As you walk back to the Inn, you can hear the streets buzz with the news. Many are excited about the return of Blackjack. He is a legend to the rank and file of Korvosa. Just as many grumble anout the Queen. It seems that Blackjack's barb at her has reignited the simmering dislike the common people have for their regent.

You have not stepped four feet into the door when a man is suddenly before you, grabbing at your hands and shaking them with true gusto. "Ah! I have been waiting for you! My friends. Welcome back!"

You all puzzle at the man's identity. He seems less sure when he grabs Izzick's hand and pumps it and seems to be looking around for someone missing. He is dressed in guard uniform. An officer...

Oh yes. That drunkard you found the night after you lashed Geadren. Grau something. He at least is not drunk now. He is clean shaven and looks more hale.

Grau gestures to a table. "Please. Let me buy you a drink. I...have a favor I need to ask."

Vaddis sits at the table, how can we help, what is it? 'Sgt.' Grau?"

Selvin looked a little uncomfortable. He wasn't used to being touched very much, and usually he preferred to have his ally surrounding him. But he endured it with a small strained smile and then shrugged. "Sure. I could use a drink."

The green skinned man shakes the hand, though perhaps even more confused than his allies, he turns to them only as their memories of the man seem to return. Clueless, he follows suit in joining the rest for a drink, suspecting perhaps that all three have been up to more than simply stopping a necromancer collecting body parts. "Well, I can't say no to a man offering me a drink."

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Tarrov frowned his way back to the inn from the farce of a "trial."  He had suspected that this might happen.  Well, the railroading of the suspect, not the last-minute rescue by a folk hero.  His trust in Kroft had been, apparently, misplaced.  His trust in her influence, at least.  She clearly hadn't been happy about the trial either.

It certainly seemed as if the Queen was behind the show trial and quick execution.  Which meant she didn't want the truth about the King's death out there.  Which meant . . . .

Tarrov sighed.  Dark days lay ahead for Korvosa, if this was any indication.

So Tarrov wasn't in the brightest of moods when the lush-like Sergeant Grau accosted them yet again, asking for a favor.  At least he seemed sober, which was a good sign.  And Tarrov never refused a free drink.

He nodded his acquiesence along with the others and followed Grau back to his table, raising an eyebrow as he did so.  He ordered a fine vintage of wine, then turned to Grau.

"So, Sergeant, here we are.  What is this 'favor' you're asking?"

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