The Hanover Tavern is the greatest experience I've had in a while. Gildred, the owner, is a lovely old man who has a memory that puts an elf to shame. All it takes is a second visit for you to feel like a regular!
Merebel, his grandaughter, is a waitress that has a smile that makes your heart race and a pen that moves at the moves as the speed of light. She could sell you a poisoned cup of mead if you let her!
Halrick, an elf who seems to be a newbie is a very charming young man who's a bit of a clutz but has an endearing presence. It'll be a treat to see how he grows into a fine server!
Ranal, the cook is a pleasure. He has the charisma and charm of a host with culinary skills that put his father to shame. He's a bit overprotective of Merebel but what father isn't? I particularly enjoy his Seared Elemental Pheasant. It's a truly otherworldly taste. However all the meals they have available are worth a try.
They keep their place clean and the atmosphere is wonderful!
...I just wish I never ordered the 'Hanover Special'. It's a dish that becomes available to you on your tenth visit. Of course I had to try it...the things exclusivity makes you do...
I couldn't even rememeber the taste of the meal...or how it looked. All I could remember was waking up in restraints...against a wall...it was so cold.
I heard what sounded like a woman next to me. I couldn't tell completely as I was facing the wall. I heard the sounds of two sets of footsteps entering the room. Based on the voice I could tell one was Gildred, but the other...I had never heard before. A gruff, booming voice. I don't think the woman was strapped to the wall like me as she began to scream as soon as they both came to a stop. That's when I recognized her voice. She was Hera, a regular I've talked to on occasion. After the other person covered her mouth, Gildred asked me to call a side of a coin. I didn't understand but maybe if I did what he said...I could go home. "Heads." I said as the I heard the sound of his finger flicking the coin. I heard him catch it and chuckle to himself. "It's your lucky day Harl." He says in a tone that I can barely register belonging to the Gildred I knew...who I thought I knew.
"Take the girl." He said followed by the sounds of Hera's muffled screams and the grunt of exertion from the other man.
I sat in that room, alone for what felt like hours. All I could hear was Hera's bloodcurdling screams. The screams that still haunt my dreams to this day...Even if I couldn't see her, the pain...the pain in her screams seeped into my bones. I teared up as feelings of guilt rose up inside of me. All I did was pick a side of a coin...but it felt like I had a hand in this...
Eventually her screams ceased...I felt hollow at that point. That's when I felt someone freeing me. I was Merebel. She asked if I was okay, why I was crying. All I could think was I had to get her and myself out of here. She was in danger if Gildred didn't know she was here. However, she didn't budge when I tried to pull her along. I tried to explain through my fearful, anguished babbling. But that's when I felt a prick along my index finger. Merebel placed a red and black ring on it. I felt like it fused to my skin.
"There we are. Can't have you running away." Merebel said in her usual cheerful voice and trademark smile. But instead of flushed cheeks and a racing heart, all it elicited in me was dread. ...She knew. ...She participated. And that's when I noticed the ring. ...I've seen this ring before. A table of men and women who only drank at the tavern wore them. When I asked about it...they wouldn't tell me. Now I know.
It's been 3 weeks since that night. My wife claims I've been distant but...she doesn't understand. That man...the man in that basement. I've seen him. In passing. I could tell when I bumped into him...and heard his voice. Ive seen him all over the city. I've seen him near my home. I...I have to go to the Hanover Tavern everyday lest they think I've spilled any secrets. I sit at the table with the others. Our silence as we drink is dreadful. Because we all know...yet can never say. But like them...I can never eat there again. For the meat looks...different...ever since that night. Something that I can never unsee...Something I wish I noticed before.
Great place...just...never order the 'Hanover Special'.
Merebel, his grandaughter, is a waitress that has a smile that makes your heart race and a pen that moves at the moves as the speed of light. She could sell you a poisoned cup of mead if you let her!
Halrick, an elf who seems to be a newbie is a very charming young man who's a bit of a clutz but has an endearing presence. It'll be a treat to see how he grows into a fine server!
Ranal, the cook is a pleasure. He has the charisma and charm of a host with culinary skills that put his father to shame. He's a bit overprotective of Merebel but what father isn't? I particularly enjoy his Seared Elemental Pheasant. It's a truly otherworldly taste. However all the meals they have available are worth a try.
They keep their place clean and the atmosphere is wonderful!
...I just wish I never ordered the 'Hanover Special'. It's a dish that becomes available to you on your tenth visit. Of course I had to try it...the things exclusivity makes you do...
I couldn't even rememeber the taste of the meal...or how it looked. All I could remember was waking up in restraints...against a wall...it was so cold.
I heard what sounded like a woman next to me. I couldn't tell completely as I was facing the wall. I heard the sounds of two sets of footsteps entering the room. Based on the voice I could tell one was Gildred, but the other...I had never heard before. A gruff, booming voice. I don't think the woman was strapped to the wall like me as she began to scream as soon as they both came to a stop. That's when I recognized her voice. She was Hera, a regular I've talked to on occasion. After the other person covered her mouth, Gildred asked me to call a side of a coin. I didn't understand but maybe if I did what he said...I could go home. "Heads." I said as the I heard the sound of his finger flicking the coin. I heard him catch it and chuckle to himself. "It's your lucky day Harl." He says in a tone that I can barely register belonging to the Gildred I knew...who I thought I knew.
"Take the girl." He said followed by the sounds of Hera's muffled screams and the grunt of exertion from the other man.
I sat in that room, alone for what felt like hours. All I could hear was Hera's bloodcurdling screams. The screams that still haunt my dreams to this day...Even if I couldn't see her, the pain...the pain in her screams seeped into my bones. I teared up as feelings of guilt rose up inside of me. All I did was pick a side of a coin...but it felt like I had a hand in this...
Eventually her screams ceased...I felt hollow at that point. That's when I felt someone freeing me. I was Merebel. She asked if I was okay, why I was crying. All I could think was I had to get her and myself out of here. She was in danger if Gildred didn't know she was here. However, she didn't budge when I tried to pull her along. I tried to explain through my fearful, anguished babbling. But that's when I felt a prick along my index finger. Merebel placed a red and black ring on it. I felt like it fused to my skin.
"There we are. Can't have you running away." Merebel said in her usual cheerful voice and trademark smile. But instead of flushed cheeks and a racing heart, all it elicited in me was dread. ...She knew. ...She participated. And that's when I noticed the ring. ...I've seen this ring before. A table of men and women who only drank at the tavern wore them. When I asked about it...they wouldn't tell me. Now I know.
It's been 3 weeks since that night. My wife claims I've been distant but...she doesn't understand. That man...the man in that basement. I've seen him. In passing. I could tell when I bumped into him...and heard his voice. Ive seen him all over the city. I've seen him near my home. I...I have to go to the Hanover Tavern everyday lest they think I've spilled any secrets. I sit at the table with the others. Our silence as we drink is dreadful. Because we all know...yet can never say. But like them...I can never eat there again. For the meat looks...different...ever since that night. Something that I can never unsee...Something I wish I noticed before.
Great place...just...never order the 'Hanover Special'.
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