You decide to grab a drink as well and sit next to a couple of farmers who are enjoying a beer. They tell you that the mayor has raised taxes so high, they can't afford to hire anyone to guard the farms. In fact, they've had to fire several farmhands recently. Any farmer who refuses to pay the high taxes has their land confiscated. The farmers that do manage to pay are often attacked by roaming bandits, making it even harder to pay the mayor's tithes. At the same time, they're being pressured to sell their lands at a very low price to Sir Hagel, a corrupt lord who happens to be good friends with the mayor.
You listen to their gripes, wondering why the mayor isn't doing anything about the recent bandit attacks. Sir Robert calls you over and tells you that you need to get back on the road. You chug the rest of your drink and say goodbye to the farmers.