[quote=@PringleDingle]"Oh, and do remember to bring some bread." He added politely. With a nod of his head he indicated that his order was finished and turned his attention to the halfling fellow, humming along to his melody as he patiently waited for his food.
[/quote]

The serving girl, who introduced herself as Brielle, was happy to oblige, and provided the new gnomish patron with a glass of local white wine sourced from the vineyards at Norring Hill, and a decent enough filet of cod, along with the bread and potatoes Tergo requested. The food at the Tavern was nothing to write home about, but the wine was good and the music was even better. 

The halfling minstrel, one Elliot Flammel, finished his song with a bow, and upon the request of the dragonborn seated at the adventurer's table began a flute rendition of the Lay of Sir Florian. Though traditionally a lutist's tune accompanied by sung lyrics, Flammel proved a competent musician again, and the audience, impressed at his skill, gave him some scattered applause as he got to it. 

[hr]

[quote=@rush99999]
"Where is this key exactly?" Graham asked.
[/quote]

[quote=@Lauder][color=pink]”Now I don’t know what went down, but I am damn certain that you were drunk a few moments ago . . . I refuse to go along with a mysterious magic man on some quest to get a key. This must be a trick, especially if this man is a trickster.”[/color][/quote]

"I get that a lot," Artimeres answered Melancholy with a wink and a smile, "but let me tell you it is very difficult to earn your keep on the lute if you play drunk. Gotta learn to hold your liquor if you want to make it as a minstrel. And trickster might I be, but your friend here seems like he's got a good swing behind that flail, and you seem to have your wits together. The two of you strike me as a useful pair of cutthroats, and at this moment I happen to be in the market for just such a pair of cutthroats. Savvy?"

"So, now, where is it [i]exactly[/i]? I'm not going to tell you that," Artimeres now answered Graham with a laugh, dismissing the illusion of the key with a wave of his hand. "I'd like you to have a reason not to slit my throat while we're on the road, you see, and what would you need me for if I told you exactly where you needed to go?"

"I'll tell you this, though. We'll be going north about a day's journey, off the road and into the Boarwood. Not a safe place up there, plenty of goblins and the like. We may want to find some more adventurous types like yourself to come with us. Now I already know you're not going to like the idea of splitting the pie up more than you have to, but here's my two copper for your consideration," the dark elf says, punctuating his words with flamboyant gestures as he speaks, "what good is the loot if you don't live to spend it, eh?"

"So what do you say?"