“Not that long,” Jakus says while he returns to his meal. “Came here on some personal business. But it looks like I’ve made a new enemy.” He eyes the kobolds. “Do you happen to know anything about them?”

"I know that kobolds are somewhat greedy. Always looking for a chance to gain power, and quickly facing anything that challenges them. We've been asking for money to help fund expeditions into the north, because dangerous things like that usually require payment for someone to accept. They thinks its just more taxes." She takes a sip of tea before she continues. "But they also have strong association with fire. With ice spreading everywhere, they're a little more competitive. Any failure to remove the winter is like an insult to them."

“And they seem to not want us to go…interesting,” Jakus comments. He returns to his duck, bread, and cheese.

"I'm surprised they're out here. I'm the daughter of a noble here, so I eat with the king often. He loves guests. I rarely see kobolds here, they don't care for dinners. Odd that they came for this. Either they're hoping you can end this, or they have... other intentions. I think you know what I mean."

She takes a bite of duck. "They served swan here a month ago. And I heard years ago, the king got creative and served crocodile. It didn't taste very good, but it was interesting."

Titus shot discrete glances toward the draconic sorcerer as he continued to enjoy his lamb and stew (also making a mental note of the combination of spices and herbs used in everything he tasted.) Part of him was glad to see that the "feeble old man" was actually going to be able to pull his weight... but, given how temperamental--and flashy--he was, the fighter almost wished for the illusory companion to have remained instead. Almost.

He then turned towards the king, scrutinizing him. As a former marine, Titus had been in some rather seedy bars; he wasn't fazed by even boisterous, casual violence. But it surprised him that the discipline in this king's court was so lax as to permit such. Then again... the fighter glanced towards the guards who seemed ready, yet calm, and then observed everyone settling back down, despite the apparent lingering resentment of the kobolds.

"Interesting place," he finally chuckled to himself, before sampling the crinsetha cheese.

Seeking the familiar conversation of a fellow warrior, the former marine leaned towards the red tiefling. "Cunning. What do you think of this spreading ice?" He eyed the barbarian as he waited for a response, hoping to learn more about his fellow adventurer than about the actual situation.

Seeing that the commotion had begun to die down, Ana rejoined her companions at their table, taking the nearest open seat.  No longer interested in Jakus and his antics, the Eladrin noble glanced around before listening in on Thrudor.  Sensing an opening, she spoke up.  “This is almost reminiscent of home.  Of course, our dinners shed egos, pride, and fortunes far more than blood, especially when we hosted guests from one of the Courts.”

Having said her part, she reached for the nearest dish and helped herself to whatever… food was in it.  Taking a bite, she hid her Sylvan mutters of disappointment behind a demur smile.  Mentally reprimanding herself, she reached for the another dish. The food may not be like home, but she’d be here long enough that she’d need to get used to it.  

Cunning watches the confrontation with a mix of confusion and longing "It reminds me of home, orcs are not known for quiet dining."

He turns to Titus "I have to admit that I know little beyond the rumours, I have been away from the north for some time. Most of the rumours are as ridiculous as the ones we have just heard; if I was to wager a cause I would go with something arcane, either a truly exceptional mage, or one who has found a source of power." He pauses for a moment to grab a slice of the fish "One of the wonders of the southern lands is fish, something we rarely see in the north. Meat is usually available but fish don't survive for long in the cold, except the ones that are more bone than flesh and not worth the effort to catch."

After savouring the fish he returns his attention to Titus. "So, you and I are both familiar with battle, therefore I assume we are to be the brawn of this little group. What do you think of our companions?" He casts a look at Jak "Maybe we have more surprises in store."

Thrudor continues to slurp his soup and sip his tea as the others talk. He doesn't quite understand the scene that transpired.....a fight at dinner with tempers flaring so quickly...."Gladiators fighting for glory....I will be sure to not eat dinner with them....You all speak of the north as if these are rumors coming from the north. I have come from the north, The Stroud woods to be exact, and seen a calamity in the stars. The winter has crept down from the north, the King of the North is dead, and there is a great evil coming....these things are true"

Cunning turns his attention to Thrudor "I think perhaps there is a miscommunication here. I believe as you, that there is something ill-fated happening; but most of the 'information' is just rumours, supposition and fear-mongering. Yes, dragons and sea-serpents exist but they are not capable of causing such effects as we are seeing. For that, we must look deeper."

Thrudor nods "Indeed they cannot change the seasons. You are correct that the things that are happening in the north are coming from a larger evil. The cosmos have fortold it. The last time in recorded history the stars had this anomoly a great evil occurred. The dragons and sea serpents are an effect not the cause, in this we agree."

It's getting late and servants begin taking away the food. The king walks up to the group. "I just love a good dinner. May I show you where you will be sleeping tonight?" He starts walking out the door.

“That would be excellent,” Jakus replies to the King. To the group, he says, “I apologize for concealing my identiteit. I don’t typically want people to know my whereabouts, especially since I am on some personal business. Think of me what you want, but I do want to help with what is going on in the North.”

As the party rose to follow their host, Titus replied to Cunning in a low voice: "I suppose we'll find out soon enough just what sort of companions we've been fated to adventure with," he said with a hint of curiosity in his voice. He'd already been trying to size up most of them, but as usual, was reserving judgment.

Quote from Zak_The_Slack >>

“I apologize for concealing my identiteit. I don’t typically want people to know my whereabouts, especially since I am on some personal business. Think of me what you want, but I do want to help with what is going on in the North.”

"Understandable, friend," nodded the fighter. "You're not the first to have good reason to disguise himself, and I doubt you'll be the last."

Titus didn't speak to the issue further. Truthfully, he thought that an illusion less obvious than a feeble old man joining an adventuring crew might have made more sense for his companion; but then, it was possible the elf--or half-elf?--was trying to gauge everyone's responses as well as hide his identity.

As they moved, the former marine's thoughts went as usual to planning. He was grateful that they'd had some payment upfront; a job that seemed more like a quest seemed to warrant it. He just hoped he'd be able to make a few purchases before heading out. Not that he expected trouble on the way to their supply stop... but he had to admit to himself that he felt somewhat exposed without a backup sword, and he didn't think the beast that had managed to escape with his old one sticking out of him was going to return it.

Anasfyra nodded along with Titus’ words, walking alongside him with a hop in her step.  “Yes,” she chimed in.  “There’s always room for a good disguise.  They’re quite useful for tricking the foolish and naive.  It’s a shame you didn’t keep it up for longer though,” she directed to the other noble.

Rotating the ring on her left hand so that the inlaid crystal faced towards her palm, she performed a quick hand motion and cast her own Disguise Self, focusing her arcane powers into the accessory. A moment later, she appeared to be an average human courtier.  Another cast a few seconds later had her taking a form very similar to the one Jakus had used earlier.  

“I use disguises as well.  Though I find them far more useful here than back home.  People here are so much more… trusting.”  Anasfyra’s voice rang out from the disguise, which then melted away to reveal the green-skinned elf once more.  

"But I now feel more confident in your abilities. That was quite the performance back there. Your rooms are back here." He points to an open blue door in the main hallway, leading to a smaller hall with 12 rooms, 6 on each side, and an iron door on the end. "There are 24 rooms, the 9 that are taken are locked. If you need anything, call for Marion." A Goliath warrior is pacing back and forth in the hallway, wielding a longsword in one hand and a chain in the other. He's wearing golden royal armor and his helmet has a silver crown attached to the top. "Don't mind Toku. Sure, I'm entertained by some violence at dinner, but I do not tolerate intruders. Should anyone attack you, Toku will stop them. He is one of my Elite Soldiers, a group of 24 of the most trusted soldiers in Adenguard." "Dagmod." The goliath says in a deep, strong voice. "Ah, yes. That was hello in giant. He does speak common, but preferers giant. He also knows dwarvish."

"Well, I'll be going now. Is there anything else you need?"

“Nothing right now, but I would keep an eye on those Kobolds,” Jakus says as he bows to the King. “They cursed my name, and said something about a cult sensing deep powers from the ice. You may want to investigate, since it seems the know something about what may be happening up North.”

To Toku, he says in Dwarvish, “Thank you for your service. I wish you a peaceful evening while we are here.”

He replies in dwarvish, "It is a pleasure to serve. You have nothing to fear tonight."

Cunning bows his head to the king "Thank you for your hospitality my lord" , he turns to the rest of the group "and a peaceful night to you all."