15 Quest is Bes (1/2)
While the satyrs were allowed to roam the encampment, Nelda was stuck with being the BellMare's companion.The old lady's mind was clearly fixed very firmly on both pleasing her Gryphon friend and acquiring the unicorn horn.
The BellMare asked, ”So do you know the rite for returning the unicorn to life?”
”Not… as such.It seemed wise to secure the ritual components, as a first step.”
Nelda had learned, when writing exam essays, that there was a fine line between bluffing a few extra points, and revealing that you really had no idea what you were talking about. [It worked for MicroBio 300, and sure hope its working now.]
HoneyBeard could be seen somewhat off in the distance, making lewd suggestions to a male centaur.[Or at least, any sign language performed the penis can probably be assumed to be lewd].To be fair the centaur seemed to be giving HoneyBeard's idea serious consideration, so it probably wasn't going to cause them too much trouble.
The BellMare commented, ”Sometimes may people call them saws.”
”You what?”
”Centaurs, with the important bits in the middle taken out. S—aur.” She laughed at her own joke.
Nelda had to think about that for a little while before she got it.And it seemed more like a thinly veiled insult than a joke. There was just something about how the BellMare looked at the satyrs, something… condescending. [God, I hope I'm not doing the same thing.A satyr's job is to be a good satyr, not match up to any bullshit assumptions I bring over for a completely different world.]
Nelda ate some more of the squishy fruit the centaurs had offered her.It tasted a little like artificial watermelon flavoring, but not at all like actual watermelon. She felt like it was probably her time to say something.It was hard to know as the BellMare seemed very comfortable with uncomfortable pauses.
”I suppose finding the rite will just have to be part of the quest,” Nelda said. ”Maybe the Gryphon can help with that?”
”I doubt it, you would do better to ask Gryphon Lucretia ScribeGuild.But perhaps Gryphon SmithGuild will see fit to make an introduction. Our Gryphon is more involved with… metal things.”
”That seems like an excellent plan. Thank you BellMare. I'll ask this gryphon to ask the other gryphon about the… thing. I am so grateful for your wise counsel.” Sometimes the only way to keep a crazy important people calm was to flatter them. But it helped if they were tone deaf to any kind of sarcasm, as rampant egotists often are.
The BellMare, encouraged, nodded sagely.”Perhaps in the meantime,” she wheedled. ”You could leave the little satyrs with us. They seem to be simple to keep amused.”
HoneyBeard and the centaur were now comparing the sizes of their cocks.It seemed to be a close call as to which was bigger. A spirited argument broke out, drawing the attention of other nearby centaurs.
Nelda started to back-peddle. ”I did promise that at the conclusion of the quest I would ensure they were returned safely to their village.”
”Perhaps that is a service we could provide on your behalf? In the spirit of cooperation.”
[I bet you would.And come back with wagonloads of flying leaf.Trying to steal my unicorn horn, bitch?]
[Wait.I don't even want the unicorn horn.]
A third centaur was now directly involved in the argument with HoneyBeard, and had brought over some kind of measuring tape.