The man walked into the tavern, his large frame easily cutting through the growing evening crowd and made his way to the bar.
"Barkeep!" The man bellowed, his voice carrying over the buzz of the crowd.
The bartender, a female halfling, ran the length of the bar on a shelf designed so she could reach the patrons to serve them their drinks. "What have, you?" She asked.
"Ale and some information! He flashed a smile and laid a gold piece on the bar.
The halfling scooped the gold up, bit it, examined it, and slid it into a belt pouch, without missing a beat. "This will buy you plenty of the former, and, depending on what your asking, some of the latter." She smiled at the man as she sat a mug of foamy ale before him.
"I'm looking to join up with a band of mighty adventurers! At this, an old man, deep in his cups, looked over and chuckled.
The bartender looked over to the old drunk and smiled before looking back to the young man. "There's plenty to be found. But it's still early. Go grab a table and I'll send Lilly out with a plate. You eat up and if anyone comes in that I think my have an interest in a stout man like yourself, I'll send them over." The halfling smiled again and motioned towards an empty booth towards the back of the tavern, facing the door.
Carrying his ale, the man walked back to the booth and scowled. I'd be cut to ribbons before I could even stand. He thought. Instead of sitting, he turned to a nearby table and slid his pack off and sat it on the floor beneath the table. Unstrapping, his sword belt he laid his longsword and scabbard across the table. Though young, his armor and the shield strapped to his pack looked as if they had seen their fare bit of use.
After a little time had passed, Lilly, the serving girl walked up to the young warrior and sat a plate of steaming meat and vegtables on the table. As she approached, the man stood quickly and gave a small bow. "My thanks, fair maiden! He boomed as he handed her five silvers as a tip. Seeing the money flash in her hands, she smiled, thanked him, and promised to bring him more ale. She even gave him a small curtsy before walking away. Patrons close by, watching the exchange laughed at the formality of the young man.
Eating slowly, the man's eyes scanned the crowd and watched as patron after patron made their way into the bar. Tonight maybe? He hoped. And waited.