A dinner and a gift...

The Goblins directed you to a restaurant named Tallow. Associated with the farmers guild and a nearby boarding house, it was well appointed with a variety of meats and cheeses. With Drez, the Guilded City being a destination from many separate cultures, there was a wide variety of imported spices, as well as methods brought in. It was a hoiti toiti establishment to be sure. Such a thing never concerned you before, and this would at point even be your standard. Be that as it may, being a political refugee of sorts and your own set of clothes being dirty and soaking wet, this would not be a place for you. Clodagh would be protested against even more, and she looked as down as she clearly felt.

"Well fuck!" She proclaimed, looking at the establishment, small lanterns lit outside as the sun has finished setting. "There's no way we'll find it now. Even if we find him, he'll never listen to us"

"Let's worry about the first thing" You reply as you gently brush her shoulder "We do that, I've got a way with words and you've got a way with your hands. We'll figure something, okay?"

"Okay" She replied simply, nodding her head "you're right. We got this close, can't give up now"

Knowing you breach any sense of decorum or decency, you walk towards the establishment. You hope a sympathetic ear can be found going inside, and you try to work out how to word your story in advance. Before going through the door, the barbarian stops you for a moment and rudely points to where some tables are set up outside.

"Look Silve!" Despite being quiet, her emotions were clear as ever. After a moment of searching, you see an elf that matched the goblin's vague description. "It's him, I'm sure of it."

As you walk forward, his dining partner, previously obscured, was made clear. Another elf; a woman. She was dressed beautifully, with a beautiful perfume, and enticing lipstick. She could have been taken out of the noble dinners and balls you used to perform for, without a single change. He was well dressed as well; a dark purplish robe embroidered with minor jewels and a floral design across his chest. His smile fades quickly seeing the two of you; his date turns quickly to find the cause of his sudden mood shift.

"Can I help the two of you with something?" He asked directly, a nervousness in his voice "If you're lost, I can provide you directions to wherever you're heading. A tavern perhaps?"

"No, thank you." You smile and nod gently at his offer. You hope to grease him up with status. "I'm Sir Silve Erryb, from the Kilan Kingdom."

"I'm familiar with those lands." The elf was cautious and skeptical, but kept an open mind "Having something of a hard time of it lately I take it?"

"It's been a rough day, make no mistake. I've been helping my new friend Clodagh here, and it lead to both of us falling into the lake" You feel a nervous sweat building up. You're not lying, technically, but will he see through it, you wonder.

Seemingly not "Well, we've all had those days. Now, I'm busy here having a dinner with my dear friend Silea. Unless there's something urgent, I would ask that you leave us to it. The staff here doesn't abide panhandlers well..."

Clodagh made a few quick steps forward which put genuine fear into both the elves, but you put a quick arm in front of her "I'm sorry, but unfortunately this is urgent. This involves my friend here. Her, and a few brothers who suggested we come find you."

The young elf's eyes moved from fear to a hard, leering squint. He doesn't look at his date until he's already stood up "My dearest apologies, my love. Hopefully this won't take long."

He creates some distance from her, into the street, with you in tow. Clodagh, being uncomfortable with words, leaves it in your hands, remaining where she was, arms crossed.

"Okay Silve" He responded quickly and agrily "I don't know what this is all about, but you better start talking quickly. What's your angle here? Extorting? ****? I visited those Goblins but I didn't do anything wrong."

"I know" You raise your hands up, speaking slowly and clearly to help diffuse the situation "It's about the ring you have. That was stolen."

"That's not my fault! I paid fair money for it"

"I'm not saying you did steal it, but the cretin who sold it to the goblins stole it from her" You nudge your head in Clodagh's direction "That was a gift to her from her true love. He's dead, and that's all that she has to remember him by."

"So, what are you going to do if I say no? Kill me for it?"

"I wouldn't do anything like that, but Clodagh over there is pretty wild. You should have seen what she did to the thief."

"So you're threatening me than?"

"Not intentionally." You turn to look at his girlfriend "That's a beautiful lady you have there. Tonight's the night you were going to make an honest woman out of her, wasn't it?"

"Ya, and I would still like to do that. Can't do that without a ring."

"Sure you can. I know how you feel, I'm here because I fell in love with a princess."

This took him by surprise "Didn't see that coming. What's your point?"

"My point is you can still commit yourselves to each other without a ring. The goblins offered Clodagh a ring to her in sympathy with no charge. She said no, because she needed that one specifically. How about this? You give her back what's hers, we don't waste any more of your time. If miss Silea says yes, you turn to the three brothers, see if they'll give you that deal. Let her pick out the ring of her dreams, and you get to be the hero to two different women."

"Ya okay" He said as he reached into his pocket and handed it over "This is going to make for an awkward conversation, but I don't want to have guilt every time I see her wear that thing."

"Thank you, from both of us" You reply "I hope we didn't ruin your evening."

"Only time will tell friend." He started walking back to his date, and stopped for a moment "Oh, and Silve. Next time, find a change of clothes first!"