"Fair deuce," Grimnir says in his gravelly voice, pursing his lips and shrugging in acknowledgment. He then follows Varis closely behind, occasionally looking over his shoulder, fearful of what may lie within the dark forest around them.

Grim and Varis

You proceed through the forest fairly easily, you hear the sounds of exotic animals along the way, none of them sound threatening. Eventually under the light of the moon, you come upon a small settlement. Beautiful stone buildings line the horizon, with small flickering lights in the windows. You see some people out on the street, though details are hard to ascertain from a distance. You assume that, as it is the dead of night, the Inn, Tavern, and maybe a couple of other places are open, but you notice that the majority of the buildings are darkened. You see that Fallowsynn is set upon a small river, which has contributed to their trade success. You can tell that it is a nice town where folks are fairly well off. 

Grimnir looks around for the nearest tavern. He looks over his shoulder at Varis with a smirk and says, "Ale, ale and the love of a beautiful woman. I feel as though we've earned it. Can you pardon my sins in the morning, father?" He laughs heartily and begins his search for a place to spend his money and rest his head.

Varis blushes, hoping it not to be noticed in the darkness of the village. But he stutters his response, "Uh...mmm.. certainly, my friend."

Varis looks about the town looking for a book shop that he could stop by in the morning. He tries to remember what he knows of the town and its shops.

As Grim scans the storefronts to find a seedy tavern, he finds what he assumes to be the seediest one open. It is called The Crooked Pixie, and you can hear a cacophonous blend of music, yelling, and cheering coming from within. As you enter you see people holding drinks everywhere, the building is packed full of people. Applying Varis' knowledge of the area you assume that many of the large, dirty men are lumber-types. There are a few adventure-types around, dressed in their armor, telling grand tales to excited patrons. The bar is being tended by two people. One a man, large with a flowing beard. The other, a woman, shorter but still a little rough looking. There are bar-maidens serving drinks, maybe half a dozen or so. Despite the rowdy group you are able to notice that the bar-maidens are being treated very well, almost as if there is some sense of community among these rabblerousers. You see one man standing on a table leading the group in some sort of a drinking song, he belts a loud final note before collapsing face down on the floor.

Varis you recall a very quaint bookstore called Barnum and Barnum Books and Breads. Your memory is clear enough that you think it should be an easy find in the morning.

Grimnir flags down a barmaid and orders a pint of ale. He then recused himself to a dimly lit corner of the tavern where he can enjoy anonymity as well as watch the raucous behaviour of the tavern locals. He keeps his eye out for any lovely working ladies, above all, though he is also careful to observe any figures who look to be unseemly and looking for trouble.

Grim

You don't see anyone causing any problems, but you do overhear one particularly pompous man telling an old war story. You can tell that he is full of crap pretty quickly. His terminology is all wrong and he doesn't show much knowledge of basic military life. Those listening only seem marginally interested, they are all looking around at other more entertaining story tellers.

Varis makes his way to the bar, not sure if he should chuckle or check on the fallen minstrel. He attempts the attention of either bartender to order a cup of wine. While sitting there he speaks to the bartender, "May Yalasna bless you. How is Fallowsynn this night?"

Varis

The bearded man looks at you with piercing eyes. His face is weathered and seems to wear a permanent scowl. He replies in a surprisingly soft voice, "Fallowsynn, is as it always is... drunken!" he cackles at his own joke, "HA! Least round here it is. That's how I like it too. Good for business. What brings you through?"

Varis sips his wine and ponders his response, "Oh... I am headed to the coast. I am taking my research beyond the walls of the cathedral in Ralohice. If the Divine wills it..." Varis cringes at these words not knowing what to make of it at the moment--hoping to not draw attention to it--"...I will discover new truths in distant lands." 

Grimnir initially hesitates to say anything to the braggart who is stealing military valour, but after a few pints of ale, he cannot contain his disgust.

"You...General....wh-...no, wait, it doesn't matter what your name is...tell me again what raid you took part in..."

He grins slyly at the man, waiting to hear his falsehoods once again before making an example out of him in front of the entire tavern.

Varis

The bartender looks at you sternly. "The only Divine thing here is our Ales. Homebrewed, right here in the cellar. Whatever you are searching for, you won't find it here... Unless your searching for a drink, HOHO!" He laughs loudly and almost half yells his exclamation.

Grim

The soldier, a younger man, maybe 20, and human looks at you with a curious look. "If you had been listening, you would have heard. Commander Parsons 301st. Night raid on a goblin camp. Killed 20 myself. What's it matter to you?"

You know there is no Commander Parsons.

"Commander Parsons, was it? The 301st and a nighttime goblin raid?"

Grimnir leans his long and muscular frame against a wooden support beam within the tavern as he gently strokes his chin pejoratively.

"That's interesting indeed. You see, now I'm having a difficult time deciding whether or not you suffered a head wound and imagined all of this or if you're just a terrible liar, because there is no such man as Commander Parsons, nor is there a 301st division, as they stop at 277 by royal decree. Of course, you would know that, were you not speaking out of your arse boy."

As he speaks this final line, he slowly rolls up the sleeve of his tunic to reveal a faded blue tattoo of the harpoon and cod emblem of Vaseci on his left forearm just below the bend of his arm. He then looks the boy sternly in the eyes and without blinking says.

"So it seems to me that I have a decision to make on whether or not to get your blood all over this fine establishment. Where I come from, there are penalties for stealing the valour of warriors."

Varis chuckles to appease the bartender and then turns to look at the rest of the room. 

Grim

You see his face fall flat and expressionless. He begins to stumble over his words, "Uh, uh, uh, of course there is, why would I make up a story like thi....." You suddenly see a flash of powder in your face and hear a clamor and what sounds like the man running away. 

 Varis

You see Grim causing some trouble with another muscular solider, which only seems fitting. There is no one of note, aside from a man in the corner of the tavern. He seems to be peddling some wares. You can't really tell what he is selling from your vantage, but you occasionally notice patrons going to him and having some sort of exchange.

Grim

Your eyes burn for a moment, but you are able to shake it off. You see the man sprinting towards the door, though he is still slightly blurry you think you can catch him.

Grimnir downs his pint and chuckles lightly before sprinting after the man.

Varis watches Grimnir follow after the other soldier. He sits sipping his wine and waiting for the right moment to approach the peddler. Unsure of what the man could be selling or what he would even be looking for, Varis slowly makes his way over to the man. 

"Good evening, good sir. I am passing through Fallowsynn for the night and noticed you from across the room. I am curious what you are offering these fair people." 

Grim

You sprint after the man, shoving your way through the crowd and spilling drinks everywhere. The man checks over his shoulder as he sprints, and he gets through the door a second or two before you do. As you burst through the door you have just enough time to see the man standing with a hand cross bow aimed at you. You hear the release of the twine right as you have fully emerged.

 Varis

The man looks at you with shifty eyes, he is obviously suspicious of you. He is a halfling, standing on the table top with a small trunk sitting on the table behind him. "You been around these parts before? I don't think I've known yer face round here."