[piosenniel]

Pio heard the commotion from the Common Room. Loud Elven voices and someone threatening to kill an Elf. She heaved herself out of her chair and went out the door of her room, into the area behind the bar.

It was Burzdol. He was drunk and he was angry. She put two fingers beneath her tongue and gave a loud, sharp, piercing whistle. The room deadened to silence, and eyes turned to her.

'There will be no kinslaying, or for that matter, any slaying in the Green Dragon while I am Innkeeper.' Unless of course, I do it myself and rid the Inn of two contentious Elves! she thought to herself.

She pulled out two of her throwing knives, one in each hand and let them fly. The two mugs the Elves held shattered in their hands, their malty contents spilling out on to the table before them.

'Take it outside, and far off the grounds, if you intend to do harm to one another.' she said evenly. 'Now come up, gentlemen, and get yourselves fresh pints.' The servers were already starting to clean up the broken shards and spilled ale.

'And if you feel you must compete with one nother while you're in here, then take it to the dart board for a friendly game.'

Pio rubbed her lower back as she stood looking at them. She was tired, and peeved at this interruption of her quiet evening. 'Next one who disturbs my evening will have to outrun my arrow.'

Derufin smiled at her, and filled tankards for the two waiting Elves. Pio retreated to the comfort of her rooms once again.

'Gentlemen! Best not to trifle with the demands of an Elf whose babies are due in just a few weeks. Better to stick your hand in a pit of poison vipers than disturb her again.'

He smiled and handed them each a dry rag to wipe the ale from their finery.