"[Which task, though?]"
"What?"
"[Which task are we back on?]" Arne asked.
"Arne."
"[Revenge? Or saving the city?]"
"Why the fuck are we here in the first place?"
Claude took the scroll off the table and pulled out a piece of paper, unfolding it to reveal a map. "Focus. Knowing my luck that's a trap anyway."
Frosty snorted in agreement.
"And stop doing that. You're like me now." Claude pointed at Frosty.
Frosty leaned forward to sniff his finger.
"Cut it out man!" Claude flicked his nose.
Frosty sneezed and sent bits of elk flying across the table.
Claude pinched the bridge of his nose for a silent moment.
Then he felt Frosty's mood elevate like embers of a fire warming.
He looked up at the sound of footsteps approaching.
Their server from before returned with two plates. She was short— older and plump, but beautiful regardless.
"We didn't order." Claude said.
"Oh, it's on the house." She smiled. "Your brother seems terribly hungry. And if you were just talking to Embra Starr then I take it you might join the beast-hunt."
Frosty— in humanoid form, sniffed at the plates.
Claude tapped his leg under the table until he stopped. "You said her name is Embra Starr?"
The server nodded, "She's a local. Saved this Village-City more times than I can count. Started at age fifteen. Back when witch-hunts still happened here."
"Uh-huh." Claude thought back to another witch he knew of and grew queasy. It brought up memories of everyone else. Ursula, Naz, Stella, Warren, Isaac….. Gil—
"Sorry— I rambled. Anyway, here's your food. Whatever choice you make for this quest, we thank you for stopping through." She put the plates down.
Frosty dug into his elk and eggs. Claude eyeballed his brown salad.
"Uhhh—" she stammered with red cheeks.
"[Stop the damn brooding!]" Arne raged.
"My bad."
The server continued, "I just noticed you seemed to struggle eating the elk but enjoyed the coffee. So I made you our Fungal herb blend. It's usually ordered by archers since it's a focus enhancer but I improvised."
Claude nodded, "Thank you. I'm sure it'll taste great."
She nodded, "I'll be here if you need anything else."
Then she was gone.
"[Eat it now or I start screaming for the rest of the day. I don't need oxygen, you will go insane.]"
Claude dug in.
The herbs and mushrooms were sautéed. Flavorful. Seared and slightly soggy. The combination of textures, meaty fibrous center and grassy flavors was relaxing. It didn't taste amazing, but it didn't bring back the memories.
It was…. good.
"Ok. Let's get to work." He looked down at the map sprawled across the table between Claude and Frosty's plates. "We're here."
The Syrup Saviors Tavern logo sat on the map between herbal factory and witches shop called the Coven Boutique.
"We're south. The precinct is a short four-mile/six and a half kilometer walk. Our only issue is the Detection Corps posts stationed around the building. Frosty doesn't exactly blend in. And I don't know if coming in with him in wolf-form is the best idea."
"[Might even be the worst idea.]" Arne commented.
"Awesome contributions."
"[Mind you, I've carried along this whole little arc and stopped you from a blind homicidal quest for vengeance.]"
"….."
"So, nobody has any suggestions on how to safely break into a Enforcer's Precinct and search some criminal records? Can't just walk in with no ID. Maybe I need to get arrested." Claude said sarcastically before reaching for his mushroom coffee.
Only to find it wasn't there.
He looked up to find Frosty loudly sipping it before coughing and gagging onto his plate.
"Dude…"
"[He's something, isn't he?]"
Before Claude could answer, the tavern doors swung open and an armored man stepped in.
He was lean in frame with weathered white skin and greying hair. Already scowling at the start of the day. But Claude was more focused on the badge sitting on his left breast.
"[An Enforcer.]"
If it wasn't made obvious by the badge, it was by the standardized armor and sword at his hip.
He took a seat at a table and raised his hand, "Amanda! Get over here."
The server came running out of the kitchen portion of the tavern.
"Yes, Mr. Micheal?"
"Yes? hello! You know why I'm here. Come on— my breaks only so long." He spat.
Frosty growled quietly.
Claude pulled his eyes away from the man. "I can't say too much since I was scowling at free food being offered to me, but damn."
"[I guess everyone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.]"
"Don't give him an out." Claude thought as the man impatiently tapped his heels on the floor and knocked on the table.
Frosty's upper lip trembled.
Claude could feel his rage rising. Not entirely because of how the man adressed the woman who supplied him with elk steak but also simply because of the man's noise and aggression. The tavern was quiet. Calm. Even with the scheming witch and prying eyed people. But the Enforcer was brash. Stomping and tapping and stoking anxieties.
A few minutes later and the server— Amanda, came out with two plates of elk steak and the finest array of roasted veggies and ale.
"Come on, come on." He waved her over as he sat up in the darkly lit tavern.
She stood as he dug in. Pausing only to look up at her. "Charge the precinct."
"The precinct won't pay your tab. We've tried to reach them but the forms we ask for won't get sent without proper docum—"
The Enforcer slammed his fists on the table as he held his knife and fork.
Frosty barked but in all the commotion it was largely ignored since a glass fell from the table and broke.
Claude's senses went into overdrive at the iron scent of blood. Amanda cut her ankle.
The Enforcer cleared his throat, "I've been keeping this Village-City in order for fifteen years. I do what the heroes think is beneath them. I keep the raiders from coming in here and robbing you blind. And you won't even let me eat a meal in peace?"
Amanda was crying, "It's not that Sir— we just can't afford—"
"Leave me before I report this place for a health code violation."
Amanda sullenly walked away.
"And clean this up!" The Enforcer got up and headed to the bathroom to the left of the tavern.
The other regulars kept their eyes on their plate.
Claude didn't.
Neither did Frosty.
If any Chosen was in the building with them, they would've seen the change in the two brothers faces.
The way their magic twisted and their aura's manifested in sync.
Fenrir appeared in them both. Half of their faces cloaked in the mana-flow form of the wolf-gods face. Symbolizing their split ties to the god.
"Take him. Solve your criminal record search issues and avenge the ladies honor." Fenrir spoke in their minds.
As if led by a string from the Astral Realm above, Frosty stood up and followed after the Enforcer who entered the bathroom.
Claude got up as well, chasing after Frosty—
"[Wait! Wait! The furball is capable. You're connected in mind. Trust him.]"
Claude slowed in the tavern, awkwardly eyeing everyone who stared before simply approaching the enforcers table and picking up the glass pieces.
"If this goes south, it's your fault."
"[This is a group project, you princess. Now stop whining and—]"
The walls shook and mannish grunts echoed from the bathroom.
"[Oh dearest me.]"
Claude shut his eyes and viewed the world through Frosty's.
He could see the wolf in human form hammering blows into the Enforcer's face as he sat jammed up into a stall. The man was out cold. Frosty began tearing off his clothes and armor.
"Woah woah—" He trailed off suddenly when he saw Frosty's hand reach down for the man's boots and saw that they were about four shades lighter.
"No way…."
Claude continued cleaning in disbelief as the other tavern inhabitants whispered anxiously.
Amanda came out and stood over him. "I can take care of the rest."
"That's alright. This glass is crazy sharp." Claude replied.
The doors opened and Amanda gulped.
Claude looked up to find the Enforcer walking over to them.
"[The twat put his chestplate on backwards.]" Arne commented.
"Thats not him." Claude replied as he stood/
"[I beg your finest pardon?]"
"It's Frosty."
"[He can become other people…??? Alright, play along, he can't speak!]"
Claude put his hands behind his back and turned to face Amanda. At the same time he mentally communed with Frosty to grab him by the wrists.
"Uhh….. I'm under arrest."
"….what?" Amanda said before taking a terrified step back due to Frosty smiling at her— in the form of the Enforcer.
"Have a good day. Sorry about your tavern. I left a big enough tip to cover his meal." Claude said before they left in a hurry.