On the arrival of Claire

Reference: http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/posts/list.m?topic_id=175183

The exasperated innkeeper slams his hand flat on the tavern counter. He turns to his abuser, ‘For the last time, I’ve not seen her and my wife’s not seen her! We have nothing to report and nothing to hide. Can I not have this single moment of solace with a glass of our mother’s finest? Just an hour without your hounds lurking around is all I ask!’

The decorated Koada`Vie addressing the innkeeper furrows his brow before speaking, ‘It is just that… Tandan was such an upstanding citizen, and having these unmentionables propagating such vile lies is something our order could do without.’

The innkeeper stares into his glass, letting the old paladin’s penchant for empty verbosity carry on with the parroted drone he had become so accustomed to.

‘…The reports from Nurbyte indicate that you Freegrazes have…’

The fatigued Highelf lifts his glass and throws it across the room, much to the horror of the three bartenders who were priding themselves on their indifference to the badgering their customer was receiving. The patron kicks his seat behind him and draws nose to nose with the general. His words are slow, almost patronizing, but quite obviously fueled by the fire of a man pushed one too many times.

‘I can deal with your spies. I can deal with my beloved wife running off to Tunare knows where. I can even deal with the insidious sniveling tone you take when you try to cover up the abuses of your members. But if you call me Freegraze one more time, I swear upon my family’s crest that I will have you eat that ‘ R ‘.’

The general, somewhat taken aback by the newfound boldness of his victim, smiles nervously. He chooses his words carefully, ‘I would only suggest you cooperate should you come into any information regarding this alleged fifth daughter.’

The weary innkeeper throws his hands up in defeat. He tosses a generous donation to the keepers and nods as a small apology for the loss of their fine drinking vessel. He returns across the alley to his home and sits behind the counter, his thoughts turning to his wife…

“Perhaps I best warn Elliere not to get involved in the affairs of that new artist…”