Ymiden 82, Arc 717
Arlo didn't eat indoors very often. Not at taverns, cafes, inns or restaurants. Most of his meals were prepared over a campfire just off the road or in the forest, made out of whatever he could carry with him without spoiling, and if he was lucky, whatever fresh additions he could gather, or bring in with traps, fishing or hunting. In general, the traveler and devotee of Cassion preferred it that way. There was nothing better than a meal cooked over the fire and enjoyed beneath the stars. But his options were limited to what he could carry and gather along the way, what would keep and what would spoil. And every once in a while, he enjoyed a meal prepared by someone else with a knack for it, seated at a proper table no less. It wasn't just the meals after all. It was what he might learn from it, and be able to tailor to his own needs along the way.
It was mid afternoon when he'd walked into town, leaving Peg behind to watch over things while he was gone. The last trial of Ymiden. The last afternoon before the last moon rise, the last onset of darkness that he'd see for the next forty trials. He'd asked around, and everyone he's spoken to had suggested Cally's. It was pricey, some of them told him. But well worth the visit anyway. Arlo could have opted for a less expensive option. But if he'd considered it, when a woman at the market mentioned the name of the woman who owned the eatery in question, he changed his mind. Was it such an unusual name? He doubted it, but nevertheless he'd heard it before, and in connection with Scalvoris no less. Curiosity was a powerful thing, so in spite of suspecting he'd be under-dressed for it, Arlo had headed that way.
It looked expensive, he thought when he walked in, and he was under-dressed. Recognizing that even still, there were manners that ought be expected, he pulled his hat from his head. A rarity, that, as he seldom did. The tablecloth was whiter and crisper than any article of clothing he owned, and Arlo picked up the menu to have a look. He'd hardly had time to pour over all of it when a waiter approached, a youngish man who appeared not terribly much older than himself.
Arlo had never heard of hafrein before, but after being told what it was, he thought that it might be something he could hunt while he was here. It would be useful to familiarize himself with how the meat tasted, in order to know whether or not it was worthwhile. "The onyx menu," he decided when finally placing his order. "Out with the new," he added with a grin and handed the menu back. It occurred to him that the cost was as much as he'd paid for his new crossbow and the bolts to go with it. But if the locals were right, then it was worth it. In the meantime, while he waited for his food, Arlo looked around curiously, wondering if the reported name of the proprietor was just a coincidence.
