Rhocanth took care to show the crowd the Wardens' crest upon his shield (increasing the amount of muttering in the air by another power), which gave Alderic some small insight into the situation. He wasn't certain why the Dwarf felt the need to assert his authority in the face of his own ally, but he would trust that there was a reason. Unaware that even his new young Dwarven friend thought him probably more hindrance than help under the circumstances, Alderic persevered in what he saw as his ordained task to be the mediator of this situation.
He nodded respectfully to the elf when she replied, concealing his disgust that her claims might indeed be true. The second Dwarf, the one lounging at the bar, raised his drink to Alderic in a manner he thought almost lude; the Templar could only assume he was already drunk, and move on.
As he cast his gaze back upon the elven woman's glowering accuser the man pointed at her in rage, emphasizing every third word or so by stabbing the air with his finger. "I 'aven't done nothing to her. 'Oo'd want some dirty little knife-ears? I'm tellin' you, I swear it by Andraste, she used magic on me! Stopped me right where I stood, I couldn't think t' move! 'An if she coulda done that, she coulda done the spell that blasted half the room- you put her in irons, Ser, she's a ruddy menace!"
Another man, younger, pushed his way to the front of the crowd looking a little sheepish. He was softspoken, and when he attempted to address the people who seemed to be taking charge of the situation- Rhocanth and Alderic- a few people jeered for reasons unknown. They quickly hushed, apparently placated by what he had to say. "I'm with the Bann's militia, sers. I can't speak for or against this elf, but the lads and I, most of us got hit by... whatever that was a minute ago. It must have been magic, I'd swear by it too. It took me right off my feet. Even if she's not a mage, there's one been in here somewhere."
There were a few more mutterings from the pack- one man called out from the back of the room that "The elf and the dwarf were right in the middle of it," but was partially drowned out by the malcontent cries of the other people around him.
Alderic nodded, and glanced down at Rhocanth again significantly. They needed to find a way to escape this circus and determine what was really going on. He said authoritatively over the heads of the crowd, "Excuse me, everyone. The Warden and I will address this matter. Unless you have further evidence or concerns you wish to address privately, please be seated and go about your business."
With a general, disappointed murmur, the crowd began slowly to disperse, taking the Templar's hint that a lynchmob would not be required this evening. The man who had berated the elf looked particularly sour about this turn of events, but after enduring Alderic's commanding stare for a few moments too long, he too slipped away. People went back to picking up tables and looking vaguely embarrassed, under the hawklike eye of the highly displeased bartender.
Alderic turned to the little cluster of pertinent people: Rhocanth, the elf, and somehow this other dwarf as well, who seemed to be a package deal with the spritely elven girl. He lowered his voice and supplied more conversationally, "I believe we are supposed to have rooms arranged for us here, Rhocanth? I think it would be preferable for all of us if we could continue this conversation in private."