Mertul looked at the odd couple from time to time while taking inventory, "I hear the king is in town."

"The King?" Quake asked taking another sip.

"Aye, King Madeous, the Platinum Knight, Champion of Bahamut." Harley turned to the elemental. "There was a time when Asylum was in danger from invasion. The Tarfoq Armanda from the Southern Fire Sea. People had heard rumors of these sea faring marauders from sailors but not on the scale that tried invade Asylum some thirty years ago."

Quake was awe struck and listened as Harley told of tale of high adventure. The name Madeous seemed familiar but she couldn't quite place the name.

"The people of Asylum like to be left to themselves in each district. They have their own rules and laws but its the militia that patrols all of the city. They're the peace keepers and for a port city of this size, the greatest crimes here are theft and espionage. Murder and killing is frowned upon greatly. The worse offenders are sent to work in the mines or banished with no hope of return." Mertul spoke up while working behind the bar. "Asylum is a a sanctuary, neutral territory where folks can relax and start over fresh or it may that they're just stopping to rest. Harley and I fought with King Madeous and The Bronze Man at the wall. Fought hard and long and drove the Tarfoq armanda back to where they came from. Since then, Asylum has seen no squabbles of from visitors since. The guilds have their own space and stay out of each others problems."

The sounds of people cheering outside in the streets made both Mertul and Harley paused in their conversation with Quake. The beholder and the dwarf looked at each other nodding in unison. "The King is here!"

Madeous, Lazheros, and Alyson made it back to the tavern and entered. It was the time of day where most of the patrons were working applying their trades and wares to make a living. Mertul remained where she was on the box, and bowed graciously before Madeous, "Your majesty!

Harley rotated one-eighty degrees and bowed also. Well dipping downward in a manner of speaking, "Your majesty."

Quake turned to see the three of them and nearly fell out of her seat but managed to right herself. She felt foolish, "Uh, forgive my manners...Lady?"

Alyson stepped forward and headed over to Quake, "It's okay, Quake. That's my uncle, the king. Just be yourself."

"Oooooo! He is?" The elemental stammered.

Alyson then noticed the white beholder sitting to the left of Quake. Startled, she moved quickly behind the elemental. "Ahh! You're an odd ball, er aberration."

Harley chuckled, "Hehehe! Not the first time I've heard that one, my lady."

"Alyson. Just call me Alyson. Don't like having a title. Got plenty of that after saving Storm Haven. Rather be known as a hero not a ruler." The elementalist corrected the beholder.

"Your usual drink, sire?" Mertul said with a warm smile.

"Hold the hearty drinks this time, Mertul. Just a round of smoothies. The day is young and best shared when all are sober. You and Harley are also welcome. This is a time for friends to talk and be merry." Madeous gestured towards the long table for everyone to sit and share their tales of high adventure.

"So, do you think the others will find the missing item Lazheros?" The Elementalist muttered quietly sipping her citrus smoothie.

Without missing a beat, Mertul spoke up, "Testing your friends is he?"

Alyson took a big gulp of the smoothie and clutched her head suddenly, "Gah! BRAIN freeze!"

The Bronze Man sat relaxed in his seat. He pondered silently for a few minutes before replying, "Finding the item is only part of the test I set before them. Sergeant Talos was one of my best students and will guide them where they need to be."

Harley chimed in, "Sorry to burst your bubble, Bronze Man, I'd wager they fail. After all I prefer the REAL you over this human disguise you take."

Mertul backhanded the white beholder from behind so hard it left a red hand print, "Knock it off, Harley!"

"OWW!" The white beholder yelped in pain.

Quake let out of a giggle and a snort.

Lazheros resisted the urge to smile. After all he found the aberration's comment amusing. "Stay your hand, Mertul. He has a point and it has been awhile since I've 'stretched my wings' so to speak. But first, they must succeed."

Madeous chuckled and raised his glass to them, "Sarcastic as ever, Harley. You two are definitely the oddest pair of friends I met all those years ago and wouldn't change a thing."