"You did! You did lose to Captain Irzen!" The Shield Maiden laughed, "I know you lost because you're trying to change the subject. How in The Realm did you lose to him?! Does Captain Irzen have a hollow leg or what?"

The bronze man gave her annoyed look, "Serna I gave you an answer to your question and I did not change the subject. Two, did you accept Captain Lion's offer?"

"That look on your face is all the answer I need to know," Serna giggled before she added, "And I told Captain Lion I needed to think his offer over and I would give him an answer in the morning."

"That is enough of your prying, Serna. Stop being a pest and get something to eat," Lazheros got up and walked out for some fresh air.

"Okay! Okay!" Serna held up her hands, "Sheesh! It's just a drinking contest. If you get into enough of them, sooner or later, you are going to lose at least one of them."

Alyson added, "In a way, I'm glad you weren't here to listen to the boorish attitude from Irzen, Serna. He was becoming more and more obnoxious. So how would Baroness Meleranti have dealt with a guest who got drunk and unruly in the palace?"

"The Baroness would do what she always does when guests got drunk and unruly," Serna replied without hesitation, "She would have The Chamberlain spike the guest's drink with knockout drops. Then when they passed out, she would have us Servants carry the guest to their room for the night or to their coach so they could be taken home."

"My uncle had his own method of dealing with drunken guests back on Earth, he'd simply call the cops on them. They could sleep it off back at their house or the county jail." Alyson replied with a shrug.

The Shield Maiden added with a sly grin, "The Baroness was always good about not causing a scene and wanted everyone at her parties to have a good time--in spite of the fact that some guests would come down with 'fainting spells'."

"You might think its funny but all it takes is for some guest to figure out why and the baroness would have a hot mess to deal with." The elementalist sipped her tea.

"And yet they never did figure it out," Serna replied honestly, "The Baroness did it for years--heck she still does it--and none of her unruly guests ever figured it out. I suspect most of them thought their 'fainting spell' was attributed to having too much drink and left it at that."

"Remember this isn't Deeping Dale, the same rules and laws vary from kingdom to kingdom." Alyson shook her head as she watched Lazheros leave the room.

"True, true and you won't find me trying to spike anyone's drinks here." Serna replied, "That was the Chamberlain's job. Not mine. My task was to help carry them out of the party. Nothing more, nothing less."

Mandur noted to Serna, "Aye, parties are fun as long as there's plenty of ale and good ale. Elves prefer their wine, and those of the Underdark like the hard stuff. Last but least, mellow drinks for younglings like you, shield maiden."

**************

rzen turned to face Prince Yew, "Yes, your Highness, your brother and I did meet outside of Northaven. We met on the road to the city of Deeping Dale by way of Stormhaven far to the south of these lands. Prince Willow was accompanying Alyson at the time and I joined them to offer my sword since all he had was his bow at the time and Alyson her magicks. We made a good team and had many great adventures together. The prince saved my life more times than I can count and I did as much for him as well."

"I confess, I am a little envious of Willow in that regard. While I rule with Liliandra in Westfall, I don't get much time to see other kingdoms like he has. Even Ash is in the same situation as I am, and Birch, well, he is a free spirit and follows the winds of inspiration to record in his tales." The Horse Lord walked up next to Irzen and gazed out over the land.

"I admit I will never know the full weight of what it means to rule a kingdom," The Swordsman replied, "Before I became a Mercenary Captain, I was both a Nobleman and an Arms Merchant among my people. While I was born into nobility I was never born into royalty. For generations, my family's wealth came from the sale of arms not from holding lands."

"So then what I've heard from traders and merchants who wandered to and from the Underdark was true on that regard, Lord Irzen." Prince Yew said.

Irzen spread his arms wide towards the land, "What you have here is both a beautiful and wonderful thing. You rule a part of the Realm in which nature and Elfkind are in harmony. You, your brothers, your wives and your father have much to be proud of in all that you have here."

"If you had the chance to make a living up here on the surface, would you take your family with you? Could you forgive those who descended from those sided against the original dark elves corrupted by Lolth? My father believes it is folly for me thinking like this," He sighed staring at the stone floor, "maybe he is right, maybe he's not."

"Yes!" Irzen replied honestly, "I could forgive those ancient grudges if I, in turn, were forgiven the offenses my people have committed against you Surface Elves. And yes, I could see myself making a living as an Arms Merchant on the Surface World. And I would bring my son as well. He, like me, is an explorer and arms merchant who would relish the challenge of exploring new lands and finding new markets for selling our family's arms."

"I see, however, we frown on warmongers here, Lord Irzen. I'm afraid your kin would find no one to trade at least in this region." Prince Yew said quietly.

"You're probably right, Your Highness," Irzen confessed, "Your people are warriors to be sure, but they are no warmongers. My kin and I would have to find markets for our arms elsewhere."

"My daughter would not join us!" The Swordsman sighed as he looked at the floor, "She would remain in The Underdark and run our family business from there. She has too much of her mother in her. She clings to the old ways like a child clings to a much-loved toy. She does not nurse the ancient grudges which exist betwixt our peoples--she harbors them!"

The Swordsman turned to face The Horse Lord, "The Realm outside of these lands can be harsh at times. It can make allies of enemies as it did in the case of your brother and I. Prince Willow and I knew that we needed each other to survive in The Realm, and so, we buried our differences and worked together to keep ourselves and our friends alive. Your brother is a good Archer, an excellent Ranger and an even better friend."

Filled with hope again, the Horse Lord looked back towards the Swordsman, "The best in the kingdom entire. Birch is good but he's not that good when it comes to long distance archery no matter how much he says he is."

"That may be so, your Highness, but I have seen your brother, Prince Birch, in battle," The Swordsman confessed, "He is a grandmaster with the sword. You know, I have faced many Swordsmen in my time. I have yet to remember anyone whom I fought that I thought could be your brother's equal. And forgive me for saying so, but he is every bit as good as your brother, Prince Ash, if not better with the blade."

"Ash, is the crown prince, next in line to the throne. He is more a defender than attacker and he shares our father's vision of prosperity in trade and alliances. The goddess he chooses to serve is far old and ancient than Corellon Larethian. Ehlonna is the goddess of Forests, Woodlands, Flora, Fauna, and Fertility. Ehlonna is known to the elves as 'Ehlenestra.' For she still holds true to our ancestors when dragons were great and many. He said the old gods held true power and granted boons to those who remember them." The horse lord informed the swordsman.

"There is only one Surface Elven god of which I am familiar with. His name is Labelas Enoreth, the Elven god of Longevity, and even then I know only a little about him," Irzen added, "I, too, fancy myself a Swordsman. I am a very good one in fact. But I will say this in all honesty: I would not want to face your brother, Prince Birch, in a sword fight. Not. At. All."

"And that is why he spends more time out to sea, Lord Irzen than on the battle field." He raised his glass to him.

"I see," Lord Irzen raised his glass as well, "Thank you, Prince Birch, for the kindness that you and your family has shown me. You could have had me killed on sight once I entered your lands or cast me out once the battle was won. But you did not! You have treated me with kindness and respect and I thank you for that. Also, a toast to you and your family, long may you reign! Long may you rule!"

"This was an interesting conversation, Lord Irzen. I am rejoining the others." Prince Yew raised his glass once more before and left him to his thoughts.

"Good eventide to you, Your Highness, I shall remain here." Irzen told Prince Yew as he departed for the party.

*********

The horse lord came back in joining the ranger, "So, what did you and the girl discuss, Willow?"