Pharynx Alove

Gingerly, she turned the emerald stone over in her hands. It shifted and caught the light of the lone candle that shimmered merrily on the wooden table. Carefully, she inspected the beautiful stone, expecting imperfections, but finding none.

A door on the other side of the darkened room opened, and a masked figure ducked inside.

The girl quickly removed the stone from sight, tucking it deep into the folds of her cloak. She looked coldly at the stranger, watching to see if he had noticed her. Slowly, she pulled up her hood and cautiously stood up. She knew the stranger now watched her every move. Bravely, she walked the distance between her table and the door.

"Don't leave on account of me," the stranger growled, as he grabbed her arm forcefully, slightly above the elbow. He pushed her towards an empty table in the darkest corner of the tavern.

His dark hood covered his face. The only visible part was his snarling lips, curling over each word he said.

The girl snatched her arm away, and walked the three steps further to the table.

"I should've known you'd run away as soon as you had the emerald in your greedy little hands, Pharynx," the stranger said barely above a whisper.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, nor do I have any inkling as to who you are," she answered, staring savagely into the stranger's hood.

"Oh, I think you do," he replied evenly, as he smirked beneath the hood of his cloak.