Fingol and Gar find the Twilight King easily enough. Caliban and his homely wife Miranda are indeed there. Only a couple of peddlers from the marketplace are sitting at the bar. There are three tables with four seats around them each. The place seems pleasant enough, though it smells of ale and pipe-weed. There is a dartboard in one corner. Caliban seems happy to see new customers come in and he soon has them set up with a pitcher of ale. They notice that he also has wine, mead, Pulsch Brown Ale (a halfling brew with a pleasant nutty flavor), and among the various spirits behind the bar there is even a jug of Kragg (a terrifyingly strong but foul orc brew that only orcs or goblinoids are able to keep down). Caliban laments that Dwarfhead Stout hasn’t been available since the Scarlet Brotherhood invaded seven years ago, but he hopes that eventually the High and Mighties will open up the trade routes again. Before long, Rain and Aramek come in, finally dismissed from drill.

Rain notices the pitcher of ale. “I see you two started without us, well the next one is on me and it’s gonna be the Pulsch Ale,” then she says in a lower voice so only those at the table can hear, “The standard ale here needs food to go with it – to hide the after-taste.” She fills up everyone’s mugs and raises hers, “To my new friends Sir Fingol and Sir Gar, and of course Aramek and Snoop,” indicating Aramek’s ferret, “it is too seldom that I get to meet new friends in this town. I count it as a good sign that the direction of my life is indeed changing for the better.” She ends her toast and drinks up.

Aramek is certainly not very used to being around lots of people because he was so isolated as a child and young adult. His time in Westkeep is the first time he’s truly been on his own. Even with Estaldir, he was still pretty protected. Being in Westkeep, however, is like the tales he heard as a child of the Wild Coast south of Grehyhawk. Rain is probably the only person who knows much of Aramek’s story, simply because he felt a sense of kinship with Rain from the get-go and it allowed him to open up more with her. It was ‘like at first sight,’ as it were. Since he doesn’t know Gar or Fingol, and Rain is doing just fine carrying the conversation, Aramek listens attentively, without jumping into the conversation. Meanwhile, Snoop is happily sitting on his lap, being fed treats under the edge of the table.

Fingol raises his mug, and an eyebrow, and asks, “To better paths and brighter days. So tell me how the roads swept you along to this backwater, and how could it be an improvement?”

Visions of her father attacking her and then bleeding, dying on the floor, suddenly floods Rain’s memory. She tries like hell to keep it from showing on her face. She quickly forces the memories out with happy thoughts – feeding an egg to snoop. Gar notices that Rain winces after Fingol’s question.

Gaining control of herself Rain answers, “I have been here awhile, recently joined the watch though. Seemed like the thing to do,” she attempts to smile at this but is still battling the bloody vision. She drops the smile and then answers with more truth than she intended, “It just seemed time to do something useful with my life.” She breaks her sudden melancholy and says, “Anyways, indeed, to better paths and brighter days,” and takes another drink.

Fingol says, “Well, we should all look to be of use to others, I suppose. Myself, I wish to be of less use. When I was young I thought that if I were a ranger I’d wander the back roads and woods of the wide world. Now, it seems, I hear of nothing but duty and service. Just as well, I suppose. Since I’ve grown up to find out what else is out there on the back roads and lurking in the woods. I have to say, not much has impressed me in this town until this afternoon. The guard seems well disciplined. At least we have that going for us.”

Rain responds to Fingol, “It sounds like you are not overjoyed to be one of the King’s Ranger’s and would rather strike out on your own. I can understand that. I have not really thought much of an adventurous life, but I can see its appeal. Maybe someday…”

Fingol looks a little startled at the idea. “Well, I don’t know how easy, or even possible that is. And if I did, I would be abandoning my family – my father and brother are patrolling in the marsh. No, I didn’t mean to imply that. I suppose I am concerned about the situation here. Until Westkeep is secure, we’re all going to be dancing on a short string.

“I am impressed by Prince Prospero. He seems a strong leader. I am less impressed by the clerics who talk about good works but seem to have achieved nothing. Were they to see to the needs of the people, I think folks would be a great deal more accepting of the new landlords. Where do you put our chances?”

Gar chimes in, “Speaking of impressive, I noticed during one of your fights today, Rain, that Noch gave up one of his opportunities to hit you. Did you bewitch him or is he your friend?”

Fingol turns to Gar with raised eyebrows.

Rain smiles at Gar after his comment that seems to come out of nowhere. Now why would he think that Noch may have thrown the fight? Aramek senses that she seems genuinely puzzled by his question.

Rain redirects her attention to Fingol and responds, “I couldn’t agree with you more. Prospero is not at all what I imagined, he does seem like a very strong leader and it looks like his intentions to clean up Westkeep are true.”

Her face frowns slightly as she says, “As for the clerics I agree with you there also. I don’t know what their game is, but it does not seem to be marred,” she emphasizes this last word, “by a true interest in helping the people.” She pauses as she returns her thoughts to poor Rinya. Maybe the clerics and their lack of interest in truly helping people… she then realizes that her dark thoughts have taken her too long away from the conversation.

During her pause, Aramek, who has gotten to know her better than the others, senses that she struggles against some dark memory or imaginings. Aramek, for all his isolation as a child and youth, in no way had a ‘dark’ childhood. He was aware of the sadness around his mother’s death, but it was part of his landscape and not traumatic. His father’s love and protection insured him of a relatively happy childhood. In his growing friendship with Rain, some of his background has come out, however Rain has never talked much about her past and Aramek has never pried, but this emotion – this ‘dark memory’ startles Aramek somewhat because it seems so deeply buried. Why would Rain react so to thoughts of ‘clerics’?

Rain recovers by addressing Gar, “As for my fight against Noch, I assure you that he only had intentions of beating me down and making it hurt. Did you not see his fight against Hex? Noch is a true professional and I believe he could no easier hold back on a combatant than he could willingly jump from the city walls. I would not say that Noch is my friend, but I would certainly appreciate him covering my back in a fight. No, the only way I beat him was to convince him I was going to throw one way when I actually threw differently. That is why he seemed to jump into the path of my dagger. I got the better of him today. That is all.” She ends with a small smile then takes another drink of her ale.

Gar smiles, saying, “I see. A dragon’s voice kept repeating that scene in my mind, but I don’t understand why. Perhaps it is truly because you are so wickedly fast that it only appeared that Noch purposely gave up a chance to hit you. Perhaps so… either way, I wouldn’t want to fight you, magic or not.” Gar winks at Rain.

Fingol looks over at Gar with a quizzical expression, “Well she won one bout fairly, at the least.”

Fingol turns with a more serious expression to Rain, “How long have you been in Westkeep? I’ve been here just a day or so. And yet, I would expect to see more evidence of work. This is the time of year to start construction on a fortified clinic or to drain the swamps near the city. In the spring the men will be needed in the fields. What do you hear people saying in town? This morning, Gar and I spoke with a young boy who didn’t even know that the clerics of Heironeous pledged themselves to the feeding of the poor.”

Whatever Rain had been able to hide from her face before breaks out now as true anger seeps into it. “Honestly – we’re pissed and feel like all the ‘High and Mighties’ are just another corrupt occupational force. Sure they announced they would provide healing and medicines for the sick, food for the poor, but in the end only to those they choose to receive it by their own gods damned selection methods.” She pauses to compose herself. “A friend of mine was sick with Filth Fever. She was just a girl, and was not one to be selected, and she died. I don’t understand it. Prince Prospero and Lady Sedara seem like good honorable rulers, but they must know what’s going on. Why do they allow this to happen?”

Now Aramek understands from where those deep feelings that he and Snoop sensed from Rain were coming. His admiration for her deepens as he realizes just how caring, compassionate, and loyal a person she really is. Aramek’s father always told him that each person has certain duties: to respect the gods by doing his best, to help others without being judgmental, and to never be a hypocrite. Although he senses that Rain is capable of skirting rules and regulations, she really is a caring person and someone for whom Aramek is developing a real sense of being both protective and respectful.

Fingol regards Rain for a moment wondering if she is bullshitting him, though she certainly seems to be expressing her true feelings, and then he looks down. “Well, no matter how great the heroic effort, tragedy will still strike. But all that I have heard is discouraging. I am very sorry for your loss.”

Rain addresses Fingol and says, “Thanks.”

Aramek takes the opportunity to say to Gar, “Excuse me, but why is it so difficult for you to believe that Rain might actually be a very talented fighter in her own right?”

With a smirk Gar says, “Certainly, good magician, you don’t think the use of magic in fighting is uncouth, especially since it was allowed? I noticed you fought very well without magic, but for one such as me, I need all the help I can get. I would not put down anyone who uses magic. I was simply trying to understand what I saw, or what I thought I saw, transpire.”

Fingol looks down at the wizard’s little rodent-thing and worries, When the rangers get here, I sure hope none of them have an animal companion that would eat that thing.

Seeing this look of concern, Gar leans over to look in Aramek’s lap. “Is he ok?”

Rain reaches down and begins to stroke Snoop’s furry head and addresses Fingol, “You have a problem with Snoop here?”

“What? Me? No. A passing thought… I was worried about the little guy. There are lots of things in the marsh that would find something like that all too tasty. I’m sure he’ll be well looked after though.”

Fingol slowly reaches his hand over to Snoop so he can sniff his hand. Snoop sniffs Fingol’s hand and then slips into his made-just-for-Snoop pocket in Aramek’s shirt. With a wry smile and a shrug, Fingol says, “I get that a lot.”

Snoop and Aramek are emotionally in synch so Snoop hadn’t any reason to mistrust Fingol, since Aramek doesn’t. Gar, on the other hand, is a different matter. Snoop well senses the pique Aramek feels towards Gar so hides himself away in the Aramek’s pocket so that Gar will not be tempted to try to pet him.

After a moment Rain says to Gar, “So let me get this straight, you speak with dragons?”

Gar Dragonsbreath takes a moment to look deeply into her eyes, then smiles hugely and says, “Yes, I do, or so it seems sometimes. He gives me insight into what is happening. I have a deep sympathy with intuitive beings who breathe fire. Thanks be to Obad-Hai,” as he fondles the little Green Man hanging around his neck.

Rain says to Gar, “That is about the oddest thing I have ever heard. Of course I don’t get out of the city much these days,” she ends with a wry smile.

“How about mead for our next pitcher?” asks Gar. “I just love the nectar of the gods. Barkeep! Please bring us a pitcher of mead for my new friends.”

Fingol takes the opportunity to say, “Anyway, why are we so worried about the bouts? It was a great exercise at the time, but now it’s over. Some of us won, some lost, but none were harmed greatly. Tomorrow may bring the opportunity to train some more. I pray that the drill grounds are the only place we need to worry about getting into fights for a while. I am certain the tactics outside them will seem far darker! As for dragons, I would prefer we leave them in peace to sleep. I don’t think they would do much good here.” Fingol hopes they do ‘Let sleeping dragons lie.’ He was impressed by Gar’s observation, but doesn’t see where it has any value beyond the novelty of it. So what if they cheated? That’s more Noch’s problem than mine.

“Let sleeping dragons lie. Yes, that would be good advice,” Gar says to Fingol as he winks at Rain. “Speaking of getting out of the city, do you two know yet when or where your next excursion will be?”

Fingol jumps in, “Well, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, we’ll all be sent out on errands in the marsh or elsewhere at the whim of our commanders. But that, I hope, is a little ways away… Today’s worries are more routine, you two have the midnight watch tonight do you not? And the nobles and ‘High and Mighties’ will be looking for Gar and I to join them for whatever diversion they have planned.” He shakes his head with a note of irritation. “Time for us all to rest up – and sober up – before we are missed, I think.”

Being a responsible young half-elf who has not overindulged in drink (since he never drank anything more than weak ale and watered wine until he left home), Aramek thinks it’s amusing that Fingol would think that they ‘all’ need to sober up. I, at least, have my wits about me. Besides, I’m sure Snoop wouldn’t let me get too much into my cups. No doubt a nip from the Snoop would be a sobering experience, since he would no doubt find a most effective place to nip me! At which point Snoop lets out a muffled squeak.

“Yes, Sir Fingol,” says Gar, “I do suppose it is time to go sober up before brown nosing some nobles. Lady Rain, it was a great pleasure to get to know you. Thank you for breaking protocol to talk to Sir Fingol. Sir Aramek, I hope next time we meet that you are more talkative. Do we need to ply you with more alcohol?” Gar cocks his head and grins at Aramek and then everyone. “’Til tomorrow perhaps.”

Aramek smiles hesitantly at Gar, but in his mind he’s wondering what that ‘plying with alcohol’ remark was all about, since he is still mistrustful of Gar, who seems a braggart and a flippant bon vivant. Gar senses that he is a bit nonplussed towards him. Rain also picks up on Aramek’s discomfiture.

For her part, Rain did not drink that much, because she knew she would have watch in just a few hours. She had also been paying attention to the passage of time since Aramek had said he needed to get some things done before that same watch shift. One mug of the Pulsch and mead after that was quite enough for her. Rain says to everyone, “Yes, Sir Fingol is right. We should be about sobering up and getting back to business. I believe Aramek has a few things he needs to attend to before our watch tonight as well. I thank you,” she indicates Gar and Fingol, “for joining us. It has been nice meeting you both.”

Fingol smiles and says, “Well, sorry to be so mature and responsible. Good meeting you all.” Fingol signals to Caliban to pay for the first pitcher. Rain is responsible for the second pitcher, though Aramek offers to split that with her. Gar pays for the mead.

While walking back to the castle with Fingol, Gar lets the recent conversation swirl through his mind. Verbalizing his thoughts loud enough for Fingol to hear, but not really speaking to anyone, Gar says, “What kind of person can move twice for every one move of their opponent? She doesn’t seem like an ordinary fighter.”

Fingol’s exasperation wells up at this. “Ugh. Okay. I’m impressed by the observation, but I really don’t see the importance. If she and Aramek are cheating at the bouts, that’s not our concern. I can tell you for sure, you won’t get a fair fight outside the dueling circle, so you’d best learn how to deal with cheats in it. The only treachery I see in the whole thing is that maybe they have some betting scheme set up. Again, not my problem, so if this has some greater significance, you’ll have to explain it to me.”

Drunk and exasperated as he may be, Fingol is still a ranger. He watches and listens for anyone following him and Gar. He also steers away, as best he can, from anything that a rogue could hide behind.

Gar looks over at Fingol and says, a tad surprised, “Treachery? The thought never entered my mind. I just like to ponder the patterns I observe to help me understand the people and world in which we find ourselves.”

“So you risked offending the nice lady who can move twice as fast as her opponents? You’re a dangerous man, not intentionally, but dangerous none the less.”

Gar giggled. “Yes, I suppose so. Sometimes. Mostly a menace to myself fortunately. Hopefully. That is the way I have always been. I poke and prod and then watch reactions. It is perhaps the most illuminating way to look into another person’s depths. Not without the risk of losing one’s head, I agree; but where there is no risk, there is no gain. Even so, I do agree with you, I need to practice quiet more and talk less. I have more wisdom when I say nothing.” Gar smiles wide and elbows Fingol playfully.

Fingol smirks in spite of himself but says nothing.

Rain walks with Aramek for a while back to his loft. As they begin their walk she chuckles lightly and asks, “So, what do you think of our new friends?”

Aramek looks at Rain and shrugs, “I dunno. Fingol seems like a decent sort and he’s passed the ‘Snoop test.’ At least Snoop seemed to be ambivalent about him. But that guy Gar. I wish I knew what his game was. He makes me uncomfortable. It’s as if whatever he says might or might not be taken at face value, like he means more than what he’s saying. I honestly got a little peeved that he was trying to infer that you didn’t win your match fair and square.

“I will say we really can’t afford to treat folks to drinks like that very often – that was expensive, especially on our salary. But anyway, it was nice going somewhere where we could actually carry on a conversation. By the way, what do you think Gar meant about our ‘next’ excursion?”

“Yah, Gar hit me the same way,” Rain replies. “I’m not sure about him. It’s almost like he’s possessed by this dragon of his or something. I have no idea what to make of it. The only reason I even half trust him is because Fingol seems to. I don’t know, only time will tell on that one.”

Rain pauses to think a little. “You know I had the same reaction to his mentioning an ‘excursion’. Does he know? But honestly I doubt that was it. I’m guessing he is talking about some unit based excursion outside of the city. It is possible you know. I wouldn’t dwell on it too much.” She stops. “Hey I need to do a few things before tonight, let’s sit watch together though, okay? See ya Aramek.” Rain addresses Snoop, “Bye Snoop,” and then she is off.

Back at the palace, Fingol changes back into his court attire and then goes down to the great hall to partake of the evening meal. He says little at dinner, so as not to betray his drunkenness. Gar also enters and when he sees Sir Fingol sitting at the table, he smiles and bows his head briefly to him in greeting before sitting down for supper. Then Gar bows his head again momentarily to say a prayer, while fingering his Green Man, over his evening meal, quietly casting a spell to purify it – just in case. Gar also practices wisdom through silent observance, listening to the small talk around the table, hoping to hear something interesting. This night he does not.

Fingol restricts himself to chicory and tea this evening, and after a certain point turns to Sir Gorman and says, “I would like to compliment you on the quality of your troops. I was impressed by their skills and their discipline.

“Thank you Sir Fingol, you certainly made a very good showing yourself. I was on the other side of the field during your bout with Rain, but I heard that you actually won that one if she had surrendered as she should have done. Clever girl, that one – bears watching. Good thing she is on our side.”

Fingol replies with a wide smile, “Should have? I think she did exactly what a soldier should do, she won the fight! I’m glad she’s on our side as well, and I’m glad for the lesson. I’ll be sure to be less ‘sporting’ outside the dueling circle. Any word on when the rangers are expected to arrive?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t know anything about any rangers arriving,” says Sir Gorman. “That’s something you’ll have to take up with Sir Bodwyn, and he plays things pretty close to the vest. He might tell you though, seeing as how you are with the King’s Rangers.”

Sir Jankin then says, “Sir Fingol, I know you’ve been concerned about our attempts here to set up a new clinic. Would you care to meet me after dinner tomorrow morning? I have just learned a few things that you might be interested in and I’d like to show them to you.” Jankin seems quite pleased about something when he says this.

Fingol returns his enthusiasm, “I knew the followers of Heironius would not be shaken off easily! I am eager to hear all about the plans. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Meanwhile, Gar’s mind wanders as he looks at the manly men around the hall. He still feels horny, but he’s had enough of an adventure for one day and heads back to his room after dinner, bidding the gentlemen at the table, “Good night, good lords and ladies.”

Walking back to his room, Gar ponders the day to come. “After I meditate tomorrow morning, maybe I’ll go to the service again at the chapel. I suppose I need to buy some travel supplies too after morning dinner in the great hall. I wouldn’t mind more practice fighting if I have the chance. I sure got the crap beat out of me today.” Gar giggles to himself. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.” Smiling at the thought, he opens the door to his room.