[ The pause is good for Roland. Thinking about Susan and her choice makes him want to set off back to Throne to get her-- but he knows it'd do no good.

He's in the middle of blowing another thin stream of smoke when Estinien sets his coins on the table. Roland's eyebrows raise a fraction, then he reaches over to slide out the going rate for a drink. ]

This much'll wet your throat, say true. I hear there's stronger liquors under the counter, and they'll cost more.

[ And lifting his hand (the missing index and middle fingers obvious as he waves it) and calls out to the flax-haired young woman serving drinks tonight ]

Bryn, come on by and tell my friend what you've got that'll satisfy his thirst.