A flurry of activity comes from the back room and before long a middle-aged man in a stained apron begins to make an appearance.  He makes several trips into and out of the back room, each time bringing a different portion of the nights main offerings...fish stew, several types of bread and some sort of pastry that was slathered in honey.  Initially he is too consumed with his duties to notice the new arrivals but before long he acknowledges the group...

"My apologies, yes of course, I will right with momentarily good sir."

He rushes once more into the back before reappearing with another large pot.  Carefully he carries it over to the fire and places it gingerly onto the hook.  Returning to the bar area...

"Yes, now, what can I help you with?"

Frederick follows the others, ready for a hot meal and a soft bed.

Hawkmoon is as interested in hot food and a bed as Frederick is, but is reserved and lets others bargain.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 495):

Everyone looked hungry and tired. He knew that Hawkmoon, Ondrea and Stoney were all exhausted from days sleeping in a deadly, unnatural forest and swamp.

"A table with food and drink all around. And we need a place to rest as well."

"Yes yes, of course.  Please, help yourselves to any table you wish.  The stew is ready as well as the bread so dig in whenever you wish.  The rooms run 5 silver a night, 2 if you prefer to stay down here on the cots.  I still have two rooms left.  The food is 5 silver as well but it's never ending so you pay once and can eat whenever you wish throughout the night."

Hawkmoon looks pretty surprised.

"Prices are high here... there was no mention of the standard copper coin.  Most would go coinless quickly staying here."

"Shipments and traders are few and far between these days friend.  We've all had to deal with it someway."

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 501):

Looking left, then right for the barkeep.
Not seeing one in sight, Stoney is about to take matters into his own hands.

He is on the patron side of the bar, but if there is a bottle close enough for a short "human" to reach he will grab it.  Sure enough to leave money for what he is taking.
IF THERE IS NO ONE IN NEARBY TO SERVE HIM

Placing a few coins on the counter, he hops up on a stool, and reaches across the bar.
"I dont mind helping myself.  Workers can be difficult to find.  Here are some coins for what I am taking."
Said loud enough anyone nearby could hear.

The innkeeper (or whoever he was) hastily made his way to the bar but Stoney had already found his prize.  Somewhat befuddled the innkeeper simply stood watch momentarily as the diminutive cleric once more began to quench his thirst.  After several moments of deep contemplation, he simply shrugged his shoulders and headed back towards the rear again, gently picking up Stoneys' payment.

Hawkmoon dug out a gold piece and gave it to the Innkeeper.

"Regardless, this is I think worth it."

The stew is decent but heavily seasoned; not everyone's cup of tea.  The bread, still steaming from the oven, is surprisingly delicious.  Moist and dense but without being too rich, it seems to have a hint of sweetness mixed in.

Frederick tossed a couple of coin on the counter and got a bowl of the stew and a hunk of bread. The stew was absolutely atrocious!  After a couple of bites he pushed it away. But the bread,. Oh the bread was a delight. He walked back up to the counter.

Barkeep, how much for an entire loaf of this flavorsome and and exquisitely delightful bread?
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:43, Thu 24 Oct 2019.

Ondrea took one of the rooms and paid for the night letting the Inn keeper know she may require it for several nights. "What are the chances f a bath ?" she asked the man behind the bar. Ondrea also paid for the stew and bread taking a seat with the others facing the door.

She was tired and looked as if she might just curl up here as she slowly ate her food.



-

"Spending such as your group is, I'll give you one good sir."

"We do have a bath at the end of the hall.  It's not the worlds largest vessel but it sure beats soaking in the river."

Thank you good and kind sir.

Frederick walks back to the table with the loaf of bread. He tears of pieces and puts either jelly or honey on each piece, then savors each bite. After travel rations of the elven bread this was heaven.

In reply to Frederick (msg # 509):

After Stoney drinks a few he takes his bottle over to Frederick.
"Jelly, Honey?   May I?"
without waiting for a response, he politely helps himself.
"Delicious!  I havent tasted anything this good since the abby!"

Hawkmoon eats with much gusto.

"So many expensive spices used here, I am very impressed.  This would be a fine meal from where I hail.  This bread too, light and fluffy instead of flat and hard.  How is this done?"


Apparently Hawkmoon is not used to many spices outside of salt, and the leavening of bread is unheard of there as well.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 505):

Boris also paid in, and enjoyed the hearty fare.

"This is delicious! Better than the rations we've been gnawing on these last few nights.

"And I'm looking forward to the bath by God!"

Silently watching, breaking bread. Haveing put the hood over his head to put that little bit more shade on his face in the hope it would leave out curious comments and eyes. Knowing fully well how vistani are met. Even moreso on half-breeds. Softly whispering as the others seemed to enjoy the food.

"I dare say, not all is grim in these accursed lands. There always is that light that gives the soul hope for better days."

After the meal, David .. getting up. Leaning on his staff coughs. "A good night sleep will be all I would ask for. It has been a long time."

Frederick enjoys the company of his companions as much as the bread. When David mentions bed, Frederick finishes his last bite of bread and also stands.
>blue>I believe bed sounds good.  But bath sounds better.</blue>

He reaches over and picks up Dinen Dal from the table, along with his piece of fish from the stew and sits him on his shoulder.

I will see my good companions in the morn.

He moves off for bath and bed.

In reply to Frederick (msg # 514):

"Food is always a welcome sight with a drink."
With his friends retiring to their room, Stoney will also finish his food & drink and fill up for the long night ahead, and pay his tab.

Hawkmoon as well heads off to bath and bed, even if the room need be shared.

He ate heartily, though.

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 515):

"Wait a moment, I'll go with you." Boris finished up and paid his tab along with Stoney.

"A good night, all. See you in the morn!" As he headed to a welcome bed. Living in the rough was something he was used to but it always left him exhausted, especially the harrowing time in the dark woods and swamps to the north.

Ondrea finished her meal quickly and bid the others a good night. She took her time in the bath and then  used some very hot water to clean and bind her wound, paying particular attention to the one on her neck.

Then to bead and hopefully sleep.



-

Sorry for the delay, it would appear that your meeting of Sharps will have to wait as he has other actions in mind with his evening...so we shall move ahead to the next morning as your evening passes without incident.