As the bar began to go back to its drinks and merriment, a figure dressed rather plainly was making his way towards Belinda.  He knew her, she knew him.  Her controller.  He moved up to her and slipped a piece of paper into her hand, not saying a word and casually walking away.  In a crowded place like this, bumping into someone else was bound to happen, so no one was paying any mind to the man who was just walking around.<br/><br/>The barkeep was on hand to deliver his wares, a hearty meal of salted pork, warm steaming beans, decently fresh bread, and a stout ale to wash it down with.  He looked to be in his mid fourties, having seen it all and then some.  He hadn't lifted a finger during the murder, letting it sort itself out, though the large sword over the bar was hint enough that he would deal with anything that got out of hand personally, should the need arise.  For now, he moved from patron to patron, filling tankards, grabbing tin plates loaded down with food and of course, collecting payment for his services.<br/><br/>When Ada approached, the innkeeper nodded to him and gestured to the stairs leading up to the rooms, then held up 5 fingers.  5 silver for a night, and he gestured to the meal and held up 3.  8 silver for a night in the inn and a decent meal.  He left Ada for a moment before moving over towards Ausk and Marienne, and again held up 3 fingers, wanting 3 silver to feed them.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, a man with a tankard of ale hefted it high, "A song, lads!" which received a chorus of "ayes!".  A man with an accordion struck up the tune, a lively affair as the men began to sing.<br/><br/><em>And it’s home boys home<br/>Home I’d like to be, home for awhile in my old count-a-ry<br/>Where the oak and the ash and the bonny elm tree<br/>They’re all a-growing greener in my old count-a-ry<br/><br/>There was an apprentice lived in Strawberry Lane<br/>Loved by her master and her mistress the same<br/>Until a young sailor lad came sailing o’er the sea<br/>And that was the beginning of her misery<br/><br/>This young maid being innocent she thought it was no harm<br/>To go into bed for to keep his back warm<br/>He hugged her and he kissed her and he called her his dear<br/>He said ‘I wish, my love this night had been as long as a year’<br/><br/>‘Twas early next morning the sailor lad arose<br/>And into her apron he put handfuls of gold<br/>‘Take this my dear for the mischief that I’ve done<br/>Last night I may have left you with a daughter or a son’<br/><br/>‘And if it be a girl child dandle her on your knee<br/>And if it be a male child call him after me<br/>And when he is a man, you can dress him up in blue<br/>He’ll go skipping up the rigging like his daddy used to do’</em>