"Fritz! Where are you?" Neva shouted, as she stomped towards the balcony. She and Brenn had stormed through the castles turning it upside down looking for Freyes' champion. Finding nothing but brainless warriors and drunken fools on the lower levels the two experienced adventurers continued their search upon the upper reaches of the castle.

"He probably left!" Brenn moaned. "Stop screaming! You're hurting my ears!"

"He's probably still around." The elector prince of Hueryss trailing behind them commented dryly. "My guards haven't reported him leaving. They wouldn't let him walk back alone."

"Shut up. We know." Neva snorted. Her scarred face wiggled into a scowl, as she looked up and down empty dark hallways for signs of Fritz.

"You've got quite the mouth." Javert said.

"Unlike her I know how to use it." Brenn retorted. "Would you like to see? I have such sights to show you." The prince gagged in response. "Your loss." Brenn said with a shrug, completely used to rejection.

The three stopped suddenly as they spied Ada and Marcelle peeping out into the balcony. The blonde wolfkin and the lamia were completely enraptured as they peered out onto the balcony.

"Aren't they with you? What the hells are they doing?" Javert asked.

"I don't know. I taught her better. Eavesdropping like some common cutpurse." Neva gruffed.

"Shhh....." Marcelle looked back towards the newcomers. "Shut up, you fools."

"She dares to command me?" Javert asked. The elector prince's face warped in disgust as he looked at the two eavesdroppers.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Fritz shouted. His voice carried from beyond the doorway into the hallway housing his companions.

"Ahh! The champion!" Javert's face instantly transformed to joviality as he shouldered past the two, confidently striding out onto the balcony.

"It's like they're out of their minds!" Fritz shouted. "I've no idea...." His voice dropped as he saw elector prince striding forward.

"Brother." Gaspard said.

"Come on. Stop spying on him. Your being weird." Neva said as she followed Javert onto the balcony. Brenn stopped behind Marcelle and Ada.

"I'm not weird!" Ada seethed.

"You are." Brenn commented.

"Am not!"

"Are too. Now come on." Brenn replied as she motioned for the two spies to leave their hiding place.

Besides Fritz's feet, a pile of discarded tankards sat at their feet. Javert and Fritz swayed slightly uneasily as they regarded the elector prince.

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"Brother. I was wondering where the champion had run off to." Javert said confidently.

"Brother. I was just entertaining our guest." Gaspard answered, motioning towards Fritz. "He's quite the talker. He was telling me all about his journey with his companions."

"And I appreciate...." Fritz paused as he saw the rest of his companions. His face drained of mirth. "Oh... I see you've brought them...." Turning away he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Huh?! What's wrong with us?" Neva asked. "Haven't we been protecting your ass?" Snapping her fingers. "Besides! I'm thirsty! Hurry it up!"

"See what I mean?!" Fritz asked Javert. "They treat me like some kind of vending machine."

"Like I've said countless times. I have no idea what that even means. What is a 'vending machine'?!" Javert asked. Fritz let out a long sigh as he rested his butt on the balcony railing. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to formulate his thoughts.

"Come one Fritz. The merchants charge an arm and a leg for dwarven firewater. I want to get drunk."

"So you come stomping towards me?" Fritz asked.

"Of course. I ain't made of money! Now hurry it up! Make the firewater!"

"Fine! Fine! But! No! Screw the firewater! Let's go harder! Something new for my favorite alcoholic!" Fritz announced to the world. Throwing his arms wide, he threw the half-drunken tankard to the balcony floor.

"Just how much have you drunk?!" Javert asked, appalled at the stench of alcohol lingering on the balcony. "It smells like a brewery out here."

"Way too little! But I'm about to fix that!" Fritz announced. Ada and Marcelle joined the rest of his companions. "Tonight! Let's have some fun! I have so much to show you tomorrow. So long as that damn blacksmith fulfills his end of the bargain." Magic flashed within his hands, as a deadly green bottle of liquor suddenly appeared in his grip. "Behold! The most horrid invention of humanities alcoholism! Gather around those who wish to get drunk! I shall provide you the legendary absinthe! Strong enough to wake the dead. Strong enough to send you to an early grave. But most importantly! Strong enough to make the night memorable!" Fritz ushered his companions near him. "One hundred and sixty proof. Nearly twice as deadly as that swill I provide for you my dear Neva."

"Ohh...." Neva cooed. "You've outdone yourself. I was hoping for something stronger. Brenn, you got to try it with me."

"Are you really gonna give them more alcohol? Fritz, haven't you had enough?" Ada asked.

"Champion. Is this really what you use the Goddesses' power for?" Javert asked.

"Quiet brother. I have come to appreciate his talents. He has been quite forthcoming with his ability this evening. We haven't had to leave this balcony in hours." Gaspard swayed slightly. "Really it is quite convenient. You should partake "

"Don't be afraid, Lord Javert." Fritz said with a smug smile. He shoved the bottle into Neva's chest. Her scar wormed slightly as she smiled. Taking the absinthe out of his hands, she unscrewed the cap, before sniffing it slightly. Her face scrunched up as she drew away.

"It smells like...."

"Jet fuel?" Fritz tried to finish her sentence.

"What the seven hells is that?" Javert asked. Fritz scratched his head. He thought for a moment before giving up and shrugging.

"I honestly have no idea where I can begin trying to explain the concept to you, same with a vending machine." He admitted. "It would destroy your weak little minds."

"Cutey, is it safe to drink? It smells horrible, even from here."

"Oh yeah. It's safe. So long as you don't go near another brothel!" Fritz jested. Gaspard and Fritz erupted into a fit of childish giggling as they elbowed each other in good humor. Neva and Brenn scowled. "Come on! Enough waiting! Neva, you're my favorite alcoholic. Drink! Drink! Drink!"

Gaspard and Fritz joined together in a chorus as Neva lifted the bottle to her lips. They shouted with excitement as Neva finished a swig. She grimaced as the stinging alcohol burned all the way down. Gaspard and Fritz fought for the bottle encouraging everyone to join in their fun.

Fritz was a liar. He promised a night to remember. What night that group of seven had barely registered in memory. The alcohol took their memory away like a phantom thief.