[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3WEDn6z.jpeg[/img][/center]

Iliskra sat at the same table she had that morning in the same chair with her back to the wall. Much like her companions had found her that morning Iliskra had a plate of food, however instead of a cup of milk to drink she had a tall flagon of ale. The tavern was as crowded now as it had been just after daybreak and was also as noisy though the customers seemed to be a bit rougher. Fewer farmers and sailors and more mercenary and hooded sorts. 

“Well, tis good to see that the town did not claim you two!” Iliskra grinned with a raising of her drink.

“You smell like an elf.” Ibdur said rather randomly which only made Iliskra beam that much more.

“Oh, well, thank you. That would be vanilla, lavender, and rose.”

Iliskra gave her head a slight shake, her shiny shoulder-length ebony hair swooping about like a silky black veil that brought out the features of her attractive visage. 

“Did you find out anything of use to us?” Ibdur grumbled as he took his seat.

“I did actually,” Iliskra smiled over her flagon, “our mysterious ‘J’ is a man, a wizard I believe. [i]Jadarl.[/i]”

“How did you discover this?” Ibdur demanded.

Iliskra replied with a nod of her head toward the fireplace across the establishment, four men sat huddled together at a small table near it. Three wore heavy suits of armor like those of the men out in the streets while the fourth had the unmistakable flamboyant robes and staff of a mage. The latter man’s most distinguishing feature however was the thick, blonde curls that draped down around his head.
“Those four spoke of this Jadarl, though unfortunately for them not quietly enough. Jadarl is apparently overseeing the eradication of the Ashaba Talons and had employed Gunalar to do the job. From what I overheard Jadarl is getting impatient and plans to pay a visit to Gunalar very soon.”

The implication was obvious enough. Hopefully the corpses of Gunalar and his band were disposed of well enough. If so it would buy some time though there was no real say on how [i]much[/i] time. Once it became clear that Gunalar and his men were out of the picture Jadarl would most likely come after the Talons directly which could prove as either an opportunity or a problem. This was to be considered.

“Another thing,” Iliskra added after a long drink, “it sounded like Jadarl has some other scheme in the works on Shagarm’s behalf. Something about ‘finalizing things with underground friends.’” Iliskra set her ale down with a sharp [i]clunk[/i] and looked between Leon and Ibdur.