In the darkened corner nearest to the door, a large form sat. Natural shadow at first obscured all features, save a pair of red eyes that were glowing almost like lit coals.
And then he stood, and suddenly the attention was off the woman whom had just seated herself at the bar. The man was a giant - near seven feet tall, and very broad at the shoulder, garbed in strange black armor that would remind one of overlapping scales. Left behind him was massive sword - hidden almost in the dark, and far too heavy for any but him to carry, anyway.
The tavern grew silent as all eyes turned to the massive man, drawn to that crimson, glowing gaze, pale face, and grim visage. He drew nearer the woman, and slammed down two gold pieces, of a stamp none there would likely recognize.
With a gruff voice, he yelled toward the barkeep.
"Four ounces of solid gold. For the ladies meal, and all the swill you've been serving me all night."
The room was silent for a moment more as the barkeep turned around to look at the huge one addressing him. Just as the man opened his mouth, the larger one interrupted.
"Make it quick. And bring me something stronger than this donkey piss you've been filling your glasses with."
He took the seat next to the woman, and gave her a sidelong glance. Very pretty, but also very human. She smelled of the dust of the road, he noted, and wondered just how far she'd travelled.
"....you're right, you know. This crap isn't worth the time he takes to slop it onto a plate. But it's the only place that'll let me in." He gave a wry grin, and his eyes flared a bright red.
"....so. What desperation made you walk into this hole in the wall?"
