A woman appeared at their table as they were finishing the first course, carrying a pitcher of ale for refills and wearing the simple dress that marked her as inn staff.
She was perhaps in her forties, attractive in an uncomplicated way with dark blonde hair pulled back and eyes that were warm and interested when they landed on Jake.
"More ale?" she asked, though her attention was entirely on Jake rather than including Maureen in the question. Though Maureen stared at her for a longer time, as she felt something, she couldn't quite tell what it was.
"Please," Jake said, and she poured with more care than the task required, leaning slightly closer than was strictly necessary, her smile widening when Jake met her eyes.
"You're not local," she observed, still focusing on Jake.
"Adventurers?"
"Something like that," Jake said. He couldn't help but notice her strange body language and her delicate hands. For someone who worked as a waitress, her hands were too delicate.
