[monty]

the mysterious figure seated them on the floor of the small hut, there being only room for an earthen bed and a small table in the corner. He left breifly and returned with a small bucket. From this bucket he served the purest water Monty had ever tasted.
VampiricDread remarked that the water tasted like it had certain properties versus evil and asked if he could fill a vial of the fluid.
The wizened creature, who had yet to talk, motioned VampiricDread to go ahead.

As the party drank, the elven lord explained that the larger house belonged to a Powerful Lord of the area, who had control of a cloudgate that appeared now near the top of the the tallest tower of the house.
"This being before you is the gardner of the House. He is a very ancient and wise being who has taken care of this part of the Land for many generations. No lord would try to remove him because he keeps the orchards producing, the grass green and the water pure, as you can attest to. He comes with the property, so to speak. He is kin to both myself and the dwarf. It is my opinion that he can help us gain access to the cloudgate."

"Wait a minute," Monty said, slightly confused. "I thought you said that this cloudgate was already paid for?"

The elven lord motioned the party to a small window that looked onto the larger house. "Gaze up at the manor house. See the flag flying above the main entrance? That is the flag of a new lord of the manor. My deal was with the previous owner."

"I know the device that flies," VampiricDread said, noting the red field and large black fist upraised in the center. "He is in league with evil Powers."

"Just so, VampiricDread, Just so. That is why we cannot approach the manor as civilized beings."
The elven lord reached into his bag and removed some elvish delicacies and passed them with both hands to the owner of the hut.
His eyes danced and a long tongue snaked over his teeth. Showing courtesy, the figure portioned the bread up into small pieces and passed it aorund for all to share. His breath smelled like freshly turned earth.