The veil of supernatural darkness lifted from the bard's eyes, and for a brief moment he could see his target before him. Her magic was strong, that could not be denied. But by all that was good and holy he would drive his blade through her heart ere the sun rose again!

As Ealdwine came into striking distance, however, a dwarf inserted himself into his path. He said something to the drow, and deflected a stab intended for her, before turning to him.
[b]
“And you, Bard! Still yourself for a moment before you do me an injury! I have no quarrel with you. Perhaps we can reach an accommodation to appease you as well?"[/b]

It was certainly a tempting offer, Ealdwine knew, and would likely serve to alleviate his existential needs. But he was not thinking very rationally. The insults he had suffered must be repaid. Preferably in blood. He made to strike another blow, this one past the dwarf.

It was deflected again, this time by a strange, heavily-bandaged woman. She spoke hurriedly.

[b]"Wait wait wait, this is a huge misunderstanding, honest! There is no need to kill people now is there?????" [/b]

Now this really was ridiculous. The quarrel was between himself and the drow. Who were these people, that would deny a man his honorable due? He made ready to stab again, calling out to the three before him.

“I am Ealdwine, son of Eadmund, of the Silverstrings! And-”

And. And. [i]And,[/i] he could no longer move his mouth. Or, for that matter, any other part of his body. A horrible shrieking sounded. Some more damned magic, but not from his opponent, this time. It must have been some kind of spell. [i]Curses![/i] Were bards not supposed to be resistant to sonic effects? If he still had his tomes, he would have made a point to double check.

As it stood, he tried with all his might to attack the drow. But for naught. Just as well, she had disappeared! Ealdwine felt dimly aware, in the back of his mind, that he had chosen the wrong tavern that evening. Too many strange occurrences. He would have to take the dwarf up on his offer, just as soon as he could move again.

This moment of non-consensual peace did afford him the opportunity to scope out the crowd, however. In addition to those he had seen before, he saw an elf and a priest of some kind. The young lordling was on the ground, for whatever reason. Ealdwine squinted at the crumpled figure, and recognition dawned in his eyes. The man's identity had been bothering him since he had first entered the Bawdy Dog, and now he knew! It was Edward, his former student. Scion of the House of Hart-Ellington, the family his father had served faithfully for decades.

Maybe he had not chosen the wrong tavern after all.