The thugs had formed a loose circle around me, effectively blocking my route back into the ale-house.

The street was suddenly clear.  Anybody that had spent any time DownTown knew to keep out of the way when it was about to kick off.

“Gud ev’ning, gents” I slurred, swaying slightly.  I needed to give the impression of being drunk.  They would take me for an easy mark and would be emboldened, but I figured that we’d already passed the point where I could leave without violence. 

And if there was going to be violence, then I intended to be the perpetrator.