Chapter 108

Bad Timing

Abigail

Brutal, brutal day. The heat forced me into the shade of trees off the road. I was drenched in sweat. Felt light-headed and dizzy until I sat down.

Omes Arbor was 1 day behind me. My dress stuck to my skin, and the shade did almost nothing to cool me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I used my Brewer’s Harvest skill to gather ingredients for a portal beer that would return me to this exact spot. Then I fished out another portal beer that would transport me back to Hiccup’s brewery.

I pulled the cork and drank.

When I dropped the bottle from my lips, I found myself just outside the gardens of Hiccup’s brewery. I made my way to his grande home and passed beneath the archway to head inside. A butler approached me as I entered.

“Madam,” he said. “I’m sorry but, in your state… I cannot let you in.”

Footsteps echoed on the stone of the entryway. Hiccup. He greeted me.

“It’s alright,” he said. “Abigail is always welcome. She’s more than a guest here.”

Someone else followed on Hiccup’s heels. Margaux. Distaste pulled her face taut.

“Look at you, Abigail,” the snake said. “Dripping with… what? Oh god is that sweat? Look at your hair.” She pivoted to Hiccup. “Good thing we found her before your groundskeeper did. He’s got a knack for whacking the rodents to death, doesn’t he?”

“That’s mean of you,” Hiccup said. “And no, my groundskeeper is actually kind. You might learn something from him.”

“You’re soft,” Margaux said. “Abigail, it’s a good thing you’re wearing an old towel to soak up your… mess.”

“I like this dress,” I said.

“Dress?” Margaux said.

“Margaux,” Hiccup said like the flick of a knife.

But nothing Hiccup or I said ever changed her demeanor. All we could do was ignore her. We shared a distaste for her and would endure her until we were alone to roll our eyes as we discussed her.

I asked Hiccup for a room and a shower. He generously made the arrangement for me. But before I headed off— “Abigail, dear,” Margaux said. “I need one thousand Third Hand attribute beers. Tomorrow morning would be nice.”

“No, thank you,” I said and walked away.

In the guest room that was quickly prepared for my arrival, I filled a claw-foot tub with cool water and sank down to my neck.

I opened a 250ml bottle of a Wild Honey Double ale and sipped nectar. I could taste the amaranth. Wild rose. Buckwheat. The grit of barley grown in loamy soil. It was musky. As if the honey had spent centuries stored in sarcophagi.

That’s what I’m talking about. I remember brewing you-

The bathroom door burst open. I rolled my eyes.

“We need to talk,” Margaux said, waltzing in. She paused, and then— “I didn’t scare you? What if Hiccup had come in?”

“Hiccup wouldn’t do that,” I said. “Only you.”

“How dare you insult me in front of Hiccup. I am your senior. You will brew those beers for me. I don't have time for trivial brewing anymore. That’s your role to fulfill. I’m only going to tell you once more. Brew those beers for me!”

“You’re two years younger than me,” I said.

“I’m talking about rank. Don’t be stupid. You know how to read between the lines. There’s a lot between your gold rank and my diamond rank.”

“I’m going to finish this ale,” I said slowly, not bothering to look at her. “Then I’m going to leave. I’d rather melt in the sun than deal with you while you’re here.”

“You will regret treating me this way.”

“Maybe,” I said and sipped nectar.

“What’s going on,” Margaux drawled. She squatted beside the tub. “Why are you being such a…”

“Say it,” I dared. “Speak your mind, oh great one.”

“Resorting to childish taunts,” she said. “I’m not surprised. Tell me why you’re here. Why aren’t you back in your mud pits?”

“Those hills are beautiful,” I said.

“And then you moved there like a scar upon the land. Your house is a speck of shit upon what used to be a beautiful landscape.”

I regarded her coolly. “You haven’t been this rude in a while,” I said. “Sounds like you should be focused more on yourself, and less on me—or whatever else in your life that’s made you such a bitter person. Worry about that first.”

Margaux slapped me. Not with her own hands, but with a freshly opened Third Hand attribute beer. A garnet colored hand made of beer floated out of the neck on her favorite attribute beer. The hand was still poised to slap. Margaux’s face was red and her eyes could forge anger into metal.

My cheek stung fiercely. I was stunned. I brushed my wet hair from across my face.

“You’ve never hit me before,” I said. “You’re a horrible person, Margaux. It’s no wonder Potere sent me on this quest instead of you.”

I wanted my words to hit her where it hurt. The weakness of her own vanity. I left the tub, and toweled myself off while Margaux silently fumed. I slipped on a new dress.

“What quest?” Margaux said through her teeth.

“I have to find a man who is destined to be one of the greatest brewer’s the world has ever seen.”

“Liar,” she whisper-spat.

“You’re calling Potere a liar,” I said. “He assigned it to me in person.”

“Liar!”

“You’re not surprised he picked me instead of you, are you?” I said.

Margaux shook with fury.

I didn’t give her a moment more. I left my room and sought Hiccup in his library. He knew something was wrong the moment he saw me. Must have been written on my face.

“...Abigail,” he said, rushing to his feet. “What-what happened? Your face.”

My eyes watered. Before I could say anything, Margaux came in right behind me.

“Oh sure,” she said. “Run to your boyfriend and complain how mean-Margaux put you in your place.”

“The hell happened?” Hiccup said with strength in his voice.

Things quickly escalated into shouting. Hiccup defended me and Margaux doubled down like the viper she was. While Hiccup and I were outraged with what she did to me, Margaux couldn't have cared less. She had other concerns on her mind.

“I don’t give a shit how you feel,” she said. “What makes you think you have the right to take quests that belong to me? I’m the one Potere wanted to assign that quest to! I don’t know how you interfered, but you will regret it!”

“You’re out of your mind,” I said.

“You’re done,” Hiccup said, glaring at Margaux. He pointed toward the entrance. “Get out, Margaux. You’re no longer welcome here.”

“I’m welcome wherever I please,” she said.

“That’s not up to you,” Hiccup said.

“Abigail. You need to turn over that quest to me this instant! It’s mine!”

Hiccup regarded me as if he sensed my next move.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Please don’t leave yet.”

“It’s not you,” I said. “And thanks for sticking up for me. I should return to my quest anyways. Better to boil beneath the sun than to be in her presence.”

“You rotten child,” Margaux said. “Don’t you dare run from me.”

“I’m not running,” I said. “You have no authority over me.” Then, to Hiccup— “I’ll see you soon. Farewell, friend.”

“Abigail,” Hiccup tried.

Just before Margaux could say anything, I retrieved my new Brewer’s Portal attribute beer and sipped from the bottle. In a flash, I returned to the woods off the trail outside of Omes Arbor. I cried for a bit, then pulled myself together. I brushed my hair dry in the sun, and continued my journey.