@Whim Ken had drifted from farm to farm in the hopes of work for a place to sleep. It didn't even have to be within their homes, a shed or stable with four walls to protect them from the elements. He had all the right experience, growing up on a farm, but most prematurely judged Ash, probably thinking that the massive dire wolf would kill their families and/or their livestock. Trying to explain that Ash only hunted wild animals where only meet with stubbornness. He would at least get directions to Hylop.
They walked straight for the tavern, their goal remaining the same, a place to sleep. Ash, like most animals had natural protection against the elements and could find a place away from civilization. Ken on the other hand, did not. Of course, a room wouldn't work for Ash, the tavern owner would likely not appreciate it being thrashed. But they had been through this before and knew of a way.
One step into the tavern, Ash outside and out of sight, he took one glance to take in the surrounding. His head turning, as if making a triangle between the dog, the children and the antlered head. Children liked animals, right? And staring at a dead unmoving one for who knows how long, must be tiresome, especially since there where better alternatives.
Ken walked straight up to the dog, ignoring the man and anything he might say. He sat down to make his already small stature smaller and therefore less aggressive, before reaching out his hand for the dog to sniff. Once accepted he stared into the eyes of the dog, it wasn't something he'd recommend as it triggers a fight or flight instincts. If the dog where prone to aggression it could have attacked him, instead it broke eye contact. It was safe to introduce the dog to the children, well, the man could very well command it to attack and the dog might still obey, but then any causality would be on the man.
Next he needed to find a place to sleep. Ken climbed up an empty chair by the bar "
You got any shed or stable I could sleep in?". As if reading the barmaid's thoughts he added "
Full price", he wasn't a cheapskate nor poor. Well, at the moment his coin purse was running low, he would need to remedy that.
He had heard the others conversation, admittedly it had been background noise while he was occupied elsewhere, but keywords like work, grunt work and farm had reached his ears. "
As you can see" he dangled his obviously light coin purse
"I wouldn't mind some work".