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[center]Later that same day...[/center]
Anna was standing on top of the tavern bar shoving a crate into place. Chester was laughing at her and offered help if she needed it. Struggling with the weight of the crate she pushed it harder and literally pushed hard enough to throw her balance off.

[color=8dc73f]"Whoa!"[/color] She said catching herself barely as she almost fell off of the bar. Turning she looked at Chester who had dropped his cigar in anticipation of having to jump up to help her. As he shrieked at the sudden heat on his pants she chuckled and dropped down to the floor safely.

[color=8dc73f]"Chester you better watch out before you set yourself on fire."[/color]

Alexander's horse was plodding along the road in no significant haste.  Alexander was taking the time to look around the capital and see how the people were faring.  He had brought no one with him seeing how he was in the capital, perhaps the most heavily guarded place in the country.  He turned a corner in the road and came upon the Ale House.  It was a two story building with people constantly going through it's doors.  Whether it was a drunk patron leaving or a customer coming in for a late meal the door seemed permanently open.

Alexander brought his horse into the stable and handed the stable boy a few gold coins.  He then walked through the front door and looked around.  There were many patrons scattered throughout the room.  Somewhere gambling in the corner while others just sat and ate.  Alexander saw someone standing on the bar trying to push a crate up, while a person next to them were laughing.  The person on the bar nearly fell off which caused the other person jump in his seat.  As he heard her laugh he recognized the voice of Anna.  Alexander smiled and began heading towards the bar to buy a drink.

Alexander walked over to the bar and looked over at Anna.
 
[color=0072bc]"Hey I was wondering if I could get a drink of that Ale you got from my ship the other day?"[/color]

Anna turned towards the voice and her eyes lit up when she saw the earl. [color=8dc73f]"Of course you can."[/color] Anna reached around and grabbed a glass and poured him some ale and slid it to him gently.

[color=8dc73f]"So did you get everything loaded for your next trip?"[/color]

Alexander grabbed the drink and took a deep drink from it.  [color=0072bc]"Thankfully we did, and were able to spend a few days in the north.  It really had been too long since we had been up here.  Sadly I wasn't able to take my ship up this time and had to ride."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"Is it always this busy in here, or is tonight something special?"[/color]

[color=8dc73f]"Tonight is pretty much the regular state of things in here. It stays pretty busy. That is why I don't get to the dock to collect the ale that often, although I might have to make time for it more often."[/color] She said grabbing a cloth to wipe the bar down with a smile.

Verrick made his way on foot to the ale house.  Where he was supposed to find this mole who tried to blackmail a servant to a local Lord. He was taken back of course when he heard the name of the tavern. Mixed feelings arose in his chest as memories flooded his mind. Returning there was going to be one of the hardest things he did. 

When he did finally arrive, he paused, standing in the shadows of a nearby alley. He had heard rumors that the previous owners daughter had sold the place... but he didn't have the chance to really check out if that rumor was true. After taking a few breaths he shook his head. Here he was, a woodsman...put in deadly situations almost daily, and barely had enough courage to walk into a tavern owned by a girl he knew when he was a kid. 

He finally pushed himself and strode into the building in false confidence. Making sure the cowl of his hood was covering his face as much as he could. Not that it would do him any good. She knew he was trying to become one. But the hope was there. 

As soon as he walked in he looked to the bar, his heart skipped a few beats as sure enough...there she was, cleaning the bar...smile on her face and chatting up one of the customers. He didn't look at the customer but decided to find the darkest corner and put his back to it and do his job.  After finding a spot, he sat down, placing his bow just right so it was an easy grab if something...anything happened. 

[color=0072bc]"I hope you do make more time to come to the docks."[/color]

Alexander smiled at her and took another long drink of the ale.  He honestly enjoyed her company and was glad she might come down to the docks more.  [color=0072bc]"I was wondering if you sold rooms here, because I honestly don't want to spend my night at the castle."[/color]  He felt there was a scheming noble there for every brick in the cities' walls.

Anna had an extra room but she rarely rented it out and she thought about it a moment. She knew some of the patrons told her that she needed to be more careful but she didn't see any harm in him. Whether or not it was there and she was choosing not to see it remained to be seen.

[color=8dc73f]"I may have an extra room you could rent."[/color] She heard Chester cough hard and ignored the flagrant cry of attention for her she could hear in his strangled forced coughs.[color=8dc73f]"Drink some water Chester."[/color] She said.

Alexander smiled at her and had an idea. [color=0072bc]"How about a bet?  Do you have a target board for knife throwing?"[/color]

Anna's eyes became suspicious and pointed to the left of the bar. Her eyes fell on someone sitting in the corner with a cowl covering his face. Her eyes took in the manner in which the man was sitting and how he looked relaxed to anyone just passing by but she had seen enough of them throughout the years. He was either a bounty hunter or possibly a woodsman. 

Looking back at Alexander Anna grinned. [color=8dc73f]"What's this bet?"[/color]

[color=0072bc]"We each get one throw with the knife, if I win I get the room normal price, but if you win I pay double price for everything I buy and I'll pay the Tavern's taxes for a year.  How does that sound to you?"[/color]

[color=8dc73f]"It sounds like you are about to get ripped off.[/color]  The laughter in her eyes was obvious. [color=8dc73f]Now why would you only want to pay normal charges? You should at least demand the room for free for the night."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"Hey I am a earl and-"[/color] in between the sentence he took a long drink of the ale again,[color=0072bc]"I will soon be too drunk to care how much money I lose.  At least that's the plan anyways."[/color]  He grinned again.

Anna grinned at him and slid another drink in front of him. Grabbing another one she said. [color=8dc73f]"I'll be right back."[/color]

Walking with the ale towards the man in the corner she set the glass down in front of him and she could see part of his beard. There was something familiar about him but she couldn't pinpoint it. Not one to mince words she asked him, [color=8dc73f]"Evening, I brought you a glass of ale. Who are you? You seem familiar somehow."[/color]

Despite the distance between the bar and the corner, Verrick could hear what was said, with the help of watching their mouths. This little bout between the two made him sick personally... It seemed like a two bit act with the male action trying way too hard. It was painful to watch, the man was clearly trying to impress her with the fact he was a earl, throwing his money around, trying to get into her pants. It was so disgusting he had to look away for a moment, and realized how quickly his emotions were effecting his judgement. Closing his eyes for a moment to readjust himself mentally he looked back as he heard the bet between them. No way this guy was going to win....not with her aim. 

She made her way over to him, just as a good hostess would do. He tried to shrink back into his cloak as much as he could without moving when she stood in front of him. At her question he was silent for a moment, daring not to move as he wondered if she recognized him immediately and was just playing it off. No, he didn't have a beard last time they talked...well fought. He was also confident his cowl was indeed covering the rest of his face. 

For what seemed like ages he finally spoke,[color=007236] "Thank you..."[/color] his voice rough and low, as if he didn't speak much at all. [color=007236]" I don't know why...you only see my beard I'm sure. Unless you remember beards....which would be a little odd."[/color]

The instant she heard his voice she knew who it was. Her eyes flashed in pain first then in anger and she put the glass on the table harder than she had anticipated and it splashed over the top and onto the table. Her voice shook a little for a second. Getting a hold of herself she remembered why he was there. Obviously he was spying on someone and it would put his life in jeopardy if he got caught. 

She kept her voice low but it was angry. [color=8dc73f]"Don't worry, Verrick. I'll not tell anyone it's you."[/color]