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THE HANKERED TANKARD INN had three floors: the first housed the tavern, from which came the laughter of the patrons, intent on enjoying what remained of that dreary Friday evening;
The other two were used as accommodations for travelers, and judging by the floor plan, it could have housed up to about forty rooms.
The party was headed precisely there, and Naivara Liadon, the drow leading them, warned her fellow travelers.
"Please, once we're inside, we mustn't cause ANY trouble.
The best strategy will be to split up, but stay vigilant; if I remember this place correctly, variety is still its strong point."
"I'm afraid I'm better off staying outside" Nest Klief, the druid, announced "I could hide in the stables with the horses, where I won't attract attention."
Indeed, its appearance was confusing and disconcerting: it consisted of bear paws, reptilian arms culminating in hoofed paws, devil horns wrapped in thorned tendrils, and the trunk of a firbolg, all forming an obscene and terrifying golem.
"Good idea, Nest Klief" the drow acknowledged "I'm sorry I can't do any more."
"I know you're already doing a lot, elf, don't worry."
A young boar nuzzled Nest Klief's leg.
"I'll keep Grulfus company. I'll keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't cause trouble in his friend's absence."
"Thank you, Nest Klief, you're a true friend yourself" the ranger was grateful "Perhaps I don't tell you enough."
The druid smiled at the little kobold before walking away with the animal and the horses.
He assumed the appearance of an old elf to go to the stables, where he would otherwise risk to terrorize the keeper.
Sersina, the party's bloodhunter, turned to Naivara.
"I hope your contact really has the information we're looking for."
"Oh, woman of little faith" the drow retorted slyly "Follow me and you'll see."
As the party passed through the inn's door, the sounds Naivara heard enveloped her like a warm blanket of nostalgia.
Some were throwing knives at the target, others were toasting by banging their mugs, someone sang out of tune to the musicians' tunes, a forest gnome with a tambourine, and a satyr with a banjo.
The innkeeper, a wood elf with long, vermilion hair, was serving a lizardfolk lying on the counter and exchanging a few words with him.
Mindful of the unwritten rules of the house, the drow looked around for any cups thrown her way, a measure that proved effective when Arkenjem, who had entered next to her, nearly found a wooden mug in her face.
Her reflexes earned her a cheer from the patrons and the innkeeper's attention.
"For me and my friends, a free round!" Naivara triumphed.
The crowd repeated the applause, and the group split up, as she had suggested.
Holg, Athanasios, and Silaqui, the company's strong(wo)men, pointed to a table where two brutes, a bronze dragonborne and an earth genasi, were arm wrestling, with a second bronze dragonborne as referee.
The first was clearly struggling, a trickle of sweat dripping from his own hand;
The second seemed almost to be holding back, as if wanting to savor every second of his opponent's struggle.
The dragonborne, exhausted and shameless, tried to help himself with his other hand...too bad he hadn't counted on the movement throwing him off balance: his arm hit the table with a loud bang.
"YAY!!!" the champion exulted "THIS IS MY NIGHT!!!"
Holg already knew what to do.
"Now I'll ruin it for him." he whispered to Silaqui.
"You have my blessing." Silaqui chuckled.
Seeing them confabulating, Athanasios realized he had to take on the role of «responsible superior».
"Please remember: let's remain discreet." he admonished them.
"Of course." he heard them both reply at unison.
Holg caught the Genasi's attention by clearing his throat.
"Want to try some orcish strength?" he offered.
"Come on, probie!" the Genasi agreed, visibly amused.
Meanwhile, the quiet halfling Milo ran into other patrons, who mocked him.
"Hey, look, a kid with a beard!" a human man pointed.
Two half-elves laughed heartily, while a muscular dwarf woman looked him up and down.
"This skinny idiot won't even be able to entertain us" she stated.
"For what?" Milo replied with bravado.
One of the two half-elves, a woman with a toned body, lightly tanned skin, and long, raven-black hair tied in a bun with a metal rod, untied her hair, revealing that the “rod” in question was a dagger, which she threw at Milo.
The halfling easily dodged it and caught it before it hit the ground.
"Target practice," was the reply he received.
The target was hanging on a wooden column near the dwarf. Milo, curious, handled the blade for a moment.
"Hmm, it weighs less than my chakram; I wonder if that means…"
And less than a second later, it was stuck exactly in the center of the circle, to the amazement of the spectators.
"Well? No one wants to challenge me anymore?" he challenged them.
The half-elf reached her target and pulled away her dagger, only to meet Milo's gaze.
"Just beginner's luck." she belittled.
"Go ahead, then." Milo conceded.
The half-elf picked up the weapon, then pulled a second one from her belt and tossed it to the halfling.
Finally, she moved to his side.
"Watch and learn."
After gripping the tip of the weapon between her fingers, she swung herself two or three times before throwing it at its target.
The dagger had been given a curved motion, which made it cut diagonally through the circle before halting its advance.
Her companions applauded as she went to retrieve the knife.
"What do you think, little one?" was the half-elf's taunt to the halfling.
"Well, I'm afraid we'll need a new board now." he dismissed her.
The dwarf whistled, and the human pulled out a new board.
"Ah-ah-ah, stop right there" Milo stopped him.
"What?"
"If we used a board again, I'm afraid your friend would destroy it to impress me. If you're the target, however, I'm sure she'll think twice before acting rashly."
The human had gone pale, but the half-elf had a faint smile.
"Good idea" she said, turning to her friend, "Do as he said."
"Wha—, are you crazy?!" his eyes widened.
"Come on, don't you trust me, Sergib?"
"Yes, but..."
"Don't worry, I won't shoot you in the balls." she taunted him.
Sergib let out a nervous «Eh-eh».
The woman studied her friend carefully before selecting the spot to strike: the space between the ring and middle fingers of his left hand.
The blow was miraculous: she threw the dagger high into the air, performed a forward somersault, used her right foot as a pivot, and kicked the hilt of the blade, causing it to lodge in the column, right between his companion's two fingers.
The human was sure he had lost at least fifteen years of his life.
"See? Balls safe and fingers safe."
"Yeah, at least I can tell you to go fuck yourself." the human target replied, furious.
"Stay where you are" Once she was close to his right ear, she whispered, "Now we're going to teach the newbie a lesson."
But Milo had already been acting on: he had noticed an earring with a dragon pendant at the man's right ear.
When the half-elf approached to speak to her friend, he threw the dagger at them, amidst the horrified gazes of the dwarf and the other half-elf.
The sound of the impact—the sound of shattering metal, not tearing flesh—confirmed the halfling's deadly abilities.
Now he had to explain it to his opponent.
"This pal is crazy!" Sergib shrieked.
"Have you lost your mind?!" the elvish knife thrower echoed. "You could have killed us!"
"Not at all" Milo downplayed. "The only damage is a broken earring and a lock of hair."
"What?" the half-elf asked, confused.
Her opponent pointed to the floor around her: her hair were laying on the ground.
Her face contorted in anger, and her dwarf friend approached the halfling from behind and lifted him bodily.
Meanwhile, the hobgoblin Kleyan had been lured by a halfling playing three-ball games.
Traubon, the dwarf wizard, followed him to prevent him from causing trouble or having his pockets emptied.
"Try your luck, sharpen your gaze, and win: with Sonny the Hand, everyone can try to be a champion, starting with three silver coins."
"Uh-huh, I absolutely must try." Kleyan declared.
"Wait" Traubon grabbed him by the belt before he could run off to get cleaned up. "I'm coming to keep an eye on you."
"What do you want from me?"
"Trust me, I have my lucky coin with me."
"I thought you didn't believe in luck, and that you just made it yourself." the hobgoblin jeered.
He apparently didn't remember what people could do with a copper coin and a pinch of magic.
"Indeed..."
They reached the conman.
"Welcome, friends. Do you know the rules?"
"Absolutely not" Kleyan admitted candidly "Tell us, my good man."
"You put three coins in, and I'll put three too, and then we'll start playing: I'll shuffle the cups, and under one of them is this little ball.
If you guess correctly, the money is yours; otherwise, it stays on the table, and more will be added; if you give up, it becomes mine...is that clear?"
"Crystal clear!"
"Sonny: Let's begin, then."
Gnome Garbalor noticed a graceful tiefling juggler performing on a table, decked out in a skirt that suggested she'd come to celebrate and was already well into the wine.
He decided to throw a loaf of bread at her to see how she would react.
After a moment of concern, also due to the different consistency of the flying objects, the performer regained her composure amidst the laughter of the gnome.
The halfling Trym, who was following him, slapped him and scolded him.
"Ouch, why did you do that?" Garbalor protested.
"Look at her, she's busy performing: can you not act like a stupid, mischievous child for five minutes?"
"She wasn't even offended" he objected.
Brynn, the party's faun bard, was fascinated by the two musicians' prowess and tried to catch up, closely followed by the dragonborne Arkenjem and Zix.
A trio of tabaxi set their eyes on her and wouldn't take them off her.
"Hey there, pretty doe" a tabaxi whistled at her "Want to have some fun with me and my friends?"
She paused, but didn't respond, feeling uncomfortable; Arkenjem and Zix pricked up their ears, ready to intervene.
"Hey, sweetie, my friend's talking to you!" a second feline intervened.
Blushing with embarrassment, she felt a shiver of fear run through her: she had to get away, and quickly.
"Sorry, guys" she tried to move away "But even if I wanted to, there's no place for me."
The first tabaxi to intervene reached out and grabbed her by the tail, making her jump: in a certain sense, she felt violated.
"It's no problem, dollie" he insisted. "You can always sit on my lap. You might have to adjust yourself a bit, but I won't complain at all."
The other two laughed raucously at their partner's slimy advances...until he cried out in pain.
"Ahhhhhh! What the fuck is that?"
Zix was forcefully biting the tail of that asshole tomcat who was bothering her friend.
"You aren't laughing anymore, now that the tail is yours?" she taunted.
The feline tried to scratch her, but Zix was quicker and in no time she had disappeared behind Arkenjem.
The third tabaxi intervened, determined to flush the kobold out.
"You little bitch, come here right now." he barked at her.
"What did you call her?" the dragonborne intervened.
"You get out of my way, lizard."
He tried to push her, but she seemed made of steel, immovable...and when she felt himself lifted from the ground by the scruff of his neck, she looked even more terrifying.
"Are you going to repeat that?"
"P-p-put me down! Help!"
"You and your friends are keeping your filthy paws off my friends, am I being clear enough?" she hissed at the terrified feline.
"Okay, okay, now let me go!"
The dragonborne took him at his word and released her grip, causing him to thud loudly.
"If they're this quarrelsome, it must be their time of the month. I like it." the last tabaxi spoke.
Brynn, recovering, grabbed her pan flute to retort with a cruel mockery.
"Only two kinds of people crave rare meat: hunters and masochists" she began "and you don't look like a hunter at all."
The slimy male was stunned, as if he had been hit not by an arrow, but by the entire quiver. He watched the trio walk away, unable to utter a word.
In all this, Sersina and Naivara had managed to reach the counter, where the innkeeper greeted them with a nod.
"Look," she said, turning to the drow, "have you come to redeem your share? I almost gave up hope, you come visit me again."
"Well, unfortunately, you know how I am, you little foxy."
"Greedy?"
"Also," Naivara admitted, "but I meant rootless."
"Yeah."
Ygrudn scanned the inn, letting the laughter, the harmonious music of the musicians, and the sound of flowing ale and mead relax her.
"So, how do you know each other?" Sersina inquired.
"Ah, young lady, these kinds of questions, so direct, never get an answer, remember that" the drow admonished her. "I can tell you that we opened this inn together, now thirty years ago."
She took a quick peek around.
"I see you've renovated this place" she commented "For a moment, I feared the Hankered Tankard might have lost its traditions."
"Since you left, I've only grown the clientele, and the personnel with it." Ygrudn updated her.
She gestured to the kitchens behind her.
"The brigade is made up of three local families" she explained. "A give & take. They earn a steady income, and I get contacts and lodging when needed, just in case."
Naivara gave a tiny smile.
"I see you've put your impetuosity aside and turned on your brain while I've been away."
"And who is this pretty tiefling?" Ygrudn asked, meeting Sersina's gaze "Have you made a new partner, Navi? Should I be jealous?"
The tiefling grimaced in disgust.
"You can keep her, if you so wish." she muttered.
"Uh oh, what a temper" the elf commented, before turning back to Naivara "So you've become a lanista? What happened to the good old «No one under my wing. What do you think I am? A raven?»"
"What can I say, Ygrudn?" the drow chuckled "It amazes me how many people are fascinated by fighting without ever having killed anyone...but as long as they have deep pockets, who am I to judge their interests?"
"Do you have many protégés?" the innkeeper asked curiously. "No, I prefer having one worry at a time, and the one I have sounds like a hyperactive child."
For the record, she was talking about Silaqui.
Behind them, Holg was losing to the genasi, despite all his strength; Silaqui cheered him on, while Athanasios tensed, ready for the situation to escalate; and finally, the half-orc gave in…sort of.
"Ha ha, I won aga—" the genasi began, but before he could finish, a punch landed hard in his face from the half-orc's free hand, causing him to stumble backward into the chair behind him, landing on the ground near the bronze dragonborne.
Athanasios cursed through gritted teeth, while Silaqui cheered euphorically.
"Woo-hoo! Everything flows, everything transforms! This fight too!" Holg cheered.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" the genasi promised, getting up from the ground, very pissed off.
"Am I wrong, or did Liadon say to keep a low profile?" Athanasios hissed at Silaqui.
"Yes, and it's a total booooooor..." the gladiator complained "Let's have some fun."
"No, wait, stop—" the human tried to stop her, but she had already jumped into the fray.
He had to initiate damage control.
"Shit." he blurted before intervening.
Ygrudn noticed the situation and knew she had to say something.
"Korth." she called.
The lizardfolk slumped on the counter looked up.
"Vigil and operational."
"Could you please calm down the arm wrestling crew?"
Sersina approached Naivara, looking worried.
"That's where the orc, the human, and your ward went." she whispered.
"No problem, they'll learn." the other simply retorted.
"But..."
The hushed conversation was interrupted by the drunkard.
"Will you have some mead for me when I get back?" he begged.
"Of course, Kortie" the redhead reassured him "Go and don't hurt them too much."
With a grimace, the drunkard got off his stool and staggered toward the rowdies, muttering something unintelligible.
"Who's that?" asked the bloodhunter.
"He's Korth" Ygrudn replied, stifling a laugh "He takes care of troublesome customers."
"How?" Naivara asked "By vomiting on them?"
"Oh no, that's all a facade," the wood elf explained "I mean, yes, he drinks a lot, that's true, but he's a monk of the alcoholic way; he needs to be drunk."
The drow cocked her head skeptically.
"Really?"
"Don't make that face!" Ygrudn begged "I know it seems silly, but it's not, I swear."
"Liadon, you have to see this!" the tiefling interrupted.
"Lil devil, I can't pay attention to you right now. I'm trying to make this fool understand that..."
Sersina grabbed her head and turned it toward the arm wrestling table, where a surreal show was unfolding: Silaqui had leapt on the earth genasi and was trying to cling to his head while Holg punched him in the stomach. Athanasios, on the other hand, was torn between keeping his friends away from the poor genasi and keeping the two dragonborne at bay.
Korth joined them.
"Gentlemen, I beg you not to get into any fights in the inn" he babbled "You can go out and settle your differences outside."
"You have any problem, you idiot?" one of the dragonbornes interrupted him, trying to hit him with a slap; However, the lizardfolk dodged the slap and directed his attack at the other dragonborne.
"Ouch! Damn, you knocked a tooth out of me!"
"S-sorry, Karpoff, I wasn't aiming at you."
Meanwhile, Korth delivered a slashing blow to the base of the attacking dragonborne's neck, so powerful that the target's knees buckled.
The second, leaning out to help his companion, had unfortunately exposed himself to an uppercut straight to the chin, which sent him flying at the feet of the genasi, who was still trying to shake Silaqui off his back.
Holg, in a brawling frenzy, targeted Korth, who had his back to him.
"You're mine, reptile!" he bellowed.
The lizardfolk turned and, inadvertently, whipped the half-orc with his tail; Holg felt as if his calves had been slashed.
"Uh, oh, sorry, I didn't see you, brute."
Now Korth found himself face to face with Athanasios, who didn't want any trouble and had his hands raised in surrender.
"Hey, buddy, let's meet" the human offered. "I'll get my half-elf friend back, and we won't come to blows, okay?"
With timing worthy of the best comedy routines, the genasi, still busy shaking off the half-elf, walked past the lizardfolk, who simply raised his left fist and flattened the genasi's face with the back of his hand.
The spirit fell to the ground, taking Silaqui with him. She hadn't managed to break away in time and now found her opponent's body pinning her legs.
"Hey, slimy, that's my lap, not a pillow" she said, before slamming a fist on the top of his head.
"Um, big man? Come closer, I have something to tell you." Korth said to Athanasios.
The human approached the lizardfolk, giving him a chance to land a powerful headbutt, which sent him reeling.
"Ouch! We had a deal!" he protested.
"Remember: never make a deal with a drunkard" he turned and began to whisper "or with a stubborn person. I'll take this one."
He returned to the bar, staggering as he had arrived.
Meanwhile, Silaqui had gotten up and helped Holg do the same.
When they reached Athanasios, they tried to confirm that they hadn't dreamed what had just happened.
"To recap: a drunken lizardfolk showed up and knocked us out in six hits?"
His summary was greeted with a nod of confirmation from his human companion.
"It would seem so." the half-elf joined in.
"Five." one of the dragonbornes on the ground corrected them.
The three friends turned to the speaker.
"I struck the first blow, but he redirected it back to my friend," he explained.
"Brag, you dickhead." said the other, Karpoff.
Korth sat back down and grabbed the mug of mead that had materialized in his place.
"Twenty-nine seconds, I think, is a new best" he commented "Improved efficiency."
"And you do it like wine, Korth: by getting older." echoed Ygrudn.
"If you weren't my boss, I'd be offended to be compared to glorified grape juice" laughed the lizardfolk "But you pay me in alcohol, so you can take that freedom."
Only then did he notice a drow and a tiefling looking at him, puzzled.
"Forgive me, ladies, I'll let you get back to your conversation." he apologized before drinking.
"What was I telling you, Navi?" Ygrudn asked.
"These days, absolutely anything can be turned into a weapon." the drow commented through gritted teeth.
"It's his unpredictability that convinced me to hire him." she explained.
"You were lucky, Mrs. Ygrudn." Sersina replied.
"You've always had a kind of sixth sense about people." Naivara added.
"Well, I mean: just look at bards." Ygrudn pointed.
Meanwhile, on the stage, the gnome was gesturing an invitation for Brynn to come up, and the faun, after seeking permission from her friends, had accepted excitedly, and had pulled out her pan flute to join the other faun's banjo and the gnome's tambourine.
"I don't remember hiring that one." the innkeeper said.
"Oh, she's..." Sersina began, but was interrupted.
"An acquaintance of ours, who loves playing music and showing off, it seems."
She'd had enough of the drow, and, unnerved by her behavior, stepped on her foot, which greatly irritated the woman.
Fortunately, Ygrudn intervened.
"You should let other people speak, too, Navi, you know?" advice that would be forgotten in no time "A loud voice can be unpleasant."
"Thank you!" the tiefling exclaimed, relieved "Finally, someone who'll make her stop."
"You know, I've been there, too" the innkeeper confided "Naivara tends to drag out her jokes a little too long."
"I just don't understand, how did you two become business partners?"
It wasn't pretending anymore; it was a genuine question.
"A little voice in my head told me we could do great things together." was the simple explanation.
"Is this the same «little voice» that advised you to change the interior wood from rosewood to chestnut?" Naivara inquired.
"No, she hates it" Ygrudn denied "but since I'm the one who decides, she'll have to make do with it, «that little nuisance»"
Sersina was beginning to suspect that, whatever it was, this «little voice» had to be the reason Liadon had brought them to that inn.
"So you were part of a trio of scoundrels, Liadon?" she ventured.
"Patience, my young friend: the answers you seek will soon be revealed to you." was the cryptic warning she received.
The air of the inn was filled with the shout of a flying halfling who landed on his back on the table where the tiefling juggler was performing. The impact made her jump, and she interrupted her act, leather balls clattering onto the table.
Garbalor and Trym watched their companion fall at the circus performer's feet, astonished.
"Hello, are you okay?" Milo asked, finding himself facing the juggler's worried gaze "I am, so don't worry."
The tiefling nodded «YES» to her, while Milo, moving his eyes to reassess his position after the fall, finally realized that...his interlocutor was wearing nothing under her skirt.
He closed his eyes out of respect.
"Oh, I'm sorry: I didn't know you were wearing nothing under the skirt."
The tiefling, starting purple, turned red with embarrassment, and her tail curled around her hips.
Garbalor expressed confusion with a startled noise.
Trym grabbed her brother by the arm and pulled him to his feet.
"Milo!" she complained "Of all the things you could say?"
Milo shrugged, before his sister pushed him toward Garbalor and then focused on the poor thing.
"I apologize for what you heard." she said.
"You have some very strange friends." was the tiefling's embarrassed reply.
Trym sighed.
"The loaf-throwing gnome can also be serious and polite when he wants to be.
As for the peeping tom, however, I didn't choose him: he's my brother."
Garbalor glanced at Milo.
"Nice flight! What did you do?"
"I have no idea" actually, there were a couple "Maybe it's because I beated them at target practice."
"Never underestimate a bruised ego."
The halfling agreed.
The gnome grabbed a mug from the hands of a tiefling as purple as the juggler, waved his free hand, and drank it.
"Hey! My beer!" he heard the tiefling groan.
He pulled a silver coin from his pocket and placed it in the customer's hand.
"Go get another pint—it's on me." Garbalor said.
The tiefling closed his hand and was about to go to the counter, when suddenly he felt someone grab his arm.
"Wait, you're forgetting this" he heard say.
And in an instant, the mug was imprinted on his face, and the world went black.
Garbalor retrieved the coin and returned his gaze to Milo, who was watching him sternly.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Body is a temple, Garbalor."
"Yes, and sometimes necromancy can strengthen it, trust me."
"Honest." Milo couldn't help but acknowledge him.
"I see you, bastard!" they heard a shout: it was the half-elf from before, looking for him.
The two turned to the guy, then looked at each other again.
"Shall we cast a few?" Garbalor suggested.
"Well, I'm in." Milo accepted.
And they dove into a wild session of keep-away, passing the mug around while dodging the assaults of the idiots who had thrown Milo onto the table.
Meanwhile, Trym was entertaining the juggler, who was grateful and found her very reassuring and inexplicably sexy, with her armor, her large hammer, and the cat mask over her eyes.
"So you are..."
"Molly" the juggler replied timidly "And you?"
"I am..."
"Trym, watch out!" it was Garbalor.
"Yes." she replied, but her voice was dull, as if to hide his annoyance.
With a lightning-fast movement, she grabbed the hammer and struck the mug, sending it back to the sender, who promptly intercepted it.
"Nice shot, sis!" Milo complimented.
"Thank you, Milo."
Her gaze returned to Molly.
"Well, you got that."
"Yes, um...would you like to continue somewhere more private, Trym?" she offered.
"Why not?" the halfling mused "Any other requests...Molly?"
Molly replied with burning cheeks and a small voice.
"Could you keep your mask on, please?"
Trym smiled and gently took her right hand.
"Follow me." she said.
In the background of this bickering, Kleyan was having trouble with Sonny Hand's three cups: he had already been stolen of thirty silver coins, which were lying on the saucer; to get them back, he had to pay for another round.
"Oh, what a shame! Seems like I was quicker than you could see, this time."
"What the hell? How nervous!" said an astonished Kleyan.
Traubon, to his left, tapped him twice on the shoulder with his cane; the hobgoblin wanted to respond, but a moment of «genius» struck him and he guessed it was a suggestion.
Suddenly, a voice spoke in his head: it was the dwarf.
'Listen carefully: with my coin, I can read the halfling's mind, just like I'm doing with you now.
I'll give you a signal within five seconds of the end of the shuffle.
Remember, a gesture of mine:
Done an odd number of times, it's «right»;
Done an even number of times, it's «left»;
If I do nothing, it's «center»;
Trust me, and we'll have a good laugh.'
Sonny's words brought him back to reality.
"Listen, buddy" he said "I have an offer for you: since I like you, I'll put up the coins for this round, but from the next one, we'll raise to five, you understand?"
"Deal. I feel like my luck's starting to turn." Kleyan agreed, displaying an enviable brazenness.
Sonny, anticipating more easy money, added six silver coins to the saucer and began shuffling the cups, starting with the two on the sides, which had no marbles hidden underneath. After exactly six seconds, he stopped, leaving the hobgoblin to choose the winning one (right, in this case).
The dwarf wizard adjusted his mustache, stretching it once;
Kleyan caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye and lifted the right cup, revealing a marble.
Sonny was surprised too.
"Ah, such a luck!" he exclaimed.
"This I told you: luck remembered about me." the other gloated.
"Don't count on it too much."
After the hobgoblin had collected part of the winnings, leaving five coins on the plate, the halfling threw in five coins and began shuffling for another round. Another six seconds later, the winning cup was the one in the centre.
Traubon did nothing, and Kleyan went for the central one.
Sonny exorcised his annoyance with a laugh.
"So you were kidding me before?"
"Let's just say I like to take it easy, take it slow." the player explained.
"Strange, your curses right now didn't convey that."
"That's what happens when you build a character well and play it properly."
Third round, twenty more coins from Kleyan and twenty from Sonny, forty in the plate.
Six seconds, winning cup again in the centre.
No sign, lift the central cup, victory.
"Central again?" Kleyan was amazed.
"What can I say? I was being generous." Sonny chuckled.
"You know what I say, then? I'll double it, or even more: I'll try and bet a hundred coins."
"Of course." Sonny agreed, showing confidence.
Coins on the plate, shuffle, winning cup on the left.
Two coughs, left, victory.
Sonny's mask was starting to show some cracks.
"Yay! That's what I'm talking about!" Kleyan rejoiced "So, how about we get serious, Sonny boy?"
"You'll regret asking." the counter hissed through gritted teeth.
Indeed, the speed of his hands increased, but a voice came to reassure Kleyan: it was Traubon.
'This time he'll screw himself, don't worry.'
And sure enough, the movements became so nervous that a cup slipped off the table; the wizard caught it before it shattered on the floor.
"Oh, there, someone here is on edge, don't you think, Mr. Hand?" he asked the halfling.
Breaking point was reached.
"ENOUGH!" he snapped "I know what you two are doing!"
Kleyan and Traubon braced themselves for a laugh.
"How do you say?" asked the dwarf.
"Don't play dumb, I know you're playing me." Sonny accused them.
"I'm sorry, but I really don't follow you"
"Show me your hands, right now!"
"Um, gentlemen, I think we should all calm down." Kleyan tried to intervene.
"No problem, my friend" Traubon reassured him "It's a legitimate request he's doing, and I want to comply."
He opened his left hand, which wasn't holding the staff, but there was nothing there.
"Now the other hand, come on!" an angry Sonny urged him.
"Alright."
He switched the stick to his left hand and revealed his right, which was empty, too.
"Anything else?"
It was at that moment that Sonny finally exploded.
"RUARGH, you thieves! You're robbing me! I know you've made the coin you use to read my mind invisible, and I'll prove it, even if it's the last thing I…urgh."
Before he could finish his sentence, a wooden mug fell on his head, stunning him and knocking him out.
The two companions exchanged a confused look and both shrugged.
They heard a friendly voice calling out to them: it was Garbalor.
"Boys, would you pass it to me, please? Milo took a long shot, and I couldn't catch it." he explained.
Kleyan threw the mug back into the fray, then looked back at Traubon, and finally at the unconscious halfling's coin box.
"The accuses moved against our honor demand at least a small compensation, don't you think?" he questioned his friend.
"Firlen, we're not petty thieves." Traubon scolded.
Suddenly, however, the hobgoblin heard the dwarf's voice in his head.
'Take it all, those accusations sounded rather serious to me.'
Kleyan laughed.
"You're right, Strakeln: we have style."
At the counter, Ygrudn let out an amused laugh.
"Boy, there's even more commotion than usual, this evening. Are you sure you're not behind this chaos?"
Naivara groaned, slapping her forehead.
"I say, what am I talking for? What. Am I. Talking for?"
"At least the two dragons are having fun." Sersina intervened.
Indeed, Arkenjem and Zix were enjoying Brynn's performance with the two musicians, which was a blast.
The drow turned to Ygrudn.
"Well, then, we can close the small talk and get to serious matters."
The wood elf grew serious and checked to make sure no one around them was listening, not even Korth.
"It must be really important if you want answers from her." she commented.
"My «partner» as you call her" the other began "and I are looking for information on a woman from the Shadowfell, and we wanted to check if the «little nuisance» knew anything about it."
Sersina pulled out a portrait of the subject of their investigation: a female warrior with straw-colored hair, walnut-colored skin, gauntlets decorated with raven feathers, and an iron chain around her neck.
Ygrudn looked at the image with horror, recognizing the woman in the portrait.
"When did you meet her?" she inquired.
"Two weeks ago, she attacked us, then disappeared into thin air" Sersina replied "Why?"
The wood elf, even more incredulous, stiffened: the risk had now become greater.
"Because I found her in front of me too...but I also saw her die. Six months ago."
Wow: they weren't expecting this.
"Follow me at the end of the evening, and I'll arrange a meeting."
Since the sky outside the inn predicted thunderstorms, Nest Klief promptly headed for the stables, where he spotted a centaur who seemed to be the keeper; behind him, the five horses who brought them to the inn.
He asked Grulfus to stay behind because he didn't know how the caretaker would react to the sight of the boar.
He greeted the stablehand.
"Good evening, young man."
"Good evening, strange." the other replied.
He looked at the herd led by the old elf and could only raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"I've never seen anyone gather and direct so many horses at once."
"And I've never seen a centaur guarding a stable." the druid replied "I'd say we were both surprised today."
Inside the stable, he noticed a table with various medical tools, and an idea struck him.
"How long do you intend to stay here at the HANKERED TANKARD?" the centaur asked, still amused by the exchange.
"My companions and I intend to stay only one night, actually."
"Then you'll have to pay one gold coin per horse, per night." the stablehand explained.
With his free hand, Nest Klief pulled out her pouch of coins, took out ten, and handed them to him.
"Traveler, you have five horses. This money would be enough to secure you a room with all the perks."
"I imagine so, young man, but there's a greater good I want to use them for" he pointed to the table in the stable "I saw those healing instruments behind you. Are you a healer, by any chance?"
"Not exactly a healer, sir, but I personally take care of the horses entrusted to us, so they can rest and be ready to go again.
Anyway, that's already included in the price I quoted, so you can keep the rest and spend it on yourself."
"The truth is, I'm asking you for a favor" Nest Klief continued "to help a young friend I met on the road.
I don't want the displeasure I'm causing you to go unrewarded."
"I repeat, alas, I'm not a healer" the centaur repeated "so even if I wanted to..."
"Grulfus! You little rascal, come out."
He was about to retort, when he saw a boar approaching, a little lolling and with a dirty but determined snout. "Ah! So your friend is a boar."
"I understand that my request may appear curious in your eyes. I hesitated to ask because of the other horses in the stable, but I would like someone to take a look at this kind boar who came to my rescue."
The centaur thought for a few seconds, until a flash of lightning lit up the sky almost as bright as day.
"Let's get in, so we can avoid the rain, er..." They hadn't introduced each others yet.
"Nest Klief, and you are?"
"Jacobo."
The five horses first, and the boar then, all entered the stable; the former were temporarily left in stalls, while the latter was taken to the medical table, in a separate room.
"You are free to enter the inn whenever you like. I can take care of your friend here." Jacobo informed him.
"I don't want him to give you any unpleasant surprise. He tends to make jokes of people he doesn't know, and I don't want him to hurt you. If I stay close to him, he'll behave." Nest Klief explained. "Thank you, but I've already worked in a farm before. Size and tusks may change, but a boar is still a pig."
Reaching the ground, he began inspecting the boar's body for wounds and infections; it was a real fighter, judging by its back and flanks.
"A decidedly quarrelsome pig." he commented to himself.
"Yes, Grulfus can be summed up like that."
When Jacobo placed his right hand on a fresh arrow wound near the back, the boar shook itself and hissed threateningly.
"Grulfus! No!" Nest Klief scolded the animal.
"My fault, that must still be fresh; he was right to warn me."
"Thank you for your patience."
It had started raining outside, the drops crashing incessantly.
"I think I'll stay until the rain eases a bit. Is that okay with you?"
"Sure, no problem. As soon as I'm done here, I'll take care of the horses too." Jacobo reassured him.
"Can I lend a hand? It's late; do they need to eat?" the druid wanted to be helpful.
"That's very kind of you, but I wouldn't want you to tire yourself out too much, stranger."
"I'm stronger than I seem, boy, but thank you for the thought."
A neigh betrayed the presence of an intruder: a half-orc was trying to break into a stall to steal a horse; Nest Klief knew he had to intervene.
"Wait, it's dangerous!" Jacobo held him back "Leave it to me, I'll chase him away."
"I ask you to trust me, even if we've only known each other for a short time."
Jacobo noticed a glint in Nest Klief's eyes, and his instincts told him he could do it.
He watched him exit silently, before hearing a noise, like meat being reshaped in a butcher's shop.
Finally, a powerful neigh.
The centaur leaned forward to see the scene, and found himself faced with the silhouette of a black stallion.
He heard the thief speak.
"Ha ha, a horse left unattended! I think I'll take you."
The equine, without waiting for a second, landed a powerful blow to the half-orc's chest, making him back.
"Ha ha, you want to play tough with me?"
He punched the horse in the forehead, to stun it and grant himself a chance to mount.
Finally, he urged it to come out.
"Come on, you beast!"
The stablehand left the veterinary room to join the brigand, who was now outside the stable with the stolen «horse».
"Stop!" he shouted at the brigand.
And it was then that the stallion went wild, leaping like a madman, sending the rider into a panic.
"Woah! What the hell are you doing???"
From inside the inn, the neighing and screaming piqued Ygrudn's interest, making her look over, followed by Sersina and Naivara.
Korth was also intrigued.
"Wow!" he exclaimed "A horse like that must have a really strong master, holding him by the bridle."
"I don't think that horse has an owner." Naivara commented.
"Why do you say that?" Ygrudn asked.
"Because that's not a horse." Sersina replied.
"What the—?"
The half-orc, after about a dozen leaps, was finally thrown from Nest Klief's back, and fell flat on his back, bouncing onto his side.
Illuminated by a flash, the black stallion reared up in front of the thief and neighed, but instead of stamping on him with its paws, it began to mutate.
The hooves and hind legs began to resemble bear claws and paws, while the front legs resembled reptilian ones.
The muzzle shortened, and the ears drooped to make room for demonic horns.
The beast roared at the unhorsed brigand.
The half-orc, knocked to the ground, was now terrified.
Before he knew it, the terrible bipedal creature before him grabbed him by the throat with its left hand and lifted him before its eyes.
"Stay away." was his warning.
To his surprise, the thief spat in his face; he immediately regretted it.
Nest Klief lowered his opponent, allowing his feet to touch the ground again, and then delivered a devastating backhand with his free hand, sending the half-orc sprawling back into the mud.
At that, he knelt beside him.
"Shall we try again?" he asked.
At those words, the scoundrel began flailing his arms in panic, trying to get to his feet and run away as quickly as possible, screaming as if he'd seen the Whispered himself.
Four teeth laid in the clearing where he'd fallen.
"Who are you?" Jacobo could be heard shouting.
Nest Klief realized he couldn't avoid the conversation ahead, so, keeping his distance so as not to frighten the centaur, he answered.
"I'm Nest Klief."
To convince his wary interlocutor, he casted a transmutation spell to assume the appearance he'd presented himself with.
"I know, I owe you an explanation."
"You're...you're a druid, aren't you?"
"Correct" Nest Klief confirmed "The full moon blessed me with its vigor today."
"And that monstrous body is the result?"
The other shook his head.
"That, alas, is my true body, and this an illusion. I cannot maintain it for long, so now I ask you to allow me to hide in the stables with Grulfus...I hope my extra money will make up for the inconvenience I've caused you."
"Listen, I appreciate your offer" the centaur replied "however, after what you've done, I have to decline...it wouldn't be fair of me."
"What do you mean?"
"You chased that brigand away, saving me: charging you to stay in a stable would be petty of me.
We can see if there's a room for you; there haven't been many outsiders these days, so..."
"I'm afraid I'd attract too many attentions" the druid interrupted "and I should keep a low profile together with my companions."
"Judging by the commotion coming from inside, I doubt anyone will pay you much attention...and besides, I don't sleep in stables myself."
The last doubts left Nest Klief, who bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Jacobo."
"You're welcome! Come with me, I'll carry you inside."
"We should finish stable the horses first."
"True, and Grulfus is there too, wondering why we left him so suddenly." the stablehand added.
After a full hour and a half, the performance Brynn had joined was nearing its final bars, a fact that didn't seem to touch the audience, who were still lavish with compliments.
The addition of the flute of pan to the composition, sweeter than the tambourine but less versatile than the banjo, had proved providential, given the audience's response, allowing the repertoire to be expanded with numerous new combinations.
At the climax of the final melody, the faun and the gnome exchanged a nod of understanding, which Brynn, between them and with her eyes closed in concentration, couldn't catch.
Gradually, they reduced their participation in the symphony to highlight the contribution of their companion, who was being carried away by the memory of a summer afternoon.
She returned to the day when, while she was laying on a meadow contemplating the immensity of the sky, a splendid Queen Alexandra butterfly had landed on the palm of her left hand and, when she fell asleep, it came to rest on her eyelids, as if to shield her from the sun.
She wanted to convey the tenderness she'd sensed in that moment, transcending the barrier of species so gracefully and elegantly.
She doubted her audience had even vaguely grasped her intent, but their applause at the end of the solo filled her with joy and warmth.
She looked for and found Arkenjem and Zix in the audience, the latter riding on her friend's shoulders, also enchanted by the faun's musical abilities.
The gnome moved to centre of the stage.
"Thank you all. I certainly don't have to tell you that you were fantastic today, as always."
She turned to Brynn, gesturing with her hand to come closer; The faun timidly joined her.
"But I wish to ask you to give another round of applause for this brave soul, who has joined us to create an even greater spectacle." Then, to Brynn: "Tell me, my friend, what is your name?"
"H-Hello everyone, my name is Brynn." the evening's new star stammered.
"A big round of applause for Brynn!"
The inn erupted, and this time her other companions joined in, each one having managed to extricate themselves from the unpleasant situations they had more or less willingly gotten themselves into.
At the counter, Ygrudn was in admiration.
She turned to Naivara.
"Do you think you can try and convince her to perform here, perhaps on weekends?"
"For the right price, I think we can work it out."
"It's not her cup of tea" Sersina said, trying to dampen the drow's enthusiasm "She's an idealist and a pure adventurer; she doesn't seek wealth, but the experiences that every journey brings."
"Even better, this way her share will go to me."
Sersina casted a reproachful look at Naivara, who replied with a sly smile.
"I like her even more now" the wood elf interjected "I'm happy for her: she must never be bored with you."
The tiefling and the drow, somewhat regretfully, realized they were in agreement.
As most of the patrons left the inn to return their homes, Korth began setting up tables and chairs, while the bards, assisted by Brynn, cleared the stage.
After a few minutes, almost only the party members and the inn personnel remained.
"Damn, girl! You should have seen it with my own eyes, you rocked tonight!" the gnome congratulated.
"Do you really mean it?" the faun asked.
"Of course you did! Not everyone can surprise me, but you did!
Oh, by the way, I didn't introduce myself: my name is Luna Lilly Ella Nyx Turen, but you can simply call me «LULINYEL», you understand? Lu-li-ny-el, like the first syllable of every name, you get it?"
"Yes, I think so."
"And this annoying guy..." she continued, pointing to the approaching faun "...is Delb Sekayan."
The person in question gave her a dramatic bow, arms outstretched and legs crossed.
"It's a pleasure to meet another faun." Brynn greeted him.
"Oh, you must forgive me, miss" he apologized "This is not my appearance, nor my voice, but that of our mutual preceptor, Nokin Sweethymn.
I borrow it because it sells better.
Would you be so kind as to offer me your hand?"
Lulinyel looked at him sideways.
Brynn, shy but still flattered, held out her right hand.
Delb kissed her hand.
"Truth is that I..." he began, and slowly his appearance morphed; ten seconds later, Brynn was looking like a spitting image of herself, clothes included "I'm a changeling."
Even the voice had been perfectly replicated, to Brynn's surprise.
"Come on, stop it, you fool!" Lulinyel scolded him.
The changeling then transformed again, assuming what must have been his true form: a gray-skinned humanoid with short white hair and vacant eyes.
"And this is me, Delb Sekayan" he introduced himself "without a pseudonym, because my name is already cool."
"Or because you're a boaster, a braggart, and a show-off." his colleague retorted.
"Tell the maiden who has always envied my musical versatility."
"What? I can play the same instruments as you!"
"And yet you prefer cymbals and percussion, so loud and disharmonious...so savage." Delb judged her.
"At least I'm not as rigid with the tambourine as you are with your bagpipes."
"Oh no, what am I going to do, knowing I can't sway and wiggle my hips around the stage like you do?"
"Hey, I don't wiggle my hips!" she protested.
"Liar."
Delb assumed her colleague's appearance, picked up her tambourine, and began to caricature her movements.
"Admire me, everyone! I'm Lulinyel, beautiful and sensual like an elf maiden, but a little smaller...except where it counts."
Lulinyel leaped at Delb.
"I'll kill you now, Delb! I don't give you permission to take my form!"
Brynn couldn't help but laugh: their bickering reminded her of her brothers when they were younger, arguing over who sang better at village festivals.
The two bickering bards, hearing her laughter, turned to her.
"Oh, sorry, I wasn't laughing at you two" she explained "It's just that you remind me of my little brothers when we were younger. I always promise myself I'll visit them once this trip is over...who knows, maybe they'll be happy to know I thought of them thanks to two talented musicians."
Arkenjem and Zix rejoined their friend.
"Brynn, congratulations! I'm proud of you!" the first said.
"Did you have fun?" the second one questioned her.
"Very much, Zix!"
"See, I told you: you should listen to me more often."
"Or not!"
This was Naivara, and she was very annoyed.
The five turned to the drow, who was followed closely by Sersina.
"I'm talking to you too!" she continued.
The other party members, all returning from different adventures, moved forward to their companions, taking their places at the tables Korth had rearranged.
"Before we crossed that threshold, no more than two hours ago, I remember giving you all one simple recommendation...am I wrong?"
Silaqui, tipsy, chuckled, attracting her lanista's attention.
"You think this is funny, silly girl?" Naivara bellowed.
"No, no, sorry" she replied, trying to compose herself "I remembered a joke Karpoff made, and…"
"Karpoff?! Who the hell is Karpoff?"
"Didn't I introduce him to you? That dragonborne is really hilarious, you should meet him."
"I can live without it." the drow declined, irritated.
She looked at Athanasios and Holg, who were rocking in their chairs, still drunk from a drinking contest with the earth genasi and the other dragonborne.
"And you two" she began "if I had wanted two showmen, I would have looked in a theater, don't you think?"
"In my defense" the human defended himself, his voice thick "I tried to stop these two idiots, but they wouldn't listen."
"Come on, my hands were itching, I had to do something." Holg protested.
"Of course, after all, what does scream «discretion» more than starting a fight? And tell me: did you enjoy the dressing down Korth gave you?"
"My goodness, that lizard thing doesn't have a tail, it has a whip" he motioned to the lizardfolk "My calves are still throbbing."
"Thanks for the compliment, you big brute" he replied "How did the drinking contest end?"
"I won." Athanasios declared, raising his arm.
"See? You could have solved it without punches."
"The others lost, which is different." Silaqui pointed out.
"And I might add that akvavit sucks." the half-orc interjected.
"I didn't vomit, the others did, so I won." the human objected "And don't insult akvavit, Holg: you drink grog."
Silaqui treacherously elbowed Athanasios in the stomach, and he felt all the akvavit rise up in him...and land on the floor, through his retching.
"You were saying?" the warrior taunted.
"You're a bitch!" the other gasped.
"Hooray, you finally got the pole out of your ass and let loose; it does you credit."
"And grog is good, whether you like it or not" Holg added "I've never had scurvy since I started drinking it."
Naivara had turned her attention to Traubon and Kleyan, who was holding a chest overflowing with coins.
"Speaking of credit" she continued "which one of you wants to tell me where you got all that silver from?"
"Sonny Hand, the one with the three cups, started it" the hobgoblin complained "We just took our compensation."
"Those look like at least three or four hundred coins to me." the drow assessed, unconvinced.
"The accusations he made against us were REALLY defamatory." the dwarf justified.
From the corridor came the creaking of a wooden plank, which reached the ears of those present and drew their attention.
With her mask askew and her hair disheveled, Trym watched them in silence.
"Hello, guys."
"And where the hell have you been?" Sersina asked.
"Hello, Trym." Athanasios replied, who had finished vomiting his guts.
"Well, well, let's just say I had company." the halfling explained.
Behind her, with a shoulder pad draped halfway up her arm and a haggard but satisfied face, was Molly.
"Mine." she added.
"And who is that?" Naivara asked.
"Oh, how rude of me, my name is..."
"My question was purely rhetorical, sweetie."
Trym saw the discomfort on her conquest's face.
"Don't listen to her, she's obnoxious to everyone" she then looked at the others "Is Brynn finished performing?"
"Yes, you should have heard her: she was magnificent." confirmed Zix.
"I agree!" Lulinyel and Delb added in unison.
"Gee, I'm sorry I missed it." Trym apologized.
"At least you spent a good evening." Arkenjem commented.
"That's for sure," the other agreed.
"Glad I could help." Milo popped up.
"«Help»? For what, exactly?" his sister asked.
"Yes, flying halfling: for what?" Naivara echoed.
"Well, if it weren't for the dwarf who threw me onto the table, probably nothing of this would have happened. Think of her as the driving force behind the whole thing."
Then, to Molly:"Oh, I apologize again for any awkward comments."
"No problem, I'd say that water has passed under the bridge by now."
Naivara cleared her throat and called for everyone's attention.
"So, I'm still waiting: did I give you a recommendation or not?"
"Yes, ma'am" Garbalor confirmed "You said to split up and stay alert."
"And…?"
"And…"
"Don't…?" the drow suggested.
"I have it, I have it, I know it, don't tell me: don't mess things up."
"So, if you knew, why didn't you do that?"
"Well, I couldn't just sit there doing nothing: Milo was in danger, so I intervened." the gnome defended himself.
An objection arose from a couple of tables behind: it was the tiefling he'd knocked out with the mug.
"And was it really necessary to hit me in the face with my pint?" he complained.
"Mauk, are you okay?" Molly asked, recognizing him.
"Hi, Molly. I'm still a little dizzy."
"Sorry, buddy, but I realized I gave you a silver coin" he explained "I meant to buy you a pint, not half a gallon."
"Do you know each other?" Trym asked, turning to Molly.
"Yes, he's my brother."
"Ah..." and here's the awkward moment "Your sister is very pretty, Mauk."
"I know. I know."
"I apologize about my sister" Milo joined in "She doesn't usually prey on poor, innocent girls."
Everyone laughed, except Naivara...and Sersina noticed.
"Come on, wise teacher." she taunted "Smile a little, it makes you look prettier."
"Don't tempt fate, little devil."
Ygrudn laughed, catching their attention.
"You've found yourself a new friend for life, Navi. You're acting exactly like you did with me back in the days."
"She'd like that." the drow snorted.
There was a clatter of hooves approaching, closely followed by a few knocks on what must have been a side entrance.
"Jacobo, is that you?" the innkeeper called.
"Yes, Miss Ygrudn, I've taken care of the last horses and locked the stables, so I'd like to get in now."
The wood elf opened the door to let the centaur in, but was surprised to see he wasn't alone: next to him stood a massive creature she couldn't quite place in any species she knew, with devil horns, bear paws, and reptilian arms. Understandably, she was alarmed.
"Jacobo, what is this beast before me?"
"Wait, Miss Ygrudn" the stableman reassured her "You have nothing to fear: he too is a stranger seeking hospitality."
As Ygrudn retreated and Korth prepared to attack, Molly and Mauk were frozen in horror; the rest of the party, meanwhile, was divided between those who were worried and those who greeted their traveling companion.
"I understand your fear, Miss Ygrudn" the creature spoke "My traveling companion, Mrs. Liadon, urged me to remain discreet, so I considered taking refuge in the stables, but the theft I thwarted would not allow it. I asked your employee for permission to sleep in the stables with the horses, so as not to enter and frighten the customers, but he would not listen to this and brought me here, to your inn."
The owner, listening to the monster's articulate speech, realized she was not dealing with a wild animal, and relaxed a little, then returned behind the counter.
Standing aside, Naivara felt defeated on all fronts.
"You couldn't fly low either, titan?"
"I could have, but a brigand would have stolen our horses."
What could she say? If they lost the horses, they would have to incur a considerable expense.
"Well, now all that's left is to take the rooms." the drow concluded.
Ygrudn motioned for Jacobo and Korth to escort the artists and tieflings to their rooms.
Molly greeted Trym with a smile, and the halfling smiled back.
"Do you think sixty gold coins will cover all the expenses and utilities?" Naivara asked.
"Seventy should cover the cost of the rooms, utilities, and for not letting me know you were coming to visit" she listed "Also, I don't want Sonny Hand's stolen goods."
"Why?" Kleyan protested "It's clean money!"
"No, it was obtained through fraud."
"But my friend and I recovered it. I mean, is it a crime to steal from a thief?
"Under this roof, yes." replied the wood elf.
"Aw, stop acting like a goody-goody" Naivara quipped "This whole place was built thanks to various kinds of «stolen goods»."
Traubon, still holding the coin in his hand, heard two voices coming from Ygrudn, one of which was speaking even though the person concerned was silent.
'Come on, Yggy' the voice urged 'The monster prevented a theft, the faun played for the customers, the dwarf and his friend drove away a swindler, what more do you want? They gave us a good hand, more or less voluntarily. Don't you think we could turn a blind eye, just this once?'
'Enough!' Ygrudn shushed her 'When I say no, it's no, Saniel. Get over it.'
Back in the physical world, he wanted to exploit this knowledge.
"You said exactly the right thing, Saniel: we've done a lot for you this evening."
Everyone looked at him in surprise, except Naivara.
"Who are you talking to?" Kleyan questioned "There's no Saniel here, is there?"
'What did you say?' Ygrudn was now pale.
Traubon's voice pierced the elf's head.
'One body, two souls. I now know your secret: you house the souls from two different people within you...right, Yggy?'
'What?!' Saniel jumped 'What are you doing here? How did you get in?'
'It's not a funny case of multiple personalities, because if that were the case, the soul's voice would be one, very faint and fragmented' he explained 'Here, however, I hear two, and they're clearly distinct.'
'Divinatory magic.' Ygrudn understood.
'Exactly' Traubon confirmed 'I'd like us to collaborate in a way that's beneficial for everyone.
What do you think? Telling this secret around could be a problem for you. And we don't want that to happen...do we?'
Back in the inn, Ygrudn, not knowing how to respond, sighed.
"Sixty gold coins" she conceded "And you can pay with that cheap scoundrel's silver, too."
Traubon motioned to Kleyan, who carried the box to the counter.
"Very well, what about the missing pieces?"
Sersina added ten gold coins from her own pocket.
"Ten more coins." the owner kept count.
Nest Klief approached her with the five coins Jacobo had refused. Five.
No one else was going to add anything else, considering Naivara hadn't even reached for her purse yet.
"Well, I guess we're done, right?" she tried to dodge.
"No, not yet." was Ygrudn's curt reply.
"Come on, foxy." Naivara tried to snare her.
"Call me that again, and the last five coins will be platinum."
Failed attempt. At least she tried.
She pulled out the missing pieces of the payment, placing it beside Ygrudn.
"Right in front of everyone?" she hissed in her ear.
"I know, it really is a thieves' world." her old partner joked.
The drow sat down next to her companions.
Finally, Ygrudn spoke.
"Very well, if you wish to rest, your rooms are ready, on the first floor" and turned toward the corridor "KORTH!"
As if summoned by magic, the lizardfolk emerged from there.
"Ready to your commands!"
"Will you escort our guests to their rooms, please?"
"Yes, ma'am" he obeyed "Follow me, you ramshackle dozen; you'll love your quarters."
With the exception of Naivara and Sersina, the adventurers followed the reptile.
Traubon was also leaving, but he heard his name being called.
"Divinator!" It was Ygrudn.
"Yes?"
"You can follow us, if you like" she explained "You surprised me. And among the four of us, you're the only one who can read minds."
"So what?" the enchanter inquired.
"Curiosity kills, wizard." This, instead, was Sersina.
"I'll settle for that answer." Traubon concluded.
The tiefling, the dwarf, and the drow were led near the stage, where Ygrudn pressed a board that revealed an alcove with a spiral staircase.
"After you." she invited them.
Sersina and Traubon descended.
When it was Naivara's turn, Ygrudn stopped her and handed her a scroll.
"Here, I forgot to tell you earlier."
"Tell me what?"
"Just read it."
The drow unrolled the document, and when she reached the end, she stiffened, then sought the elf's gaze.
"Are you kidding me?!" she reacted.
"Now you can collect your share of the inn's profits from the city depot; I've kept it safe for you."
"And couldn't you have deducted this payment tomorrow and given me the scroll later?"
The wood elf laughed.
"And miss the opportunity to laugh at you embarrassing yourself? You think I am crazy enough to miss such an opportunity?"
Naivara was speechless: the penniless elf she had rescued from the side of the street decades before was now shamelessly mocking her; she didn't know whether to be proud or regretful of her choice.
"Come on, little Tytpa" she ordered, a hint of sweetness showing through "there's still much to discuss."
As the drow walked downstairs, a little voice came into Ygrudn's head: Saniel.
'Yesssssss!!! She said it! She really said it!'
'Saniel, get a grip!' Ygrudn scolded her.
'Come on, sulky girl! You've been hoping she'd use that nickname for years, aren't you happy?'
'It's no big deal, you're making a big deal out of it.'
'But it's a big deal' Saniel protested 'She even smiled, did you see it?'
'What are you talking about? She was tired, nothing more.'
'Look at her, trying to deny it...'
'Saniel, please, concentrate' Ygrudn begged 'They came to talk about that crazy woman, Turin...'
'Turiyar.'
'Yes, as I said. We'll talk about my quest for Naivara Liadon's approval another time.'
'Do you think they should know about the other one, too?' the shadar kai inquired.
Yes, the other one: the kenku who appeared out of nowhere and saved her life by killing Turiyar after a violent fight.
If one had returned from the world of the deads, it was fair to assume that the other one would return as well.
'You know, that might not be such a bad idea.' Ygrudn admitted.
'Thanks for your concession, I guess.'
'Let's see how it goes and decide on the spot.'
'Ah, good old improvisation.' Saniel evoked.
'Just the way we like it.'
'You can say it out loud, girl! Come on, it's showtime!'
'Let's fucking go!' the wood elf resolved.
She at last descended the stairs, and the door closed behind her, hiding the alcove.
Within an hour, the last light of the HANKERED TANKARD went out.
But night was still young, and it had many surprises in store.