[@Garth][@XxFellsingxX][@Guardian Angel Haruki][@rush99999][@Gordian Nought][h2][color=964B00]Grimi Ekleipein[/color][/h2][h3][color=964B00]Location: The Grim Lodge[/color][/h3]
Firelight flickered as embers flew from a brazier. A withered hand grasped a poker pulling it out to light a pipe. Light of day had faded many hours ago and the old man stood between the Grim Lodge and the building to the east. There was a small alleyway between the buildings, probably big enough for one frail old man like himself to walk comfortably. Which he did as he moved to the street. Another puff on his pipe and his eyes focused on the few still milling about at this hour. A child ran past him between his building and the other, picked up a sack of food and ran off. He smiled as he was able to help some of the unfortunate children. This smile faded when he overheard music and the inevitable guard tackle. They were very proficient in taking down minstrels, artists, and purveyors of creative arts.

The guards started dragging the minstrel off and ended up coming up to him. He only nodded to them and smiled. They handed the instrument over to Grimi and he took it.

[color=D4AF37]“Name.”[/color] Grimi asked the fool to play music in this town.

[color=38edff]“Benvin Glorybreath.”[/color] Came a whisper from the defeated man. After hearing that name Grimi burned it into the instrument asking for the correct spelling. Once finished he took the strings off the instrument and placed it without them on a frame on the wall. There was a small noose there which he placed around the neck of the lute. With a sharp jerk the bowl of the instrument was impaled on a nail. The nail was there as if waiting and when one looked there were many other open frames with similar nails. The man visibly deflated at the sight of his instrument and didn’t resist the guards anymore.

[color=D4AF37]“I think this isn’t working.”[/color] Grimi informed them as he pointed to the framework tapestry of similar instruments.

[color=708e72]“What do you suggest?”[/color] Biggs asked as he got a little closer.

[color=D4AF37]“Well, we could let him go. Then he could spread the word.”[/color] Grimi suggested as he puffed on his pipe.

[color=D4AF37]“Then again, I doubt he would spread the word enough.”[/color] Grimi paused as he looked into the sky. Clouds had started to gather and he could feel the change.

[color=808080]“Well, it looks like another execution then.”[/color] Wedge informed them and they all sighed.

[color=708e72]“What is that? Just about three or four a day?”[/color] Biggs asked as Grimi handed him his pipe and the poker he was using. With that he partook of the variable blend Grimi had made.

[color=D4AF37]“You could have him work. I need someone in the kitchen doing dishes. After that if he still feels like playing an instrument then break his hands.”[/color] Grimi informed them as he looked between the guards.

[color=D4AF37]“You boys may want to get under the eaves.”[/color] Grimi informed them as he moved closer to the Grim Lodge. Within moments it started to rain and they looked at him dumbfounded.

[color=808080] “How do you always know?”[/color] Wedge asked, not hiding his excitement. Biggs knew better and had joined Grimi when he moved. Wedge drug the perp under the eave. Wedge and Biggs both let out a tired sigh. They had seen many people hung, tortured, and sent to the chopping block. They seemed tired of it all.

[color=D4AF37]“Well, I’m old and can feel the changes happening.”[/color] Grimi admitted as he looked around at the young men.

[color=708e72]“Sure, I don’t want to see another person die because of one mistake.”[/color] Biggs answered as they got up and handed the young man over to Grimi and he smiled.

[color=D4AF37]“Keep the pipe as a memento and if you ever catch this one breaking the law again.”[/color] Grimi suggested as he looked at the sturdy, almost club-like pipe.

[color=808080]“Break his hands with it?”[/color] Wedge asked and Grimi nodded. The two guards moved away and smiled as they shared the pipe. The old man didn’t have the strength to force the young man into the alleyway and back into the bar. However, with how little resistance the man gave all he did was follow directions. Once inside he tapped his barman on the shoulder and was informed of the events as they happened. Afterwards he moved up and the barman took the minstrel to the dish rack.

This was just about the time that Rockmar came up from the basement and nodded to him. Grimi nodded back and grimaced at the weight the young man was carrying on his short but sturdy frame. Grimi made sure to shut the doors and latch them when he came back inside but he moved back to check again. Once he knew it was firmly in place he moved back to the bar and poured a few drinks. They slid across the countertop to everyone nearby.

[color=D4AF37]“LAST CALL!”[/color] Grimi yelled and then started coughing. He leaned against the bar for support as he shook his head. All of the helping hands around the bar started corralling the patrons to their rooms and bussing tables. That was about the time that a headless handless butler outfit came into the picture. Archibald was known to all patrons of the Grim Lodge. It was carrying a lantern and moved up to the group placing said lantern on the countertop. It moved behind the counter and placed its invisible hand on Grimi. Grimi only placed his hand on it and thanked it.

[color=D4AF37]“I’m okay. Don’t worry about this old man.”[/color] He informed Archibald as he looked around the counter. There were a few faces he knew and a few he didn’t.

[color=D4AF37]“Are all children of nighttime activities ready?”[/color] Grimi asked as he pointed his staff downstairs. He could see that everyone who wasn’t going to participate was already guided into bed.

[color=D4AF37]“Rockmar, could you please lead the way?”[/color] Grimi asked with a grin that was never shown during daylight hours. He tapped his staff on the ground as if to gather everyone’s attention.

[color=D4AF37]“Archibald, please do the normal cleaning and mending.”[/color] Grimi asked his unseen servant. With that it bowed and moved to do other tasks around the Grim Lodge.