The tavern had a fish painted on the wooden sign outside.
Ameth had not read the name.
She sat in the back corner with two walls behind her. The full room stayed in her view.
She always chose this seat.
The barkeep had walked over once. She ordered water.
He looked at her face and left to get it without speaking.
That was the right response.
Thirty minutes had passed.
The cloth pouch rested on the table in front of her.
She had counted the coins twice.
Once in the corridor after leaving the dungeon. Once on the palace steps. The count matched both times. Aurora paid exact amounts. Always.
She did not count them again.
The tavern filled with evening noise.
Two men stood at the bar. Their argument had started on a clear topic and drifted into loud insults. One slapped the wood.
The other leaned in and raised his voice higher. Near the window a group of merchants sat with a map spread open.
