The Green Barmaid

Off beyond black plains my eyes caught the golden flickering of fire light- I had crossed many mountains and rivers since the last time I encountered other folk. Skeletons and trolls lend terrible company. Many long days had passed since I slept soundly, as comforting as the grasses were. I grew tired, and had not the supply to set up camp for the wet weather the night had in store. No choice. I bound for the yellow light, which grew before me into an Inn. The moment I met the doorway a raindrop felt my back. I stepped inside to find a myriad of empty tables in a room not fit for a king’s closet. A tired mercenary sit in the corner, drowning himself in black wine. I swept my gaze across the bar and took a small table near the fire. Out from behind the table, to my surprise, rose a green lizard maid. I did not expect to find a fellow Argonian sister here. She tightened her waist upon seeing a new customer and greeted me with a tail perked in the air. She spoke kind, and I thought myself nearly at age to be her mother, though I must have exaggerated disparity. A passing thought; almost nervous. I nearly did not catch what she said, and I merely replied that I had not eaten in days.

She soon laid down before me a plate of ripe fruit and bread, with a tall mug of mead. As she served me I caught her eyes stealing my leather armor and amulets, but they subverted as they met my suspicious gaze. Her young face betrayed her blush at once as she hastily turned away to ted to the dishes. I felt it safe to ease my guard. Her scales glimmered under the candle light; unlike my own they were pale and fair.