The sun filtered through the thin curtains of the common room in The Stormy Rest, casting warm, golden light over the worn wooden tables and stone floors. The smell of fresh bread and sizzling eggs filled the air as patrons trickled in for breakfast. The adventurers were already seated, nursing their first cups of steaming tea. Lira tapped the table thoughtfully, glancing at the small plate of fruits and oats before her.
“We should surprise Tako,” Elora said suddenly, looking up from her cup with a smile. “He’s probably still asleep in the stables.”
“Surprise him?” Thane chuckled, tearing off a piece of bread. “Aye, but what does a big fella like that eat? Oats and fruits ain’t going to be enough for him, I reckon.”
Lira furrowed her brow. “But Tako respects animals, doesn’t he? He might not even eat meat.”
Zerai chimed in, eyebrows raised in thought. “He doesn’t strike me as the type to chow down on bacon and sausages, but he’s… what, eight feet tall? How does someone get that big without eating meat?”
“Magic, maybe?” Elora suggested with a shrug. “But let’s not risk offending him. Oats and fruit it is.”
They agreed on a simple breakfast, gathering a hearty bowl of oats, freshly picked apples, and a small loaf of bread. Thane carried the tray, balancing it carefully as they made their way to the stables, eager to share a meal with their mysterious new companion.
The smell of hay and animal musk greeted them as they entered the stable. There, nestled in the corner with the enormous carcass of the grathok, was Tako. The massive vaelin was spooning the creature’s corpse; his arm draped protectively over its rocky hide. The grathok’s fur had been brushed to perfection, gleaming in the early light.
Zerai cleared her throat, trying to stifle a laugh. “Uh, Tako?”
Tako jolted awake with a low, guttural growl, his face halfway between human and bear forms. His eyes darted to the group, narrowing for a moment before recognition dawned. His expression softened, the bear-like features receding as he sat up, his massive hand still resting on the grathok’s shoulder.
“Tako… sleep,” he muttered.
Elora stepped forward with a gentle smile, holding up the tray. “We brought you breakfast. Thought you might like some oats and fruit.”
Tako sniffed the air, his gaze shifting to the tray. He seemed to consider it, then gave a slow nod. “Tako thanks.” He sat up, his large hands carefully accepting the bowl. The group gathered around as he ate, sitting on the hay-strewn floor.
They resumed the previous day’s discussion, picking up where they left off with the grathok’s remains. “We can’t possibly take the whole thing back to Dunmoor,” Lira said, shaking her head. “It’s too risky. Not to mention heavy.”
Thane grunted his agreement. “Aye, and it’ll start stinkin’ soon if we don’t find someone to handle it.”
Elora looked thoughtful. “Maybe we should find a butcher. Someone who specializes in magical beasts. They’d know what to do with it.”
The morning light guided them through Kaethar’s bustling streets, leading them to a small shop on the corner of the market square. The sign above the door read, “Parvek’s Cuts”, its worn letters flanked by a pair of crossed knives. Outside, a line of freshly butchered meat hung on hooks, dripping into a trough below.
Inside, the shop was dim and cramped, the walls lined with slabs of meat and animal hides. The counter was cluttered with cleavers and saws, and behind it stood Parvek himself—a stout, red-faced man with arms thick from years of swinging a butcher’s blade. He was mid-cut, working a slab of beef when they entered.
Parvek didn’t bother looking up as they approached. “Lookin’ for beef, pork, or venison today?” he asked gruffly.
Thane stepped forward. “Neither. We’ve got something a little more… unusual for you.”
Parvek finally looked up his brow furrowing. “Unusual, eh?”
“We need someone who can process a magical beast,” Lira explained, nodding to the others. “A grathok, to be exact.”
Parvek blinked, clearly taken aback. “A grathok? Never heard of anyone bringin’ one of those in. But you’re outta luck. I don’t deal in magical meat.” He wiped his hands on his apron, shaking his head. “You’ll want Varna’s Mystic Meats down the road. She’s the one that handles that sort of thing.”
The shop stood at the corner of a narrow street, its exterior modest but meticulously kept. A simple wooden sign engraved with elegant script hung above the door: Varna’s Mystic Meats. Unlike the rougher butcher shops they had passed earlier, this one exuded an air of precision and care. The windows were spotless, giving passersby a clear view of the interior, where the gleaming countertops and hanging cuts of meat were displayed like treasures. The door was adorned with a small metal charm etched with symbols unfamiliar to the party but clearly meaningful. It suggested the shop catered to more than just the average customer.
The small bell above the door tinkled as they stepped inside Varna’s Mystic Meats. The first thing they noticed was the air—it was different. Crisp, almost cold, with the faint scent of herbs and something sharper, like a faint whiff of sage or lavender. The walls were lined with jars, each carefully labeled with neat handwriting. Dried herbs hung in bundles, and in the back, several polished metal racks held cuts of meat that shimmered faintly with magical residue. The room was brightly lit but not harshly so—everything seemed to glow softly under the light, adding to the serene atmosphere.
Behind the counter stood Varna. She was tall and slim, with a straight posture that gave her an almost regal air. Her dark hair, streaked with silver, was tied back in a long braid. Her eyes were sharp, taking in every detail of the party as they entered, but her calmness suggested deep experience and control. She wore a long apron over simple but fine clothing, and her hands—strong and steady—rested on the counter, fingers occasionally tracing the edge as she listened to their tale of the grathok.
Once the party explained what they needed, Varna’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes flickered with interest. “A grathok,” she said, her voice measured. “That’s not something you encounter every day.”
Thane leaned in, skeptical. “You ever dealt with one before?”
Varna shook her head calmly. “No one has. Surviving a grathok encounter is rare enough—processing one is unheard of.”
Thane grunted, clearly unimpressed. “And that doesn’t bother you? Not exactly filling me with confidence here.”
Varna met his gaze steadily. “It’s the unknown that requires the most care. I’ve worked with magical beasts, and I know how to proceed cautiously. Some might call it divine intervention if you’ve survived a grathok.”
Thane rolled his eyes. “Divine intervention? Let’s not get carried away.”
Elora, sensing tension, stepped forward. “Thane, she’s being honest. If no one’s done it before, I’d rather someone who approaches it with respect than someone who pretends they’ve got it figured out.”
Elora’s voice was calm but firm. She didn’t believe in the divine aspect that Varna had mentioned, but she respected the woman’s professionalism. Elora believed the gods had better things to do than intercede on behalf of mortals. Turning to Varna, she added, “I don’t personally follow the belief in divine intervention, but I respect your experience. We need this done carefully, and you seem like the right person for the job.”
Varna’s lips curved ever so slightly, perhaps in acknowledgment of Elora’s tact. “I appreciate your honesty. Belief or no belief, this isn’t something to be rushed. The body of a grathok could have magical properties we’ve never encountered. Its hide is like stone; who knows what else we might find inside. But I have the skills and am prepared to take on the task.”
Zerai, who had been leaning on the counter, nodded thoughtfully. “And how do you plan to start?”
Varna’s sharp eyes flicked to Zerai. “I’ll bring in my brother, Saren. He’s a taxidermist who specializes in magical animals. His expertise will be invaluable when we start dissecting the creature.”
Lira crossed her arms, glancing between the rest of the group. “Do you think he’ll be able to help?”
Varna nodded once, her posture firm. “I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think so. He’s the best in Kaethar when it comes to magical creatures. We’ll need to preserve the body right away, so I’ll store it in the freezer until he arrives. He should be here within the hour.”
The group exchanged glances, unease rippling between them. Thane still looked skeptical, but Lira seemed more open to the idea. Finally, Thane muttered, “And we just leave it with you, then?”
“Yes,” Varna replied smoothly. “It’s the safest way to preserve the integrity of the carcass. You’re welcome to explore the city while we wait for Saren to arrive. He’ll want to assess the situation thoroughly before we move forward.”
There was still some doubt lingering, but the decision seemed made. “Alright,” Lira said, “we’ll trust you for now.”
Varna nodded. “Take your time. My brother will be here within the hour. When you return, we can discuss the finer details.”
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