Alt Ending: Just in Case…

The tavern is a warm relief, after the miles of frigid country. They turn more than a few heads, as the four adventurers troop inside, and camp out at a booth in the corner. Lavorra smirks, rolling her eyes as Zeya throws a little more sway into her step, flaunting her curves even through the thick layers of furs covering her.

The staring is mostly because they make an unusual party this far North, the tavern patrons comprising of Dark Elves, Northmen and Dwarves.

Well, no, it’s probably the other reason, truth be told.

Shedding their snow-clothes, her companions race to the bar, while Lavorra lets herself settle into the booth, boots propped up on the table. She stays firmly encased in her furs, enjoying the sensation of slowly starting to overheat. She can just about make out the two petite Tieflings, with a better view of Razi, who enthusiastically engages the bartender in an in-depth breakdown of his establishments ale selection.

Kali peers back over to her, squinting to try and make out Lavorra’s features under the heavy fur-lined hood, a wide grin on her face. Lavorra responds with a lazy wave of a mittened hand, and Kali beams fondly, mouthing a word.

“Wine?” The Tiefling Bard’s voice echoes in the Paladin’s hood, thrown across the room with perfect clarity. Lavorra returns an exaggerated nod.

“You okay? Just tired?”

Lavorra wriggles her chin free from the hood, and blows her friend a clunky kiss.

Kali laughs, and turns back to Zeya, excitedly chattering away. With their rich red skin and dark locks - Kali’s in a pair of jaunty buns, Zeya’s full and curly - they could almost be sisters, and have certainly bonded quick enough to be. Razi’s own raven head is now tipped back, as she downs a girthy tankard to a roar of approval from the barflies.

Lavorra settles back in, one eye cracked to watch her friends fondly.

It hadn’t taken long for Kaliana and Razi to answer the call, after all, and she ruefully thinks back to her hesitancy when she first set out. But from the bits and pieces she’s picked up from them around the fire, it does seem they each had their hands full.

Zeya had insisted on coming along, citing the decimation of her mercantile supplies, and the need to “keep you out of trouble” as her reasons for sticking by Lavorra’s side.

Skrain had fretted and worried, but in the end they both knew his place was in the Delwald, helping the survivors of the Daemonic incursion. The last time she’d seen him, he was smiling after her, Valiri at his side. In just a few weeks, he’d already done so much to help the women of the village, and the other captives. She smiles to think of him, with a noble purpose and a clearer conscience. She also smiles remembering the farewell they’d shared in his tent before she left.

Some distance from here, not much more than a half day’s march, lies Svarsfen Keep. Somewhat inappropriately named, given its lofty spires and towering walkways. She’s seen it for the first time tonight, reaching into the sky in the distance.

Somewhere in there is Melira; the real Melira, she hopes. Her pact with House Svarsfen should see to that, and to an impending reunion with their Sorceress friend.

Yet, she can’t help but be a little wary, given the reputation of the House, and Mel’s relationship with her family. So here they are, _just in case, _she’d said to the others.

“In case we need to kick the arsing doors in and get our girl back.” Razi had put it, rather more directly.

She isn’t overly worried. The bargain should hold. Soon enough, they’ll be reunited with Melira, and ready for yet more adventures. And wine. Lots and lots of wine.

Lavorra snuggles in a little further, arms folded over the bulk of her furs, eyes closed as she drinks in the ambience of the tavern. The voices of her friends run over the top, comforting and familiar.

She isn’t worried. And even if things do come to a head, and they need to storm Svarsfen keep, there’s no one she’d rather do that with, than the women laughing and flirting with half the North at the bar.

She smiles.

- The End -