Average Man (Closed)

[Aiden Kelley]

The tavern was teeming with life this night. The fire was burning hot at the backs of singing patrons. Merry-making was in full swing. What for? None of them really knew.

Several tired soldiers entered the bar from the main entrance, pushing the swinging doors out of the way and letting the snow in briefly. The cold wind softened the noise a bit but that wouldn't last long. The soldiers walked to the bar, talking amongst themselves about the southern front. The music grew loud again and the tavern returned to normal.

Sitting at a table near to the fire was an average-looking human man in a pair of stiff leggings and various leather armour peices. A dagger was the only real weapon on him, placed methodically on his upper thigh. His gaze lifted at the tap of someone's finger on his shoulder.

Above him stood a burly old traveler, dressed in a fine green cloak and leather boots.

Aiden smiled and stood up, grabbind the man's forearm as the man did the same to him. "Hoy, Ronan, it's good teh see you again! Wet brings yeh to Adenwar? I heard yeh was on some sort of trip east." His heavy accent rolled freely and untamed from his lips as he spoke.

The old man returned the smile and nodded. "Aye, Xion Dong. I left maybe a three years ago, and just returned. It's good to be 'ome."

''Have a sit, tell me all about it." He sat back down again, kicking out a chair for him.

The old man sat down and they spoke for the next few hours about life, women, and old times.

[Aiden Kelley]

"What're yeh doin' now, lad?" He grinned, ducking his head low. "Still thief'en?"

"Aye." He nodded, though his attention seemed to be elsewhere.

The old man turned completely around in the chair and looked over to the door where a rather shapely woman in some expensive-looking fur winter clothing had just walked in.
He laughed as he turned back around. " 'Ey, focus, boyo."

He looked at him again, taking a drink of his ale. "This life is too short to be spendin' it alone, Ronan."

"Aye."

"Aye," Aiden smiled, sitting back in his chair, folding his arms and looking into the fire.

[Aiden Kelley]

The old man sighed as he finished off his ale. "I better be goin', lad. It be a long journey. I still have several kilometers to go before I'm back 'ome in Minas Rithes."

"I wish yeh luck, my friend." He said, standing again.

The old man stood and shook his hand again. "Be careful, lad. Tough business yurs be." And with that he left the table for the bar where he paid off his tab. But before he went outside he came back to the table. "Oh, I almost forgot." He pulled out a tightly wrapped item about forearm length. "I found this on me travels. Take it. I be havin' no need for it." He handed him the item and slowly left the tavern.

Aiden turned the thing over in his hands and slipped it inside his pack.

[Aiden Kelley]

After a while he finished another round and left to turn in for the night.
He stepped outside into the chilly air and pulled a cloak over his shoulders.
"What a day." He started walking towards the Inn. "What a day."