I stared up at the massive dead Octo-fish that looked like Cthulhu’s estranged mother. “So... how are we going to get this thing back to the city to sell?”
Jessica and Kron both stilled, like that thought hadn’t struck them. Murr, on the other hand, grinned.
“Don’t worry. I have that covered.” He pulled out a horn, then paused to clear his throat. “Quince Family Hiring Porters! Regis Lake. Immediately.”
The sound reached my ear as if he’d put the thing to my head and spoke softly. Right, I’d forgotten about those. Calling Horns were magic items used to ask nearby adventurers for support in a dungeon. They weren’t that expensive, but way out of my price range.
“That should reach everyone within a two-hour hike. While we wait, let’s eat! I’m starving.”
“Shouldn’t we cut it up so it will be ready for anybody who comes to help us?” Jessica asked.
He waved his hand. “There is no telling how many people are nearby and are willing to be porters. We also don’t know how big of a space they’ll have in their inventory. Until we do, we should keep it intact. In the meantime, I’ve heard the best way to eat octo-fish was fresh.”
The catfolk stared up at the boss’ head like he was about to drool. Then he walked up to it and pulled out his dagger. The teen took a minute to decide where he wanted to slice into the side. Just as he started to press the blade to its hard scales, someone yelled, “Stop!”
We turned to see a large human man running through the forest wearing the clothes of a ranger archer. He reached the clearing and rested his hands on his knees. “The... best... huff.”
“Take your time,” I said. He looked at me gratefully.
After a minute of catching his breath while drinking a stamina potion, he said, “The best way to transport it is in large sections. The skin helps to keep it fresh, so if you’re going to cut it up, you need to store each part as intact as possible.
I held out my hand to the man. “I’m Sam.”