Arthur Haslick Vance sat at the small table in the corner of the tavern, listening carefully to the dwarf as he told him about how he could barely sleep every night for the nightmares, and woke up every morning with a terrible pain in his back.  The elf who sat next to him gave a consistent look of concern, occasionally glancing at Arthur with a mix of hope, suspicion, and curiosity.  As Arthur listened, he held his right hand up to his mouth in a loose fist like shape, knuckle of the pointer finger placed upon a outstretched lower lip, left hand holding right elbow where it hovered just shy of the table.  Occasionally he'd lower his thumb to stroke the small goatee of gold he grew, often accented by a low hm of thought.  And as the dwarf told him all the many pains that ill'ed his body, he thought to himself; mischief, disease, or stress.<br/><br/>The dwarf didn't have the slightest bit of magic upon him, not even a slight dust of magical aura left when one comes in contact with a magical creature, so imps where likely not the cause of his grief.  And he was a traveler without spawn, so a child was most likely not placing stones under his cot.  While pains and night terrors where unfortunate, any disease that would cause them would be accompanied by other signs.  As no such symptoms where present, that was also not to blame.  Which left stress, likely from having to constantly travel, deal with market prices, possibly courting the elf depending on specifics.  Yes, stress was the most likely culprit, but such problems where much harder to fix.  However, relieving its symptoms was possible.<br/><br/>"I believe that I can help you." Arthur stated in a deep, authoritative tone.  The dwarf's face lit in relief, the elf's grew in suspicion.  "I can see the aura of a dark spirit about you, for what reason I can not tell, but it is weak so repelling it will not be difficult."  Arthur lowered his left hand to the bag at his side, right hand now stroking goatee.  He reached in and pulled out a small jar with a light red liquid, a flower floating upon the surface.<br/>"This potion will be able to chase away the dark spirit.  To use it you must draw a bath of hot water, place the potion into the water.  Wait a span of 1 minute and then enter.  Stay in the water for a span of 30."  Arthur then gestured to the elf.  "Tell me, what are his sleeping accommodations like?"<br/>After a pause the elf responded. "We sleep in our wagon, on a mat of straw."  Arthur stroked his chin again, and continued instructing. "When he is finished with the water, place the mat into it, leave it there also for a span of thirty, then dry it out near a fire on in a warm sun.  The weather is to clear tomorrow, so if you can withstand one more night, I suggest following my instructions then."<br/><br/>It was at this time the tavern door entered, as Arthur's eyes glanced at the door his eyebrow raised in interest.  The girl who stood in the door was covered in magic, the man beside her only slightly brushed with it.<br/>"And one final word of wisdom," Arthur said to the dwarf, who stop part way through grabbing the jar from the table, "such spirits often attach themselves to those who are unhappy in life, feeding off their misery.  Search you're life for what may be causing such despair, and seek to cure it."  While the dwarf simply nodded, but the elf's eyes narrowed at Arthur.  The dwarf placed a silver coin upon the table, and rushed off to order himself a bath.  But as the elf moved to follow, Arthur said "Wait," quietly so the dwarf would not hear.  Motioning the elf to lean in closer Arthur whispered into her ear, his voice now a much high, slier tone.  "If you're worried about him 'curing' you from his life, try massaging his back whilst he bathes, and apply some of the potion to your skin."  The elf gave him a loathsome glare, but she nodded.  "And don't forget.  When all else fails, use you're feminine charm."  Arthur said with a wink.  As the elf walked away, Arthur stood slowly, all air of wit gone, his mouth in a thoughtful scowl.<br/><br/>He walked to the door, stepping outside into the slowly lessening rain.  As he looked around he saw he stream of magical dust, leading off towards a large tree.  He slowly towards the tree muttering a soft hunters prayer forgotten language to himself.