A tapping against his magical wall interrupted his drink.

“Who’s there?” he asked.

“Please, help me,” said a weak voice on the other side. “The spider is dead, but I’ve been bitten. Please, the poison…”

“I’m sorry, but you’re supposed to die,” the barkeep told the wall. “Nothing personal, of course.”

“A drink then,” the voice whispered. “Please, a drink before I die. I have gold.”

The barkeep’s greed kindled. If he left the bodies down there for Thren and the rest to return, he would get nothing. If he could loot the bodies first, however…

“Very well,” he said. “I can’t refuse a dying man his drink.”

He picked up a silver wand resting atop the counter. Thren had given it to him, along with instructions of when and how to use it. He poured a drink, tapped the wand twice, and then said the correct words. The wall dissipated into dust, revealing Haern lying on his stomach, his hands shaking and his voice weak.

“Here you go,” the barkeep said. He reached out the cup to Haern. To his horror, a strong, healthy hand grabbed his wrist.

“That’s alright,” Haern whispered, his eyes full of life. “I’ll help myself.”

He twisted the wrist into a painful lock. The barkeep’s eyes bulged, and he turned his body to prevent the bone from snapping. Haern rose and shoved the man into the bar. Another hand slammed his face against the counter. Bottles of ale scattered, breaking and pouring everywhere.

“Where are they?” Haern asked.

“I don’t know anything,” the barkeep said. “They paid me to lock you in, that’s all.”

Harruq pounded up the stairs, his swords ready. He swung one next to the man’s head and left it there, embedded deep in the wood.

“Care to answer that one again?” he asked.

“I said I don’t know!” the barkeep shouted. “I serve drinks. That’s it!”

“These drinks?” Harruq asked, glancing at some of the bottles lining the shelves. He grabbed one at random, popped it open, and took a swig. “Aaah, good stuff.” Then he knocked the entire shelf to the floor. The barkeep winced with each shattered bottle, pondering the prices he had paid. Haern grabbed the barkeep’s head and forced him to watch the half-orc tear his place apart.