Dungeon of Niflheim

123 Chapter 123: Eating at Kathy’s inn

While smiling, Maya slotted the gold coin into her cleavage for safe keeping and watched Frost scramble around, moving his chosen books to the clerk’s counter.

She turned to look and Nanna and Loki.

“After young master has finished shopping here, he can treat us to some lunch.” She spoke softly to the two kids, taking their hands in hers, acting like a young mother.

Rumble!

With the mention of food Loki’s and Nanna’s stomachs rumbled in response. They were quite famished but also tired. Maya knew of their current states since she was with them for the last 3 hours. She planned to take them to Kathy’s inn for some rest, she and Frost could then plan their next move.

“All together that comes to 7 gold coins and 80 silvers, thank you for shopping with us today.” The bookstore clerk spoke with a happy tone, it was very rare for anyone to make such a large purchase in this section. He’d already been instructed to give Frost a discount from Calder but even so that was a large amount of money. Selling these books was actually quite profitable, all the knowledge was already gathered so to create a replacement book they just needed to print a copy from the original form. Sebastian put up a large investment to purchase a printing magic device making it a simple process, they just needed materials.

Frost handed over the money as if it was a hot potato before stuffing the books carefully into his storage rings. Happy with his purchase he wore a large smile, not even fazed by the massive cost. He knew that knowledge was sometimes worth any price.

“Young master shall we head to Kathy’s inn, we could do with something to eat, and I believe Loki and Nanna could do with a little rest.” As Maya spoke Loki couldn’t help but yawn.

“Sounds good, thankfully we’re not too far.” Sebastian’s store although in the eastern district was easily within walking distance of Kathy’s inn.

.....

Finished with their shopping the group made their way out of Sebastian’s mall and headed towards Kathy’s inn. Along the way Loki and Nanna grew very tired so Frost carried them on his back, causing many passers-by’s to smile their way.

Kathy’s inn was as busy as ever during the lunch time rush, perhaps even more so now that news about Adam’s takedown was flowing throughout the town.

“Ah Frost, Maya I’ve been wondering what happened to the two of you.” They were greeted by a very busy looking Kathy who was helping in the restaurant as well as the inn reception, running wherever she was needed. She was smiling though, a bit of a workaholic.

Kathy suddenly stopped in her tracks when she noticed the two little cuties on Frost’s back, she almost even dropped the stuff she was carrying.

If they could, Kathy’s eyes would have morphed into hearts, Loki and Nanna were adorable. Her and her husband had been trying for a child during the past few months, unfortunately not succeeding so her motherly instincts were pumping at any sign of kids.

“Oh, who are these little cuties!” She almost shrieked as she moved like a leopard towards Frost threatening to barrel right through him. The noise woke the two kids up. Rubbing their eyes for sleeping sand the first thing they saw was a pretty middle-aged woman up close with a massive smile on her face.

Nanna spoke up first, they were no longer as afraid of people after the fashion show.

“Hello, miss” Nanna nodded politely in greeting before removing herself from Frost’s back. Having to be carried due to exhaustion at her age was quite embarrassing.

“Hello cutie what’s your name?” Kathy lowered herself to Nanna’s level asking in a friendly manner. To everyone nearby, Nanna and Loki would look like regular kids now, thanks to Maya’s clothes shopping. Since child slaves were illegal in this country it wouldn’t do to have Loki and Nanna presented as such. However, Kathy was fairly observant but chose not to say anything, at least at the moment.

“...N....Nanna” Nanna looked up towards Frost nervously, wondering if she was behaving correctly. Her built in slave instincts taking over. By this time Loki had clambered down as well and was staring at the friendly lady talking to his sister. He was reminded of the friendly women that surrounded him and his sister during the fashion show. So, without waiting for any permission or hesitation he introduced himself in a joyful tone.

“And I’m Loki” Loki smiled while gesturing to himself with his thumb, proud of his name. It was much better than being called a number or something derogatory that he used to be referred to as.

“It’s lovely to meet the two of you, I’m Kathy and I run this inn. Do the two of you perhaps like sweets?” Kathy’s smile became even bigger if that was possible as did Maya’s and Frost’s. This interaction was very pleasant and normal, something that Frost wished for Nanna and Loki to be able to experience.

With the mention of sweets, the two children fervently nodded their heads, all semblance of exhaustion vanishing.

“Good, good, I have special treats designed for cute kids like yourselves.” Kathy rubbed Nanna’s and Loki’s heads with affection before returning to her normal height to speak with Frost and Maya.

“Are the four of you here for lunch?”

“Yes, we plan to have something to eat before having these two take a short nap.” Maya replied gently.

“Perfect, I’ll bring out the special treat once they’ve finished their lunch. Maya why don’t you find a seat while I speak to Frost here.” Kathy gave her suggestion, but it felt forceful, Frost had an idea what it may be about, so he nodded to Maya.

Receiving Frost’s nod, Maya ushered Loki and Nanna towards an open table while the kids waved goodbye to Kathy. Their impression of her being incredibly high thanks to the promise of sweets. Once they were gone and out of earshot Kathy turned around to Frost with a serious expression, time for some interrogation.

“You and Maya didn’t return here last night and at the same time a certain incident happened to a local noble.” She stepped closer to Frost with an intimidating air.

“The young lord Leo as well as the guild master of the adventurer’s guild picked you up in a carriage first thing in the morning and now, you’re here with two child slaves no less.” She took another step closer, her face inches away from Frost’s. Frost felt his throat go dry; she was really on point. Kathy kept the pressure up for a few more seconds before releasing a sigh and backing off.

“Well not as though it’s any of my business...just don’t bring trouble to my inn you hear.” She pointed sternly toward Frost’s face accepting no arguments. She’d lived in Furano long enough to know what to stick her nose into and what not. The taking down of a corrupt noble at the behest of the young lord was one such thing. Although she feared and sensed the looming threat that was Adam upon not only her business but her friends and family, it wasn’t something that she could handle nor should she. She was but a meagre inn owner with a bit of street smarts, it was way above her pay grade.

Child slaves was another topic that she should really avoid and to be honest would normally choose to stay clear of. However, Loki and Nanna were just so cute, plus Frost and Maya were trustworthy at least that’s what her instincts were telling her.

She sighed and shook her head, pretending to not know anything about either subject before walking into the kitchen. She needed to prepare a couple special kids treats after all.

Meanwhile Frost let out a restrained breath and relaxed, he really wasn’t expecting to be interrogated by Kathy, she was a lot more frightening than she appeared. A modicum of pity for Kato creeped into his mind. But he couldn’t blame her, she was right to protect herself and this inn. She was just after all a regular citizen not a foreign dungeon core like him who didn’t need to give a shit about the Northrend empire.

Frost made his way into the diner searching for Maya and the kids.

“Frost we’re over here!” Maya waved her hands in the air to attract his attention whereas Nanna and Loki joined in. They had to quickly however cover their mouths when their instincts took over making them shut “master”. Them being slaves was supposed to be a secret.

Frost smiled in response, his heart filling with warmth from their greeting.

“I’m here, I’m here,” he rubbed Loki and Nanna’s heads once he reached them. A waitress quickly came over with some menus, ready to take drink orders.

“4 winterberry juices please.” Frost spoke up, there wasn’t any alcohol at this time, so Maya didn’t care what she drank, and fruit juice seemed the perfect choice for young kids.

“I’ll bring them over shortly.” The waitress left quickly as though in a rush, the restaurant was very, very busy at the moment.

“Nanna, Loki can you two read?” Frost noticed that the two of them were acting a little awkward as they looked at the menus.

“ah! Umm....” Nanna stuttered feeling guilty.

“I can’t read at all, but Nanna can read a little bit.” Loki answered back innocently, proud of his older sister. Usually kids their age would be able to read without too much issue, at least in Furano. But they’d never been taught, what was the need to teach a tool to read. Maya seeing Nanna looking a little downcast sent a glare towards her young master.

“That’s fine no need to worry Nanna we’ll teach you how. For now, though I’ll just read out some options and describe them to you. You just pick whatever sounds the tastiest.

“Unn” Nanna nodded towards Frost feeling a little better. The prospect of learning to read properly with her younger brother included raised her mood.

“Ok then what sort of dish would you like to eat? There’s fish, meat, vegetable dishes and even soup or if you fancy take a look around at what other people are ordering, that’s what Maya did when we first arrived.” Frost spoke gently while gesturing towards a few sections of the menu with pictures before pointing to several dishes being brought out to other tables.

Frost’s reminder about the whole roast pig had Maya starting to drool, it was very satisfying and filling. She was tempted to order that again.

Nanna and Loki turned to look at Maya curious as to what she chose last time. Not one to keep them in the dark, Maya told them about the awesomeness that was the roast pig. Her explanation caused the two kid’s eyes to sparkle and their mouths to salivate, the prospect of a roast pig sounded tantalising. Their glorious breakfast was impressive enough given their lack of any decent meals in who knows how long but this was something different entirely...... meat.

“Haaaaaa” Frost sighed at the side, no longer trying to influence them with the menu’s diverse choices, their minds were already made up. The question now was whether to get them one each or split one. Money was no longer an issue, but Frost didn’t like the idea of wasting food. He turned to his knowledgeable partner to see if she would have a better idea. She too having the bloodline of monsters.

“Do you think they could eat a whole one themselves?” Frost asked while looking over the children’s skinny frames and short heights. Eating more would certainly be best to help get over their malnutrition but could their bodies handle it. Frost’s question tempted Nanna’s and Loki’s desire, they wanted this roast pig so bad, their eyes sparkled as though begging. Remnants of natural childlike behaviour still rang true.

Maya looked over Nanna and Loki with a scrutinising gaze for several seconds, teasing their little hearts but eventually she smiled and faced her young master.

“Guess we’ll just have to find out.” She presented a thumbs up towards the kids. They yelped with excitement as they imagined the glistening juices and tender meat of the roast pig.