[Jaskier laughs.] Oh, it has nothing to do with like. [He gives Mag a wink when she returns with his pint. The way she rolls her eyes in response shows he's done it about a hundred times before.] Well, perhaps a little. I do like to think she's biased towards our kind.

[It's only a guess. Someone arriving in Cadens, asking for news? From Mags, of all people? It's easy to guess. Once they make it from the barracks -- and he knows Sam and his ilk are gun-ho on bringing people out of the barracks -- they sort of flood in, all about the same time.

It is a horrible thing they've yet to be able to stop. The new company is always welcome, but -- it is simply more bodies, stolen from their homes.]

Mm. It wouldn't to me. But I believe it does to some. [Jaskier tilts his head, indicating the end of the bar.] That's the trick. There's a jar down there that used to house extra corks, but if you toss it in there before you leave, she's got no choice but to take it.