He looked her over again with an appraising eye. She was a unicorn, that mythical creature that men always dreamed about; but rarely if ever got to see. She was a truly beautiful woman working in a rundown seaside bar. She was way too good for this place. Long black hair cascaded about her shoulders, fragrant oils causing it to shine in the dim light from the rapidly setting sun. Her top was a brilliant white with embroidered designs around the deep neckline and the elbow length sleeves, and contrasted her deeply tanned skin. A bright red sash was tied at her waist, and she wore a knee length dark green skirt. She was not overtly showing herself; but when she bent over to place drinks at the table, the eye was drawn to the shadows in her cleavage. When she sat, her skirt rode up to mid-thigh, showing off her long and flawless legs. Without invitation, she sat on his lap.

“Sorry dear, what was your name again?”, he asked her without taking his eyes from the curve of her hip.

She pulled him by his unshaven chin so that he had to stare directly into her blue-green eyes, “Carmen. You men never listen!”

“You’re so beautiful that I can’t help but be distracted.”, he said without remorse.

“Usually flattery will get a man nowhere with me, but; we don’t get many like you in here. Buy me a drink?”, she asked with a quality in her voice that sounded more like the opening of negotiations than a simple request for a drink.

“Beer for me, and whatever you’d like for yourself. You’ve put me in an exceptionally good mood.”, he said flashing his uncharacteristically white teeth for a man in his late twenties. Landis Stone was a puzzle to the discerning eye. Even from a distance he could be seen for what he was, a common sellsword. At the owner’s request, he left his longsword and shield with the door man, his matching daggers he kept in sheaths tucked into his waist band. His tunic had the look of a ‘man at arms’; but it bore no crest, no fealty to any lord or house. His type was a bit more common than finding a stunning beauty working at a dive bar; but he was different than most. At six feet and a couple inches, he was built solidly and was taller than most. He had dark blond hair that looked clean and hung to his collar. His beard came in dark and highlighted his light skin, tanned from walking the countryside from job to job. Landis was handsome in a profession that was usually filled with men who looked defeated and emotionally scarred.

Leaning over, Carmen placed a playful kiss on Landis’ cheek, then bounced out of his lap and made her way to the bar. He smiled at the prospect of taking her to his room at the inn later that evening. He worked hard and the company of women was a luxury that he felt that he deserved. A few more drinks to get that buzz going, a little more talking and laughing, then a night of unspeakable pleasures.

The place was an open-air bar, one whole wall faced the ocean and was open to the cool night air. Ships were tied to piers that reached out into the bay like long skeletal fingers holding them against the sometimes-turbulent currents. Sailors, merchants and townspeople walked up and down the shore on their various missions, few had the time to sit and lounge like a fighting man between wars. Landis sipped thoughtfully at his drink, enjoying the flavor on top of the lamb and potatoes that filled his belly. He had been travelling through the country of Rubina for a few weeks now and had only gotten to Goldport that afternoon. There was action to the West, and he was planning to head in that direction. Wherever there was trouble, there would be the opportunity for employment, and of course, coin. He barely took note of the men who entered the bar. When a man can handle himself, he doesn’t worry about who might pose a danger, most men looked at him and decided to leave him alone.

Four sailors entered the bar. They didn’t wear the colors of any noble house and were definitely not sailors for Rubina’s royal family, House Vosbarra, who’s men wore the trident and crown on their crest. When Carmen returned to his side, she put down his drink causing him to come out of his thoughts and notice the new patrons. They didn’t have the look of the merchant marine either. They had the hungry and arrogant look of men who took enjoyment from making others fearful and miserable. Many of his fellow sellswords had that look too, he had spent much time around such men, and as such, quickly put them out of his mind.

Pulling Carmen back onto his lap, he gave her supple thigh a tight squeeze and managed to look her in the eyes instead of letting his gaze linger on her other attributes. Pulling her close, he whispered in her ear, causing her to give out a sensual kind of a chuckle. They chatted amongst themselves for several minutes, ignoring the rising volume from the only other guests in the tavern.

The other bar maid, a blonde who was a little on the heavy side, a bit older and nowhere near as attractive as Carmen was ferrying drinks and plates of food from the bar to the table with the sailors. She greeted them with a big smile as she tried to fill their orders; but they continued to be loud, banging on the table with their steel mugs and their fists. One who appeared to be the leader of the small group slapped her on her ample bottom.

“If we were still at sea, I’d settle for the likes of you; but not when there’s better to be had.”, he said with contempt for the poor girl. He stood and looking directly at Carmen who along with everyone else in the room could no longer ignore him. “Come over here girl, you’re too fine fer the likes a him.”, he said with command in his voice.

“Rowena seems to be taking good care of you.”, she said, not stirring from Landis’ lap.

“She’s fat and ugly!”, he screamed across the room. “We sail with Captain Lago, we only accept the best of everything and we ‘take’ what we want. Get over here now, or I’ll take you in front of everyone, even if I have to bend you over your man’s corpse.”

Carmen fairly shook, then with very little enthusiasm, climbed off Landis and turned to walk towards the sailors. Before she could take a step, Landis caught her by the wrist, causing her to turn back to him. “Do you ‘want’ to go over there?”, he asked with a very neutral tone, not trying to influence her.

“No, I was enjoying your company, good sir.”, she said with great regret.

“Then I ‘insist’ that you stay.”, he said smiling in the direction of the sailor who had threatened them. The standing sailor turned instantly purple; his rage was immense. Pulling a dagger from his boot, he stalked across the room, his partners stood and made to follow him.

“She’s a fine piece; but you’re a fool ta die fer her comp’ny.”

Landis stood up, using his arm to sweep the barmaid behind him. The other barmaid ran to join the bartender who was cowering behind the bar. All four of the sailors looked up at the soldier, realizing that he was bigger than they had anticipated, some of their faces showed their waning enthusiasm for a scuffle. They were all in loose shirts, wearing too many chains, having too few teeth and with a general look of unwashed filth. The leader of the sailors rushed forward, waving his knife around in a clumsy attempt to slash at Landis’ face. Landis easily caught his wrist and turned it with a sickening, bone snapping twist. The heavy dull blade fell to the wooden floor where it stuck. Balling his calloused hand into a fist, Landis hit the injured man square in the face, sending blood flying from his nose, and his body to the floor.

Two of the other three let the shocked look on their faces turn to rage as they rushed forward together. Landis kicked out his left leg, the heavy steel tipped leather boot catching one of the sailors in the gut, doubling him over. The other man he caught by the neck, his wide hand like the talon of some giant eagle, gripping the man and standing him upright. They looked at each other for a moment, the sailor knowing that he was in trouble, and wondering just how bad it was going to be. Landis gave him a smile, a most unpleasant smile if you are on the wrong end of it.

He lifted the man an inch or two off the ground, then with a move that was surprisingly fast for a man who looked to be built for power and not speed, he body slammed the sailor back first onto the unforgiving wooden floor. You could practically see the air flee his lungs.

Landis looked up at the remaining sailor, the joy of battle made his eyes practically glow with excitement. The sailor surveyed the scene, and calmly put his dagger back into his belt, then held his hands a distance from his weapons. Landis nodded in agreement and allowed his battle lust to subside.

“You can see that I took it easy on your compatriots.”, he said to the remaining man.

“I see that, I ‘magine that it coulda been… more perm’nent for em.”

“If I’d killed you all, you wouldn’t be able to apologize to these nice ladies, which is what you’ll do before you leave.”, he said patiently.

The sailors were recovering, and all were on their feet except for the one with the broken arm. The others helped him to his feet and collected his raggedy hat. “We’re sorry miss”, the three said to Rowena. They turned to Carmen, “and sorry to you also Miss. We been drinkin all day and ‘ave forgotten our manners.”

“That’s all well and good; but this one”, Landis pointed at the man with the broken arm, “has to apologize.” The man held his injured arm, his face a mask of pain and anger. “If he doesn’t, none a you are gonna to get to walk out of here.”

The owner of the bar and his wenches watched as the sailors walked off with their injured brother in tow. Landis took a healthy draught of his beer, watching the others with amusement. Violence is fascinating to those who are incapable of it themselves. When the sailors were out of sight, they returned to their duties. Carmen approaches her savior.

“You made that look easy, usually these pirates give us a hard time till dawn.”

“It was easy.”, he said confidently. “Having numbers is always an advantage; but you have to have at least ‘some’ skill.”, he drank from his mug. “They’re just lucky that being around you has put me into such a relaxed state.”

“Well, don’t relax too much.”, she said coyly. “Your real exertions are still to come.”, she whispered in his ear.