"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.

The Ranger drained both of his tankards quickly and then waited form Smhee to finish his before he ordered another round of two drinks, "I did not know that any brew made by Kobolds could be this good. Thank you, good sir, for showing me a new delicacy. Shall we drink some more or have you had your fill?"

*******

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!!"

"What?" Serna turned towards the Guards.

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

"Hey! Don't push her!" Neven called after the boy, "That's my job!"

Serna gave Neven a dirty look.

"Sorry," Neven replied sheepishly, "Bad joke?"

"The worst!"

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!"

"If you ask nicely, then I will be more than happy to come with you," Serna replied evenly before she dropped into a battle stance with her Shield at the ready, "But if you choose not to be nice about it, then I won't be nice to you!"

"Ditto!" Neven pulled his Cloak over his head, "Be nice or else!"

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

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...