Enter Kaylo...
The rowdy tavern conversation quickly died into a soft murmur as the huge figure strode through the door. He was clad in gladiatorial studded leather armor, customized to fit his unusual shape. He had a spear strapped to his back and two long knives at his hip. The minstrel stopped his ballad mid-verse, and the bar patrons turned to watch Kaylo as he made his way to an empty table. The minotaur sat himself down and stretched out his thick legs. A burly looking bouncer with sandy hair and a broadsword rushed up to the table.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Your kind upsets our customers." A bead of sweat ran down the man's forehead.
"That is not my problem. Now fetch me an ale or leave me in peace."
"You might feel more welcome in one of the establishments down in the dock quarter." His hand was now gripping the pommel of his sword.
Kaylo snorted. "Is that where my kind is expected to drink? I go where I choose. As it happens..."
"I won't ask you again," said the guard icely as he backed off to give himself enough room to swing a broadsword. "Now go!"
Kaylo glanced towards the man's hand which was now gripping his weapon and said, "Try it and you'll be dead before your blade clears the sheath." He leaned back in the chair to show his hands resting on a pair of daggers fastened to his waist. The guard hesitated, contemplating the threatening countenance of the creature before him. After a few moments of indecision, the bouncer made up his mind and turned away with a snort muttering something about "being sorry when I call the town watch..." The huge minotaur set his chair back down. "Filthy humans," he said as the guard made his way back to the bar.
A minute later a nervous looking bald man emerged from the back and scuttled up to Kaylo's table. "Pardon me sir, I'm sorry my employee troubled you." Kaylo snorted. "Too make up for the inconvenience, allow me to offer you one of the good tables in our private dining table along with a meal and drink, all on the house. What do you say?"
A sardonic grin crossed the minotaur's face a moment." And perhaps I won't bother your other customers there since they don't have to see my fearsome countenance?"
"No, no, that's not it at all, I merely..."
"No need, barkeep, I shall take your offer. I am expecting some potential business associates to arrive soon, and we wouldn't mind the privacy anyway."
"Very good, sir, please follow me." Kaylo was lead into a small wood paneled dining rooms with a table for four and a window that looked onto the street. He took a seat facing the door. "Your dinner will be up shortly. Is lamb and wine alright?" Kaylo nodded and the bald man disappeared.
Downstairs in the main bar area, the door opened again to admit visitors. The two cloaked figures drifted in, attracting much less attention than their monstrous predecessor. Both newcomers kept the hoods of their cloaks in such a way as to hide their faces. The dancing firelight seemed incapable of penetrating the shadows cast over the strangers countenances. Their soft step and poise spoke of an unassuming yet razor sharp and deadly capability. These were not folk to be dealt with carelessly. One of them stepped up to the bar.
"We are looking to certain person with whom we have some business to discuss."
The bartender leaned close to them and whispered, "Is your friend about 8 feet with horns?"
"Do not presume he is our friend. But yes, the one we seek is a minotaur. Is he here."
"Yes, yes. I'll take you to him immediately."
"Excellent." The figure slid a coin across the bar. "For your trouble." As the bartender reached for it, the figure's gloved hand snaked out to grab the man's wrist. "There will be a twin of that one for you if you see that we are not disturbed. But if we catch you or one of your barmaids eavesdropping at the keyhole then..." The grip on the barkeeps wrist tightened. "Then, but you won't do that, now will you?" The now frightened man quickly nodded his assent. "Good. Now take us to meet this 'Kaylo'"
The private dining room opened as the newcomers entered. "Good evening, Kaylo," said one of the figures as they both slid into their seats.
"Good evening to you, gentlemen," said Kaylo.
The barkeep lingered at the door a moment.” Pardon me gentlemen, I'll be leaving you in privacy in a moment we just need to bring up some dinner for the minotaur. If that's ok?" The cloaked figures nodded. A barmaid hustled up a moment later bearing a large rack of meat and a decanter of wine. She set down the food at Kaylo's place and hurried to leave. Kaylo took a sip of the wine, then cursed and spit it out.
"Barkeep! What is this swill? Perhaps you think that since I am not human you can serve me any piss wine? Bring up a bottle of something good! Perhaps a Chateau Montegue. And make sure its at least 3 years old."
"Yes sir, I'm terribly sorry, just a moment." the barkeep hurried away.
"Filthy humans," Kaylo muttered, then quickly added, while trying to pierce the shadow of the strangers cloaks, "present company excepted, of course." Suddenly, Kaylo's face turned red, and he was overcome with a hacking cough. He doubled up, and contorted a moment on the floor. As quickly as the fit started, it passed, and the minotaur regained his seat.
"Are you alright?" asked one of the cloaked figures?
"Yes," Kaylo replied. "Just a passing cough. Must be this damp night air." He wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. Just then the barkeep returned with a bottle and glasses. The now fully recovered minotaur took an appraising sip, holding the taste in his mouth for a long while. Finally he grunted approval and sent the barkeep away with a wave of his hand. "Its been a long time, gentlemen, since I've been able to taste fine vintage. We are not treated to much luxury in the arena quarters. Perhaps you'll join me in a drink?" he gestured toward the empty glasses. The two figures nodded assent and Kaylo filled the goblets.
"Now, to business," the first stranger said. "We understand that you are in search of employment."
"That's right," said Kaylo, "I am willing to provide my service as a warrior. I have fought for my freedom to escape the battle pit. Now I want to fight for profit."
"Indeed. That is exactly the sort of arrangement that we had in mind. Our business ventures are dangerous, but stand to be very very profitable."
"I am quick with my blade... and I know how to keep my mouth shut if any of your ventures are of a... sensitive nature..."
"Good. We know of your reputation as a fierce combatant, and we need a warrior with your blade skill. I think we can reach some arrangement that we all find mutually beneficial..."
"I like the sound of that." He raised his goblet in a toast. "To profit!"