Kheldar chuckles to himself and shakes his head. . . Perhaps the fellow that had left the tavern before had the right idea. Get out of this place! Suddenly everyone was becoming very haughty and picking fights with everyone else!
"Well, I can see there's no shortage of immortal bullies in here. . . I'll leave you gentlemen to your bickering. Just remember, while it's ok to intimidate each other for hours on end inside the tavern, tavern policy states actual fights have to be taken outside in the clearing."
Kheldar turns around and approaches the tavern door. Once he gets to it he stops, and turns to face everyone again.
"Oh yes, and congratulations to Nevish Darkwind for winning the Walking Stick Showdown! The winged fellow forfeited, so I suppose that means you win by default! You now have official bragging rights over the. . . oh what do you call him now? . . Shameful Cowardly Fool! You've also maintained your perfect winning streak! So congrats! . . Happy brawling! . ."
Kheldar closes the tavern door behind him and rolls his eyes. . . How could people who possessed such power be like that? The power must have corrupted them and age shriveled their brains!
"Oh Hello!"
Kheldar blinks at the young fellow who had left the tavern before. The man appeared to be waiting in anticipation for something to happen.
"Oh, waiting for the cane battle? I'm afraid it's been canceled. One of them had cold feet. . . You know how those boasting boneheads are. . . All talk and no show. . ."
Kheldar shrugs.
"I believe you're a new face in town. . . Either that or I've been away from here too long! . . My name's Kheldar Devaentar, thief and spy, at your service! And who, my friend, are you?"
Artwork copyright © 2004, Gordon R. Quigley
