Edryd growled in frustration. How was it that he managed to get lost in nearly every single gods-damned city he travelled to? It was like he had a knack for turning down into dark alleyways, missing street signs, and being oblivious to landmarks. Although, as far as alleyways went, Edryd had to admit the one he presently found himself in was amongst the nicest he had found. [i]Even the shitty parts of the city are pretty nice,[/i] He mused, though he supposed he should have expected that. The first glimpse of Riverhope he had seen off the boat had made his jaw drop. Edryd could not recall seeing a more beautiful city, and he had travelled to quite a few in his young life. 

Thinking of the boat, his thoughts wandered to the messenger elf. He still could not quite believe he had been [i]personally summoned[/i] by the Elf Queen herself. Was he more well-known than he had guessed? The thought made Edryd smile. He had no cause to complain if it was true; in fact, the idea made him positively giddy, almost wiping away his black mood before he tripped into a filthy puddle. Cursing, he wiped the muck off his kit and marched onwards. Minus the whole lost-in-an-alleyway-in-a-foreign-city part, Edryd was quite pleased with his decision to travel south so far. 

He turned right at the next corner and suddenly he was back into the city proper. Light and fresh air greeted him as he escaped the clutches of Riverhope's alleys, and he smiled broadly. Now if he could only find the inn. He stroked what little stubble he had managed to grow. The [i]Hearth and Flagon[/i], wasn't it? He looked for any landmarks he could go off of. Best not to get lost again, after all. Judging from the multitude of stalls and shops, Edryd guessed he was in the city's markets. He walked up to one of the stalls and asked for directions, and then he was on his way again.

It wasn't long before he reached the tavern. Edryd nervously checked the name and location half a dozen times before nodding to himself. He patted down his clothes, smoothed his hair, and checked his kit to make sure all was in order - he had to look at the least presentable before the Queen! Finally, he took a deep breath, adopted what he thought was a serious-looking expression, and walked inside. 

There were several others already mingling, and he hesitated before heading over to the bar. Edryd cleared his throat and asked for one ale, before slowly sitting down in a chair nearby. He swallowed, fidgeted, and elected to continue looking around instead of saying anything more.