The 'busiest' tavern means starting early

[Rebecca Stewart]

To Rebecca it felt as if the sun had barely risen and yet the tavern was already starting to bustle with people getting ready for the day. Her family of course had risen with the sun and were off doing their regular stuff. Rebecca donned a simple blue work dress over her chemise and tied her off white and well used apron over the skirt in an attempt to keep the dress clean- although the likelihood of it actually working was slim to none if people decided to spill on her or throw their ale or other some such thing. She pulled her hair back into a quick and simple braid to get it out of the way then came down the back stairs into the kitchen.

Rebecca barely had time to grab a small bite of fresh bread before she was being pushed out the door to the front of the tavern where of course her work was already waiting for her. As it was summer now and the fireplace did not need to be lit that was one less thing to tick off, but she still helped out by opening the windows and doors to air out the tavern and wiping down the tables.

With the hands around the tavern the work was quickly done and Rebecca sat down at the bar washing a few glasses wondering how long the peace would last before customers would start to arrive...

[Maelanthes 'Veredus' Tyrell]

Standing outside the establishment, a young woman was glancing up and down the street with a purpose unknown to any but her. Veredus had been one of the first travellers through the gates of Camelot as soon as they had open and her first objective had been to find somewhere she could get information. The best source, she knew from experience, was always the busiest tavern in the city - they always had someone who knew things about the city and its workings. Within a quarter of an hour of her arrival, Veredus had obtained the name of the tavern favoured by the locals - the White Ram - but it had taken her the rest of the hour to actually locate the establishment.

Cursing the locals - why were they so bloody unhelpful? - under her breath, Veredus finally entered the establishment after observing the level of traffic indicating that it indeed lived up to its reputation. Scanning the room with a quick glance, she saw an unoccupied seat at the bar and quickly took it before someone else did. She did another quick scan, marking escape routes and possible threats, before she turned to the lady working the bar. She didn't order immediately, listening to the other patrons chattering away as she tried to figure out what she could afford. She didn't have much money left and she didn't want to resort to using her other skills. She had come to Camelot to set herself straight and find respectable work after all. However, she had to order something so she could ask a local some questions.

Having decided on a plan, Veredus put on a slightly sad face and, when the barmaid paid her attention, said, "Good day miss, what's the cheapest food you have?" Her tone was hesitant, purposely filled with shame that sounded genuine enough to evoke pity from anyone, although Veredus had long since felt shame for anything she had done to survive.

[Branna Kerry]

Years of waking up before dawn to tend the coals and start the forge for her parents had instilled an almost unbreakable habit in Branna. Even now that she was settled in a city that didn't wake up until mid morning, she still found herself awake and alert despite her best intentions to sleep late. Unfortunately, her kitchen was still sadly empty and would remain so until she could make it to the next market day. So this morning found her acquiescing to the urges of her empty stomach, and seeking out the nearest tavern serving breakfast.

The streets were all but deserted, the only people she saw servants preparing for their master's awakening or farmers tending to their livestock. It was nice, finding the opportunity to see Camelot when it was quiet and empty, not bustling and crowded and noisy like it had been the past few days. The smell of fresh baked bread and some sort of savory stew wafted past her, catching her attention and holding it. From there, all she had to do was follow her nose to the building with the sign of the Ram outside.

Branna slipped into the tavern quietly, finding a seat at a table near the bar. There were a few other people in the tavern, including one sitting at the bar. As soon as the barmaid had a moment free, Branna lifted a hand and waved her down. "Just some ale, bread and butter, and maybe a bowl of porridge if you have it."

[Rebecca Stewart]

As was usual not long after the tavern was opened for the door things began to pick up. Rebecca did not have to wait long for guests to start coming in. The one thing she did appreciate about working during the day was that most people were decent drinkers during the days so she was fairly safe. She set down her cloth and between her and another young barmaid they began to see about getting customers settled with food and drink. A young woman sat down at one of the seats in front of the bar and Rebecca was about to ask her what she could her, when another woman slipped into the tavern and took a seat nearby the bar and gave her a quick wave. "Just some ale, bread and butter, and maybe a bowl of porridge if you have it."

"Be right out wit' tha' food for ye Miss. She wove her way between the tables and poked her head in the kitchen to place the order. Simple items like bread/butter and porridge were pretty much ready to go at a moment's notice however she was told to get the drink first and the food would be ready to come out in a moment. With a nod, she went back over to the bar she had first been standing at and got a mug out.The first woman was still sitting at the bar and Rebecca was about to ask if there was something she wished when the woman asked what their cheapest item- this was a common question as not many people had a lot of money so she didn't even have to think hard about the answer. "I believe tha' be a bowl o' stew and mug o' ale. Does tha' sound alright for ye?" While she waited for the woman's answer she poured the mug of ale required for the second woman.