Ascent of the Unwanted (The Chronicle of Unfortunate Heroes Book 1) by Nathan T. Boyce Page A
Authors: Nathan T. Boyce
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her.
No killing for him today either, besides now he could make even more of a profit with this little poppet. Uriss slung her into the back of his wagon and rode back out to the road.
Chapter 5
Friends
Erik spent a great deal of time in the market district during the morning, expecting this would be his last day in Armeston. The path he followed may return him here, but he suspected only for temporary stops. He thought he outfitted himself well. He even splurged and got himself a pretty, double-edged knife in a dark leather sheath which strapped onto his belt. He felt satisfied considering he spent a few silver for the lot.
He headed out of the market and to The Brimming Mug when something caught his eye. On a table stand outside a merchant shop sat two small hair combs carved out of a rich dark wood. Carved flowers decorated the edge with a crafters art and the center held a small dove, its head bent around and tucked underneath one upturned wing. Today was his mother’s birthday. On a whim he went ahead and paid the merchant the three pieces of silver asked for the set. He bundled his precious treasure and cradled it into his backpack. It somehow made the hole he felt in his heart not as deep. He thought it odd considering his statement to Malgar concerning his mother’s ashes. Why would a memento reminding him of his mother make him feel better when her physical remains would not?
He was wandering through town pondering his philosophical problem when he heard a scuffle taking place in a back alley. Four teenaged youths about his age were laughing and kicking a large man who was trying to crawl away on all fours. This was not an unusual sight around here but the size of the man was surprising. The gangs usually picked on smaller, more defenseless targets.
The unfairness of the world and his hatred for it swelled inside him. He did not know these boys but he knew their type. It was easy for them to pick on a man who either would not or could not fight back. A little threat of bodily harm would stop them.
Erik looked at the small knife he had purchased, hanging from his belt. It would give him a little advantage but since he did not know how to use it in a fight it would not be much of one. He looked around the opening of the alley. Against one wall was a pile of debris. Digging through the pile he found a large wooden crate opened at one end. He grabbed a plank on the wooden box and ripped it loose. He looked at his crude weapon to bolster his confidence. The board was three feet long with four rusty twisted nails protruding out of one end. The other end was in splinters where Erik had snapped the board away from its fasteners on the crate. This would do fine.
Erik stepped into the alley. The boys were still kicking the man with abandon, ignoring his pleas. Erik cleared his throat in preparation.
“I would suggest you guys stop,” Erik said, but as he spoke his words lost confidence and the ending of his threat trailed into the air.
“Hey, look here, guys. A hero sent to rescue us this morning from our boredom.” the largest of the four said looking Erik up and down. Erik felt his confidence slip as he became the center of attention.
“You think he has any money for us?” one of the others said.
“Only one way to find out for sure.” replied the leader.
They all stopped kicking the defenseless man and advanced on Erik like wolves. Erik straightened and grabbed the board with more confidence. “You may outnumber me but with this,” Erik said, nodding to his board, “at least one of you will go down with me. These nails look painful. Have you ever had three inches of rusted metal punched into your side or, even better, your head? You may not survive that.”
The four ruffians stopped. Looking much less confident. The three smaller young men looked at the large one for reassurance. Those questioning glances spoke volumes for Erik. He knew they were wondering which one of them would take the hit
No killing for him today either, besides now he could make even more of a profit with this little poppet. Uriss slung her into the back of his wagon and rode back out to the road.
Chapter 5
Friends
Erik spent a great deal of time in the market district during the morning, expecting this would be his last day in Armeston. The path he followed may return him here, but he suspected only for temporary stops. He thought he outfitted himself well. He even splurged and got himself a pretty, double-edged knife in a dark leather sheath which strapped onto his belt. He felt satisfied considering he spent a few silver for the lot.
He headed out of the market and to The Brimming Mug when something caught his eye. On a table stand outside a merchant shop sat two small hair combs carved out of a rich dark wood. Carved flowers decorated the edge with a crafters art and the center held a small dove, its head bent around and tucked underneath one upturned wing. Today was his mother’s birthday. On a whim he went ahead and paid the merchant the three pieces of silver asked for the set. He bundled his precious treasure and cradled it into his backpack. It somehow made the hole he felt in his heart not as deep. He thought it odd considering his statement to Malgar concerning his mother’s ashes. Why would a memento reminding him of his mother make him feel better when her physical remains would not?
He was wandering through town pondering his philosophical problem when he heard a scuffle taking place in a back alley. Four teenaged youths about his age were laughing and kicking a large man who was trying to crawl away on all fours. This was not an unusual sight around here but the size of the man was surprising. The gangs usually picked on smaller, more defenseless targets.
The unfairness of the world and his hatred for it swelled inside him. He did not know these boys but he knew their type. It was easy for them to pick on a man who either would not or could not fight back. A little threat of bodily harm would stop them.
Erik looked at the small knife he had purchased, hanging from his belt. It would give him a little advantage but since he did not know how to use it in a fight it would not be much of one. He looked around the opening of the alley. Against one wall was a pile of debris. Digging through the pile he found a large wooden crate opened at one end. He grabbed a plank on the wooden box and ripped it loose. He looked at his crude weapon to bolster his confidence. The board was three feet long with four rusty twisted nails protruding out of one end. The other end was in splinters where Erik had snapped the board away from its fasteners on the crate. This would do fine.
Erik stepped into the alley. The boys were still kicking the man with abandon, ignoring his pleas. Erik cleared his throat in preparation.
“I would suggest you guys stop,” Erik said, but as he spoke his words lost confidence and the ending of his threat trailed into the air.
“Hey, look here, guys. A hero sent to rescue us this morning from our boredom.” the largest of the four said looking Erik up and down. Erik felt his confidence slip as he became the center of attention.
“You think he has any money for us?” one of the others said.
“Only one way to find out for sure.” replied the leader.
They all stopped kicking the defenseless man and advanced on Erik like wolves. Erik straightened and grabbed the board with more confidence. “You may outnumber me but with this,” Erik said, nodding to his board, “at least one of you will go down with me. These nails look painful. Have you ever had three inches of rusted metal punched into your side or, even better, your head? You may not survive that.”
The four ruffians stopped. Looking much less confident. The three smaller young men looked at the large one for reassurance. Those questioning glances spoke volumes for Erik. He knew they were wondering which one of them would take the hit
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