"I don't wish to sound less than trusting, sirs, but I would care to see my payment first." Empal stated while he looked at them with wariness. A huge monastic guard came to Empal's kiosk and glared at the two men, and Empal. He saw the strange crow, now back on Boyce's shoulder and squawking at him. In a booming, but tinny sounding voice, the guard spoke to the strangers and Empal. "Do these men give you trouble, Virunese?" he asked Empal. "No!" he answered. "I just wanted payment for my goods before I give it to them!" The guard looked to Lloyd, who took another bite from the apple that he had in his hand. "Pay the man, vagabonds!" ordered the guard as he put his right hand on the case of his electrophore. He watched the younger of the two men throw a gold bit to Empal and Empal put on a half-happy, half-surprised expression, while he filled a small basket for them. The guard turned to Empal after he saw the gold coin thrown to him. "It would be wise not to judge strangers on their appearance, vendor. You never know what wealth you may accumulate from them!" The guard started to walk away and Boyce laughed a little to Lloyd and Empal, then the guard turned around once more and showed Empal a small triangular device, slowly rubbing his finger over it. "Don't forget to pay the tax cleric when he comes around." The guard continued to walk away from the stall and Empal filled the basket with the rest of the fruit that the two men ordered. Boyce cautiously winked at Empal and spoke to him in a taunting voice. "Old man ..." he said. "Where can my friend and I get lodging and a bath?" Empal stopped for a moment and looked around, then he pointed across the square to a small side-street. "Down that way is a tavern called The Lion's Skull Inn. The owner should be able to put you up there for a few days. Just tell them that Empal sent you." "We are greatly obliged ... Empal!" exclaimed Boyce and he took the basket of fruit and they made their way around the square to the small street where the tavern was located. Boyce had thought it to be an odd sight, seeing some of the old familiar people, who were now older, still working their same kiosks, and some of the stage shows that he remembered were still exhibited for the people, but now just a little different and less spectacular. Of course, he thought that they lacked spectacle value since he was now older. He turned around for a moment and looked towards Empal, standing with a tall Cardinal beside him. The Cardinal was collecting the church's share of the tax. They made their way slowly to the tavern and when they got to it, they walked in and headed for the flat-table and he ordered a mug of cider. When the tender brought to him the cider, Lloyd stopped him and asked him for lodging. "Tender! We are strangers in this city and we would care to stay here in the inn. Empal, the vendor, said that you may be able to have us?"