Samuel and Helydia set off for Altium, the neighboring village. Helydia, still wrapped in the skin of the infernal bear, walked slightly ahead, her steps graceful and silent. By her side, Samuel walked at a measured pace, focused on the words that Helydia was teaching him in the local language.

"Repeat after me," she said, casting a sidelong glance at Samuel, her lips forming a mischievous smile. "'Calia' means welcome."

Samuel squinted, trying to correctly reproduce the word. "Calia," he repeated in a deep voice, his accent still a bit rough.

Helydia shakes her head, amused. "It's almost there, but you need to soften the ending." "Try again."

They continued on, walking through the woods while exchanging words and phrases, the gentle clinking of Samuel's gear blending with the sweet song of the morning birds.

"So, it's just over there?" Samuel asked in the local language with a strange accent.

Helydia replied patiently, her tone revealing a hint of amusement. "Yes, just at the end of this path."

Finally, they arrived at the village gate. Samuel, the nostalgia for the taste of beer rekindled by his recent stay in the cave, exclaimed: "Ah, it's been a long time since I've had a beer." "Helydia, lead us to the tavern."

Helydia acquiesced and guided them through the cobbled streets of the village to "The Traveler's Dream," a tavern whose name, written in a language foreign to Samuel, was painted in red on a wooden sign.

Inside, the main hall was lively with laughter and conversations. Samuel, although curious, did not understand much of these strange conversations. He observed the place with a mix of curiosity and detachment. Helydia walked towards the counter where the tavern keeper stood, a tall man with a thick beard and sparse hair, wearing a worn apron.

Samuel, in his impatience, spoke directly to the innkeeper using the few words he had learned. "Calia," he said. Helydia, embarrassed by the situation, thought telepathically, "Why are you saying welcome to him?" "It's his tavern."

The innkeeper, a bit perplexed but used to foreign customers, nodded with a smile. Helydia, a little embarrassed, added: "A beer for my friend here."

Samuel, receiving his mug with gratitude, raised the glass in the air and shouted in his native language: "Ahhh, that feels good!" "After all this time, it's nice to rediscover this taste!"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The tavern's patrons turned to him, intrigued by the strange language. The whispers and curious glances were felt, making Helydia even more uncomfortable. She hoped that this first impression would not cause any complications.

Samuel, unaware of the gazes around him, savored each sip of his beer with a satisfied smile. Helydia, although embarrassed by the situation, gradually relaxed as she noticed that everything seemed to be under control.

When Samuel finished his beer, the bartender approached him with a stern look. "Now, the payment, please."

Samuel, not having understood the request due to the foreign language, simply responded with a shrug, confused. Helydia, seeing the situation escalate, quickly approached.

Helydia, aware of the delicate situation, intervened quickly. "Wait a moment," she said, heading towards the innkeeper. She grasped the bear skin that she had kept wrapped around her and unfolded it to show it clearly to the innkeeper. "Here is the skin of the infernal bear that we have defeated." It's a valuable reward. "We intend to pay you a little later, but in the meantime, let us go get the money to settle this beer."

The innkeeper, initially skeptical, cast a wary glance at the bear skin, clearly unconvinced by the argument. He shook his head casually, murmuring a few words in his language to his clients. The distrust was evident on his face; he looked as though he thought he might be the victim of a trick.

"You can go get the money, but I need to keep a guarantor here to make sure you come back," he finally said. He pointed to Samuel with a gesture of his hand.

Samuel, always at odds with the tavern keeper's demanding nature, expressed his discontent by muttering in his native tongue, but he did not fully understand the exchanges.

Helydia, although a bit embarrassed by the situation, silently nodded her head. She knew that the innkeeper didn't really have a choice and that the bear's skin was worth much more than what Samuel was willing to pay for the beer. She cast one last reassuring glance at Samuel and telepathically explained the situation to him before turning towards the door.

"I will come back with the money," she stated, before leaving the tavern to head towards the adventurers' guild.

Samuel, left alone inside, locked himself in a quiet silence, silently trying to reach the few remaining drops at the bottom of his cup, indifferent to the gazes of the other customers.