[Noinkling]

Benat smiled at the fair-haired cub who’d stood so boldly and offered the band a drink. ‘Let hers be the first round,’ he spoke in a rumbling whisper to the server who drew near. He fished in the pouch at his belt and brought out a number of thin silver coins. ‘Then let mine be the second,’ he said thumbing the coins into the server’s hand.

When the lass protested it was too much, Benat laughed and closed her hand over the coins with his large one. ‘Just keep the ale coming as long as the coin lasts. My dog and I are quite enjoying the music.’ As if on cue, Cullen yipped quietly, thumping his tail on the floor.