Desilim

Chapter one

It had been many years since Rune entered the Lusty Wench on that stormy Winter's evening and it hadn't been too long after that he took up permanent residence there and decided to acquire the establishment as his own, giving him something to focus on and a means to make money from the citizens and travellers that pass through here.

Sitting in his usual spot, in a darkened corner away from everyone, he sits and watches all of his regulars who he has come to know on a more personal level.

As usual, the normal regulars sat at the bar and the tables drinking their mead and ale. He mumbles to himself “don't these men have anything better to do than to spend their coin in here day in day out? I'm sure some of them have wives to go home to. Hmmm, maybe that's why they stay here as long as they do” he scoffs at himself for this idea but continues to accept their coin for their pleasure.

In the corner of the room, in a dimly lit area sits Lukas, a dumb human who never utters a single word. Covered in strange green markings, wearing nothing but a pair of brown, knee-length cut off’s, sat in his own little world looking around in hope that he might find what he's been looking for, ever since he emerged from the grand apple tree that now stands a few feet away from the tavern.

Shortly after Rune took over ownership, Lukas made the tavern as his home speaking to no one but Llyla through telepathy after she had cast some magic allowing her to hear his thoughts. Not that Rune was complaining, he sold the apples, had Llyla make apple pies which he also sold to hungry towns folk and didn't have to listen to the mutterings of another being which suited him just fine; the less people spoke the more he enjoyed himself.

Then there is Ghall, an overly large orc crossbreed, grunting to himself about not having any ‘clean’ water in the premises, his orange eyes studying all within ear shot and scrutinizing everyone who enters, keeping to himself and towering intimidatingly over everyone.

He watches Llyla out of the corner of his eye, analyzing her every move, the way her hips sway, how her smile catches every man, orc and dwarf in the room and how she glides around the floor with such ease, no matter how many times he rearranges the place she never bumps into anything.

“Careful wolf” he acknowledges out loud when suddenly there is a loud crash from outside the tavern, causing the ground to shake and tankards rattle. The men in the bar stand, expecting a fight, oh how they have wished for a good fight these past few years, Rune looks towards the door listening carefully and watching the door in anticipation.

Through the door walks three kings guards,  dressed in red coats, with gold buttons, long shining swords at their sides and unfriendly expressions on their faces. They look around taking in every customer in the room, seeing llyla with tankards in hands they walk up to her;

“Ma’am, are you the owner of this establishment?”

She would look them up and down and smile sweetly

“Do I look like I could own this place? I merely just work here...he's the owner sat over there, your business is with him not me” she would nod her head in the direction of Rune and go about her business.

Rune would look up with his red eyes, meeting their gaze, the guards shift uncomfortably from where they are stood but proceed to walk forward towards him.

“Sir, uhm we have had some reports regarding this establishment… We were hoping you could clear a few things up for us”

The main guard would be sweating visibly and Rune would notice this, using it to his advantage. Standing g up slowly he would make his way over to the three and flash his fangs at them

“And what reports would they be gentleman?” He would look at Llyla and signal her to lock the front door, with dusk stretching its arms through the windows Rune would have a lot more strength this evening, his hungar being more noticeable with the way his body strained composure.

His eyes would be drawn to the throbbing arteries in their necks, licking his lips, his eyes growing darker by the second, with a deep, strained voice

“How about a pint of my finest ale or mead?” Nodding to Llyla once more to pour the drinks and bring them over.

Gesturing the empty seats at the table he had just vacated the three guards sit down and accept the drinks bought over for them, still visibly uncomfortable within the presence of a vampire.