Kindness...

Lye let the word entertain him like a well spoken joke. He lowered his his hand, much to the acknowledgement of the barkeep and his lovely assistant. From his side, he produced a bag of coin and counted out a stack of ten pristine, gold coins. The gold alone accounted for several drinks or even a night's stay in the limited rooms above. He returned the coin to his side and reached for the fresh glass of single malt. From the glass he took a hearty draw of the amber spirit and let its contents burn fire deep to his core.

He set down his glass.

"Some people have good instinct," the experienced patron replied. "And for someone like me, there are those who would disagree with you."

The figure pulled back his hood to reveal a head of ashen hair. Light accentuated angular features with high cheek bones and sunken eyes. A haze of grey framed his chin from a neglect of shaving. Both eyes looked to the newcomer but only one could see his similar scarred features and fair skin. The other's blind view of the world through clouded jade only saw the aura of potential around him. Yet, in a world of ants, a giant felt no threat.

"What is your name, stranger?" he inquired.

Some of the patrons stood and left, their food and drink unfinished upon their tables. The bartender whispered to the female server, and she vanished upstairs. The oaf of a man moved to a section of the counter where his hands reached for something beneath-- something hidden from view, but not from Lye. The tensions rose in the tavern, yet he remained unnervingly calm.