Chapter 197 (1/2)

Time slowly drifted past. More and more Tassles fell away, until only 30% of the contestants remained. Helen wasn’t sure whether it was a good or a bad thing, but the Ghosthound’s group was relatively resilient: around 40% of their group remained. The food stand was set up, and Claptrap even provided some standing tables, so people could cluster and chat while enjoying their food.

It had been the Ghosthound’s idea, and Claptrap had been dubious, but the Ghosthound had just shrugged in that way he had, when he was done arguing with you, and despite everyone else’s inability to see what the draw would be, they had done it.

Needless to say, the tables were packed, and people had to wait for the use of that space. Claptrap had also contracted with a local brewer, to bring casks of ale to the event. Ale was typically seen by the people of Deardun as relatively low class and useless, but it truly complimented the flavor of the greasy food greatly.

Plus, the sun was hot overhead, and a cool beverage was refreshing, no matter the flavor. To the brewer’s shock, within a half hour, her stock of ale was sold out. Yelling in a frenzy, she sent all of her 4 employees rushing back to the brewhouse, telling them to bring everything.

“Absolutely everything!” The woman bellowed at their departing backs.

The rich weapons merchants and the representatives of different Styles tsk-ed lightly, mocking the brewer for her serious attitude, all the while sipping on her ale. But then a hush fell over the crowd as an old man with a long, long beard walked slowly into the stands area, surrounded by a dozen or so powerful looking men and women as an entourage.

A hush fell over the crowd, and the people took some awkward steps back, quickly setting down their food and ale, and looked at the ground. Claptrap stiffened, and even Helen sat up straight. Even though she didn’t recognize this particular man, she recognized the Tassle carried by one of the Entourage: the Steel Feather Style, one of the top 3 Styles in Deardun.

He looked down his nose at the stand, stroking his long beard that fell to his feet. He was a large, wide man, with immensely powerful shoulders. If this situation wasn’t handled with delicacy-

“Hello sir, may I take your order?” The male spear attendant’s slightly bored voice echoed out, traveling extremely far in the silence. Claptrap stood behind him, frozen with horror at the flagrant disrespect in the male spear attendant’s tone.

The old man looked side to side very, very slowly. People moved to the side to avoid his gaze. Then he turned to the male spear attendant. “Are you… talking to me, boy?”

“Yes, what can I get for you?”

“Huhuhuh… indeed. What… is this establishment?”

Helen turned away from the ridiculous farce the male spear attendant was creating to glance at the poles: More Tassles had fallen, but they were increasingly unwilling to do so, now that they were close to the 80% failure rate for the group. Or at least Helen believed so. She wasn’t sure how the actual details worked out, so they might not know how close they all were to passing. But it truly seemed that those that had made it this far were in it for the long haul.

“This is Claptrap’s Quick Eatery. We have foods and ales. How may I help you?” The whole group gasped at the male spear attendant’s unconcerned delivery. And the old man of the Steel Feather Style considered him for several long seconds.

“Ale…. you say.”

Several of the rich merchants and those disciples of the higher tiered styles looked guiltily at their ale cups. Their faces flushes with shame, and they inwardly swore to make sure that Claptrap’s Quick Eatery was crushed before the day was through for this shame.

But then those people froze, because the old man was laughing. “Kukukuku, I truly haven’t had ale in quite some time. Don’t tell my wife, but I too enjoy a good ale. What do you have?”

To Helen’s surprise, the male spear attendant simply nodded. “Truly, indulgence is the spice of life. Hey, brewer. What are the ales?”

All gazes turned from the male spear attendant to the brewer woman, who was trembling. “Uh… we have a deep ale… and a shallow one…. And also…. Uh… a r-r-r-red one.”

“And the food?” The bearded man said.

“Cheeseburger, cheesesteak, bbq pulled pork, bbq ribs, and for sides we have fries and mozzarella sticks.”