The barkeep took the coins without much hesitation, though he did wipe the silver with a rag to make sure they were clean before running off to the back. After a few minutes the bar keep returned and set a mug half full of mead and a bowl of stew in front of the hooded stranger. Taking a hold of the mug, the man took a deep swig of the mead before sighing in relief. Though he had been slighted in quantity by half a mug, the honeyed brew was already warming up his body. With spoon in hand, he then tried his stew. From one taste, the man knew that this particular meal was inexcusable. It had been watered down and was scarce on the potatoes and vegetables. The only meat in it was just the bone stock that was used to make the broth. “Barkeep, I ordered the stew, not a bowl of soup!” the hooded man complained.<br/><br/>“You ordered the stew, I gave you the stew,” the barkeep replied calmly as if he had heard this complaint before. “You gave me a silver coin for it. The good stew with meat costs one gold piece. Perhaps that is what you are looking for?”<br/><br/>It was common knowledge that since the invasion food prices had sky rocketed. Being tired from the cold and hunger, the man gave in and tossed a gold coin onto the counter. The barkeep’s grubby hands snatched the coin up and he taunted, “Good choice sir,” before returning to the kitchen with a smirk.<br/><br/>While waiting for his second dinner, the man noticed another man in a chain shirt enter the tavern looking colder than he was. It was quite dumb to be out in this weather without at least a cloak. Taking another deep swig of his mead he lifted the tankard and finished the beverage off, before slamming it down on the counter with a clank. During the action, the hood of his cloak fell from his head to reveal his ruddy hair. By now the barkeep had returned with the stew and with haste, the man dipped his spoon into the bowl and pulled out a hunk of meat, carrots, and potatoes before making it disappear inside his mouth. This meal was far more satisfactory as the sauce was thick and the rabbit meat was rich. After taking a few more bites, he threw another silver coin onto the counter and raised his mug to inform the barkeep he wanted more mead. Hearty food and warm mead was by far the best way to warm yourself up on a cold day.