The Lost Child IC {M}

[BumblingBee]

The Winking Dragon was a tavern of dubious reputation, to say the least. It was frequented by bandits, thugs, thieves, rouges and various women of the night. The owner was a rough tough land lady with a no nonsense attitude. The whole place in a word was effectively, Brutal.

Not the place a Lady of high standards should be at all. Yet still this is whrere Iona had ended up yet again. She had been ever so rudely dumped there by a travelling merchant. The owner needing some help had 'kindly' hired her as a barmaid. Between the endless teasing and bum oinching she managed to make a decent enough amount of coin. Still she longed for her freedom once more though. The chance to lead a better life.

The most frustrating thing is she knew how to do all of this. Iona simply didn't have the experience, coin or ... how should I put this ... 'Brawn'. Many a time had she tried to hire someone to escort her but all either declined or ended up leaving her in the middle of nowhere.

Iona sighed and slumped down into the stool behind the bar. Her head was resting on her hand and a look of complete and utter bordom was plastered firmly on her face. Afternoons were always quiet, to begin with. Something usually hppened soon enough though.

[Crazywolf]

Kit's dark eyes scoured the streets of the town looking for the nearest tavern. He had been travelling since dawn and the dust from the road had left him with a dry throat and in desperate need of refreshment. It still felt strange being back in Avoria after all these years, not that the kingdom had really changed much. His eyes fell upon The Winking Dragon. From the outside it looked fairly rough and dubious but it would just have to do. Truth be told he seen and been in worse.

With the matter decided he marched up to the tavern door and pushed it open. The inside was just as rough as he had imagined it would be. At this time of day it seemed the tap room was fairly empty of customers. Behind the bar was a surprisingly well-dressed young barmaid. Casually he walked up to the bar. "Pint of your best ale miss" he said.

[BumblingBee]

Iona groaned in an over the top mannor, lugging herself away from her stool she grabbed a tankard clumsily and set to work at the taps. Madame Hoosh had odered her to try and make wealthy lookimg patrons feel welcome. So in the most dull boring tone she could muster Iona blanantly asked
"So what brings you to town stranger? Whores? Rest? ... both?"

[Crazywolf]

Kit could tell from her tone she didn't really care about the answers. "Just passing through miss" he replied. "Thought I might visit the local lord and offer my services, that is to say offer the services of my sword."

How did a well dressed girl like her end up working in a place like this he wondered.

[BumblingBee]

"Oh wow, how facinating, truly"
Iona slid his tankard of ale across the bar towards him before slumping down into her stool once more.

Suddenly the door to the inn burst open. Iona flinched at the sound, even working at the inn for a few days made her familiar with the distinct sounds of all the regular patrons. And this one she knew all to well. Ever so slightly, she ducked behind the counter a little.

A great brute of a man came lumbering into the inn. His breath reeked of ale and his stance was dizzy an wobbly. He staggered over to the bar almost careening over its side. A disgusting grin spread across his face when he saw Iona. She did not look happy.
"Hello darling"
"Piss off"
"Aw come on now"
He clucked her chin, his face inching dangerously close
"I know what ou really are, you're just proud is all"
His eyes wandered over her form lustily
"But that's okay, I like it in a woman"

Iona was disgusted, without a seconds hesitation she slapped him across the cheek harshly. Through suprise more than anything the brute fell backwards onto his back. A angry growl resinated from the floor. Iona stood up straight and peered over the counter. She quickly leapt back against the wall as the brute jumped forwards agressively moving towards Iona.

[Crazywolf]

Kit stared at the man in disgust. He felt fairly confident that he could take him in a fair fight. But then why fight fair when you didn't need to? As the man moved toward Iona he deftly swooped up a bar-stool and brought it crashing down on the back of the man's head. The brute dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Watching him fall Kit gave a little smirk of satisfaction.

He turned to Iona and gave her a polite smile. "I hope your okay miss" he said. "Maybe you should think about getting some added security for this place."

[BumblingBee]

Iona folded her arm and spat on the floor, a firm pout was planted on her face.
"I hate this place, I'd burn it all the hell if I could believe me"
Her eyes turned to face the stranger, an eyebrow raised ever so slightly
"You seem like you can handle yourself pretty well"
She smirked smugly and outstretched a hand to the stranger
"Are you for hire stranger?"

[Crazywolf]

Kit looked at Iona in surprise as she held out her hand. "Yes I am for hire, for the right price. But protecting taverns is not really my line of work. No offense intended."

[BumblingBee]

Something suddenly lit up in Iona's eyes. She smiled eagerly and leant forward on the bar.
"I'm not talking about this blasted place, I'm talking about me"
She folded her arms across her chest and looked at the stranger expectantly
"Would you ... 'Escort' me to the capital? Well ... Near the capital anyways"
She narrowed her eyes and crossed her fingers unseen behind her back
"I've got the coin"t

[Crazywolf]

Kit frowned and considered it. "Well it's a bit out of my way, but if you've got the coin then sure why not. Are you umm talking about going right now?"

He wondered why this tavern wench was so keen to reach the capital but figured one question at a time, besides it wasn't his place to pry into her private concerns.