Chapter 1: Nightstone

Chanler follows along somewhat near the back of the group, still reluctant to return after failing to keep his promise, but doing so anyway. He holds the sword within its scabbard, having magically dried it with prestidigitation after remembering he could, with a twinge of pain at forgetting to use his spells once more. Without really noticing, he tends to walk in step with Qavez, as he pipes up, "You all just sit at a table, I'll deliver the news."

As the door swings open in front of him, Chanler does nothing to hide his change in expression upon seeing Morak. A man who's taken care of him over these past few months, and almost become a second father. A man Chanler was worried to disappoint. "The goblins shouldn't be a problem any more.", Chanler says, the normal confidence having left his voice as it did the night previous. He pauses for Morak to speak as he continues walking towards him, trying to avoid the topic of Nestor for as long as possible.

Qavez deviates to a table, but remains standing as he watches the interaction between Chanler and Morak.

Morak's eyes drift over the group as they enter and return to Chanler before he replies, "Aye, lad? Well done. There's many a mother and father that will sleep well thanks to you. Thanks to all of you." He gestures to the tables and continues, "Please, sit. Food and drink is on the house today." His stoic face never flickers, but for a slight crinkle at the corner of his eyes betraying his grief. It is clear he is trying to hide it, though, and allow all of you your celebration.

Xalvador nods in thanks to Morak "A bowl of stew or the like would not go amis. How have things been here whilst we were out"

Morak nods and replies, "All's been quiet here. Everyone is settling back to normal, from what I can tell." He looks to each of the others for their orders before heading back to the kitchen.

Maru will smile broadly and commence drinking and feasting heavily. She will challenge any patron to a drinking contest if they look up to it.

Chanler lingers for a moment, before reaching over the counter and stowing Morak's sword behind it. He turns back to the table, glances down at his magically cleaned, but still torn shirt, and says, "I'll be back in a moment", pinching the front of his shirt to show why. He walks back to his room, and changes into a different shirt, wincing as he accidentally bumps a bruise from earlier. The others don't see him for a while, nearly enough to worry, but just as one might start to, Chanler reappears in a new shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, and his hair pushed back as far out of his face as he can. Whether or not Morak has started to clean tables and benches again once he returns, Chanler searches for a rag and starts to wipe them down as well. Providing only an "I need something to do.", if anyone asks. He simply makes his way around, hitting the spots he knows Morak forgets, and lingering just a moment where Nestor used to like to sit, until he feels he's done his best to get the place ready for the crowd that tends to come later in the day.

Qavez sits with the others, ordering a modest meal and drink to satisfy his hunger. He does not indulge, preferring to keep his senses above the water, so to speak.

"What are you all planning on doing after this?" he asks at length.

"Dunno. I've been looking for someone, his trail ends here. Might spend a few days with my ear to the ground. But - " Iolgur sighs - "I fear my bird has already flown far away. And you?"

"I plan to drink and not plan. I'll go wherever the spirits take me." Maru says as she downs another tankard. Then more softly she'll say "Not much to go back to anyway..." as she looks down into the empty drink.

Xalvador shrugs slightly "My path led me here, I had no plans beyond that so I will be open to suggestions" he takes a sip of his drink before smiling slightly "It felt good to be of service to these people though"

Xed eats a plain meal of lightly-seasoned chicken, boiled vegetables and a glass of water. Her one indulgence is a small piece of cake, or what passes for cake in these parts. "We should help more people. It's nice."

"You say true." Maru finishes her beverage and looks around for a barkeep to order another. " I wouldnt be opposed to traveling on with you all. Any rumors of wrongs that need a righting?"

Xed climbs up onto the table, shouting to everyone nearby. "Hi! My name is Xed. Is there anyone here who needs help? We can help!"

The few patrons look up at Xed with a smile but shake their heads.

Morak comes over to the table and suggests, "You've done a lot today already, wee lass. P'raps all of you would do well to have a rest, and seek somewhat to do in the mornin'? I'm sure them up at the keep would have tasks and missions and whatnot."

Chanler leans on the table one over from the rest of the party and almost smiles at Xed's bold statement to the near-empty tavern and says, "Or, if you'd really like someone to help right now, I could use a hand cleaning tables."

"Sure! I'm pretty good at it. I used to do a lot of cleaning." She finds a rag nearby and gets to work.

Xalvador waves his hand and mutters something that sounds like it shouldn’t be possible to make through a humanoid mouth before empty flagons and plates start to float away from some of the tables towards the kitchens. "Should be good for a while" he says to Chanler as he continues with his meal.