Onward: A Magical Bond

The Manticore's Tavern

"Oh. Gather your courage, men and fair maiden," Barley broke the short silence, beaming wide. "We've arrived. The Manticore's Tavern."

On a hill where they are approaching, a house-looking place sat behind the foggy air. The light was seen shining through the windows.

"Huh. It is still here," Ian breathed.

"Yeah," Barley chuckled as he turned towards the Tavern. "I told you guys."

Once he parked the van, the three headed for the Tavern with Wilden's legs behind them. They had decided to use a dragon leash to help him walk around better with no problems, attaching it to the belt holes.

Mavi dragged the legs along behind her gently, following behind the brothers. "It's alright, Mr. Lightfoot. I got you."

"All right, listen. First, let me do the talking," Barley addressed to her and Ian as they approached the doors. "Secondly, it's crucial we show the Manticore the respect she deserves, or she will, thirdly, not give us a map to the Phoenix Gem."

"Wait, what? A map?" Mavi raised a confused eyebrow.

"I thought she had a Phoenix Gem," Ian added.

"You're so cute. You hear that, Dad?" Barley chuckled, glancing at the top half of his father. "He's a smart kid, he just doesn't know how quests work."

"Well, is there anything else you're forgetting to tell us?" Ian asked, motioning to himself and Mavi.

"Mmm, no," Barley said with a shrug.

He opened the doors to the Tavern...

...to find a table with a few waiters and waitresses singing the 'Happy Birthday' song to a elf child, who is surrounded by presents and balloons. The three elves stared at the Tavern in utter shock. Mavi glared at Barley, who gazed wide-eyed at the interior.

"Okay, okay, so the Tavern changed a little over the years, but the Manticore is still the real deal," Barley reassured the two elves as they walked towards the cashier's desk.

Ian and Mavi followed behind Barley with their dad behind them and viewed the place. It's a lot different than what Barley had told them. There were tables, individual and booths, a few arcade games here and there, and a karaoke machine.

"Huh. Who knew," Mavi mumbled.

"Madam, I request an audience with the Manticore," Barley spoke to a cyclops waitress.

"But of course, milord," the waitress smiled. She pulled out a horn from behind her and blared on it. "Oh, Manticore!"

Someone in a Manticore costume appeared from behind a row of booths, giggling. They started to tickle and hug Ian, but Mavi had managed to grab him and pull him away from their grip.

"No, no! We mean, the real Manticore!" She said to the waitress. "The fearless adventurer?"

The mascot sighed dejectedly.

"Oh. You mean Corey? She's over there," the waitress pointed over her shoulder.

The three teens glanced around her.

Through the kitchen doors, the real Manticore bolted out, carrying hot trays of food with her hands and tail.

"Quick! Somebody help me. These griffin nuggets were supposed to go out minutes ago," she handed the trays to the waiter and waitress.

"That's the Manticore?" Ian asked in disbelief.

"You have got to be kidding me," Mavi mumbled.

Barley inhaled deeply and approached the Manticore, who was getting more plates, and knelt down. "Oh, great and powerful Manticore—"