5: Inn

Good evening! Welcome to 't Reinck young man! So, you want to stay here overnight? I'd say you can stay here a week... but I'm afraid that the regulars think differently. You should know that some people here in Zwolle aren't very fond of Kampenaren (people from Kampen)... If you want people to accept you here, you will have to prove yourself an upstanding fellow by doing some odd jobs! I'm not talking about buying some books for yourself in the market. In Zwolle, you need to be ready to fight if necessary! Show them that you are not afraid to stand up for the people around here, and they will come to appreciate you.

I have a very nice job for you: There are rumors that some thieves walk around through the huge tunnels under the city. They break into the cellars under the houses and then steal everything. Now personally, I don't believe a word of this. Sometimes I go to the inn's cellar to get some beer barrels, but I can't stand it there for even five minutes. Ha ha. There are some people here at the inn who claim to have seen a thief. Maybe you should ask around a bit at the inn. But take it from me, it's nothing.

Anyway, to show that you have the guts, it can't hurt to take a look under the city. I'll give you an old dagger to defend yourself, and then you can go investigate. You won't encounter much more than a few mice and beer kegs. But for the regulars who believe in thieves, this is your chance to prove you've got guts! Good luck. I will open the cellar door for you...

Hello, I am Enna. *hic!* I've heard that there are some thieves about the town. *Hic!* They are planning something big, I tell you! Last week I heard they'd raided a bakery through the basement. *Hic!* I have no fear though, as long as they don't come to the inn! *Hic!* Willem doesn't know anything. He's stuck behind the bar all day. I know better. *Hic!*

All those rumors about tunnels and corridors... they're not good. There is nothing below the ground. Yes, just rats and wine barrels. I'm Erik by the way. I used to be in the army, but that time is long gone... I didn't hear, did you come from Kampen? Strange people they are... Do they have a good school?...

Hello. My name is Udo. I can tell you all about the drinks and condiments we use. We make our wine from fruit and our beer from barley and honey! Of course, when there's clean drinking water we drink that. We don't really consider milk a drink. It's more of a food for porridge, or for making cheese and butter. Spices make a world of difference in the kitchens of the rich and noble throughout the country! These recipes have all the exotic luxury ingredients from west Africa, like tamarind, cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin. Unfortunately, I've never tasted them myself.

Hey, you're from Kampen? I'm not from Kampen myself, but you seem okay. Do you know where this 'hatred' actually comes from? As you may be aware, Kampen, Deventer, and Zwolle are doing well with the Hanseatic League lately. So there is considerable competition, but that's not really the reason. This fuss between Zwolle and Kampen actually comes from a certain event! Everyone here in Zwolle knows the story of the 'tradition'.

To tease them a bit, we call them "Kampersteuren" (Kamper Sturgeons) and you call us "Blauwvingers" (Blue Fingers). That nickname 'Blauwvingers' comes from not long ago. When our church bells were destroyed in a fire, we tried to sell them to Kampen! That worked, but they paid in a huge number of small coins! By counting the money, the board of Zwolle got blue fingers, and from then on they called us "Blauwvingers"! The blue fingers came not just from the hours spent counting, but also from the (copper) composition of the coins. If you'd like to help us with some chores, you may also get blue fingers. Ha ha.