Chapter 32: Drumm village

The trek through the forest had been slow. What with how malnourished every single one of the rescued people was. Yet, it was also uneventful. For which the two adventurers had been grateful.

Drumm village was a quiet village in a quiet valley. With its white buildings and their red roofs, it as was a typical Kaeined village. When the guards saw the missing people, the bells were rung.

What commenced was a walk through the village with flower petals being thrown at the feet of the two adventurers, and their four slimes. Rina was soaking it up. Waving and blowing kisses at the crowd. While Thomas's face was beet red and his eyes were downcast, and searching the road for its end.

The walk finally stopped at the center of the village, where a woman in a healer's robe was waiting for them.

"Rescued people, over here. You will be given food and water, and examined," she said in a voice full of authority. The people made their way to her, where other villagers were waiting with platters full of food.

"Brave heroes," the woman began, bowing deeply. If Thomas's face could become any redder, it would have. As it stood, he was moments away from fainting. "I thank you, as the mayor of Drumm village, that you have rescued all these people. When we placed the quest, and were denied the assistance of the Orestria adventurer's guild, we feared for their lives."

"You were denied?" Thomas managed to get out, and a couple of people gasped. They could feel the mana leaking in the voice, but they have never seen a male siren before. Or, a fat one.

"The Orestria guild is investigating a recent break in, and they are too busy to lend us a hand," the mayor said, and then she bit her lip. "Even if we pay our taxes regularly."

"Well, we are here, so, have no fear," Rina told her, not thinking too much on what the healer had said.

Yet, Thomas was deep in thought. Could it be that they still haven't gotten the culprit that had sent the Golden Leaf party against a hag that had played mum until the time when she had been safely withing the guild hall?

"Never mind all that," the healer said, and she walked towards the two. "Let me examine you both for injuries."

"We are fine," Rina protested, but the mayor sent her a look, and she shut her mouth. What followed was a lot of pocking and prodding. Mana injections, and two salves prescribed for them.

When the mayor was done with them, she turned around where other healers were looking after the missing people.

"How are they?" She asked, and one of the healers stepped forward.

"Malnourished, starving, dehydrated. Still, a couple of months of rest would set them to rights," he gave his report, and then went back to his patient.

"You deserve a reward, brave heroes," the mayor said, and that got both Rina's and Thomas's attention. She pulled out a golden tabled from her bottomless pouch, and handed it to the elf. Thinking her the leader of the party.

"A trading permit?" Rina handed the tabled to Thomas, who placed it in his bottomless bag.

"Mind you, you don't have to do any trade runs, if you don't want to. Our own merchants don't dare crisscross the woods now, with the danger of the dungeon. Still, I dare say that they will, soon," Thomas got an idea. If he bought goods with the loot from the dungeon, and went with the trading permit back to Orestria, then the guards had to let him in. Then, he could go and check up on the guild.

"We thank you for your generosity," the summoner said, and then his stomach growled.

"It seems you are hungry, sir..." the healer let her words trail off, not wanting to call one of the heroes a simple siren.

"I am no sir; I am just Thomas. Her name is Rina," he pointed at his companion, and offered his hand.

"Madeline," the mayor said, and she pointed at a nearby tavern. "Order whatever it is that you wish. It is on me."

"We will, thank you," Rina spoke, then she hooked her arm around Thomas's and marched him towards the tavern. "Tommy, say something. Better yet, sing something."

"Rina, honestly, nothing changed," he protested. In truth, his life had changed for the better, yet, he didn't know that.

"If you sing, we will gather a crowd. They will surely tip you," Rina continued, as they went inside the inn.

"I just want to eat in peace," Thomas whined, and Rina giggled.

They sat at a table and the tavern maid came to take their orders.

"The special for me," Rina said, as her own stomach growled. "And some plain meat for him. Well-cooked."

"The mayor Madeline is paying," Thomas spoke, as the maid nodded. She had been outside with the crowd to greed the missing people, but had come back inside when the talk of food came about.

"If that is all, I will return shortly," the maid said, and headed towards the kitchens to prepare the food.

"Tommy..." Rina whined, and Thomas sighed.

"Oh, there once was a dragon as tall as a mountain..." Thomas began to sing. People came into the inn, and looked around wildly for the sound of the singing.

No matter how unnerved Thomas was by the attention, he kept on singing until the song was over. Then, he stood and bowed, to the loud applause of the crowd.

"Another," a child called from the crowd, and Thomas blinked. He was just about to begin to sing again, even going as far as to take his harp off his back, when the maid returned with the food.

He stared longingly at the plate that was laid out before Rina. The potatoes smelt of butter, the pork chops looked juicy and smelt faintly of turmeric. The mushroom sauce looked mouth-watering.

In contrast, his own meal was just a single steak. That was not so bad, he figured. It fit in his diet. He looked at the crowd, who were waiting for him to sing another song, then at the steak.

"May I eat first?" He asked, as his stomach growled again.

"Only if you sing until the late hours of the night," a woman said sternly. Thomas felt a sweat drop falling down his forehead. These people...