Jax the Barkeep NPC's page

"Your mistress grows many wonderful things for her House - perhaps these will aid her?" he says to the man and then nods his head and then moves to the others.

Jax is somewhat surprised by the gift for his mistress, but admires the finely crafted gardening tools.

"I thank you on behalf of Mistress Orem. Aye, they'll be fine, useful tools, Master Connor," and he takes the package from the warrior and places it carefully under the counter until he can hand the gift to Talia.

Jax was annoyed by the man's lack of courtesy and moved to take the bowl away from the uncivilised warrior.

"Do not presume to undertake your ablutions, here, Master Connor. Talia prides herself on a clean establishment, and, it is not respectful to casually wash blood and gore where people eat and drink. As I said, you may do so in your chamber, but not in the general areas of the Inn. I believe I have made myself clear in this matter, now. If it happens again, you'll be removed from this establishment."

"If you do not mind, may I also have a bowl and some water?" he asks Jax, hoping to at least clean the caked on gore and grime from his hands and face before he put food or drink in his mouth.

Jax nodded at the request and moved into the kitchen. He returned with a large, glazed washing bowl and a medium bucket filled with warm water. The barkeep moved around the counter and placed the bucket by the warrior's feet and the bowl on the counter afore him.

"If you require more water, just let me know, Master Connor, and I will bring it up to your chamber."

And with that, Jax resumed his position behind the counter.

"Do you have Dwarven spirits, my friend?" he asks Jax, feeling the need for a strong drink. "If not then I will take some mead," he adds...

"You have said that your House was busy at midday; yet this town is not overly large. Did you not expect this business, then?"

He takes a drink from the cup and glances around.

"If you do not mind me asking, were there other new folk in town while we were gone that came to your House at midday?"

The barkeep noted the strange, little head on a cord around the warrior's neck but he kept the observation to himself.

"Spirits, nay, but we do have a bottle or two of Dwarven Stout, if your taste bends to dark beer. Otherwise we have some Gnome Whiskey." If the warrior gives his approval for one or the other, Jax moves to the backroom and returns with the drink and places it before Connor.

At the warrior's question regarding their business and notable strangers, Jax's brow quirked, but he answered simply, "The usual crowd at noon time. Those who have stores nearby enjoy our food and drink. And there are no other strangers in town other than you lot", the barkeep gave a nod and began drying the freshly washed mugs before him.

Riley lifts the cup and cheers Jax "We did. I'd hate to share anything before we speak to the Baroness, but I think we know what happened. Thank you for the drink."

"I understand. Good luck with the Baroness," the barkeep chuckled and moved down to the end of the bar.

"May I have another rum Jax? Please refill my mate's mead as well." He motions to Connor's mug.

"Just a bit of lemon water is well enough for me," she said.

The barkeep caught Talia's look and approval and acknowledged the party with a nod and a wave of his hand.

In quick time, he approached their table with a tray laden with the rum, mead, elderberry wine and lemon water the group had requested.

"Enjoy. Compliments of Mistress Talia Orem," before moving back to the bar and his general cleaning/organising and watching.

”Who can say what I thought when I met the man Gribb?” he says with a small shrug.

”As for business? Perhaps some may see it as a trouble, but - maybe - some others will not see it as such a hardship. For now there is warmth, there is fire, there is food. This is not so bad.”

He turns his gaze to look at the fire for a moment.

”Besides, there are always ready opportunities for a man who is willing to find them,” he adds, then turns back to offer Jax a small grin.

The barkeep's deep brown eyes studied the warrior as he pondered the man's words. Any thoughts he had were filed away and he responded,

"An industrious man may half his hardships and misfortunes."

He noted Connor's eyes stray to the hearth where Talia and Delfi stood in quiet conversation. "The young mistress has a kind heart and a generous spirit. You were fortunate she crossed paths with your group this day."

"You are a good man, Jax Albercoft, and I thank you for your courtesy"...

"Part of the service, Connor", before taking the mug he drank his mead from and putting it aside for washing.

”The sun has fallen and drink by the fire is a good thing,” he says as he stares at the elderly figure before him.

”I am told you are named Jax – I am named Connor. Would you care for a drink?” he asks the man and offers him the fresh cup full of mead, then pulls up a small stool and sits besides him.

The barkeep was wiping down a tankard when the warrior approached him. The deep, dark eyes of the townsman casually took in the younger stranger before him.

"Aye, Jax Albercoft. It's my job to keep your cup full and I'm busiest come evening - usually. I am not one to say no to a drink, but I am on duty and I best not let the young mistress down." His brown eyes fell on the figure of Talia by the fire, Delfi by her side, quietly chatting.

"Bad business you being stranded in town. You did not suspect that you were travelling with a wanted smuggler?" There was a shine in the mature man's brown eyes as if he was amused that none of the caravan guards knew who they were working for. He put down the clean tankard and lifted the mug of mead the warrior had brought over and took a long drink - draining the mug. He gave Connor a look as though to say it would be a shame to let the mead go to waste.