The events that unfolded within the quaint little pub did not go unwatched that evening.<br/><br/>Some considerable distance away, three figures sat in solemn silence, hunched over a pool of shimmering liquid that illuminated each of their faces with quite a ghastly pallor. The liquid ebbed and flowed, forming for them the images of the protagonists they were eagerly watching – nothing to be heard but a delicate hissing sound as each new image broke free from the surface of the pool before eventually returning to its depths once more. When the last image retreated back under the surface of the liquid there was the faintest of movements between the three figures – a stifled cough here, and a shuffling of feet there, as if each was waiting for the others to break the silence first. And it was some time before that silence was broken – countless minutes in which three sets of eyes continued to scour the surface of the scrying pool, each eager to catch a glimpse of something the others might not have seen.<br/><br/>‘As was to be expected…’ came the voice finally, its owner straightening up in the high backed knotted dark wood chair he was sat within. The dark robes he wore settled gently around his frame as he stretched slowly and deliberately – taking his time before his next words, seeming to take some pleasure in making the other two wait for him to continue. ‘It was folly to not expect their interference, as I plainly told the Court on many occasions.’ The two others nodded lightly – their own faces hidden by the hoods of their robes, little more than pools of shadow where their faces would otherwise be found. The speaker on the other hand seemed in no such worry about concealing his identity – his own hood thrown back to show his regal face, pointed ears and high cheek bones marking him as one of the elven gentry.<br/><br/>‘What our glorious leader so quickly forgets, is that we need one of their kind to fully breach the seal on the Ancients tomb. This is a situation that requires a subtle hand, not a murderous Red Cap rampaging through them and their kin… What the Court forgets, is that the humans can provide very effective tools when they are directed in the right fashion – just like they are proving to be in unsettling the lands within which the Ancient is chained.’ The two figures nodded in agreement at this, but made no move to say or do anything further – their faceless gazes thrown in the direction of the speaker.<br/><br/>‘And so, we will find one of their own that can be manipulated into trusting us and helping us. We will find and fashion ourselves a key, rather than a battering ram…’