"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.

"His Majesty, King William IV." Small Jack began, "I remember now. A maelstrom brewed up in the distance. It was eerie. I heard stories from other sailors about'em. Most were survivable but this one...was different. Like it was alive and filled with malice. Most of my mates, already a superstitious lot panicked and jumped ship. The captain barking orders to turn about to avoid it but all for naught. Within the foul waters of that thing, we saw a great serpentine shape with gleaming yellow eyes before going in for the kill. The captain called it a Leviathan. Rather than let it destroy his ship, the captain turned the ship's bow straight into it, It struck and the monster bellowed in deafening pain. In response, the thing coiled itself around the ship and dragged all of us, those who were left leapt into the depths of the ocean. Then things went dark."

Small Jack went silent for a few minutes before taking another drink from his mug, "My mates and I woke up on a small island with a towering lighthouse and the Bronze Man. Some kind of priest or monk I think. Anyway, of the 500 men that served on the HMS Grafton. About 70 were killed in a prior battle with pirates, 50 jumped ship, the rest were lost when the monster crushed the ship in its coils or drowned. The captain was among those who perished and the rest including myself, about 30-40 were grateful for the rescue but went separate ways. Haven't seen'em since save for this lot who stayed with me."

"I'm sorry for your loss," The Swordsman said with a firm nod, "But I am glad that you and your friends have made it to The Realm. However, I am curious. Have you tried to find a way back to England?"

"Meh." Small Jack shrugged, "No. Not really, mate. Had enough of dealing with the higher up past the captain and all. What do you call it...politics, er government stuff."

"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."

"Uh-huh." Smhee's mate eyed the ranger suspiciously as he downed another Greater Kobolds Fire Cracker. The drink burned all the way down but the seasoned sailor cared not.

*******

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

At the entrance, a group of kids came running in a hurry which was followed by the sounds of weapons and curses from outside. A loud booming male voice bellowed, "FIND THOSE BRATS, NOW! SEARCH EVERYWHERE! THEY COULDN'T HAVE GONE FAR!"

Serna and Neven immediately took notice of the kids rose from their seats and ran towards them, "Hey! What's going on?"

A girl about Serna's age brought up a finger, "SHHHHHHH! Quiet!"

"You'll give us away!" Snarled the ginger haired boy next to her.

The sound of armored guards stepped through scanning the patrons of the tavern. One of them spotted the shield maiden talking with the kids, "YOU THERE! Step aside! NOW!!"

"NOW! YOU'VE DONE IT! THANKS FOR NOTHING!!" Scowled the ginger haired boy at Serna, who promptly shoved her backwards while his friend bolted.

The guards wore blue and red colors over their armor of the local militia. The one who spotted the trio talking advanced but caught Serna instead, "Well now. What do we have hear? The Major will be interested to see what your story is, girlie!"

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

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...