Darrkon entered the pub and edged his way to the bar.  After a
minute or two he was able to get the bartenders attention.  He
ordered an ale and scanned the room.  He could see the usual
gathering of folks, craftsmen, nomads, and dragonriders.  Of
course he didn't see any nobles there, but he didn't want to
either.  He felt they were leeches on the people, glorified 
bandits.  As he scanned the room his eye landed on a small group
in the corner, obviously horsemen.  He slowly made his way over
to them, with his bundle, and stood until he recieved their
attention.

"You lost buddy?"  Asked a deeply tanned blonde.  Darrkon could
see this man possessed emmence power just by looking at him, but
from his greeting he also knew he had very little intelligence.
He scanned the men again and this time his eye fell on a man in
the shadows, a man looking him over as well.

He looked this man in the eye, but never took his attention from
the others in the group, a trick learned after many altercations
in the wild.  "You buyin'?"  He asked coldly.  Rule number one in
trading: never let your customer think they're important to you.

He saw the blonde slip his hands under the table.  In one motion
he had drawn his sword and charge at Darrkon.  The theif stood
his ground until the last.  At that moment he stepped back and
sent a punch to his assailants midsection.  In the same motion
he grabbed the attackers arm at the shoulder, spun him to the
floor and sent a smashing kick to his temple.  Before the others
could respond he had his short sword drawn and at the necks of
the two most formidable looking opponents.  The man in the
shadows leaned forward.

"Very impressive."  he said, "but you've over looked something."

"Have I?" answered Darrkon.  As he sheathed his swords the 
groups leader caught a glimpse of a dagger protruding from the
rear of the hilts of both swords.  "I knew he was there.  He
needs more training, it was obvious he was watching for trouble."

The leader waved to the man standing about a foot behind Darrkon, and the man sat at the table.  "To answer your question, no I'm not buying.
But I could use a second man."

"I'm not in that business anymore, but I'll be in town for a
while.  If you need anything for yourselves of your horses,
ask for Darrkon.  You'll get a good price."  He left the men
to their drink and began to leave the bar.  No one had stopped
their business because of the fight.
This was his kind of place.  He reached the door and was about
to leave when he felt a hand on his shoulder...


NRPG

Here in an opportunity for a conversation with Darrkon.  He
would be somewhat more at ease in a bar.