While all eyes were on Amalasuntha, or so he thought, Harald pocketed the few pieces of gold that were on the table courtesy of the frog and the overgrown Celt who had knocked over his mead server. Having delivered the change, the frog hopped off the table, leaving only a small puddle.

Turning back to the man he now knew as Cuthbert, Harald looked at him and said, "Your Mother was a Vandal!" He paused and laughed, "As was mine....So Cuthbert is the Tavern always like this?"

And as Amalasuntha moaned, Harald wondered if there was more mead to be had, or if that would have to wait until she was recovered.