The Cult's Quartermaster

"Belirra! How's my favorite girl?" You complement the forty something, woman who treats her storage room like it's the sanctum of Grevakhnu herself.

The blonde woman, looks up from her book of numbers, and rolls her eyes at your approach. "Worse now that you're here."

Such harsh words. "Ouch, you do know I'm The Herald now, right? Chosen by Grevakhnu to spread filth throughout the land."

Unamused as ever Belirra, blinks at you. "All I know is that I wont have to look at your snotty little face anymore, so I'm happy."

You sigh. "Is Beatrice here?"

"In that back." Belirra smacks on some gum.

"Caaaaan I talk to her."

"No."

"Oh come on! You just said you hate talking to me."

"I hate you talking to her more."

"Alright fine, i'm leaving this dump and The Grand Warlock says you're to help me."

Belirra makes no vocal acknowledgement of that, but does flip her book a few pages and takes out a pencil. "I can spare a horse, and a traveling pack."

You gasp. "You've got to be kidding me. What about that covered wagon, right there?" You motion dramatically to deeper in the storeroom.

"I'm using it." She says board, taking a sip of her coffee.

"For what? No one ever leaves this place!"

"For sex."

"Fair, and a noble use to be sure. But don't you think I would be bettered served with it? I'm an alchemist, a traveling alchemist with a wagon would be the perfect cover."

"A horse, and a traveling pack." Belirra says once again.

"You're a real gem Belirra, you know that?"

She smiles quite pleased with herself, and heads off into her storeroom. She'd held a grudge against you ever since you took her daughter's virginity last year. She of course wanted to be the one to do it, just reward for cultivating a life for all those years, but what can you say? You're a rascal.

Speaking of which. While she's out of sight, and out of mind, you slyly pour a concoction into her coffee, while she's not looking. Just a little mutation potion, nothing special. You're about to leave the cult forever, so it's not like they can punish you when you're gone! Hahaha.

A few minutes later Belirra arrives with a pack slung over her shoulder, laden down with a bedroll, a week's worth of food, and some other camping supplies. She sets that on the counter which divides the two of you, and then opens up the cash register. "...eight, and nine, and ten." She she drops a handful of gold coins into your hand, and takes a sip of coffee. "That should do you for a few weeks."

"Very generous." You tuck the money in your pocket, and try not the smile as she finishes off her mug. "So where's my horse."

"Yeah, yeah, it's coming."