Cade looked about the tavern. It was a small, dark place, and sunlight drifted in from two small windows on opposite sides of the door. It was warm and muggy inside, though less hot then outside. The smell of tobacco wafted through the air, mostly covering up the smell of sweat and grime that the bar’s usual patrons produced. A few roguish characters sat in the corner playing cards, and a few sat at the bar. A pretty serving woman circled about handing people ales and simple food, like meats, cheeses, and bread. Cade’s stomach rumbled. He hadn’t eaten all day. He took a seat over in the corner opposite the ruffians playing cards. The woman looked over at him and smiled, her teeth shining in contrast to her olive skin and dark hair. She walked over to him.
“Greetings, traveler!” She said cheerfully, her marriage dagger gleaming for a brief moment in the sunlight coming from the windows. “Is there anything you need? Perhaps a cool ale to dispose of that awful swelter?” Cade blushed and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Yes ma’am, I would. And if it pleases you, I’d like to have some food as well.”
“Right away, sir.” She said, smiling again, and returned to the bar to fetch his items. “She’s young, and couldn’t be older then sixteen or seventeen,” Cade thought, as he watched her put his items on a plate and then a tray. A string of laughter erupted from the corner table as a hand was finished, and a man threw down his cards in disgust. He looked back to the barkeep, and circled his hand around in a gesture that indicated he wanted another round. The barkeep nodded.
“Shan’tei?” He asked.
The serving woman looked up.
The barkeep pointed over to the table, and Shan’tei nodded. She walked over to Cade, and placed his food and beer onto the table. Cade politely thanked her, and she then quickly made her way back to the bar to pour drinks for the rest of the ruffians. As soon as her back was turned, Cade greedily dug into the food placed before him. It was simple fare, but was filling, and tasted well. The ale was cool and refreshing, but was by no means a good stout. Shan’tei made her way toward the ruffians with the drinks on a tray. Cade watched from his table, a mouth full of food, chewing. She chatted cheerfully with the group of men, even though one of them kept trying to put his hand on her rear. She kept politely removing the hand, and eventually the man, growing impatient to her refusing his advances, grabbed her arm. She immediately tried to pull it free, but to no avail. The other men only sat there, laughing. Cade jumped up immediately.
“Umhamd thur, you filfy dogth!” Cade shouted.
The men looked over at Cade, puzzled looks about their faces.
Cade swallowed the food that was still in his mouth. “Unhand her, you filthy dogs!” He shouted again.
“Well, what do we have here? A foreigner, telling me how to live in MY TOWN?” The man said. He smiled and looked back at his friends. They began to laugh again. He looked back at Cade, a sinister sneer crossing his lips. “We can’t have that, can we boys?” They laughed again.
“I think you need to learn some respect for ladies, sir.” Cade started, as he drew out his short sword. “I challenge you to a duel.” The men at the table “oohed” and “awed” and, with that, the man’s face twisted into a vision of rage. He immediately drew his short sword and charged at Cade, letting out a bloodcurdling yell, and swung as hard as he could at Cade’s head. Cade confidently ducked under the blow, and swung behind him, clubbing the thug over the back of the head with his sword’s hilt. The thug stumbled forward, and the group of thugs laughed at him. He quickly turned around and stepped toward Cade, more careful, this time. He swung. Steel clashed against steel, and both came face to face. Cade could smell the man’s foul breath, and noticed a few teeth were missing. Cade threw the man backward, onto Cade’s table and plate of food. Cade turned around and looked at the group of thugs, who had now stood up and began making their way towards him.
“Are you gentlemen going to help pay for that meal he just cost me?” Cade said, pointing behind himself, toward his table.
The men just grinned, and advanced, drawing out their short swords and daggers.
“I suppose not!” Cade said, as he went to draw out his long sword.
Suddenly, Cade’s arms were grabbed from behind, and he felt the cold steel of a blade pushing against his neck. He dared not move, for chance of his throat being slashed. “It appears that someone else is going to be learning some respect, now, doesn’t it?” the leader whispered into Cade’s ear. “Drop the sword.” Cade’s sword fell and clanged to the ground. He winced; as the man’s foul breath fell upon his neck, reeking with a smell like that of spoiled meat. “Now it’s time to have a little f-” The twang of a string, followed by the hum of an arrow fell upon the air, quickly followed by a sickening thud. The leader stopped in mid-sentence, and Cade immediately felt the thug’s grasp loosen. He slumped to the floor, a pool of red trailing from underneath him. An arrow stuck out of his back. A man stood in the doorway of the tavern, bow in hand, another arrow already nocked. He was of average height, with a stocky build, and a complexion slightly lighter then that of the other Ebou Dari, with light brown hair. He was wearing loose, comfortably-fitting clothes, and an odd-looking short sword hung at his side, deep notches running down one side.
“I remember when Ebou Dari duels were a fair fight.” The man said.
The thugs just grumbled as they got up and left, leering at the figure on the ground. One even got on his knees and took the dead man’s rings and money pouch. Cade pulled his long sword and held the point at the thief’s neck. The thief dropped the money pouch and slinked out the door. Cade picked up the surprisingly heavy pouch and tossed it to the tavern owner. “Terribly sorry. I hope this is enough to make up for the trouble I’ve caused?” The tavern owner looked inside the bag and nearly fainted. “Oh, certainly, sir. Thank you!” Shan’tei ran over to Cade. “Thank you sir. It is nice to see there are still men with honor in the warrens of Ebou Dar.” She said, giving him a big hug. Cade was taken aback by her sudden behavior, but soon recovered and smiled warmly. He turned around. “To whom do I owe the honor, good sir?” Cade said to the man in the doorway. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Sim.” The man said quietly. “Sim Thornrend, at your service.”
“Come here, Sim, and sit with me at the bar. I am in need of friends here in Ebou Dar, and I think that these are the beginnings of one so great. My name is Cade Bankrhah, former Captain of the Guard of the House Rakar. Tell me- Are you in need of adventure?”
Cade Bankrah
Adventurer, Ex-Bodyguard
In a small tavern in the Rahad, Ebou Dar
