Dragonstone 37

Chapter 37Our Heroes dock in Jute and we learn that the Jutes keep slaves, or rather "thralls." Arin takes a moment to remind us that elves are better than everyone, saying "Long past, Elvenkind learned that slavery is a great evil, and one day mankind will come to know it as well." \~/
Why do the sparkly elves get to be capitalized while we smelly humans do not?
Everyone gets rooms at an inn, the Silver Helm, and draw a lot of attention because they're all a bunch of foreign weirdos. Samurai Chick is called "yellow" twice in one page \~/\~/, and then a bard sings a couple of songs, while Arin makes a joke-shaped remark that I won't bother repeating. They learn from the serving girl - who is a thrall, if it matters - that Queen Gudrun has declared a month-long festival. No one knows why; they're just glad of it, with the implication being that the queen is erratic. Also, Samurai Chick is preventing Alos from getting any booze. We learn that Alos knows how to play a tambour, which Google informs me is a small drum.
Later that night, Alos tries to sneak past "the golden warrior," \~/ presumably to get some alcohol, as she is "meditating" \~/ (it's not just a fancy foreign word for sleep, McKiernan), but is caught.
Next day, Our Heroes do some investigation and learn that only those with specific business are being admitted to the queen's fortress, and "band of foreign weirdos on a quest" probably does not count. People make various suggestions, we're reminded of how disgusting a person Alos is, \~/ and Samurai Chick calls him "yopparai," ("you're drunk"), to which he fires back with "tispe" ("bitch"). I'm actually glad to see Alos standing up to Samurai Chick's bullying, and while Arin and Egil don't support him, neither do they shout him down.
More ideas are tossed around, Samurai Chick is referred to as "golden," \~/ and McKiernan uses "yopparai" as a noun when I'm pretty sure it's not. \~/ Eventually, Arin decides they're going to disguise themselves as traveling entertainers, or "jongleurs." 
Our heroes buy some custom-tailored outfits with Arin's inexhaustible supply of wealth and move to the fanciest inn in town, the Queen's Crown. They perform that night at the inn, with Arin singing, Alos keeping time on a tambour, Samurai Chick dancing with her swords, and Egil . . . existing, I guess. There are three more references to Samurai Chick's skin color \~/\~/\~/ and a reminder that elf singers are far, far better than any human could ever hope to be. \~/ This goes on for an indefinite number of nights, with all the locals positively enthralled by the spectacle of a short woman singing and another, less-short woman waving swords around, and Our Heroes acquire quite a bit of coin. It's specifically noted that everyone can buy whatever they want except for Alos, as Samurai Chick still keeps him from getting any booze.
Eventually, an important, richly-dressed man comes to see the performance and gives Egil a business card - yes, really. It turns out they have been summoned to perform for Queen Gudrun.
Drinks: 12
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