Delores scurried off and returned with a platter: two bowls of the steaming stew, thick slices of brown bread, a heel of butter, and our drinks. She sat it down on our table, then moved behind Sophia's chair, patiently waiting.
Sophia sniffed the stew. "It doesn't actually smell that bad. I guess I'm just so hungry."
"Yes, hunger has a way of spicing food, my Lady," I smiled.
"Are you ever going to stop with the sarcasm?" Sophia asked. "It is most unbecoming."
"I'm sorry to have offended you, my Lady."
Sophia shook her head and dug into her stew with a wooden spoon. After a moment, I joined her. It was delicious. I smeared butter on the bread and dipped into the savory stew. The warm food washed away some of the exhaustion of the road. I savored it, washing it down with the strong ale. It had a kick to it.
