If possible Quentin attempts to stay in the cart and take a short rest while they travel to the tavern.

As they ride away Raven calls back to the bardic students... "It broke free, Can't get me, Want some tea, Did you see...."  Then she moves on with the group, figuring she had at least given them an idea of where to start with the song. 

((Quentin seems to get along with kids all right, so yeah, telling them demon-fighting stories (or telling them they are too young to hear demon-fighting stories) should not be stressful enough to keep you from getting a rest in.

The bards appreciate the suggestions and cheer for Raven as she rides off into the sunset!))

The leaves on the grapevines are already darker and thicker than when you last passed through Naica lands, and the plowed barley fields in the distance are touched with green.

As you come in sight of the tavern, the prince signals the carriage to come to a halt.  He rides up to the box and hands Hogthimble a fistful of coins. "Hold that for me," he says. "The Naicas always seem to be able to smell how much coin I am carrying, and won't let me leave the card table until every copper is gone."

"You can count on me, Your Highness," says the coachman.

The children look wide-eyed at the tavern, and the little boy pokes Quentin and whispers, "My papa says that the Monkey Shines is a den of a niquity. What's a niquity?  Is it bigger than an owlbear? Or a demon?"

While the carriage is stopped, a band of satyrs come trotting through the vineyard, hailing you happily and welcoming you back. "You done good!" Roffles shouts.  With him are Jop. Fip, Skump and Hart, looking very subdued and nervous. "Your lawyer got the Small Fey reprewhatsis to show up at the boys' trial, and say that boozing is the  basic nature of Satyrs, and that we can't legally be held liable for it.  My nephews have to go once a week to help out the Simuls in return for the taters, but otherwise they've been released on probation."

"ANYTHING is better than what you did to Lemmet Naica," mutters Jop.

"To be sent to school..." Fip shudders. "They put IDEAS in your head. You get distracted from what truly matters in life."

"Right you are, and don't forget it. Stickthorn went to school for a year, and he's no fun at all any more," says Roffles.

"But, Roffles--" says Stickthorn.

"We have to drink and party three times as hard, to pick up the slack poor old Lemmy left behind," says Skump.

"It's hard work, but, we're up to it," says Hart proudly. The four satyr nephews all fist-bump.

Mindartis nods, and looks down at the satyrs. "Good, just keep in mind that if you get caught again I doubt they'll be as nice. And I'm not sure if I'll be able to help you next time."

"No worries," says Hart.

"We are reformed characters," says Skump.

"Between working off our probation and the extra partying duties, there's no time to get into trouble," says Fip.

"Not MUCH trouble, anyway," mumbles Jop.

Quentin happily takes the short rest to get some spell slots back, upon arriving he tells the Prince, "If they try and pull you into a game just decline and play some chest instead. It's what I did and it only got nasty rumors started about me."

Elwin just shook his head at the group, although he couldn't help but smile wryly at their antics. Riding rather close to the prince, he dismounted, spear still in hand, and stepped forward to ensure the prince had space between himself and anyone else while dismounting. Apparently the warlock had decided to be a bit more vigilant about his protective duties.

Quote from JacWalke >>

"If they try and pull you into a game just decline and play some chest instead. It's what I did and it only got nasty rumors started about me."

"True," added Elwin, "but they appear to be some fairly persistent rumors!"

"What, that highwayman gossip?" says the prince, looking amused. "Is that how it started? Everyone at court was quite excited about the noble bandit, and some of the bards promised to sing of your outrageous deeds of valorous villainy, as soon as they could discover what they were."

"But, no, refusing to join them in a game will be seen as insulting, and we are here to mend fences. Besides, they will give us our food, drink and lodging for free, and the gambling is how it is actually paid for....rather exorbitantly, at times."

Mindartis raises his eyebrows, "Why would you ever want to gamble for lodging?"

Raven stays near the prince as they reach the tavern. She adjusts her hat a bit, and her outfit changes to that of a well-to-do court lady, but going for something close in style and dressiness as the prince himself is currently wearing.

"Are we ready?" She asks the prince as she finishes.

"You misunderstand me," says the prince to Mindartis. "The lodging is offered freely. The gambling is how the Naicas recoup the cost of a royal visit. Considering that the family is always short of funds, it would be mean-spirited not to let them try to recover their losses, and then some. Shall we go on to the tavern?"

He blinks at Raven's sudden change of wardrobe, but says nothing.

((Off to work I am now, will post more later when I have time.))

It wasn't just not gambling, Highness. They were rude first, but you have to admit, Lord Quentin, that you insulted their clothes too. On the way, Del briefs the Prince about our last visit here, and the letter and the sugar. He stays in travelling gear (I think, unless we seem expected to change) but be ready to perform if the opportunity arises. He'll suggest: Some of us - at least Lord Quentin and Sister Raven, since they look the part - stay with His Highness, while the rest keep watch outside or downstairs?

The prince sends Hogthimble into the tavern to announce his arrival, and immediately, as if they have only been waiting, Amryn and several of the other Naicas hurry out to greet him.

"Your Highness," Amryn says, dropping into a deep curtsey. "How kind of you to honor our establishment with your presence!"

The prince bows in return. "It has been far too long since we last met, Lady Amryn. I believe you have met my companions."

"Ah, Lord Quentin and his...associates? It is lovely to see you again!"

As the other members of the family present greet the Prince, Lady Amryn says to you, "I must thank you for your kind gift of sugar. It will make a suitable substitute for the honey in brewing, and we will make certain that your satyr friends get a share."

Quentin has a polite but forced smile as he says, “It’s great to meet again. Has word of where Reglan is come up? I am concerned for him after leaving the court room so suddenly?” 

"Reglan is inside," says Amyrn. "I'm sure he'll be delighted to meet you again."

We thought it a sound investment Lady Amryn Del answers with the very slight stress on "investment" as a contrast to "gift" And thank you, although we would not mind if the satyrs were held to their honey-gathering agreement. It feels like a lesson in responsibility would not be wasted

Elwin smiled silently, giving the slightest of bows to the Naicas. Turning to Del, he spoke in a low tone, but not too low to be overheard, "You are right, we do need someone standing watch outside."

With that, he turned again to smile at the new arrivals, then stepped several feet back and stood straight, as if excusing himself from the gathering.

(( OOC: He's not THAT much against the Naica's, but word of Lemmet's shenanigans has left him not wanting to mingle with them at the moment. He'll be more relaxed about things once everyone else moves inside, and he can observe quietly for a bit. ))

Once the preliminary greetings are over,  Amryn leads the Prince and everyone who accompanies him inside.  The common room is quite busy, the two goliath guards standing there, apparently as bouncers and to keep the commoners form getting too rowdy during the royal visit.  A large white sign by the stairs to the lounge says 'Private Event' and a chain is stretched across the stairs.  It is removed so that everyone can enter, then hooked up after the group has passed.

A great banquet has been set out, and even more of the Naica family waits here. The prince greets various lords and ladies (19 ) but...can't remember half of their names, which makes things rather awkward.

You are all invited to have a seat.

And yes, Reglan is here, waiting to have a word with the prince.

(Hogthimble takes the kids to the common room, leaving the horses to the stablehands.)

Quentin happily joins the Prince and upon seeing Reglan gives him a smile saying, “It’s nice to see you again Reglan. It’s a shame we couldn’t have talked during that day in court.” 

"Ah, yes, i was suddenly called away on business," says Reglan with a broad smile. "But, Lord Quentin, we are in the presence of the Prince.  It is Lord Reglan. Of course, as a stranger unaccustomed to our ways, you are probably unfamiliar with court etiquette, so I will forgive the omission."