"Ah, Magistrate Emery Ward." Dain's heard quite a few things by this point, and all of them good. In fact, not many people have had a bad word to say about anyone living here. Quite different from Fairport, and very refreshing.

It also serves as a good reminder that many of the people Dain speaks to in this village will be related to each other in some form or other.

He makes a mental note about the messenger birds, takes his wet scarf back, and glances longingly towards the tavern. It's not quite time for a break yet, but it is rude to ignore an invitation, and he wasn't counting on getting soaked with snow when he planned his day. "Yes," he answers slowly, "I think I will. They say you'll grow accustomed to the cold in a matter of days, but I'm beginning to think I'm the exception to that rule."

And then, both an offer to pay and a brief clarification in case Dain misunderstood: "Would you like some as well?"