007

The man was dressed in brown leggings with a simple coarse white tunic covering his upper body. He made his way through some of the debris from last nights festivities and sat down at close to the cold fireplace at a relatively clean spot. He set his simple pack down beside his as he smiled at Nial again.

Rubbing his face Nial walked up to the tabled and leaned forward gripping the table's edge.

"What can I do for you? It might take a while, things went late last night and most of the folks around here are still in bed."

"I'd be ready to break my fast whenever something can be prepared, but waiting with a cup of tea would be no trouble."

"Tea. Tea I can do."

"I've woken you." The stranger reached over and grabbed a half-full mug of ale and smelt the contents. "Ahh my guess is this is the reason why so many folks are still in bed. Cinnamon?"

"Aye."

"Smells like a nice brew. If some remains I'd love to try some this evening."

"I might have some in reserve, but the pickings will probably be slim."

"At least you remember having some in reserve, who knows what happened after your memory ends." The stranger laughed.

"Aye." Nial laughed, relaxing slightly. "How many days will you be staying with us? Oh, excuse my manners, my head as you know isn't where it should be right now. Where have you left your horse? Wylam wouldn't be up yet, but I could open the stable for you..."

"No need." The stranger said, cutting Nial off. "I'll be staying for one night and I'm traveling on foot. I know what your thinking. I've friends joining me here later on, and I'll be able to hitch a ride with them."

"Good good. One night's seven silvers, nine if you need supper. Additional guests are a silver a head plus whatever they eat. You seem nice, but I've got a business to run and people that depend on me so I'd need to see four silver up front."

"Only prudent." The stranger said, reaching into his pack. He brought forth a small leather purse and opened it. He counted a few coins into his palm and then handed them to Nail. "Eight silvers." He said before Nail could begin to count them. Then with a flourish he rolled a ninth silver out from his downward facing palm and onto his knuckles. The coin rolled left and right over the back of knuckles a few times before he flicked it high into the air towards Nial.

Startled, and somewhat slowly, Nial opened his hand and let the silver drop into it.

"Nine. Now about that tea?"