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.

"It sounded like a goat or a sheep?" Serna laughed, "Did someone bring in a goat or sheep from a pasture?!"

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."

"Thank you, Dungeon Master," Serna smiled, "But I did not do it alone. I had a lot of help from Arhlwene and Caliaphy."

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

Serna looked around, "And where is Arhlwene anyway? This victory is as much hers as it is mine."

"The loremaster has returned back to Westfall, shield maiden. Her task ended the moment the enemy was vanquished as is all of Princess Liliandra's hand maidens." Dungeon Master informed Serna.

"AAAWWWW!" I wish she could have stuck around, "I really liked her. She was cool. So, Captain Lion, what would you like to do now? Are you hungry? I know I am. There is good food, good drink and good company to be had by all."

Captain Lion followed the shield maiden over to the buffet table. He grabbed a plate and utensils for her and then for himself, "Young ladies first."

********

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."

"Ditto!" Willow replied after he did as his sister-in-law directed.

"Apparently!" Cauladra turned her attention to her husband and began to examine him, "I wish to examine my husband alone. And he's in no condition to engage in any more frivolty this eventide. Leave us!"

Without uttering another word, Prince Yew bowed and left the room quietly waiting for Willow to join him.

Prince Willow bowed as well to his sister-in-law and quietly departed the room after his brother. When the door was closed and the pair was halfway down the hall, Willow whispered to Yew, "I do not envy Birch once he awakens. Cauladra will give him an earful and he will be in no position to receive it considering how bad his hangover could be."

Willow and Yew made their way towards the banquet hall only to see Irzen being physically escorted out with a napkin in his mouth. Both of the princes could smell the stench of hard liquor permeating off of him.

Yew glanced at his brother, "A friend of yours?"

******

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."

"And I'd rather see you on all fours chewing some curd and drinking some whey!" Irzen snapped back without a moment's hesitation, "BBBBAAAAAHHHH!!!"

The elementalist walked away from him all together while the crown prince crossed his arms in contempt. After a few more outbursts, Prince Ash snapped his fingers and a pair of guards entered the room, "Escort, Lord Irzen to his quarters. He will remain there until he's sober enough to rejoin us. Furthermore, if he tries anything within the palace grounds, he will find himself in the tower dungeon to sleep it off."

"Mayhaps you are right, Crown Prince Ash," Irzen swayed back and forth, "I do appear to be a little too inebriated to return to my quarters. Aid would be most welcome. Also, your Royal Highness, I wish to thank both you and your sire for your hospitality. You could have easily cast me out once the war was won but you invited me into your home, allowed me to sup at your table and permitted me to enjoy your company. And for that, your Royal Highness, I will forever be in your debt. LONG LIVE THE KING! AND HIS SONS, HIS NOBLE PRINCES!"

Irzen was seized by a guard on either side and promptly escorted out of the banquet hall.

Just before the swordsman was hauled out, Alyson grabbed a cloth napkin, rolled it up into a ball and stuffed into his mouth, "Now you can take him back away."