. It’s clearly you who must pay!” The rally cries of both fauns and humans drowned out Giat and Ella’s words. Two dwarves nodded, and one slammed his hammer on the other’s shield.

“A dwarven welcome for ya.” Argus stated. “Now I don’t know what you lot are squabbling about but…” Argus stared into the crowd gaging their reactions. “Hmm… Well, I think it’s best you let these two explain. Giat and Ella were brought before their respective councils, and began their pleas. Their goal intertwined despite their current distance, and thus their speeches were mostly the same.

“There’s another kingdom.” Giat began to his council.

“They haven’t even heard of anyone east of them.” Ella stated to her leaders. “Who knows how much more there is?”

“How many lives have we lost in this war?” Giat questioned his council. “We could end this. End the misery we subject our citizens too. We could grow our people again.”

“We might not even have to get along!” Ella exclaimed. “We could simply ignore them.”

“Disregard the fowl creatures that so plagued us.” Giat stated still making the same case as Ella was. Both hoping the other would understand, willingly elope later. Both councils looked around before dismissing the room for discussion.

“I was hoping you’d have better news, lass.” Argus stated waiting for her a ways out from the trail as Ella approached. She turned away already looking down, and on the verge of tears. Argus made the silent trip down to the Wild Moon Tavern. Where Sofia and Giat we’re waiting, and where the lovers would finally decide enough was enough.