Azaya walked into the shabby looking inn. This place is going to need a lot of work to get started, she thought. After a moment, she mumbled a few strange words & waved her hand. Suddenly, the inn took on a different look. Everything appeared shiny and new. She smiled to herself & walked over to a window, placing an OPEN sign upon it.
"Now all I need is a bartender, a few serving maids, and some customers," she said out loud to her herself. Azaya went behind the bar to wait.
A figure rushed into the bar and quickly took a seat at an empty table. She slowly lowered the hood of her cape and looked around. Seeing that the place was empty except for a woman behind the bar seemed to ease her tension.
After taking a moment to catch her breath, she approached the woman at the bar. "I'll have a wine iffen it don't cost too much that is."
Azaya looked the woman up and down. She noted the red hair & green eyes as well as the tattered clothing. "The wine will cost you nothing if you care to work for it. I just opened this place & am in need of workers. Are you interested?"
"Sure," the woman replied. "The name's, Kartha. Ain't never worked in a bar before, but I frequent them lots. Do I get free room and board too? I don't got no place to stay at present."
Azaya nodded. "Free room and board it is, and here's your wine. After you finish that you can begin waiting on tables when the customers arrive. And don't be frightened by them for I expect to see all manner of beings...elves, dwarves, fighters, and gods knows what else. I wouldn't even be surprised to find a few thieves coming in here for shelter."
Kartha raised an eyebrow at that & wondered if the woman somehow knew that she was a thief. Naw, impossible, she thought. "All right, I'll finish my drink then get ready to deal with the customers when they come in." The redhead sipped her wine, watching the front door & wondering who else would enter this place.
While Kartha sipped her wine, Azaya strolled around the inn lighting candles and incense to make the place feel cozier. Then she went behind the bar once again & waved her hand, making an odd gesture. Numerous bottles of ale, wine, and other potent liquors appeared on the shelves behind her.
Kartha nearly gagged on her drink when she saw what took place. "Is you a mage, bosslady?"
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Azaya asked with a smile.
Azaya starts to nod off when the doors swings open. In walks a short man dressed in what looked like robes. Next to him was what appeared to be a dog. As he got closer to the bar she could see him clearer. He was bald and oriental. His skin was a pale yellow color. The dog next to him wasn't a dog at all it was a wolf. He looked at Azaya and in a low voice said, "My name is Chang Po, I am looking for some part time work. So that I can afford to continue my journey. Are you looking for anyone?"
Azaya glanced at the strange oriental & his wolf. "That creature doesn't bite does it?" The man remained quiet so Azaya continued to speak. "Well, if you're looking for work, I do need a bartender. I already have a barmaid." She called Kartha over & introduced her to Chang Po. "This may be our new bartender."
Kartah raised her brows. "This puny, little, yellow guy? Does he even know anything about the drinks we serve round here? And what's up with that dog?"
"Kartha, my dear, that is a WOLF!" Azaya corrected her. "And I'm sure the man knows something about drinks, don't you sir?" She awaited his reply.
Chang Po looked at Azaya and with a modest look said, "Back in the temple where I am from I made many types of wine and beverages. We would sell them to the local merchants in town so that the temple would have money for food and clothing. By the way this is Tai Lu." It means, "like the wind." As the oriental was speaking, someone else entered the inn.
A weary traveler, who having journeyed for many days, sought refuse wherever he might find it. After crossing a hill, he chanced upon a structure in the middle of a green vale. "Ah," he said. "Hopefully a place where one can rest, indulge in some food and possibly some women."
He smiled at the last notion. He was a fancier of women, never refusing one that came along and hoped that the inn provided such entertainment. If in fact, it was an inn. It looked like an inn he thought.
The two swords he carried were definitely not for looks; both of them tasting blood many time over and both ending the lives of anything that was evil. But where the swords conquered evil, he sought fun and right now, a good rest was what he really needed.
He approached the structure, dismounted from his horse and let it graze a bit. Upon opening the door to the building, he paused to let his eyes adjust. Once adjusted, a smile came across his weary face. For there behind the bar stood a gorgeous looking woman with wonderful deep green eyes. Arcanum loved women. He thought to himself, "I think I'm gonna like it here!"
Kartha looked up as the hooded stranger asked Chang Po for some blood wine. Before she had a chance to comment on his wine preferences, the door opened again. Kartha's mouth dropped open as she watched a tall, handsome stranger take a seat at the bar. Quickly, she nudged Chang. "That one's mine! You handle the creep...I mean the guy with the hood!"
Before the oriental could say anything, Kartha hurried over to the handsome stranger. "Hello there. My name be Kartha. Can I get you a drink?"
"Hi there," the man replied with a smile. "I'm Arcanum & I'm a bit thirsty. I'll have a wine. And, I'll buy you one also since I was hoping you would join me at a table & we could get to know one another better."
"Ahh...well...sure," Kartha stuttered, while thinking about how gorgeous this guy looked. She pointed to a table. "Why don't you sit there? I'll join you in a minute."
Arcanum smiled again as he rose from his barstool then reached out to take Kartha's hand. After kissing it softly, he spoke. "I'll be waiting for you. Don't be too long." The blonde haired warrior bowed & made his way to the appointed table.
Kartha realized she'd been holding her breath & now let it out. "What a hunk," she muttered. Quickly, she made her way to Chang Po. "Get me a bottle of the best red wine we got & two clean glasses and make it snappy, bartender!"