[Folwren]

Dick nodded and bobbed his head in agreement with the customer. As he expected, the man had been traveling a long way. Before he could ask where he had come from, or how far the week of walking had actually brought him, he was asked for another drink.

‘Just as well,’ Dick realized, seeing, as he turned, that Haves had been addressed by Songo. ‘What was it he wanted? Ale, right...ale...’ He filled it from the tap and turned to deliver it.

“There you are, sir. Finest light brew in the house.”

“Hey! You got a problem, elf?” The voice was loud and jarring in the generally quiet, laid back, and tired atmosphere spread through the rest of the common room. Dick jerked upright, his eyes and face suddenly more alert and attentive than ever.

“What is it about dwarves?” he mumbled to himself. “Master Dwarf!” he said more loudly, trying to move about the counter and catching the dwarf’s eye.

Groin apparently did not hear him. “Hey, wake up, elf, wake up!”

“Sir!” Dick cried again, hoping that he could get the dwarf away from the elf before the later had woken. But the hope was false, for the elf stirred and turned his head to look at Groin before Dick had arrived.