242: Stocks

I didn’t have to walk far, as Hari, Luis and Jen were all sitting at a couple of tables that had been pushed together in the corner. The only other people in the inn were the merchants and their drivers, who were amusingly sitting on the very opposite side of the room.

I gave them a nod as I passed all the same, taking my seat at the table and pulling out the pot holding the stew along with the rolls I would serve with it.

What I had nearly forgotten with all the skill talk in the kitchen was to infuse it, which I made sure to do, not altering the buff time or potency, just so I could see the base time for voidscale hare.

“Smells fantastic,” Jen commented while scooping a bowl.

I had to agree. It didn’t have the usual smell I’d expect from rabbit. It had what could best be described as a sweetness to it, along with a rich, earthy undertone.

The first bite confirmed it tasted as it smelled. The sauce perfectly coated my tongue, and the hint of red wine was unmistakable behind it all. The hare itself practically fell apart in my mouth and required no chewing at all, and the seasoning was just right.

What I really needed to check, however, was the buffs.

[Uncommon] Voidscale Hare Red Wine Stew.

• +3 Dexterity
• +2 Wisdom
• Enhanced Hearing (Passive)

I was surprised that it didn’t have perception like other rabbits, and instead had wisdom, but the enhanced hearing stood out to me, and I attempted to see if I could use it, but over the sounds of spoons scraping the bowl and tearing of bread, I couldn’t hear much else.

I was about to shrug it off until I really thought about what I was hearing. Everything was clearer and louder.

“The buff is certainly interesting,” I commented.

This caused the others to check.

“Oh, I have a similar skill. It’s really useful!” Jen commented.

“Wisdom?” Liane asked.

Milo shrugged. “My understanding is that these creatures are from a cave environment. Maybe the wisdom is not getting caught in cave-ins, but it’s certainly not what I’d expect, and there is likely something to these creatures we don’t fully understand.”

My mind was racing with possibilities of what I could do with it now. I could very easily turn this meat into jerky. It was already incredibly lean, so it wouldn’t take a lot of effort, and with its high dexterity, I could add a stamina regeneration, or find a seasoning that provides perception as well, and have an incredibly useful meal for Jen and Liane.

And other classes that use those stats, I suppose.

My thoughts then turned to Lily. I was slightly concerned that she had not shown up yet, and just to be safe, I removed the scarf from my neck.

“Lily, if you can hear me, I have dinner ready,” I said in a near whisper.

Nothing.

I felt Crisplet pushing across reassurance and a strong feeling of trust, and he was right. Sylvy would keep her safe, and she always vanished after we left the cities, so she’s probably just enjoying not being stuck in the capital trying to protect me.

“I wouldn’t worry, Trev. She’ll be here before long, pestering you for food. It’s not the first time she’s vanished. Only this time we know she’s with Sylverith,” Jen said with a smile.

Liane was just nodding along. “It’s true.”

As the night slowly moved by, Bardo had moved to a stool behind the bar just to keep an eye on things and to provide drinks for Hari, Milo and the drivers, and I was tempted to have an early night when a lady entered. Looking around, her eyes landed on Bardo.

I was surprised when he nodded in our direction.

Approaching us, she looked haggard. Her dress, clearly made to function and not to impress anyone, was currently heavily stained.

“You’re the adventure party that made the soup?” she asked as she reached us.

I was about to answer, but Hari took charge. “Yes. Is everything okay?”

What happened next shocked me as she fell to the floor on her knees, with tears welling in her eyes, as she took Hari’s hand.

“Thank you, thank you so much. Everyone has already recovered. Whatever you gave them is a gift from the gods themselves,” she said.

Part of me was glad now that Hari was taking this one, because I would have absolutely no idea how to react to any of this.

Hari, on the other hand simply took her hands in his own, lifting her back to her feet.

“We’re always happy to help those in need, but you look like you need rest yourself. Please,” he said it with a warmth I had really only seen a couple of times from him.

“Yes, yes, of course. I’m sorry to have interrupted you. If there’s anything you need, anything at all,” she said, wiping away tears.

“We don’t need anything, although Bardo may want his pot back,” Hari said with a laugh, adding a bit of levity back.

A smile cracked across her face as she looked over her shoulder. “I’ll return it tomorrow.”

Bardo immediately waved it off.

After saying thank you at least a dozen more times to everyone individually, she eventually left the inn, as Bardo came over with more drinks.

“That’s a good thing you’ve done for our village,” he said as he placed the drinks down.

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This time he was looking directly at me.

“It’s nothing. I’ll always try to help,” I said.

Bardo let out a laugh. “I’m no novice, lad. I know how injured those villagers were, and what was in that pot was not just a hot meal with minor healing properties. You really helped us out, and for that, if you ever need a room or a drink, it’s on the house. For all of you.”

“That wo—” I started to say, but Milo cut in.

“Thank you for that kindness, Bardo. We’ll happily accept,” Milo said.

Bardo had a beaming smile as he walked away, and I couldn’t help but feel conflicted, and felt I had to say something.

“We don’t need their free food or drink though? I feel bad taking it,” I said.

Milo nodded. “Absolutely, we don’t. But many people Trev don’t want to feel like a debt is hanging over them. We’ll likely never take him up on the offer of a free room or drink, and forget some silver on the table if he tried, but it’s not the point. By agreeing to it, if he felt like the village owed us a debt, that’s now paid.”

“But there is no debt. I wouldn’t even know what to charge for what I made,” I let out a chuckle, shaking my head.

Milo nodded in understanding. “Trev, no villager, or even the village as a whole, could have afforded what you gave them tonight, just to be perfectly clear. This isn’t about the actual cost. Did the medical pavilion in Dunhearth not give you stuff as well?”

“Yeah, but it was just their old cooking equipment.” As I said it, I understood.

Milo just smiled knowingly.

Luis left early in the night, wanting to look around the village before we left in the morning, and I took the opportunity to speak to the group alone.

Whispering to Milo, “Milo, is it possible to create the sound thing here in the open? I have something to discuss with everyone.”

Milo frowned slightly, shaking his head. “It would work for sound, but people would notice, and some are remarkably good at reading your lips. If it’s important, it’s best we go upstairs, or in the kitchen.”