A shout filled the air before he answered, signaling that, yes, the fight had continued, and apparently it had continued with more than just fists. He sighed, but gave her a slight smile as well. "You're right," he said. "And the ale here tastes slightly better than most."

Considering that most taverns' ale tasted no better than horse piss, though, that wasn't too hard to achieve.

"Are you traveling with anyone else? The roads are far more dangerous now, with some war having just finished and the winter coming on fast."