Chronicler yawned.

"My hand aches," he said, looking longingly at the cellar door, where Kote used to keep his storages. "What about something to eat?"

"Of course, of course," said Kote, hurrying to the cellar door. "I forgot."As lightening struck outside, he hesitated for an instant. He glanced at the windows. "Considering this bad weather, I can hardly expect any more customers."

He vanished down the steps.

Bast started to prepare a table for the three of them, when one of the mercenaries came down the steps. "I smelled something to eat," he said, "and I'm hungry. In the interest of keeping things civilized I recommend to you-" he pointed at Bast, "to prepare a meal for eight men and me."

"Don't worry, we are able to serve your needs," drawled Bast. "I hope I will see some Aturan coins in change." He reconsidered. "No, wait, keep those coins rather for yourself. After what I've heard the coins won't be worth anything in a matter of time."

"I know that," said the mercenary, "I plan to take king Ambrose's coins, as soon as the lady runs out of it."

"What a coincidence," exclaimed Bast, "I was thinking about that, too! What's your name, warrior?"

"Radgast."

Kote emerged in the background with a basket of swedes. He placed them on the counter and began to cut the earthy crust from them. As the conversation between Bast and the mercenary continued, the innkeeper chopped the swedes to bars about a finger long and thick.

"I'm Bast." said Bast, "but between the two of us, I think King Ambrose is a tyrant, that should never have been elected king. He might be an adept war leader, but a long sighted planer like his father? I doubt that."

"The whole Jakis family," said Radgast, taking a drink from Bast's hand, "They are foul to the bone. But it was either that or letting a seven year old girl on the Vintish throne, when the king's brother committed suicide."

"Ah, the king's niece," said Bast, leaning back. "I once saw her as as a young babe when I travelled the world to find my profession. What happened to her?"

"Her parents married her against her will to Baron Jakis," said the soldier, "Then, in her wedding night, she killed the Baron. His oldest son had her executed the day afterwards."

"You never know," said Kote behind the counter, "I heard a strange rumour from a prison guard travelling through Newarre. According to that rumour Ambrose went into his father's rooms the day of the wedding. He killed his father and raped the bride. And then he called the guards, accusing her for murder."

Radgast shrugged. "What do I care? But I give you a good advice, inn keeper, if you manage to prepare that food in fifteen minutes."

Fifteen minutes later, Kote presented swede stew for nine men. "What's the advice?" he asked.

"The advice is to keep your mouth shut as soon as the king comes here this afternoon to bargain with my master."

Long after Radgast had taken the stairs, Kote still stared into the place his face had been.

"Um," said Bast uncomfortable, "is something, Reshi?"

And the innkeeper began to move again, like a clockwork having stopped because of malfunction. Like a clockwork that had been given the necessary amount of fuel to move on.

"Nothing at all," he said, serving the three of them stew as well. He sat. He ate. Outside, it started to rain cats and dogs. Bast and Chronicler exchanged a few words. Kote didn't. As the others finished their plates, he pushed his untouched into Bast's direction and said:

"Let's finish the story."