Elfiran drained the last drop from his tankard, and set it down on the
well-polished table imported from the other side of the Dragontail
Mountains.  

"Well, Alduin, thet do be a worthy quest, but ah'm jest a simple tavern
owner.  Seems te me thet it would be very dull hangin around me tryin' te
get a story."

At this, Elfiran raised his hand and the barkeep quickly filled his
tankard, then set the pitcher on the table, before retreating back to the bar.

"Now several of me friends, thet's a different story.  Take fer instance
Lord Stinger, or even Prince Flitzanu.  Then there's Rhiannon, who is
co-owner of this tavern.  Oh yes, and The Evil Temptress.  Of course you
already mentioned Balefire.  And ah heard thet Mea Culpa is travellin wit
him as well as Tabanallis.  Then there's the story of me ill-fated cousin
Andel Crodo.  Lessee, ye could write about Lyvim Xaphir also.  And of
course there's Harrgin.  And ye could nay ferget about Lady Shi'Nayne."  He
then rests back in his chair, props his boots up on the table and
continues....

"All these people te write about, and ye want te travel wit me?  Like ah
said afore, ah'm jest a simple tavern owner tryin te eke out a life on me
own."  

Elfiran looked at Alduin's travelling companions and smiled the smile of a
man who was comfortable with himself and his abilities.  He then turned and
stared at Alduin, "Besides, ah jest returned from a, let us say, excursion
against the Dark Brotherhood.  So travellin wit me is nay the safest way te
travel lately, and no offense, but yer 'companions' do nay look like they
can handle themselves against a couple dozen assassins."  He then sat back
up, and finished his tankard.  He set it down with a solid thunk, before
leaning back again in his chair to relax.  

Just before he totally relaxed into an oblivion of light sleep, he could
sense Alduin about to speak again, so he snapped his eyes open and stared
directly at Alduin.........

Elfiran
Wood Mage
BladeMaster
ArchMage
Co Owner of The Angry Porcupine