Evergreen, 7th of Budrise, year 179 BN

"I see you've hired extra help," Richard remarked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement as he settled onto a stool at the counter, the worn wood smooth under his hands. Roxanne, with a grace born of endless evenings behind the bar, finished her conversation with a burly man at the far end before turning her attention to Richard. It's been three days since his return to Evergreen, but the first time he came back to the tavern.

Entering the building he was greeted by an almost full house, with people being seated all over and chatting about. Most of them were drinking out of their wooden mugs, tossing back their ale. A few women moved about charming up drunken men and causing the mood to lighten. The scene was different from what he was used to. Before he left there were only a handful of people present, but it seems that Gregor was right and a lot had changed. The air was laced with snippets of conversation, laughter, and the occasional burst of song.

The sight of scrambled eggs intermingled with vibrant greens on the patrons' plates brought a smile to Richard's face. It was a dish he had introduced to Roxanne, and he wondered how much she made off of that alone.

Roxanne's response was punctuated by a radiant smile as she perched on her stool behind the counter. With a practiced motion, she brushed a loose strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear, her gaze meeting Richard's. "Yeah, the end of the tide brought a surge of merchants to Evergreen, each bearing goods. I wasn't sure when you'd return, and opportunity knocked," she explained, her voice trailing off as she reached for a wooden mug from beneath the counter.

She filled the mug with water, the clear liquid catching the light as she slid it across to Richard. "I couldn't just sit by and watch the chance to grow pass," she added, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a smile that spoke of both apology and friendship.

Richard waved it off as if it were nothing. He would have done the same in her shoes given the opportunity, and the appearance of merchants was not something he could control. At least he didn't travel all the way to Valewater for the goods she and all the other tavern owners needed. Then it'd feel like a wasted trip.

However, that wouldn't truly be the case considering he would still be able to sell the merchandise for a decent price here.

"Don't worry about it. Besides, I've brought back some goods myself. Might be something of interest to you," he tossed out the offer as he lifted the mug to his lips. At least Roxanne remembered he didn't drink.

"I'll take whatever you've brought back with you." Roxanne leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "To be honest, I have a feeling the influx of merchants we saw might have been a fleeting occurrence."

Richard met her gaze, a moment of silent understanding passing between them. "You think it's due to the marriage and the ongoing war?" he ventured, piecing together the snippets of news that had reached him upon his return.

Pulling back slightly, Roxanne nodded, a touch of concern flickering in her eyes. "Exactly. The union of Lord Sline and Lady Serena was all anyone could talk about. Merchants seized the opportunity to travel under the safety of his troops, avoiding the usual threats that lurk outside our borders. Now, with Lord Sline engaged in the war, I suspect they'll hesitate to venture far from Evergreen until peace is restored."

A light chuckle escaped Richard as he placed his mug back on the counter. "Seems my travels weren't in vain, then. I'll bring over my goods later today or tomorrow," he assured her.

Roxanne's brow arched in mild surprise. "You can't spare a moment now?"

Shaking his head, Richard's eyes briefly flicked towards the door, as if expecting someone. "Not exactly. I'm waiting on Gregor; he's introducing me to the local blacksmiths. We've got a meeting at the association later."

This piece of news seemed to catch Roxanne off guard, her eyebrows lifting in genuine surprise. Given Gregor's almost daily presence in the tavern, it was unusual that she hadn't heard about this meeting. "Really? That's interesting. Planning on joining the artisans' association?"

Richard took another sip of water, his gaze thoughtful. "In a way. I'm on the lookout for skilled individuals for a project. It's nothing too exciting—just business and finding the right investors. Speaking of which, I managed to bring back some olive oil. Thought I might try making some fried chicken with it. Interested?"

"Fried chicken?" Roxanne's interest was visibly piqued, her earlier concerns momentarily sidelined. "If it's anything like the last recipe you shared, count me in. But I don't have any olive oil."

Richard's laughter filled the space between them, easy and infectious. "Well, I'm not looking to sell the oil, but I've got spices that could add a new kick to your dishes. Maybe spice up the stew a bit and charge extra?"

Roxanne nodded, already envisioning the possibilities. "That sounds like a plan. But tell me, any noteworthy happenings during your travels? I half expected you to settle somewhere safer than Evergreen, considering."

"Safety?" Richard scoffed lightly, the idea seemingly absurd to him. "Disceroa is embroiled in its own conflicts. I wouldn't call it safe. Ran into some raiders on my way to Valewater. They wrecked my carriage, but thankfully, my verlpax stayed put. Could've been much worse."

Roxanne leaned in, curiosity lighting her features. "And Benjamin? Was he as helpful as you hoped?"

"He was...," Richard admitted, a note of respect threading his voice. "We avoided quite a few dangers, likely due to his guidance. He's a bit mysterious, and knows more than he lets on. I've learned not to pry, but I can't help but wonder about him."

"Mysterious, huh? Is that what you think?" Roxanne probed, as she was genuinely curious. Over the years, her relationship with Benjamin had evolved, granting her insights into his character that few others were privy to. His aura of mystery, she understood, could be quite pronounced to those on the outside looking in.

Richard, with a contemplative gesture, let his finger trace the rim of his mug. "Yes, that's the impression I got. From the way you introduced him, I pegged him as a straightforward monster hunter, but there's clearly more beneath the surface. I try not to meddle in others' affairs, but I'd like to know his deal."

"Only one way to find out. Ask him, but I think the same could be said about you," Roxanne countered, her gaze narrowing slightly in playful accusation.

Richard, caught off-guard, raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"You're mysterious in your own way." Roxanne began, her fingers enumerating his unconventional qualities. "For starters, your skill in blacksmithing is spoken of highly by Gregor, suggesting a mastery not usually seen in someone your age. You don't look old enough to be a master smith. Then there's the way you speak, the innovative spark in your discussions about future plans." She paused, raising another finger for emphasis. "That's not all, you're also able to cook. It's rare here to find a man who not only cooks but openly shares and revels in recipes and cooking techniques. These observations barely scratch the surface there is more to be said."

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Richard's laughter, light and unguarded, filled the air. If Roxanne only knew the truth of his age, the revelation would certainly upend her perceptions. He entertained the thought briefly, amused by the potential shock such a disclosure might elicit. Yet, acknowledging the era's views on age and sorcery, he decided against revealing too much. The last thing he wanted was to find himself at the center of witchcraft accusations or similar superstitions.

"How old do you reckon I am?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Roxanne, with a thoughtful tilt of her head, studied him closely. "I'd say somewhere between eighteen and twenty," she ventured

Richard had a gist of how he looked, but he never had a chance to look in a mirror. The most he had was the reflection from the water, or when he forged a blade. Neither of those was as good as looking into a mirror. Mentally he was much older than the age Roxanne tossed out, but physically he could fit.

He himself did not know how old he was, when he arrived in this world he was alone in Evergreen. No family to speak of, and no one seemed to know who he was. The question of who he was and if he had family did pop into his head, but so far he's just been taking things in stride. Why worry about something he had no control over?

"Let's settle on twenty, then," he proposed, choosing a convenient answer over a deep dive into his unknown origins.

Roxanne's expression narrowed slightly, she was disappointed in his reply. She had hoped to get an answer that would clarify some things for her, but she also didn't want to pry any further.

As Richard's gaze drifted over Roxanne's shoulder, catching a brief tableau of tavern life—a woman taking a seat on a man's lap—he redirected the conversation to less personal territories. "Ever considered hiring more help?" he inquired, nodding subtly towards the scene.

As Richard's gaze lingered on the woman who had captured his attention, Roxanne followed his line of sight, then shook her head in response to his inquiry. "No. Why do you ask?"

Richard offered a shrug, his voice carrying a hint of concern. "I've noticed many struggling to make ends meet, some even resorting to offering themselves, or worse, their children, for mere scraps. The aftermath of the monster tide has left many in dire straits."

"They'll manage to find a way. The monster tide is a recurring nightmare that takes its toll every year. While it's tragic, the people here are resilient. They find ways to bounce back." A smirk played on her lips as she probed, "Ever considered their offers?"

"No," Richard replied firmly. "I'm not keen on entanglements, particularly not with those who've had no choice but to offer themselves to the town at large." He paused, his expression sobering as he considered the risks that came with such liaisons, from diseases to emotional complications. As long as he could avoid catching one, then he wouldn't mind messing around with someone. It's just that so far there hasn't been anyone who he met that hasn't been with plenty of other men. Big Oar and the others didn't seem to have a problem enjoying themselves, but that was them.

Turning the conversation, Richard inquired about Roxanne's personal life. "What about you? Ever thought about remarrying?"

He knew that she lost her husband when he fought in a skirmish. His death was the reason she had the tavern in the first place. As they didn't have a child together she gained the right to inherit his establishment.

Roxanne's stance was clear and unwavering. "I value my independence too much. Marrying again could mean losing this tavern, my passion. It's difficult to find someone who'd support me in this endeavor."

Richard nodded in understanding, his eyes sweeping across the lively tavern. "It's not easy holding onto what you love, don't let anyone stop you from doing what you enjoy. Though," he ventured carefully, "there might be room for some changes around here, perhaps even in the menu."

Her reaction was immediate, a flash of irritation crossing Roxanne's features. She valued Richard's culinary ideas, but his critique touched a nerve.

Noticing her discomfort, Richard raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "I'm just suggesting there's potential for growth. What's your vision for this place?"

Her gaze softened a bit. Her initial goal was to keep the tavern up and running as it was her source of income. With that money, she could buy what she wanted, and enjoy the company of various people. She liked listening to them talk, as it was her main source of information about what was going on here in Evergreen.

She was content with that before, but after Richard introduced her to the scrambled eggs with vegetables, and began talking about different bread. Roxanne for a moment thought about ways she could expand her influence here in the city. How she could obtain more taverns and buy out her competition. Most of this was brought about by Richard's talk of his trade route and his ambition to do something new.

It was only a moment, but she felt like she could do something similar. However, the lack of goods in the city and a menu that was far superior to the other taverns made her task of expanding her influence and obtaining more taverns difficult if not impossible. It was a short-lived dream, but one she wouldn't forget.

"I don't know..." Roxanne's shoulder fell as she sighed. "I thought about having a unique menu that drew in people from all over the city, and buying other taverns. But, besides the scrambled eggs you've shown me, there's nothing unique about this place."

"So that's it? You're just giving up when you haven't even tried?" Richard asked.

Roxanne's eyes met Richard's, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. "It's not about giving up," she countered, her voice softer now, which she rarely used in front of others. "It's about being realistic. I'm running this place on my own, Richard. Supplies aren't endless, I have to make do with what I have. Dreaming is one thing, but the reality is often quite another."

"Consider my own journey," he encouraged, leaning in slightly. "I had grand plans for a trading network. Sure, those plans hit a snag, and I found myself back here. But am I resigned to defeat? Far from it. I'm pivoting, aiming for new objectives while keeping the ultimate goal in sight. Adaptation is key, Roxanne, and it's something you're more than capable of."

Seeing her now, Richard was reminded of something from his past. He calmed himself a bit as his expression softened. "Dreaming big is crucial, but dreams alone won't pave the path to success. You're not alone in this. Look for allies, find those who share your vision and drive. I'm networking with skilled craftsmen and seeking investors for my project. Why should you shoulder your ambitions alone?"

Pausing, Richard leaned back, his gaze thoughtful. "I'm no tavern keeper, but I know a thing or two about trade. I also know various meals that are simple to make that you could sell to bring in more customers to the tavern."

Roxanne seemed taken aback by his reply. " "Why are you so intent on helping me?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Truthfully, I'd usually keep to myself, avoiding too deep an involvement in others' business," Richard confessed. "But let's just say you remind me of someone I know. I was by myself for a long time and figured that would always be the case. I missed out on a lot as the years passed me by." Richard clenched his fist as he gazed at it. "No more. I want to seize life, experience new things, and make the most of every moment."

"And that's it? Nothing else?" Roxanne prodded

Richard's gaze was direct, his intentions clear. "My help isn't without expectations. Should I invest in you and this tavern, I'll be looking for a return—both financially and in influence over business decisions. I believe together, we can make this tavern not just a local favorite, but the heart of Evergreen. A place for exceptional food and relaxation."

Roxanne considered his offer, weighing her options. "And your time? Can you commit to this?"

"Teaching you a few recipes and sharing my business insights won't take much out of my schedule. The real question is how quickly you can learn and implement these ideas. So, what's your decision?"

"Alright, I can agree to those terms as long as you have the time. Should we write a contract?"

"Later, after I return. We can talk about my expectations and how much I'd like in return. For now, let's just enjoy this moment. Maybe even toast to our new partnership." Richard suggested as he raised his mug of water.

Roxanne giggled, and she didn't see Richard as a bad person. There was still a lot she had to learn about him, but from what he's shown so far he was interesting. If she met him years ago, long before she married, she wondered how her life would have turned out. Now she was a widow with nothing to offer him. She had no question about her looks, but the notion of him taking a hit to his own status wasn't something she wanted for him.

It was best to leave things as they were, and let what she was feeling at this moment pass.

"Bah! I can go for a drink." Gregor's voice echoed in Richard's ear as the dwarf took the seat next to him. Richard didn't even notice his approach as he was absorbed in his conversation with Roxanne.

Seeing Gregor and Richard interact with one another, she could only smile. What Richard would become, where he would go, Roxanne didn't know. But she knew that he would be beyond her reach given enough time. She shouldn't tie him down, but she couldn't help but feel something she figured she wouldn't feel for the longest time.