The smell of pies filled the tavern. Betty was baking today, and watching her ovens carefully. They might look done, but she knew that taking them out in 1 minute would be perfectly done, the internal clocks granted by her level 18 Cooking skill keeping track for her. The large ovens she'd asked Miriam to construct for her were a marvel, taking in her mana and providing perfect heat to bake 48 pies at a time. The number of adventurers passing through town was going up, and she and Granya were baking every day now. Bread Day was followed by Muffin Day and Pie Day in an endless rotation.She had just finished putting the pies out to cool when her sixth sense told her that a predator was nearby. She turned and scanned the room, focusing on a very small shadow. "Come out now, or I'm tossing a pail of yesterdays mop water at you, and it's loaded with enough lye soap to strip your skin from your bones!" She grabbed the weapon from the floor, kept there just for such occasions. Too many players with thieving skills thought it would be funny to steal her pies. The shadow stayed still for a second, then spoke."All right, I'm coming out. No need for horrendous threats like that. Too early in the year for a bath!" The shadow became a three-foot-tall halfling dressed in a fur loincloth and cap, a huge axe on his back. His eyes looked at the pies and his nose was twitching. "It's your own fault, it is, being such a good cook. If you were three foot shorter I'd marry you and haul you off to the Moot. Such a cook deserves to be recognized by the people that most appreciate the taste of pie.""Such a charmer. But it won't get you a pie. These need to cool."He grinned at her, "I like it hot and won't complain about a few blisters.""And these are for someone else."That made him scowl fiercely. "Someone else? It's pie day. I always have a dozen pies on pie day. Who are you to deny those tasty tarts! I've fought dragons before! Land Krakens have fallen to my axe, and every other monstrous behemoth to walk the land!"Betty picked up a large wooden spoon and set down the pail. "I'm the cook, and this is my kitchen. If you want to fight me for the pies, bring it on. But if you lose, you're doing dishes for a month and eating groat muffins three meals a day. A lesson in humility and pain!"The halfling wilted. He'd challenged his mother once when hungry for a snack, and the beating he'd taken had left a lasting impression on him. Hands in the air, he took a step back, "All right, no need to get nasty about things. But surely you can spare one wee little pie? Who is the blackguard who bought every pie on Pie Day. A right villain he is!""That would be the Baron of Gadobhra, and you're right that he's a villain, but the best kind as far as I'm concerned. He's leaving town to rescue some poor waifs about to be murdered out there, somewhere in the wilderness. They need food for the journey and I'm giving every man that goes a fresh pay to keep their strength up."Giant Muncher looked at the pies. He hated doing minor quests, but if it came with the reward up front, he might consider it. "Sounds dangerous. Please tell me it's dangerous. I get bored easily." Betty rolled her eyes. "Doubt you'd be too bored on this one. They're off to fight an army of Bumbles.""Bumbles....? Bees? I love honey, but who fights an army of bees? Have to pass on this one, pie or no pie. A barbarian has a code, and it doesn't include attacking beehives.""No, from the talk, it's a tribe of huge, hairy giants coming down from the north.""GIANTS??!""Yep, everyone of them is as tall as four tall men. And if that isn't bad enough, behind them may be the Jotun. Ozzy says those are the big ones."The halfling's eyes were huge, "This is it! Being paid with pies to kill giants? This is the PERFECT QUEST! I pledge myself to the Baron's righteous cause!"Betty handed him a pie, "The wagons are rolling up in a minute or two, just hop in."Halfway out the door, Giant Muncher turned back, "Does there happen to be a prize for who kills the most giants? Asking for a friend."Betty grinned, "Tell you what, I'll give you one fresh pie for each giant you kill, and another half dozen if you kill the most. How's that?"His mind reeled. The Perfect Quest had just gotten better! He bowed to her, "On my word as a member of the Order of Heracles, I shall strive to do my best and those pies shall be mine!" Then he was out the door and waiting as the supply wagons rolled up to be loaded with fresh food from the tavern before heading to Gadobhra and a quick teleport to Hurlsburg.The Baron and Baroness were waiting by the teleport stone, dressed in intricate black plate mail armor they had earned piece by piece in the Red Chapel dungeon. Where other adventurers gained random magical items from the chests and bosses, Billy and Layla had bee rewarded with items the Noble Armor of Gadobhra set. Upon getting all sixteen pieces the treasures had fused and become one item that could be donned or taken off with ease. They had been delighted to have this quest show up, giving them a perfect opportunity to show off. Instead of a wagon, they were riding in an open black coach pulled by the most murderous of Slaughter Series Blood Golems who had refused to stay behind. The Baron had complimented the murder machine and made sure there was an empty wagon to haul him back once his power ran out. Seeing an opportunity for someone to test out their theories, the Baron's talented Engineers delivered a wagon carrying an experimental battery system that could recharge the golem and itself be recharged by an extravagant input of mana. Knowing how much mana the average worker packed with them, the Baron wasn't worried about the inefficiency of the system.
Marching behind their carriage were Layla's bodyguard of huge lizardmen, eager for battle. When she had explained what they were going to do, they had signaled their excitement, thumping their tales on the pavement and pounding their shields. The jungle they came from had many types of giant beasts and the size of the enemy didn't bother them. Quite the contrary. A larger enemy meant a bigger meal after the battle. Behind the bodyguards came three wagons filled with groups of adventurers who had taken gold from the Baron to fight for him. To them, giants and a mythic battle meant fame and Enhancement points. The pie was also good. Good enough that when a halfling came offering magical rings and enchanted daggers in exchange for pies, only three people took his deal. The others laughed at the scam, and ate their pies. There was some regret later when the items were found to be a Ring of Hefty Melee Damage +25, a Band of Bardic Power +10, and a Dagger of Double Backstabbing. The later would turn a minor thief named Lucky Lou into a rising star in the Assassin's Guild.After that, the convoy was made up of forty wagons being pulled by Contract Workers with another hundred and ten workers riding in the wagons and taking turns pulling. Rolly was out front to lead the way and increase their speed, aided by Ben and a dozen other Couriers from House Franklin who had been caring for a herd of pregnant mares. Ben had been concerned when Harmony had ridden into Gadobhra with the other's trailing behind but the smile on her face erased any worry.She grinned, "You're a proud uncle of seventeen new foals, three of which have small wings on their shoulders. Their mama's have things under control and the Ironwoods are sealed against any predators. The scruffy looking druid guy name Lyle is there too, watching over things and mumbling to himself. He said the spirits sent him to watch over this new life. We drew straws though, and Connor and Sylvia are staying as well. I figured no expedition can have too many Franklins along to help out."Ben was happy to have just one Franklin, and hoped they got a few moments together when they weren't riding from one emergency to another. But for now, just having her along was enough. "I agree. Ride next to me and we'll add our magic to Rolly's and speed this convoy along. Everyone else can spread out and do what they can. We teleport to Hurlsburg, bypassing Rowan Keep and then heading into the wilds."She cocked an eyebrow, that saves a few miles, but more trips using their smaller teleport stone. Why do I suspect their is probably another reason for bypassing Rowan Keep?"He grinned, "Because you are as smart as you are beautiful. Also suspicious, never a bad trait. Baron William is moving fast and doesn't want to get bogged down in politics. Easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission. We mobilized so fast, I doubt anyone in Rowan Keep suspects anything."Arriving in Hurlsburg, Harmony laughed and Ben grumbled as his words came back to haunt him. A smiling Diego was there to greet him. "My, out for a small stroll with friends? It's a lovely day for traveling."Ben sighed and began to talk, "Yes, and a very good explanation for all of this, you see..."Diego hushed him, "Please, Benjamin. I understand. One doesn't deny the God of War without consequences.""God of War?""Yes, big guy, looks like a soldier, scares the shit out of people that see him? Goes by the name of Ares. His priests were all given visions of a great battle where he would welcome home his faithful followers. Every disabled veteran, fifty-seven men and woman, all devout followers of war are heading to their final battle. The priests have told me that the Baron of Gadobhra is making sure they get to this glorious battle. Very nice of him. A devout and faithful believer in war, so I'm told."Ben sat on his horse, looking at Diego and trying to read the old man, and the veteran soldiers ready to go to war one last time, weapons and packs at their feet, and mugs of beer in their hands. Finally, he gave up and nodded. "Yes, devout is certainly the word one thinks of when they see Baron William." He would have said more but the next load of people and wagons had appeared, pulled by Ozzy and Jorges. Ben was looking at the wagons, which didn't seem to have much in them."Where do you want these, Ben? We've got the four empty wagons coming through first, and I don't know why."Ben pointed at the veterans and priests of Ares, "Baron William, a devout and humble follower of Ares has agreed that our supply convoy will assist his soldiers and priests into fighting in a great battle."Ozzy thought for a second, "Well, we're packing a lot of firepower that's blessed by Ares. That may have caught his attention. Either way good to have some actual soldiers along. I'll get them loaded up. It does explain all those pies in each wagon. But now I wonder how the hell Betty knew?"Diego's eyes grew larger. "Betty sent along pies? Truly this is a blessed expedition. I'm so glad to be accompanying you, Benjamin. And I'm sure other people are going to be very interested in the story, some day in the future. Well, if we live through it."Within twenty minutes the convoy was on the road, sped along by Shepherd and Courier magic, and possibly a divine blessing of war.