This was starting to look like a real quest. The sort of thing that legends were made of. Elodan rubbed his hands together eagerly, knuckles bumping uncomfortably against each other. He ran a quick self-check, running over the equipment he had available. It looked like they'd be heading out soon, so by his estimate, he'd be stuck with the gear he had now.

	[i]Let's see here... Stiletto, though it could do with sharpening. Merlin, though it could use a tuning. Flute, a bit dented. Food, only two dozen scones. Hmm. I could do with more variety, but then,
 scones taste so damn good. Aha! A bit of booze, too. Looks like I'm all set.[/i]

	For all his brazen confidence, Elodan was far from sure as to what his next course of action should be. Most of the other travelers seemed... hmm. What was the word for it? Competent, perhaps? Yes, that was part of it. He had plenty of faith in himself, so long as he wasn't expected to fight, but then, fighting seemed a rather important aspect of the upcoming trip. Well. No matter. He had other skills.

	Striding confidently forward, Elodan closed most of the distance between himself and the King, such that he was perhaps two paces away from the imposing man. With a smile that showed none of his brilliant teeth, he bowed flamboyantly, then stood straight once more, with an air of gravity quite out of place with his flashy clothing.

	"My lord king. Er, Emperor. Either way! I will do you the honor of joining your merry contingent. No, no, do not protest. It is no trouble. I recognize my worth, and will nonetheless lend my aid to your party." He stepped closer.

	"Imagine, if you will, sire, the ballads that I will compose. Not crude, vagrant's ballads like some--" He spared a glance for the other bard, whose presence unnerved him more and more. "No, nothing like that. Glorious odes to your might and majesty which will be sung for generations! Songs and tales of your swashing blows against beasts such as you have described, of your bravery in the face of danger! Why, with me composing your history, the history of this adventure, even a coward should seem heroic. Thing how much greater you shall appear, a man so far from cowardice in nature!"

	He was now practically nose-to-nose with the Emperor, his eyes shining with a hint of madness. He hurriedly scurried a pace back, then waited patiently for a response to his offer of aid.