Mia led the small army into to town in the evening. Fou-Lu and the centaurs were right behind her, the rest spread behind. They filed in and rode down the main street while Mia tried to recall where the inns were. The people still up and about stared at the elves and particularly the centaurs. None had probably ever seen one and very few even knew what they were.

As they continued through town, the sound of hooves clopping ahead of them and a light swaying caused Mia to stop. When the riders came into view, the light revealed a trim man in his forties, dressed in finery and riding a lovely grey saddle horse. The Baron. Dragon Eye was the capital of his barony, so the town was under his direct control. Following him were a pair of lordlings and a servant who carried the lantern.

Mia pulled her dun stallion to a halt. Darin leaned over her shoulder. "There wont be a problem, will there?" he asked.

Mia shook her head. "No, we're fine," she replied.

The baron stopped beside Mia and looked across at her entourage. His eyes rested on the centaurs for a long moment. "What's going on?" he asked in confusing, "Why have you brought these elves and...creatures into my town? I don't know if we can accomdate so many! You had better..."

Mia raised her hand and cut him off sharply. "They are centaurs," she corrected him coldly. "We come from the Glassy Woods. We need a place to rest on the road to Raiden," she explained.

The baron studied her for a moment, and Darin. "If you will excuse me, why are you traveling to Raiden?" the baron asked.

"We are warriors, seeking a way to defeat the evil that pervades Lodoss. I have already stood against the Chaos Generals in Roid and the Mirror Forest," Mia explained.

The baron narrowed his eyes, "And both places are no more," he replied coldly.

"That's why I am gathering more forces," Mia replied coolly. "What would you have me do? Wallow in defeat or get back up and fight again?"

The baron bit his tongue, she did have a point after all. He paused for a moment, then continued. "I will afford your stays at the inns here in Dragon Eye," he offered. He motioned to his servant. "Write a notice to the innkeepers saying that all bills are to be sent to me."

The servant produced a satchel and pulled out three sheaths of paper. He wrote the same message on the three, then gave to the Baron to sign. When it was finished, the baron gave the three messages to Mia.

"There are three inns on Drake Street that should accomodate your party, present this to the innkeeper and you won't need to pay a copper for your rooms," the baron explained.

Mia nodded and thanked him, then rode on to the street he directed them to.

Sakura rode silently, observing the area. Ever since that night with Fenix, she was feeling different. Almost too comfortable with him. She wasn't sure what she was going to do about it, but she knew she had time.

Upon arriving at the inns, Mia halted at the door, then waited for the elves and her companions to assemble. While she waited, Darin dismounted and stood nearby.

"I am certain there are probably not enough rooms for all of us, so I suggest you fit as many to a room as you are comfortable with," Mia announced, then looked at Cassandra. "Cassandra, as for you, Dinalindel and Caradithil, I don't think they will be able to accomodate you in the inn. You may have to stay in the stable," she said a little regretfully. She looked out at the assembled and found Fenix and Sakura in the crowd. The elves started to choose their inns and headed in, Mia presented two rangers with the notes from the baron. Most of her companions waited for her to choose their inn, but before she went in, she called out to Fenix, "Fenix, will you speak with me after you choose your room?"

Fenix blinked a few times, nodding slightly. "Yeah, sure, no problem." He shruged, not entirely sure why she wanted to talk to him.

Aiden looked back at Aaewin. "So, would you like to stay with me tonight?" he asked with a smile.

Aaewin smiled back, "Of course!" she replied.

Aiden chuckled. "I like that response," he said, then rode his horse into the stable. They got their packs together and got themselves a room, then went downstairs for dinner.

* * *

Naclia was utterly exhausted when they reached Dragon Eye. She was very anxious for a bed and a soft pillow. At the inn after Mia's announcement, she and Talen dismounted and took their horse to the stable, then went inside and found themselves a room. There were two beds, one she and Talen would of couse share and another for any friend who wished to share the room.

Kiandra slipped out of Seri's saddle to go with her friends. Seri said goodbye to the ranger, then took Ilavirin into the stable. With her horse comfortable in the stall, Seri went inside and choose a room for her and Azala. She decided to share with Naclia and Talen.

Naclia quickly dropped her pack, bow and belt to the floor, then collapsed on the bed, asleep as soon as she hit the pillow.

Talen took care of Naclia, getting her out of any uncomfortable clothes so she could sleep better. She did wake for a little while, but as soon as Talen covered her up and kissed her goodnight, she was out.

* * *

Ryna and Leaf took their horse to the stable, then went inside to buy themselves dinner and a room. After leaving their packs in the room they rented, they headed down stairs for their meal. Their room had two beds, but if someone else needed to share a room with them, the two friends had no problem sharing a bed with each other.

They took a seat at a table near the bar, neither of them liked hiding in the corners, and chatted about whatever came to mind.

* * *

Cassandra had been offended by the duke and quite uncomfortable under the scrutiny of the villagers. When they reached the inn, Mia told them they would likely need to stay in the stables. Cassandra truely didn't expect to be accomodated in the inn, so the stable was no problem to her. "Yes, Mia, the stable will be fine," she replied and looked at her four companions. "Rain, you may stay in the inn if you like. It is your first time in a city, we don't mind if you want to stay indoors," she said and smiled kindly to Rain.

Rain looked just as offended as Cassandra had when the Duke offended them. But then she quickly lost interest as the new sights and sensations of the human city, causing her eyes to wander. Caradithil and Dinalindel watched the passer-bys and peered at some of the wear displayed in the windows. Rain looked a little conflicted when approached by Cassandra with permission to leave the herd. This would be the first time she had even been seperated from them. Caradithil aided the small half-elf off his back, placing her on the ground besides them. Both males were supported offering her gentle comforts soothing her fears. If she had need of them they would be right here, in the stables. Rain gave a small meek smile up to the antlered centaur, "Can I? I would like to see the city..." It would have been more convincing had she not been inching out the stable doors. Dinalindel's black tail playfully flicked Rain across the thigh, sufficantly giving all the cause to send the creature out the door.

* * *

There was a near split between elves and humans, in fact, so far, the only ones really mingling were Ryna and Leaf. Fenix moved through the inns, finding one that hadn't been chosen, he dumped his stuff on a bed and sought Mia out. "You wanted to talk to me?"

Mia took her horse to the stable, choose a room for her and Fou, then went downstairs for dinner and to talk to Fenix. He found her in the common room and she offered him a place to sit.

"I think most of us would like to know how you arrived in the forest....and why you look so different. Last time I saw you, you had black hair and red eyes, here you are now brown-haired and blue-eyed. What happened Fenix?"

Fou-Lu was reluctant to sit near Mia for the fear of getting his head ripped off, but when he didn't, she didn't object. Actually, she didn't seem to even notice. Lucied sat down between them and nudged Mia's hand for her to pet him. Fou-Lu just sat silently beside her and waited for Fenix to respond to her question.

Fenix chuckled lightly, he hadn't really thought much about it. Actually, he didn't entirely know the answers to Mia's questions himself. "I would like to help you, but I don't know much about it myself. One minute I'm in Blade, the next I'm in a cold, dark void." He paused, he had released an evil onto Lodoss, it was his fault entirely.

"I can only say what I know. I went to Castle Conquera, re-joined with my darker half, then went to Blade. I fought against some type of being that was extremely powerful. Somehow my dark half told him how to unjoin us. Once that happened, Anubus sent me into some type of Void. When I woke up I was in that forest, that red headed elf woman found me and brought me to the party. I don't know what my dark half did after that, but i'm guessing it was likely mindless destruction." He sighed as he looked up at Mia.

"I can tell you what I learned from the breif time we were joined. It seems that the ones you call the chaos generals are not the only ones that are destroying Lodoss. He feared the other one like he fears Kardis herself, though... the feelings he felt toward both were the same."

Mia listened closely and felt chilled as he told what he knew. Another half of himself? She didn't quite understand at first, but figured it out in her head. Mia had never heard of such a thing. "So we have even more enemies then," she said softly when he finished. "We willl need to discuss it with the others when we reach Raiden, if they are there."

Mia looked down at her plate that had been laid in front of her by one of the maids. She realized she didn't have much of an appetite. However, she would regret not eating later on the road, so she half-heartedly dug in. After a couple bites, she asked Fenix, "Is there anything else you can tell us?"

Fou found Mia utterly distracted by Fenix, so he moved to another table nearby. Let her have her space, Talen had told him. Fou-Lu thought that maybe it would be best to let her decide to come back to him. At least she choose a room for them to share. He sighed and took a drink of his wine.

Fenix shook his head. "No, I don't know anything else. Everything I learned was admitted by Anubus, anything else was heavily guarded in his mind." he paused, sighing slightly. "I'm sorry, but what i've told you is all that I know."

Mia sighed and took a deep drink of her wine. "We don't need another villain to worry about..." she said as she put down her goblet. "I'm almost afraid of what could happen in Raiden, after Roid," she added. "But what happened in Blade, do you know why this Anubus went there?"

Talen wasn't nearly as tired as Naclia, so he went downstairs to eat dinner. He found Fou-Lu sitting alone, instead of by Mia, and he decided to talk to the dark elf, in case something had happened between him and Mia. Talen went over to Fou's table and took a seat across from him. "Hey, how's everything going?" he asked.

Fenix shook his head. "Blade was.... totally destroyed by one of the Chaos Generals. Anubus went there to fight the Chaos General, but in the end, he helped him out." He looked at Mia. "As far as I know most of the inhabitants escaped, but I don't know about the royality or the majority of the soldiers."

Seri came downstairs behind Talen, after she had put her pack in the room they would share. Now it was time for a much welcomed dinner. Seri sat at a table and waited for Azala to find her.

Mia suddenly lost whatever appetite she did have. Her jade eyes went wide as she looked at Fenix. "Blade...was destroyed?" she said, though her voice barely came. Mia leaned back in her chair, recalling her memories of the times she had visited the city. It was so strange to suddenly think that it was simply no longer there. "This has to be stopped," she said softly to herself.

She didn't want to hear anymore right now. "Go enjoy dinner with Sakura, Fenix," she said, it came out sounding like something between an order and a suggestion.

Fou looked up at Talen, then over at Mia. "I don't know..." he replied with concern in his voice. "She's ignored me all night. But she did get us a room together, is that a good sign?" he asked, looking hopefully to the more experianced Talen.

Aiden and Aaewin sat down with Talen and Fou-Lu. Aiden wanted to get to know Talen a little better since he was supposedly in love with Naclia. There was distress obvious from the dark elf, but Aiden didn't hear anything he had said. "Greetings," he said as he sat down. Aaewin said "Hello" with a bright smile.

Talen smiled and said "Hello," to Aiden and the elf with him. He looked back at Fou, thinking of what to tell him. "Well...you seem pretty serious about her," he started. "Maybe she's just not ready for that. Mia doesn't strike me as the type of person to get married and have kids and whatnot." He looked over at Mia to confirm his thoughts. It was very obvious, how could Fou NOT see that? He had also noticed how Mia acted around Sera, Azala's sister, and his mind had suggested something that he didn't think possible. He didn't say it outloud, it was too strange and probably wrong.

Aiden took a long draught of his ale, then stared into the mug with a wince. "These humans don't know how to make it," he said in disgust. He listened to Fou and Talen talking and tried to pick up on what was going on. Aiden didn't know much about Mia besides the fact she seemed to be these people's leader. He didn't think that she actually had a lover.

Automatically, he nodded in agreeance with Talen. "Yeah, Mia doesn't want to settle down, I can tell you that," he said.

Fou-Lu looked back at his beloved. "I...want that...one day," he said softly. Turning away, he stared into his mug for a moment. Fou looked back up and met the eyes of both men. "What do I do?" he asked.

* * *

The small caravan rode into town at night, quite late. Jonas wanted to make it to town instead of tempting fate by sleeping on the road again. They had a considerable amount of horses from the mercenaries that lost their lives the night before. Jonas was looking to sell them here in town the next day.

Jonas led them through town to Drake Street where the three inns were located. He was quite surprised to find the inns very active and full. The inns were filled with people and as the group peered into the windows, they could see elves inside, laughing and eating and drinking. Jonas looked very confused. He choose the quietest of the three inns, the last one in the line. A stable boy came out to meet them.

"Is there room in the inn for us?" he asked the boy.

"Aye, the elves are sharing rooms," the boy replied, taking the halter of the wagon's horses. "I don' know if there will be room for your horses," he said, peering at the horses tied to the back of the wagon and led by mercenaries.

Jonas grunted. "I'm planning to sell most of them as soon as possible," he replied.

"Oh! Well, when the elves came, many had to share horses, they may wish to buy them from you," the boy said, a little hopeful for Jonas.

Jonas nodded. "We need a healer, do you know of one?"

"Oh! I think there was a priestess with the elves!" he said. "She's inside."

"Good to hear," Jonas said. He drove his wagon into the stableyard with the boy leading, then climbed down, leaving the horses to the boy. Ordering one of his mercenaries to carry his luggage, they headed inside.

Joline dismounted and immediantly went to Arturo. She looked him over and placed a tender hand on his cheek. "I will find you a healer soon," she said softly. "Just relax. I don't want you to move anymore than you have to."

Almost reluctantly, she pulled away from him and hurried inside. In the common room of the inn, she looked around at the elves and few humans. "We need a healer. I heard there was a priestess here?" she asked the crowd.

* * *

Cassandra and the centaurs were given the biggest stall in the stable that was usually used for a noble's horse. Stable boys had nailed blankets up around the openings for their privacy. They also had their own lanterns.

Cassandra heard more horses coming into the stable and pulled their door blanket back to peer out. In the yard they saw a group of travelers that looked mostly human, though she did see two elven-looking folk with them. "There are more travelers here tonight," she said to her companions.

Caradithil lowered his head, shaking the sleepiness and dust from the road out of his mane and coat, with a well earned shake. Dinalindel took the corner of the stall and lowered himself to ground, his hands swatted away the dust shook loose from his companion's coat. "Hey, watch it."

"Don't lie on the floor if you don't want dust in your face," he smiled. They both turned from their joking and listened to Cassandra.

"Strange. I wonder if they are here for similar reasons we are." Dinalindel asked, lying fully in the hay.

Caradithil looked uncomfortable. "I cannot see the stars," he grumbled pacing back and forth in his small spot against the wooden banister. He had never left Rain alone for so long in his life nor had he been confined as such.

"She'll be fine. No stop moving or I'll kick you legs out from under you..."

Cassandra looked at her companions with a gentle smile. "Rain will be fine," she assured Caradithil. "They will protect her." She said with certainty. "Just rest, we're only here for the night," she told the stallions, then found a nice shaded place to stand and rest. Of course, for the rest of their journey, they would likely be staying in more stables.



* * *

Rain had wandered about the city, hands behind her back, window shopping admiring the wears displayed in the windows. She had never seen anything like it. Or like this place, Dragon Eye, before. It was as frightening as it was exciting. Rain had recieved some rather hostile looks from some of the locals. Why, she didn't know. Still she wished her herd would have joined her. Caradithil would have loved this blade she had seen. Eventually, she grew weary walking the streets and browsing the shops and listening the the loud jovial laughter from the inn and figured there was as good a place as any to go. Besides, she needed to share a room with someone- that or sleep in the loft of the barn. She stood still uncertain as to the faces or even where to sit. This human city was so confusing. Finally recognizing two faces from the traveling party earlier, and feeling a little more comfortable around women rather than the elven rangers, she cautiously edged over towards them. She found herself standing before them. She wasn't really sure what she should say. She offered a meek smile as a greeting and asked if she could sit with them for awhile...

Ryna and Leaf looked up at the new half-elf from their conversation. Both women smiled warmly. "Sure, you can sit here!" Leaf said enthusiastically, pulling a chair out from the table.

Ryna smiled softly, more relaxed than her energenic young friend. "Rain...is it?" she asked.

Callin was weary from his travel to Dragons Eye, he felt he needed a rest at the one of the inns in the city. Callin goes to two of the three inns and finds that they are all full, but on the third in he find that there are a few rooms left. Callin decides that he should get a drink before heading off to bed. Callin spots a free seat, and to his luck there are three women talking there. Callin goes and has a seat at the table and says "Do you mind if I join you three?"

Ryna looked up at a new voice from behind her. It belonged to a handsome man and she grinned as she looked him up and down. "Hello...certainly, you can join us," she replied. He was tall with the deepest blue eyes she'd seen in a long time.

Callin takes the seat next to the woman that had just spoke to him. Callin waits for a minute and then says, "My name's Callin. Thank you for letting me join you. May I ask your name young lady, and the names of your two friends?"

Ryna smiled sweetly at Callin. "Well, I'm Ryna, this is Leaf," She pointed to the brown-haired half-elf across from her. "And this is Rain...I think?" she said, looking up at the black-haired half-elf. She was more interested in this handsome new comer, so she would let Leaf and Rain socialize. "It's nice to meet you Callin," she said, extending her hand for him to shake.

Callin reaches and firmly grabs Ryna's hand and shakes for a second. Callin takes a moment to look over Ryna. She has a beutiful figure, but then Callin realizes that he is staring and so he looks up into her shining blue eyes, stunned by her beauty, Callin cannot think of anything to say.

Ryna smiled viciously and gave Callin a smoldering look. "So, what brings you to Dragon Eye, Callin?" she asked.

Callin snaps out of his hypnosis and says "Well, I've been a bit bored with my life in the forest, so I decided I wanted to do a little adventuring." Callin orders a drink for him and Ryna and then looks her over a bit more, still amazed by her beauty.

Ryna chuckled, "Country boy, eh?" she said with a smile, though he didn't look so much of a farmer. There was a look of experiance about him. "Well, I got caught up in this rabble, so now we're headed to Raiden. Maybe you should tag along if you're so bored."

"Sure, I guess I could tag along with you all. Why are you all heading to Raiden?"Responded Callin to her question.

Ryna shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure actually, I think that was where Mia was suppossed to meet somebody," she explained. "After what happened in Blade and Roid, I'm thinking there might be a battle there." She said in whisper almost.

Callin replies "Ok. I'm tired and could use a a nice bed."

Ryna looked up at him with a little disappointment. "You want to go to bed already?" she asked. "Well, you look tired," her expression changed to a smile. "It was nice meeting you."

After thinking of how rude it would be to leave this beautiful woman to the other men in here, most already drunk, Callin says "Well maybe I could stay for a bit longer, and have a few more drink with this beautiful lady."

Ryna smiled and put her hand on Callin's where it rested on the table. She managed a blush. "You're so sweet," she complimented, then pulled her hand away nonchalantly.

Callin, slightly startled by the hand that was once on his, let himself "fall" into those beautiful blue eyes once again.

* * *

Sakura looked up when she heard a voice speak up over the crowd. The person looking for help was a young woman who had just come in through the back door of the inn. Sakura stood and hurried over to her. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Joline quickly led the priestess outside. She didn't know what god the woman followed, but she didn't wear the symbols of Marfa. "My b...my friend is hurt. His ribs are broken, I've done my best to mend his wounds, but he needs the help of a healer," Joline quickly explained. She picked up her skirts to run faster to the wagon.

Arturo still lay inside, groaning a little. It seemed like her pain killing mixture was wearing off.

Arturo shifted uncomfortably when he heard fast footsteps approaching him. Craning his neck a little, he saw Joline running towards him with another woman in white robes, a priestess. He looked up at Joline when she was near, managing a smile and wishing he could reach up and touch her, but the pain in his chest kept him from moving.

Sakura placed her hands on the man's chest and focused her energy. A glow appeared around Sakura's hands and a warmth spread outwards from where her hands were. His bones began to mend to mend themselves, his bruises faded, and vitality returned to him, likely in a voracious hunger.

Sakura smiled, happy with what she had done for this man. She looked a little sapped of energy now, but when she finished her meal and went to bed, she would feel stronger. "There," she said with finality. She smiled to both and returned inside.

Arturo saw the strange woman in the white robes put her hands on his chest and he felt pain shoot up his spine which made him hiss. After a few seconds the pain was fading quickly and he could breath easier.

Arturo took a very deep breath, "Thank you priestess," he said in a low voice. "I shall repay you."

After the woman left, Arturo climbed out of the wagon, stood up and stretched for almost a minute. Almost as soon as he was done stretching, he pulled Joline's head toward his and kissed her passionately. As the kiss ended, Arturo said, "I've wanted to do that for some time now, and I thought this was as good a time as any."

Joline was totally taken off guard by the kiss. She couldn't fight him, and she really didn't want to, but this just wasn't right! Not now at least. She looked up at Arturo, trying to keep her balance.

"You....you....fool!" she started."You have no right to kiss me like that! I haven't even known you for a week! We haven't been....we...I....it was..."

Joline let the subject drop and almost literally threw herself on Arturo, kissing him just as passionately as he just had.

Arturo felt guilty when Joline was yelling at him, but it quickly passed when she kissed him back. "You have a funny way of showing your anger," he said, "But, to change the subject, lets go in and see what Fasz is up to."

* * *

Kazh'e passed Joline and the priestess behind her on their way to the wagon and slowly walked into the inn. She walked to the desk to reserve her room, doing so. She didn't even bother looking at the crowded downstairs, she knew it would all be the same. Brushing her dark brown hair back behind one of her pointed ears, Kazh'e took her belongings upstairs to her room and set them there. She came back down again after a few minutes with Ise padding close by the elf's side. The wildcat looked about, sniffing the air filled with the smell of food and waved his furry tail about in the air, stopping where Kazh'e did to order food for the both of them.

After she payed for the food, Kazh'e went over to a small, vacant table by the window to eat alone and set Ise's plate down for him to eat, then sat down herself. The dark-haired elf ate quickly, quite annoyed by all the noise of the inn and the fact that she was tired from staying awake longer than she should've while she had been on guard back where the group of mercinaries and her were attacked at camp didn't help her either. She headed up to her room after her meal, Ise following as usual at her heels. The room was small and simple with large window, a decent size bed with a table and chair in the corner. Ise jumped up to the end of the bed, curling up into a ball to doze while Kazh'e opened the window softly, letting the cool night breeze fill the room. She sighed, staring out it for a moment or two, glad she was out of the conjested and noisy downstairs of the inn. "We're likely to have more people to join, Ise...more people....more faces to forget...It's pointless getting to know anyone, they'll just end up betraying you or die just when you think you've acquired an actual friend- that's the way it is.."

* * *

"Aw, how lovely," Luria said and laughed to herself. She moved her attention away from the couple now, since she believed firmly that it was impolite to stare. "What a funny gal that Joline is," she thought as she turned her eyes over to the priestess Sakura instead. Whenever she saw a priestess it made her think of her mother. She didn't see any of those cresent moons dangling on her robethough, so she couldn't have been the same order. Luria sighed and wondered what would be happeing next in this busy place with all of these interesting people.

Fasz, still outside of the inn, was just watching what happened nearby, then he started to feel thirsty. He hadn't drank anything since the evening before the fight with the manticores, it was already time for entering the inn; Fasz as always likes better quiet places but when he walked into the inn, there was a lot of people, it was pretty quiet for the big ammount of people there. Fasz when to the inn keeper and asked him for ale, the innkeeper gave him the drink and asked if wanted more but Fasz said "no thanks," and in his mind said, I'm not one of those mercenaries who get drunk in every town they enter. Without any work to do he decided to stay there and talk to the innkeeper.

* * *

Now it was time for a much welcomed dinner. Seri sat at a table near the back of the common and waited for Azala to find her. She wanted to talk to him in private about what was going through his head. Which meant she would probably have to switch back into teacher mode with him.

Azala had been acting strangely, still wondering what to really think about Mia and Sera. He couldn't do anything, after all, those two were both adults, but the entire fiasco was unsettling. He noticed Seri, who seemed to be waiting for someone, he could only imagine it was him. He approached her, giving a slight wave.

Seri smiled as Azala came over. He sat down and she looked him over, getting an idea of what he was feeling. "Azala, talk to me...you need to get this out of your system," she said softly, laying her hand on his affectionately.

* * *

Talen couldn't honestly think of a good answer. "Well...just go with it for now I guess," he said with a shrug. "But be prepared for the worst. That's all I can tell you." He took a swig of ale and finished off his mug. Almost instantly, a bar maid came by and filled it again.

Mia sighed and dropped her napkin on her plate. After Fenix left, she finished her dinner and had been silently thinking to herself. Poor Fou-Lu looked so distraught. She was starting to regret the way she treated him earlier. Mia had to make up for it, show that she wasn't really mad at him.

Mia stood and left her dishes on the table for the barmaids to pick up. Lucied had been laying at her feet, chewing on a bone. Now the wolf stood and followed after her. Gently, Mia wrapped her arms around Fou's shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Hey handsome," she said softly, then winked to Talen and the other elf to show it was all good.

Fou-Lu jerked his head up in surprise, then turned with the most content smile to look at Mia. He relaxed and put a hand on hers. "Would you like to sit, my love?" he asked, smiling to her gently and offering the seat beside him.

Aiden smiled and chuckled as Mia came over. It looked like things were going to be much better for the two of them. He smiled at Aaewin, who returned it. Aiden reached over and brushed her hand resting on her thigh. Pulling his eyes away from her beautiful sky blue ones, he looked up at Mia.

"Well! I don't think we've been introduced!" he said. "I am Aiden Silvermoon the II, this is Aaewin."

Aaewin smiled at Mia and gave a little friendly wave. With her other hand, she grasped Aiden's, making sure he didn't move away.

Talen looked at Fou-Lu and then at Mia, "Well I guess you two are all right again," he said, finishing off his mug, again. And yet again, a bar maid came by almost instantly and filled it up again.

* * *

Rain slipped into the seat and nodded. "Yes, I'm Rain," she replied. She was silent for a few moments, during which time Callin came over and started talking to Ryna. When she decided to break the silence, she turned to Leaf. "Umm...how do I go about getting a room?" she asked meekly.

Leaf looked up from her plate at Rain. "Oh, well, you can just share with us. Mia said we should share rooms," Leaf explained.

Ryna noticed Callin's staring, and grinned to herself. That wasn't too hard, she thought. She took a sip of her drink and looked around the room. People were drinking and talking, a few looked like they were already getting drunk. She didn't think that this place would remain so quiet for much longer.

Callin, still staring at Ryna, took a sip of his beer. Callin also was pondering on what would happen if people really started to get drunk. Callin himself wasnt a man for beer, he would rather have a nice white wine, but tonight he felt he wanted a drink of beer, so he did and then he kept them coming. He was starting to ge drunk, then saw Ryna, the look of a pearson that had to much to drink was in her eyes. Callin wandered what would will happen before this night was over.

* * *

Mia watched as Talen's mug was filled. She then finished hers off and waited for the maid circling the room to fill it again. Fou's mug was empty and he put his hand over it to keep the maid from filling it again.

"Why don't you have another?" Mia asked.

Fou shook his head, "No, I've seen too many bad things happen when someone was drunk," he said.

Mia eyed him for a long moment, which utterly confused Fou. Finally, she said "I don't care," and picked up Fou's mug. The maid came over and filled it, then Mia put the mug of ale on the table, making it slosh over the side. "Take another," she said with a grin. "We need to loosen up a little tonight," she added.

Fou-Lu, afraid of angering his love, started sipping at the drink. Mia only looked at him with a raised eyebrow and he took another sip, she still didn't look satisfyed. So, Fou downed the whole mug in one drink.

Mia started laughing and clapped her hand on Fou's shoulder. "Atta boy!" Then downed her own mug, just like one of the guys. Fou was really beginning wonder who she really was.

The maid came by and filled their mugs again. Mia caught her arm before she could hurry over to the next table. "What kind of spirits do you have?" she asked.

The ale, despite it's taste was already starting to go to Aiden's head. He watched Mia trying to get Fou to drink and started chuckling. Aaewin was watching looking quite entertained.

Aiden caught Mia ask the barmaid to bring out some stronger drinks and he grinned. "That's the way to go!" he said to Mia with a wink. "This ale is disgusting."

Mia chuckled and nodded to Aiden. She had developed a taste for it over the years, traveling through human cities and fighting along side them. She wouldn't turn down something better though. Soon enough, the barmaid returned with a tray of small glasses and bottles of various spirits. Mia grinned and Fou-Lu looked apprehensive. Lucied laid on the floor oblivous, chewing on a bone from dinner.

The bar maid set the bottles down and quickly cleared away their dinner plates. Mia sorted through the bottles, selecting one of dwarven brew. She poured a shot for Fou and pushed it over, then one for herself, leaving the others to choose their own.

She watched Fou closely as he handled the shot glass delicately. He glanced around the table, then lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip. The alcohol burned his mouth and tasted horrible. He automatically dropped the glass, not breaking it, but spilling the drink over the table. He sputtered and wiped his mouth on his sleeve while Mia tried her hardest not to start laughing.

As soon as Mia got herself under control, she tapped Fou on the shoulder. "Like this," she said and put the glass to her lips. "You gotta open the back of your throat and just toss it back, basically," she explained, then tilted her back and did as she instructed. She slammed the shot glass down and coughed. "Falis," she muttered.

Turning back to Fou, she refilled his glass. "Now try it again."

Talen was getting pretty buzzed at this point, thanks to all of those refills, and he just chose one of the bottles, not caring what brand it was. Reading the bottle, he realized it was the dwarven spirits and most likely the stongest.

Pushing the shot glass aside, Talen yelled, "Screw the shot glass," and he began to chug the bottle.

When the bottle was half gone, Talen slammed it on the table, "Falis," he screamed, trying not to cough, "That was strong, yet good at the same time!!" Of course, he coughed anyway, and he almost threw up right there. "Is anyone going to match that?" he challenged, waving the bottle in the air.

Aiden was laughing and slapping the table after Fou-Lu took his first shot. He watched Mia take hers expertly, then Talen take the bottle and down half of it. "Hey, I want somma that," he said, starting to slur his speech, and snatched the bottle out of the knight's hand.

Aiden leaned his head back and poured about a quarter of what was left down his throat before he couldn't take it much longer. He slammed the bottle down and coughed violently. "Damn! Them dwarves make some strong shit! Whew!"

Aaewin giggled and reached for another bottle, not daring to touch the dwarven drink. She choose another bottle and took a couple shots of that while watching and laughing at the others.

"Give me that!" Mia snatched the bottle from Aiden, then turned it up and finished of the final quarter left. When it was finished, she slammed the bottle back on the table and wheezed a harsh cough. After a moment, she looked at the final few drops of alcohol on the bottom, then sighed. "I want some more..."



* * *

Joline laughed a little nervously and breathlessly. "Yes, lets go inside," she replied and straightened her hair in case it had been mussed. She picked up her belongings and headed inside.

As soon as she was in, she saw a sea of long pointed elven ears and nearly gawked. Composing herself was getting harder and harder as the night progressed, but she still had a hold of herself. She looked out over the crowd and spotted a red head near the back, Fasz.

She headed back quickly then sat at the table across from the mercenary. "Hello Master Fasz," she said warmly.

Fasz saw Arturo and Joline and said, "Hello, Arturo, Lady Joline," and started looking at the people, there was not much time left for the drunk time, all the people was nearly drunk and saying stupid things, then Fasz said, "You going to drink something or just stay here?"

Arturo, feeling his past rush back to him, replied to Fasz's offer, "No thanks, I don't like to drink, for.......personal reasons." Arturo, leaning toward Joline's ear, whispered, "I'm going to bed, I don't like this atmosphere, I'll see you in the morning."

As Arturo got up to leave, he felt a tear roll down his cheek. Afraid someone might see him cry, he wiped away the tear quickly and hurried to his room.

Fasz looked at him leaving the room and said "good, I don't like drunks neither, Joline, do you want to talk about something? I'm leaving if there's nothing else, too".

Fasz looked again at the room, he was in need of some rest after not sleeping for so long, and the place was really noisy.

Joline looked after Arturo in surprise, but she began to understand. He explained it all to her the night before. She looked down at the floor sadly, and contemplated. Arturo needed to eat. If she gave him a few minutes, maybe he would feel good enough to come down. His mother's death still hit him hard after all these years aparently.

She looked up at Fasz with a little smile. "Why don't we see if they have a private dinning room," she suggested. With a haughty sniff and glance around the room, she added. "I don't want to be in here when they get even more intoxicated."

Fasz was watching the drunks, then he said, "Ummm, by the way they act I can say they can't even make desicions." Fasz replied to Joline, "Sure, let's ask the innkeeper." In all his time living in Moss, Dragon Eye was always less noisy than tonight, probably Raiden is full of activity and the people came to this city, it's pretty close from there.

Joline nodded with what Fasz had to say. With that decided, she sought out the innkeeper and asked him about a private dining room.

The innkeeper looked at Joline a little aprehensivly at first. "Yes...we do have one mi'lady, but it is currently occupied," he explained

Joline was a little disappointed, but then she realized that the only one who would use it would be Mathwin. "By Jonas Mathwin?" she asked. The innkeeper nodded. "Good," Joline said. "We are in his party."

The innkeeper looked Joline over again, noting the authority she seemed to hold. "Yes mi'lady, I will take you there. Is there anything else you need? Have you ordered your dinner?"

Joline smiled. "I have yet to even pay for a room," she replied.

"Well, I am afraid all of our two bed rooms are taken. Master Fasz here took the last one," the innkeeper explained humbly.

Joline put down money for a room, only paying for half since someone else may choose to occupy the room. She looked around to find Luria or Kazh'e, and only spotted the half-elf. After ordering her meal was taken care of, she turned to Fasz. "I will come to the dining room shortly, I want to talk to Luria and Arturo first."

Joline glided away from Fasz and went to see Luria. Standing beside the table where the half-elf sat alone, she waited a moment for her to notice her.

Luria entered the inn to find where the others had gone off too. She thought she'd never seen so many elves in one room in her life, even though she had seen plenty of elves. She made out Fasz and Joline and went over to them in time to hear the last of their conversation. "Well, I don't have any money to buy us a round anyway," she said. "But next time I get some, I'll take you all to dinner, hows that?"

Joline smiled at the half-elf, but was secretly a little disappointed when she mentioned buying a round. "Well, you two go to the dining room, I'll go talk to Arturo," she said, then turned to go upstairs.

* * *

Ryna had been watching the group at the next table drinking harder alcohol than the ale, beer and wine they had. After seeing Fou's failed first shot, she turned around giggling drunkenly to Callin. "Did joo see dat?" she slurred and giggled. "Hey! You wanna go over dere?" She made it sound like it was the most appealing thing in the world through the sound of drunken bliss in her voice.

Callin chuckles and thinks, Well she does get drunk fast...and so do I... "Sure lets usss go on oder tere," Callin replies in a mildy drunken slur.

"Yeah," Ryna said and stood, her long legs were wobbly and she had to steady herself with the chair. She staggered over to the table where the others were taking shots and pulled a nearby chair over and plopped down in it, hardly able to keep her balance. "Hey everybody! Whatcha got over here?" she reached for one of the bottles and tried to read it, but it was kinda hard when she was seeing double.

Fou-Lu looked up at Ryna as she staggered over, followed by an unfamiliar man. He was starting to feel a little light headed, but that was it. Is this what drunk feels like? he thought and looked at the others staggering around and slurring their speech. I don't feel like that... he thought.

Aiden looked over at Fou, who didn't seem more than a little buzzed. "C'mon dark elf! I thought your kind were s'possed to be tough," Aiden was slurring. "Duncha wimp out now!" He pushed another bottle over to Fou. "Take a nice long swig! If yer womans' gonna be drunk, you'd damn well better be too!"

Fou was taken aback by the drunken elf, but took his challenge. Doing as Mia taught, Fou tipped the bottle back and opened the back of his throat, letting the alcohol flow back.

He was about three-quarters of the way through when he couldn't take it anymore and felt his gorge rise. He slammed the bottle down, then as the burning in the back of his throat really hit him, he fell back onto the floor.

Coughing, Fou forced himself onto his hands and knees, trying desperately to keep from vomiting. After a long moment, he got back up, looking quite ashamed, but at least he kept it down...

* * *

Ryna had wandered off with yet another man and Leaf wondered if she would disappear with him for the night too. Well, at least then Leaf would have a bed to herself. "They're gettin' pretty loud huh?" Leaf said to Rain.

Rain looked over at the group at the table. "Yeah," she replied, nodding. "Do you want to go outside? I want to talk to Cassandra and Caradithil."

Leaf was watching the others too, especially Ryna. She thought they looked and sounded rather stupid, slurring and stumbling. "Yeah, lets go," Leaf nodded. "I want to meet the centaurs anyway." She stood and pushed her chair in, then waited for Rain to lead the way.

Rain smiled, resting her chin in her hand, taking in everything around her. If only the others could see this. This hadnt been what Rain envisioned her first evening in a human city would have been like, but still, it was fasinatingly different, she had met nice people, and after all that was worth something. Rain raised an eyebrow at Ryna, could all human not hold their liquior? It was disturbing, the young half-elf made a mental note to drink with caution. She stood, ackwardly mimicing Leaf pushing in her chair, upon Leafs request led the way out into the fresh open air towards the barn. Buildings were strange and so close together that it made her a bit uneasy not to have the cover of the forest.

* * *

Joline found her way to Arturo's room with instructions from a maid, then knocked gently on his door. "Arturo?"

Arturo had gotten undressed and climbed into bed to go to sleep. He could hear everybody having fun downstairs, which only made his pain worse. After laying in bed for twenty minutes trying to fall asleep, Arturo heard a knock on his door, "Arturo?" immediately followed the knock. Realizing the voice sounded like Joline's, Arturo got up, pulled his pants on and opened the door. "Yes, what is it?"

Joline was momentarily distracted by Arturo's lack of shirt. For a second, she stared at his wonderfully toned chest before tearing her eyes away and blushing deeply. Falis, she didn't have a clue on how to act around him now! Despite being married once, she was not at all knowledgeable about relationships like this. Wanting to touch him, she refused and chewed her lip for a second. "Are you well?" she asked, concern obvious in her voice.

Kazh'e walked away from the window, having removed all of her armor, it felt good to have it off- even if it was light weight. She still kept her sword strapped to her waist though and went to pet Ise on the bed when she heard familiar voices in the hall. Kazh'e got up and opened the door, stepping out into the hallway to see Joline and Arturo talking. She took a quick glance down the other way of the hall, noticing the doors were all shut. Feeling a bit talkative, Kazh'e looked back to two in the hall.

"I assume the rooms are all taken, were you able to reserve a room?" she blurted out. It was more directed to Joline, as she was the only one she seemed to speak to other than Jonas, but he was the one in command right now of the band of mercenaries, it was an obligation to her.

"I'm fine, Arturo replied, I'm just tired. Besides, you know why I don't drink," Arturo began to raise his voice as he continued to talk, "What would you do if your mother was murdered by your own father, and you were too drunk to do anything? That is something that you will never get rid of, no matter what you do. Arturo lowered his voice, and spoke once more, "Now, I ask you Joline, how do you think I feel?"

Joline took a step back from Arturo, as if he had insulted her. Certainly the tone of voice he was taking was not at all what she was accustomed to hearing. Joline planted her fists firmly on her hips and glared up at Arturo, whatever passed between them a short while earlier meant nothing here. "Dont you DARE talk to me in that manner!" Joline scolded. "I came up here with the intention of inviting you to dinner where we would not be bothered, and what am I greeted by? You insulting me assuming that I don't care, nor listen!" Joline poked her finger into his bare chest. "If you expect that kiss to have meant anything, you'd better learn how to control your temper!" she poked again, her finger puncuating her statement. Joline swung around and stormed toward the stairs, hoping that he might just try to stop her, if he truely cared for her, that is. If he didn't stop her, it would only prove that she didn't matter enough to him.

Arturo was stunned for a moment by Joline's outburst. He just stood there for a few seconds as she stormed out into the hall. "Joline, wait," Arturo called to her, "I'm sorry. Arturo caught up to Joline, "I'm extremely sorry, I just really upset right now, and everything just intensifies it. Arturo leaned down and kissed Joline more passionately than last time, "Please, come back to my room to talk to me, I really need a friend right now."

Weak in the knees, and happy with the result, Joline smiled and nodded. "I'll talk to you," she said softly and reached up to brush her hand across his cheek. She stood up on her tip-toes and kissed him gently, then led him back to his room.

Arturo followed Joline back to his room. "Would you please sit down?" Arturo asked, as he gestured to the bed, "Lets talk about whatever you want, I just want to spend some time with only you for a little bit."

* * *

Jonas Mathwin sat at the end of a long table, sipping a fine wine and eating about the best meal Dragon's Brew Inn had to offer. The noises of drunks from the main common room was muted by the walls of the dining room. He was nearly done with his meal, and was actually hoping the Lady Joline would like to come in here and eat. He was starting to feel jealous with all the attention she gave that Arturo, but he only hoped it was simply concern for the injured man. As much as he wanted to deny that she felt for him, he knew the truth. Besides, what would a young noble-woman see in a merchant forty years older than she? At least Arturo had his youth on his side.

A barmaid set her tray down on the counter, then went over to the two travelers. "Hello, I'll show you to the dining room," the maid said and motioned for them to follow. She led them to a pair of plain doors, knocked once as a warning, then pushed the doors open. Jonas looked up in surprise his new dinner mates.

Fasz entered the room and saw Jonas eating alone in a big table, Fasz said, "Hello sir." Fasz decided to wait Jonas to finish his meal, now that Mathwin was there in the same room with him, Fasz decided he should ask him about the travel, they were pretty close from Raiden, his job was just to get Jonas safe to Raiden, and maybe back to Moss.

Luria followed behind Fasz, since Joline had suggested that both go find something to eat, she supposed that was what Fasz was doing. She followed him in to the dining room, figuring if they didn't want her there the worst that would happen is they would kick her out. She was starving and maybe they'd be kind enough give her a meal even though she hadn't been very helpful thus far. "Good evening sirs," she said and bowed her head to them a little.

Jonas looked up at the two. "You both may stay," he said, wiping his hands. He looked at Luria, "I have something I want to talk to you about anyway," he told the half-elf. An archer would be an asset to him on the remainder of the journey. With a large amount of his mercenaries dead, he could afford to hire her.

Fasz sat in one of the chairs at the other side of the table, and waiting for Jonas to speak to Luria while he noticed his clothes had some blood of the manticore, he tried cleaning it but it was already dry.

"Yes sir," Luria replied and sat down. Not rejected after all, she thought, how about that. She tried to sit in a way that would make her look more "professional-like." Now was definately not the time to talk too much. "So, what would you like to talk to me about, sir?"

Jonas leaned back in his chair and dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. "Well, since I've lost a good number of my mercenaries, I have money to spare," he started. "I will offer you payment if you choose to continue with us to Raiden. 30 Gold pieces a day for 5 days. What do you say?"

"Really? That's great!" Luria said in outburst. "I mean uhh... yes, thank you very much sir, that sounds like a really good deal to me." She bent her head respectfully again and smiled wide enough to brighten the entire room. Now she wouldn't starve to death. That was always wonderful news.

* * *

The mercenaries employed by Jonas were at the bar in the Common room, slamming back mug upon mug of ale. Most of them would be sleeping in the stable loft tonight, since most of the rooms were taken. A lucky few, such as Arturo, Fasz and Kazh'e had been able to get rooms, but these guys were left with a stack of hay for a bed. It didnt' bother them much though, they'd likely slept in worse conditions.

A few of the mercs had decided to turn in early, instead of getting drunk and likely waking with a hangover. The few left either didn't care about the after effects and a lucky two had never and would never experiance it.

The four mercs at the bar had noticed the group sitting around a table, taking shots and decided to join in.

They headed over, annouced their interest in the various alcohols, then pulled another table over and connected the two. More bottles were brought out, the innkeeper seemed to be looking for the chance to lighten a few purses.

Mia laughed as Fou very nearly finished off a bottle. When he stood back up and kept it in, she patted his back. "Thas my man!" she said proudly, starting to slur. A few more people joined, Ryna and a human man, as well as three other men, and they pushed a table over to join them

"Hey Ryna!" Mia annouced a little too loudly, waving to the other woman. "Who's the boy?"

Ryna giggled at Fou-Lu, then looked at Mia, both of her. "Hello Mia!" she replied just as drunkenly. "This is Callin," she said and wrapped her arm around his waist and hugged him as he stood beside her. "C'mon Callin, si'down," she slurred and motioned to a chair.

Talen watched as Fou downed seventy-five percent of a bottle. As Fou was on the ground choking and caughing, Talen was laughing so hard that his sides hurt. Realizing that Fou had downed more than he did, Talen grabbed another bottle, opened it, said cheers, and downed the entire thing.

After rambling on for a few minutes about his victory over Fou, Talen realized that Naclia was alone in their room sleeping. "Sowry guyes, I'se gut do go, Nackia ish waching fow me's."

Callin, stumbling from his drunkeness, sits down at the table. To drunk to talk, he listens to the other people, in their drunken slurs, chat on about life. He reached across the table and grabbed one of the bottles and downed most of it.

Ryna giggled as she watched her companion drink an almost full bottle. "Man! I cant do dat!" she laughed. Instead, she took one of the shot glasses and poured herself a shot of...something...with an unsteady hand, spilling a little on the table. She threw back the shot, coughed and slammed down the glass. "Dat was shum good shit!" she said and poured another shot of the same drink.

* * *

Talen somehow managed to stand, make it all the way upstairs, and to his doorway without falling once. As soon as he got to his door though, he callapsed against it before crashing to the floor. "Nackia, I foll daown." About one minute later, Talen passed out.

Naclia had slept through the ruckus downstairs, but by time Talen fell inside, she was awake. With a stretch and a yawn, she sat up, looking for Talen in the doorway, but only saw the open door. She sat up a little further and looked at the floor, finding her beloved peacefully snoring on the hardwood.

With an exasperated sigh, she put the pieces together. He was drunk. She climbed out of bed and tiredly shuffled over to him. Naclia knelt beside him and shook his shoulders. "Talen, wake up!" she said as she shook, but the only reply she got was

"Jes five more mins mom...jes five more..." and Talen went back to a peaceful snoring.

Naclia was a strong enough woman, spending many years with bows and other aspects of ranger life. She turned him over, slipped her arms under his, then pulled him to the bed and managed to lift him on to it.

"Goodnight," she whispered, though he was unconscious, then pecked Talen on the cheek and went back to sleep.

* * *

Kazh'e shook her head and stepped past Joline and Arturo to head downstairs. They were worse than they had been when she was down here earlier. The elf said nothing, slipping quietly down to the private dining room where Jonas was. She wanted to know when he had planned for the next day. Though she assumed he was going to recruit mercenaries to replace the ones killed by the manticore, she still wanted to know the exact details. Kazh'e pushed through the door and closed it behind her. Her pale coloured eyes shifted between the people seated at the table, finally stopping at Jonas. It was more her style to let someone else start up conversation than to speak up herself, and she was going to wait for just that.

Jonas smiled and chuckled at Luria's reaction. The way she acted truely didn't matter to him as long as she worked well. Kazh'e entered and Jonas looked up at the elven woman. "Well, good to see you down her Kazh'e, is there something you need?" he asked.

* * *

Fou-Lu was no longer sitting stiffly, now he lounged leisurely, peering into the bottom of his shot glass. "Iss all gone..." he said sadly to Mia, then started laughing at himself and poured another shot, then slammed it back expertly. "Whew!" He made a face at the strength of the drink, which he had no clue what it was. "Gimme anotsher!"

One of the mercenaries was rambling on to Mia about various experiances. "Oh...ye dun wanna be hungover 'round Lady Sholine. Back in Dragon Shcale, dis one guy," he paused as his companions laughed, recalling the story, "Dish one guy, Bil, godsh resht his poor shoul, 'e done passhed out on da floor," he started chuckling himself as well. "Well 'e done passhed out and whensh da Lady found him da next morn', she done kicked 'im in the freakin' side, shcreamed in hish ear, shmacked 'im around tryin' to wake 'im up an'...'e shtill dun git up! Sho ya know what da Lady done? She done got 'erself a bucket of ishe cold water and dumped the ding over hish bloody head! Den she shcreamed a' 'im some more!" He started laughing, recalling the memory, pounding the table with his fist. "Gimme shum more," he said as a barmaid passed, refilling his mug. "Anywaysh, Bil done..." He was interupted as one of his friends turned and retched on the floor.

Mia listened to the mercenary, suddenly intriqued by his story, no matter how poorly told it was, and when he finished, she burst out laughing. And laughed even harder as his buddy puked. She fell back into Fou's lap, giggling drunkenly. "Hello handshum," she giggled and reached up to stroke his cheek,"Havin' fun yet?" she asked with a drunken grin.

Aiden was sipping on a flask of elven wine as the people around him conversed, Aaewin was leaning against him, about ready to fall asleep. It seemed like their party was starting to die down, especially after Talen left. Aiden still had a drunken grin on his face, and broadened as he thought of Aaewin staying the night with him.

"Hey...are you tired?" he asked her, tipping her face up to him.

Aaewin smiled contently and nodded.

"Wanna go to bed?" Aiden asked, trying hard to hide his grin.

Aaewin grinned too. "Yeah, lesh go," she said and quickly stood, only to fall down again on her rear. She laughed at herself and Aiden fell out of his chair laughing at her. He pulled himself up and smiled at the group. "We're going to bed!" he announced proudly, then staggered over to Aaewin to help her up.

Fou smiled, well, more grinned, down at Mia. He ran his hand over her cheek, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up to kiss her. There was no shyness about him anymore, no fear of doing something wrong. He now kissed Mia passionately, without a regard for what the others thought, or regard for Mia disapproving of it. For once in their time together, he was the strong man she wanted.

Mia heard Aiden announce he was going to bed, "Night, night Aiden!" she called up from under the table and reached over it to wave goodbye to him.

When Fou picked her up and kissed, she was quite pleasantly surprised and returned it. I need to get him drunk more often! she thought.

Fou-Lu pulled away from the kiss, then pulled Mia into his lap, just wanting her to be close to him. With his free hand, he took another shot, and this time handled it much better.

Mia happily went along with Fou moving her about. She was quite surprised with the change, especially when Fou kept drinking all on his own. Mia giggled and refilled her own shot glass from her percarious position on his lap.



* * *

"I will introduce you, you will love them, Leaf. They're my herd, my family." Rain said with child-like excitement. With a large smile on her face Rain trotted back into the stables. Spiritly she jumped on top of the wood beams that seperated the stalls and walked down towards her herd. She stopped and sat down on it near the three and waited for Leaf to join her before she continued...

Leaf practically bounced after Rain to the stables. "Really? You're family?" she asked. "What about your real parents?"

"Yes, they are," she chimed. Rain paused, like she struck a break wall. It felt like she had too. The smile slow melted into some sort of wistful sadness. "I don't know. My mother left me with my herd when I was young then disappeared. The centaurs raised me as their child." Even though Rain forced herself to push away and be happy, sliding into a herd mindset, that individual emotions were petty and the good of the whole must be maintained. The sting of the memory remained. "I am theirs and they are my own," she cheerfully replied.

Caradithil smiled as Rain returned though he tried to hide it. "I thought you would be staying with the others tonight..." he paused as he saw the other one following them. "Oh I see..."

Dinalindel looked behind Rain at the one approaching, "Who is this? A friend?"

Sitting a comfortable sidesaddle on the horizontal stable bars, Rain smiled at her herd mates, "Aw, you missed me already, Caradithil. This is Leaf; she was kind enough to let me stay with her and her friend's room tonight. She wanted to me you all. And I thought since Cassandra did say to be friendly, it wouldn't mind." Rain paused observing Dinalindel and Caradithil before speaking again. "Or did I wake up from sleepy-time," she teased. She looked back to Leaf and waved her closer...

"Miss you, you weren't gone long enough to miss." Caradithil tried to hide his over apparent worry.

"You should know by now Rain that we don't go to sleep that fast. And if memory serves me right you are usually the one to fall asleep..." Dinalindel cast a knowing eye to Caradithil.

Moving to a standing position Dinalindel moved to beside Rain as Caradithil stood behind her trying his best to look at ease. "I'll be glad when we can get back on the road.," he muttered. "Welcome Leaf, have you been taking care of our wayward sis... Um, Rain."

Rain pursed her lips in a thoughtful mock frown, then unnarrowed them arched her eyebrows, glad Dinalindel had stopped Caradithil mouth from running away without his brain. "I can't help how quickly I fall asleep." They better had best not gang up on her to play the big brother. Rain playfully stuck out her tongue, "You two are such a comfy pillows, and you talk so long, who could resist nodding off?"

She nodded ageeingly with Dinalindel, "Humans are nice but strange creatures." The half-elf looked at Leaf, ignoring Dinalindels slip of tongue, "Leaf, this is Dinalindel." She then nodded towards Cassandra, "This is our fearless leader Cassandra." She paused for a moment and exaggerated sigh and gestered, "And that big hunk is Caradithil."

"Pillows?" Dinalindel looked aghast at the comparison.

"Big hunk, eh, well I guess I am a hunk," Caradithil joked then picking up Rain from behind he placed her on his shoulders though she had to duck to avoid hitting her head on the rafters.

"Watch what you're doing Caradithil," the other joked pointing to the rafters. "This place wasn't designed for us. So you don't want to damage it with her head." Dinalindel frowned slightly even as he tried to joke around. He felt boxed in, with no place to run.

Shaking his head at the fussing Rain atop Caradithil's shoulders, Dinalindel looked at the newcomer. "Um, hello, It's nice to meet you Leaf."

"Hey. Woah," Rain cried, grabbing the centaurs musclar arms for support as she was hefted unto his shoulders. Luckly, the half-elf had enough presence of mine to duck the wooden beams above, "Low branch." The combination of his ten feet with her near six was an empressive height and a little too close to the stable roof. "Forget the rafters. Dont damage me." Rain grabbed a hold of the beam and pulled herself safely on a seat in the cross-section of the rafters before finishing her warning, "Or you will be carrying my injued body all the way to Raiden."

Dinalindel smirked, "Oh the humanity, we mustn't do that."
"What does humanity mean to a centaur?" Caradithil asked.
"Same to every other race, civil-ness." Rain replied.
Caradithil replied, "Damn. Well little sister, it seems that you are the voice for humanity once again."
"I am. I am. We Centaurs are always good natured and I've not been corrupted by the wickedness of evil humans." Rain repeated as though it has been said hundreds of times before about her.
Caradithil nodded, "Well spoken and very true. That is why we held our tongues at the treatment of their horses."
To which, Rain replied, "Yep. We are better than they are, and we must set an example."
"But of course, and more handsome too," Caradithil just smiled.
Rain laughs, "We will see..."
Caradithil replied, "Fine then you can stay up there on that rafter. See how you like a board as a pillow."
Rain retorted, "I will. See how you like bathing in my spit from the rafters tonight."
Caradithil replied, "That is not very becoming of a young mare."
"I don't have to behave like a young mare. And at least I don't have the backside of an ass."
"Back side of an Ass?! Why you little..."
"Can't reach me, Spot! When have I ever acted like a young mare anyway?" Rain sticks her tongue out at him.
"When? Well now little one you used to nay and bay at anything in sight for months before you learned our language. I remember when you would try to walk around on all fours and bay at the mares and colts."
"I was a yearling!"
"And such a small one too, you barely came up to my knees"
Rain tosses bail of hay off top loft down at Cara. "I barely come up to you torso now! You are freakishly tall for a stallion!"
Caradithil catches the bail but it falls apart in his hands. "Freakishly? Why little one I am nothing of the sorts. My father was just as tall, if not taller and my mother was as well. I am a member of the hunters and strongest among them."Cara tries to hold his laughter as Dina just shakes his head and leans against the wall
"Well I can see this will be going on for quite a while," Dinalindel adds and looks over at Leaf.
"I repeat freakishly tall." Rain retorted.
By this point Caradithil is trying hard not to laugh but not succeeding, "Well you are pretty short, so I guess even Dina would be tall."
Dinalindel, hearing his name he shot the large Centaur a cold stare, "Don't get me involved in this."
"Yea but Dina's not a brute about it. Right, stud." Rain gave a mocking wink towards Dina.
Dinalindel just rolls his eyes, "You too, I want to stay out of this one."
Caradithil just laughs that much harder despite his efforts.
"Come on. You know it's true. Every time he snatches me up without a warning just because I am smaller and a great deal prettier. He doesn't do it to anyone else." Rain raises an eyebrow.
Caradithil laughs out loud, "Why little one, you fail to realize that none of the others would fit on my shoulders." Cara raises himself up on his hind legs and grabs the beam that Rain is standing on. "Come on down here little one. You remind me of a little doll my sister used to play with. Come back down here little doll."
"Doll?! Not now." Rain bites his hand sharply.
Caradithil laughs for a moment then yelps pulling his hand away. "Now now, be a good doll and come down here."
"As she tells it, you played with that doll too."
"I did not. I never played with it; I had to keep hiding it from her."
"Dina, little help here?" she asked Dinalindel, then looked back at Caradithil and stated flatly, "I am certain."
Dinalindel looks up at her, "Sorry but you're on your own."
"Your words are weak but my aim is good. And I've plenty of things to use if you irritate me, Cara."
Cara just laughed, and Dina having enough of this just asked, "Cara who's Doll was that anyway?"
"I thought you said you were going to stay out of this," Caradithil hissed back.
"Look in the knapsack its right there. I Told you it was his!" Rain says triumphantly.
"Of course it is!" Cara said indignantly, "mom gave it to me before they left..." Cara lost his smile as a graveness passed over him.
"Left?" Rain was dumbfounded. She shifts weight before dropping down from beams onto Cara's back, softly whispers. "I'll be your doll."
Caradithil feeling Rain land on his back Cara lets out a sigh and tries to regain control of his emotions. "Thanks..." He coughs to clear his throat and to clear the tension. "Dina that..."
"Was uncalled for, but you two would have kept going all night." Dina sighed, "I'm sorry, why don't you show it to her?"
"You don't have to if you don't want to..."
"You know me all to well," Cara smiled at the smaller centaur. Moving over to a corner he picked up a pack and pulled out a small doll which he then handed back to Rain.
Rain takes it reverently and examines it. The doll was old. Stitched and patched up many times. The build was slight, and what surprised her most was it was not centaur as she had half expected but elvish looking. Rain's fingers traced the features of its light-skinned face, moving aside a few stray strands of its raven black hair. Pointed ears, small pink smile, rosy cheeks and what was most curious was its haunting mismatched pair of eyes. "It's beautiful..." She stared at it a moment longer trying to place it before returning it to it rightful owner. "I'm sorry."
"It is not your fault little one, you did not know." He takes the doll and looks at it a moment himself. His large fingers smoothes back its hair before placing it back in the pack. "I am surprised... that you never mentioned it till now."
"How long have you known I had it?"
Rain shrugged and sheepishly speaks, hair falling before her face. "A few years but I never saw it clearly before."
"So I see, I guess none in the herd are allowed their secrets." Cara shot a glare at Dina who shrugged. "Well, um, now where were we..." he smiled and reaching behind him, he patted Rain on the leg.
"It is hard. It's a small herd, everyone always has their noses in everything, but everyone has their secrets." Rain smiles at contact. "Yeah, it's a strange new world, boys."
Dinalindel added, "Who knows what all we shall see on this trip."
Rain replied, "Hopefully someone better looking than your ugly mugs."
Cara laughs and Dina shakes his head, "Here they go again."

Leaf plopped down on a hay bale and watched the antics of Rain and her family, first laughing with them and then watching curiously as she realized that little doll looked just like Rain.

Cassandra had been standing apart from the younger members of her herd, watching them. She knew of the doll, that it was the image of Rain. She also knew that it had been created based on a vision of one of the seers of Caradithil's original herd.

Leaf shivered and rubbed her arms. She stood up and edged over to Rain. "Do you want to go back inside? I'm cold," she whispered.

Caradithil was startled hearing Leaf's voice as he had completely forgot that she was there.

Dinalindel laughed at Cara's forgetful looks. "Well Leaf with these two carrying on like that we barely had a chance to get to know you." Lifting himself back up on his hooves a moment he did a slight bow. "I hope we can continue this some other time."

"Um, yea... What he said." Caradithil added Doing a slight bow before lowering himself to his knees, then he looked back to Rain. He wondered if she would be staying with them tonight, but he also thought that she would like the chance to be around the elves and men a little bit longer. "I guess it's time little one," Cara told her softly as she climbed off his back.

Rain agreed with Leaf, "Yes," although Rain felt no cold. She never felt any really significant change in the temperature, but figured the other half-elf had grown tired of standing around the stables. She laughed at her herd-brothers showy behavior as she slid off Caradithils back. Rain smiled. "I will be back at first mornings light," she reassured them before grabbing Leafs hand and running out the stables. It was only when they stepped onto the inns porch did Rain drop Leafs hand. "Sorry we got carried away like that. But they seem to like you," grinning she informed Leaf as she opened the door and stepped inside, "So what was your friend drinking..."

Leaf said goodbye to the centaurs, then went back inside the inn with Rain. "I don't know, but whatever it was, it had to be strong," she said as they walked toward the table where the others were gathered. Leaf got a mischeivious grin as she saw Ryna. "She's too drunk to care, let's join in!"

* * *

Erias was tired from walking, it was already well in to the night. He pushed a door to a decent looking inn. He didn't care about food right now he had to go to sleep first, he had to find the innkeeper first. He finally pushed back his hood and let his straight ash blond, which fell to his midback, though it was kept neat. The inn's light illuminated his fine face with a light scar at his chin and intense ice blue eyes were showed tiredness.

The innkeeper moved from behind the counter to meet the newcomer. He glanced to the group drinking in the middle of the common room, then the young man. "Looking for a room? I don't know if you will find one," he shrugged. He looked tired and overworked, but at least he knew he'd have a fat purse by tomorrow morning. "All the single rooms are taken, you'll have to take a double. And I hope you don't mind sharing if someone else comes in. I'll let you pay half price," the innkeeper handed Erias the key to room 6.

"Thank you," Erias said and smiled, he picked up the key and hoped who ever he was going to share with him would let him sleep. Currently he had a good paying job of retrieving a kidnapped daughter of a wealthy family so his purse was quite nice and fat. But to him more then the money finding his siblings mattered most, money was just a material wealth to keep him alive.

"This is the last call for dinner, then we're putting out the fires," the innkeeper told Erias. "When you're ready, tell us what you want."

Erias felt tired, but as inn keeper said about the dinner he might well as have it anyways. He will end up extremly hungry in the morning. He walked into the common room ordering what ever was special tonight. He noticed few other patrons in the room a group of four at the back and a lot more at the center, apparently drunk and having a whale of a good time. He observed the other patrons whilst the barmaids bought him his dinner.

He tiredly noticed a dark elf, humans, knight and arghh forget it trying to analyze them, this wasn't exactly the time. He brushed his long front hair out of his eyes as he looked at the dinner that was in front of him, it looked better what he had so far for last few days of travel. He gladly ate with tiredness gone from his eyes. He will think about the odd groups in the common room after this.

* * *

Ryna giggled drunkenly. "Aww...you guysh are sho cute!" Ryna giggled as she looked at Fou and Mia kissing and cuddling. She wanted that too! So Ryna leaned against Callin's shoulder, then wrapped her arms around him. "Havin' fun yet?" she giggled, staring up into his eyes.

As Rain easied into her side besides Leaf, she couldn't take her eyes off of Ryna. She was smashed, but it was still quite humorous to hear her speak her mind and to this man called Callin. She leaned on her elbow and grinned at Leaf, "I can see that." Laughing at Leaf's boundless enegry she agreed to join into the drink, "Order me something would you, Leaf? So what brings you here, to join up with this party?"

Leaf sat on the other side of Rain, putting her between herself and Ryna. "Umm...let's order some ale first," she said. She waved one of the barmaids over and she brought them both a mug of ale. "Well, me and Ryna joined up with them in Kanon," she said. "They needed scouts to tell them what was going on in Roid sometime after it was destroyed. Me and Ryna were in Shining Hill, so we did that for them. Ever since, we've been tagging along."

Ryna looked over at Leaf. "Are shu drinkin' Leaf?" she asked, then slipped and fell into Callin's lap. "Oopsh! Hewwo Callin!" she said under the table.

Erias watched slowly the scene around him some more elves entered, the common room, thanks to his position near the back he could without being watched. He thought the meal wasn't so bad after all a decent inn. That's when it came, a screaming was heard in his mind, his silver pendent glowed lightly more then usual.It was desperate plea of sort, like if someone was in a fight they can not win. Erias aburptly stood up, his halberd falling to the ground with a loud clang and thud as it hit the ground, it was painful, he clutched his chest.He had no magick but someone was desperate enough to cast such plea clearly from far away. In his mind he saw Raiden, a city he hasn't been yet but heard of.

Why was he seeing Raiden? was that scream all the way Raiden how desperate was that plea? Only person who had any magick or gift for magick was his yougest sister Aiyanna, not him or Ciel. But only he knew the truth about his mother's family who were nobility family from Flaim kingdom.

Erias yelled clearly across for the inn keeper,forget his tiredness. "I want to know quickest way to Raiden! I heard a desperate plea anyone here know the quickest way!" But he also asked in general sweeping his now intense ice blue eyes at other patrons though it was hard to ignore the drunk party in the middle. He had to get there, he had this bad feeling about this city he had never been. He kept the long straight bangs that kept falling across his left eye from his face, waiting for a reply or the innkeeper to provide some information.

Seri was about ready to head to bed, she and Azala had talked for a little while. The entire situation with him and Sera was confusing. Sera had choosen to sleep at another inn to be away from him and Mia. Seri sighed deeply at her friends drowning themselves in drink. They would pay for it in the morning, but they couldn't afford the time. Maybe Sakura could help them then.

A young man who had come in ealier was suddenly shouting about how to get to Raiden and Seri decided she would talk to him soon. First, she stopped by Mia and Fou, "You had best get your rest," Seri said to them. "Quit drinking and get to bed," she almost ordered. She was still the most powerful of the group, and if she wished, she could pick the two up and carry them to bed.

The petite High elf passed by the drunks to the young man. "Boy, the quickest way to Raiden would be to follow the road north, at day," Seri said. "I wouldn't dare travel at this time. The undead are most active now, as are other predators this close to the Wildlands. Food must be scarce these days for them, their ranges have likely expanded. Now, we are heading to Raiden first thing in the morning," She looked the boy over, reading his aura. He was tired, not fit to travel so far. "Now rest young man, and we will leave for Raiden at first light if I have to drag the rest out of bed and lash them to the saddle."

Mia looked up at Seri and wrinkled her nose. "I'll go ta bed when I feelsh like it," she said, then took another shot at the same time Fou did. This action cause the two to tip back in their chair and crash to the floor.

A groan was heard from Fou-Lu, then a giggle from Mia. "Owww...." came Mia's voice, then another giggle. "I feelsh like goin' ta bed now," she said, then pulled herself to her feet awkwardly, bracing herself with the chair. Like a newborn foal, Mia staggered on her legs uncertainly, looking as if she'd collapse any second. Fou stood a bit easier, then put his arm around her shoulders and guided her upstairs. "Goodnight!" Mia called and waved to the group as she disappeared upstairs.

Erias turned his eyes towards the high elf, well he presumed she was an high elf. "But...it was such a desperate plea, like if they were fighting, fighting something they can not win...someone cast that plea...so far so far away..." Erias knew what the elf meant, it wasn't a place for most mortals or no. He hoped he hoped they could hang on. With graceful movement he picked up his Helberd and the rest and went towards room 6, he wondered who would be sharing his room, he hoped
they were quiet. He turned back to the elf again then walked towards the elf holding out his hand. "Thank you, and I should have known better and also I appericiate your concern. My name Erias Starwind, from Valis."

Seri extended her small hand to Erias. "Seri," she replied with a small smile. "Now get thee to bed, you may leave with us in the morning." She then headed off to her own room, shared with Naclia and Talen. As she entered, she thought of how drunk Talen was and started thinking of a spell that might cure hang overs. As much as she thought they should be punished for such foolishness, she knew they needed to leave in a hurry.

Erias smiled "Thank you" Erias walked softly and fluidly. "Hmm room no 6, who ever is in there better be quiet other wise they will taste of my helberd hitting their head." Erias muttered as he picked up his stuff and started to go upstairs, noticed that the high elf Seri was going also to sleep.

* * *

Kazh'e turned slightly to the abrupt noise past the door, and then looked back at Jonas Mathwin. She hesitated a bit, trying to fit her words together properly. "I wanted to know when exactly we would be setting out in the morning. That is all." She stood quietly for the first time before those in the private dining room without her armor and cloak on. With those items not present to conceal her form, she appeared quite slender, and fit as she should be. She felt uncomfortable around people this way, though she didn't show it, she wanted to leave immediately and go back to her room. Her long ears twitched, picking up the sounds in the common room; she could hear the drunkards in the next area making a commotion that also didn't take to her liking.

"Well, first of all, I wish to make a sale of those extra horses to the elves," Jonas replied to Kazh'e. "I don't like the idea of hauling all that horse flesh to Raiden. I don't trade in that," he said. "But we need to be rid of them. We will leave as soon as we can. He heard the sounds of the drunks in the common room and glared at the walls. "Bloody drunkards. Waste of money, that's all they are," he grumbled to himself. Looking up at the others, he waited for anymore questions before retiring.

Everybody having clear what they would do, decided to go upstairs to their current rooms after Jonas finished speaking.

While Fasz was going trought the bar room he could see and feel all the drunkness there, elves and humans all drunk, he went upstairs and entered his room, where he decided to sit on the bed and meditate for a while.



* * *

Rain trusted Leaf enough to order a drink for her. The whole bar setting fasinated the half-elf's mind, she watched with muted curiosity as her fellow half-elf order the barmaid before turning her attention to the conversation. Her eyes must have glazed over when Leaf gain speaking of places the quiet little forest dweller had never heard uttered. But she did understand this much, Leaf and Ryna had begun their little odyssey through volenteering to become scouts. It was encouraging thought.

She smiled and nodded, taking a small experiment sip of ale, before making an adorable sour face. "Uhg, what kind of swill is this," she asked taking a skeptical look at the mug. Rain was no stranger to liquor, mercifully she had grown up drinking the finer forest wines that were grown in the Glassy Forest, by both centaur and elves, overshadowed the weaker alcohol made by these humans. She set the mug down on the table and offeringly slid it over to Leaf in a gesture of friendship. "Ah, I think I will abstain from this ilk of liquor tonight." Her eyes widened nearly stood as the older half-elf peered down at the slipped human, who had fallen under the table. "Oh my. Leaf, is your friend well?"

Leaf twisted her face as she drank the ale. "This stuff is nasty," she agreed with Rain. She looked over at the mercenaries, "How can you drink this?"

The men laughed and one of the guys slid over to sit in Fou's chair. He put his arm around Leaf's shoulders. "Well....ye jesh gotta ferget the tashte en tink 'bout the effect....but how 'boutsh we getcha shum wine. Purty lil' elfin girlsh like you twosh shuld be drinking shumthin shweeta," he said, then waved over the tired barmaid. "Woldja git deshe 'ere girlsh shum o' yer shweetesht lickors?"

Ryna didn't notice any of this, she was still laying in Callin's lap, staring up at him, rambling drunkenly and playing with his hair.

Callin looked down into Ryna's eyes, the drink was getting to him in more than one way. Callin starts to get tired, but wants to have a bit more fun tonight.

Ryna grinned drunkenly up at Callin, then wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself back into semi-upright position. She giggled and said, "d'joo noe dat yer reallll handshum?"

Callin, at the sound of Ryna's drunken slurs, looked down at Ryna and said, "Why thakya." Callin looked away laughing a VERY drunken laugh. Callin, in his drunken self, was wandering how Ryna would be in bed.

Leaf across the table was getting drunker to, and the mercenary getting her drunk was getting closer. "So...what dya do fer a living?" he managed to make himself sound more sober. Leaf smiled and blushed. "Ima mershenary!"

The man's face lit up. "Oh! I am too. What a coincidensh...eh?"

Leaf giggled and he put his arm around the back of her chair, then pulled her chair closer to him.

The sound of the sqeaking across the floor made Ryna turn around. "Git yer hands offa 'er!" Ryna snapped at the mercenary, then fell into Callin's lap again. "Damnit..." she said under the table.

Ryna completely forgot about Leaf as she stared up Callin. Wow...he really has beautiful eyes, she thought. I wonder what he's like in bed? Ryna grinned drunkenly, then sat up again, this time, moving into Callin's lap. "Joo know...I dink I 'ad enouf to dwink tonite, huh?" she said to him and put her arms around his neck. "Mebbe we should go...." she said and jerked her head toward the stairs.

* * *

Kellin, an elf from the Glassy Woods, and all around stuck up ranger noticed this and decided that if Callin and Ryna could get closer then he should have some company as well. Moving over to the table he came up behind Rain and smirked. A half-elf if I ever saw one, he thought. Having heard the girl's name being mentioned from the others. "Oh my, Rain, you are very nice looking..."

At first Rain did not notice him as she was still watching the human on the floor still. But he soon got her attention by grabbing Rain's around the hips. "Hmm nice and firm... you must work out a lot..."

Rain jumps and turns to face him, levels a death glower at the drunken elf, and flatly declares, "I crack skulls for a living- now hands off, before I break yours."

The drunken elf smiled at her, "I think you forget your place... I am a true elf... you are just a... half..." he fetchingly smiles at her as he caresses Rain's ear. "Let me show you a good time..."

Rain furrows her brow, "I don't care if you are a king of elves," she starts then shivers against her will at the touch against her sensitive ears. Reigning in the last bit of self-control left she keeps composure. "I am a centaur and if lay your hand on me once more, 'true' elf or not, I warn you, I will have a very good time." To help control her anger she clenches right fist under table.

"A centaur? What kind of nonsense is that? Right...." Kellin looks around, smiling. "Hey everyone... this girl thinks she's part centaur...." A few laughs are heard from around the room as several of the other elves in their drunken stupor laugh at the absurdity.

Rain narrows her eyes to slits, "The ramblings of a drunk are never valued highly. Why don't you sleep it off before you make yourself any more of the fool?"

Kellen levels his gaze at her, "Why don't we go to my room so you can show me this good time..." Several cheers and cat calls are heard from his friends as he takes a staggered step toward her and places a hand on her cheek. Those around Rain can easily tell that this elf has had more than his share of drink tonight and he is not holding it well.

Rain rises to her feet, and grins dangerously. Being face to face with the Common Elf, she thumbs backwards at the other drunk rabble behind her. "Why don't you take one of these up with you. They seem the type you would prefer, as you seem to be getting bigger response from them than I or any other women in this place. Now piss off."

Kellen seeths at her insolence. "How dare you... a half breed speak to a true elf that way!" He grabs her by the shoulder and starts to drag her off. "I think it's high time I taught you a lesson."

"You've trespassed on the sanctuary of my good nature thrice and now it's your turn to learn." She accentuates her point by grabbing his hand that's on her shoulder and twists it behind his back until he submits to the pain. She forces his face down so that it's touching the filthy barroom floor. "Now go sleep it off and leave me be, or you will be a very sorry elf."

Rain feels her feet leaving the floor as another elf grabs her around the waist from behind. "Don't do that again wench." her attacker hisses in her ear. The combination of his hissing and the odor on his breath was enough to make her feel sick.

Kellin stood up and glared back at her when she let go of him.

Rain grimaces at the foul odor, "Ugh." Before wrapping her arms around her restrainer's head, lunging forwards she is able to throw him forwards and careening into the haughty 'true' elf. She shifts her weight into a fighting stance, hands before her one curled into a fist the other opened.

Kellen lets out a grunt as the other elf lands on top of him. "Get off me you idiot!"

Two other elves jump up and approach Rain seeing her toss one of their friends. "I don't want to fight you but I will at your insistence..." she says
watching to two approaching elves.

"Get that half breed!" Kellin demands as he extracts himself from under the other elf. The two shrug and move forward. One punching up and the other taking a wide swing, the alcohol has apparently dulled their judgment and the abilities.

"Remember, it was your choice," she sighs while shaking her head. Stepping to the side to avoid the upwards punch from the first she retaliates with a backwards hit to the elf's stomach. Rotating herself towards the other elf's inside she uses her mithril braces to catch the wide swing, the collision makes the elf cry out in pain. Not wasting the moment Rain grabs the arm at the wrist and steps in with a punch to the face, moving her back leg back behind his sweeps him soundly to the floor.

As Rain stands back up she feels a sharp pain in her side. Turning her head she sees Kellin with a smirk. "Not fast enough girl," he sneers and then draws back his other arm to punch her in the other side.

Rain growls in pain from the punch to her side. Once again employing her bracers, she brings them up to meet his oncoming punch, which is followed by a swing of the other one towards his face.

Kellin tried to dodge by moving his head backwards, and he avoids the hit to his face, but his fist had already connected with her solid bracer and he felt the bones in his hand cry out in pain.

Deciding the only likely way to stop this stupidity was to knock this elf out, as he drew his head back to avoid a facial punch she packs a firm punch to his stomach to cause him to double over in pain. When he is bent over Rain deliver a powerful kick to his face with her soft boots.

Kellin could not control which way his body moved when she punched him and he could control it even less when he let out an `oomph' as her boot hit him in the face. As his fell over he could only attempt to count the stars and he moved not from that spot without help.

The larger one that had grabbed her before rushed Rain with his arms out wide in an attempt to grab her. The two behind her she could hear them moving to their feet.

Rain stern face nearly broke into a grin when she saw his arms opened wide to detain her. Grabbing the chair besides her she kicked it, slidding it into the rushing elf, sending him tumbling over the chair and into the poor elves just raising to their feet behind her. She then turned, returning to her fighting stance waited, with narrowed eye a challenge was set before them if they wish to continue.

The three on the floor looked around and groaned. A voice could be heard laughing from one of the nearby tables. "Look at that, one girl took out four elves!"

"Shut your mouth human!" an elf spoke and in a drunken rage punched the man.

The man's friend slugs the elf in the gut in retaliation and then one of the other elves punches him.

In short order elves and humans are fighting each other and themselves all around the confused Rain.

Rain rolled her eyes. "As mature as colts," she mutters dragging the chair and tucks it back under the table.

Just before she got to the table one of the three from earlier, spun her around and punches her solidly knocking her backwards. He had barely a moment to grin before one of the humans delivered a double punch that hit him in the face and chest knocking him out the door.

Rain had been blindsided, but she was not down as he had apparently hoped. The blow had stuck her eye causing it to clench shut tightly, and the half-elf saw stars and red, but she was pretty sure that the red was only blood from inside of her eye.

She wouldn't peruse him outside, as that would have been vindictive; instead she opted to head up the stairs as the short-lived drunken brawl was coming towards its end.

Just as she got to the stairs a familiar pair of hands grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her up into the air... "I'm not through with you girl..." he hissed before letting out an "oomph" as he fell dropping torwards her.

Behind him was a half elf who smiled at her a moment before being punched in the mouth by someone else.

Rain booted the elf's head and subsquent body back away from her, before looking through her good eye. Knowing she was vunderable with one eye sealed shut and smarting soundly, the half-elf called out loudly to the other, "Leaf, stop playing around! We've a long day tomorrow! Get Ryna and let's go!"

* * *

The man, or human to be exact, looked to be in his thirties somewhere and though he looked to have seen many battles it was obvious that he could not hold his liquor. A few of the others moved to sit closer obviously in an attempt to take over if needed. Had Leaf actually been interested in these humans she would have been more pleased with the situation. However the stench from them was more than enough to keep her at bay.

"No thank you…" she tried to say while removing his arm from around her.

"Wazz… your name…"

"Go Delgar…" one of the others said grinning at him and leering at her body.

Leaf glowered at the mercenary. "Keep your hands off me or you'll be sorry."

"Ohhh she’s a feisty one…" she heard someone say from around her.

In response he placed his other hand on her knee and began caressing it. "I’mmm sorry to have left you alone tonight," he slurred while pulling her closer.

Leaf put her hands on his shoulder and pushed him out of the chair. "Keep your hands off of me!" she hollered. If only she hadn't left her spear upstairs...

Ryna, sitting in Callin's lap, heard Leaf and looked around to see what made her yell. "Ay, ye git yer grimy handsh offa 'er!"

As he fell to the floor the others around him laughed at his misfortune and one of the lackeys helped him off the floor. "I said shez a fiezty one…" she heard from behind her right before she felt a hand begin to caress her ear. "You’ve got ta learn how ta pleaze da elfzz… dey likes ta have their earz touched.."

Leaf's ear started to twitch and she punched backwards hitting whoever it was that was behind her in the gut. "Don't you understand the word NO?"

She was rewarded with an oomph from behind her and she turned to see yet another drunk human had been standing behind her while Delgar stood up on his feet.

From beside her she heard someone talking about centaurs and laughing, but before she could turn towards Rain, Delgar lifted her up to her feet and placed the worst kiss she had ever had on her lips.

Leaf made a muffled scream and brought her knee up into his groin. Meanwhile, Ryna fell out of Callin's lap and onto the floor, then managed to pull herself to her feet. "Yew...." she said as she staggered drunkenly toward Delgar. "I said...keep yer hands offa 'er!"

One of the others turned to Ryna and chuckled, "Sit back down," he told her then pushed her backwards into Callin’s lap again.

Delgar looked up at Leaf from the floor holding himself. "You bitzh… you freakish bitzh!"

Sparing a glance over at Rain, Leaf could see that the half elf was on her feet and was very angry as well. Leaf was fuming. "I summon thee salamander, spirit of fire! Burn these fools with your wrath!"

At once the spirit of fire came forth and rushed out from her hands at Delgar and one of the others. The sudden appearance of the spirit gave pause to everyone in the room and regardless of how much she wanted to keep a low profile, this has suddenly made her the center of attention to everyone else in the bar, with the exception of Rain and the fool she was forcing to eat the floor. Sparing a brief smile Leaf looked at her handy work before a dull pain went through her body.

One of Delgar’s buddies it seems was not happy with this display and had punched her in the side effectively knocking the wind out of her and breaking her spell concentration, but not her anger.

Leaf's small form was knocked to the floor, but she was back up on her feet again. She glared at the man who had attacked her, then threw herself against him, knocking him to the floor and sliding across the room with her on top. And as soon as they came to stop, Leaf was up and pounding on his face.

She would have continued beating him had it not been for someone grabbing her and lifting her off his body. One of the other mercenaries had his arm around her neck and his other arm around her stomach trying to stop her flailing. From where she once stood Leaf could hear the sounds of a fight starting as well. She was jerked rudely around and she briefly saw someone punch Rain in the side as well as seeing Delgar stand up shakily.

Ryna staggered to her feet again, while unnoticed, carrying one of the heavy clay mugs. She then managed to smash it over Delgar's head, before collapsing on the floor as she lost her balance.

The one on the floor held his nose a moment before struggling to his feet as one more foolish human rushed forward with an obvious intent to join in the fray now that the girl was held in place.

Leaf writhed in the grasp and as the next drunken idiot ran toward her; she kicked her legs out, firmly planting them into his chest and sending him flying backwards, as well as herself and the drunk that held her from behind.

With the sudden shift in weight her attacker could not stop his decent, but luckily he did not land on the floor… instead he landed don the one he had come to help. As the three of them hit the ground his arms loosened around the girl. The one that she had kicked fell backwards, but got up quickly and grabbed Leaf by the ankle. What he intended to do was unclear as he was not in a very menacing position and his hold on her was laughable.

Leaf swung her other leg up to hit the fool holding her by the ankle in his face.

As the human fell back she could hear laughing from around her and looking towards the source she saw a human pointing and laughing at Rain just before he was punched by someone else. But before she could get up she felt herself being rolled over before something heavy sat on her back. One of her wrists were grabbed and forced behind her back as a voice hissed at her, "You stupid girl, don’t you know your place…" he rambled and she had pity for the poor soul as he obviously could not tell the difference between an elf and a human and much more important he has not clue how to hold someone down properly.

Leaf looked around and soon found one of the bottles that had fallen to the floor. She grabbed it with her free arm, then twisted beneath the man. Not very hard to do since he was sitting on the back of her breastplate and she had room to twist. She hit him on the side of his head with the bottle and shattered it on his thick skull.

Ryna pulled herself to her feet by using the table, then staggered toward Delgar again.

With him falling off her she could hear a groan to her side, looking towards the sound she saw one of the humans still holding his nose from when she had punched it before. Before she could move to her feet she was surrounded by a throng of drunken elves and humans all fighting amongst themselves. Delgar was just beginning to shake his head clear of the pain and was moving to his hands and knees.

Ryna kicked Delgar in the face before he could stand, then barely managed to keep her balance as she still held onto the table, grinning victoriously.

Falling to the floor had seemingly become Delgar’s lot for the night, and he finally decided to stay there a moment, but he was soon joined by another human who landed on top of him, knocking the wind out of him. Leaf stood up and looked to see Rain get punched, hard in the face as she was blindsided by someone. She took a step forward only to be knocked back into the bar as one of the elven rangers was shoved into her.

* * *

The innkeeper came barreling out from behind the bar in his nightgown brandishing a club. The barmaids had gone home, except for the innkeeper's daughter who peered out from behind him. "What the hell is going on?" He hollered at the people fighting in his inn.

Erias ran back down at the sound of fighting going on downstairs, he ran into the bar to see elves, half-elves, men all fighting. He stood at the entrance dismayed that even elves could be foolish enough to fight in a bar at an inn. His ice blue eyes were intense and burning as he sent his helberd, landing perfectly in the middle of the trouble spot which virtually stopped the drunkards suffieciently, he wanted some sleep not a loud break out of fights. Without words he strode over fluid grace and grabbed his Helberd, "If anyone wishes to make such noise I will show them what a good time really is, all of you get the hell out of here, you have no shame to try to fight when drunk much less fight against two to the rest of the people at the bar now! Or do I have force this!" Erias patiently waited at the entrance again, he wanted rest not people fighting.

Seri was awoken as well at the sounds of fighting. She stormed downstairs to give whoever it was a peice of her mind. Erias was down there already, playing mediator. There were a few individuals still throwing punches. Seri came to a halt beside the young man, arms crossed over her chest.

The small high elf raised her chin as she looked over the group. "ENOUGH!" her voice cried, echoing through the room. One of the elves fighting was holding one of the human mercenaries up by the hair and landed on last punch before the room went quiet. Seri fixed him with an icy glare and he dropped the mercenary to the floor. The merc groaned and Seri only glared harder at the elf.

The innkeeper strode forward, hitting his club in his hand. "Get out of my inn or we'll take you out," he ordered. His attention was focused on the men, for he assumed that they had fought because of the women. Besides, he wasn't very keen on throwing women out on the streets.

Seri turned to look at Rain and Ryna. She glanced at Callin, but he didn't look as if he had left his chair. "Get to bed," she ordered the women harshly. Noticing Leaf behind the counter, she glared at the girl too. "You too Leaf. Upstairs now!"

Ryna stared at Seri as she ordered her to bed, then hiccouped and stumbled back in to Callin's lap. "I guessh ish be'time eh?" she said and looked up at Callin.