"I have a newfound respect for people who choose to live here, then," Dain replies. "It's freezing, every day, and still they find the wherewithal to reassure visitors that everyone gets used to it in the end. That's some strength."

Hopefully there's a fire going as well as cider. Dain isn't wedded to the scarf, but he's wedded to the concept of not being cold anymore.

He knows the tavern's location well by now, standing tall on the side of town closest to Sands Creek. It doesn't take long for them to approach it, and it's warm enough inside that one can feel the difference the moment they cross the threshold. Dain gives Lorne that opportunity first, standing back to hold the door open, wide enough to enter but not so wide that warm air escapes out into the wintery street.