The next morning

Hal wakes up early the next morning, the newly risen sun shining in his half-opened eyes. The window is ajar, and he feels the cool wind blowing on him. He sits up in bed, stretching. "I love real beds." He mutters with a smile, remembering all the nights spent sleeping under trees or in barns during his apprenticeship. He climbs out and picks up his shirt, pulling it on. He then grabs his belt, strapping it around his waist. Hal slips his axe into the leather holster he carries it in, always careful to remain armed even in a relatively safe location. He leaves his spear and longbow leaning against the wall, as well as his cloak, before walking out of his room, heading downstairs to take up Helena's offer of fresh cooked breakfast.

The main floor of the tavern is quiet, and compared to the night before, it feels silent. The only patrons are ones that rented rooms the night before, and a few people that drank too much to make it home, still snoring at their tables. Given how empty it is, Hal walks up to the bar, where Helena smiles at him.

"Good morning, how did you sleep?"

Hal grins, thinking about the night before. "I slept good. I haven't had the luxury of a real bed in a while, it was very comfortable."

She nods, smiling. "It's the featherbeds. Breakfast?"

"Please, I'm starving. And then I'd like to speak to you about that work you offered."

Helena walks through a door behind the bar, returning a few minutes later with a plate of brown bread, sausages, bacon, and three eggs. It smells amazing, and puts a smile on Hal's face. Once she puts it in front of him, he begins to eat ravenously, while Helena pours him a tankard of ale. "You'd be better off talking to my father about it, I'll fetch him"

He nods, finishing his food as he waits for her father, the Barkeep. It doesn't take long, and soon the short man walks in.

"Mornin'." He nods in greeting. "I'm Faldor." He reaches out his hand for Hal to shake, which the ranger does, firmly.

"Helena said you had work for me?"

"Aye, I could do with an extra guard when I bring the ale barrels from the brewery. I don't normally have problems, but sometimes bandits want a drink, and don't want to pay."

Hal nods "I'll do it. How much is the pay?"

"I'll give you three gold, and your room is free if you help out with other odd jobs. Money after we get back, though. Made that mistake before"

"Works for me. When do we set off?"

"Finish that tankard and we'll go. I've got a wagon 'round the back, we'll take that to the brewery." Faldor answers, before walking out of the door to get the wagon ready.

Hal turns back to Helena "How far is this brewery?"

"A few miles. It's normally safe, but father doesn't like me or my sister going with him, if there's nobody to help him guard he goes alone." She sighs. "I appreciate him trying to protect me, but I can handle myself."

"I'm sure you can, but it's a father job to protect his daughters. Besides, I'm sure it'll be boring." He drinks the last of the ale in his tankard, placing it back on the bar. "How much for the breakfast?"

"On the house, since you're helping out." She smiles.

"Thanks" He replies, always happy to get free food, even more so if it comes with free ale. "If your father comes back in, tell him I'll be out shortly, I'm going to grab my cloak and the rest of my gear."

He runs up the stairs, taking them two at a time, wanting to make a good impression on his new employer. Once back in his room, he pulls his cloak back on, slinging his spear and longbow on his back before heading downstairs and outside to Faldor. The wagon is pulled by two large draught horses, and has space enough for at least ten barrels of ****. Faldor is already sat in the box seat, and he leans over, offering Hal a hand to climb up. "Careful, lad, the second step up is broken"

"Thanks" Hal responds with a warm smile, taking a seat next to the barkeep. "Ready when you are."

"Aye, let's go. I want to be back before it gets busy, gives us time to unload the barrels too. Hope you're ready to do some liftin'." Faldor grins, tapping one of the horses' flank with his whip so they start moving.