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[OOC] Brief time jump

Christopher grins at Fritz. "We are a team, Fritz. We take care of each other."

We now return to our regularly-scheduled space time continuum. Have a nice day. [/OOC]

While he eats, Christopher speaks to the priest. "Will you open the chapel, Father? I would pray there before sleeping."

Yolanda nods as she takes the coins from Eloise and puts them in her belt pouch, casting a dark look at the priest in the process. "Please ask the other guests if they want more drinks, and clear the empty mugs away" she tells her after a look over the counter to the area occupied by the regulars.

The priest's thick white eyebrows fly up at Christopher's question, then once again a wide smile wrinkles his face even more. "Son, you are very welcome to join my complet" he says affectionately.


(OOC to all who are unfamiliar with catholic customs: the complet is the evening prayer said by priests, monks and nuns)

"It is not my place, but do you have an issue with the Priest? Forgive me if I am out of line." Not waiting for an answer she skirts around the other tables, being attentive and courteous.

Thelma shakes her head no, "I am fine on the drinks, thank you." She watches the other girl move to the other table with a keen eye.

"We have a room, and a bath in the morning." She giggles making her way back to Thelma, "See I have my uses."

"That's great," Thema replies with a huge grin, "Who are your friends?"

"Friends?" She asks a deep blush crossing her young face, "Holy men, or something like that. They arent that interesting.." he eyes do fall on the younger for a moment, still blushing. "I hope you don't mind sharing again Big Sis."

Saul finishes his stew and appreciatively licks the drippings off his fingers. In one long draught he empties his tankard and leans back, against the wall, his face a mask of pure contentment. This has been the best meal I've had in a month. I'll have to say extra prayers for the generosity of our hostess!With an absent minded look he pulls out his only coin and places it beside his empty dinner-ware.

The regulars order another few drinks from Eloise, and she gets some remarks like "hope we'll se more of you, lassie". The son from the father-and-son table asks her: "You are not the only new arrival here tonight, are you?"
When she comes back behind the counter to get the orders, Yolanda tells her: "You are out of line. And it is not me who has an issue with the priest, but the other way around."

"Then I apologise." The young girl blushes and lowers her head. "I am very sorry."

Dale both pays for his drink and nurses it until he calls for dinner. Watching the locals, he tries to get a sense of the order of things. Indeed, he remains quiet for the most part.

(( Vacation period ))

Calling for more food, he asks the young girl serving as the maid a question in a low voice. "What seems to be the burst in activity?"

The Red Oxen's door swings open just wide enough for a green-cloaked figure to slip inside, courteously closing the door behind himself with as little noise as possible. Striding forward the man appears to be an apothecary from the strange herbal scent he gives off and the multitudinous pockets of his nut brown robes.

Throwing back his hood he surveys the inn, his curved nose and ruffled chestnut hair making him look for all the world like some dishevelled kite. His eyes land on the small group at the bench whom he proceeds to approach, the middle-aged man bobs his head clumsily in greeting as if he was not used to doing such.

"Ho friends." He smiles, showing that most of his crooked teeth still remain, yellowed as they are from decades at the pipe. "Might I sit the bench with you this evening? I've a mind to hear what news the world brings, and my tabac pouch is overfull." The apothecary pats a pouch at his belt to lend truth to his words as he remains politely standing.

"Oh, I'm new, I don't really know." Eloise says still blushing from her earlier mistake, "Perhaps you should ask Mistress Yolanda? But the arrival of the 'Holy Men' seems to have created a stir." She suggests as she looks over to the newcommer. "Would you like some food? The Stew is good."

Yolanda had been pouring the regulars' orders when Matthias entered. "The usual, Matthias?" she calls over, apparently not objecting to him wanting to sit with the newcomers. When she has finished pouring the drinks, she beckons Eloise over and shows her the tray with the drinks to carry over in the back part of the room.

The locals accept their orders with a nod or a quick "thanks", but they are too absorbed in their talk to pay much attention to Eloise. The father is now helping his son to get up, bringin him the crutches. They then walk through the room (parallel to the counter and the bench with the tables where all the newcomers are sitting), the young man leaning heavily on his crutches and walking clumsily. It looks like he can't put weight on his left leg. Now and again, he grimaces as if in pain. The father pauses at the counter and pays for their consumption, exchanging a few words with Yolanda., while the son is looking pointedly away. As they move on, he looks at his father and says one word: 'please". The father sighs, then gives a resigned nod before leaving the inn.

The son slowly walks over to the group, standing besides Matthias. "Greetings, Matthias" he says.

Matthias looks a bit foolish as he turns from Eloise to Yolanda, bobbing his head in his customary greeting that reminds one of some great blundering bird. "Misses. I am naught but a bundle of habits I fear, and it is difficult to resist your special brew if you please. And the stew as well if you please, at the word of the charming frauhlein." His eyes water momentarily, remembering.

The apothecary's gustatory remembrances are soon cut short at the approach of the young man. The beginnings of a smile die on his lips, brow creasing shadowy furrows in his leathery weatherbeaten skin at the sight of the crutch. "Volker... It's been too long since I've visited." He stands for a moment in uncomfortable silence, clearly waging some internal battle. Finally, with great reluctance he stoops to give the boy a short embrace, patting his back vigorously and lightly. He looks profoundly relieved to exit the hug, though his face remains grim. "A horse, was it? Is there aught I can do?"