The battle was fun, but now it was done and something very important had to happen.

Food. I was starving.

This was the norm when I did intense dungeon delves as well, I came off cool down from my [Quick Step] and [Swordsmanship] and then I needed a full waterskin and a loaf of bread. My rations were pretty scarce at this point, and what with everyone running around trying to get the outpost back in order I was left in a bit of a sorry state.

Which is why I may have come back to Keith pleased but a touch hangry.

"I've straightened out the young griffin and he'll head out when he gets his wind back." I told Keith and the dwarfess holding Hubert. "He intends to find his brother - that's the griffin that followed after him into the mountains - and report back to the flock. Or pride?"

"You speak griffin?" The dwarfess looked surprised. She sounded surprised too.

"No, but I have a very high [Personable] Skill which includes interpersonal communications. It promotes the capacity for empathy and understanding between two individuals." I explained. The [Personable] Skill was the Skill that I got with my first level.

Individuals usually receive their first Skill at Level 1. The only thing on their character sheet at that point to base that skill off of is the species, name, and any titles they might be born with. Dwarves were unique in that their famous [Control: Growth] Skill, started out pretty useless as just [Control] until Level 10.

"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 said, helpfully, "her name is Corporal Nova, and she would be happy to 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 wasn't the best first impression either.

"I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. But could we please go 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 to the skies.

Corporal Nova led me around the group righting the overturned carriage. Nolin did 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 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.

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 ambassadors 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 consulate. 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 are monsters." The dwarfess shook her head. "They aren't people."

"You know my father feels much the same way about dwarves." I said offhandedly. That definitely did not win me any diplomacy points. Trade was open between Baldorin and Drendil, but that didn't stop prejudice. "And he is 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 slamed her fist on the table, rattling my bowl and clear knocking over her own tankard.

I braced the stew with my free hand and sent her a look that probably mirrored my [Intimidate] Perk. "Watch it!"

At the same time one of the dwarves waiting tables yelled, "Mind the beer, Nova!"

The dwarfess took a deep breath and resettled herself. I finally took my first bite of the stew and all else faded away. The broth was thick and rich. The herbs earthery. The unigoat fell apart in my mouth. The vegetables were soft but still held substance. It probably had too much salt but after my travels it was exactly what I needed.

I appreciated the taste so much that a delicate sound of pleasure escaped me. Corporal Nova looked on in disgust, but ordered her own bowl.

"You know, it's hard to be irate with someone who likes my husband's cooking that much." She told me.

"Is Polman your husband?" I asked around a mouthful.

"No, that was his grandpappy." She replied. "Marvin runs it now, but he kept the name."

I spent the rest of dinner chatting with the prickly Corporal and meeting Marvin and some of the other crew. At one point Chancellor Grimly came in to greet me and let us know most of the damage was repaired and everyone could go on with their lives.

Which meant I could go shopping around the outpost before bed!

I just needed to follow my very important must-follow rule: don't buy more sharp shiny pointy things.

I could do this.