Ad aspera

-- Elves? Ehh... They're, like, extinct, -- the stout man furrows his brow thoughtfully, then bursts out laughing. -- Ah-ha-ha, I get it! You mean those "elves." You could work as a jester in the town square, that's a great joke. The cattle are stolen – the elves are to blame. The price of bread goes up – again, the elves. Taxes are rising, and they're banning fishing and hunting – and those elusive elves are to blame! Want another one?
Considering the weakness of Dunkaniel's new body, this is probably not a good idea.

The snub-nosed face somehow drooped a little – either from the acting, or because the all-knowing bartender clearly hadn't heard anything sensible about the topic... Or maybe because it's unpleasant to be told that you don't exist.
-- Maybe... -- the grotesque man shook out the last drops of liquid from the glass into his mouth. He seemed not to have heard the last question. -- Maybe... But it was the elder who told me, after examining... the place. Why would he lie or joke? But maybe... -- the little man stared at the wall.