Sitting in one of the armchairs was the old dark elf woman he had encountered two days earlier, appearing as wizened as ever. Her eyes glinted with a mischievous light. The faint glow from the magical sconces cast shifting shadows across her features.

Gerkag continued to the next doorway, motioning for G and the children to follow. However, G stopped in his tracks and turned to the woman, his face set in a stern expression, the muscles in his jaw visibly tight. "Why did you put me to sleep with that magic smoke?" he demanded, his tone laden with accusation.

The woman shrugged, the shadows playing over her shriveled features. "It was necessary to keep you out of my way," she said casually. "A strange elf way down here in the dark pathways? You are trouble, and I have other things that need to be done."

G's eyes narrowed, a cold edge creeping into his voice. "Like what?"

"Ahhh, you're a nosy elf," she replied, her gaze drifting leisurely around the room as if taking inventory of every hidden corner and crevice. "If you keep that up, you won't last long in this city, or any city for that matter."

"Why did you leave me for that creature? Were you hoping it would eat me?" G's voice sharpened, a flicker of past terror returning as he recalled how the Grurenderer had fallen asleep on his legs like a giant cat.

Phan smiled, showing a row of half-rotten pointed teeth. "Why don't you tell me how you got away from the temple guardian? That would be much more interesting than me telling you I left you there to die. They are notoriously hard to escape once they get your scent."

From behind G, Gerkag's voice emerged, calm and authoritative. "I see you two know each other."

"Hardly," G retorted with force, his body tense with barely contained frustration. "She tried to kill me. Why is she here?"

"Both of you are under my roof, and I expect no harm in this place," Gerkag spoke with calm authority, his eyes asserting his control over the room.

G issued a noncommittal grunt and followed Gerkag, leaving Phan behind as they passed through the corridor to a quieter, more private chamber. Illuminated by the soft yellow light of magical sconces, the room offered a tranquil refuge. Thick stone walls draped with heavy curtains absorbed sound, creating a hushed sanctuary. G settled at the table in the center, taking one of four chairs while the Rock Gnomes scattered about, looking at various items that were decorating the room.

Gerkag followed, closing the door behind them. He sat across from G, his voice low. "This room is shielded from magical snooping, and we should be able to talk safely. Now explain to me exactly what's going on and how Kargan is involved." The tavern keeper's gaze briefly fixed on Theiry, who had picked up a small statue from a side table. "Anything that goes missing here goes on your tab."

G addressed Theiry, who reluctantly placed the small bronze statue back down. "No stealing. Remember, we're guests." His voice held a sternness that echoed through the room.

As G looked around the room, he realized the Rock Gnomes were poised to pilfer everything not nailed down if he didn't intervene. He needed to distract them. Turning slightly, he muttered the incantation to Summon Companion. Within moments, a swirl of mystical energy materialized into Crewton, who appeared looking curiously about the room.

The Boston Terrier was notably clean, his fur glistening as if he had just emerged from a bath, carrying the faint scent of lavender and soap. G caught the fragrance and sighed, a mix of exasperation and envy. Where does he vanish to? G wondered, not for the first time. The idea of Crewton lounging in some celestial spa while he dealt with the dirt and danger of his quests was both amusing and maddening.

He beckoned Crewton closer and rubbed his ears affectionately, his fingers running through the soft, clean fur. "You always come back smelling better than when you left," G murmured, half to himself. The Rock Gnomes watched as the Boston Terrier nuzzled into G's hand, oblivious to the complexities of his existence between planes.

"Where do you go, huh?" G whispered to Crewton, knowing well that the creature would offer no answers, only a comforting presence and the occasional lick of his hand. G often wondered where Crewton disappeared to, but each return of the dog deepened his appreciation for his companion and the fascinating powers of magic.

"Crew, go make some new friends," he instructed, nodding toward Niamh. Crewton bounded over and shoved his nose directly into the small Rock Gnome's face, sniffing loudly and eliciting a giggle from Niamh.

Turning back to Gerkag, G shifted the conversation. "How about we start with, why Phan is here?"

Gerkag responded slowly, his words measured. "I maintain a strict confidentiality for my guests. Some pay dearly for this place's privacy, free from the scrutinizing eyes of guards in other districts. I've hosted all sorts of guests here." His gaze held a hint of warning.

G pressed further about Phan. "She's trouble," G asserted, leaning forward, his voice low. G paused momentarily and then continued, getting right to the primary reason he was there: "As for Kargan and me, he was sent on a mission to capture me for Ryan, the queen's consort. It didn't go as planned, and I ended up saving him from some rather unpleasant spiders. We struck a bargain, and now he's aiding me until my quest concludes."

Tocai projected to G, "It might be prudent to hold back about our quests."

G hesitated, reconsidering the wisdom of divulging more to Gerkag. Good thing his familiar was there to guide him, he thought, feeling the ring on his finger pulse once more.

"Do you seek assistance with your mission in Mirbor?" Gerkag probed.

And then, despite his reservations, G confided, "I need to put an end to the queen's consort before he unleashes demons into my homeland, threatening all I hold dear."

Gerkag's expression became unreadable. He waved his hand over the table, which magically transformed into clear glass, revealing a pulsating green gem just beneath the surface. He studied G intently before the table morphed back to wood, the magic dissipating. "You speak the truth," Gerkag noted, pointing a finger in the air.

Then, with a swift motion, Gerkag pulled the door behind him open. Phan stood there, her expression one of shock and surprise. Her ear turned to where the door used to be.

As Phan appeared in the doorway, G's body tensed, and his hand instinctively reached into his robe. He quietly willed his mace from his inventory. However, he halted, the weapon still partially concealed, reminded by the safety of Gerkag's room and the subtle optimism imbued by his ring. His eyes locked on the dark elf, his grip on the mace tightening slightly, ready for any sudden moves.

"Do come in," Gerkag invited with a tone of bored amusement.

Phan walked into the room as if it had been her plan all along and took a seat, her eyes flicking between Gerkag and G.

Gerkag closed the door, his hand passing over it to activate a magical seal that pulsed across the room. He sat down, his attention fixed on Phan.

"We can't trust her," G whispered to Gerkag, who remained impassive. He knew she could hear him, but he wanted to make his thoughts clear to both of them.

Gerkag addressed Phan, "Before you entertain any ideas about harming anyone here, know that this room is sealed. Any violence would ensure a slow demise from starvation."

Gerkag surveyed the tense faces before him, sensing the simmering distrust. His usual methods of control and authority hadn't quelled the undercurrent of deception and hidden motives in the room. These were dangerous people and caution would be his approach here, but he needed a different tactic, something to break the stalemate without escalating the hostilities already threatening to boil over.

They're all guarding their secrets too closely, he thought, his gaze lingering on Phan's evasive eyes and G's defiant stance. And secrets are poison in negotiations like these—lethal to any hope of alliance or understanding.

As his hand rested lightly on the old, scarred wood of the table, a plan began to crystallize in his mind. Time to shift the game... he mused. Not by force, but by coaxing the truth out into the open. Let them speak freely, but bind them to the truth without them realizing they've been cornered.

"Now we're going to play a game called Truth or Truth," he announced, his voice calm but firm, cutting through the tension like a knife. The element of surprise was crucial here; it disoriented, made people rethink their own strategies. "If we reach a satisfactory agreement, everyone leaves here fit and healthy," he continued, ensuring his words painted a picture of mutual benefit—though the stakes were silently implied.

His eyes fixed on Phan, the most unpredictable element in the room. "Let's start with your real name." It was a simple request, yet loaded with the demand for honesty. By starting with something as fundamental as a name, Gerkag aimed to set a precedent for the level of transparency he expected.

This isn't just about control; it's about revealing alliances and intentions. Gerkag knew that if he could navigate the web of truths and lies skillfully, he might just untangle the knots of deceit binding them all. Let's see how they dance to this tune...

His ring pulsed again, and G chimed in, "That sounds great, I like that plan." As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them as both Gerkag and Phan turned to look at him.

Tocai's voice echoed in G's mind, "You know what would be a better plan? Use your wits to reveal as little as possible while still appearing to cooperate. That's a much better strategy, especially if they think you're playing along with their less-than-stellar ideas!"

As she sat there, Phan's mind raced. The weight of her oaths as a dark elf assassin pressed heavily upon her. Kill the queen or die trying, the creed echoed in her bones. Her entire being was devoted to this singular purpose, but the complication of being exposed here gnawed at her resolve.

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These fools have no idea of the stakes. To fail in my mission is to embrace the dishonor of ritual suicide. Yet, here, surrounded by enemies and possible unforeseen allies, the path is murky. Her gaze lingered on the magical seals and the green gem beneath the table's surface. Could they be manipulated to aid my cause? Or must I eliminate them to secure my escape? Can that even be done at this point? She could hold a child hostage which this person call G would easily fall for, but she knew that Gerkag, who controlled the magic would care little about such a child. She mentally kicked herself again for just walking into such an obvious trap.

The ritual of her ancestors whispered to her of purity in purpose and the cleanliness of a swift kill. Yet, here, in the murk of Gerkag's intrigue, was there room to maneuver? Phan calculated her chances, the lives of those around her weighing less than the air they breathed compared to her sworn duty.

To die without completing my task is unacceptable. To live, I must be as cunning as the shadows I dwell in. Perhaps, aligning with these adventurers, as distasteful as it feels, could further my ends. But at what cost?

Her fingers tensed, her thoughts a whirlwind of strategies. Manipulate or murder? The choice is stark, but the answer is clear. I must survive, and the queen must die. Everything else is secondary.

G nodded slightly as Phan introduced herself. "My name is Phanvupu Nightshade," she declared, turning back to face Gerkag.

When it was his turn, G cleared his throat. "My name is G," he stated simply. The green gem embedded in the table continued to glow softly.

"My name is Gerkag," the tavern keeper said last. He studied Phan intently. "Now, what do you really look like?" His voice was curious and cautious, ready for any response.

Seeing Phan go rigid, G responded to Gerkag. "I'll start. " G reached up, his fingers brushing against the sides of his goggles. With a swift, practiced motion, he pulled them up. The movement was smooth, almost rehearsed, revealing his keen, piercing, elven eyes beneath his pale hair as he pulled his cowl back.

Phan studied G intently, her gaze sharp and assessing. He half-expected her disdain was due to his character's Aardsylvian penalties with other elves—surely she would hold the typical elven prejudices? But instead, she just watched him, a frown creasing her brow. After a tense moment, she let out a sharp exhale and flipped her head back, a clear display of her frustration.

She shrugged and dropped her magical disguise. Her true form emerged, that of a dark elf clad in black leather armor, each hip sporting a dagger. Her long, pointed ears and striking features now fully visible, her eyes burned with fierce determination.

Turning away from G, she faced Gerkag expectantly. The tavern keeper moved his hands as if to reveal something similar, but then settled back, smiling. "Yeah, what you see is what I am," he stated simply.

A giggle erupted from behind him; one of the Rock Gnomes couldn't contain their amusement. Gerkag glanced over his shoulder at the little figures, two of whom were tangled up in a playful tug-of-war with Crewton over a piece of rope. "Do not worry, you seven are next," he said before turning back to the matter at hand.

Gerkag's gaze returned to G, piercing and direct. "Now for the hard part. What exactly is your plan here? You do have a plan?"

G's eyes flicked between Phan and Gerkag, feeling the weight of the question. "I plan to kill Ryan and, hopefully, return to my home," he confessed, his voice steady. He had spoken these ideas before and was almost certain Phan had overheard them.Top of Form

The gem on the table remained green as Gerkag turned to Phan. "And what about you?" he asked.

"I am going to return to the capital," Phan responded promptly.

However, the gem on the table pulsed red. Gerkag's frown deepened as he waited.

"I am going to return to the capital," Phan repeated, her voice betraying her growing impatience, but the gem continued to pulse red.

Gerkag tapped the table lightly with one finger. Instantly, the chairs that G and Phan were sitting in transformed. Bands of magic shot out, securing them tightly to their seats. While G could still breathe comfortably, he found himself unable to move his arms or legs more than a fraction. He glanced at Phan and noticed her right arm, with a dagger half-drawn, was now bound by glowing golden bands. Her legs were similarly restrained.

"What are you doing? Is this how you treat your guests?" Phan demanded, her voice laced with venom.

"If it's necessary to ensure the safety of my establishment, yes," Gerkag replied, his voice tired yet firm. "Would you like to test how tight these bands can be?" He ran his finger along the table's surface, causing the bands to tighten momentarily, reminding G of a blood pressure cuff enveloping his entire body.

G managed to gasp out to Phan, "Maybe don't test him, huh?"

Phan, still able to move her head, shot G a glare filled with frustration. "Gerkag, what is this? Why have you restrained us?" G strained subtly against the magical constraints.

Gerkag sighed and leaned back. "I apologize for the measures, but we needed clarity. This gem," he gestured to the table, "is a tool for discerning truth, though it's not infallible. It can be fooled by certain magics, which I suspect you've employed."

"I told you the truth. I am going to the capital," Phan insisted, her brow furrowed.

"You stated a truth, but not the whole of it," Gerkag corrected her. "The gem reacted to the omission in your words. It detects not just the words themselves but the intent behind them. When I activated the table, the bands revealed your attempt to obscure the full truth with a minor enchantment." He pointed at a bit of the carved tables surface that had shifted, indicating something to him.

Phan's glare intensified, though a tiny flicker of fear was evident in her eyes. "What now?"

"I'm not going to harm you," Gerkag reassured, his voice softening. "I simply seek transparency. We can't proceed unless we're all honest with each other."

"You're both free to go. But before you do, I have a proposition for both of you. It's one that requires trust, and I can't move forward until I am sure we have that."

G and Phan exchanged a wary look. "What kind of proposition?" asked G.

Gerkag leaned forward, his eyes shining with fierce intensity. "I need your help to save our friend Kargan. But first, we need to get an honest answer or three out of this young lady."

Phan glared at him.

G smiled. This was working out. He needed help to find Kargan, and now he had a bargaining chip. He was feeling really good about this as the ring pulsed again. "Hey, do you like gold?" he asked Phan.

Phan stared at G as he spoke again, "Gerkag, I have no intention of harming anyone here if I can help it. I intend to find Kargan and Riclos, and you can be assured my issue is with Ryan. Can you release us from these bands now? I have a proposition to offer."

Gerkag looked at the gem, which was green again. He tapped the table, and the bands around G disappeared. G took a few deep breaths, rubbed his arms, and cracked his neck. Then he reached into his robe, summoned a handful of gold and a few gems from the treasure, and placed the wealth on the table.

"I am willing to pay both of you for your help with my quest against Ryan and to help me keep these munchkins behind me safe," said G, hopeful this would work.

Phan wheezed out through the tight magical bonds holding her, "I do not need your wealth, elf." The gem in the table turned a deep red, and she snarled at the magic table.

"Okay, then I guess we can put this all back," G said, pushing the wealth back into his hand off the table.

"Let us not be so hasty, lad!" Gerkag said. "I already intend to help Kargan for a debt I owe him from long ago. Turning a bit of profit is never off the table, even among friends. I could see to it that your young friends here stay safe and out of sight. What do you plan on doing with them?"

G heard ruffling as a couple of the gnome children moved forward to look at the table and listen. "I made a promise, and I intend to keep it by finding them a safe place to live where they won't have to make bad deals with blind trolls to survive," G said, looking back at Theiry, who was grinning ear to ear.

Phan looked at the kids, and then at G. "Fool, your weakness will get you killed," she said. The gem in the table was still green, and she must have believed that, G realized.

"It might, but I like to keep my promises," G said, putting the handful of treasure back on the table with a loud clatter. "Now, if you could tell us what you're really doing, then we might be able to come to a formal agreement where some of this wealth ends up in your pockets."

Phan looked at Gerkag and croaked out, "Loosen these, and we will talk."

Gerkag slid a finger across the table's surface, and the bands loosened enough to let Phan breathe easier. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Some nobles hired my... friends in the capital to kill the queen. She has failed to fulfill her agreement to send soldiers for the great war, and they believe it's time for a change of leadership in Mirbor. The cousin should have become the new king of this domain, but somehow, the poisoned wine intended for the queen's chamber came to the cousin who died. The cousin had an agreement with the people who paid my friends to send those troops once he became king."

G looked at the table, which was still green. "So you still intend to kill the queen?"

"Yes, the contract is still valid," said Phan.

"Well, I intend to kill Ryan, and he is her consort," said G.

"How did you get the poison past the wards? They can't be bypassed so easily. We are not back-cavern yokels here," said Gerkag.

Phan shrugged. "The poison was subtle and in two parts. The first part I put in the queen's food the night before, and the second part was in the wine. It would only become poisonous once the two were mixed in her blood."

The gem remained green.

G didn't understand how the cousin could have died if he didn't have the first part. "How did the cousin get both parts of this poison? If you gave it to the queen?"

"I do not know. When I met you, I was trying to figure that out myself. I even tested the poison on a few creatures, and it worked correctly," said Phan.

G didn't understand that either, was magic involved? "Tocai, what do you think? Could magic have transferred the poison? "

"I do not fully understand magic. Other than that, it appears magic can do almost anything if applied correctly, but several explanations come to mind with a higher probability. The highest probability being someone else knew about what she was doing and murdered the cousin so Phan or Kargan would take the blame," said Tocai.

"Everyone poisoning everyone else, dark elf society certainly doesn't seem very pleasant," replied G to his familiar.

Gerkag spoke first, "Is it possible someone else poisoned the cousin, and you are to take the blame? Kargan said he didn't understand how anyone could have bypassed his protections, and his guard protected the cousin," he must have come to the same conclusion as Tocai.

"That had occurred to me also, but how could someone do that without being caught? The poison required two halves to activate," said Phan.

"Who else knew you were coming here? Murder is common in the dark elf royal courts, but it would require some planning to get past the wards," said Gerkag.

"I watched her eat the poisoned foot. It was in the bread she ate," said Phan.

"G, it's possible the first poison was the one element of the poison that was switched, or perhaps someone also gave the cousin the first part," said Tocai.

G looked at Crewton, who was busy curling up on Niamh's lap while she sat on one of the divans. Then he turned back to Phan. "Is it possible the first part of the poison was the one switched or given to the cousin? When did the cousin die?"

Phan's brow wrinkled. "That's not possible. I am certain she had the first part in a meal the night before."

"Let's assume she did get that part. Did the cousin drink some of the wine the queen had the second night?" G's voice was steady, his eyes locked on Phan, searching for any flicker of uncertainty. "Is it possible someone targeted the queen's cousin without your knowledge? How rare is this poison?"

"Only my guild knows of it, as far as I'm aware," Phan replied, her posture rigid, her voice devoid of warmth.

G raised an eyebrow slightly and continued to stare at Phan, unblinking. She caught his gaze, a flicker of realization crossing her features. "If you're suggesting an overlapping contract... our guild would never risk such exposure. The other capital guilds would hunt us down, and the Empress would order us found and killed if we killed a whole royal bloodline." Phan became still as she thought, her eyes staring at nothing for a few moments.

"Still, you might want to consider that someone outside might be aware of your mission," G leaned back, folding his arms, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow.

There was a pause. Phan watched G's fingers casually trace the edge of a gem on the table, her eyes narrowing slightly. G spoke, "It seems we both seek an advantage here. I'm prepared to offer some gold upfront if you'll assist me."

G's watched her intently. Kargan had asked for 20 gold for Ryan's demise. G still didn't fully understand how much gold was worth here, but it definitely had these two interested. Her expression was unreadable.

She spoke a bit hesitantly at first, "Agreed. As long as your tasks don't interfere with mine until the queen's matter is settled."

Phan surveyed the room, her eyes darting from one observer to another, then back to G. "And the human, Ryan—I have no quarrel with him. Nor any gnome child. I won't harm them, nor will I shield them from it."

A hint of a smile tugged at G's lips, but his eyes remained cautious, watching Phan as one might a coiled snake. "Then it's settled. We are partners for now," he said, turning to Gerkag.

Gerkag's gaze darted between G and Phan a few times before he spoke up. "To be honest, I think you both are dangerous company, and I'll probably regret getting involved in all of this," he said with a hint of hesitation. He then gestured towards the table, causing the restraints around Phan's wrists to vanish and the table to revert to its original appearance. "Now, let's have your street urchins take a seat," he added.