Raffey had kept to himself for most of the journey with the scouting party. He really didn't care about the mission at hand, though he did appreciate the irony that Ebonfort and the Screamers were working toward the same goal despite their hatred for each other. Riding a horse had made him broody, he missed Dibney. When they came upon the strange tavern, for the first time, Raffey really didn't feel like drinking. 

He stepped out of his tent, seeing that the only people remaining were Drache and Laurel. He wasn't in the mood to be especially chatty and was a bit cold toward them. There was some venison staying warm over the fire and he took a skewer of it as he began heading out, away from the tavern. He was sure those that had gone in would be able to get the information necessary. But, he wanted another look at the area. Where there was a tavern and road, there were other things unseen. 

Spare spear and javelins strapped to his back, his leather armor having been oiled so that he could move silently if needed. He moved toward the guarded road first, just to see what would happen. The guards stared at him as he approached, one lowering a spear to point at him, [color=ed1c24][b]"Stop. I don't recognize you." [/b][/color]

Raffey rolled his eyes, [color=fff200][b]"Dat migh' be 'cuz ah'm new ta town. Jus' visitin'. Duh name's Raffeh."[/b][/color] 

The man scowled, eyeballing him, [color=ed1c24][b]"Well we're not letting in strangers, pure or otherwise, Coria's orders. You can stay at the Lovely Lily there until we allow outsiders in again. But if you're found in our territory, you'll be killed on sight. Have a pint on me, just tell Larry to put it on my tab."[/b][/color]

Raffey smiled a fake smile, [color=fff200][b]"Tanks for duh warnin', aneh sudgeshtuns on where ta go nex'?[/b][/color]

The man thought for a moment, [color=ed1c24][b]"Well to the south there's a horrible town of dragons. They enslave pure races, like dwarves, and make them do horrid things. To the east there's tribe of horsefuckers that will eat you. Not much else around here, just a bunch of ruins of old Vircastoria, before the Ebonfort destroyed us out of jealousy."[/b][/color]

Raffey nodded in thanks, and turned on heel and returned back to camp. Finally speaking to the women, [color=fff200][b]"Dey's nah lettin' anyone in. Mentioned some ruins nearbah. Gonna cheh' 'em ou'. Wanna join meh?"[/b][/color]

Giving a few slips for preparation if either agreed, Raffey began heading north past the tavern. He wouldn't speak unless one of them addressed. He seemed distracted and depressed as he moved toward the nearby tree line, walking over some fairly obvious boot and giant beetle tracks walking in from the east. He didn't feel the eyes of an aaenshi staring him down from a hiding spot in a bush. 

Meanwhile in the Lovely Lily, Larry took Megumi's coins and passed her an ale. When she made her joke, he smiled nervously, [color=39b54a][b]"I'm no filthy halfbreed, we don't let those kinds in here. Especially those with strange eyes."[/b][/color] A justicar had heard his response and raised a glass, [color=7ea7d8][b]"Damn straight Larry! Filthy creatures deserve to die!"[/b][/color]

The entire bar cheered and took a hearty drink. After a bit, Larry brought Megumi another drink, on a napkin. If she turned it over, she'd find some of words written there. 

[i]Center door upstairs. Knock four times.[/i]

If Megumi decided to venture upstairs, she'd find a justicar, a human woman, following her, unspeaking. Once at the top, the woman would speak, [color=bc8dbf][b]"I've not seen you here before. You from town?"[/b][/color] She had brown hair and a kind smile, and a vicious rapier hanging from her hip. No matter what Megumi said, the woman who introduced herself as Sammeh, would continue insisting on small talk and not leaving her be. It didn't seem as if she would be left alone.