Member
NightbringerAkilah Darwish
Minka had just returned to the bar from serving Akilah when a boisterous group of men erupted into the tavern. The mage and the innkeeper had a proper introduction this time around since the younger woman was unsure how long her stay would be at the tavern and figured she would enjoy being on friendlier terms with the keeper, especially if she found herself in and out of the port often. The men who came in were brawling types, ill-kept and inconsiderate of everyone around them… but easily offended. Taking a spoonful of soup, she gently blew on the hot liquid until it became a more tolerable temperature before placing the utensil in her mouth. The soup was really good.
The questionable men were all over the place. One barreled through a man getting ready to sit at the bar, another stole a mug out of another man’s hand as he went to take a drink, and a third slapped the rump of a poor waitress who had been cleaning a table nearby. The sound of the strike rang clear across the room and the poor girl practically ran to the kitchen behind the bar with tears glistening from her eyes. Akilah continued to eat but kept an eye on the men between mouthfuls. She was hoping that the men would seat themselves soon because the more they fooled around, the more likely they were to notice her and she was just too tired to want to deal with them.
As she started to take a bite of the meat pastie, the handsy hooligan took notice of her in the corner and backhanded the chests of some of his friends to bring their attention to her corner.
So much for that… she thought to herself as she picked up a napkin to clean grease from her lips. The liquified fat from beef had dripped onto the table as well and Akilah took the time to clean up her mess while the group stomped their way towards her. As they surrounded the table, the one who noticed her first took the seat to her left and the man who had shouldered his way past the bar rested his dirty brown boot on the booth seat to her right. That man leaned in close on his raised leg as he spoke, filling her nostrils with the smell of dirt, sweat, saltwater, and who knows what else.
“How’d you like some company, girl? A real man’d lighten your day up, I’m sure.”
Akilah sighed, she was exhausted from her long trip and unimpressed by the display. She really didn’t want to have to deal with these men. The one on her left patted his thigh, obviously inviting her to sit upon his trousers that were stained with gods knows what, and another of their troupe made a gesture towards her which told her exactly what was on his mind. They obviously misread her expression.
“Come on, darling. Don’t look so lon-“
“By Eruvar, I had no idea you had sat all the way over here.” A sixth body now joined her table. She recognized him as the man who had been shouldered at the bar. Now that he was closer, Akilah got a better look at his face as he taunted his way through the group of street thugs. He had a face of a heartbreaker and the charisma of a performer. It took little effort for him to spin a story to justify his intrusion.
“Thank you, gentlemen. All this ruckus helped me find her! You-“ Akilah actually smirked as the man wagged his finger at her and squeezed his way into the booth to sit to her right side. At the sound of his arrival, the original man that occupied the space had moved to face off the newcomer. “You scamper about taverns and expect me to look everywhere. Just because I arrived late, you’re already eating without me…” The gentleman’s face was a picture of perfect sorrow and she nearly laughed. With him this close she noticed the faint scar that started on the left side of his chin and followed a strong jawline.
“Ok, who the fuck are you, mate.” The elaborate gesturer spoke through gapped teeth, obviously unhappy with the turn of events, and reached towards an inner pocket of his leather vest for what was most likely a weapon.
“I’m her lover? Don’t tell me you are too?” Her savior laughed at his own joke and glanced her way as a gold coin materialized between his fingers. “Thanks so much for keeping her company, fellows. Here’s something for the trouble. She’s a handful, believe me.” Using his thumb, he flipped the coin into the group. Three of the men lost their focus on them as they scrambled after the coin and the remaining two proceeded to give the trickster a dirty look, debating whether or not she was worth the trouble. Eventually, they made their decision and turned away from her table, going with the rest of their friends towards a table on the opposite side of the room.
“I figured,” The gentleman next to her spoke softly, dropping the bravado now that the threat had moved on. “We could both benefit by having a non-violent meal together, rather than a violent one that would get everyone kicked out of the tavern. Do you agree?”
“I don’t think Minka would have kicked everyone out, but I would have definitely owed her more coin than what I’ll pay for in food and lodging to compensate for the damages.” As Akilah spoke she turned her body to face him, resting her elbow on the thick wooden table and using the palm of her hand to rest her left cheek on. “To whom am I indebted for this act of kindness?”
