"I don't think anyone is in the mood to go out and get something to eat considering what happened."

“Besides winter almost upon us, no one travels in this weather. oh! Sorry, I couldn't help but join your conversation.” The innkeeper approaches with a rag in his hand ready to listen to the orders of his only customers.

"No problem, can we order something?" Lyaria waves her hand as if to indicate that she doesn't mind the interruption.

“Of course, of course! Although I warn you that there are not many ingredients and those that are increased in price after the attack... I hope you will forgive me.” The innkeeper bows his head ever so slightly.

“It's normal, I came prepared to spend a few extra coins since this will be the last time in a long time...”

“Exile was a very severe punishment, I'm sure Miss Lyaria did it with good intentions.”

“I would like a hot soup with a good amount of potatoes, a little bread and meat if possible. Ezer?”

"Uh... Same thing." He takes a while to respond due to the sudden change of topic in the conversation.

“Of course, it will be ready in no time. I'm afraid the meat will be wild so I'll use my best spices to try to soften its flavor and texture.” The innkeeper knew that his attempts at flattery were having the opposite effect to that desired and when it was time to retire.

“I'm not in the mood for empty words from strangers, if I didn't cut him off at that moment the conversation could go on for minutes.”

“Yes, his way of speaking was very similar to my father's advisers. I remember that his annoyance was noticeable despite trying to hide it.”

“That doesn't happen with my father, if someone speaks without going directly to the point, they can earn a shout that will make the whole room vibrate.” Lyaria can't help but laugh.

“Yes… I can imagine.” Ezer reminds the man that just by standing he gave off an aura of oppression and authority.

Several minutes pass in an atmosphere that becomes increasingly uncomfortable, Ezer can notice how Lyaria has her mind elsewhere, its being clear that something ailed her.

“You spoke with him?” Ezer starts the conversation again by touching on a complicated subject, he wouldn't do it if he didn't know her well enough.

"No... I still can't take in the situation. These are my last moments in my home, with my family and still I don't understand what I feel.” Her voice breaks between the words, but instead of tears, Ezer can only see a confused face.

“I understand how you feel, after all I went through the same thing, but in my case I didn't have time to reorder my thoughts. Nature and the weather took care of erasing any thought other than surviving, maybe that was a good thing or a bad thing, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm alive and I don't regret it.”

“..........”

"What I'm trying to say is that you still have a chance to fix things that may be weighing on your conscience in the future."

"It's true... you're right!" His voice is weak at first, but it rises to almost a shout as she suddenly rises from his chair and runs to the exit. “Thank you!” A small flash of feeling is imperceptibly reflected in her eyes, due to their short duration, which follow his thanks before she closes the door with a loud slam.

"She left so fast she even forgot her things." Ezer smiles wryly to himself.

“That's a total of five bronze coins.” The innkeeper approaches, bringing with him two plates along with a basket full of bread before Ezer can even think to leave the place.

"Ah…" Ezer checks his bag full of coins that are useless to him in this place miles from home with a completely different economy.

His fingers run over the coins taking a few seconds to decide to offer to wash the dishes and thus pay for the food at the cost of his pride, but before he could do so, five coins fall on the table saving him from his predicament.

“I pay. And old man, I know that those coins are enough for two additional drinks.” A familiar face sits in the same place Lyaria had been.

"Haha... Of course, it’s only that my hands weren't enough to bring them." The innkeeper laughs awkwardly as his little scam is exposed.

“I'm sorry.” Ezer apologizes to the guard who followed him all day. It didn't bother him, in fact, it wasn't the first time the man had had to pay for it, earning his gratitude.

“Five or six coins are not going to make a difference with what I spent all this afternoon. Mind you, I plan on eating my share.” The man doesn't hold back and starts eating immediately.

"You could even have mine. When did you get here? I didn't see you come in.” Ezer tastes the pieces of meat that floated in his soup, immediately noticing their hardness and strong flavor. It wasn't bad surely thanks to the spices, but still the taste wasn't very good, even the rest of the soup was infused with a bit of the flavor of the meat.

"It's so cold outside, I walked in in the middle of their conversation and you didn't notice me at the time. If you're not going to eat the rest of the meat, I'll do it.” He speaks as he reaches out his hand taking one of the loaves from the middle of the table.

“Sure.” Taking his permission, the guard takes his plate and tilts it causing the pieces of meat to fall, dirtying the table in the process. Ezer is not bothered by the lack of manners, he has long since forgotten his childhood lessons in aristocracy.

“Takes time to get used to the taste, a lot of kids don't like it just like I did when was at that age. Lucky this was boiled but... ha! inedible.”

“What's your name? With all the favors you did me...”

“Nielmar.”

“Thank you Nielmar, for paying for the food and everything else.” Ezer thanks him, but it doesn't seem to matter much to Nielmar who eats faster as the soup cools, alternating between food and the freshly served drink.

Ezer does not despise the food left on his plate and accompanies it with the bread that had a passable softness, although he cannot help but think of Lyaria and hope that she can solve everything that weighs on her mind.