Luke was feeling hungry. There was a pit in his stomach that need filling and he wasn't the kind of man that enjoyed going without. He hated it, in fact. It was a good thing he had just gotten paid for his last job. His coin pouch was heavy with silver that he had earned by helping guard the last caravan from Ester into town. It was dangerous job and travelling across the plains for weeks was no picnic, but the pay was good. Bandits and monsters such as dire wolves were known to attack unlucky travelers, which was why people hired men like him. Luke was mercenary and he looked the part. He was wearing dark leather and there was a long blade strapped to his waist. It wasn't a decoration. He knew his way around a sword, and he had killed more than his fair share of men and monsters.
The street corner Luke was standing at hummed with activity. It was noon and Delpher was a prosperous trading city. Small stalls made from colorful cloth lined both sides of the streets. Merchants called out to costumers from their booths. Their yelling could barely be heard above the din of the crowds. Mobs of people were walking everywhere and in every direction.
Many of the nearby vendors were selling food such as meat on sticks or various colored fruits, but Luke didn't feel like street food. He wanted a real meal that would stick to his bones after being on the road so long. With an annoyed huff, Luke begin pushing his way through the crowds of men and women.
He kept an eye out for pickpockets or threats, and the other eye out for tempting women. Most the women he spotted were older and wore the long modest dresses of local respectable citizens but there were a few sweet exceptions. Luke smiled in delight as a tall woman with tanned skin and dark hair passed by. Her red silk dress was split at the side and it revealed generous amount of leg and most of her shapely breasts. The shadow of her nipples could even be seen though the sheer fabric of her dress. Luke considered doing more than looking, but it was obvious that the two men flanking her were her guards and that they were there to discourage exactly that kind of behavior.
After a few minutes, the small stalls gave way to taller wooden buildings, and Luke spotted what he was looking for, a tavern. It was a two-story building with large windows out front and a sign featuring a smiling weasel hanging above the door. Luke grinned to himself as he walked over and pulled open the door. The sign amused him. The animal's half crazy smile looked familiar, and he had been called a weasel more than once. Maybe it was a good sign.
As the door shut behind Luke, his environment grew quieter and darker. The sound of conversing voices filled the tavern but it was still less noisy than outside. A dozen people were scattered around the front room, and most of them were seated at various tables. The occupants mostly wore rough garments that indentified them as working locals, but there were a few of them in richer dress like that which merchants wore. None of them caught his eye so Luke moved on.
A large polished counter of dark wood ran along one wall. There was a pot-bellied bald man and a long shelf full of alcohol bottles behind it. What caught Luke's attention though was one of the serving wenches. She had blonde curly hair and an ample bosom that looked quite inviting to Luke. There was professional smile on her face as she talked to customers and carried a tray of drinks around. She was wearing a long dress that went down to her ankles but the white frilly shirt beneath her bodice displayed a lot of her impressive cleavage. Her round breasts almost looked they wanted to pop out of her shirt.
An appreciative whistle escaped Luke's lips as he walked over to a table and took a seat. For a few minutes he simply watched the barmaid hurry around the tavern and serve other customers, but when she happened to stumble by he called out to her. "Hey, beautiful, I'd like to order some food now. I think you've made me wait long enough."
The blonde immediately froze and turned to look at Luke. There was a frown on her face, but Luke just met her gaze and smiled confidently. Luke knew he was an attractive man. He was slightly taller than average and had an athletic build. His classically handsome face was framed by short brown hair and intelligent dark green eyes. The women seemed to agree with Luke's self-evaluation because after looking him over her expression softened.
"I'll be right with you in a second," she replied as her professional smile returned. Luke however wasn't looking at her face. Her chest looked even more stunning from close up.
"No, I'm rather famished so I think you should serve me right now. I'm a good tipper when I'm kept happy," Luke told her. His tone was playful but also assertive.
The blonde hesitated for a second before replying. "Fine, what would you like, sir?"
Luke felt an electric thrill from being called sir, even if he knew she probably referred to all her costumers that way. There were a lot of things he wanted from the serving wench right now.
"Bring me whatever the lunch special is and a strong ale. Don't water it down any."
"What's your preference in ale, sir?"
"Surprise me, I'm sure you know what I want."
The blonde hesitated again but then nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait a second, lass," Luke called after her before she had taken more than a single step.
"What is it?"
"I'd just like to know the name of the most charming serving maid in all of Delpher before you go. I'm Luke."
The blonde woman blushed slightly in response. Her cheeks reddened as her blue eyes looked down in embarrassment.
"I'm Melanie, sir," she answered quickly before hurrying away toward the door to the kitchen by the bar.
