The King's Knights

Chapter Five: The Brewery

Bartellus' Brewery was a large building built into a row. You could not tell where one began and another ended. It stood two stories high, lower than the row nearby, and materials were being unloaded. Bartellus himself was waiting on the steps when they arrived. He looked to be speaking quietly but none too gently with a porter.

Like most elves, he was fair to look at.

His blue-eyed gaze turned to Tef, and his eyes turned haughty and judgmental. "Are these the adventurers you were talking about?

"The rat catchers?"

Tef nodded, adjusting her spear in hand. "Yes, they are.

"Jehair and I are bringing them here. This is William Gabriel and Felix."

"And you're not charging anything?" asked Bartellus, suspicious.

"No," said William. "I am not."

"Good, we've lost goods already," said Bartellus. "We had to move much of our stock upstairs and seal the doors, and it's hard to work like that. Follow me."

"Of course," said William. "Tef, hold the torch like before."

Tef nodded and summoned a sphere of light from the Sun Spirit. Her technique for doing so was flawless. William was surprised at how well she spoke the incantations. She seemed to notice his admiration and smiled. "Jehair taught me."

Inside the brewery, it was cramped. You had a lot of stock and merchandise moved above and people working in very close conditions. The air was thick, and they had to dodge past several busy elves. Bartellus was directly behind them, eyeing them with suspicion.

William wondered if he knew who he was. Kiyora wondered if William was going to tell him.

Then again, William only cared if Bartellus knew who he was as long as the task was done. This was a mission of goodwill, not trading favors or an act of conquest.

"Do you think this will be easier?" asked Felix. "Or harder?"

"Peraps both," noted William ruefully. Bartellus' opened the door and swung it open to reveal a stone stair leading down below. And below, in the dark, there were many red eyes.

Bartellus slammed the door behind them.

Thus the battle began.
And thus the rats were destroyed.

Stepping down the stairs and trying not to trip on the bodies, William looked to Tef. "Tef, you're a part cat, aren't you? Can you smell anything?"

"Um... sweat and blood," said Tef. "I don't see or hear anything, though?" Her ears twitched.

"Keep listening, would you?" asked William. "What did you tell Bartellus anyway to let us help him?"

"I just told him I knew adventurers offering to hunt his rats for free," said Tef. "The Fighters Guild has been declining the contract. Most are hunting cattle rustlers right now." Felix was checking the entry points and writing out a map.

William nodded and went up to the door, he knocked twice. Eventually, it opened, and Bartellus glared out. "Is it done?"

"It is," said William, keeping the irritation from his tone.

Bartellus nodded. "Good. It's about time Antion sent someone out here to fix things."

"Otherwise occupied," said William. "Recent events have left us short-staffed. That will soon be amended; you have my word."

"Your job is done," said Bartellus. "Get out, both of you."

"Before we go," said William. "My companion, Felix, has located the entry points. He has some recommendations."