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Alergast stretched as he watched Mayor Deverin head off into the night towards Town Hall.  “Can’t say I’d like to have her job,” he said to no one in particular.  He then looked over at Kellan and Cato.   “I hear you two are heading over to the Rusty Dragon?  I may accompany you for a bit.  Shoot, I may even join you for a drink or two.”  He let out a breath.  “It’s been a day.”  The lieutenant gestured at the staircase, then followed the younger guardsman and the scholar down to terra firma.

The three watched Father Zantus, Kerr, and Liseth head towards the Cathedral.  “I guess they’ll be joining us later?”  Asked Alergast.  He turned and headed towards the southwest exit from Northchurch Square.  “So,” he said conversationally, “how is the goblin invasion treating you gentlemen?”

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Kellan smiled warmly as his mentor joined them en route to the Dragon, he had his pole axe resting on one shoulder casually and was beginning to feel the soreness creeping into his limbs from the morning exertion. "We are at that" he replied as the man asked if they were heading towards the tavern "and a beer does sound good about now" he agreed, looking over the scattering people in the failing light. He did think about bringing up he newly acquired Taldan Fire Brandy that would need drinking, but decided it would make a better Suprise later on.

At the question about their fellows Kellan nodded "Yeah, they should catch up before long, Unless Father Zantus ends up needing more hands for the funeral preparations...not sure how all that works truth be told. How are things coming along with the militia?"

Cato let out a laugh, that felt good after the events of the day and the building tension he had felt during the Mayor's speech.  "A drink?  I'd certainly welcome that.  I'd wager Ameiko has some nice ale available.  Everything else she serves is certainly excellent."

Cato considered Alergast's question.  "Well, it's certainly not something I was expecting when Brodert and I decided to attend the Swallowtail Festival.  I still can't believe how fast all this is moving.  Just a few days ago, I thought I'd be spending the next few months looking into the history of the Old Light.  And now here I am, getting ready to plunge into underground dungeons no one knew existed."  Cato shook his head.  "That's not quite true, I suppose.  Tsuto knew they did.  Probably Lonjiku, too.  And whatever other allies they have.  They know so much, and it's hard to be so reactive to them.  I know that what we're doing tomorrow is the best thing, but I find myself wanting to follow Pisca's plan: bring the fight to them, make them react to us."

Cato shook his head again.  "Ah, we need to get to the Rusty Dragon.  I need to stop thinking about all of this for the night and focus on what we have to do tomorrow."

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Alergast grinned at his two companions.  “I think we could all use some spiritual refreshment, if you take my meaning.  And I think you do!”  He winked.  “Beer, ale, wine, or spirits, Ameiko’s selection is unmatched.  Although for sheer quantity you’d head over to Fatman’s.”  He rolled his eyes.  “Of course.”

The lieutenant’s face took on a grim cast as Kellan mentioned the preparations for the following evening.  “Yes, the funeral.”  He sighed.  “So many dead.  And likely more to come.  I don’t envy our priest and his acolytes their jobs in the coming days.”  The big guardsman shook his head, then looked back at his protégé.  “As far as the militia goes, about as you’d expect.  Maybe one in ten has any idea of how to use a weapon, much less as part of a unit.  We have a LOT of work to do over the coming days.”

He looked east, in the direction of the Turandurok.  “I just hope the goblins give us some time to prepare.  I know Dav is out right now scouting their movements, so we should have at least a little warning before they hit us.  But I don’t really want to think about what would happen if we found out, for example, that they were going to be attacking later tonight.”

Alergast nodded at Cato.  “Taking the fight to them would be great, but I’m not sure how we would do it.  We certainly couldn’t march the militia anywhere.”  He rubbed his forehead.  “That would be a disaster.  If somehow we could get the kind of targeted strikes by an elite unit that Pisca was talking about, that would be great.  But I don’t think we’ll have enough information to even know if that’s possible until Shalelu gets back.”  The guardsman shrugged.  “And who knows when that might be.”

He slapped Cato on the back.  “But I agree.  There’s work enough for the morrow.  Tonight, let’s go have a drink and try to relax and unwind for a bit.  Gods know we deserve it!”

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"Yeah, morning will come soon enough" he agreed, willing to try and forget their woes for a few hours before the next days descent. "Ya know, I think Ven's desire to stove my head in is waining, he even nodded to me today." He stated in a semi-disbelieving voice "Without a scowl even"

He was obviously scrambling for a topic that didn't involve bloodshed and worry, and girls were normally a safe bet around the garrison in any case. As he pressed open the door to the tavern he took in the familiar sights and smells of the Rusty Dragon and it's regulars, eager to be out of his armor and into Ameiko's larder. "Do you have anybody back home Cato?" He asked "I'm sure Amele has a list of girls who would just love to meet a Mage of all people" he added with a grin Alergast's way, knowing full well his wife could fill a book with her matchmaking advice.

Cato laughed.  "Ah, romance.  You know, I've been so busy with Brodert and research that I've completely neglected that aspect of my life.  I guess I've just had my head buried in books."  Cato laughed again.  "And, as much as I admire and respect Brodert, he's not exactly one for jovial socializing.  I think my social has begun to resemble his.  It's nice to spend time other people."

Cato looked off in the distance.  Was that the whole story?  Had he purposely not been getting close to anyone on purpose, lest he have any personal ties to Sandpoint if he had to flee again?

Cato shook his head.  "I used to have someone, long before I came here.  I had to leave a girl behind once when our paths split, and it hurt for a time.  But time heals all wounds, I guess.  Maybe you're right."

Cato nodded at Alergast.  "Does Amele know anyone who'd want to meet a scholar-mage of great renown?"

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Alergast grinned at the younger guardsman.  “I knew Ven couldn’t hold out against your charm for very long,” he joked.  “It’s the big farmboy smile.  Who could resist that guileless grin?”

The bigger man went on innocently.  “Now that Ven’s stopped scowling and started nodding, can an invitation to a family dinner be far behind?”  He leaned over to Cato, whispering sotto voce.  “I’d pay good gold to be a fly on the wall during THAT meal.”

“Oh gods, no!”  Alergast held up his hands in mock alarm as Kellan mentioned his wife’s matchmaking talents.  “Kellan, I thought you LIKED Cato!  And now you’re going to set Amele on him?”  He gave the scholar a sympathetic look.  “Poor guy.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Cato.”  The guardsman’s expression immediately sobered as Cato talked about leaving his girl behind.  “That’s a tough thing to experience, but you’re right,” he went on sympathetically, “time is the best healer.”  He leaned forward and clapped the wizard on the shoulder.  “And you’re among friends now.  We’ll look out for you.”  He shared a grin with Kellan.  “Starting by keeping you FAR away from Amele!”

“In all seriousness though, if you ARE looking for introductions my wife is definitely the woman to ask.  Maybe she’ll have more luck with you than she did with poor Kellan here.”  He elbowed the younger man.  “One of the reasons I’m so glad he’s courting Shayliss is that I don’t have to listen to Amele bemoan his single status and regale me with plans for his romantic future.”  He sat down at one of the tables and gestured his companions to the two other chairs.  “Amele already thinks you’re a hero of legend come to life, so I’m sure she’ll have absolutely NO problem talking you up to eligible local females.”  He raised one eyebrow.  “Is there anyone in particular who’s caught your . . .”

“Well, THERE they are!”  Ameiko Kaijitsu swept out of the kitchen and towards the table where the three men sat.  “I’ve been WAITING for you all to show up.”  She put her hands on her hips and gave them a stern look.  “But where are Liseth and Pisca?  They’re supposed to be here too!”

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At Alergast's allusion to the eventual Vinder family dinner Kellan took on a faint look of concern "Huh...I had not thought of that yet" he could just see the Ven staring at him from across a dinner table, his huge frame claiming an entire side for himself as they ate awkwardly. Still, it beat a thrashing in the basement of the general store by a long shot, and Shayliss was just so...beautiful.

It was good to relax a bit, and the boy had unknowingly already forgotten about how tired he was. When Ameiko emerged from the interior and stared them down Kellan shrugged a little dramatically. "Well Liseth is probably off with Kerr, I swear that guy took up a weapon just to spend more time with her, and Pisca...well I would guess that she is off galavanting about, or possibly collecting donations for her library project."

"But while we were waiting, I was wondering if I couldn't bother you for a pint of that smoke beer you have in the back" he asked with his now trademarked farm boy smile. If he knew Ameiko she would be mourning in private, and coddling her, in her own tavern at that might offend. She looked like she could use a change of topic herself anyway, with all that had happened today.