8th Day of Fireseek, 565 CY
The Brass Dragon Inn, Furyondy

"I see everyone's still alive." Aslan stood in the main door of the inn, addressing the fifteen or so people within.

Argo raised a mug of mulled apple cider in a toast.

"And good morning to you too, Aslan. We were wondering when you'd be joining us. Caroline was worried that something might have happened to you, but I heard your snoring as we passed by your house this morning, so I knew everything was okay," the ranger grinned.

Aslan didn't take the bait, but merely walked over to a table and sat down heavily. "I'm sorry, I don't usually sleep this late. I must have been absolutely exhausted last night. If it weren't for Mirage jumping on top of me, I might still be asleep." A serving girl set down a mug of tea in front of the paladin, and he smiled his thanks, then stretched his limbs. "It's been a while since I've had to wear my armor from morning to night. I can't say that I like it."

Argo placed down a plate with a piece of steak in front of the paladin. "Here. For either you or Mirage, who ever has the toughest palate."

Aslan frowned as he examined the teeth marks on the piece of meat. "What's this?"

"Well, until I chipped a tooth on it, I thought it was going to be my breakfast," Bigfellow replied. He turned to Cygnus. "I usually have biscuits or salt pork, but I thought I'd try something else today, you know, in celebration of not waking up dead." He gestured towards the kitchen door behind the bar. "Is our beef usually this bad?"

Cygnus sipped his tea as he eyed the ranger. "We used to get our meat and produce from the most upscale distributor in Willip. They used magic to preserve the quality of the food, at least for a few extra days. It gave us more options in terms of what we could stock on hand here, but the cost was considerably more. We haven't used them since the start of the new year."

"Why not?" Elrohir asked, taking a chair next to the wizard. Cygnus shrugged.

"Cost. I've been telling you people for some time now; we're running out of money."

Talass shook her head. "I'm sorry Cygnus, I don't understand. Aside from the past few days, business has been pretty good- for the winter season anyway. Why aren't we making a profit from the Brass Dragon?"

The mage gave her a slightly patronizing smile, causing the corners of Talass' mouth to tighten.

"We've never made a profit on this place, Talass," said Cygnus. "Your husband and Estel insisted when we opened this inn that we would serve only the highest possible quality food and drink, and that our rooms would be safe and comfortable, and our stable care exemplary. And that's exactly what we have done, yet we charge no more than most other inns, so we can appeal to the common man, as Elrohir puts it. It's simple mathematics. We spend more than we make, and we no longer have an alternate stream of revenue coming in to supplement it."

Caroline smirked into her wineglass. "Running an inn- it's not just a job, it's an adventure!"

Several eyebrows went up at this, including her husband's.

"Love," he asked gently but still getting straight to the point. "What's wrong?"

Caroline sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, it's just that-" she looked down, unable to meet Argo's eyes. "You all retired shortly after we married. You all had something to retire from. I didn't, and I'm still here more than any of you. I'm always filling in for the staff, or taking care of odd jobs, or doing anything other than what I've trained for since I was a girl, which was to be a warrior. I've always been proud that I was able to achieve that, even though most of my family weren't all that keen on my choice of vocation- or husband," she added, glancing slyly at Argo, who smiled back and held her hand in his. She glanced over at Sir Dorbin and his party. "They're still adventuring, and they seem to be pretty happy about it."

"Ask them if any of them have children," said Argo quietly.

His wife looked at him. He continued. "I doubt very much if they do. I know I want them. Don't you?"

Caroline's conflicting emotions showed on her face. "Yes, Argo, more than anything. I just don't want to turn my back on who I was." She grimaced. "I guess I just want it all."

"Spoken like a true adventurer," Aslan put in.

Argo gave the paladin his famous pained smile. "You're not making this any easier, Aslan."

Aslan put on a mock innocent face. "Was I supposed to? Dearest me."

"In any case," cut in Elrohir, determined to get the conversation back on track, "what do we do, Cygnus. Unretire?"

Cygnus glared at his party leader. "Not even in jest, Elrohir. However," he added, his face softening, "as usual, I have a plan that may save our coffers."

Elrohir couldn't help but notice that Argo and Aslan were sporting the same identical look of skepticism on their faces. He had to admit he shared that sentiment but kept it off his own face. He took a swallow of coffee and said "Let's have it."

Cygnus picked up a small chalk slate from his lap and laid it on the table in front of him. Among several unfamiliar symbols were written several names that they all recognized. Iuz. Bellicose. Scurvy John. Chic.

"Your Enemies List?" asked Argo.

"That's right, Argo," replied the wizard. "If you'll recall, I was talking about this when all this unpleasantness started. However, what I said then still stands." He tapped the slate. "Take Bellicose here, for instance. I never met the dragon that didn't have a horde. We can remove one of our enemies off this list, and make a tidy profit at the same time."

"Excuse me," interrupted Talass, looking from one party member to another with an incredulous look on her face. "Am I the only here who hasn't forgotten the fact that we're all in mortal danger as we speak? What about Nodyath? Is he no longer a threat to us just because we can't make money off of him?"

Aslan crossed his hands in front of him and spoke as evenly as he could. "I'm not an optimist by nature Talass, but I'd have to say there's a fair possibility that Nodyath is dead. I've been trying to get a handle on how he thinks. Now, I don't know of course whether I've succeeded, but I just can't imagine him waiting for his revenge. By now, he'd be healed- if he set off the scroll in the first place- and he'd be able to utilize his full Talent. There'd be no point in waiting to attack. Now, if we can get our hands on some coin," he nodded at Cygnus, "we can afford to have a divination cast for us to determine the truth. In the meantime, I suggest we resume our lives as much as possible. Leave the children where they are for the moment, but let's move on. If Nodyath is still alive, he'll make his move sooner or later. When he does, he just may make a mistake that we can capitalize on."

Cygnus nodded. "It's even possible that Nodyath gave the scroll to a wizard to examine, and it blew up in the wizard's face. He may have killed Nodyath in a rage right then and there. Of course, I'm just speculating. Like Aslan says, once we can afford to have the right spell cast for us, we'll know more." The magic-user looked up as he finished speaking at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Sir Dorbin was standing by them.

"Forgive my intrusion, good people. I could not help but overhear." He addressed himself to Elrohir. "If you wish to turn your attention elsewhere, by all means do so."

"Thanks for the permission," Argo mumbled under his breath, so softly that only Caroline caught it.

"However," the knight continued, "we will not seek to leave this world until we have confirmed that Nodyath is dead. Again, we stand at your service in all matters." He bowed to the party, then returned to his companions. Argo and Elrohir looked at each other, but Aslan caught it.

"Don't discount them so quickly," the paladin warned them. "Dorbin's Talent may prove immeasurably useful, and I for one am grateful to have such willing allies. Now then," and here he gazed at Elrohir. "What do you say, leader? Shall we give Bellicose the reunion with her father that she so desperately needs?"

Slowly, the ranger's face broke out into a big smile. "Let's go hunting."