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Gavlan awoke early next morning feeling almost refreshed, if not for the soreness of his feet. Yesterday had been a long and arduous day for him, having circled around Loringrad at least a dozen times over trying to locate his client. Today, he figured, would prove to be much easier, now that his map had become exponentially more useful thanks to the merchant he had met the night before. Donning his armor, grabbing his satchel, and picking up his battle axe, which gleamed extravagantly from the light through his room's window, he made his way downstairs to the tavern. Despite how early it was in the morning, the tavern was abuzz with patrons chattering away. Ignoring this, Gavlan made his way to the bar, where the wrinkly, old barman was busy cleaning out his mugs with one ear perked up, and sat on a stool. 
[color=1a7b30]"Five pints. Make it quick, I'm almost sober."[/color] 
[color=a36209]"Any friends this time?"[/color] 
[color=1a7b30]"No. Get my beer."[/color] 
[color=a36209]"Fine. But I suppose you haven't heard the news, then?"[/color]
[color=1a7b30]"I have. I think it has to do with you grabbing my beer."[/color] At this comment from Gavlan, the barman gave a long, drawn out sigh, and scurried off to grab his beer. After all, he was a well paying customer. Relaxing in his seat, Gavlan could not help but hear the noisy conversation from two High Elves in the table directly behind him. As he had nothing better to do while he awaited his breakfast, he pretended to be gazing out of a window, and began listening intently to their heated conversation. It was obvious from the beginning that the smartly dressed Elf was none too happy with their male counterpart [color=f9ad81]"You shouldn't speak so loudly about rumors, Il'dur."[/color] The female elf spoke, tutting. [color=a187be]"Well, it's true. If you ask me, the royal family has everything to do with King Gregor's death. It's obvious."[/color] The male elf retorted looking quite vexed from being scolded. He spoke in a more hushed tone, regardless, but still loudly enough to be heard. [color=a187be]"Our late majesty, may his spirit rest at ease, had been sick for ages, suspiciously sick, if you didn't know. Of course you wouldn't, though, you're never quick to pick up on things."[/color] Looking pleased with himself, he leaned back in his seat. [color=f9ad81]"What does his health have to do with anything? He's dead, now, his sickness is hardly a point, anymore. If you ask me, it was cultists from Starguard."[/color] Smiling an annoying smile, the male elf muttered. [color=a187be]"Yeah, that would be an idiot's conclusion."[/color] Frowning, but not rising to his insult, she continued. [color=f9ad81]"Either way, it's the Dawn Covenant's fault for not protecting him. What a useless bunch..."[/color] Gavlan sneered at this disingenuous comment. He knew for a fact that he and many other members of the covenant worked tirelessly to keep the land from being overrun by every new type of menace that cropped up almost weekly. The fact that his covenant, and by association, he himself, were being pinned for the murder of the High King was an absolute outrage, and he would not sit idly by. Turning around, facing the two Elves, who were about to pick up and leave, he belted, loud enough for everyone to hear. [color=1a7b30]"Listen, you two blithering oafs! If I hear one more word against The Covenant of the Dawn, which I happen to be a part of, I'm going to start knocking heads!"[/color] The two Elves were taken aback by the sudden outburst from Gavlan, but the male Elf was quick to retaliate nonetheless. [color=a187be]"Oh, so you're a part of this heralded covenant, eh? Oh, joyous joys, how happy I feel to be blessed with your presence, oh mighty one! How safe I feel knowing that your covenant can hardly watch over their own King, let alone its people. Let's hear what else you have to say on the matter."[/color] The sarcasm was biting, but what was more, the entire bar erupted in cheers for the elf. [color=9e0b0f]"HEAR, HEAR!"[/color] Came the barking cry of thickly bearded human from the corner seat. Growling deeply, Gavlan could easily tell that the mood for the covenant had shifted dementedly overnight; as much as he wanted to break the elf that stood in front of him in two, he knew deep down, that such actions would not help the situation. A mob had already quickly started forming around Gavlan, threatening to close in on him, but he did not fear a single one of them. [color=1a7b30]"Unruly peasants! Out of my FUCKING way!"[/color] Shoving three patrons aside, sending a small, fat human bowling over into a table sending several plates smashing to the ground, Gavlan made his way outside.

Gavlan was highly irritated, mostly because of the Elf's words, but partially because he never got to drink his beer. He just couldn't believe it. The nerve of these people to place the blame on his Covenant was astounding. Perhaps, though, there was some truth to their claims, but he would not hear of them until there was proof. He knew deep down, that the only way to quell his nagging doubts about the situation would be to find solid evidence of the covenant's negligence. The castle of Loringrad stood proudly, making it an easy landmark to spot from any point in the city, its towers grazing the skies. Looking up towards it, he decided he should pay the royal family, or anyone else looking into the matter of the King's death, a visit.

[color=1a7b30]"If anyone knows anything about what the hell's going on here, it'll be in that castle."[/color]