After dropping Daisy off at the barn and giving her a double ration of hay, Silver ventured inside the inn itself to find the mayor.
Since Katherine was rarely home to have dinner, Conall often enjoyed his evening meals at the inn in order to be near her. Sure enough, as soon as Silver entered through the back of the inn, he could hear the rotund man's boisterous laughter mingled in with the crowd.
Before he could continue into the dining hall, a cry from the kitchen called out his name. Silver turned aside to see the rosey-cheeked Katherine wiping her hands on her apron as she ran towards him.
"Thank the Maker! We have been so worried when you did not return from seeing off Haven. I was ready to send my husband all the way to the capital to look for you!" Katherine placed her hands on her hips.
With Gilbert and Ethyn grown and now Rose gone again, Katherine had a void of mothering that she needed to fill. When Lily's children were not around, the full force of that care fell on Silver. He winced under his hood.
"Did Conall not tell you that I had business at the fort?" he asked sheepishly.
Katherine's eyes narrowed. "Indeed he did not."
The Guardian held up his hands quickly. "It is possible that I forgot to tell him," Silver could actually not recall telling his plans of going to the fort to anyone. He did not think that anyone would care, no less be worried. He now realized his error. "Please forgive me. I did not mean to distress you."
"I am just glad you had no trouble. Did Haven get off alright on her journey?"
"She did. I am sure she is well and tucked away at the palace even now," the Guardian nodded his head. Somehow he knew this was true.
"Bless you, Silver." Katherine popped into the kitchen and lobbed a sweet roll to him. "Welcome home. And don't let my gluttonous husband get that away from you. He is supposed to be watching what he eats…"
The Guardian nodded. "I'll do my best." Silver tossed the bread from one hand to the other and then picked off a piece to pop in his mouth. "As delightful as one who made it!"
Having awaited his judgment, Katherine beamed. "You are always welcome here, Silver." With a smile that made her eyes crinkle, she headed back into the kitchen.
The Guardian smiled in spite of himself, pinching off more bread for his eager stomach.
When Silver finally entered into the dining hall, he was greeted with cheers and applause. At first Silver was confused, until he realized most of the people had seen his demonstration earlier with Aiden.
Because it was rest-day, the inn was filled with townsfolk in addition to the travelers just passing through. Silver could not remember seeing it quite so bustling in a long time.
'But I usually avoid coming on days like today...'
Now he remembered why. Even without the spectacular display from earlier, people often felt compelled to say something to him when he was inside the walls of the tavern.
Although outside the inn the Guardian was someone to be respected and even avoided, in the friendliness of warm drink and a fire he was suddenly a close companion.
'So strange.' Silver did not even try to pretend to understand.
He made his way through the crowd. Many that he passed congratulated him on his victory, reenacted their favorite part of the battle, or toasted to his good health. A few even were so bold as to pat him on the arm or shoulder.
Although Silver minded the advances, the cloak around him did not seem to mind the gracious touches, for it did not punish them for their well-wishes.
"Over here!" Conall called. He was finishing up a conversation with a man from the table behind him when he beckoned the Guardian to him. He motioned to the chair across from him. "Come have the, uh, best seat in the house!"
"This isn't the best seat." Silver rolled his eyes beneath his hood. "But it is about the only seat left in the whole place."
Plopping down in the chair, the Guardian sighed.
"I know! Isn't it wonderful! We will be making, uh, a killing in profits. I might even give this place a new paint job."
"That is what you say every week. I will tell Katherine to hire someone for you if you like," Silver offered.
"No need to be rash, Silver! Let me revel in my success while we celebrate yours!" Conall motioned to Lily. She came over dutifully and gave them both a welcome smile. "Two of my best ales!" the mayor ordered.
Lily placed her hand on her hip like Silver had seen Sage do so many times before. "I can only serve you water mayor, and I think the Guardian would prefer some...tea?"
"With a bit of milk if you don't mind," Silver was grateful that the woman knew his preferences.
Lily marched off to complete the order before Conall could argue.
"Katherine has it in her head that I have put on too much weight," the rotund man mumbled. "I have never been more fit in my life!" He paused and added. "Well, uh,...I'm as fit as I have ever been at least..." The mayor spotted the sweet bread in Silver's hand. "You don't suppose you might..."
Before the mayor could finish his sentence, Silver popped the last of the bread into his mouth. The final morsel disappeared into the void of the cloak as the Guardian groaned with pleasure.
"I see how it is..." Conall pursed his lips.
"Don't think about the bread. I have come to talk to you about something that you love dearly."
"Stew?" Conall's mouth began to water.
"No. Money." Silver's eyes flashed.
The mayor sat up in his seat, suddenly intrigued. "I am listening."
"I want to buy Daisy." Silver got straight to the point. He saw no reason to try to beat around the bush.
But before the mayor could respond, Lily returned with the drinks. She handed water to the scowling Conall and a delicious smelling tea to the Guardian opposite him. "Will there be anything else?"
"I am fine, Lily. Thank you for the tea." Silver pressed more than enough coins into the woman's hand. He had hoped she would not argue about keeping the extra.
"Yes, I want a double portion of my inn's best stew and I, uh, want it now," Conall whined.
Taking a deep breath, Lily raised her voice. "You know I cannot do that! Are you trying to get me fired? If the boss said I cannot feed you, then I cannot do it."
Those around them chuckled and poked fun at the mayor, but Silver saw the deflection for what it was.
Without warning, Lily 'accidentally' dropped a plate and a bun just like the one Silver had been given slipped from Lily's apron into Conall's lap as she bent down to pick up the dropped platter. The mayor snapped up the sweet bread in his greedy hands and hid it from view.
"You're an angel," he whispered.
"And don't you forget it!" Lily stood back straight and both parties scowled once more.
"Have it your way!" Conall grumbled for the other patrons to hear. "I'll take my business elsewhere!"
The others laughed, knowing he had nowhere else to go. Lily shrugged. "Suit yourself."
As the woman walked away, Conall snuck a portion of the bread into his mouth with a conspiratorial smirk.
"Aristos is a lucky man," he said to the Guardian. "She's the second best woman in the town after my own Katherine."
"And yet you are willing to get her in trouble with your wife." Silver clicked his tongue.
"I'm not worried. If anyone can, uh, handle Katherine, it's Lily." Conall felt no remorse for his actions. "Now where were we?"
"I wanted to buy Daisy." Silver tried again.
Conall nodded slowly. "Of course! Well, this is awkward. She's not for sale…"