"Remarkable..." Grisson listened with rapt attention, leaning back in his chair and pushing his soaked boots near the warm hearth. "Well Kailos, I would be overjoyed to journey with such a warrior as yourself. Our weapons and battle cries can be united in harmony if we encounter danger on the road." He scratched his chin thoughtful, recalling past events. "As I recall, those individuals I refereed to mentioned something of a counsel they were a part of many weeks ago. Likely they are one and the same! What a small world we live in!" Grisson exclaimed cheerfully. He leaned forward in his set, sizing up Kailos. "You seem to have traveled and seen many a place my good friend. Perhaps you would engross my interest with a story! It can be on whatever you decide. I am somewhat of a gatherer and reciter of stories."

The young man watched Bartimus collect the coin with triumph in his eyes. "You see? Chivalry is not yet dead!" He remarked mirthfully, retrieving his newly bought drink and taking a sit by the fire. "All excellent questions my fine sir! But allow me to first gratefully thank you for your unselfish deed. I do believe the inn-keeper may have forcefully thrown me out if I had not payed him. I would have offered a story or song in substitute but it appears he would not have received either of those tasks as currency. His loss I suppose." He sipped his drink gratefully and let out a contentful sigh. "I am Gris-" In the middle of his introduction, the stranger stopped. His eyes were locked fire, mirth and content all gone. After a moment, his features relaxed and he continued as if ignorant of what occurred. "I am Grisson, son of Artus of House Irlosh! I am very new to these lands. My arrival was somewhat in a haze and I still don't have my exact bearings about me. However, I came into the company of several capable individuals who seemed to know their way about this place. They told me of these orbs of power and some tournament. I felt I might as well be obliged to pursue these interesting tidings." Grisson enjoyed his beverage for a moment before speaking. "I believe I have the same questions for you my generous patron, founder of my feast! What are you called? What brings you to this tournament?"

A young man briskly entered through the doorway, almost knocking his head against the low doorframe. He grimaced and attempted to shake off the blunder by beaming a brilliant smile at the patrons of the inn. Composing himself, he approached the inn-keep. "Greetings! As you can see from my garments, I am drenched by a recent downpour. Might I sit by your fire for a while to dry off?" To emphasis his point, the stranger gingerly pulled his gloves from his hands and wrung them. Droplets of water spilled from the gloves and onto the counter. Bartimus scowled at the stranger and the miniature pool he was creating in front of him. He quickly wiped the droplets away with a rag. "Do you have any coin? I only let paying customers stay here." The stranger's smile disappeared at the mention of payment. "Dear sir, unfortunately I have come under difficult times. While I certainly would have been able to pay you in the past for the use of your fire, the present has left much lighter in coin. However, the future holds much possibility! I can promise you this, I will pay you double for your trouble when I win a handsome amount of gold at the rites of spring tournament! You have my word!" The young man beamed confidently at the inn-keep. "Your word? Do words feed my family? Get out of here you charlatan! You can stay at my inn when you have the coin!" Bartimus angrily retorted.