<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/d/dc/Arouj.jpg)<br/><strong>Name:</strong> Arouj al-Qadir (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=141932.msg6401727#msg6401727)<br/><strong>Location:</strong> The Blue Iguana<br/><strong>Languages:</strong> English, Arabic<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong> Mary<br/></div><br/>Over the rim of the mug Arouj caught the look, the wide eyes, and the curiously appraising glances. He muttered a few curses into the foul depths of the cup. He had grown soft, sleeping in rich men's gardens! When he couldn't even eye a rabbit in a room full of wolves without attracting its attention...<br/><br/>While he berated himself the expectant man at the table received that which he had been expecting and began to guzzle the beer as if it were from god's own casks. Arouj tossed his empty mug away. That one looked prepared to drink all night, not talk business.<br/><br/>The crusty lot sharing a table with the boy were shouting in English and insulting a barmaid when he turned back towards that corner of the room. The little rabbit looked ashamed and smiled at the others and suddenly Arouj was riveted. Shame was a rare commodity in this town or indeed any of the ports or on any of the ships he could recall. Pretty boys like that never stayed innocent enough to be embarrassed for very long. Too many men stood ready to pound the shame out of them as quickly as they could spill their seed and leave the precious vessel broken, hardened into a calculating little whore. But not that one, not yet.<br/><br/>The boy was more valuable than the shiny longrifle he carried.<br/><br/>Possibilities clouded Arouj's mind as he cut across the crowded tavern at a leisurely pace towards the little rabbit at the table. He caught the boy's eye and smiled as he approached – white teeth flashing in the dim light, in a dark face.<br/><br/>“Hello,” he began in a deep tone, his English heavily accented, “May I speak with you, honored marksman?”