This is from Faldor's POV, an elf that Lauriel and Cat will eventually meet when they start their quest. He's introduced in this passage. Please let me know what you think!

Faldor

The girl stopped at the table closest to the bar, removing an emptied tankard while balancing a full pitcher in the other hand. She must have felt the weight of my stare, for she turned and glanced my way. I gasped as I saw her yellow eyes, fairly glowing in the dim candle- and fire-light of the alehouse. Though thankful for the darkness about my booth, in the farthest corner from the fire, I wondered how she discerned my presence.

She raised an eyebrow quizzically in my direction, and placed the pitcher on the table, breaking gaze briefly to smile at its weather-worn residents. She walked towards my table, starting visibly when she saw there truly was a person there, but continued shortly. She stopped at the foot of the booth and looked at me expectantly. I made sure my glamour was in place, for in this country I had found it was unwise to reveal my race. Elves were not looked upon kindly here.

When I did not speak, she asked, "D'ye want t' order somewhat, sir? There be a particular good ale I ken, that's pleasin' t' exotic tastes."

I looked up, and was caught by her eyes. I could not look away, and barely heard what she said.

"Sir? D'ye want th' ale?"

I shook my head, forcing myself to look away.

"No, sir? Bé, then. Let me know when ye hae need of somewhat." She began to turn away, bemusement in those fascinating eyes.

"Wait."

Rising quickly from the bench, I grabbed her arm, eliciting a startled gasp from her, as it must have seemed I was suddenly at her side with no intervening time. Immediately it was my turn for amazement as I felt the strength in her under the thin muslin. I could sense currents of energy pulsing 'neath her skin, drawing me even more powerfully than her eyes. She was a fountain of life, a well that could not be drained.

"Sir? I--" her voice, frightened, barely registered above the commotion of the tavern.

"Ach. Aye, I'll take the ale."

She nodded, slowly, staring just past my hand on her arm, the yellow eyes enormous. After too long a moment, feeling the power in her, I released her arm, aware of suspicious eyes on me from behind the bar. I had most likely broken protocol, and someone with a big stick might come out of the kitchen if she went back without an order.

"Bé, sir. I'll get ye th' ale." The girl looked at me askance, eyes wide, seeming loathe to ask the next question. I almost lost myself in those eyes again, but I pulled my gaze to the scarred wood of the table.

"Nothing else, lady. Just bring the ale."

I could not look up until I heard the soft whisper of her footsteps, inaudible to human ears over the noise of the tavern, disappear into the kitchen, shaken by those eyes and that inexplicable power.

"Who are you?" I whispered into the smoke and shadows.

PS: if you want the rest of it, read it here.

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