Book excerpt: The Belching Toad pub was full of boisterous revelry; barmaids hurried from table to table, serving clients who were drinking themselves silly. There were those who were engaged in in-depth discussions on the day's events, while others were busy gambling away their few remaining dollars in card games. People of all walks of life were there, however travelers and explorers made up the bulk of the crowd. When a rowdy bunch of obstreperous dwarves banged their tankards on the bar's countertop, ale splashing everywhere and soaking their thick, bushy beards, a group of elves sat quietly in the corner, talking quietly to one another while sipping wine. Finding Lyra wasn't difficult, even with all the people around. Her grey, sightless eyes and gorgeous humming voice stood out. She crossed her skinny legs and sat at a table by herself, plucking a lute absentmindedly to pass the time. Since I had left town in quest of my wealth and she had remained behind to make a reputation for herself as a poet, it had been quite some time since we had last seen one other. Jokingly, "long time no see," I made my way to her table. "It's wonderful to know your infantile sense of humor hasn't changed one bit, George," Lyra said as she plucked at the strings of her lute to tune it. I handed her the flagon of ale and said, "Come, let us take a drink."