Dalanor called out to him, but Killian didn’t look at the mage. He kept his eyes roving over the general area he thought the Fae was in.

“Clear the… What?” It took Killian a second to understand what the other man was saying. “Got it! Keep an eye out for it, and see if you can get some wine or something splashed over it!”

Killian tore his eyes away from searching wildly, and leapt onto a table, kicking over tankards of beer and ale as he did.

“Everyone!” He shouted, drawing his sword. “This area is under the effect of dangerous magics! Everyone leave NOW!”

There was a moment of silence, then people started slowly streaming out the door, the Fae magic still clouding their senses enough to make them compliant and keep them from panicking. Killian caught the eye of the innkeeper and nodded. The innkeeper nodded back- he knew the Sworddancer well enough to trust him.

In a minute or two, only Killian and Dalanor were left in the bar, with the innkeeper leaving last and closing the doors firmly behind him.

Killian turned his attention back to the Fae hunt, ears straining for any sound of the sinister laughter. The air was dead quiet. Killian didn’t say anything- all his focus was trained on finding the Fae.

The brass dragon emptied and all went quiet, the only sound coming from the log crackling in the hearth at the corner of the room.

At first Dalanor wondered if perhaps the fae had left, but the sound of small high pitched laughter affirmed it was still here. He flung the levitating cup in the direction of the laughter and quickly followed up with another as the fae giggled and dodged the flying objects.[1]

The little miscreant evaded any direct hits, but stepped in a small puddle that left wet footprints on the floor. It was all Dalanor needed to make the next shot land.

”Direct hit!” He yelled out as a cup of red liquid splashed over it. The fae was foolish in behavior, but smart enough to know this would render invisibility useless. With the fun and games now over, the mood of the unpredictable magical creature quickly changed.

The sound of an unnerving series of snapping and bones popping in joints came from across the room as it grew in size and changed form. The invisibility spell faded, revealing a monstrously large black goat with glowing red eyes, large black horns, shaggy hair and a spiky beard. Sharp spikes ran the length of its head down its back and ended in a barbed tail. Sickle claws protruded from above its front hooves, tapping on the floor as it began to move slowly.

The devilish fae, now more prehistoric beast than goat, began to circle the edge of the room. The claws and hooves clacked on the floor and a double row of long fangs bared in a low growl. The laughter too had changed to a low rumbling grumble that raised the hair on Dalanor’s arms.

”Well that escalated quickly.”

---

[1] Telekinesis

What the…

Killian's eyes lifted as he followed the almost inevitable rise up to the beast’s head. “Big… Goat.”

Damn it, I just wanted an early night.

…Fine.

Killian lunged forward, covering the distance to the Fae quickly, delivering a strong blow to its leg [Dashing]. As he slid past the creature, it’s great claw came down, but Killian was ready, his free hand brushing against the brooch at the neck of his cloak. Instantly, the fabric hardened into a steel-like substance, the Fae’s claws scraping harmlessly across it [Rime Mantle].

Then Killian was past it and moving towards the bar. He didn’t stop his momentum, just leapt up onto the edge of the counter and pushed off of it, propelling himself back towards the Fae, twisting to face it as he flew through the air. The Fae roared as Killian delivered two quick slashes to it’s face before dropping back to the floor [Double Strike].

Then the barbed tail took him in the side and he went flying across the room, crashing into a table. He stumbled back to his feet, clutching his side as Dalanor took his shot at the Fae. He gritted his teeth, but he didn’t think anything was broken. Good.

Killian stumbled a little closer, then fell into a combat stance, sword held up to chin level, point aimed directly at the creature, both of his hands on the hilt, his eyes darting back and forth, looking for the perfect time to strike… [Heart Seeker]

He just needed Dalanor to keep it busy for a few more seconds…

Dalanor's eyes widened at the speed and suddenness by which Killian launched a flurry of attacks at the fey which turned fiend. 

The beasts injured leg buckled and dropped down to the knee. It howled from the double slashes to the face, an unearthly sound that could make anyone's hair stand on end.

Dalanor winced at the sight of the barbed tail striking Killian. That might need to get patched up later.

At least fae weren't known to inflict poisonous attacks, hopefully that stayed consistent with his understanding of their lore. He was about to yell out to ask Killian if he was ok, but Killian now seemed to be remanuevering for another attack. Dalanor looked around for a diversion.

The beast licked at the wounded leg. It quickly began to recover and stood back up again firmly. The gashes on the face were another matter - red open wounds which glistened in the fire light. One of the eyes was firmly closed shut and the other continued to glow red, eyeing Killian angrily and stomping a front hoof as it prepared to charge with horns.

Dalanor spotted a rug and considered sticking it on the horns to cover the beast face, but if it was thrashing about wildly that might make it harder for Killian to land his next attack with precision. 

He had another idea.

On one side of the room, large barrels of drink were stacked on crisscrossing racks. Dalanor raised both hands and pulled one down off the rack [1], then sent it rolling across the room and barreling towards the devilish beast, down a narrow aisle between two large community tables. There was little room to dodge. The fae lowered its horns as the barrel was about to plow into it, impaling the wide middle bilge. There was a loud snap and the splintering of wood. The reaction stopped the momentum of the barrel from knocking it over, but impaled the horns a quarter way into the barrel, effectively attaching it.

Small squirts of red wine sprayed around the horns and trickled down. The beast shook its head to try and free its horns from the heavy barrel that now weighed on its head. The sprinkling of wine stung the open wounds on its face. The third eyelid of the goat hybrid - the nictitating membrane -  kept the wine from blinding it completely. It was enough to temporarily distract it without sending it into a frenzy.

Hopefully that buys Killian some time while disabling the use of the horns and slowing it down, for now at least.

---

[1] Telekinesis

Killian slowed his breathing, focusing entirely on the Fae. His side ached where the tail had hit him, though his leather armor had softened the blow somewhat. With any luck, there’d be a nasty bruise, but no broken flesh. He pushed the pain aside and calmed his racing heart, waiting… waiting…

Dalanor did a good job distracting the beast with the wine barrel, and Killian tensed, preparing for the right moment…

With an almighty roar, the Fae swung its head and the barrel broke off, flying in a spray of wine across the room. The Fae took a moment to gather its senses, and that was all Killian needed. The beast had a second to see the swordsman lunging forward, before Killian’s sword plunged deep into the creature’s heart.

There was a great roar of pain and anger, and for a moment, the sound of a high pitched laugh turning into a squeal, and then the large beast slid off Killian’s blade and collapsed to the floor of the tavern, shrinking back down to its original size and shape.

In the silence that followed, Killian let out a sigh, and slowly lowered his bloodied weapon, one hand going to his damaged side. He glanced at Dalanor.

“Nice work with the barrel.” He grunted.

“...Now, I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink.”

Dalanor stared at the body of the crumpled fae turned devil, now back to its original form. The body had already begun to turn to ash. Soon all that would remain would be a tattered cloak on the floor. He felt a sadness for the creature and closed his eyes and said a short prayer under his breath.

"May your spirit find peace in the next life."

Dalanor was troubled by thoughts of what could be corrupting the fae. They were always mischievous, but this was a rare boldness... and the malevolence, that was something else altogether.

He turned to Killian and smiled at the compliment on the barrel. "Thank you, it was a long shot, I'm glad it worked. And my deepest thanks to you sir, for breaking me out of that spell."

At the offer of a drink Dalanor chuckled and nodded. He grabbed two wooden cups and offered one to Killian, then floated over a bottle[1] of Killian's favorite wine - a King's Valley semi-sweet.

"The bartender is going to be livid, although I suppose the gambling earnings might cover the damages."

Dalanor surveyed the devastation around the room and whistled, then turned to Killian for a toast.

"Cheers Killian, to keeping the Ol' Brass Dragon in business."

---

[1] Telekinesis

As the two men settled down at the bar, the bottle magically following them, Killian glanced over the mess they had made. It honestly wasn’t as bad as it could have been. The swordsman accepted the drink from Dalanor with a slight nod of his head.

Dalanor made a comment about the bartender, and Killian smiled slightly. “Don't worry about him, he’s a friend of mine. I’m sure he’s more grateful that we took out the Fae than he is upset about the mess.”

They raised their wooden cups and clinked them together, Dalanor making a toast. Killian smiled again. “To the Brass Dragon remaining open.” He agreed, and took a long draft of the wine. He drained a solid half of the cup before placing it back on the bartop. He glanced at the door, but it was unlikely anyone would return until he or Dalanor gave the all-clear. Well, they could wait.

Killian turned back to the mage. “Now, I believe we were about to do introductions again- properly this time, with no impromptu dancing…”

In the end, Killian didn’t quite get the early night he’d hoped for, but he did make a new magical ally.

… And Killian could always use more allies.