The Road to Repair

Light rain falls upon the town. Dim lights mark the buildings, as the town's movements slow late into the evening. Today is a day for a new beginning, a fresh start. Along the edge of town rests a dingy tavern, the Wayward Waif, nestled between the worn cobblestones. The old wood creaks beneath the rain, as it sways in the wind.

Soren looked around the Tavern, his hair stood on end as he felt a swath of eyes fall over him. The smell of stale ale and sweat hung in the air, with a concerning hint of iron mixed in. He felt like prey at a watering hole meant for predators, as hungry eyes stared him down, undressing him with their lustful gaze. He knew this tavern’s reputation for catering to adventurers, but he never expected how many of them would be women. He eyed the female warriors warily, they seemed to be comparing their muscles, accentuating them, as if to intimidate or entice. Soren could not help but feel a mixture of both. Light chatter filled the air as the patrons went about their business, engaging in competitions of strength and comparing their ability to imbibe .

His lithe elven frame stood out against the rest of the patrons at the tavern. Standing at only 5’2”, Soren was used to feeling short around his companions, however, with the sheer presence these adventurers held, he somehow felt even smaller. He made his way to an empty booth, and sat down, resting his weary soles after a long day's journey. He cursed the creaking floorboards, signaling his every step. Without companions, the number of contracts available was light, and their difficulty often exceeded a solo’s capacity. While he had come here hoping to find allies to work with, the brutish atmosphere made him feel weak, and he sunk further into his booth, unsure of what to do with himself. The wooden table felt rough to his smooth hands.

He sat restlessly for a few minutes, hands squirming uncomfortably between his legs, as he tried to make himself smaller, hoping not to draw any more attention to himself. His hopes were quickly dashed however by the sound of approaching boots, making their way across the stale wooden floor. Looking up, he caught the sight of a woman who made his heart pound swiftly, whether with fear or arousal he could not tell.