The Dragon's Claw (splurge)

"I've heard of a place called The Squire's Hut. It's not that great, but we can eat a lot, and for not much money."

"Nothing doing, Marianne," Sagus said, crossing his arms. "We earned this money, and we're eating well today. I have heard that a place called The Dragon's Claw offers food fit for kings. It costs a lot, as food goes, but they say it's worth every bit."

"Who exactly say that?"

"They. Who wants to eat good for a change?"

The girls cheered and the travelers went to The Dragon's Claw. When they arrived, they couldn't believe their eyes. They were used to eating in taverns, populated by woodsmen, people one would assume were thieves and squalor. But this place was filled with sophisticated people sitting around marble tables in a clean dining room nicer than any house any of them had ever been in (except maybe Marianne). Their jaws were still dropped when the maitre'd came.

"Excuse me, but our restrooms are for paying customers only, emphasis on PAYING." If a maitre'd's air of elitism were a reliable indication of a restaurant's quality, the rumors about The Dragon's Claw were true. If anything, they would have been downplayed. "So, if you would be so kind as to leave."

"I think not, my good man. We'd like a table. Something by the window, preferably."

"I'm sure you would, sir. But unfortunately for you, we're not in the habit of giving tables to vagrants. Now, please leave."

Sagus pulled out a few hundred Zand and the attitude stopped instantly.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, sir and ladies! If only I had known that people of your status were coming today. Oh, I do hope you'll forgive my rudeness!"

"Sure," Sophie said, putting on a touch of snootiness herself. "This time. Now, how about that table?"

"Certainly! I'll bring you to our very finest table for four."

"Are other tables finer?" Sagus asked just to be a jerk, but the maitre'd stopped and turned.

"Why, yes! Our tables for two are even finer than our tables for four. And I just happen to have two such tables available. They are to very close to each other, but if that isn't a problem, I will bring you to them immediately."