<h4>Chapter 77: Get Ready to Rumble</h4>
What followed was a lot of back pping and congrattions.
“Pete! It worked!” Annie ran up and pulled me into a hug. We were soon joined by Balin, then Aqua, then everyone else.
“We did it!”
“Huzzah!”
“Congrattions!”
“Did anyone else hear that sound?”
“It looks amazin’, I can’t wait to try it!”
*Meeeeeeh!!!!* *Burp*
We broke apart and considered Penelope, who had finished the bowl and was pushing it towards us with a stamping foot.
“Do ya want more, princess?” Richter chuckled. “Yer a greedy goat, aintcha?”
“We have to give her <i>thirteen</i> more, technically.” Annie said, looking around at all the tanks.
Aqua put her hand up, unnoticed, "Excuse me?"
“Can I have some first?” Johnsson pleaded. “I never got to try any of the bottled beer, and Aqua and Richter keep teasin’ me about it.”
“It’s technically not done yet. It needs to be bottle conditioned.” I pointed out.
“EXCUSE ME!” Aqua shouted, capturing everyone’s attention.
“Yes, Aqua?” Annie asked, sweetly.
“Did nobody else hear that?”
We all tipped our ears attentively.
That was when it happened.
*BRAP*
Every head turned to regard Penelope, whose beady eyes slowly crossed in consternation.
*Meeeeeeh???* [Tranted from Primma Donna Goat] “Surely that wasn’t my most elegant self???”
!!BRAAAAAAAPPP!!
Penelope let out a fart so massive that it actually shook her tail. She jumped nearly a meter into the air and bucked behind her. She waved her single horn wildly, as though attacking some unseen enemy.
*MEEEEEHHH!?!* [Tranted from Primma Donna Goat] “Treachery! Mine own royal body betrays me!?!”
We all stared in shock as Penelope let loose a few more musical *toots* from her behind. She furiously pranced from foot to foot with each eruption.
“Penelope?” Aqua said with trepidation. “Are you ok?”
*MEHEHEHHEEE!!!* [Tranted from Primma Donna Goat] “What foul magic is this!? Have at thee, ckguards!!!”
She then began angrily butting her head against Balin’s shins. He summoned his golden armour, and his legs rang like a bell after every strike.
“What- what was that?” John asked.
“Penelope farted?” I said, questioningly. John rolled his eyes.
“Is tha princess well?” Richter said with concern.
Annie bent over the goat to examine her, but besides the initial shock, Penelope seemed fine. After a short while she calmed down, went back to her bowl, and began pawing at it.
*Meeeeehhh!!!! Meeheehee!* [Tranted from Primma Donna Goat] “Please excuse my impropriety. I apologize and let nobody speak of it ever again. Now fill my bowl, peasants!”
"Are we… letting her drink from the next tank?" Annie asked, uncertainly.
"Jeremiah checked it. He said this stuff is safe to drink. Maybe she just had indigestion?” I said. Everyone nodded, but nobody looked convinced.
Annie brought Penelope’s bowl to the next tank and poured from the spigot. She ced it on the floor and Penelope immediately buried her nose in the bowl, greedily chugging it down. When it was empty, she raised her head and licked at her lips before pushing her dish to the next tank. She stood next to the spigot and waited expectantly.
We all regarded her for a minute.
Then there was a *rumble*.
*Meeh?* *Burp*
!!BRAAP!!
Penelope went ballistic, kicking and bucking and running around the room. Her voice went up an octave until she was angry-screaming. Every once in a while she’d smash into Balin’s shins, just for good measure.
“Okaaay?” I deferred to Annie. “You’re in charge.”
“Great, thanks.” She grimaced. “What do you think is happening?”
I used [sh of Insight] to help jog my memory. “The unrefined liver oil is supposed to cause indigestion, and when it’s refined it promotes gut health and stamina recovery.” I thought back to certain medicines on Earth. “Since we didn''t prepare it properly, maybe it’s acting like a fast acting probiotic, or a gas-relief agent?”
!!BRAAAAAP!!
*MMMMMMMMAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!*
*GONG* “Och, that one actually ''urt!”
I did my level best to ignore the chaos and concentrate on the problem at hand. A difficult proposition when a crazed caprid is trying to put their horn through your brother’s kneecaps. “A digestive of some kind seems the most likely, but I don’t know magic.” I looked at Richter.
He shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I’ve not studied anytin’ like dis.” His eyes shimmered for a moment. “But I can say dat tha’ beer ain''t magic anymore.”
“I guess an idental ‘potion’ beer was too much to ask,” I grumbled. “Maybe it has health benefits?”
Aqua and Balin eventually managed to soothe Penelope with some gentle pats and she went to shiver angrily beside her bowl. Either she hadn’t realized the beer was causing her outbursts, or she was just a greedy guts. Maybe both.
“Do we keep letting her drink?” I asked.
Annie shook her head. “I don’t think that would be fair to her. Let’s see about - ”
*Rumble*
We all turned to look back at the first tank. Johnsson was standing next to it with a mug in his hand. He only looked <i>slightly</i> guilty.
“What? *Burp* I wanted to try it too. It’s delicious! Tastes just like tha True Brew, but it’s smoother and feels more lively on me tongue! It’s tha best beer I’ve ever drunk and it makes me feel all warm''n fuzzy! And Pete, you said it isn’t even - ”
!!BRAAP!!
“Och!” He held his stomach. “By Aaron’s Arse, that’s an odd feelin.”
!!BRAAA-AAA-A-APPP!!
We all stared at Johnsson as his butt let loose an entire musical number,plete with dance routine. He dropped his mug and grabbed one cheek in each hand, his face turning bright red.
"HA!"
Everyone but Johnsson (who was busy) turned to look at John, who had begun bellyughing so hard he was crying.
"HA HA HA! You should see yer face, son! You look more confused than Penelope did! HAW HAW HAW!!"
Aqua tittered next. Then Balin began to guffaw. Then the entire grumble fell overughing.
—
We all took a turn at drinking the brew and ripping one out, even John. Aqua practically rattled the walls on her turn, and she fled the brewery in shrieking shame. The beer seemed to grant a slight stamina boost, which caused a bit of belly rumbling and a burp followed by one or two <i>massive </i>toots. There were no discernable side effects, and we didn’t get any [Conditions] from drinking it. That meant it was safe to drink.
Annie still decided to wait a bit before we bottled it. She wanted to talk to her dad and take some time to consider our options.
In the meantime, we had a pub to run. The world wouldn’t wait while our boss contemted the ethics of beer that could cut cheese. The regrs arrived first, headed by Tania and Beatbox. No Rumbob tonight. Prophet Barnes even made an appearance; now there was a dwarf that <i>loved</i> his goatherd pie.
I looked up from my musings to wee the next set of guests. My nose itched slightly as it was assaulted by the smell of onions and I resisted the urge to sneeze. I was <i>not</i> made to be a waiter, and Aqua and I were desperate for Annie to hire someone to do this full time. In the meantime, we switched back and forth over the course of the evening.
“Hello, wee to the Thirsty Goat Brew-”
I petered off as I recognized the party that had entered the pub. It was Master Brewer Browning and his posse. I gritted my teeth and prepared for the worst. These guys were grade A assholes, and if they were visiting a ce they’d deemed disgraceful, they were only here for one reason - to make trouble.
I immediately turned management mode on to one-hundred percent.
“Master Brewer Browning, how wonderful to see you! Wee to our humble brewpub! We’re so happy you could take time out of your busy schedule toe and see us!” I sketched a humble bow.
Browning looked me up and down, his eyes practically screaming contempt.
*Hmph* “We were made aware of your so-called Grand Opening by some of our apprentices. It would have been customary for you to invite the Honourable Guild of Brewers to a tasting on your first night. Not,” he sneered, “that I would have expected an outsider like <i>you </i>to understand that. I did expect <i>better </i>from Annie Goldstone, though.”
My eyebrow twitched, but I kept my tone level. “Oh, I’m <i>so </i>sorry. I don’t know how we could have missed sending out your invitations! It’s just been so busy around here with the renovations. Please, let me take you to your seats, and the first round will be on us as an apology.”
An elderly dwarf behind Browning grunted. “He’s got a tongue sweeter than yer wife’s tarts, Browning. Take me to my seatd, my legs aren’t gettin’ any younger.”
“Of course, Master Brewer…?”
“Malt.”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Master Brewer Malt. If you’d pleasee this way.” I gestured towards a table in the back. Master Browning stepped in front of me and walked towards it while I led the rest of the group.
“Our special today is a zed rack of goat with roasted rosemary-erdroot and sauteed carrots.”
“Tiara’s Teats that sounds delicious!” Malt said, his eyes glittering. “Who''s yer chef, and how much do you want for ‘em?”
“I’m afraid Bran isn’t for sale, sir. But you’re wee toe and eat at the pub as often as you please! We have a new special every week, and they’re all unique to our restaurant.” I liked this guy. He was one of those old people that reached a certain age and decided ''I’ve lived a long life, so watch out, I’min’ through y’all!'' People like that were always a delight, except on the highway and in public change-rooms.
“Stop fraternising and take a seat, Malt.” Browning harrumphed.
Malt shrugged apologetically at me and sat down beside Browning. The rest of the grumble were a twin pair of ginger dwarves with ducktail-beards, a fairly stunning green haired dwarfess in heavy makeup, and a distinguished dwarf with grey mutton-chops. They were all dressed in the same severe ck armour.
I passed each of them a menu in turn, and was rewarded with abination of angry glowers and stark silence.
“Can I get everyone a beer?” I asked sweetly.
“Yes. How <i>is</i> the beer?” Browning asked, with an odd inflection.
“It’s Thirsty Goat’s finest True Brew.” I replied.
“I’ll be the judge of <i>that</i>. I’d heard that you children were <i>experimenting</i> with new brewing techniques.” Browning said, with a tone that sent shivers down my spine and set off rm bells. “I can’t help but feel that any such attempt would summon the wrath of the ancestors. Especially given the unfortunate events that transpired here the <ist</i><i>time.</i>”
What in tha Nether was this? Was this guy ying silly buggers or what? I put a nk smile on my face and began to formte an answer when I noticed it.
A tiny purple dot sat on my minimap. A single, solitary icon that indicated the presence of unrefined lily-leopard liver oil. Right on top of Master Brewer Browning.
*Bing!*
<strong>The Malted Mystery</strong>
<i>Culprits Found: 1 / 2</i>
Sonnuvanannygoat.
That-SON-OF-A-NETHER-SPAWNED-BILLY-GOAT-BRED-CHUCKLEHEADED-SCUM-SUCKING-SCIVEY-SAMSQUANCH!
—
I burst into Annie’s office.
“What -” She began.
“It was BROWNING!”
“Ugh, is that jerk here? What does he want?”
“He <i>wants</i> to screw us over! Just like he already did!”
“What? Pete you aren’t - “
“HE’S CARRYING LILY-LEOPARD LIVER OIL!” I shouted, my body vibrating with rage.
“What?” Annie asked again, her brows drawing together.
“He’s carrying lily-leopard liver oil, and my quest to find the source of our contamination ticked up when I saw it. It wasn’t an ident, it was <i>sabotage</i>. That absolute <i>bastard</i> of a brewer spiked our brew!”
Annie''s face went from shock, to bewilderment, through anger, and ended up on rage. “How dare he. <i>How DARE he!</i> How dare he contaminate the Sacred Brew! He calls himself a brewer!?” She stood up to storm out of the room and I grabbed her by the shoulders.
“No! We can’t. As much as I want to slug him in the face we have no proof, and he’s got way too much clout for us to use him.”
“City Hall - “
“I know! I know the Ordinances Annie. But this isn’t aboutws, it’s about tradition and image and respect. If we go out there and use him of sabotage it will <i>destroy</i> the Thirsty Goat. We’re too vulnerable!”
“But- but -” Annie sputtered, then sat down in her chair with a *whomf*. “ugh, you’re right.”
We sat in angry silence for a moment, each of us flexing our hands as we wrung an imaginary neck.
“I’m not an expert in dwarven society, Annie. What can we do in this situation?” I asked, haltingly. “He’s the guild-master for the brewers guild! Can you even sell beer if he decides to cklist you? As far as I can recall, the ordinances barely even mention guilds.”
Annie drummed her fingers on the table. “We can, but it would be an uphill battle. None of the local restaurants would carry our beer out of fear of retaliation, and our name would be mud with the grocers. The cost to buy erdroot would go through the roof and it would be hard to make big sales.”
“So it would be possible.”
Annie nodded. “Just expensive.”
I made a fist. “Except <i>we</i> have an alternate revenue stream that they can’t touch with Whistlemop. Anything else?”
Annie thought for a while longer. “Usually, dwarven families and businesses deal with events like this with a Feud. The party that deres the Feud sets the terms, and the challenged party deres the form of Contest. It can be anything frombat in the arena, to a craftingpetition, to a foot race.”
I scratched my cheek. “That’s a strange tradition.”
Annie shook her head. “Dwarven Feuds used tost generations and would involve the ughter of entire ns. The Ordinances set strict rules on them to keep our society from fracturing every time some curmudgeon took offence.” Then she sighed. “But you’re right, we’re too weak right now, so if we dere a Feud we’d just be crushed. Feuds favour the challenged party by design.”
“Hmmm… but only if <i>we </i>dere one. If <i>he </i>deres it, we have a chance at winning.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking Pete, but even <i>if</i> you can get Browning to dere a Feud, I’m not sure we have any way to beat an entire guild.”
“Oh, I think we do.” I leaned in with a feral grin and exined my n. Annie’s eyes widened and then her smile grew to match my own.