Meeting the missus

''Olan get me a table, don't worry i will actually buy something today'' I got quite familiar with Olan, the giant barkeep. I spent the last few days going in and out of this tavern quite often, used it as a refuge of sorts against the potential robbers, after all who would dare come cause trouble in a room filled with drunken wrestlers.

''Merchant, come sit, what can i get you today''. He welcomes me with a crooked smile and evil intentions, not really, he probably wants me to drink his so called grog again, that beverage is awful at it's best.

I take a seat at my usual table followed by my bodyguards, they too got used to wasting time here.

''Get something to drink, we will be staying here for a time, I have something to discuss with the barkeep''. Vun nods and Ubam just sits up and heads to the counter, to bring our drinks.

''Olan come over when you are finished, i got something to tell you''. More like ask of you.

I hear no reply but i'm sure he heard me, it's not even noon yet so the tavern is empty. Ubam returns carrying our drinks, same bucket sized mugs i got served last time, different liquid this time.

I prefer a more mellow drink, my guess is that this drink is made of some sort of fermented fruit of sorts. It is quite sweet with an acidic touch, I've been drinking this since I found out that Olan sells something other than grog.

''What is it merchant, want me to spread the word for you again?'' Olan says while taking a seat next to us, i got used to it already but i really feel like a child talking with adults sometimes, size wise of course.

''Indeed, I need a group of builders to help me reform a house, break some walls, cover some doors and patch it up a bit. Can you find them for me?'' Olan does not even hesitate and stretches his hand towards me, palm facing up.

''Do not be hasty friend, i have one more thing to ask you. Do you know where i can get a cooked meal?'' I am ashamed to say that in my almost 20 days of wandering around here I never ate anything decent, my diet consisted of hard bread, dried meats, half spoiled fruits and cheap drinks.

It is about time I find something good to eat, I have the money so i might as well spend it. Problem is I did not see any obvious restaurants around here. Then again there is a whole area of the city that i haven't touched yet since i carry a literal fortune around everywhere i go.

''I can solve both of your problems merchant, but first...'' He wiggles his fingers at me. Here you go you greedy oaf.

I give him 10 coins, it should be enough for the drinks and his help, if he asks for more i'll just act poor.

''Pleasure doing business with you merchant''. His smile gets even bigger. ''How many workers do you need, when do you need them and how much are you paying for them''.

''I need them tomorrow, ask Vun for the details, for now answer my second question''. Vun looks at me but still doesn't say anything, he's a quiet fellow.

''Fair enough, if you need food there is none better than my wife, come, I shall take you to her, she'll make sure you leave satisfied'' Olan is married? Didn't take him for a married giant.

Then again i just noticed that i've never seen a single female giant, they should exist, how would they even reproduce without females.

While I was lost in thought Olan led us to the neighboring building, the brothel, don't tell me.

With no hesitation Olan bangs on the door with a closed fist, how the door is still standing is beyond me.

''Sweetie come down, you've got a client''. Did he misunderstand me? I asked for a meal, why would he even offer his wife, this yet again, makes absolutely no sense.

While stuck in my thoughts Ubam calls out to me. ''Boss, Olans wife is the owner of the brothel. She rarely serves other people anymore, this can be considered a great show of respect towards you. Olan invited you to his house so we can't follow you in, it would be disrespectful''.

Great now it makes sense, kinda, Olan owns the tavern where people get drunk and the wife owns the brothel next door where they go to 'cough' relax.

A voice comes from inside, distinctly feminine yet a bit too loud to be comfortable with. ''What do you want, it's early so come back later''.

''Sweetie it's me, open the door will you?'' Olan almost seems like a different person, from a greedy useful barkeep to a whipped husband?

''What is it Olan, you know i'm busy, come by later'' As she speaks the door opens and my eyes fall out of their sockets, how would one even describe this. I believe that she can be perfectly described by two words 'eight pack'.

I barely reach her belly button with my head, that's the size difference between me and the missus.

''Did you bring guests?'' She asks.

''Yes sweetie, this is the merchant I told you about, he wanted to get a good meal so I brought him to you''. Great, throw me under the bus will you.

''Greetings madam, my name is Caspian Season a merchant and your husbands loyal client''

She just stares at me for a bit, seems she just woke up not too long ago.

''Greeting to you Caspian, Olan brought you here to my house in order to get a meal, this can be considered an official invitation, do come in''. What is this official invitation they are talking about, I move my eyes towards my bodyguards and try to signal them.

Thankfully they are quite smart so Ubam just tells me. ''An invitation to a giant's house is a sign of trust, in our culture no conflict is to happen within our home.''

Listening to him i cant help but think of how stupid this is, it assures the safety of the family, but what i cant understand is what stops them, probably honour or something.

The worse part is expecting the other races to follow it, maybe there is something i dont know about but for now i can assume it's how they live their lives and just respect it.

As for the so called trust of getting invited, Olan surely knows that even if i had the intentions i could not harm them in any way. And I pay well.

At least I hope the food is good.