The atmosphere in the tavern the next morning was somber and tense.

Brandon was fuming about the losses the night before and blaming most everyone.

His ranting lost much of its power due to many slurred words and a growing stain down his chest as he continued to spill food or drink from his mouth while eating.

He was forcing himself to eat some groatmeal that Betty had ground extra fine for him.

Not being able to chew made it difficult to eat much else.

Sir Timothy was attempting to eat breakfast left-handed and complaining about the unfairness of the world.

Luckily his adventuring crew was paid to put up with his small complaints and were now experts at polite agreements like, "Oh, absolutely, you're a saint to put up with this!" Betty had just rolled her eyes at the two of them.

She served groatmeal and muffins every day to 75 contract workers who smiled and were polite to her.

General Themis was sipping her sub-par tea, the Inn having run out of her preferred brew.

She didn't mind the muffins at all.

She'd eaten much worse in a life of campaigning.

Timmy gave up on using a fork to eat his eggs and just concentrated on getting the muffins into his mouth.

Both Timmy and Brandon looked forward to concluding the deal with Vernon, and then jumping off a roof and resurrecting.

Timmy turned to Themis, "Something isn't right.

How are we losing to a non-existent army?"Themis turned a bland face to him.

"Sorry boy.

I'm an impartial advisor.

Ask someone else to explain the obvious to you.""Perhaps I can be of some assistance, Sir Timothy?" It was the man Brandon had hired to root out the ACME players hiding in the woods, Falconer.

He was dressed today in an all-green outfit with a pointed cap with a red feather.

But one of his eyes was odd.

It was just dark black."Sure, explain it to me.

But first, what's up with your eye?"Falconer chuckled, "It's not here right now.

I'm blind in this eye when I use a special skill, but I can see what my bird sees.

She's out scouting for anyone from ACME who might show their face."

"After yesterday, I'm not underestimating them.

I took three people with me, good scouts all.

We got ambushed by a naked wild man, a giant werebat, and a talking deer.

The two losses for ACME on that report were the naked guy and the bat thing.

We got those two, I wounded the deer, but my three scouts were all killed.

I suspect the bat had poisoned claws."Timmy raised an eyebrow in dismay.

"Where are they getting giant bats and talking deer?""You know what? I actually don't care.

You killed two of their fighters.

They are down to four people.

Explain how they are killing so many on our side."Falconer accepted a plate of food from the kitchen and laid into it like he hadn't eaten in days.

"Easy, they are fighting a guerilla war and hitting you where you are weak, while you stay here on defense.

Other than my scouting, you didn't use your forces well after the initial victory.

You sat still.

They started hitting you where you only had two or three people, picking you off.""It doesn't help that this shit hole of a town has bad neighbors.

The goblins and bandits look for any excuse to attack.

The bandits hit you last night.

They'll be back tonight and every night until you meet their demands or wipe them out.

I suggest paying them off.

Much cheaper.""The goblins came looking for alcohol.

They'd rather trade for booze than raid, but your people insulted them until they attacked.

Now they'll be on the warpath.

They aren't great fighters, but there are over five hundred of them in the tribe - and now they are pissed.""Frankly, I wonder why you bother with this town."Timmy was wondering that himself.

He knew the whole idea behind the corporations competing in the game, but it seemed like a silly thing compared to adventuring and producing his videos.

But Vernon would be here soon, they'd make the deal, and then he was going to let it be Brandon's problem.

He needed a break.

He wanted to put together a good raid group and hit that stupid dungeon again.

The Big Rat was still down there.

He wanted a kill on it.The door to the kitchen opened and someone backed into the room with hot food in each hand.

Turning around, Suzette asked the room, "So, who needs breakfast? We have meat pies fresh out of the oven and some tasty muffins.

Do you need more, Sir Timothy?" She smiled at the room like it was the best day of her life, and the light of the room seemed to gravitate to her.

Timmy spat what was in his mouth out on the floor and stood up, "You're alive!""Oh dear, you spilled your food.

Don't worry, I'll clean that right up for you." She took the rag from her belt and started cleaning up the bits of food from the floor.

"There, that's better.

Clean enough to eat from." She stood up and smiled vacantly at the room.

"Does anyone want something to eat? Betty will cook all day if you are hungry."Falconer raised his hand, "Another round of eggs and bacon please.

Glad to see you back." Suzette turned to him, "Coming right up, sir." Themis noticed the girl looked different from before, but had a hard time coming up with exactly what had changed.

She used her Examine skill as the girl went back to the kitchen.

Suzette the Lonely Barmaid lives in Sedgewick where she slings beer at the local tavern.

Rumor has it that she's waiting for a local boy to notice her, but the poor lad is oblivious.Class: Tavern KeeperLevel 6Quests:Sedge for Salads.

Wispy Cotton.

Stinky Cheese Part 1Stinky Cheese Part 2Stinky Cheese Part 3Rats in the Cellar Part 1Rats in the Cellar Part 2More rats in the Cellar