"Okay!" Serna peered through the spy glass and got a better look at a sight that completely astonished her, "Wait a minute! That's not a Tinker Gnome! That's War Scribe!"

"Who is War Scribe?" He glanced down with a odd look.

"She's a friend of ours," Serna lowered the spy glass and handed it back to Captain Lion, "War Scribe is a Drowling who is also a Chronicler of the Realm. She's stark raving nuts but she helps us out from time to time. I wonder what she is doing just sitting there. Alone?"

He took the spy glass and looked through it to see the chronicler and pondered, "Would you like to go and see her then? We can take a life boat out to there?"

"Sure, if you don't mind," Serna replied in earnest, "She's immortal and I know she can take care of herself. I'm just curious as to why she's sitting out there. And it won't take long, we can check on her and get back to the party in no time, okay?"

The airship captain pulled out a small whistle and blew into it. The high pitched noise signaled to his main ship to send one of the life boats, a modified version of a small sailing boat except that the sail was a solar panel and there where two more tinker gnomes piloting it. The life boat docked and a small plank was lowered to the balcony where they stood, "Young ladies first."

"Thank you," Serna stepped onto the small plank and quickly alighted onto the lifeboat.

Once aboard, the lifeboat sailed across and over the wall of the city down to the battle field where the chronicler was seen sitting down. Slowing down and coming to complete stop.

Before Serna and Captain Lion, War Scribe sat upon the ground in a complete stupor. The Drowling's eyes were glazed over and her body was covered head to toe in blood and guts as she sat upon the ground in a lotus position. The Chronicler had a distant stare as though she were viewing something just beyond the horizon.

"Um, War Scribe, what's wrong?" The Shield Maiden asked the Chronicler uncertainly, "Are you alright? Why are you sitting here?"

The only words that escaped War Scribe's lips was a barely audible whisper, "Thalack zhah ji ssin'urn!"

Serna turned to Captain Lion, "Do you know what she just said, sir? I can't speak Drow."

Translation: "War is so beautiful!"

He shrugged, "I'm not a mage. Besides flying an airship, I am what Alyson would call a Gunslinger. A ranged fighter using round projectiles fired from this."

He took out one of his guns and showed the Shield Maiden.

Serna gasped when she saw Captain Lion's gun, "Wait a minute! Are you from Earth?!"

"Yes from a time nearly nearly one hundred years before Madeous Khyng and his family came to the Realm." He replied.

"No way!" Serna shook her head in disbelief, "Captain Irzen, well at least the Human half of him, comes from Earth as well. Roughly around the same time as Alyson give or take a few decades. Wow! What a small Realm it is isn't it?"

"Hahaha! Let us return if War Scribe is lost in thought, Serna. I am sure the chronicler is quite capable of making an appearance with her resume." Captain Lion motioned to the tinker gnome at the helm and the life boat began to rise up once more.

"Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I do feel kinda guilty about leaving her here all alone like this," Serna looked back at the orgasmically entranced Drowling, "But I guess she'll be okay. I mean, look how happy she is."

A sickly smile came over War Scribe's face as a spittle of drool slowly escaped from her lips and plopped onto her ample bosom.

Captain Lion felt uneasy around the chronicler suddenly, "Time to head back to the city and Serna, there's no need to feel guilty regarding your friend there. She seems content as it were."

The life boat sailed back up to the balcony where they originally left and dropped them off before rising back up to the airship.

***********

"Knowing Ash he has probably thanked everyone for their contributions to our war effort," Willow chuckled a little, "And knowing Birch he is either doing one of three things: Regaling everyone with a song or story about our momentous victory OR smoking that brand of Halfling's leaf he loves so much OR passed out drunk from too much wine and hard liquor. Take your pick!"

When they reached the banquet hall, both Willow and Yew could clearly see Birch passed out in a drunken stupor on the far side of the room. To their left were Captain Mandur, Alyson, Lazheros, Irzen and Dungeon Master.

"How about the third option you just mentioned, little brother." The horse lord quipped.

"I knew it was one of the three," Willow smiled, "Oh well, it's just Birch being Birch. I'll see to it that he makes his way back to Cauladra safe and sound before the end of this night. So, what are you planning to drink, big brother? I am looking to quench my thirst with some of our finest wine and then I'll introduce you to my friends."

"We shall both bring our brother back to Cauladra, Willow. You need not burden yourself to carry him back. Your friends can wait until we return." The horse lord said making his way over to Birch.

"Since when did you become the responsible one?" Willow walked over to Birch, half-lifted him up and slipped himself underneath his unconscious brother's arm in an effort to support him, "I remember the time when you and Birch were riding back from Eastport. He got so drunk that he fell off his horse and you left him behind face down in a meadow. Father was furious at you for an entire year because you not only left him behind but also because he had to send his Rangers to find Birch. You have changed haven't you?"

"My life flashing multiple times under the influence of a terrible enemy and only Lili's love and trust for me. But you're right, I did leave Birch behind, it was rather humorous." Yew cleared his throat as the memory of their father, the king giving him the 'talk.'

The crown prince finally came up from over seeing the commoners getting ready to return to their homes. He surveyed the room making note of where his brothers were and walked over. Shaking his head in disbelief at Birch, "Again? Looks like Birch lost again to another drinking contest. And I passed Mandur and his fellows carrying the Guardian of Asylum down to the barracks. Apparently, the drow swordsman bested him twice, first a game of wits and second, besting him with his Cannard? Pray tell, what is Cannard, Willow?"

**********

Making their way over to the swordsman and the hill dwarves, Alyson went over and filled a cup of wine for herself, while Lazheros sat down with Mandur. He reached in his robe and pulled out a stein and filled it with dwarven ale.

Alyson could only stare at him, "Uh, since when do you drink ale, Lazheros?"

"Dwarven ale and only dwarven ale when the occasion is right," The bronze man drank half of it down with a grin.

"Like winning a war, mayhaps?" Irzen smiled at Lazheros and Alyson, "You two did well today. Had you both not been there, I fear the outcome of our struggle would have been less certain. Thanks!"

Alyson rolled her eyes, "You afraid? That's a new one and my uncle didn't need to come after all."

"A pity," Irzen lamented, "I would have liked to have seen your uncle again. I rather enjoyed his company the last time we met."

"You did just fine with the aid I was able to provide to everyone on the battlefield, swordsman. We eliminated two of Venger's warmongers and that should put a dent in his forces for a long while." The bronze man refilled his stein for the third time.

The elementalist sat down next to Lazheros, "So, how's your constitution, Irzen versus Lazheros's constitution?"

Irzen laughed, "My constitution is better than yours, Alyson, and I would wager even better than your boyfriend now that he is working on this third ale. What are you driving at, Elementalist? Why ask such a question?"

"I had my fill of getting drunk in college. No thanks. Anyway I propose a simple drinking contest your Cannard vesus Dwarven Fire Water, or Ale." Alyson leaned back against the edge of the table, "Are you up for the challenge?"

Lazheros raised his stein a little, "Surely someone of your caliber with a drink as potent as Cannard would accept a friendly challenge, Lord Irzen."

"Oh, I'm up for the challenge," Irzen smiled, "But I say let's make our game a little more interesting by adding some stakes. If I win our drinking game, Lazheros, you will show me your lair. If you win, I will show you Naermon Nithren. A trip to your home and a trip to my home are at stake. What do you say, Cleric?"

There was a brief eerie silence from both Mandur and Alyson when Irzen asked him the question.

The bronze man set his drink down and gave the swordsman a hard stare, "No. Not even Alyson knows where it is. Your homeland is far easier to find if you ask the right person. However, I would be willing to part with something if it would stop you from asking that again."

Irzen held up both hands, "Easy, big guy, easy! It was just a proposal, nothing more. Okay, how about this idea? I would like a magical repeating crossbow that never runs out crossbow bolts. Do you have one in your lair that you would be willing to part with?"

"Aren't you a melee fighter, Irzen? Why the change?" The elementalist asked the swordsman.

Irzen just grinned at Alyson.

Taking a deep breath Lazheros studied the drow swordsman for a moment and said, "Why the change of heart, Lord Irzen? Alyson does have an interesting point. One would begin to question if you were truly a swordsman when asking for a magical ranged weapon. Perhaps, leading with that question instead of the first will get a better and less threatening response, hmm?"

"Perhaps I was testing you to see what your reaction would be, hmm?" Irzen grinned from ear to ear, "GOTCHA! Now the tester has become the tested!"

"Well played, swordsman," Lazheros admitted.

The Swordsman held up his hands once more, "But on a serious note, I decided to go with a magical repeating crossbow for two reasons: One, a range weapon would be handy to have considering the fact that we might lose our main user of range weapons--Prince Willow. Two, I decided to opt for a magical range weapon because I figured you would not give me my first choice--a Night Mare!"

Lazheros was about to take another drink of his ale and coughed, "You jest, swordsman. That is something I will not do, however, if you go to the Mages Guild in Port Thelmys I'm sure someone there would be able to grant your request. I don't deal with or summon fiends, I banish them."

"Fair enough!" Irzen laughed, "I suspected that would be your answer. So, you know what I want from our little game. What do you want from me should you win?"

Lazheros thought for a moment and replied, "When I asked Serna why you chose to be of two minds sharing one body, her reply was simple enough. So my request is to see the human half outside of the drow long enough to know both sides of your story."

"Impossible!" Irzen replied flatly, "It was Dungeon Master's magic that brought us together, only his magic can tear us apart. And since Dungeon Master is not here, I'm afraid you are completely out of luck.

"Not here? Of course I'm here. Nothing is impossible, Swordsman." The voice of Dungeon Master came from the table top.

"YAAAHHH!" Irzen jumped out of his seat and turned to confront the Gnome, "Dungeon Master, stop doing that! It is impolite to sneak up on people like that. Plus you come when you're not asked and heed us not when we call you! Don't tell me you just stopped by partake in our merry-making. I suspect you are here for another reason, aren't you?"

"All in due time, swordsman." Dungeon Master cracked a smile.

The bronze man and Mandur turned in the gnome's direction with a chuckle.

"Are you forgetting that I fight at range. You know, a Mage/Sorcerer here. Hello!" Alyson pointed out the obvious to the swordsman.

"You have been more the Dragon and less the Mage as of late, Alyson," The Swordsman confessed evenly, "And you are not always around. You spend more time with your boyfriend--even in battle--than you do with the rest of us these days."

Her eyes narrowed, "Well excuse me for living. You have no right to tell me that I harbor more than one spirit when there are two of you sharing a body. Who's the hypocrite now?!"

"I do not mind that you share a body with a Dragon, Alyson, I do mind that you are not always present when you are needed, "Irzen snapped his fingers, "And I just realized something, there is a way that you can speak to Sterling without undoing Dungeon Master's spell. Let me ask you this question, Laz, how good are you at navigating The Realm of Dreams?"

Dungeon Master folded his arms, "That won't be necessary Swordsman depending on who wins this friendly contest."

"Dungeon Master, you know as well as I do that if we are separated from each other for too long, it could kill us both," Irzen warned the Gnome before he turned to Lazheros, "Should you win, Cleric, you must make your conversation with my other half a quick one. Agreed?"

"There is one such place where The Guardian of Asylum will be able to see both of you together, swordsman and that is Between the Worlds, if you lose the contest. There and only there you shall both have some peace of mind to reflect on things that were, things that are, and things have yet come to pass." Dungeon Master informed the swordsman.

"I have never heard to this place," Irzen confessed, "But if Lazheros is willing to meet my other self there, then I will not object to it."

"Agreed." Lazheros grabbed his stein and refilled it, "So, Lord Irzen, game on?"

"Game on!" Irzen grabbed a nearby stein and filled it with Cannard, "Let's see how hollow your leg really is, Cleric, begin!"

After five rounds with Irzen in the lead, the dwarven fire water finally caught up with the bronze man. As he was about to take his last sip of his ale, everything suddenly went blurry and he face planted on the table top.

Irzen laughed and shook his head after he downed his drink, "There's nothing sadder than a Dragon who can't hold his liquor." *HIC*

Dungeon Master face palmed when one of the Realm's legendary creatures was bested by one of the lesser races in a drinking contest. Mandur and his fellows got up and carried The Bronze Man out of the banquet hall all the way to their quarters down at the barracks.

"Welcome to the Wonderful World of Unconsciousness, Lazheros," Irzen beamed from ear to ear, "I hope you enjoy your stay. And when you return to The Land of The Living walking hand-in-hand with your new bride, Mrs. Hangover, I'll be here laughing at you like the teetotaler you are! *HIC*

While Alyson could only stare at the swordsman, "Damn."

The Swordsman turned towards The Elementalist, "When your boyfriend wakes up, Alyson, tell him if he wants a rematch--he knows where to find me! I'll be more than happy to claim a few more things from his horde, while he's passed out on the floor! *HIC*

"Consider yourself very lucky swordsman besting a dragon at a drinking contest. They don't forget and will find a way to repeat the contest better suited to their needs." Dungeon Master waved his hands in a particular manner and a heavy crossbow with unlimited ammo appeared in front of him on the table.

"Luck had nothing to do with it, DM!" The Swordsman boldly declared as he swayed back and forth, "I've got a hollow leg and a taste for hard liquor! You know, Lazheros may breathe fire and crap thunder but he can't hold his liquor worth a damn! *HIC*

"Un-huh. Says the swordsman who's tipsy now." Alyson waved in his direction.

"As for your other request, seek out the Tinker Gnomes that came with Captain Lion on his airship. You find the way through that door." Dungeon Master pointed to the balcony where Serna went with Captain Lion.

"OOOOoooo! NICE!" Irzen set his drink aside and opened his hands to receive his prize, "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" *HIC*

As Irzen went to reach for the crossbow, his hands passed through it when the gnome snapped his fingers, "A reward you have earned, swordsman but you are drunk therefore when you have slept it off and sobered up only then will this weapon become tangible to grasp."

The elementalist stood up and held out her open hand, "How many fingers am I holding up? Geez, can you even walk straight, Irzen?"