“Well done, well done!” a man called out. “And we’re all hungry now, I’m sure.” I’d briefly met him during the operation yesterday and was not yet sure what I felt in regard to his character. The mayor, one Sherman Hesperine, was a man who valued top hats and embroidery more than he valued sweat and hard work. “There is space and seats enough for everyone. No need to push or shove. Once we’re all inside, we can distribute the food. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is going to eat their fill today!”
Another cheer rose again, no doubt coming from the people who manned the farms at the outskirts of town. They all worked hard, and if Garren was anything like his fellows, many of them lived a lean life.
I shuffled in with Madi, everyone giving us space as our pets entered the building. The sight of a bear and an enfield had originally made everyone quite nervous, but Pachi made quick friends with all of the smallest children in town, and Madi’s new best friend had made a display of wrestling with her the night before. Madi had won, but it was a close thing. I was willing to bet that it would be the last time she would be able to do so.
The town hall was little more than a massive barn, high-walled and with a ceiling that was no less than forty feet high. I was impressed, not by its structure or the composition of its materials, but of the sheer size of the beams that held the roof aloft. Considering Benham’s location in the mountains, the building must have taken a year or longer to assemble.
People continued to file in, at least two hundred in total. They had come from hamlets and settlements all around. Most were exhausted from the night’s labor. Tumsley and I had worked away, harvesting the bear as quickly as possible. After an hour or so, we had been joined by the butcher and his apprentice along with a team of others who I figured to be hunters and skinners. All were more knowledgeable than I was, and as I took occasional breaks, I was pleased to see my Animal Harvesting skill going through the roof.
Pachi and I sat up on a low dais that acted as a sort of stage. Alysand, Tumsley, and Madi and her bear all flanked me. We sat on formal chairs with velvet padding. The mayor came up last of all and lifted his hands to quiet the room.
Nearly a minute went by until all the throats had been cleared, coughs had been coughed, and the last few boasting men and squalling children quieted.
The mayor spoke with the gravity and formality of a politician. “Today is a fine day. We are here for a feast, something our small town has not had the resources nor the leisure time to afford in years. Let us first give a hand to these brave adventurers who have rid our hills of a danger far beyond our control.”
Clapping and jeers shook the rafters as the town of Benham showed the extent of its gratitude. I blushed furiously but didn’t lower my eyes. The mayor wasn’t done, though.
“And this little thing here, Hana, am I right? This is the warrior who landed the killing blow. Well done! Well done!” He clapped his gloved hands in a flutter of excitement, his face scrunching up with a sickening display of glee. The man was certainly rehearsed.
When everyone quieted down once more, the mayor called for the food, and people brought out huge bowls of steaming bear soup, providing everyone with a tasty meal. Afterward, a massive chunk of bread and wedge of cheese followed. I ate until my belly felt near to bursting then called for another bowl. All it needed was a little hot sauce, but otherwise, it was delicious. A notification popped up and caught me off guard.
Status Effect: Bear Soup Blessing
Bear Soup Blessing: By indulging in this divine dish, you have received a blessing from the gods themselves. +5 Stamina, +5 Strength, +50 Health Regeneration, +20% XP gained. Duration: 24 hours.
I exchanged a look with Madi. The buff was more than helpful, but it was a pity we weren’t adventuring. I shrugged and enjoyed the look of flushed vitality that filled everyone’s faces. Even the NPC townsfolk, it seemed, were enjoying the benefits of the meal.
We finished early, and, having grown a bit sick of the attention afforded by literally sitting on a stage while eating, Madi and I ducked out and enjoyed some fresh air. The sun had fallen, and the sky was a purple and gray that reminded me of lilac.
“Little bit awkward, eh?” Madi asked, kicking at a stone with the toe of her boot.
“You’re telling me. I thought the mayor was gonna raise my hand in the air like a boxing champ.”
The warrior’s face became unexpectedly solemn at that. “You do deserve it though, Hana. I just figured you wiped. I felt awful that we’d killed Alysand. He is pretty damn magical, but I didn’t think there was any way to resurrect him. Then I log back in and find you there with your katana stuck in the thing’s head! You’re a badass.” Before another wave of awkwardness took us both, she thumped me in the arm with a meaty fist.
“Ow!” I said. “Watch it or I’ll stab you next. Hey, what’s your bear’s name by the way? You must have come up with something by now.”
Madi grinned, her white teeth sparkling out of her golden face. “Tejón! His name is Tejón. It means badger. Can’t you see it?”
I looked at the animal and considered. It was in many ways a typical bear, equal parts roly-poly and raging kill machine. But when I looked at the bone plates
