Chapter V – Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

"Twenty seven, twenty eight and twenty nine” said Llona finally before sitting back down in her chair "Right, that's 329 gold pieces each, is everyone happy with their share? She asked.

All of her companions seated at the table either nodded or mumbled their agreement as they shoved the gold into their purses.  They had done well out of their recent adventure into the mine behind the keep.  With the gold that they had found they would be able to purchase additional equipment including a few minor magic items and a number of healing potions.  The meeting with the Mayor had also been fruitful.  In exchange for them handing over ownership of the mine he had agreed to maintain the keep in their absence, as well as giving them a 20% share of the profits.  It had been a well struck bargain and ensured that they had a base of operations well into the future.

Elvis leaned forward to pick up his mug of ale, as he did so the dim candlelight flickered across his handsome face.  A passing waitress caught her breath at the sight of the Bard then blushed in embarrassment as he winked at her.  She quickly gathered the empty mugs from the table and placed them onto her serving tray, before flashing Elvis a nervous smile then scurrying off towards the bar. 

"A good reward for a fine adventure" said Shyne as he leant back into his chair, his exotic Elven features displaying a satisfied smile.  Shyne was tall for an Elf, standing just over 6 feet in height, he wore light grey robes and a charcoal grey cloak that covered his slender yet muscular physique.  His long ginger blonde hair was styled into two plats which, oddly enough, were tied off with large red ribboned bows.  On the table before him was an open book, the contents of which were indecipherable to any but a practitioner of the arcane arts.  Behind him his great sword was resting in its sheath against the wall, well within reach if required.  Strangely there were two mugs of ale sitting on the table next to the open book.  Without warning one of the mugs disappeared from view, only to reappear after a few seconds accompanied by a small burping noise.  None of the people at the table blinked an eye at what had just occurred.

It was late in the afternoon and the tavern was crowded with patrons who had come to enjoy a drink after a hard days work.  The smell of roasting meat filtered its way into the tap room from the kitchen and the din of the crowd made it hard to hear each other talk. 

Over the background noise of the tavern a loud argument started.  Elvis peered through the crowd and saw Alyse the Ranger and Grumpy the Dwarf standing just inside the doorway arguing with the taverns owner.  Standing next to Alyse was the largest wolf that Elvis had ever seen. 

Casting a glance at Llona, Shyne and Slobba, Elvis rose from his chair with a sigh and moved over to investigate what was happening.

"No!" bellowed the innkeeper through his bushy red drooping moustache.  "You are NOT bringing that thing into my bar!" he shouted while repeatedly clenching his ham sized fists.  All conversation in the bar suddenly ceased as everyone’s attention fixed upon the confrontation by the door.

"But it won't cause any trouble" said Alyse in her high pitched voice.

"Bah" the barkeep responded with a huff.  "I will not have that flea bitten thing in here.  They drop hair every where and are riddled with vermin" he continued "and what about the smell?!  It'll turn my patrons off their food!  No, it can't come in."

"Well what if I put a rope around its neck and made it sit under the table" Alyse asked as she removed her dusty green cloak from her shoulders.

"Hmm" said the barkeep as he rubbed his fore finger across his chin.  "That might be an idea" he replied thoughtfully.

"Alyse just take the wolf outside and tie it up around the back" said Elvis as he stood next to her.

"Wolf?" replied the tavern keeper "I'm not talking about the wolf; I'm talking about the Dwarf!"

Grumpys hands went to the great axe that was slung across his back as his face contorted with rage.  Elvis immediately jumped between the Dwarf and the barman while at the same time Alyse crash tackled Grumpy to the ground.

"I'm gunna cut 'is fkn head off!” He shouted as he struggled to throw Alyse off of him.

Across the room Slobba, Llona and Shyne surged to their feet in alarm, throwing their chairs backwards into other patrons.  All of them ran across the room towards the struggle.  Llona, being the quickest of the three arrived first and flung herself on top of her two friends as they struggled on the ground.  A split second later both Shyne and Slobba landed on top of the growing pile, the impact driving the breath from Grumpys lungs.

"Whoever has their hand on my right t*t had better move it or there's going to be trouble" growled Llona from amidst the crush of bodies.

Shyne sheepishly removed his hand and grabbed hold of Grumpys course black beard, hoping that Llona didn't know that it was him.

Elvis watched intently as his friends continued to wrestle with the rabid Dwarf.  He nodded in appreciation as Slobba put Grumpy into a Figure 4 leg lock while Alyse and Llona each clung on to an arm. Shyne perched himself on top of the grunting Dwarf's torso.  Behind Alyse the giant black wolf growled as it itched to be given the command to attack. 

"Sit Nancy!" Alyse said through gritted teeth. 

Not even the immense strength of the Dwarf could compete with four opponents and after a minute or so they had him secured and were dragging him across to their table.

Seeing that his friends had the situation under control, Elvis turned to the large moustachioed barkeep.

"I will personally vouch for my friend while he is in your fine establishment" he said flashing him a winning smile.

The bar keep carefully considered Elvis' words as he watched the Dwarf shrug his shoulders in resignation; cease struggling and allow Slobba to shove him into his chair.  All around him Grumpys friends were breathing deeply after the struggle.

"Fine" said the barkeep with a snarl "But if he cr@ps on the floor you'll be the one that has to clean it up!"

Grumpy charged.