"The Adventures of Arawyn and Acteon"

"Another Day Another Quest"

The Lightfeather tavern known for the endless amount of drinks that tickle your nose and food cooked to piping hot steamy perfection.  The tavern was small and typically empty but the owner was always there. She was a tall physically imposing woman with an attitude to match.  My brother and I normally sat across from the hearth at the bar. We’d prop ourselves up on the high stools and go over any job listings that were posted on the 'Help Wanted' board.  The tavernkeep or 'keep' is what we normally called her, was always quick to our order but usually insisted that we order something she already had prepared. Today she had mutton sandwiches for us with kettle fried potatoes fresh off the flames.  

“You boys have any interesting listings for the day?” she questioned.

Acteon and I spread out the scraps of paper in a messy pile as if we were trying to find that elusive piece to a puzzle. 

“Nothing really that interesting.” I replied.
 
“I haven’t posted anything on the board but figured you two would like to do a fetch quest for me.”  The keep said. “I need a few ingredients from the local market, so I can food prep for the dinner crowd.”

She handed us the list of ingredients and I nodded reluctantly.  

“Sure, I guess.”  I hated fetch quests. They just felt like chores and Keep always had my brother Acteon and I carry them out.  We didn't have time for these gathering quests. We needed to slay mystical beasts with my mighty sword and Acteon's great bow.

“Arawyn do you really need me to go with you on this fetch quest.  Can’t I just stay here?”

I looked at Acteon and glared at him as if he actually had a choice.

“...Acteon...you don’t have a choice. Keep asked both of us to go, right Keep?”

Keep turned around, completely ignoring me but I knew she heard me.  She always did this whenever I asked the obvious.

“Let’s just hurry and get this over with.” I suggested to Acteon.

Keep handed us a handful of platinum coins then went back to washing the dishes.  She was a really hard worker, matter of fact she was the only one running the place and did every job at the Lightfeather Tavern.

Thankfully for us, the market was not far from the tavern.  We often made trips there for Keep to get her cooking ingredients so a lot of the merchants knew who we were.  The market was always busy unlike the tavern and all sorts of adventurers loaded up their wagons here.  

Whilst going over the list Acteon spotted a familiar face.  It was Bogre, a fellow adventurer that helped us with a few quests.  He was one of the best alchemists we knew and was capable of creating and mixing just about any elixir for any specific purpose.  If you needed a flask of flames Bogre had it. If you wanted a girl to like you, Bogre had a potion for it. If a girl kissed you but her breath smelled really bad then Bogre was the guy to see.  

Bogre always seemed to be at the marketplace.  Probably gathering ingredients for his next experiment.  He was a heavy set individual that sort of waddled than walked, and wouldn’t be caught dead without his hands in his pockets.  For some reason he was always fiddling in his pockets. We always made fun of him for touching his wiener but he would just pull out various snacks or candies from his pants.  I think his mom wanted him to lose weight or something but I assume he would just sneak treats from his home which was known as the Bellowing Boar Tavern.

“Oi Arawyn and Acteon.  I was wondering when I was gon’ see you two again.”  his voice softened as he approached. “I made a new paralyzing potion.  It stuns an enemy longer so you can make a quick getaway.” he whispered near our shoulders. 

He had this weird smirk on his face that would normally be seen on a villain that was about to fail his evil plot.  Bogre handed us two bottles.  

“Here take it, free of charge.  I just made them today after doing some experimentation." he said deviantly rubbing his hands together.  "Let me know when you go on your next adventure.” He whispered.  

“Bogre Lets GO!!” a voice shouted.

“Coming!!” Bogre shouted back, waddling away towards a beautifully tall fit woman who was standing in line waiting to finish the transaction process with the merchant.  

"Will you get your hands out of your pockets? And stand up straight.  If you keep slouching you're going to have neck pain like your father."  the lady said sternly. We called her Boar Publican or the Publican of the Bellowing Boar since she ran the Bellowing Boar Tavern.  She was always kind to Acteon and I but was strict towards Bogre.

Acteon and I peered down back at the bottles Bogre gave us.  We'd almost forgot we were holding them after checking out Bogre's mo...I mean the Boar Publican.  Inside both translucent bottles were this yellowish brown liquid.

“What the heck is in here?”  Acteon muttered.

“I’m not sure.  He always puts weird stuff in these so it’s best to just not to open it right away.”  I replied. 

We put both bottles in my carrying sack and continued on with our quest.  We had our list of things to gather that Keep gave us. The list read:

Tomatoes

 Basil

Pepperonis

Cheese

"Ohhh I know what Keep is making for the dinner special." Acteon said excitedly.

I too became excited as we traversed the marketplace, but still had to retain my composure and professionalism since this was our quest and there was no time to celebrate until the quest was complete.

"Yes Acteon, looks like tonight's dinner special is our favorite.  Gourmet bread circles topped with tomato paste, melted cheese, and meat or Zaza as the locals liked to call it."