Ethan moved Lucy, who straddled him. He let her head rest on his chest, her soft breathing soothing. The elf woman's eyebrow lifted, her gaze falling on the sleeping woman.
"My name is Aeloria, and my partner next to me is Bellatrix. We are retired adventurers. Draga used to be our leader. Four children down the line, we settled in the city. Draga runs the eatery while we transport goods and people."
Ethan wondered how Aeloria could marry a human man as she would outlive their grandchildren. They seemed happy, and he could see that they were no-nonsense people. Draga placed plates of food down for them with a big jug of stout. Ethan moved Wendy onto his leg, putting her head next to Lucy's, making himself more comfortable.
"Alas, we need to be there today. We have another party waiting for us at the Dark Horse Inn."
Bellatrix placed her mug down. Her arms bulged with muscles as she wiped the stout Mustache on her lip. Ethan suspected she could take most men in the village in a fair fight.
"We will leave after we have eaten. It will be twenty-two silver one way. We will drop you at the inn and then leave. We dare not stay too long, as Aeloria will be in danger."
Ethan could hear the warning in the woman's tone of voice. Wendy would be in constant danger. He worried for all his party, knowing how cruel magus and nobles in this realm could be. He placed the twenty-two silver coins on the table.
"Alas, we appreciate the risk you will take for us. We will book into the inn quickly to be safe."
Aeloria shifted in her seat, and Ethan could see she chose her words carefully before speaking.
"They will not allow demi-humans or elves to stay at the inn. The village consists of humans only, and the other races are looked down upon as animals."
"Alas, we will heed your warning and stay in the forest. We have camping equipment and a specialist, Lara."
Ethan caresses the sleeping woman's cheek gently. Bellatrix took Ethan's hand.
"Be careful. There are many rumours about the village, and they are not good. Young, pretty women disappear there. You will only find older adults there, no young people at all. A quest has been posted in the guild to find the source of the firedog that has been wreaking havoc at the farms surrounding the village."
"Alas, what is a firedog."
They explain to him that they are monsters standing as tall as dire wolves—their blood burns, setting farms on fire. The hogs target livestock and humans alike; they eat anything. Their meat is not fit for human consumption, and the beasts and monsters also do not eat it. Aeloria then spoke.
"Their carcases sell for five silver coins to forges. Their meat and blood are used to increase the heat of a forge when melting metals like mithril."
Brandy came to Ethan's mind.
"Alas, how do the animals for hunting meat look in the area, and are there any good monsters that make for good eating."
Bellatrix waved her hand around her at the stalls.
"If we could hunt, we would hunt in that paradise, and we would be filthy rich by now. Draga would love to cook with half of the monster meats from that area. The risk is too high, though, with dire wolves and other monsters roaming those forests, no one in their right mind hunts there. Aeloria would be hunted and used for breeding, as they call it, we call it whoring."
"Alas, if we contacted you, would you come and pick up meat? It should pay for our ride back here in four days."
Bellatrix handed Ethan a business card with their number on it. He could use a public phone to call them. The trip would take two hours, but they would make it, leaving ample time to find a spot to camp. Ethan wondered what Terry and his team would do when they discovered they could not stay at the Inn. Terry had cat and bear kin on his team. The two women stood Bellatrix, taking the silver coins.
"Everyone should do their ablutions before we leave. You and your team have ten minutes to get ready."
Ethan woke the women, urging them to use the toilet before they left. Ethan walked out of the ablutions when Sophia brought the two men to his attention. They were the same men who followed them from the Royal Police Headquarters. They were asking around, and the drivers looked too eager to tell them about their group's destination. Grace and Wendy's haggling had turned many of the people against them. Their insults hit home, and it hurt their feelings.
"Alas, Sophia, keep me updated if you see any suspicious characters that seem interested in our party."
"Alas, will do. After all, they will all be your women in the end."
Big brass rivets held the pickup's body together. Ethan inspected the V—eighteen engine. The concept was basic yet effective. The bubble wheels and suspension looked geared up for rugged terrain. Aeloria opened the pickup's door.
"She could easily pull a four-ton trailer and have a load on the back. She has been our income and reliable. We will get you there in two hours; do not fret."
Ethan could feel his stomach churning at the thought of travelling in the vehicle.
"Alas, there seems to be space for only two people in the cabin."
Aeloria dropped the hatch at the back, a step folded to the ground.
"You will be travelling in the back."
Draga brought two mattresses from the back of the eatery and placed them at the back of the pick-up. Draga spoke as he did.
"It should not rain but stay down. The wind will be cold as the sun sets. Take care of my women, giant. They are my life."
Ethan pressed the man's shoulder, nodding his head, his stomach churning. Grace climbed up the steps and into the back, followed by Lara. He waited for Wendy to get up, then hopped in, swinging his legs in as Draga closed the back. The sides were high, to Ethan's relief. He needed to stay awake to protect everyone. Two doors slammed shut, and the vehicle's engine came to life.