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."

"Thank you!" Serna beamed from ear to ear, "So, if you don't mind my asking, do you do anything else aside from being an Airship Captain?"

"Well lets see," He rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment, "When my fellows and I are not patrolling the skies over the Fire Sea, I like to spend time with my beloved wife, Beatrice. We have a nice home in Asylum with our two children. Well, they're not really children anymore. My oldest is a student at the Alchemists guild, and my other son is learning currently at the Fighter's guild assisting in tactics training with new recruits."

"That's nice!" Serna smiled, "It's good to have a family to come home to when you are finished adventuring. I have a family too. Willow, Irzen, Alyson, Dragolem, Quake, Mermidon and Neven are my family--of sorts!"

********

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?"

Willow laughed, "Yes, he is! That is Lord Dy'var Irzen. He is a Swordsman of no mean skill who would give Ash a run for his money. It was he who dealt the killing blow to Gruumasht! With the aid of a Chronicler of the Realm, Irzen was partly responsible for locating you during your imprisonment. As you can see, my friend works hard but plays even harder. I suspect he has that gag in his mouth because his mouth was writing checks that his body couldn't cash! Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Yew took point and entered the banquet hall ahead of the ranger. He walked over where the wines were and poured himself a glass, "Ah. Our wine is the best around and nothing, I mean nothing compares to its quality."

"I agree," Willow claimed a glass for himself and held it aloft, "A toast! To our father! Long may he reign!"

******

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."

Irzen gave Alyson a quizzical look as he was dragged off to his bedroom.

With an innocent smile, Alyson waved him goodbye at Irzen was escorted out for the evening.

*******

The bronze man opened his eyes after losing to the swordsman and clasped his ears suddenly with the sounds of people talking were magnified. Grumbling, he sat up looking about and saw Mandur and his men sitting over at table talking quietly to each other.

Mandur glanced past his first officer and got up, "Ah, Grand Cleric. How are you feeling? You did drink a lot of ale."

Licking his lips and fumbling through one of his pouches, he pulled out a cup, a bag of home made tea asking, "I'm a bit parched."

Mandur turned to one of the others, "Ogdain, bring over the pot of hot water for him."

The axe thrower came over with the hot water and poured into the cup the bronze man was holding. He nodded and brought it back.