The Cracked Flagon

[Magikeeper]

The woman smiled but didn't say anything further.

The group waited patiently while Golan was in the other room, ignoring any anachronisms as though they were never said in the first place.

The famished man's stomach began to growl. He stared at the kitchen door, each second an eternity.

[Golan]

Golan was quite nervous as she gathered bread and soup. She wasn't certain these people could be trusted. According to Noah, the only people who knew of him would try to hurt him. If he took Golans advice, he'd be nearby, literally advertising his presence. She would just have to go find him before these strangers can and let him know about them.

But on the other hand, she doesn't owe this kid anything. He's just a child, what does he know? He's just an easily injured child with nowhere to go, and a past of tragedy and abuse, same as everybody else in this cruel world. Why should she put her inheritance at risk by running off to go help this kid, and who knows how long it'll take?

Golan stepped out of the kitchen with a clear conscience, and placed the bread and soup in front of her guests.

"Well, since you're paying customers, I suppose I can answer your questions. I think I have seen a boy like the one you described. The meat is cooking, it'll take a few more minutes."

[Magikeeper]

The starving man began inhaling the bread. Then he stuffed it into his mouth like a sane man and consumed it with great vigor.

The others eat at a more normal pace, leaving the now smiling woman to continue speaking with Golan. "That's great! Was he well? I'd heard his caretaker had gone mad, you see, which was why we set off to find him in the first place. I'd say more, but I'd rather not share the child's life story with everyone we come across if we can avoid it." She frowns. "Suffice it to say we were under the impression things were fine when they were not."

[Golan]

"Well, I suppose that makes sense. He came in here last night with some coin, I supposed it must have been stolen in hindsight. I figured him as a messenger, he was full of vim and vigor, ready to go all night. He asked what an elk likes to eat, I said oats but I don't really know. Just wanted to get rid of the stale oats. Said he was headed up north, bought a weeks worth of food and water and left right away."

Golan tried to keep her heart steady, but it was trying to leap out of her throat.

[Magikeeper]

"Are you serious!?" The shadowy man growled at the world more than anything else. "The-" The woman nudged him. "We just CAME from the north.. I.. I mean how could we miss him? He's riding that thing."

"It's not very nice to call his elk a "thing". It's an elk, and it probably has a name we just haven't learned yet." The woman turned back towards Golan "Thank you for your help. If Noah and/or Vi- his shadow appear here again, please tell them..." The woman paused for awhile, deep in thought. "Tell them to go to the Canopyheart restaurant in Fovaros, and look beneath the seat of the table corresponding to.. to the number of children in the Osedion family."

"What? Sis,"

"It'll be fine, the owner owes us, after all." The woman sighed. "If he headed back north.. maybe that village?" Her face turns sour. "No. That can't be it." The cloaked woman's features smooth out once more as she looked back at Golan one more time.

She seemed to be studying the bartender, looking for any signs that something was amiss. "I do apologize for the hassle." She smiles, but the studying definitely hasn't ended.

[Golan]

"I see. Well, I think your food is nearly cooked, I'll be right back."

Golan calmly walked into the kitchen, where she immediately started hyperventilating. Lying is hard! But she wasn't lying about the meat, it was searing on the stove. She collected it while thinking about what she'd learned. Canopyheart, Osedion family ...

She stepped back out with the meat, adorned with some parsley and broccoli. Golan put on her best fake smile. "Who had the best 'Meat'* in Repas?"

*Varying definitions of Meat may apply

[Magikeeper]

The woman smirked, ceasing her studying and returning to the task of consuming soup.

The two normal-looking fellows raised their hands. "I've heard the meat in Repas is truly exquisite!" said the no-longer-starving one. He happily took a bite of the meat, having taken Golan's statement as absolute truth rather than clever marketing.

[Golan]

Golan went back to wiping down a glass, and began waiting patiently for the strangers to leave. She did her best to smile and be polite to avoid arousing suspicions. She hoped she wasn't sweating.

[Magikeeper]

The group chowed down. Although it was probably the previous bout of starvation talking, the meat taster continuously uttered compliments on the meat's cooking as he feasted upon the dubious maybe-beef.

The woman slightly bowed in Golan's direction after the meal. "I genuinely thank you for your assistance. I.. have always wished I could have done more for my late friend." The woman's face was covered in obscuring shadows once more, and, after paying Golan a bit more than necessary for the order, the group set off.

[Golan]

Golan put the dishes away, and waved goodbye at the customers. She thanked them for their business and reminded them to take her online survey and give her a good yelp review.

Once they left and Golan felt the group was safely out of view of the bar, she leapt to the door and locked it, and switched the sign to "Go away".

"How am I going to catch up with Noah and dodge the weirdos? I have to get a horse!"

Golan stepped out the back door and brought with her a full bottle of handy vodka. She knew where to find a stable, but riding away wouldn't be easy.