<div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/16/af/ab/16afabc4b3e4717f47ef4508a846f446.jpg)</div><br/>Korha and Mae huddled up with Bekn and Dafina. There was a whispered conversation and a bit of giggling from Bekn.  Eventually, Bekn called out to the group, "Come, we will go to my mother's Tavern."  One of Alex's friends interjected with, "You mean Albert's Tavern."  Bekn turned and frowned at him before responding, "The Dancing Wench."<br/><br/>It was a motley caravan - with Bekn leading the way, Natasha was sandwiched between Alex and Nell, who seemed star-struck by Natasha.  Alex's three friends grumbled a bit but followed along. The group soon made it to - well, it was closer to a wide muddy path than a road.  However, it soon led to an opening in the trees with fields on both sides of the road or trail. The few houses in sight were well-made if modest - fieldstone with thatched rooves.  Edgecross itself was a relatively modest town of a few dozen homes. The village squared boasted a few amenities - blacksmith, general store, town hall, small temple. However, the Dancing Wench held pride of place, one of the most significant buildings, and bearing a sizeable ornate sign of a blonde-haired woman, kicking up her heels on a table.<br/><br/>The group entered the Tavern to catch the tail-end of a conversation.  On one side was a tall, heavyset man wearing chainmail and carrying a shield and longsword; on the other was a woman who was the model for the sign out front - a tall leggy blonde wearing pantaloons.<br/><br/>The Heavyset man told the woman,<strong> "The time approaches - a year and day.  You need to pick out a new husband. No one can offer the protection that I can.  The Mayor is a fat fool.  That Store Keeper quivers behind his bodyguard."</strong><br/><br/>The woman stared back at the Warrior.  If she was intimidated, she showed no sign of it.<strong>"Tis a foolish convention that a woman needs a man.  I told Albert so when we married.  Still, I will acknowledge that it is the custom of Edgecross.  However, I have a few more days before I need to declare my intention."</strong>The woman looked up at the group that was starting to stream into the Tavern.<strong> "Now, if you will excuse me, I have customers to which I must attend."</strong><br/><br/>The heavyset man looked to the group with a frown on his face. However, he turned and left the Tavern without comment.<br/>