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Chapter 30: Antics in Willsden

Who would have thought the month return journey would pass so quickly? Trapped within an overturned wooden bowl, the untamed sea resting all around you? Tenzin shivered as he held firm the empty metal tankard in his grip, licking his gleaming fangs as the taste of apple ale still lingered on the tongue. His legs were kicked up, his paws enjoying the fine warmth of a crackling fire. It was the only relaxing thing about where he found himself. One modest sized tavern, calling itself the Unique Woodpecker.

Far on the eastern coast of Sethera, two day's flight north of Struport. It was a safe harbor in which Tehya would dock the Bloody Mermaid. They'd tried to convince her to take them to Struport, but she'd put down her hoof both figuratively and literally. She even punched a hole through the floorboards! They'd arrived by nightfall, a wave goodbye from the dear captain. Asterion himself got a private conversation, where she pressed tight into his hand a stray batch of ilbir fur.

"She'll know where to find us." The minotaur had said mournfully, giving the parting cleric a kiss upon his lips, before claiming she could not wait until they met again. Asterion merely nodded, letting her know he agreed.

The port they'd been led to was called Willsden, at least that's what Achaaz had said, right before she suddenly shifted her way into a youthful elf. Then she ranted a length tale about spending years visiting these peoples, sneaking away to play games of chance, escape the parents, and have one night stands she didn't have to think about. Her almond like eyes and pointy ears had sent a shiver down the ilbir's spine, certain she could read his mind in this form. She told him he was crazy, he told her to leave him alone.

She was now laughing, currently staking a claim to the winnings of the gruff humans she found in her company. What had started out as an idea for an easy mark, proved quite disastrous to them. You could see the dread and regret painted on their faces as the now elven woman greedily pulled the pot of coins at the table's center towards her. "Better luck neck time chaps eh?" The men grumbled and drowned their frustration in their drinks.

Tenzin's black and siler ears twitched, trying to drown away the prattle of the others around. Far, old, tall, small, humans and some that were not so much. How he'd forgotten the atmosphere of such things, used to long stretches of silence. His soul trembled at such thoughts, making him grip his tankard tighter. How many years had it been since he heard a cheerful song? Enjoyed a tankard of mead? He drifted off to his youth, staring at the iron chandeliers with their flickering candles, the rustic tables with too many scars and stains to count, to the chairs that creaked beneath their patrons, obviously in a need of being replaced. He'd nearly forgotten, given up. The though chilled him, especially faced with the fact his people were now free. Years of oppression by the anthropomorphic lions, the Covanians were sent back home with their collective tails between their legs. He downed the last of his drink, swearing to return one day.

"Y-you be quiet." Feku shivered at his right, the kobold clutching tight a wool blanket around her.

"You're still not warm?" He shifted to her, looking on her like a caring father. When she shook her head he could only sigh, offer a warm drink from the barkeep. "Perhaps you'll let me carry you sooner through the snow, not after falling into it three times."

"Not my fault they no shovel." She grumbled to the fire, bitterness in her voice. "Where was everyone anyway?"

"Clearly hiding from the cold little one." He countered with a smile, getting little dagger eyes in return. To this he offered another blanket and she stubbornly refused. Oh well, no one couldn't say he didn't try. He stood from his seat, wandering over to the bar.

Nivra didn't peer up from the map of the countryside she was studying, walking her fingers across the parchment. "How was the fire?" She asked out of instinct, sipping a glass of mulled wine.

He looked left and right, noting not a single person was around the wizard. It was if she had an invisible shield around her, pressing away human, table and chair alike. Either they were weirded out how intently she stared at the pages, or the mixture of bizarre, musky smells clinging to her robes. Something that evidently mages were known for, it was their reagents.

"Could be better." He remarked, tapping the bar to try and signal the barkeep. "Is Asterion still back in the quarters?"

"Said he wanted to be left alone. Ask me, the whole departure with Tehya has him troubled, downright frustrated." She frowned, knowing it had to do with her choice. Thanks to the agreement they shared, he had to leave Tehya behind. "I'd...let the cleric have his alone time. Cool off."

"How about the orb?" He rose his brow, noting how the wizard hadn't even opened the chest since that previous night. The night of visions and rumors, emperors, and sea lilies. "Is it safe?"

"Still bound and chained." Nivra followed a trail on the map marked the saber's way, tapping her chin.

"You should have just smashed it. If this secret enemy wants it, let us deprive them of it. All we do is risk them getting it."

"You're welcome to try." She uttered, "Be warned though, unless you have an artifact level magic item, be prepared for failure."

He sighed, defeated. Of course, things could not be that simple. Thankfully, a distraction came in the barkeep wandering over.

Clad in a mustard-colored vest with golden buttons a halfling man wandered over. He had no boots on his hairy feet, but he did have stilts, even so, he didn't come up to Tenzin's waist. The red faced man gently brushed his mutton chops with a smile, briskly taking away the ilbir's tankard to return it refilled.

"And a cider..." He muttered, "Hot." He gestured towards Feku, still shivering by the fire. "Can't handle the cold."

"Makes one wonder why one of her is even out in the cold." The halfling quipped, eyes filled with questions. "Same could be said of you visiting from the north. We don't get many ilbiri down here."

He nodded with a sigh. He'd been getting curious stares all night, practically locked to his grey and silver fur. It was if they were setting sights on one of his kind for the first time. He just wished they weren't so obvious, this halfling's eyes traveled casually to the ilbir's scabbard.

"Here for mercenary work? I have a knack for spotting such things!" The man gestured to the others scattered around the tavern. "You're in good company if so, can even hook you up with some well-priced armor and weapons if you'd like. Clearly if I wanted to get into profit, I picked the wrong business!" The halfling laughed, only getting the stoic glance back as Tenzin awaited Feku's cider.

"We're just passing through." He stated as the halfling turned round, muttering to another halfling to fetch a heated cider for the nice man. The waiter took one look of the towering cat and bolted, color draining from his face. "Adventurers, travelers, whatever you want to call them." He gestured to Nivra, who merely waved, sipping again at her wine.

"You don't say." The halfling, remarked with suspicion. "We don't get travelers or adventurers anymore. Come now, you must be one of the factions. It's alright if you say." He leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper. "It's neutral grounds here, no fights over guild squabbles here."

"None of them." He stated flatly, only getting the halfling's brow to rise and a hand get extended.

"Then let me introduce myself. Fred Applebottom at your service. You'll excuse my surprise. Things have been quite...Hectic here as of late."

Tenzin introduce himself to the man, having to explain they arrived by boat, even mentioning it by name. Though interest clearly painted on his face, Fred found his attention held by the rowdy activity of his patrons. The diminutive man waddled over, asking if they needed another round of refreshments. Before the warrior could return to the bard, Nivra gabbed him by the arm.

"Think you can scout us through this path?" She placed her fingers to a thin line marking what appeared to be named goat's pass. "I don't want to assume you're good at tracking, but you mentioned it to Asterion during the trip..."

He nodded; it was something he took great pride in. Years he'd spent exploring the wilderness, finding hidden paths, hunting dangerous game, hiding from the relentless Covanian's. He knew his skills might be rusty, but the idea of breaking them in again made his flat tail wiggle in anticipation.

"Wonderful, if only certain minotaur Captains would be so helpful." The wizard heaved a troubled sigh, "But no, ours refused to even get within ten miles of Struport. Even _after_we went through the trouble of contacting Storm with a spell." She rubbed her brow irritably, "What does it take to convince people?"

He gave the wizard a questioning look. How could she miss the obvious staring her in the face? What she offered wasn't a guarantee, simply a promise of words. The dragon could say anything to lay its trap, ensnaring the pirate captain and her crew. Better Tehya drop anchor here, resupply and never even glance at Struport again.

"I can't help notice that you're looking for a path." Fred returned as a trio of waiters attended to the rowdy table's needs. "Unfortunately all the roads out of here are blocked."

"And why would that be?" Nivra replied sharply, leaning back, her arms crossed. "We're not some ill prepared band of merchants you know, we've got strength of arms and magic at our backs."

"You haven't heard of the dead?" Fred shook his head in disbelief, when they didn't react he could only sigh, and tell them about what had transpired with the dead. How they had swept across northern Drenedar, folding town after town into their wretched grasps. People fled, ran, dropped whatever they had. Across Nivra's map he pointed and told of another defeat, time and again, their defenses crumbling till but Struport remained. One lone light in the darkness. "So as you can see, _quite_dangerous to leave!"

"Are you sure we need to go to Struport?" Tenzin turned to Nivra with a concerned look. They had the orb in their possession, dragging it across such a dangerous trek would surely put it at risk. She had to know that. Pragmatically it was better to return with it to her home. "Perhaps we could get Tehya to return us to your home in Entis?"

But the mage sat resolute, staring as if through the parchment. "No, you heard Achaaz." She shifted to Tenzin; determination in her words. "She thinks the Sea Lilly is her mother. If that's the case, then Struport is our next destination. If the paths are blocked we'll make our own." She gestured to the copper neck mountains on the map, "Think you can chart us over, around these armies of death?"

He silently nodded; who knew that his talent for avoiding invader Covanian patrols would be used instead for the dead? Staring over the symbols for trees and mountains, he hoped these lands were less dangerous than his. "That depends, do Yeti frequent these lands?" When Nivra shook her head he just politely smiled, "Then we should have no trouble. Just don't complain if your muscles ache."

"But that of course makes me need to ask." Nivra gently tapped the town marked on the map, drawing the Fred in. "According to your story, that would make Struport and this place the only free towns."

"That it would." Fred beamed, brushing the buttons on his vest. "I can proudly say, we haven't had an undead step inside these walls.

"And why would that be?" Tenzin muttered in a growl. He'd encountered villages like this in his homeland. Places that had bowed to the lion-man like invaders, thinking it better to count their blessings than stand up to the feline's cruelty. The ilbir's blood burned Fred went into detail about a deal the previous mayor had made. One that traded a few people and their lives to ensure their safety.

"Now don't get me wrong, wonderful idea at the time." Fred nervously laughed, seeing the fire within Tenzin's pale blue eyes. "But...poorly executed. Which ironically leads me to his execution."

"He was executed?" Nivra stopped rolling up her map, there might not be a need for their rapid departure. Tenzin just internally smiled to himself, at least the ones responsible had been dealt with.

"Course, position of power, that kind of decision? Everyone was clapping when the knights chopped off his head."

"Chopped off his head?" Nivra whispered.

"Indeed, right in the town square terrible day. Great for me though, sold a drink called the bloody traitor, made ten times the usual daily profit!"

As the halfling laughed, Tenzin couldn't help but wonder why the undead had not returned. Where these knights so skilled or numerous they gave this army pause? Part of him wished to test his strength against them, take note of beings so skilled, see how his frost enchanted blade held up against these warriors. Yet he had to shake his head, remembering his vow, all of that was secondary, the others were his primary concern. He turned to Nivra, giving the queen a bowed head, "We'll head out at first light and make as much haste as we can."

"Not if the knights have anything to say about it." Fred quipped, "They and the dragon will have you dead before mid-day! And that's if you're lucky."

"Dragon?" Tenzin pulled back in surprise. It was rare to hear of such a thing, he'd figured Achaaz and her family would be the only dragons he'd ever meet. But another? So close? Would they be able to hide from it? He grimaced, there were tales of a dragon's smell and eyesight, it would prove quite the challenge to get them over the mountains without being tracked.

"Who is this group?" Nivra asked, hiding her worry. "Do they have a name?"

"It's starting to sound like you might need a way south, away from prying eyes." The halfling scratched his chin, looking worriedly around the inn. "May I suggest we continue this conversation in private?" He lingered upon the mercenaries currently engaging Achaaz in song. "Away from prying eyes and ears? Can't be too careful with people now adays, I should write a letter to the queen."

Why was this man starting to sweat? Tenzin could see the nervousness in his eyes, the gentle trembling of his hands, swiftly pulled behind his back to hide them. Clearly something was wrong, enough to perk the ilbir's ears. Though there was no doubt in his mind that any trouble would be easily handled. One jab to the throat and any magic the diminutive man would-be put-on hold. He doubted any contest of strength would prove the man superior. He merely exchanged a look with Nivra, "This better not be a trap."

Fred just chuckled, "No need to be wary friends, you know what? You can even bring your sword and staff if you like!"

Wizard and warrior shared a moment of silence before agreeing to these terms. Curiousness was too great for either one of them to resist. Tenzin quickly downed his new tankard in a single gulp and returned to grace Feku with her warm cider. Though at the mention of their destination, the kobold scurried on after them, wool blanket fluttering behind her like a cloak.

Clicking his stubby fingers, Fred turned and guided them out of the tavern's main hall. Down they went through the hallways, round a corner and straight onward to the kitchens, almost stumbling over a waiter in the process.

"Hey, watch where you're going you walking carpet!" The diminutive woman shouted, her face red as she stumbled and waddled to avoid sending his tray full of goodies tumbling to the floor.

"I can't believe her." Fred politely laughed, heading Tenzin's growl off at the pass. "Rest assured that will be docked from her pay, count on your whiskers."

Around them the kitchen was alive with life, and not just from the six or so cooks that were busy tending to their dishes. Some mashed, some cut, there were two that kept arguing over how much sauce belonged in the gravy. The air was filled with spices, roasting meat, and the fiery tempers from bodies too small. They hardly seemed to notice that their boss and guests had wandered in.

They gathered around what empty space they could find, which happened to be a tub for the dishes to be cleaned. They were piled up in a disorganized stack, a multitude of thick sauces dripping over them. The moment Fred set sights on them he grumbled about his good for nothing nephew, insisting this additional slight would be docked against the young man's pay. "What's this world come to when you can't trust family eh?"

"I think we've had enough stalling." Nivra spoke first, breaking through the awkward silence between them. She poised herself in front of Tenzin with a sharpened gaze. "Tell us what you know about these knights and this dragon."

Tenzin gently shoved her, gesturing to the other cooks busy at work. If they wanted privacy, this certainly wasn't it.

"Don't mind them!" Fred chuckled, "Nothing but family, and not who I'm worried about." He shooed away several of the cooks that had stopped to lend a curious ear. "Its those people out there! They're like anim-" He froze mid word, catching Tenzin's eye. He recovered and chuckled, brushing his buttons. "Charchester howler monkeys, ears too big for their own good."

"Yes, tell us about dragon!" Feku blurted, her eyes wide with glee.

"Ah yes, the dragon." Fred coughed, squirming under their combined gaze. "See, their lot came bout a fortnight back, big heroes. You know how it is, knight comes riding in, vanquishes the evil. In this case, the bloke had a dragon at his side."

"Sounds like Arcturus and Veledar!" Feku wiggled, excitedly.

"But its anything but one of those stories." The halfling continued, cutting her off with a snap of his fingers. When he turned one of his family was holding out a tray with four glasses, each with a sparkling wine of the deepest reds inside. "Never give bad news without refreshments. Halfling rule of business number thirty four ."

"Its 36 brother." The other halfling added, dusting off his dull, patch work vest. His buttons unlike his brother were tarnished and smudged, his shoes patchwork and his socks didn't match.

"Ah yes." Fred glared daggers at his brother. "That it is. Excuse this one, you know how brothers can be. This one is Dom."

"Hello." Dom waved innocently, Feku waved back with a smile. "Care for another to share in the business?"

"You know the rules." Fred gently shooed him away like a pest, making sure all the others had their glasses. "Keep your brother's out of the deal arrangements."

"That isn't a rule!"

"It should be." Fred scoffed, spinning on his heels to face them, his brother forgotten. "Where were we?" He tapped his finger on his glass, "Ah yes, to new business partners."

Tenzin brought the glass to his nose, sniffing at the bubbling, crimson surface. It was earthy, like the red grassed fields of his home, when not covered in snow drifts. He stared, a cold creeping across his heart as Feku eagerly grabbed hers and chugged happily away, her tail swaying with green scales.

"Its not poison if that's what your wondering." Fred quipped gesturing to the still stoic Tenzin. "Very bad business you know to poison the clients."

"That would be an astute observation." Nivra stated matter of fact before tentatively sipping upon hers. Tenzin shrugged, it appeared to be safe, and downed it nearly in a single gulp. It was bitter tart, hinting at shades of cinnamon. He coughed in disgust, baring his fangs as it slithered down his throat like rancid custard.

"Pity." The halfling took the glass back, handing it off to a relative. "Guess the ilbiri pallet isn't as refined as the rest of us. No offense of course."

"None taken." He countered, staring into the man's eyes until he nervously laughed and averted his own.

"Now lets get to business shall we? Who do you really work for?" Fred turned back, playing with his buttons. "I know you say you're adventurers just returning from a trip, but that's far too simple of a story. Go on and admit it, you work for the dragon, could smell it on you the moment you walked through the door!"

"Pfff. Surely you don't know the foggiest who I am." Nivra giggled to herself, cheeks red. "I am Nivra Graysword, Queen of Lumara. Practiced wizard, destined to bring about my people's grand age." She fell against Tenzin, clutching desperately at his fur as her words slurred. "And I'll warn you little troll, I have a gryphon whose love burns for me brighter than the sun! We'd never service the dragon in such a manner!"

"Listen lady, I didn't mean as his personal concubines. I have my own girls for that."

Nivra's mouth shut, her eyes wide as the ocean. Cheeks burned as she realized what she'd said. "Ok, I think there's been a misunderstanding. What I meant to say was-." She practically collapsed in Tenzin's arms, forcing the warrior to suspend her lest she fall. Feku however was not as lucky, collapsing, laughing like mad.

"Are you alright?" Tenzin clutched the seemingly drunken princess tight. How strong was this drink that she couldn't handle it? He'd seen her at least have two glasses on the ship, never once had she even come this close. He'd never been happier for his people's resistance to alcohol in this very moment.

"Just can't hold her drink is all, happens all the time." Fred waved off the ilbir's concern, swooping to the princess like a hawk. "Now my dear, can you tell me who you are and why you're here?"

"Tenzin. I said, we don't work for a dragon."

"I is Feku. Singer, dancer, on a heroic quest. When I not running away from scary things, I fantasize about dragons, but that's all kobolds really." She burped, giggling to herself. "I saved big kitty man from spooky eel creature. Should have seen it." As Nivra giggled to herself like mad, the kobold continued to tell the entirety of their adventure on the bloody mermaid."

Were they not supposed to keep most of their adventure a secret? Especially with the orb sought after by this hidden emperor? Tenzin pulled at the kobold's wrist but she slipped away, more than happy to continue. What had gotten into her? The ilbir's ear was gently tugged to Nivra's lips, the wizard whispering in his fuzzy ear.

"I think there was something in my drink. I swear I've tasted this before, back in Nigel's..." Her face drained of color; her blue eyes turned to chasms. "Oh gods, I think I've been poisoned."

That's all Tenzin needed to hear. Gently settling the girl down, he turned, his entire demeanor changing with a breath. Concern for the wellbeing of his companions had shifted, changed, molded itself into a cold fire burning within. In a flash his hand was around Fred's throat, slamming the surprised halfling against the wall in a clatter of pots and pans. There he pressed with his superior strength a snarl easily passing through his fangs. "What have you done with her?"

"N-Nothing!" Fred struggled, his face twisted in fear, desperately trying to free himself from the ilbir's grip. "I swear on Martha!"

"Who's that?"

"My mother, don't you have one?" The little man kicked his boots uselessly against the barbarian's arm.

"I do, but what does that have anything to do with anything?"

"What do you people swear on then? Rocks? Twigs? Trees?"

"On your soul." He muttered harshly, noting not a soul was lifting a finger to aid the barkeep. They just watched on with interest, some even whispering to one another about bets on when Fred would end up dead. Guess for halflings, family loyalty meant nothing.

"Fine, I swear on that! Just stop choking me!"

He didn't believe him. Every sense he'd ever trusted churned in his gut. "Liar." He snarled, eyes sharp as his claws. He squeezed, cutting off Fred's remaining air. "Start speaking truth, before your life ends."

"If it...was poison.." Veins formed on the halfling's brow as red soon shifted to varying shades of violet. "Killing...me...doesn't...cure them!"

So, it was poison! The warrior almost smirked with satisfaction, but a side eye to his giggling companions chased it away. He could have minutes before they were dead. "But you'll be dead. Lets see if you value your own life more than theirs."

Left and right the halfling's eyes darted, his options left for him none too appealing. In the end, the need to survive won out. "Fine!" He blurted with the last of his strength, black starting to outline his vision. Tenzin released his deathly grip, but still held Fred firm, his pale eyes still aflame.

"Speak now swine."

"Are you always this rough?" Fred coughed, but realized there was no questioning this furious sabretooth. He grimaced and glared daggers at all his relative around the room. They'd done nothing to help him, simply watched on in grim amusement, like this was some sort of sport. "Thanks for helping the lot of you!"

"Watching to see what happens." One halfling stated, nodding to the others as they murmured back and forth to one another. "If the bar is going to slip into our hands."

"Yea, cause you never give raises!" Shouted a halfling woman with a spade like nose. "Go on ilbir, finish that slime off. You be doing the world a favor!" The other cooks and waiters were soon all nodding, others adding their support for the sabretooth to finish off the halfling within his grip. Even Fred's brother had taken to lending their support.

"Enough of this prattle. Back to wretched scheme." Tenzin snarled, slamming Fred back into the wall. A pot fell this time with a terrible clatter, but the warrior didn't even flinch as the halflings screamed and dove for cover.

"It was just a truth serum alright?" Fred wailed, "Loosen the tongue is all it's supposed to do! I don't know why it did what it did! My brother must have messed up the doses!"

Quivering and shivering like a wounded dog, the barkeep spilled his guts to Tenzin, leaving not a stone unturned with his intentions. All he'd hoped to gleam was if they'd worked for the dragon, trying to uncover his secret passage out of the town, something he'd used to smuggler illicit goods underneath the guard captain's nose. Evidently Fred had converted it to sneaking refugees out under the copper beast's snout, all for a sizable profit margin of course.

"That's all I swear. Sure, it was charging them a lot, but no one haggled! Its not my fault! Now can you let me down, you're starting to ruin my vest!"

He considered the words in silence, not relinquishing his grip. Unlike before, there was truth within them, mixed within the fear of the barkeep's eyes. "What of their cure?"

"Cure? They'll be fine! Just wake up, it'll be like a hangover! Now seriously! My vest!"

He brought him down with a deep growl, regarding the little man in disgust. "Ruined vest should be the _least_of your concerns. If I was anyone else you'd be continued to be throttled."

"Then you wouldn't know about the way out of the city." Fred countered, frowning at his tattered vest. "Look at what you've done, it'll take me ages to find a wizard to fix it!"

"I can do it!" Nivra stumbled forward drunkenly, wiggling her fingers about the air. To Tenzin's approval the vest shriveled away into nothing but threads, looking as if eaten by a swarm of hungry moths.

"MY VEST!" The barkeep shrieked, tears in his eyes. "THIS WAS MY FATHERS!"

"Oh." Nivra fell back, furrowing her brow. "Apologies....I can fix it though...Just give me a-"

"YOU'VE DONE ENOUGH!" Fred warded the too helpful mage away with a rolling pin.

Oh how the situation couldn't have been sweeter. Tenzin crossed his arms, smirking as the family of halfling shuffled back to work, grumbling, and whining about how a new opportunity had slipped right through their fingers. He leaned down to the red-faced barkeep, a look of victory upon his furred face. "You mentioned there was a secret way out of the town?" He asked in a friendly manner, meandering his fingers up Fred's shoulder.

"That...is what I said wasn't it." Fred stammered, gulping as Tenzin smiled.

"Would you believe we're in need of such a thing?"

"You don't say." Fred grimaced, "How lucky."

************

Back and forth they haggled over the price to secure their passage. They needed a way out of the town, and this seemed to be it. Though Tenzin trusted his instincts and skills, he wasn't quite certain about testing them against a dragon. In their talk they learned that the dragon who guarded the town was Lord of Fire, a copper scaled beast that seemed unphased by the activity of the knights he commanded and the town he now had dominion over. He simply wandered around, looked intimidating, and demanded tithes of coin, food, and drink. This brought up being the cost of their passage being the locked up chest they had safe in their room, to which Tenzin was quick to refuse.

"You can't." Tenzin grumbled, "That's the dragon orb."

"What even is a dragon orb?" The halfling had inquired, his eyes all aglow with wonder. Though Tenzin was wise to clamp shut his maw, Nivra and Feku were more than glad to spill the entire backstory of the reason why it had come into their possession, and the why they were trying to find the sea lily. All the while, Tenzin was sighing, unable to clamp their maws shut.

"Emperor?" Fred asked in shock, rubbing his now sweating forehead with a rag. "That wouldn't have any relation perhaps to the Emperor's children?"

Just a coincidence? Tenzin's brow rose as Nivra gasped and fell off her chair and onto the floor, joining where Feku now snored. Red faced and pushing the others away, the princess insisted to know more about them. Fred grimaced and shook his head, pacing while fiddling with his mutton chops, thanking his brother who arrived with a new orange vest, to hide his hairy chest.

"Just what the Lord and the knights call their leader. Some great and terrible beast named Dreadflame. Heard the knights talk about it one night, too much to drink of some bourbon I got off a merchant south of Adurn's pass. Anyway, you can see the fear in their eyes when they speak of him. The color drains from their skin, their hands tremble, none wish to incur his wrath. They say even The Lord of Fire fears his wrath, though that fact would amaze me. I've seen him burn the innocent, I don't think _he_feels anything."

"And you just serve these curs?" Tenzin growled, holding Nivra close, ensuring she didn't fall back down. "The ones that who hold your town captive. You don't fight?"

"He doesn't bother us none." Fred gave a heavy sigh, looking longful at the window. "Raised the prices and his people still come. Now don't get me wrong, I love the profit, I just miss the _old_patrons and the sense of delight. The warmth." He shivered, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"But...more importantly." Nivra jabbed clumsily into Tenzin's chest, "We can't let this Lord get it's claws on the dragon balls."

"Orb."

"Yes..."She twirled her wrist around, face scrunched in annoyance. "That."

"Sounds serious and imperative." Fred caressed his chin, looking more intrigued than terrified. "Like your departure is worth quite a fair amount. I'm thinking..." He stopped, turning on his heels with a grin. "Half your treasure."

"Half?" Nivra scoffed, aware the treasure concerned her quite little. "Why not ask for three fourths while you're at it?"

"Fine then, three fourths it is!" Fred clasped his hands with a grin, "Wonderful doing business with you."

Tension lingered in the air, filling the awkward silence. It broke when Nivra heavily sighed, pressing back her hair. "You listen here you overgrown newt. Though treasure matters not for me, it means much to my compatriots. I offer you this in rebuttal, you either sell us the departure for one fourth of our treasure or I'll have my ilbir friend here throttle the information out of you."

Not aware it was a bluff, the halfling's face drained of what color remained. "But as I told your friend." He stuttered, "That won't get you the information."

"Fine." Nivra held her temples as if in pain, "Then I'll just charm the information out of you. Then we won't have to pay at all. Would you rather have that?"

What was a halfling to do? What courage Fred had died within his chest. Faced with the possibility of losing _all_his potential profit, or only gaining a fraction, he was forced to choose the lesser of two evils. Defeat flickered momentarily across his face, "Gods I hate magic users. Always bullying us little guys. Its as the rules say, a good deed never goes unpunished. I hope you two can live with yourselves."

The warrior rolled his eyes, wondering how many people had been overcharged by this opportunist. "I'm sure I'll be haunted to the end of my days." He sarcastically remarked, slinging Feku over his shoulder and helping Nivra stand, guiding her towards the door.

"Oh and one more thing." Nivra glanced over her shoulder, clinging to Tenzin's chest fur to stop herself falling. "If you betray us. I'll make sure to turn you into a frog...Or something else equally as icky. Got that?"

Fred didn't think he could get any paler, but somehow, to his astonishment, he did.

With threats given and halflings startled beyond fright, Tenzin guided the drunken princess and unconscious bard to their rooms. He laid them to their beds, tucking them tightly beneath thick deer hide covers. There they blissfully slept in the flickering candlelight. He watched silently, like a papa hawk to these little pups. He even added Asterion to this list, the cleric was fast asleep, clutching his chest tightly as he snored louder than the polar cats back home. Tenzin couldn't help but chuckle to himself and notice an empty spot within their room. Achaaz, the dragoness was nowhere to be seen.

She must still be winning those men's coin, he thought to himself, wearily pushing himself to stand. No doubt she was laughing away, her cheeks flush from various types of booze. Their plans wouldn't be ruined by such a cavalier attitude. He'd drag her up by her tail if he had to. Who would have thought that a dragon at least twice his age would have the attitude of a rebellious teenager? Down the steps, through the empty hall, passed the weary lantern light, he found her by the bar, nursing a tankard, a look of pride across her fair face. Front and center was a pile of coins, the gold glinting wonderfully in the firelight. She held each piece aloft, as if studying the finer details, her eyes sparkling. Dragons and their gold, he chuckled to himself.

"How much did you win?" He padded over, his voice all but faded. He didn't imagine he'd have it tomorrow; the thought made him itch.

"I imagine its most of their coin." Achaaz chuckled to herself, giving the ilbir a playful eye. She gestured to a smaller group of mercenaries, resistant to the calls from their beds. They'd taken to discussing business in harsh whispers, throwing occasional glances to the elf, their eyes filled with fire. "What's the matter with you?" She mused as Tenzin instinctually averted his gaze away from the elf.

Though he knew she was a dragon, he wasn't sure if she gained the powers to read thoughts. Evidently not.

"You know, some might see that as being bashful, is that it?" The now elven girl's cheeks flushed a bright red as she patted the seat beside her. "Well, if you want to share a chat and drink Mr handsome, that's fine by me. Come on and help me out."

Embarrassment coursed through his veins; this wasn't the impression he was trying to give! He fidgeted in place, twitched his ears and eventually dragged out, "You're not my type."

"Oh, is it the elf thing?" She turned, purring in amusement. "I can change my form, human, dwarf, minotaur..." She seductively ran a hand along his coarse fur, a look of salacious intent burning in her brown eyes. "Ilbir."

"No." He stated bluntly, not really wanting to get into his preferences. Before she could offer any form of protest he gestured towards the hall, insisting she get her sleep. "I don't want to be dragging your tail around everywhere."

"You could, couldn't you." She playfully purred, eying him like a piece of meat. "With such strength to rival that of a dragon. If you want to get me to bed, that's all you have to say-"

He sighed and let her gather up her winnings, escorting her to the hall as she waved a farewell to all the mercenaries she'd separated with their coin. They only stopped as a muscular human rose to bar their way, arms crossed. Though he was a fair shorter than Tenzin himself, he supposed he was strong looking, for a human.

"Going somewhere?" The man grinned maliciously with his pristine teeth, followed by the sound of scraping chairs from his friends.

"Bed." Tenzin stated flatly, taking note how the men spread around them like a pack of wolves, hands ready to grasp at hidden daggers and swords no doubt. His blood started to warm, practically _wishing_for these fools to start something, he'd seen it far too many times before.

"See? I think we have a disagreement there." He chuckled to the other men, which would chill any sole person's heart, unfortunately for him, not this elf and ilbir.

"Come now Bob....Guys." Achaaz scoffed, playfully pushing the man's leather armored chest. "Don't get bent out of shape because I won all your silly little coins. Here." She began to dig into her winnings, procuring a handful of coins. "See how generous I am? You can have it all back!"

Her peace offering was met with derision and dismissal. Most of the men just cracked their knuckles and leered with malevolent intent. "That's not what we had in mind." Bob remarked with a cruel grin, patting his sheathed dagger on his hip. "Ole Elizabeth and I think you'll be following us for a little walk to the Lord of Fire. Heard that bird likes information on little things such as yerself."

"And you think we'll just go with you?" Achaaz scowled, clutching tightly Tenzin's chest. "You don't even know who you're messing with."

"Feisty one huh chaps." Another man remarked, hungrily licking his lips as he eyed Achaaz up and down. "Can't we just hand the cat over to the dragon? Save the girlie for us? I'm sure she'd be a right handful of fun."

"And risk the dragon's wrath?" Said the first man coldly, "Nah dice. We turn em all in, get either a reward or in the beast's graces. Who knows maybe he will let ya play with her, _after_he's had his fun." He gestured to the others to move in, but they were stopped by Tenzin's cold glare and intimidating growl. They may not have known the meaning, but it mattered little. If they pressed him, they would fall before his blade.

"What are you scared for?" Bob unsheathed his dagger with a hiss, gesturing to Tenzin's side. Both he and the girl are un-armed. Try not to hurt them, dragon likes them lively."

What? Tenzin padded his side, finding nothing resting at his hip. Where was his sword? He internally groaned, realizing it was back at the bed. Of all the stupid choices, he'd chastise himself later. Now he had a group of dagger wielding man to deal with. He snarled, looking around for what to do.

"That's right kitty, we got the weapons and the numbers." Bob sneered, "Best go quiet now, hope the dragon be nice to y-"

"What am I, a helpless damsal?" Achaaz cut the man off, her eyes like daggers. She flung up her hands, holding them like claws. "I'm thinking ugly here will look better as a ferret. What you think?" She gestured to a man with an eye patch, who had a moment of hesitation flicker across his face before the promise of a reward lengthened his frown. She waved her hands in a gentle circle, "I mean it!"

Though the dragoness might not have been able to cast spells within this form, and the tavern was too cramped for her true form, her distraction gave the ilbir an opening. Gritting his teeth and planting his feet, Tenzin slammed his forehead into the man foolishly before him. As Bob crashed to the floor, stunned out of his wits, Tenzin snatched up a chair and smashed it over the head of another before they could react. Wood splintered in all directions as the beast was unleashed.

Their daggers surged forward in courage, meeting a table or empty air. They tried to punch, he caught their fists. He rewarded their persistence with savage snarls, hardened wood, and even grabbing two men by their collars and slamming them together. When they crumbled before him, the remainder questioned what they'd gotten themselves into. To Tenzin their was no question, they started it, and he was going to end it.

As the mercenaries struggled to keep the enraged barbarian from clawing their faces, Achaaz leaped across the bar, a mercenary hot on her heels. Evidently he thought it more sport to chase the helpless girl, that was going to be his mistake. She tossed glasses and tankards at the burley man, doing little more than decorating the floor in broken glass. How she hated this useless body, its frailty, how did they even cope like this? She yelped as a blade came whipping by her face.

"Oh, don't go dodging like that girlie, it takes out all the-"

She reached for a cast iron pot and whipped it into the man's knees like a maul. He howled in pain, collapsing with a face so red she thought he might be turning into a dragon. She made sure whatever insult he was concocting would never come as she slammed it again across his face. She was certain she saw some teeth go scattering to the floor as he collapsed.

"You said this was going to be easy!" One red haired mercenary screamed, heading for the door. "This is madness-" He fell face first into the floor as Tenzin lobbed another man into him. He didn't rise.

Bloop pumping, Tenzin destroyed their resistance with little effort. These men were but children before a storm, he a trained warrior of dozens of years. One by one he made a mockery of their efforts, catching their wrists and squeezing until they dropped their blades. Others were send flying back into walls, others used as axes to chop the tables in half. The tavern was a whirlwind of destruction as Tenzin shattered tables, chairs, glasses, he even shredded tapestries that'd been lining the back that a man had tried to drape over his head to blind him.

Hearing all this commotion, Fred was summoned to the room. Questions started to roll off his tongue before he took in the shear scope of this travesty. All around him, splinters and glass, the furniture reduced to rubble. He froze, terror of the highest order clutching his throat. He fell to his knees, already starting to weep and beg these ruffians to stop destroying his bar. They ignored his pleas and begging, proceeding to ensure the halfling lost this entire room.

With a harrowing roar, Tenzin finished off the pathetic display of thuggery before him. He held the man by the collar and proceeded to bash his face in until he slumped, his face bloody and bruised. He dropped him with a heaving sigh, taking in the ruins all around him. He panted and twitched, fighting to bring the battle rage of his people back down. He breathed in, closing his eyes, letting the coolness of their air calm his fury. All he had to do was ignore the mournful wails of the tavern owner.

Fred held a fragment of a table, caressing the splinter like buried treasure. He held it to his chest, his cheeks wet with tears. "You monsters!" He shrieked, pointing an accusing finger. "You can forget any semblance of help. You're all a bunch of barbarians! Uncouth ruffians unfit for my bar!" He flung the splinter, his face red. "You have until morning to get out of here, then the dragon can have you for all I care!"

"Now wait just a-" Achaaz tried to interject but the halfling cut her off.

"Just look at this mess, the bodies! You're the worst type of customers! The ones that are bad for business." He disregarded them with a wave, seeking out a grandiose rug that had been cut and shredded to tatters. His sobs began anew, the dragoness fell silent.

"That was our way out wasn't it?" Achaaz winced, giving Tenzin an apologetic look. She slunk over shyly, taking in all that they'd done. She whispered to him, uncertainty in her voice. "Can we not fly out, invisible to their eye?"

"You're not full grown, can you lift us all?" He countered, getting silence for his trouble. Gently he grabbed her wrist, heading for the hall. If they had to leave, it might as well be now. They'd be tired and exhausted, but it might give them a head start from this Lord of Fire. Who knew, perhaps with Nivra's hut spell later in the day, disguised as a white mound of snow, perhaps the dragon would leave them be? Regardless, they couldn't stay here.

"You know there's a time and place. You could at least ask a girl!" Achaaz blushed, her mind racing to conclusions Tenzin was more than certain would never come to fruition.

"Not what I meant." He grunted, ignoring her playful eye. Now was not the time. "We have to get the others."

Just as they were about to leave the hall, there came a knocking at the door. Thunderous and dreadful it swept through the room, drawing every eye and ear. There was a modicum of silence that lasted between each rattling of the door, where one could hear a pin drop.

Who could that be at this hour? Tenzin thought, feeling a shiver travel down his spine. Surely it was just another traveler, a mercenary to request lodgings for the evening. Yet then there came a voice that drained the fury from Fred's face like an arctic wind, sweeping away any hope of it simply being a traveler.

"Fred, I know you're in there." The voice sounded confident, proudful, probably one of noble birth. "We couldn't help but hear the dreadful commotion from outside, we figured to come and give you a hand! If you could just drag yourself into the street, we'd like to have a chat!"

Quick as a rabbit, Fred rushed to a window, leering out into the snow dusted street. What he saw drew him to cover his mouth and gasp in terror. "My gods." He stuttered; his face white. "Why on earth did they bring the dragon?"

"Come on now Fred, we don't want any trouble do we? You know what the Lord of Fire thinks of troublemakers!"

The halfling gulped, "Right...of course." The halfling gulped, fiddling with his buttons as he padded to the door, undoing the dozens of locks that held the door shut. "Coming, just let me get the locks! My, you've certainly waited until the wee hours! Busy night?"

Tenzin turned to Achaaz, sharing a look of dread between them. What was the dragon doing here? Did it know they were here? What about the orb? None of the questions were comforting, and neither wished to be around to ask them. They bolted for the stairs. The time to depart was now.

*

The ilbir's heart was racing, his blood ice, his palms trembling. How on earth were they all going to escape the dragon's claws? Especially if it were just across the street? Quieter than a mouse than a mouse he opened their quarters, trying to not draw attention to their tiny, quite flammable room. All it would take is their dragon problem to get one whiff of their location and whoosh, they wouldn't have to worry about it or the cold for long.

"And you're sure you can't fight it?" Achaaz whispered creeping across the floorboards. "You seemed quite capable against me." She rubbed her shoulder, "Think you even left a few scars."

"Sorry." He muttered, not able to look her in the eye. "I didn't mean to."

"No, it's alright." She replied hastily, mentioning she didn't mean anything by it. "I just figured...Hey we could fight the dragon. Mean, I am one after all."

The thought was plausible, they'd tried something far more dangerous under the water. He stole a peek from the window, catching the copper beast's imposing size. It towered over the men, using buildings as it's perch. Terrible claws clung to buildings, crushing the wood beneath. It had to be at least three humans in height, stretching its sinuous body over the roof and out of sight. Its golden eyes flickered devilishly in the torchlight, hunger and death swirling within in equal amounts. The warrior shivered, feeling a terrible fear grip his soul. He had to force himself away, turning back to Achaaz's more welcoming face.

"What's the matter? Is it big?" She pressed in close, holding his face, ignoring any sense of personal boundaries. When he nodded, she was about to look but he held her tight, shaking his head no.

"It's like the stories my people told of your kind, of beasts with a wretched power such as this. No matter how brave the man or woman's heart, they'd tremble and be driven to cowardice before such a beast. Even if we could stand against it, Nivra and Feku are in no shape." He heavily sighed as he held her, exchanging a defeated glance. Both knew the safest option would be to flee into the night. Achaaz went to wake Nivra without another word, while he shook Asterion from his slumber.

"Who do I have to kill?" Asterion groaned, blinking away his pleasant dreams.

"Not kill cleric but flee. The tavern is no longer safe, a dreadful dragon has come, possibly seeking the orb."

"Why would I expect less?" The cleric rose, slinging his cloak around his shoulders. "It seems trouble always finds us."

Nivra was less than agreeable. The wizard could hardly stand, the toxins still afflicting her. Bone white she clung to Achaaz as if the dragoness were a life raft at sea. The poor girl was shivering and trembling, looking like she might wretch at any moment. "I'm going to kill that halfling." She groaned, reaching for her staff. With it she rose, resting most her weight upon it, "I take Fred wants to leave now?" The mage rubbed her eyes, "He could have at least shown some decency and waited."

"Not exactly." Achaaz replied sheepishly, trying to prod Feku awake. The kobold merely twitched sleepily and gave a weakened whine. She would not be awaking for some time. "Tenzin can explain..."

All eyes fell to the warrior, he would have blushed if he could. He couldn't meet Nivra's suspecting eye as he grabbed his scabbard and fastened the belt around his waist. It wasn't until he grasped his pack and gestured it to her until he told her everything that had happened. The fight, the destruction, Fred sobbing like a child over spilled milk.

"So let me get this straight, you _ruined_our chance of escape?" The wizard squeezed her nose, "I swear...I can't leave anyone unsupervised."

"That's probably for the best." Achaaz quipped, getting an ire filled glance from the queen and averting her eyes.

"Then we'll just charm him..." Nivra lurched forward, clutching at her sides. Tenzin caught her before she collapsed to the ground. "Ok." She panted, trying to regain her composure. "It would appear I'm in no shape to be casting anything. Plan B it is, beating it out of him."

"Sounds good. I like it."

"I don't." Asterion stated bluntly, "They are weak and small."

"Fine, we just threaten it." Nivra glared, "Just convince him it's not a total bluff."

"Deception is still dishonorable." The warrior snapped back; eyes sharp.

"Would you rather die? Your quest unfinished? Thanks to Tenzin here, we're out of options!"

"Hey. It wasn't just his fault." Achaaz snapped back, faster than the warrior could reply. She was by Tenzin's side, arm wrapped around his waist. "I was beating a few bandit heads in too."

"Wonderful." Nivra groaned, squeezing her temple as she tried to think. "Since both decided to trash the establishment with their rowdy brawl, we're limited on options. Your honor be damned, we can't have this orb fall into their claws."

"I've put off the spell for you." Asterion grunted sternly, "Or have you forgotten?"

Sparks seemed to fly as Nivra and Asterion stared at one another, only silenced as Tenzin's growl pulled their attentions.

"Cease this squabble. How long until the dragon tears this tavern apart?" Tenzin thrust himself between them, talking as if they were mewing children. If no one was going to come up with a plan, it would fall to him. "It is as you say queen. The orb cannot fall into their claws. That is why, you and the others must escape."

"And while you do what?" Nivra brow rose, "Go down with the metaphorical ship?"

He gave a heavy sigh. "You have a kingdom to run, destiny to continue, faceless evils to vanquish. Asterion must complete his quest. Achaaz is strong enough to carry the rest of you off...I am the one slowing you down...And I have a life debt to fulfill." He gestured to Feku, slumbering, unaware of what was to happen. His heart stretched at the thought but he swallowed it with a deep breath, "I'll hold them off so you can slip away...Who knows, maybe the gods will grace you with luck?"

His words weighed heavily upon them as the tension faded to the ether. There was no expression on Nivra, she seemed to be caught in deep thought, searching for another way out.

Asterion nodded, grabbing his chest, "There is truth in what you say brother. I wish you die well." The bull didn't flinch as Achaaz glared at him, mouth agape and smacking him at the mere thought.

"Don't even say that! Tenzin, you're speaking as if we've been together forever talk. This is the first adventure, my first adventure. There's no way we're leaving you behind and go spoiling it!" Desperately nudged Nivra, "Tell him!"

But Nivra didn't immediately answer, but when she did her voice hardened. "Only resort to that if we have not another way, you got that?" She held a sharpened gaze for a breath, succumbing to a cough in the end, cursing Fred's name. "I'm going to kill him."

He sighed, humans could be so _human_most of the time. They just didn't understand, desperately clinging to those they cared about, unwilling to make a sacrifice. It was all he could do to hide the endearment in his voice. "That's sweet of you, it really is." He looked to each of them, lingering on Feku's unconscious form. "But facts are against us. Their dragon is faster, their minions better equipped, and two of us have seen better days." He tapped his side, making sure he had his gear. Last thing he needed was to face his death and be ill prepared. As the others didn't give in, he continued, "Listen, I've had a long life... Fifty years filled with danger, anguish, struggle, turmoil, torture..." He paused, swallowing down the pit of cold in his throat. "But still, you and that little lizard returned to me what was stolen, gave me a month of freedom to savor the taste of life. Do not weep for me. Death is just another journey, one I didn't think to walk so soon, but so be it." He shifted in place, averting his gaze with a resounding chest thump. He hoped that sounded alright, would be terrible to go out on anything less.

Achaaz was the only one to try and protest, but her arguments wouldn't obey her commands. She fumed and thrust her finger, no words came. What did was the tightest hug the barbarian had ever had in his life, followed by her leaning her cheeks against him and whispering her thanks.

"Its not needed. Its my honor." He replied softly, gently holding her close and telling her she was going to be fine.

"Well that's good and all, but we should really get going." Nivra coughed, gesturing to the door as a roar from the streets pulled them back to their predicament. Like lightning they shot towards the stairs, Feku slung over Asterion's shoulder as the cleric heaved his chest in a deathgrip. Achaaz supported Nivra, who was clinging to her staff, shouting at Tenzin to wait up, they hadn't 'fully' decided on what they were going to do. "Get back here you walking carpet!" She shouted as he rounded the corner.

The ilbir strode, confident towards his final fate. Happy with the choices he had made. Not many could say that in the end. He prayed to the gods above that he could buy them the time to escape, unhindered by whatever waited out those tavern doors. His hand went to his scabbard, a smirk came to his face. He'd least make his demise a story worth telling.

* * * * * * * * *

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