Chapter 9: Tumbleleed Village (Part 2)

"So you haven't seen her?"

"Nope, sorry."

Thanks so much..."

Avaron had been asking around the various vendors, but none of them had seen Bella. She walked away, frustrated. She expected the search to be quite quick, but it was easier said then done.

I can't anymore, she thought. I need a drink. Now, is there a bar around here?

She then spotted a picture of a wooden mug full of beer hanging a few feet away. She walked over. When she reached the entrance, she saw a sign that read The Bamboozled Bandit. A picture of a person, dressed in old, ratty clothes carrying a kukiri in one hand and a glass bottle of wine in the other, slumped against a rock in a drunken stupor. 

Avaron stepped through the door, the ringing bell signaling her entry. The various patrons turned their heads to look at her. They had never seen such a strange-looking person before in their lands, much less their town.

Avaron took a seat on a wooden stool at the counter. She looked around, studying the various patrons. Some were tough looking, with scars and eye patches. Groups of women hung around handsome men, conversing and flirting with them playfully. Some others were so drunk, they stumbled around the bar or were fast asleep face down on the tables.

"May I take your order?"

Avaron swiveled back around. "Yeah, what do you-" She stopped mid-sentence and gasped upon looking at the bartender.

The person taking her order was none other then Bella! She had been found at last!

"Bella?!" Avaron said, surprised.

"Avaron!" Bella reached over the counter to give her sister a big hug. 

"How...how did you end up here, of all places?" Avaron asked. 

"The bar owner found me and picked me up!" Bella let go of her sister. "He's a really cool guy. He took me in and now I'm working for him."

"I'm glad to see you're alive." Avaron said. "Imala's with me. We were found by a family of farmers."

"Great to hear! But I wish I could leave and see her. I still have a bunch of customers to attend to. All day long." Bella picked up a notepad and a small wooden pencil. "Now that we're back together again, can I take your order?"

"Well, what do you have?" Avaron asked.

"Would you like some cactus juice? Or maybe some rye beer?"

"Got any other flavors of beer?"

"We have apple, pineapple, pear, grape and mango."

"I think I'll take a grape."

Bella beamed. "Okay, anything else?"

Avaron shook her head. "Nope."

"I'll be right back!" Bella vanished into the kitchen to fetch her sister's drink.

Avaron sighed. Through all her anger, she felt happy again, for once in a long time. She slowed her eyes, patiently waiting for her order. Perhaps, when Bella came back, she could tell her what happened these past couple of days.