Bread and Water

Even with the eclectic and overpowering bouquet of The Strip, Epilo'josia could smell something good coming from the first building on the left down Water Street. The druid followed his nose to a neatly-kept place, single story, with a garden out back and the name 'Bread and Water' on a shingle hanging from a post.

The porch was solid and when he closed the door behind him the road sounds were remarkably muffled. A middle-aged woman with chestnut hair loosely gathered in a weak bun on her head emerged from a back room, a dish cloth in her hands.

"Well-met," she said, "but know that this here's an eatery, not a tavern. We've table wine and a good stout, but you eat an' you leave. No drunkenness allowed."

This brought a chuckle from Epilo, and he peeled back his hood. "That sounds perfect."

She noted his pointed ears but never flinched or changed her demeanor. "Sit wherever you can find a place. I'll be out in a minute." With that she disappeared back behind the wall where she had been before he entered.

Epilo turned to take in the eatery and decide on a table. It was an easy choice, as there were only two tables in use and a dozen more free. He sat next to a window, took off his cloak and stretched. The pipe and his oilskin pouch were on the table when the chestnut woman arrived with bread and water.

"Name's Telyn," she said. "If you want a pipe take it in the garden, through that door yonder. My husband's touchy sometimes. Smoke gives him coughing and a bad head."

"This water's cold!" Epilo remarked, sincerely amazed.

The woman smiled. "We got a tank in the ground an' the water's always cold there. Best bread and coldest water in Greyhawk. So, that's what we called it." She paused. "What're ya eatin', child of Elhonna?"

His holy symbol was out and she had seen it. "What did I smell when I was walking on the Strip earlier" he answered.

She chuckled. "Don't matter what I called it, you're gonna order it. I'll take care 'a ya. Did ya need road provisions? Fill a wineskin or anything for ya?"

It was, indeed, the best bread in Greyhawk and in ten minutes Telyn had placed a second loaf, a wrapped package of food, a steaming plate of stewed chicken with vegetables and a big goblet of wine on the druid's table.

"Wine's on the house," she said. "I've a soft spot for the woodsies."

Other than the personable service from the only working person he'd seen, the eatery was otherwise unremarkable to Epilo. Too few windows, poor air circulation, piney wood in the hearth. The table he sat at had a slight wobble. Some things around the eatery were in need of minor repairs.

As he made to leave after finishing his meal Epilo noticed the same two tables of men were still there. They had not stood or eaten or acknowledged Epilo's arrival in any way. Instead of making straight for the road he decided to visit the garden and enjoy a pipe. He took up the candle from his table and made for the door.

The garden was small, needed some paint on the fence and some help with the plants. While he was smoking Taryn appeared, to harvest a tomato and a carrot.

"Taryn, I noticed those men inside."

"That's none of your concern."

He hesitated. "Are they bothering you? Who are they?"

She stopped at the door and turned to face him, more than a little irritated. She spoke in hushed tones. "They have never bothered me, and as to who they are, men who could have you killed for asking such a fool question. You're new here, but in Greyhawk, you don't ask about other people. Mind your own business, an' hope men like them don't notice you at all." She shook the dirt from the carrot and rushed through to the inside.

These were some kind of underworld figures, the druid pieced together. Epilo was uncertain about going back through the eatery to leave by the front door; he vaulted the weak fence and made his way, with haste, back to The Strip.

River Quarter