TIKA is scrubbing the bar with a rag. She is tired and straightens her back. She sighs, and puts the rag into a water pail located on the bar. She moves out into the main area of the bar and grabs a mop when OTIK comes out of the kitchen door.

OTIK
(in a good mood)
Should be another brisk day -- for both the weather and business.

Otik begins putting out mugs on the bar and whistles cheerfully.

TIKA
I'd like the business cooler and the weather warmer. I walked my feet off yesterday and got little thanks and less tips! Such a gloomy crowd! Everybody nervous, jumping at every sound. I dropped a mug last night and -- I swear -- Retark drew his sword!

OTIK
Pah!
(snorts)
Retark's a Solace Seeker Guard. They're always nervous. You would be too if you had to work for Hederick, that faint --

TIKA
(interrupting with warning in her voice)
Watch it.

OTIK
(shrugs)
Unless the High Theocrat can fly now, he won't be listening to us. I'd hear his boots on the stairs before he could hear me.
(lowers his voice a little anyway)
The residents of Solace won't put up with much more, mark my words. People disappearing, being dragged off to who knows where. It's a sad time.
(shakes his head then smiles)
But it's good for business.

TIKA
(gloomily)
Until he closes us down.

Tika grabs the mop and begins sweeping the floor.

OTIK
(staying upbeat)
Even theocrats need to fill their bellies and wash the fire and brimstone from their throats.
(chuckles)
It must be thirsty work, haranguing people about the New Gods day in and day out -- he's in here every night.

Tika stops sweeping and leans against the bar.

TIKA
(seriously and subdued)
There's other talk too -- talk of war. Armies massing in the north. And there are these strange, hooded men in town, hanging around with the High Theocrat, asking questions.

Otik reaches out and pats Tika on the cheek.

OTIK
War. Pooh.
(sniffs)
There's been talk of war ever since the Cataclysm. It's just talk, girl. Maybe the Theocrat makes it up just to keep people in line.

TIKA
(frowning)
I don't know. I --

Sudden cut to the door to the Inn opening. Cut back to Tika and Otik who are surprised and turn to the door to see who is there. In the doorway is an old man, FIZBAN. He looks around the Inn holding his oak staff. Tika and Otik exchange worried glances.

TIKA
Can I help you, Old One?

FIZBAN
Eh?
(blinks)
You open?

TIKA
Well...

OTIK
(big smile)
Certainly. Come in, Greybeard. Tika, find our guest a chair. He must be tired after that long climb.

FIZBAN
Climb?
(Fizban scratches his head and looks around the porch of the Inn. He looks down to the ground below)
Oh, yes. Climb. A great many stairs...
(Fizban hobbles inside the Inn and playfully swipes at Tika with his staff)
Get along with your work, girl. I'm capable of finding my own chair.

Tika looks at Otik with a look that says 'Fine' and returns to sweeping. Fizban stands in the centre of the Inn and looks around for a moment, muttering comments to himself as he does so. He gives off the image of being a befuddled old man, possibly senile. After a few moments, Fizban drops his staff, and begins moving furniture. He takes a table and begins to pull it. Tika stops sweeping and leans on the broom.

TIKA
What are you doing? That table's always been there!

Fizban drags the table so it is directly across from the fireplace.

FIZBAN
(grunts with approval)
There. S'posed to be closer to the firepit. Now bring over two more chairs. Need six around here.

Tika looks at Otik for support. Otik is about to speak when there is a flaring light from the kitchen. COOK yells. Otik goes to the swinging doors that lead to the kitchen. He passes Tika.

OTIK
(quietly)
He's harmless. Let him do what he wants -- within reason. Maybe he's throwing a party.

Otik enters the kitchen. Tika sighs and takes two chairs to where Fizban is standing.

FIZBAN
Now
(glances around)
bring two more chairs -- comfortable ones, mind you -- over here. Put them next to the firepit, in this shadowy corner.

TIKA
'Tisn't shadowy. It's sitting in full sunlight!

FIZBAN
Ah
(narrows eyes)
but it will be shadowy tonight, won't it? When the fire's lit...

TIKA
(faltering)
I -- I suppose so...

FIZBAN
Bring the chairs. That's a good girl. And I want one, right here.
(gestures at a spot in front of the firepit)
For me.

Tika goes and gets a large, well used but comfortable looking chair.

TIKA
Are you giving a party, Old One?

FIZBAN
A party?
(the thought seems to amuse him and he chuckles)
Yes, girl. It will be a party such as the world of Krynn has not seen since before the Cataclysm! Be ready, Tika Waylan. Be ready!

Fizban pats Tika's shoulder, tousles her hair and then carefully sits into the comfortable chair.

FIZBAN
A mug of ale.

Tika goes to pour the ale. As she goes, she stops, turns to Fizban.

TIKA
How do you know my name?

Fizban just smiles mischievously.

OPENING CREDITS:

Scenes of rolling hills, and the forest town of Solace. Establish Solace is in a valley. Opening credits end up on a hilltop overlooking the valley where Solace is located. Close up on the dirt at the top of the hilltop. A boot comes down and the camera pans back to reveal a dwarf, FLINT.