On the outside, [i]The Homely Hearth[/i] looked like any other inn. Aged, evidently popular and radiating the warm glow of a fire from within. Inside however was a different story. The place was inexplicably clean. Orna had mentioned her friend's cleanliness though it appeared this extended to the entirety of the premises. What seemed more surprising to Arthur and Clark however was just how [i]civilized[/i] it was inside. Nearly every table occupied, tankards of ale and strawberry wine regularly filled and emptied and yet the atmosphere inside was relaxed. No yelling, no fighting, just murmurs of conversation and Marissa's cackling laughter as she joked with various patrons. Arthur could sense the apprehension melt from Clark when they both realised that barely anyone had even cared to glance in their direction when they walked in, and those that did immediately returned their attention back to their respective conversations. Unfazed.

As they approached the bar, it soon became clear just why there were no signs of aggression to be seen at the Hearth. A hulking man bounded towards the pair to greet them. A man nearly twice Arthur's size and hands big enough to comfortably grab him by the head. Arthur realised he was staring just a moment too late.

"Don't s'pose you're wanting to order some poison son or are you not quite right in that head of yours?" The man's voice boomed.

"[i]If only you knew..."[/i] Arthur thought but bit his tongue. He could hear Clark let out the faintest chuckle.

"Actually we were told to ask for Marissa, I assume that's..?" He gestured at the cheerful woman at the other end of the bar.

"My wife, aye. First tankard of strawberry ale's free 'cause I can tell you boys have never been here before." The man motioned at his wife and stepped away to prepare two tankards while Marissa waddled over. Arthur and Clark both noticed just how similar she was to Orna both in stature and size.

Clark scrambled to prop himself up on the bar stool in order to see the woman behind the bar. "Lady Marissa, your friend Orna told us we could rent a room for the night here?" Clark barely finished his sentence before the howl of the woman's laughter filled the air.

"And you listened to that old [i]hag[/i]?" The amnesiac and the cricket exchanged glances, not fully sure how to respond. 

"Oh come on I'm just messing, you found the right place. Though you'll probably be needing a doctor more than a bed if any of you tried any of Orna's cursed vegetables..." The concern that rapidly formed on Clark's face faded just as quickly as it came once the room erupted in laughter once more.

"Morris will you hurry up with that wine?" The woman snarked. "That man knows how to work a forge but you put him behind a bar and he's like a lost child I swear." As the woman conversed with Clark, Arthur found himself admiring the place. It really did feel homely. Safe. Familiar almost. His memory was still an endless haze but he could feel his mind tugging at threads. It had been a long day and Arthur hoped that finally getting some actual sleep would alleviate his issue.

"...room with two beds, put up a coin and it's yours 'til morning." Arthur felt present again. He reached into his pocket and placed a shiny gold coin on the bar despite Clark's clear insistence on paying. "Next time." He nudged the cricket.

The duo thanked Marissa and after some scouting for an empty table they settled near the fire, tankards of warm strawberry wine in hand. The remainder of the night was uninterrupted, something both Clark and Arthur felt was almost impossible at this point. The day had dragged  on and this moment of respite made Arthur finally realise just how much had happened in one day. Between waking up with nothing but clothes and a key to his name on a beach and overpowering an amphibian foe far stronger than him, he wasn't sure whether to dread or anticipate the following day. A sentiment Clark shared.

The cricket knew he had to agree to the bodyguard work for his friend. Despite having no combat experience and minimal prior dealings with conspicuous casino proprietors, Clark felt compelled to help someone who a little over half a day ago had been a complete stranger to him.

Falling asleep at [i]The Homely Hearth[/i] was easy and with strawberry wine in their bellies and a week's worth of experiences condensed into a single  day behind them, Clark and Arthur found it easier than most.