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

"After you, Serna," Captain Lion let her disembark first and followed right behind her. "It's awfully quiet in the banquet hall, perhaps we should head back in."

"I agree!" The Sheild Maiden replied eagerly, "We might have missed something!"

Captain Lion surveyed the banquet hall and did not see the bronze man or the hill dwarves anywhere. He did however spot Alyson and Dungeon Master talking with the crown prince, "Hmm, I wonder what became of the Bronze Man and Mandur? Let's see what the others can tell us, young lady."

"Sure thing, lead on!" Serna followed fully expecting some form of shenanigans to have taken place in their absence for both Lazheros and Mandur to be absent.

"Good heavens, what was that sound?!" Captain Lion gasped upon hearing a bleating goat sound emanating from across the banquet hall where the others where talking.

Dungeon Master stopped half way between the drunken swordsman and Serna, "Shield maiden you have done quite well on your first quest to prevent one of Venger's many servants from doing harm here in Northaven."

Captain Lion gave Dungeon Master a courtly bow but said nothing.

********

The two brothers helped the third one between them back up the stairs towards the bedrooms where both of them feared they might receive an earful from Princess Cauladra once she realized that her husband was passed out--once again!

The horse lord reached for Birch's guest chambers and knocked, "My lady, Cauladra. Willow and I have brought Birch to be tended by you. Sadly he has fallen to the drink known as Cannard. Given to him by Lord Irzen. Willow can attest to it as well."

Princess Cauladra opened the door to their bedchambers and stared in pure disbelief at her unconscious husband, "What?! You say the drink Cannard?! What in The Realm is that?!"

"It is a hard liquor from the Underdark which their denizens drink," Willow did his best to ease his brother through the doorway and over to his bed, "It is strong stuff to be sure and Birch drank quite a bit of it."

"Apparently," Cauladra pointed towards her bed, "Lay him down here. Face up. And let me examine him."

Before she did so, the princess immediately turned on the princes, "And where were you two while your brother was getting drunk under a table by a Drow? Are you not your brother's keeper?"

Yew held up his hands, "My lady, I had just arrived not more than an hour ago since my recovery from being that fell orc's prisoner. Two, the king had summoned Willow to the throne room on a family matter, and three we were finally able to return to the banquet hall and came upon our brother there. Sadly, we were too late to prevent him from experiencing this potent drowish drink."

******

The crown prince came over eyeing the swordsman stuck in the floor and glanced about to see the elementalist grinning, "I would surmise this is your doing, my lady?"

Alyson turned around to see Prince Ash standing there, "Yes, your highness. Lord Irzen is not in any condition to be wandering around the palace in his drunken state."

"Not that I mind but my father would," Ash gestured to Irzen's predicament.

"Indeed." Dungeon Master nodded in agreement as the swordsman popped up onto the floor as if it never happened.

"There you go, I'm back to my normal tall and dashing self," Irzen squarely faced Alyson, "And that is no way to treat a war hero, young nanny, BBBBBAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

"Dashing?" Alyson quipped sarcastically, "Not even close. A war hero is celebrated when one is NOT drunk but in your case that makes you a BUTT-HEAD! Although, I wouldn't try that around your new mount down at the stables, you might actually arouse the poor animal. Honestly, I'd rather see it pound you into the ground a couple of times."