Traveling from continent to continent can take its toll on a person. Visitors and residents alike are greeted by the Red Crow Tavern located in the center of the bustling Port Bariston. The stark grey building complete with a blazing crimson crow banner is the place for some of the finest food and drink Bariston has to offer. **We ask that all children under the age of fifteen are accompanied by an adult.

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The place was a bit of a fixer upper but, Lieron could work with it. The last manager of the Red Crow Tavern, and her staff had all been killed during Sharay's assault on Port Bariston. Most of the bar and inn was rebuilt thank the spirits but, he still had a few days before the shifter could have his grand reopening. This gave him plenty of time to check the books, and have Taria check the inventory of the larder. The basement was still mostly intact and contained about half its' full capacity. Lieron had no doubt some of the stock was stolen by desperate people but, he saw no reason to look close enough to determine where it went. As far as he was concerned survival sometimes required bending the law. However, he wouldn't allow anyone to harm another in his place from this point on.

Next, Lieron saw to the creation of a new menu. He decided to theme his food choices after the main cities of Elved. Taria did the scribe work since the shape shifter's handwriting was terrible at best.

Menu:
Bariston Stew: A hearty stew full of quarter pieces of potatoes and bite sized chunks of boar meat.
Garis fowl pie: carrots, peas, and pheasant inside a mouth watering handmade pie crust.
Shimmer steak: a pound of deer meat seasoned to perfection with a special combination of herbs.
Vandual salad: lettuce, tomatoes, and onions covered in fresh olive oil.

All are served with half a loaf of bread baked fresh daily and the drink of your choice.

He had already made deals with local farmers to supply his vegetables. Lieron would be hunting the meat as needed. His wife would make sure to use magic to keep the carcasses fresh. That way he took no more than was needed from the animal population.

Taria approached him about two days before they opened The Red Crow Tavern for business. Her tone was very kind. "Love I received a message from my half-sister Vadania today. She asked after our health and politely begged for a job. Could we help her out?"

Vadania was a pure blood sun elf with light brown hair shoulder length, and blue eyes just like her sister. She was a traveling performer with a wide array of skills. The one hundred and eighteen year old elf was kicked out of her families home, because she spent time with her mutt of a sister Taria. "Of course my dear she has always been there for you. I look forward to the opportunity to return the favor. Please send a message as soon as possible."

Taria blushed and spoke in a subdued manner. "Lieron you see, um Vadania arrived in Port Bariston this morning. She should be here soon."

The shifter sighed and gave his wife a passionate kiss on the lips. While she was speechless he spoke kindly. "Easier to ask forgiveness than permission, I suppose. We should get to work it's been a few months since we saw her last. I bet she's starved for a home cooked meal."

Vadania came to the Red Crow tavern like a veritable tornado of purple clothing. Her dress was fluttery by design to steal her viewers eyes when she moved about. It was very effective in capturing an audience. The meal that was prepared over the last hour had just hit the table steaming, when the elder elf woman knocked. Taria rushed to the door and spoke in sun elvin to her sister after bowing respectfully. "Well met Vadania Windharp, exile of the high passes, blood of my blood."

The wandering dancer returned her words in the old tongue as well. "Taria Goldstone Brona, flower of the lowlands, I see time has treated you kindly. I hope Lieron has been taking care of my truest sibling."

Taria reached over and clutched her dear husband's hand, and answered in common. "Aye, he may be a tad single minded but, he has never let me down when it counted." She smiled, then and met her beloved's emerald eyes for a moment.

Lieron returned Taria's sapphire gaze and planted a light kiss on her pale cheek, while gently stroking her blond locks. "As fun as dealing with your sharp tongue is Vadania, the mushroom stew loses heat by the moment. Please take a seat, I'll dish it out. The wheat loaves were baked fresh this morning as well. Do you still prefer the dark beer, or has your taste changed?"

"How rude, you know how dainty I am." Vadania was unable to keep a straight face as the small family shared a joyful laugh. "At least I don't have to worry about explaining stereotypes are just that, to a bar full of lovesick patrons, for now anyhow. My gratitude is boundless, a warm roof over my head, and food to sate me, are priceless commodities. I promise to bring in business, with my many talents in entertainment."

Lieron laughed at that and spoke seriously. "Try to teach the grabby ones a lesson without breaking anything in the Red Crow Tavern. I wouldn't appreciate having to fix furniture every blasted day."

Vadania gave a deep curtsy with a flourish of her brace of concealed knives, before making them disappear. "As you like brother, I think I can manage subtle persuasion. Shall we eat now the scrumptious smell is distracting."

Lieron nodded and passed out the food. Unfortunately, the shape shifter is the only carnivore of the trio so out of respect he rarely ate meat at home. When away in the wild cooked or raw mattered little to him, so he got his fill most often then. Taria was kind enough to cook animal flesh for him at least once a month. He was content with that, since his wife was well versed in the culinary arts. The meal passed with friendly conversation, used for catching up on what was going on in each other's lives. Lieron noted Vadania brought some issues with her. A rich merchant's attempted proposal to her. After being mesmerized by her beauty and grace, according to her. The cub better not cause trouble, was his personal thought on the matter. Two days later, the tavern opened ready for eager customers.

Lieron was reading The Chronicle just after the lunch rush had subsided for the day when he noticed Zaur's name was listed as a reporter. It seemed the magus decided seeking knowledge was the best way he could exist in Aleris. Lieron was glad no foolish human had caused trouble in his tavern since they opened. However, life was never that dull unfortunately. Their night customers had increased steadily due to Vadania Windharp putting on shows that amazed the visitors. His lodgings, were usually at least a third full everyday thanks to the merchants that brought supplies to Bariston as well. Half his profits went to the Elved restoration project as an anonymous benefactor. The shape changer had no interest in being thanked he just did what he felt was best.

A sign was placed outside that listed his wife Taria as a healer, if someone needed attention who had trouble getting to the main hospital in Bariston. Of course she was just one person but, Vadania helped when she could, and several volunteers aided her as well. Thanks to that his wife had the time to seek herbs regularly. They even hired a male server named John, to pick up the slack in the main tavern.

Lieron noted that one of the night time regulars, a well dressed merchant eyed his sister-in-law like a fresh kill. The changer had respect for a male's needs but, his gaze was far to predatory for his liking. The human smelled of seawater, with a hint of blood. The man drank so much every night that Lieron had to cut him off regularly. Eventually, the fool got grabby with Vadania as she passed his table while singing a bawdy song that the sailors requested every night. Without breaking stride the man ended up flat on his back from a trip attack the elf woman concealed like a pro. He jumped up angry and cursed Vadania before attempting to punch her in the mouth. The blow never connected, because Lieron caught the unskilled strike in his massive human hand. The crack of the bones in the merchants hand was heard by nearby customers. The human screamed like a small cub looking for its' parents.

The manger of The Red Crow Tavern's emerald gaze blazed with anger boring into the drunks eyes but, his words were frighteningly calm. "Well now, I believe you owe my entertainer an apology before I toss you into the street." The merchant managed to whimper out an apology between sobs. "That's good enough this time, Taria please tend to him." The kinder Brona touched the broken hand and restored it. "Don't come back, unless you plan on behaving yourself." With that the man was pitched onto the paved stones outside. The silence that filled the bar was gone after Lieron walked back in. Vadania's clear voice was resonating once again.

The crisp white snow started falling early in the night driving the residents of Port Bariston inside their warm homes to bask in the luxuriant heat that sunk into their very bones. The older gray building with a bright red crow banner flowing in the breeze, that was the home and business of the small Brona family was no exception.

Server John had asked off early to go home and tend his ailing brother that was a few years younger. It was just the two of them in a well aged little cottage near the bay on the Bariston side. Usually his landlady made sure to check on his brother a few times a day. Taria's healing prowess was why the young man started working at The Red Crow Tavern in the first place. He took a small pay cut to buy medicine from his employer. The half-elvin healer had offered several times to examine the boy but, John insisted his little brother always got this way at winter time. However, Taria was pleased to learn that her remedies were working better than everything he had tried before now.

Vadania's clear voice sounded of the happy chirps of birds greeting spring. Her songs of green pastures, and budding flowers transported the minds of her listeners away from the bitter cold outside for a time. Some of the drunker patrons even began to drift off and dream of the warmth that would return in Aurora's season. All the customers had taken rooms since they were from out of town anyway. Lieron took care of carrying the sleeping men and women to their rooms with as little jarring as he could manage in his strong arms.

The bar closed early since the patrons sought their silken sheets as the wind picked up outside rattling the shutters of the tavern. The trio that lived in the tavern each sat down to a steaming bowl of carrot soup. Vadania smelled of fresh lavender a fragrance she was partial to. While Taria filled his sensitive nose with the hint of mint and clove that was her scent. Lieron himself smelled of pine needles, since he often rested in a bed of fallen ones while journeying the woods of Elved. Each of them was different but, they were a happy family not bound by blood, only affection.

The shape shifter savored every bit of Taria's cooking as the warm liquid filled his aching stomach. Her special blend of spices was the result of several years of dedication. His love for her every quirk and pure heart would never change, no matter how many years he lived. She was the other half of his soul, Lieron was sure they would meet again no matter how many different lives they lived in the endless cycle of rebirth.

He took his beloved's hand and felt her shutter with longing for his touch to warm every part of her being. The shifter massaged her smooth skin making sure to work out every little kink in her toned muscles. Vadania had snuck off at some point with the empty bowls while Lieron tended his wife. Taria's warm breath released a moan of pleasure in her husband's sensitive ear. He felt stirring desire for his lady love from the first touch of her creamy skin. Together they gave in to their lust and filled the common room with the sound and physical form of love. The night was cold but, the two lovers made their own flames without a scrap of firewood.