A Night at the Mermaid by Tom Grimsley

The following is an exerpt from the journal of Vasstiel Montigue...

I could not believe my eyes! While I will agree that this was not one of Margolis' best ballads, I hardly thought it warrented an armed attack. The thug was preparing to launch a dagger at my afore mentioned elven friend, and since Burgell's eyes were no doubt having trouble seeing anything past his ale mug, it would be up to me to save my friend's life (Those of you who read my work often, find this is usually my lot). As I unsheathed my rapier with my right hand I continued to support my wine glass in my left. One must allow the wine to settle properly, to really enjoy its unique firmation. The thug took little notice of me (not unlike a certain gnome was taking of him) so it required only a modest amount of my superior swordmanship to keep him from hurling the deadly missle at Margolis. My blade piericed his lung no doubt and left the man gasping for air, all the while wine settled nicely into my glass.

Meanwhile, it seems Margolis' song seemed to anger an entire table...directly in front of him. If I'm not mistaken, are not ballads used to entertain patrons? I had not thought of using them to incite a riot, but it would seem this is a new use for our elven friend, should we ever need to incite one. Margolis' brother, Sorelis, lept upon a table where two more thugs had drawn weapons. As he slid across he stabbed at each thug with daggers he had quickly equipped in each hand. He scored an impressive hit on one but the other managed to get his club up to block the attack. Finally, Burgell put down his ale long enough to throw a dagger at the back of the thug Sorelis had just injured, and the thug reached in vain to remove the blade from his back but only crumpled in a heap.

Margolis now had taded his lute for a long sword but was still singing (one must admire his tenacity), as the table in front of the makeshift stage erupted. A couple of these thugs bounded straight for the stage while two adavanced on Sorelis and another began to edge around the flank. At this point most the people in the inn started heading for exits in a mad rush, and this bought the brothers valuable time to prepare for their assailants. I could see this was not just a bar room brawl, these men were intent on killing the elven brothers and I could no longer play this game lightly. I set my glass down a drew my dagger. The man I had injured took a sloppy swing at me and showed remarkable persistance despite his injury. I lept past him, slicing him again with my rapier, and made my way for Sorelis. Burgell lept to aid Margolis, but being a gnome he only "lept" a few feet.

Sorelis was being attack three different thugs at this point and did well to fend them off... he actually dropped another so now only face two! As I used a chandlier to assist my speed and panache, I noted the thug that had been going to see to his fallen comrade was now preparing to charge Sorelis! I flipped from the chandelier and landed on the table the Sorelis occupied and took stock of our situation. Most the patrons had cleared out. Margolis was hard pressed by two thugs(and still singing I might add), Sorlelis was fairing better against his two foes but with the third preparing to charge he was in danger, and Burgell was making his way to aid Margolis but his stout legs could take him but so far so fast! I sighed... once again it must fall to me to rescue my friends, a musketeer's work is never done. I quickly launched my dagger from my left hand, hoping to distract one of Margolis' opponents. It appears to have worked , since he survived this engagement. Than I quickly disarmed the fool charging Sorelis, who at the last moment changed his target to me (obviously recognizing the more dangerous threat). Once seperated from his weapon he turned to flee.

Burgell, realizing he was going to miss the fun if he was going to continue to plod, just stopped and hurled another dagger at one of Margolis' attackers. His aim was true and the man dropped to his knees. Margolis finally stopped singing and concentrated on his remaining foe. This was a half-orc and a bit bigger than any of the lads we had dropped. He and Margolis fought an even battle for a while but the elf's speed finally made the difference, and the half-orc fell. I assisted Sorelis with the last two foes. Sorelis worked both his daggers in a mesmerising dance that left his enemy open to several attacks and he only need two quick passes to finish him. I toyed with my last opponent for a while before dispatching the club wielding novice. Just then we heard the call of the night watch in the streets outside. No doubt they would wish to detain us, even with plenty of wittnesses supporting our claim of self defense. We were at a loss as to where to go , when a stranger said "Come with me, men of action, if you wish to avoid the authorities" and led the way into the kitchen behind the bar. We all rushed to follow and just as the door was about to close behind me, I remembered my wine. I simply couldn't leave without that sweet nectar, so I turned to go back to the bar and that's when I saw Burgell smiling, holding my empty glass of wine up, as a good part of its contents dribbled from his beard. Perhaps he's not as slow as I thought.