<a class="postlink" href="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc465/saphiraah1/Decorated%20images/9182376-medieval-tavern.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>The tavern was only mildly crowded, its inhabitants all keeping to their own business for now. The bar maids milled about, replacing empty drinks with fresh ones, the smiles on their faces only showing their strain to those observant enough to see it. The smell of cooking food, of wood burning in the hearth, and of tobacco smoke mingled to give the tavern a heavy, warm, and pleasant air. Just when the night seemed perfect to the usual customers who sat enjoying their drinks and their conversations, a stranger came to town. In these dark times, with orcs milling about, and the dark works of the Twilight Cult causing such catastrophies, the site of a lone stranger arriving in town on his own boded ill.<br/><br/>The stranger entered the tavern bearing a large, well worn pack over his muscular shoulders, and a hood covering his face. He stood tall, confident, but his gaze was averted, avoiding eye-contact discreetly. There were few tables with any privacy left empty in the tavern, so he selected one and approached it. After thumping his pack into one of the chairs, he turned another chair so that he could sit with his back to the wall and keep his eye on the door without looking obvious about it. This done, he removed first his dust-coated gloves, then finally the hooded cloak. When removed, his cloak revealed a dusty, though pleasant face of strong build. His cheeks and jaw were firm, chiseled lines, his eyes a soft, deep brown, almost black, as if they were windows to his soul, hinting at bottomless depths.<br/><br/>His eyes combed around the room one last time, a hint of a pleasant smile softening his expression. The bar patrons all jumped and pretended to be engaged deeply in conversation, but it was obvious that he still held their attention. He was unphased by the scrutiny, having expected it. He settled into a chair and signaled to the bar maid.<br/><br/>When she arrived, he smiled up at her, a sparkle in his eyes, "Dear lady... could I perhaps trouble you for a mead? I am greatly parched after a long and difficult journey."<br/><br/>The woman smiled warmly, showing no sign of her hesitation around him. She was good at her job. She hurried off to fetch the drink and the stranger sat back, content to sit and watch the room for now, getting a feel for his soon-to-be audience. He knew that before long, he would have them all smiling and enjoying his performance. But for now, he needed to watch and learn what would please them.