"A delicacy?" One of Smhee's men roared in laughter, "The dark drink of humans that is! The one's of Earth!"

"And what do you know of the Realm of Earth?" Irzen asked with a raised eyebrow, "Have you visited it? Or are you from it mayhaps?"

"I am Small Jack." One buccaneer stood up in red trousers and a white shirt, topped off with a black bandana. At least that's what my mates call me. Don't remember me birth name. Chasing down pirates and such with His Majesty's Royal Navy til some freak storm came up and ended up here some years back. Been liking this place since."

"Under which King of England did you serve?" The Swordsman set his drink down and took more of an interest in Small Jack.

"Surely the legends of elves and their wines regardless of their origins can hold their own with fermented brew?" The sailor challenged the Swordsman and Ranger openly.

Irzen turned towards Willow, "I'll let you handle this one, my friend."

Willow turned to the sailors, "They can and usually do, good sir. Pray tell, what are you driving at?"

"I, Ranger, haven't had a traveler that could yet beat me in a game of stout drinks? How's your constitution? Hehehe!"

"My constitution is well," Willow replied with a firm nod, "And I have little problem engaging in a game of stout drinks with you. However, I do have a question: What is your drink of choice?"

"Ooo! He wants to start with a 'kick,' doesn't he? Well now, a kick it shall be. Two Kobold Fire Crackers to start with." Small Jack swallowed the first shot down, for a man who was of English decent, one would swear he was a dragon from the spicy fermented beverage he drank.

"I have heard of it," Willow took his tankard and drained it without a moment's hesitation, "But I have never tried it."

"Two Greater Kobolds Fire Crackers for round two!" Small Jack's eyes gleamed as he downed the second set of shots. A buzz of Oh's and Ah's rumbled throughout the tavern now.

Willow downed his drink without hesitation and without batting an eyelash before he turned to the barmaid, "Two more please. This drink suits me."

Both Serna and Neven sat quietly as they took more than a little passing interest in this drinking game.

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

Alyson stirred in her sleep. The image of the Black Witch shimmered in the mirror across from her bed. Smiling wickedly, she stretched out her hand offering it to the elementalist. -You and I are one. We shall serve the Force of Evil always.....- Alyson bolted out of her sleep screaming at the mirror, "NEVER!"

The sound of the mirror shattering reverberated through out the entire upstairs. Some of the visitors were woken up, while some slept through the noise.

Alyson fire-balled the mirror melting into slag before grabbing her gear and jumping out the window. This place felt off and strange that it allowed the darkness to follow her from the Black City.

-Why? Damn Venger and his Black City. Serna was still the same. Defiant little brat. Eventually that place would of had an effect on the shield maiden. Eventually....- The elementalist told herself as she walked through the streets of Asylum. The place had a familiar ring to it somehow...