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Jacques opened the door to a wave of talking and cheers greeting the group. The busy room was filled with people eating and drinking. Arilee stepped into the tavern, scrunching her nose as the smell hit her. Old beer, sweat, and … better smells. Roasted meat. Lightly spiced. Arilee’s stomach grumbled. After eating ship rations for the last few days she was excited to eat something more fresh.

A Barbarian woman with long red curly hair and bulging biceps came up to them.

“Ay there, welcome to the Inn of Wandering Mists. I’m Helga. What can I do for ya?”

Jacques took the lead for the group. “Hey there Helga, I think the first thing we want is food for the group and some ale. And then these four are looking for some rooms.”

“Alrighty then, that’s no problem. Grab any table ya like. Do you be wantin’ four separate rooms?”

Arilee looked at the group for confirmation but they shrugged their shoulders.

“I think we just need two rooms. One for the guys and one for the girls. We don’t have much money.”

Helga nodded and made a note on a scrap of paper.

“That’s no problem. Take a seat and I’ll bring your food over in a minute.”

The group found a table to sit at off to the right of the room. A group of gnomes sat at the table to their left and a group of Elves to their right.

“Interesting.” said Jacques as they sat down. “Don’t see that too often. I wonder...” he said half to himself.

“This place doesn’t seem so bad, once you get past the outside,” said Chip.

“Yes, it’s kind of quaint. Good lighting.” agreed Leela.

“Less humanssss.” Slicks nodded. “No offenssee.”

“None taken.” said Jacques, “I’ll admit I am surprised such a creature-friendly tavern can exist so close to the Upper Hill, especially on such a monitored street.”

Helga came from behind them balancing plates of food on one arm and holding all of their tankards in the other.

She responded to Jacques’s comments. “That’s cuz we keep to ourselves and follow the law. It’s not like people are trippin over demselves to open up businesses here. Like you said, the street has a bad name.” She began placing the plates and ales down. “We don’t mind none though. Gives us our privacy.”

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As she put down Jacques’ food she gave him a scrutinizing glance. “I’d be careful with that creature talk though. It’s not polite.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it. Truly. Just too long at sea with a bunch of vulgar sailors.” Jacques said raising his hands in an apologizing gesture.

“Oh at sea? Did ya come in on the boats this morning? From Goblin Island?”

“Oh yes we did actually!” said Leela.

“Did ye by chance see my little brother? Red hair like mine. Big lad. Last name Bodwin? Tilly Bodwin?”

Chip choked on his drink trying to laugh and started coughing.

“Scout Marshall Bodwin?” asked Arilee.

“Oh he’s a Scout Marshall now is he?”

Chip burst out laughing again. “Tilly! His name is Tilly!”

Leela shot Chip a look that quieted him and responded.

“Short for Tilfandur, just a playful name from our youth. Anyways, how is he?”

“You can ask him when you see him. He’s the one who told us to stay here and he’s meeting us here later!” exclaimed Leela.

“Oh that’s so good. I haven’t seen em in years. He hasn’t been back to the city in a long while. But a Scout Marshall? Where is he now?”

“He had to deliver something to the Overlord. But he should be back soon.” said Leela.

“Hmrph. The Overlord?” A disgruntled look came over Helga’s face. “Now why would the all powerful Overlord want to meet with him? Thoughts for another time. Uou all enjoy your food. Let me know if ya need anythin’ now,” she said, walking to assist other patrons.

The group then dove into the plates in front of them, happy for a warm meal.

***

After the group finished their plates, Jacques waved to a nearby serving girl to come to the table. He ordered another round of drinks for the group and paid for the meal.

“Since it seems you all are settled, I must be off for the night to my own dwelling. I hope you all have a splendid rest of the night.”

“Thank you Jacques! We appreciate your help today.” said Arilee. She could not have imagined trying to find the inn without him. She made a mental note to be more open to receiving help.

After he left, Slicks leaned into the group. “I didn’t like him.”

“You don’t like many people, Slicks, remember?” joked Chip.

“I’m sssssserious. His sssssmell tasted wrong. We sssshould be careful.”

Just then, the serving girl came back with their drinks. Arilee saw that she was another barbarian from the steppes like Helga but with brunette hair and no bulging biceps. Her figure was more slim, but she had a blue face tattoo on her cheek. Looking closer, Arilee saw it was 4 stars going across.

“Are you all going to stay for the bard tonight? I hear he is supposed to be really good,” she asked as she set the tankards down. Her voice had an upbeat lightness to it.

A dialogue scroll appeared,

Dialogue Scroll

1. Stay for the bard

2. Go look for the Scout Marshall

Arilee’s ears perked up at the mention of the bard. She was supposed to be looking for a bard in the city.

“We’re supposed to find a certain bard. What do you think the chances are this is the one?” she said to the group.

“We won’t know if we don’t stay to find out,” said Leela.

“That settles it then. I guess we will stay. Do you know anything about him?” asked Arilee to the serving girl.

“Not much, I just know he’s an elf and they say he can sing unlike any other.,”

“What’s your name?” asked Chip.

“Olia, just call my name if you need anything.” she said, winking at Chip and then turning to leave.