Page 68 of I Ran Away to Evil
“You speak griffin?” The dwarfess looked surprised. She sounded surprised, too.
“No, but I have a very high [Social] skill, which includes interpersonal communications. It promotes the capacity for empathy and understanding between two individuals,” I explained. The [Social] skill had been the skill that I was born with.
Individuals usually received their first skill at level one. The only thing on their character sheet to base that skill off of at that point was their species, name, and any titles they might be born with. Dwarves were unique in that their famous [Control: Size] skill started out pretty useless as just [Control] until level ten. Instead of receiving their second skill at level, their [Control] skill raised to [Control: Size] without having to spend years leveling up the skill. They resumed gaining a new skill every ten levels just like everyone else after that.
“Princess.” The dwarfess had crossed her arms and was looking rather irked. “I thank you for your help with settling the feud between us and the griffins. However, I really must—”
“Sorry to cut you off,” I cut her off. “But do you have a shop in the outpost that sells food?”
“Excuse me?”
“Ria,” Keith reminded helpfully, “her name is Corporal Nova, and she would behappyto take this conversation to Polman’s Tavern. Wouldn’t you, Corporal Nova?”
The dwarfess gnashed her teeth. I had rarely seen someone who wore their expressions so openly. I couldn’t understand why she was so angry.
Alright, picking her up probably hadn’t been the best first impression.
“I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. But could wepleasego get something to eat?” My stomach rumbled, proving my distress. “It’s usually fine, but I’ve been pushing myself to the max to get here, and I’m honestly starving. I had berries for lunch.”
“I have to get back to things here,” Keith told me. “Are you staying in Frolin overnight or heading out to Gren’s Keep?”
“Is there an inn? I like the idea of a real bed tonight …”
“There are a few rooms at the tavern. Usually for those too far gone to walk out at closing time,” Corporal Nova said.
“Perfect.” It was better than sleeping with sticks and rocks poking you.
“I’ll check in tomorrow,” Keith bid farewell, and Hubert took off to the skies.
Corporal Nova led me around the group righting the overturned carriage. Nolin was doing most of the heavy lifting, as he was still in his giant form. We exchanged nods as I passed. I was happy I hadn’t needed to crush him into submission during the fight, as his battle strategy had involved defending with his fists and not felling foes.
Polman’s had gotten off lightly with just a crooked sign where an errant boot had flung out of line and hit it. The building had two entries; half the entire tavern entry wall opened on sturdy hinges, and a smaller-than-I-sized pair of swinging doors in the middle of the bigger door. I opened the bigger door instead of opting to duck.
Inside, the room was a mix of the two sizes. Two giant chairs at a giant table in the first row, dwarf-sized everything else behind. The table was as tall as King Keith, and we walked under it to find a place to sit.
“Now, Princess.” The corporal seemed much more at ease once she was comfortable and holding a drink. Hers was a stout, and I had a refreshing lemon radler. “As ambassador to the Dark Enchanted Forest and council member of this outpost entry into the dwarven lands, it is with every diplomatic delicacy that I wish to issue a formal complaint.”
“I’m listening,” I said. I was listening, but my focus might have been on the bowl of mountain unigoat stew being plated behind her at the bar.
“The Frolin designation is considered under the Baldorin Council. As such, any harm inflicted on our citizens is in violation of our treatise with Nilheim. The penalties of which—”
“I’m going to stop you right there, Corporal Nova,” I told the military dwarfess. “I am not a citizen of Nilheim.”
“But King Keith—”
“Was simply making sure that everything was delivered properly,” I rudely interrupted her again, conscious of the stew now being carried our way. “I’m also sure that provision for the ‘execution without trial’ of any Nilheim citizen in Frolin would breach the same treaty?”
“But they aremonsters.” The dwarfess shook her head. “They aren’tpeople.”
“You know my father feels much the same way about dwarves,” I said offhandedly. That definitely didnotwin me any diplomacy points. Trade was open between Baldorin and Drendil, but that didn’t stop prejudice. “Andheis wrong, too.”
Finally, the stew had arrived. I reverently picked up my spoon and dipped it into the bowl. The unigoat, parsnips, potatoes, and thick broth smelled divine.
“I can’t believe you just said that to me.” Corporal Nova slammed her fist on the table, rattling my bowl and knocking over her own tankard.
I braced the stew with my free hand and sent her a look that probably mirrored my [Killing Intent] perk. “Watch it!”
At the same time, one of the dwarves waiting tables yelled, “Mind the beer, Nova!”
