Walking into town, we make a B line for a specific building. It stands three stories high, a little higher than most of the buildings around it, made from an assortment of dark colored stones. A small wooden sign hangs off the second floor, those with good eyes could make out the writing on it. The Homicidal Maniac. Unfortunately, there are small issues with naming a place that so it is mainly blocked by a full sign, covering from one side to the next, saying The Iron Snake. Both origins are still remotely connected in a certain fashion.
We walk through the front door and catch sight of what looks like any other bar. Tables are scattered about the place. A few are full with people playing table waged games. Others have parties setting up to go and do a few jobs. A massive mahogany bar sits in the back. About four girls, each with their own little bit of flare, are serving drinks and taking orders about the place.
Next to the bar is an dark green skinned orc, leaning up against the wall, blocking the way to the stairs behind him. He stands almost six and a half feet tall. With a thick bladed axe by his side, he would seem quite ferocious to players. I lead the group through the area, up to the orc, who scans my face for a second, then quickly moves out of the way. He makes a weird like salute at me as I pass by and holds it until the last one of us are at the staircase.
On the second floor the noise is a lot less stressful. A soft melody is played by a short wood elf on a oak flute on stage in the corner. The tables are a bit more luxurious than the wooden ones downstairs. The chairs seem to be a bit more cushioned and well decorated. Almost all the tables are full with people still. The bar has a bit less of a crowd with only one person behind it.
I keep my eyes on the bartender as I speak over my shoulder to the gang. "You guys find us some seats I'll be right back."
I walk ahead and pull up a seat in front of the bartender, who is cleaning a mug with a small rag. The bartender has a bit of curves but in a milder since. She is pale skinned with a dirty blonde hair style, having it tied back into a small braid. A few strands are out of place, but I hardly doubt she cares. She has on a similar apron like the girls downstairs, but this one's a bit more aged. Her black glasses sit in the middle of her nose, looking nothing like normal reading glasses. She smirks as I take a seat in front of her.
"Nice to see you still alive and kicking. So what'll it be, sis" She speaks to me so casually it is always amusing. She calls almost everyone sis by the way. It's like her bit of slang she knows no one else will use. Her voice reminds me of people living in the mid west of the United States, relaxed but slightly formal.
Resting a shoulder upon the counter I chuckle in response. "How about a rum and coke hold the rum, Kasey."
She reaches down grabbing a fresh glass and a bottle of what looks like jack the halts. "Seriously? A soda?" She shrugs and pulls out a bottle, while keeping the bottle of liquor in hand. "So where have y'all been this time?" She takes a swig from the bottle as she awaits my answer.
"Inside these mines, you know the one, along the outskirts of the Caldrik Forest."
Kasey nearly spits up her drink and coughs kind of hard. She looks at me wide eyed, as if I had told her that the last of the rum is in the fire. "The mines of Gamdum", she exclaims.
Several eyes lock onto us then onto me. Great just what I needed. I look back at Kasey, and she is still looking at me as if butterflies and rainbows are flying out of my ears.
A small group of dark elves rise from their table and begin making their way towards me. I spot them out of the corner of my eye and feel my inner beast snarl a warning at me. I am about to get up when Kasey places another glass next to mine.

"What's this", I question as I gesture at the glass.
She pours soda into the cup and slides it a bit towards me. "There's a girl over there asking about you. She has been waiting here for a bit. She won't tell me what for, but she makes it sound important."
I follow her gesture and see Lady Ravenwater sitting with her back to me gazing out the window. Her hair is still in a braid, but she seems a bit off in some sort of way. Well there is no time like the present.
"Thanks Kasey." I lift the glass and head towards her. The group of dark elves, make their way towards the other end of the bar, keeping their eyes on me the entire time I am moving.
I set one glass in front of her and the other on the far side of the table. Her eyes go to the cup then she looks up at me.
"Um, hello again", she speaks softly as she sits up a bit.
I sit down and nod, trying to watch my words as best as possible. "Waiting for someone", I ask while trailing my hand along my glass.
She sighs and rolls her eyes a bit. She readjusts in her chair then stares straight at me. "My name is Sirena Ravenwater. I know you are Nathan Denzic, apprentice to Sebastian at the Devil's Den. Sebastian told me you would be able to help me on a quest that I recently acquired." Her voice was stern but soft as she folds her arms over her chest.
Sitting back a bit I sigh heavily. Gods above and below what has that old fart said. I glance once more over her before leaning an arm on the table. If Sebastian mentioned me to her, then it's not going to be easy. "What is it called?"
"Moon's Guiding Light." She said it so straightforward it nearly caught me off guard.
I look down at my glass and slowly shake my head. That is a mission give to characters who have something to do with water or winter, in some sort of manner. I have already completed this mission and it's a literal pain in my ass.
"You do know about the area you have to head into correct?"
She lightly shrugs and replies, "No one really knows much about it. I asked around and Sebastian was the only one who gave me an answer."
She leans a bit forward and smirks while trying her best to impersonate his voice. "He is all, 'ah, you should find my lad and ask him about that one. He might know a thing or two that may interest you, my dear."
I nearly face palm as a reflex but fight the urge. "Well for starters, the mission goes into the high mountains, northeast from here. The altitude makes it easy for those not use to the area to become disoriented quickly, which leads to getting lost. There are maybe two checkpoints that stay along the path. The rest are probably frozen over and piled on by snow. There are loads of beasts that reside in those areas and keep hidden quite well. The weather is insanely cold, so you better have a tolerance for it and be able to stay warm." I nearly sit back when I lean back forward and snap my fingers remembering something important. "Oh, and there is a giant yeti that hunts during the heavy parts of the storm." I wag a finger lightly at the air with a smile. "Nearly forgot to tell you about Kyle. Would've been bad if I didn't tell you about him."
I open my eyes, after remembering my encounter with the giant, and see her staring at me like I told her I can slap a god and get no repercussions.
Ray wraps an arm around my neck and leans a bit on me. "Brother", she speaks in a childish tone, signaling her sleepiness. "Can I get the key to the room, I'm tired." She pouts and leans a head onto me. I feel her open her eyes and notice Sirena. Ray squeals kind of high then rushes to Sirena's side. Ray falls to her knees and places her head in Sirena's lap. As I watch Ray being petted and acting like it is the greatest thing that existed.
"Well...um ok that's a thing", I speak with a confused look on my face.
"I met her one day training and decided to join her. Eventually she began to follow me around like a lost puppy. So I treat her as such." Sirena continues to pet Ray as she looks at me. "So will you help me or not. All I need to do is reach the shrine and teleport back."
I notice Ray's ears perk up a bit as we continue our conversation. She will not like where this is headed.
"The shrine is in the town, which is located inside the mountains."
Silence falls for a moment and Ray is the only one to move. She moves her head from Sirena's lap and sits next to me. She hugs my arm tight and keeps her head into my shoulder.
She speaks really low so only I can hear her. I look around and no one is really looking at us except Lady Ravenwater.
"You....promised....no more."
I nod slowly and place my free hand on her arm. "I did, but I will go with her and you will stay here."
Ray looks up at me with tears forming in her face. Her plea for me not to go was loud and clear. I look to Sirena who seems concerned but more over curious. I feel my eyes glowing a bit, expressing a bit of my wolf's sapphire eyes.
"Meet us at the shop and we will discuss it there. I will accompany you on this quest."
Ray and I rise up from our chairs and begin to walk out. Sirena stutters to answer back, probably because I just threw my dominance on the table.
The rest of the gang agreed to meet up with us later on at the shop. There is going to be a lot of yelling. Best to do it in our own space.