Xandilif set the latest tankard down with a metallic crack, next to another five and looked up sweetly at the Swan Knight hovering at the end of the table. She smiled with maidenly grace which many would find somehow unnerving since across her back was a great sword nearly as tall as she was and likely heavier were she unarmored.
Of course, she was seldom unarmored.
"Goodness!, " she said, affecting the soft drawl of a Gondorian matron, "Six already? Does that mean I won the bet?"
The Swan Knight shrugged as his fellows shrieked with laughter and then dropped the bag of silver on the table. "Never seen a girl drink like that...elf or no elf. 'Tis not natural."
Now Xandilif joined in the laughter though her red eyed companion remained silent, sipping his own tankard as the Swan Knights moved away to seek more agreeable amusement on their furlough.
The elven champion called for another tankard and leaned back in her chair, breathing in deeply. "I could do this forever....what about you Raand?"
The big man shook his head. "No...not forever. I have something I need to do elsewhere."
Xandilif raised an eyebrow. "And what could you have to do all by yourself?"
"I took a contract..." Raand shrugged. "With dwarves. They have some things that need killing and the money is good. I need to stretch my legs a bit anyway. I don't imagine it will take me long."
Xandilif frowned, her fine elven features pursed in annoyance. "And where are these things that need killing...and what are they?"
The beast man turned his blood red eyes on one of his only friends...breathing in deeply for a moment as if controlling some inner rage, then finally speaking in his typical low monotone. "The contract is from Dwarves....so the killing is under the ground I imagine. As for what, likely orcs or such. Does it matter?"
"Dwarves kill orcs just fine on their own...this must be something else. Something worse. I don't like the sound of this at all." Xandilif settled back into her chair, one hand stroking the dagger on her belt by reflex.
"Like it or not, a fast horse is waiting for me on the morrow.....so stop talking so much. We have drinking to do." Raand looked at the weary barmaid who quickly glanced away from his burning red eyes, hustling to bring the strange patrons more ale.
Xandilif laughed, but the sound now had little merriment behind it, ringing hollow. "Well that I can agree with...you'll keep me posted yes, on your little adventure underground with the Dwarves."
Raand nodded, knowing full well the blasé tone in his comrades voice was what passed for concern in the elf. "Yeah...I will indeed....anyway it should be a quick job, in and out. Hardly worth the travel." He sounded out the strange word he had seen on the contract carefully in his guttural rasp. "Mo - Ree - Ah. Sounds stupid. How bad could it be?"
