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"I think that's a great idea!" Merlyn says enthusiastically. You're a little skeptical, and Rial looks outright reluctant, but you all nod your consent.

"Oh, wonderful!" the manager says. "Come, come, straight back to my kitchen."

He leaves his counter and leads you all through the crowd to the back of the inn. You pause for a moment to stare longingly out at the hot plates of food being served, then follow your companions through the swinging kitchen doors.

"This is Morty, our kitchen chief," he introduces you. "Morty, these customers are yours for the night; they've offered to work to pay for a room. I trust they'll be valuable help. Good luck!" And he leaves the kitchen.

Morty, a burly man in a white apron spattered with green, brown, and red stains, sizes you up for a moment. Then he says, "Okay, you," he nods at Deke. "You look pretty strong. Can you balance?"

"Balance?" Deke looks puzzled.

"I want you to wait tables," he explains. "Carry a buncha full plates out, and a buncha empty ones back in here. Can you balance 'em, or are you a klutz?"

Deke draws himself up proudly. "I'm a member of a championship fumball team!" he says. "Well, almost a championship...but anyway, I can do it!"

"Great," says Morty, and he directs Deke off in one direction. To the rest of you he says, "And you can all help with the dish service. Wash, dry, and stack, please." He points to the sink full of dirty dishes.

Rial doesn't stop grumbling for the entire time you're working, and neither does your stomach, but you fall into a routine where the rest of you wash and dry dishes as quickly as possible, though Rial complains about having to dry with his hands instead of using a firespell. You almost don't notice the hours passing, until the stream of incoming dishes slows as the night at the tavern winds down. You're surprised when, though the dishes aren't completely finished, Morty walks over and tells you, "Good work, tonight, I'd say you've earned your room. There's some stew left in the pot, too; we've saved it for you. On the house."

"Thanks so much, sir!" you say, suddenly filled with a new energy. You find Deke, and are led to a table where the waitstaff serves you.

"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Merlyn asked Rial.

"Well...I guess not," Rial concedes, too occupied with his stew to argue.

After the meal the manager leads you to an empty room, which is cramped, but filled with enough beds for you all to have a soft place to sleep. And he hands you a small purse, and says, "Here's a gift for your night's work. You've earned it. Good night, now."

You all lie down for a very good night's sleep.

You gain 10 strength, 10 courage, and 10 luck points for the night's rest, and also 25 shrin. Add 1 day to your time to reach Kalokathir.
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