Chapter 52

Love and Betrayal

Abigail

It took three more weeks than I’d wanted to prepare for my journey. Margeaux had appeared and demanded that I brew her some attribute beers. I’d done my job, fulfilled my quest, and then she’d left without so much as a thanks.

Now It was time to head to the coast. While I could have walked, an attribute beer was faster, safer, and more delicious.

[Abigail Yak’s Salindune Ale.]

[Silver Rank. Level 98/100 Epic.]

[Special Attributes: Brewer’s Portal.]

The cork came off with a magnificent pop. Foam streamed out and hovered in long arcs for a moment before whisking away like the ends of clouds.

I brought the small bottle to my lips and drank.

Aromas filled my senses. Aromas of the wind-lashed coast of Salindune, the southern city of sand dunes and sandals. I could smell the summer market of figs and baskets woven with freshly clipped sweet-grass.

I blinked.

Though it was winter, I found myself expecting to portal to Salindune and hear the laughter of children frolicking through the markets. I thought I would smell the lingering lavender perfume of fresh laundry hung out to dry. The markets would be full with youth and with age, and the children would giggle hysterically over underwear hung out to dry.

When I closed my eyes, I expected to hear the wrinkling of bright linen dresses as girls flirted and ran through the streets. A young lady with rosey cheeks would be brimming with mirth and dash through the market. A boy would say, “she’s a wild one, she is,” and then laugh with love in his eyes and chase after her. He had to, because the girl had taken his sandal and he was already late for lunch by the pier.

I was ready to hear women compliment my dress and ask questions that fell upon me with words sweet as embroidery. Skilled seamstresses would chuckle with the sounds of skipping stones, and their fingers would fly to my dress like birds pecking for ideas and innovation from the fabric.

“My mother made this,” would be my answer.

“She is a gift of a woman,” they’d say.

Then I’d leave with haste, because the smells of tomatoes, rosemary, and basil stole my sandal, “so to speak,” I’d tell the ladies, who’d then laugh and point me in the direction of Blurante’s booth where a fresh dish of tomato salad waited for a trade of copper.

The copper would trade for more than a salad. The salad came with a man. A man to fall in love with who knew how to cook with carpenter hands. Who knew where to take you to see the sun burn the sea. A man who knew how to kiss and what passion was.

“I fell in love with you,” the man would breathe.

Though it was winter, I expected these things.

Instead, I portaled to Salindune on a cold day where the market had since vanished, and the piers were closed. I arrived where Blurante’s booth of fresh produce used to be. I looked upon the city and whispered, “you never loved me. You loved someone else.”

“Excuse me,” a young man said.

I turned and met his eyes. They were Salindune eyes. Eyes made of fire and love and fight.

“I’m sorry miss. You appeared out of thin air. How did you do it?”

“It’s a skill,” I said.

“You’re quite beautiful. Have you been to Salindune before?”

“Yes. I grew up here. I fell in love here. I was betrayed here.”

“Betrayed?”

“I left Salindune to live alone in the southern hills where the earth is broken and only mountains exist. Where betrayal doesn’t exist. I enjoy my solitude, so if you don’t mind.”

“I understand, my lady. In any case, welcome back.”

Without a word, I turned and found a good pace. I had one destination in-

“Miss,” the young man said.

I turned once more.

“There’s more to love than betrayal.”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you fell in love. You said you were betrayed. Here. In Salindune. I take it the betrayal was from the man you loved.”

There was nothing for me to say.

“I don’t know when you left Salindune, but we have a saying here: ‘If it is pain, then it is not love.’”

There was nothing for me to say.

I returned to my journey and found a good pace once more. Salindune was a long city that stretched along the coast and whose buildings stepped up the steep hills. A wintry haze tumbled over the sea. A drunken man tumbled out of the Inn I arrived at. His friends tumbled after him.

“Duck and Herring,” one of them said, back on their feet and shaking a fist at the Inn’s hanging sign. “That’s number fourteen that we’re banned from.”

“Banned again,” one of the fools said, who sat upon the ground with his head hung between his legs.

I pulled my hood over my face, entered my destination and went straight to the bar. The bar was packed but a gentleman opened a stool for me.

“Was just leaving,” he said, though he stood with his friends for a while more.

When the bartender arrived across from me, he cursed as he wiped a tankard clean.

“Salty dog! Abigail! Is that really you?”

“Tayo. Still slinging drinks, I see.”

“I’m literally speechless. I haven’t seen you since you were this tall.”

“I’m a lot more woman now.”

“I’ll say. You look fantastic. How about I get you something to drink and we can catch up?”

“I’d like that. You’re as gracious as ever, Tayo.”

The man blushed and stammered. He poured me a bronze ranked tavern ale and we spoke when he had a few moments to spare whilst tending bar.

Tayo was surprised that I kept ordering beer, though I was taking my time to enjoy them. We talked long into the day, into the evening, and into the night. When he closed his doors in the wee hours of the morning, we had ourselves a chance to really talk.

Our chatter was pleasant and filled me with a sense of closure. By leaving Salindune, I felt that I had turned down the world. As it turns out, nothing much had happened after I left. The same people who’d been together stayed together. Others moved away or maintained an independence. Everyone’s life was simple and fulfilling. Only a few died young.

“What about you?” Tayo said. “What brings you back? Not Blurante, I’m guessing.”

I made a foul face.

“I’m looking for a man,” I said. “Goes by the name Hawkin. He’s a northern brewer. I thought I might as well start with the nearest city to me, and make my way north as I pick up clues along the way.”

“Can’t say I've heard the name. We get orders from all over the world. I promise I’d let you see the invoice if I did buy anything from that brewer.”

“Could I look at a few invoices anyway? I might find a clue or something.”

Tayo was happy to oblige and returned with a stack of invoices for me to look over while he finished cleaning up the bar.

“What’s the deal with this Hawkin fellow,” Tayo said, “and what's the deal with you going through fifteen beers like that? You’ve gotten into beer lately?”

“Something like that, yes. I’m on a quest to find this man. I’m interested to know why he has the potential to become one of the greatest brewers this world has ever seen.”

“Wait a minute. Are you a brewer?”

“I’m a brewer.”

“No way,” Tayo drawled with excitement. “I’m a level 620 Bartender. What level are you at?”

“Three thousand four hundred.”

“You’re gold ranked!” Tayo shouted. “This must be an important quest if a gold ranked brewer is doing it.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” I said. “I’d say someone higher than me has a curiosity they want to indulge in. I’m basically just doing them a small favor.”

“I’d love to help. Tell you what—let’s go for a walk. My wife should be up by now. She’s always wanted to meet a gold ranked adventurer. The three of us can go pick up some bread and a simple breakfast. We can come back here and look over invoices for this Mr. Hawkin together.”

“You were always charming and full of life,” I said. “I’d appreciate the help. I’ll even brew a thank-you beer for your Inn, and something for your wife.”