“All hail the Lord of Battles!” Pavel raised a toast that was meet with accord through-out the crowd, as the victorious defenders of Winter Edge paid homage to Tempus. The feast was too large to be housed in the great hall, so nearly every resident of Winter Edge came together in the courtyard before it. Festive lanterns were hung, tables laden with food were set and a boon fire roared in their midst… every man, woman and child that could was there to applaud their triumph over the orcs. “We wouldn’t be here to celebrate if it weren’t for you,” Igan praised the companions, raising his tankard to salute them… a gestured mirrored by Kara and Zora who stood with them. “We owe you our very lives. But all I can offer you in return is shelter in my hall and a place at my table for as long as you would have it… at the very least, I invite you to winter with us.” “That’s a generous off, my lord,” Aeron replied with genuine gratitude, then he scanned his eyes around the group, receiving affirmative nods from all, and accepted respectfully; “We humbly accept your invitation… and offer our services for the length of our stay.” “Then it’s settled,” Igan affirmed, looking to his niece, he noticed she seemed pleasured that at least one of the companions was going to stay for a while. He also spotted Zora’s sly smile as she met the dwarf’s eye. “I regret that I must excuse myself,” Faeryl announced, “but the moon is high, so I must praise Eilistraee.” “It’s a shame you have to leave the fest to do so,” Kara offered, knowing that her payers were made by dancing naked in the moonlight. Looking around the courtyard, Igan noticed that all the families with children had retired already, leaving only adults still in attendance, many of whom were dancing to the mistrals’ festive music, then he saw Pavel holding court across the way, and suggested with a sly smile; “Why do you have to leave? Didn’t you say that your prayer-dances were typically done around boon fires… well we have one right here.” “Are you serious, my lord,” Faeryl asked, uncertain if he was jesting. “You know that I must perform the Circle Dance naked… wouldn’t that cause turmoil… particularly with Pavel.” “I honestly don’t think anyone would complain about a beautiful woman dancing naked,” Igan smirked coyly, knowing all too well that Pavel will indeed find fault with the spectacle. “By the Foehammer’s fury!” the cleric of Tempus roared, stunned by the sight of the gorgeous drow priestess twirling naked, her silvery bastard sword whirling hazardously close to her bare flesh, as she circled the boon fire, much to the delight of the crowd. Rushing to the lord-protector he demanded; “You can’t allow this obscene display!” “She didn’t object when you praised Tempus,” he admonished, “what gives you the right to object to the way she prays to Eilistraee… and you had better get used to it… they’ll be spending all winter with us.”