Another village, another place where the outcast would feel less at home. Not that Baeleth felt for anything other than his fallen homeland. He merely decided to use this place as a resting point until the morning and continue his aimless wanderings from there. Hardly anyone in the inn had bothered the armored elf as he sat alone at the table. The scent of cinnamon that filled the air, the cozy warmth from the fireplace and the light conversation that differed from the normal hustle and bustle of the typical tavern would seem like a slice of heaven for most. But for him, it was merely an illusion like everything else in this world. To his eye, the smiles that were painted on the patrons’ faces hid despair that loomed over them. But for the moment, he was unconcerned with anything more than to be left to his own devices.

His cold blue eyes lingered onto his food- a beef stew with some slices of bread and a glass of milk, as he overheard a few conversations. Most were uninteresting but one did speak of how there were how the numbers of murder have increased over the last few months. Families were being slaughtered in their own homes and individuals that delve close to the woods around here simply disappear. While it was a frightening thing for some to fear, it didn’t bother Baeleth. It was a grim reality, but a reality nonetheless. In this world, how could they be surprised that this was a world where the wicked reigned and did as they wished? Were they also blinded of those with power governing over them as if they were sheep? Still, after all this time, the elf couldn’t fathom why no one else could see, no matter where he went.

Slowly he continued to feast on his dinner as the night passed on.

She had just wanted a little peace and quiet with her meal.  She had hoped that claiming a corner would send the message she wanted to be left alone.  It had worked, for a little while anyway.  There was idle chat for Daciana to listen to and ponder, and she heard of other families who had been attacked like hers.  It all sounded the same, burned homes, murdered family, maybe a survivor or two. Perhaps she would speak with some of those survivors, if she could find them.  Maybe they could hunt down the bandits, and make a difference.  She had little in the way of fighting skills yet, but she knew how to track, and how to keep out of the way if a fight came and there were others who could handle it.

Then as the men got drunker, they kept glancing Daciana's way, noting a young woman sitting alone.  Her mood started to shift.  She wondered if any of the men had families that lived out from the villages, that could become targets for those same bandits they were gossiping about.  Daciana thought for a bitter moment that perhaps the men leering at her might have deserved it.  But she quickly shoved that thought from her mind, remember her family.  They had done nothing to deserve what happened, and the families of the men here were likely the same. 

Finishing her stew, she stared at the fire and considered her options.  She didn't notice a man, older than her by several summers, approach her and speak.  It wasn't until he slammed a hand on her table and got in her face that she realized he had been speaking to her, and the words were not friendly.  "I said, what'cha doing here by yerself, lassie?  Need somewhere ta stay?  I gots a nice, warm bed we can share," he said with a leering grin.  Daciana only glared and shook her head, and started to get up.  He made the mistake of grabbing her wrist to stop her.  Whatever words died in his throat when she pulled her dagger and stabbed it through his hand that was still on the table.  "Learn a lesson now, and figure when a girl wants ta be left alone," she growled over his yelling before yanking her dagger out of the table and his hand.  He stared, then stumbled off.  Daciana glared around, then sat back down to finish her meal.  Hopefully the small pool of blood on the table sent a much clearer message.

Many weren’t considered to be worthy of his time, much less any of these people that were in the tavern with him. Sitting quietly, he continued to feed and let time pass slowly as the flames that provided light for them danced about, tugged and pulled occasionally by the air around. It was only after a few times of looking up to see his surroundings was he aware of the other men and what was on their drunken minds. A girl that didn’t even look like she had seen many summers was drawing their attention, and it sickened him. The corruption knew no bounds and the blood of innocents was its price.

Baeleth stuck to his own business up until he overheard the commotion that occurred. The man’s yellings, the girl’s warning before she settled back down and the glaring knife that had once taken residence in his hand. All that remained after that exchange was her and the bloody spot on the table. Baeleth approved of her and of her strength to fend for herself against someone much older, albeit also being a drunk buffoon. It was a lesson that was wise to learn early on so that she would be prepared for what this world had to offer. He went back to feeding, taking a couple of bites of bread he dipped into the stew when he spotted the brute speaking with some of his buddies while he was tending to his wound. Daggers were being stared at the girl and it was clear that they were plotting something.

Something that normally wouldn’t be his concerned. But seeing how she had proved to have more worth than anyone else here, he would lay in wait to see what move would be made.

He wouldn’t have to wait long.

A couple of his friends were making their way towards her, but that’s also when he got up from his seat and pointed his spear right at them. “Sit down and leave her alone. You lot have already been warned by her.” He cared little if he had to spill some blood on this floor, and it was clear that they got the message as they retreated to their friends, hopefully not plotting any further. The elf looked over to the girl for a moment before he returned to his seat and enjoyed the rest of his meal.

She was able to finish her meal in peace at least.  Her mind drifted, considering oaths made and what path her feet would take.  She had already decided to keep her promise to Sirona, to travel to the fortress and learn.  But there was doubt in her mind.  Would she find what she wanted?  There was a hole in her heart, and Daciana was unsure if it would ever be healed.  She glanced up as a stranger said a few words to the men who had propositioned her, and a small smile crossed her face.  At least someone understood the want to just be left alone.  She nodded in thanks, glancing over to the man now and again.  Elf, actually.  She had heard of them, but had never met one. 

The calm in the tavern lasted long enough for her to start feeling sleepy from a full stomach and the warmth of the tavern.  Daciana started to make her way to the keep to get a room when the fists started flying across the room.  She didn't notice, but the instigator was one of the men who had harassed her earlier.  And she also failed to noticed the man coming up behind her, his wounded hand bandaged.  Perhaps if she'd had any training, she would have felt the eyes on her back, but Daciana was only taking her first steps into the world, and still had a lot to learn. 

But that didn't mean she was completely defenseless.  Even as his hand clamped over her mouth and his other arm circled around her torso, Daciana didn't freeze.  She knew that much.  Planting her boots into the bar, she shoved off hard, making her and the stranger go tumbling into a table.  The one that just happened to belong to the elf.  She felt the man's grip on her loosen just enough for her to wriggle free, and Daciana scrambled to her feet.  The tavern was starting to dissolve into the chaos, though she did note the barkeep was calming watching everything.  Before the man could get to his feet, she kicked him as hard as she could between his legs.  That was something her brother had taught her, a first lesson in fighting and one she wouldn't forget.

It looked as though he had given them too much credit- they really were as stupid as they looked and behaved. When he noticed them retreating, he had hoped that he wouldn't have to waste any effort on these lowly creatures, but like ants, they were merely gathering their numbers. Such a pathetic display of power and control, at least that's what they believed their actions to be. Baeleth had finished in time for them to seek out their petty vengeance over the girl. She didn't look as though she had seen many summers, much less any real combative field. Still, she was smart enough to take advantage of her surroundings, albeit it had inadvertently involved him and his table.

The elf's eyes lingered on her as she delivered another attack to the brute. This was survival at work; simple as that. These men, these predators, sought to blanket the whole damn tavern into chaos, and it was more than enough for him to witness silently. Baeleth slowly rose again, this time with his trusted spear and thrust it into the closest man to him. Friend or foe, it didn't matter who this one was as he would be delivered to whatever wretched deity hosted death, but he wouldn't be the only one sent to them tonight. Ripping the weapon out from his corpse, he moved elegantly across the floor, in tune with a dance of death as he swung his spear with the grace of a dancer and a heart of stone. The brute’s forces would dwindle the longer that the elf performed, blood splattering walls, tables, the bar…Everything is drenched in crimson. At one point, he even took a man by his throat with one hand and slammed him through the table before bringing the blade down onto his chest. Bedlam took over from there, and only when it died down moments later once most of the living partons fled, the elf started to take his leave. It was apparent that he wouldn’t remain too long in this tavern before help came, and it would only serve as a hindrance to deal with them.

But first, he moved over to where the girl was, his spear held flimsy in hand. There was no gesture made to show that he would attack her- no grudge bore at someone that was still young in the world.

“I doubt you will have to worry about them anymore. Those lowly insects will scurry into the shadows again if they hadn’t meant death first.”