The Ibex Allies finds the Ibex Tavern

When the group prepares to leave the inn the day after, Jak is nowhere to be found. After readying the horses, Adrian spots the gleeman lurking at a distance. He gestures for him to join them, but the bard ignores him. Puzzled by this reaction, Adrian asks the girls what's happened, but they all avoid the question. Finally, Irdien suggests that he simply ask Jak himself. Adrian walks over to the older man finding Jak in full sobs. Still, there is no explanation, but Adrian isn't in the mood to play games after a long night of strong alcohol consumption. He leads the group onward, occasionally keeping tabs on Jaks whereabouts following behind them on the trail.
On the afternoon of the 22:nd of October, they arrive at Bunakinb and discover its characteristic smell of goat. After some more racist guards, they are recommended the inn called Ibex Tavern. Again Adrian works his magic, a.k.a spends the gold, to get the best rooms the roadhouse offers. The innkeeper, a dwarf, named Mokreg Kegmaster, convinces Adrian to try some acid drake cheese. He gives it to Arcus, who doesn't seem to mind.
Jak still keeps his distance, sitting down at a private table, ordering a potent liquor, mumbling about how he hopes it will kill him, and starts playing some sad music. Again Adrian looks at the girls, questioning them if they know something until the process of elimination determines that Irdien was involved. Eventually, she reluctantly hints at what happened last night and says it's nobody's business but hers and that Adrian doesn't need to fix it. The Monster hunter respects her wishes but still thinks Jak's an idiot.
While eating, the innkeeper returns to talk. She asks if they have any interesting stories from the road. Adrian, who doesn't want to let anyone know of their traveling plans, future or past, spins a tale of a monster problem in a neighboring town. Kegmaster doesn't seem to buy it, but it's unclear if it's because of how Adrian described a village he'd never visited or the look of complete lack of recognition on Sirona's and Labrat's faces. They learn about a Monster hunting job that the city listed a year ago about a newly discovered mine shaft. More information is at the town hall that they can visit in the morning.
Morning comes, and the group, full to the breaking point of awkward silence, head over to the government building. The guards regard both L and Irdien with unease but let them pass. After some waiting, they are shown into the office of a dwarf called; Forgehead. He tells them that the mine was rediscovered after an avalanche last year and that nobody knows what's inside, but there have been kobolds seen living at its entrance. He wants the group to kill anything living inside, note down dangerous terrain and leave the mine unspoiled. Adrian negotiates the reward, landing on an agreement of 1000 gold plus 5% of whatever earnings the mine produces over two years starting today.
Leaving the office building, the group starts talking about preparations. The mine is a three hours walk from the town. Adrian asks L if she wants a jar of mischief. Jak throws himself at it, saying he'd like it, but when Adrian keeps it away from him, the bard instead clings around his legs. Finally, Irdien decides to intervene, sending Jak a mental message with an invitation to talk about what happened. Jak immediately lets go of Adrian, gets up and holds out his arm to lead Irdien off somewhere private for them to speak while the others keep going over the necessary arrangements.
Irdien points out to Jak that the proposal was a painful experience for her too and that it hurt them both. However, they must find a way to move forward and deal with it together. Jak accepts her wisdom but cheekily adds that the offer to marry him still stands should she ever change her mind.