"The loss you say." Baker's emerald eyes scanned the entire room before shifting to the fireplace with an expression that neither showed empathy nor conclusive thought. "Whatever or whoever it was, I hope it would mean much for the betterment of this nation. I shall not pry further." 

Shooking himself awake, the innkeeper picked the conversation back again to the topic at hand. 

"Yes, and that's such a shame that your stop will be brief in my establishment. But I believe it's for the best for everyone involved, especially the VIP you are escorting." 

Baker shifted his glance at the front door. Cedar could be seen heading this way, and the bear looked much cleaner now. 

'Master Cedar. Glad you decided to join us. Have a seat, the single bench over there is quite sturdy. I made it myself with the thickest cut I could find." After pointing at a single-seater bench made mostly of several halved logs, he continued. 

"So, you are just one step closer to finishing this... quest. A Sovereign's Will, I call it. Do you have any plans after that? Mind sharing it with me?" 

For the uninitiated, the question sounded like any other harmless question asked by the innkeeper to initiate a friendly banter, but somehow it felt as if there was more behind it. And the more you let Baker speak the more you felt a hidden, ominous echo in his voice. Could it be because of his elven heritage? Jazdia didn't sound like that at all.