~ ~ ~ Having toured the sights in the distressed Village, the Seeker heads back to the Twisted Root Tavern & Inn.  He was feeling a bit of 'teleportation-lag' from his translocation around the world to Elmshade as his body was telling him it was late evening and time for bed even though it was yet early.  The quiet stranger from a distant land takes his stallion Cloud to the stables adjoining the inn, and with the aid of the young wide-eyed, stable lad Avery, sees to his horse's needs.  As they work, grooming and feeding the beautiful stallion, Avery asks all sorts of question of the Ranger, "Did you really ride the moonbeams into the Conrad's bedroom?  Where did you come from?" and rattles on and on with the question barrage "Is your horse special?  What's his name?  What's your name?  How did you know the Conrads needed help?  What was it that attacked them?  What did the thing look like?  Have you seen one before?  How long will you be staying in Elmshade?"  Ash gives concise answers to each of the questions as the young boy asks them replying in succession, "No.  Cedar Peaks.  No.  Cloud.  Ash Blackmane.  I didn't, but someone else did.  I don't know.  A demon about knee high.  No.  I don't know."  After tending to his horse, Ash leaves Cloud in Avery's capable hands, and enters the common room of the tavern to surprising scene. ~ ~ ~ 

 ~ ~ ~ The Ranger, unuse to such red carpet treatment, quietly sits at the Barkeeps request, and uncertainly nods his head to Jarlosh saying "You honor me, Sir, and thank you for the kindness.  You may call me Ash Blackmane."  Ash turns his attention back to the food arrayed before him, and begins filling his platter with samples of each food present.  Jarlosh gives a slight bow to the Seeker, and retires back behind the bar to leave him to eat in peace. ~ ~ ~ 

 ~ ~ ~ Arranging small samples of each foodstuff on his platter, Ash surreptitiously watches the comings and goings of the locals and other 'newcomers' to the tavern while enjoying the repast provided by Jarlosh.  The pair of 'newcomers' who'd gone up to the bar to converse with Jarlosh, the Seeker surmises were not from among the local inhabitants judging by their manner of dress though it did appear they were known in the village by their familiarity with the fellow addressed as Mayor.  The Ranger finishes up the wonderful meal that Jarlosh cooked, and since there was so much leftover food, makes up five mixed food platters.  Three of the platters, Ash gives to several of the local Elmshaders who didn't appear to be dining, softly telling them, "A gift, food for your families." and leaves them going over to the table with black robed stranger and the other fellow with the long leather coat.  Blackmane sets on the table before the men the two platters with small portions of sauteed roast beef thinly sliced, venison medallions, roasted chicken, salmon fillet, corn on the cob, green beans, stuffing, cranberries, brown bread with green garlic butter, and tells them "Good food for you.  Jarlosh make."  He turns to leave, and find out in what room he was to stay. ~ ~ ~ 

 ~ ~ ~ The Ranger from Cedar Peaks, not overly talkative with new people he's just met, concisely answers the fellow's questions of working at the Twisted Root and if he was new to Elmshade with a simple, "No. Yes." and pauses to see if the fellow had further questions for him. ~ ~ ~ 

 ~ ~ ~ "Busy, no.  Long day, yes." answers the Seeker, and clasps arms with the one called Deatharcher.  He gives the man his name, saying "Ash Blackmane." and explains his arrival in Elmshade, telling Kaze "I see sunrise in city of Starmantle.  Leave for city of Westgate [Refer to Faerun Atlas Map].  Sun high in sky.  Next moment me in bedroom of Conrads.  It dark outside.  Sun not risen."   Ash slightly shrugs, and remarks "No like waste food.  I give to others, so not thrown out.  Yes, I go rest now.  Next day find way home."  The Ranger leaves the pair of gentlemen, going over to Jarlosh, and speaks with him, getting a room key and directions to his room. ~ ~ ~