> -“Rage is a poison. Yet we all drink it as though it was the sweetest of draughts. All in the vein hope those who angered us are poisoned too.” – Warlord Keva from his works ‘To rule is a sin that must be punished’

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It was sometime in the morning when Yaeno arrived in the city of pleasure in the early morning. Before the sun rose. His run in with the lyndworm was quite the adventure. One Ramali did not hesitate to spin in her favour. The other nesha had returned with the spotters. Subiri was upset that it was Ramali’s team that found the lyndworm first. His lament only deepened when he’d learned that Ramali got to ride the thing too. Subiri refused to believe until she showed him a piece of its scales that came free with the first harpoon.

The Lakeno’s crew had their bonds reforged. Apologies were given, slights forgiven, and a cask of hearty cider cracked open. It was a tart and fizzy thing. Yaeno enjoyed the drink, as well as the change in atmosphere as the sailors told tall tales. Each only growing more absurd as the cider flowed. All in all Yaeno was having a grand old time. That was until Ramali challenged the captain to a drinking competition. Thinking himself safe until Ramali chose him as her champion. Yaeno would’ve decline if the captain hadn’t added her voice to the taunts being thrown his way. Claiming he was nothing but ‘a desert mouse good for only running’. Of course, Yaeno accepted the challenge, keeping up with appearances. No lordling would leave such a taunt unchallenged. If Yaeno had paying attention, he would have seen the knowing look Jana had thrown Ramali.

Afterwards Yaeno only remembered scant few things. One, was hands grasping at his clothes tipped over the railing in his drunken stupor. Two, was a torrent of vomit leaving his mouth as he dangled over. The hands from the first memory being the only thing keeping him abord. And three was the distinct cackling of Ramali and Oakfara as the crew took him to his bunk. Never again would he be drinking that sordid brew. It had been a long time since he’d last been drunk like that. Already he could feel the nausea bubbling just at the mere thought of that dreaded cider.

After that the trip was uneventful though Kokah’s personality doing a complete one-eighty. Going so far as to apologize for calling him a coward. Of course, Yaeno a lordling in his mannerisms, took it with the grace of a three-legged cat. He lauded over the man for a good two days, before Kokah relented and gave up his visor as sign of gratitude. Yaeno saw it for what it was a bribe so he would shut up. The visor now sat on his brow. It was made of animal bone, with a long horizontal line across it. The slit had glass fixed onto it.

As a lordling on the run Yaeno picked an establishment as his base of operations. One that wasn’t of high standing yet one a reasonable person wouldn’t find themselves walking into. The perfect place to hide. There were enough rooms unused rooms that he found it somewhat suspicions. Until the landlady was kind enough to allay his fears by giving him a generous price for the rooms. It was also completely by chance and circumstance that this was a brothel. At least the walls were thick and the doors even thicker. I suppose in the city of pleasure privacy was important. Not that Yaeno got any.

Yaeno had been in the city of pleasure for a mere few hours and already someone was looking for him. With a sigh Yaeno sipped the palm wine provided to him by the hostess. It was cool, condensation dripping down the mug. Ashes it was good, better than the one he kept in his rooms even though this was of a lower quality. It was grand. Truly everything in the city of Ginsali was for your pleasure. Yaeno made a mental note to buy himself a crate to send home before he returned.

Even with a cup of good wine in one hand, a beautiful attendant in front of him, and a very soft seat. Yaeno was anything but relaxed. For one thing the attendant before him was gorgeous. With full yellow painted lips, amber coloured eyes, long illustrious lashes and with a dress that claimed to be modest with its high neckline whilst clinging to the parts of her body that emphasized her hourglass like figure. Her skin was a rich caramel. She was also dangerous, very dangerous. It wasn’t in the way she stood nor was it due the dagger at her hip. Which Yaeno knew was purely cosmetic. No, it was in the way she watched him. Dark eyes drinking in every detail. Every twitch, every frown and cough she watched. A look he’d come to always find in the lady of crows. The attendant was tucking away every bit of knowledge of she deemed useful. Ready to retail every last detail to her mistress. Even then that wasn’t the most alarming bit that had Yaeno on edge.

What truly had him on edge and almost reaching for his own dagger. Was the scroll she came bearing, sent by a person calling themselves M. Which in itself was suspicious but not alarming. Who this M was anybody’s guess. The one thing Yaeno knew for a fact that sooner or later they would meet. As enemies or allies the time would tell. It was the letter that had Yaeno frowning, specifically who it addressed to had the alarm bells in his skull ringing. The letter was addressed to ‘he who can even pleasure in the swallowing of sand. For even the sweetest of dates will taste of ash on his tongue’. A mouthy and romantic way of saying sand eater. A name that belonged to a child long gone. How much did this M know of him and of his mission here. The letter held nothing attesting to that. It was poem/love letter from M his secret admirer. Four pages long. A poem that would have even Count Magni blushing after reading. It wasn’t until he reread the note did Yaeno find oddities. Which once put together made a hidden message.

‘Even in the city of pleasures where the crows are blind do the pigs dine. Beware of those that circle the corpse of a king.’

With a click of his tongue Yaeno held the parchment over a candle watched as it burned away. Destroying evidence was necessary lest it fall into the wrong hands i.e Ramali or sands forbid Jana. Yaeno found the theatrics of the letter rather excessive. Was it truly necessary to use three whole paragraphs to describe in detail, how good he would look in baby blue silk ribbons. Sands some of the things they talked about had Yaeno sinking his teeth into his knuckles as he fought back a whimper. He’d though Ramali to be most perverse person in all the deserts. To find someone who beat her by leaps and bounds had Yaeno worried.

“Do you know who sent this letter?”

The woman smiled, only with her lips showing no teeth. Even then Yaeno knew they were white and almost flawless. Except for the left incisor that sat crooked, angling to the right.

“An admirer of yours.”

Was her answer. No elaboration, no context no nothing. He could have asked her to explain what she meant, maybe even threatened her. But he didn’t. Whoever sent this message knew who Yaeno was, maybe even why he was here. With that information they could do a lot of damage. If they hadn’t already but Yaeno was getting the feeling they hadn’t, at least not yet. Instead, they had sent him a warning. It was suspicious. Why would a stranger want to help him. What was it they hoped to gain. Clicking his tongue in acceptance, he sighed. Yaeno wasn’t in the habit of looking a gift horse in the mouth. No matter how crooked its teeth were. Instead, Yaeno thanked the lady, insinuating that if they opportunity ever arises, he would love to meet his secret admirer. Though he wasn’t pushy unlike Ramali he wasn’t one to kick a hornet’s nest just for the sake of…well kicking a hornet’s nest.

“Be careful lordling the cities have known little rest in weeks”

The attendant left. Jana came into the room soon after wiggling her eyebrows in a suggestive manner. Yaeno only rolled his eyes in return. Though he did let eyes follow the retreating shapely figure. She was walking in such a suggestive manner that Yaeno knew it was on purpose. He’d even forgotten to ask for her name. Yaeno’s eyes returned to Jana’s which danced between him and the attendant. She’d seen him watching.

“Jana, have Kafini follow her discreetly. You find anything you can about a lady called M”

[“As you say mi’lord”]

If Yaeno was an actual lord, he’d have a flogged for that little comment. Sadly he wasn’t. Maybe he could and have it reported as a ‘disciplinary issue’. As Jana left Yaeno eyes wandered. Jana exaggerated her walk, an open mockery of the attendants own suggestive and eye-catching movement. Still Yaeno couldn’t help but follow Jana’s. Even in mockery she had a fluidity to her movement that was pleasing to the eyes. Yaeno grabbed the glass finishing of the cool liquid in one gulp. Feeling a warm burn as it went down. The heat rushing up to his cheeks wasn’t due to the wine.

Walking to the polished mirror set against his closet. Yaeno took in reflection. His beard had thickened over the coming months, growing from mere stubble to a scraggily thing. It felt itchy and uncomfortable. How the sultan had one so thick was beyond Yaeno. He’d taken to not shaving it, as it would hide his identity. It was rough around the edges thanks to Ramali’s latest attempt at styling it. Yaeno was honestly impressed with how it came out. Giving a rugged look, lending to the air of intimidation he was cultivating. Yaeno was caught between admitting that Ramali had the talent for it or complaining at how she cut it too short in some places as well as leaving others untouched. Yaeno of course chose the latter. For the fates were cruel and even in failure saw it fit to reward Ramali still. He looked more intimidating less of a nesha and more of a sellsword. Exactly what he was aiming for. They had come under the guise of a supcoming mercenary company looking for contracts in the city of pleasure. Already he had an appointment in a local tavern where he would be looking for local talent.

The lady of crows had given Subiri a thick envelope of full of information on the city. Subiri had given it to Yaeno who read it on his way here. The envelope had everything he needed, his documentation detailing his company, the rights and permission he had as well other things that will come in handy later.

What caught Yaeno focused on was information on the city of pleasure. On the outside Ginsali was run by sultan Evegana a man in his late fifties. In truth the city was run by the four main guilds. The commerce guild that keeps the city up with its trade, the pleasure guild which organises events whilst having a hand in every establishment from brothel to inn, the guild of Newah, the only religious guild which had surprisingly large presence amongst the commons and the purists guild which was the smallest but had the largest political power because it was made of loyalist lords of the sultan. The problem with the guilds was that they each had their own heir they wanted to put on the throne. The loyalist want the original heir the sultans eldest daughter to take the throne. The other guilds had their own heirs they wanted at the top but they were being tight lipped about who they were actually backing. The sultan had five children, two son and two daughters.

Their target was the second oldest but was removed from the family line. Why they had been removed the lady of crows could find out. They had apparently been a favourite child of the sultans as well as the intended heir. But the sultan had retracted his choice just before the coronation throwing the city into unrest. He had the other nesha read the documents twice over, whilst Subiri repeated the important bits to Ramali. It was absurdly difficult to get her to listen otherwise.

The reason why Yaeno would be acting a mercenary was simple. Troops except for the sultan had been dissolved by the previous sultan. With an amendment that had the removal of all nesha to be added before it was passed. Which were begrudgingly accepted. Thus the guilds came up with a loophole where they would hand out mercenary contracts. Outfitting whole groups and indirectly having their own little army. The only problem was then mercenaries weren’t known for their loyalties. This fact alone was used by rival guilds to undermine the others. Which was only successful a handful of times. After a few gruesome executions and open threats, half the mercenary groups left while the other half were rewarded with lucrative contracts. During the previous rein the mercenaries were mainly used to take care of bandits clans as well as the odd djinn that popped up. Though this usually ended up costly for them.

The city of pleasure was as perfect as most had it seem. The festival of loss was one of the main signs of this. The pleasure guild would throw a whole celebration and feast for the mercenary companies, where the whole city would take part. Revelling in their debauchery before the companies were sent forth to pacify what threatened their city. A swarm of ravenous djinn that if not stopped would destroy all, ravaging the little fertile fields left in this part of Akrim vera. This was their in their only way at getting close to the heirs since only distinguished mercenary guilds were allowed a private dinner with the royal family.

Yaeno looked to the clothes he wore, they were clean cut and crisp. The shirt had a stiff collar the was circular and could be buttoned all the way to his chin. It was made of a dull green, with yellow highlights. The pants were stiff and straight and made of a green cloth of a deeper shade. They weren’t of a fine material, but they weren’t cheaply made as well. He wore stiff leathers boots. The part that stood out the most was the cape he wore. Instead of falling over his back. Most of it rested against his shoulder hiding his disfigured arm. Its trim was sharp, it colours that of Majo, bloodred crimson with black pattern of straight lines. A black tassel secured it firmly on his shoulder. Jana had found it in the markets after their arrival. The cape was comfortable and rested easily on his shoulder. The material was light and soft. A bonus was the fact that it didn’t chafe at his scars, like some of the others he’d worn. Yaeno almost wept. for the price Jana claimed she’d gotten it for was nothing less than robbery. Yaeno would have to ask her where she’d found the stall, he would find the merchant and ‘bargain’ with him for another cape, this time allowing him to set a higher price. Thus, covering a reasonable price for both.

It wasn’t that the sultan didn’t pay them well. They each had a small fortune from the years of service they provided him. Starting a mercenary company barely chipped at his savings and even then the sultan had promised to reimburse him. Which Yaeno fervently refused. No, it was just how Jana was, she enjoyed haggling. Especially since she doesn’t talk. Yaeno smiled feeling better. Well, it would do to keep is upcoming recruits waiting. There must be hundreds waiting for him.

Deciding it was time to go, Yaeno grabbed the cane resting by the mirror. Another ‘gift’ from Jana apparently it was a new fad to walk with one. It was made of a light wood, polished and shined to the point he could see his own distorted reflection in it. Its grip fit his hand well enough. The bottom had been wrapped in a leather making it silent when it met the ground. It was hefty and would make an ideal weapon if used properly. The bone dagger was a last resort, using bladed weapons was fined heavily even if one had a permit.

Opening door Yaeno was assaulted by the harsh scent of incense, it burned from bowls set into the walls at equal intervals. The brothel was built like a box, the rooms set around a hollow space, where guests would sit and smoke shisha as well as have some of the lads, and lasses walk providing shisha, drink and sometimes dances. There were over a dozen rooms on each floor Yaeno’s and the nesha’s were on the second. There was a wooden railing that allowed Yaeno to overlook the whole place. Cloths, strings with a multitude of beads hung from the ceiling. It all too gaudy in Yaeno’s opinion.

Yaeno tried to be silent as he stepped from his room, but there was no need. The landlady was already waiting for him with a small group. Her so called favourites. Men and women waited next to her, wearing both so much and too little all at the same time. Some wore shawls and veils that were all see through hinting at what lay beneath. Yaeno dragged his eyes away from them, he’d been starring for too long. Yanka had a glint in her eyes as she rubbed her hands together. Yanka was old even older than lady Sufri. Her hair was bone white and lay straight against her head. Her skin was wrinkled and hung loosely on her bones. Yakna’s eyes usually hid behind the folds of her brow but now they were wide with delight. Yaeno fought back a shiver.

“What is it Yakna, I told I wasn’t interest in ‘sampling’ any of your nosho.”

Yaeno felt slimy for saying ‘sampling’ but the woman insisted on it. Which made it so much worse.

“Well, your attendant the one that doesn’t talk, what’s her name. Ifira? Ifera, nela?”

“Efira.”

“Yes, yes Efira that’s what I said.” Shaking her hand dismissively at him. “She implied that you were in need of a service.”

Yaeno closed his eyes fighting back a groan that still escaped his lips nonetheless. Of course, Jana couldn’t help herself, she was as bad as Ramali sometimes. Now that the old croon before him had a reason she wouldn’t stop bothering him even if he told her no. It also wouldn’t bode well if he kept putting off her services, she was the one who prepared his meals. It had taken him almost an hour to convince her not to put any aphrodisiacs in their meal. She bulked at that, as though it was a normal thing. Unless…unless you were in the city of pleasure as well as living in a brothel. Then it was a normal thing.

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“That she did”

“Well…” Kafna said holding a hand out to the group that waited.

Yaeno looked to them, keeping his eyes on their faces and not their other features. Some looked at him with a hunger, their eyes drinking all his features. Others avoid eye contact, looking to the floor or away. Some looked even afraid of him, bitting their lips and holding the creases of their clothes. How much of all of this was an act, meant to draw those who felt empowered by such displays. And how much of that would be genuine. A small fraction no doubt. Yaeno hardly tell, maybe if Jana was still here they could. His eyes stopped on a dark skinned man, his features sharp. His head wasn’t shaved like the most Koraki. Though it wasn’t long either, his hair was barely long enough to be considered stubble. He was leaning against the railing, quietly talking to the lady next to him. His hands were large and uncalloused. He wore a single copper band an two inches wide. His grin was wide and easy going…He would do.

“Him” Yaeno said.

He used his chin to point at the man, who stopped their conversation and turned to Yaeno with a shallow bow.

“It would be my pleasure” His voice was smooth like honeyed butter and just as rich.

He had an accent that sounded musical. The words were spoken all at once as though he was singing a tune. It would’ve been grating on anyone else but not him they were soothing. He would make a great singer if tried.

“A fine choice, you know our rates for an hour-“

“No, I’ll take him for the whole day”

The older bulked, her thick eyebrows shooting up. Pulling the wrinkled skin up with them. There was a chuckle that was quickly muffled by a painted hand in the crowd.

“Are you sure, not that I doubt your abilities sir but you refused-“

“I’ll be fine” Yaeno insisted heat rising to his cheeks.

Another laugh came from the group followed by others. He even had another say, ‘if he isn’t tired in ten minutes then I’ll join as well. For free’ Which had him blushing even more. Their cruelty knew no bounds.

“As you say lord” She inclined her head to him.

The man followed him. To the surprise of everyone present the duo did not go to Yaeno’s room. Instead down towards the stairs. There was a holler and hoot which Yaeno chose to ignore. Once out in the foyer the man spoke.

“Here? Quite the brave one aren’t you. Well, im sure some of the audience upstairs wouldn’t mind a show.”

“Go get changed”

The man’s eyebrows curved in a silent question. They were too perfect to fine, there was no way he hadn’t had them done. He could see some of the other nosho lean over the railing watching them with absolute delight. It was too much.

“You’ll be my guide for the day, get changed into something comfortable I’ll meet you in the streets.”

There were a few boos as burgundy shawl was thrown at him. When the audience saw Yaeno head for the door. Yaeno ignored it all eyes focused on the doors. He passed a guard who gave him a sorry look. She was a brick of a woman all muscle and with a strong jaw. Yaeno pointedly ignored the smile she threw him.

“Stage fright?”

Yaeno heard her say as he pushed open the door that groaned in protest. Yaeno leaned against the otter wall of the brothel, watching as people milled about. Yaeno had thought the city of Profeni to be colourful. Ginsali beat it by a mile. Its streets were even more lively. Swarms of people walked up and down the streets. There were even more cafes with outside sitting areas, where people drank Kafi and smoked shisha from long pipes.

“Will this do” a voice called out from next to him.

The man had emerged wearing simple clothes of a dull brown. He wore a thin scarf around his neck, the material was orange and looked soft to the touch. He was taller than Yaeno at least a full head.

“It’ll do. What’s your name?”

The man smiled a lazy smile, looking Yaeno up and down before he answered.

“Anything you want it to be.”

The line was said smoothly, it was both flirtatious and spoken almost offhandedly. And most definitely practiced. Spoken over a thousand different times, spoken to a hundred faceless people. How often had he been asked for a name and how many times did he share that same line truly never given a piece of himself. Why was everything so staged.

“None of that” Yaeno spoke the words a whisper.

Yaeno was speaking more to himself than the dark-skinned man. The dark-skinned man lost in thought for a spell, maybe even taken aback. As though someone hadn’t asked him that in a long-time or at least call him on his bullshit. He shook his head a rueful smile on his lips. He hesitated the words dying on his lips before they even left them. He seemed hesitant as though the words he would speak wouldn’t be what he wanted them to be, what he hoped them to be. Yaeno kept his peace refusing to speak, even to encourage him. The façade was slipping but only by a bit. Showing only the barest of what lay behind. Yaeno knew if spoke, if he reminded the man of his presence. The mask would snap back into place. With the familiarity of a man who wore that mask every morning. The moment ruined. The dark-skinned tried once more the words spoken ever so softly. A whisper of a whisper.

“I…I like the name Dawnfana”

He who likes the touch of dawn it meant. It was a good name, though Yaeno knew it wasn’t his real name. Still it was a start…a beginning. Dawnfana was smiling now, the smile soft and personal. The first real smile Yaeno had seen on him. He wasn’t looking at Yaeno his eyes clouded and far away. Dawnfana shook himself free and the spell of broken. One day Yaeno would get a true name out of Dawnfana.

“Okay Dawnfana lets go for a walk”

“Where to?”

“Akrana”

The mans grin slipped.

“You have such odd tastes”

Yaeno walked into the crowd swallowed up in by a mess of colours and robes. The walked through the streets a riot of sounds and colours. Dawnfana was a wonderful guide they new these streets better than Yaeno assumed gliding from street to street while keeping a pleasant conversation going. Yaeno was only half listening, his eyes were on those on the streets. Their smiles looked half hearted, tense even. The guards watched the street their eyes constantly watching every face within the crowd with barely hidden contempt. Their hands on the clubs by their hips. The merchants had more guards around them, and the haggling seemed more heated. They’d stopped once to buy ink and parchment to write on. The merchant was a rude fellow and Yaeno was glad to be done with him.

“Dawnfanna I’m a stranger to the town, is it always so…” Yaeno left the question hanging allowing the man to elaborate.

“No, there has been unrest in the past coming weeks. The commerce guild has been tightening its hold on the lower merchants. This in turn has made it more difficult for the people to gain what had only until recently been easy to acquire.”

Dawnfanna told him of the four major guilds, information he already knew. Though he gave him a different viewpoint. That of the people affected. The mistress Kafna the expenses of her business rising. Whilst the number of customers dwindling. She been forced to make concessions though, already she has been approached by competitors wanting to by her business for pennies. Yaeno could see how this would affect other business as well. Dawnfanna explained how the guild of newah, known as the commons guild by the people has been inciting unrest. Though not in such an outward way where the others guilds could call them out on. The purists have been neutral so far, but the pleasure guild has been in open disputes with the commerce guild.

“Before the guilds used to work in tandem, but with the heirs unchosen. They have turned into rabid dogs nipping at each other’s tails. Soon they will draw blood.”

“Your surprisingly informed Dawnfanna.”

“Clients talk” He said shrugging his shoulders.

They crossed streets, Yaeno found slow changes over coming the sections they walked in. It was minor things at first, less guards, less people. The people he saw wore cheaper clothes, their moods were that of a quiet brooding. The streets were more subdued, the buildings more pedestrian. Yaeno got more looks thrown his way than Dawnfanna. Many were disgruntled, some spat at his feet as they walked. Was it the beard or the clothes?

Dawnfanna must’ve seen the look on his face for he answered Yaeno.

“They know you are not like them.”

“Is it my clothes?”

“Yes and no. It is the way you carry yourself. Like you don’t belong here. Many look at you and see a merchant or the son of someone influential. The same people squeezing them dry.”

Yaeno frowned if a few of them got brave they might try something. Yaeno would’ve preferred not to have Dawfanna with him. He gripped his cane tighter, feeling the smooth polish of the wood warm against his palms. Dawnfanna seeing where his thoughts were taking him answered.

“Do not worry, nothing will happen to you. There is rarely violence in the city of pleasure.”

Taking Yaeno’s hand by the crook of it, he intertwined them. Together they walked side by side. What a pair they must make, Yaeno with a polished cane in one hand and the other a man so much taller than him. It was a moment before Yaeno spoke.

“What do you see?”

Dawnfanna found the tavern they were looking for. It was a seedy place that stunk of vomit, piss and ale. The door was barely hanging on to its remaining hinges which were in dire need of oil. The tables were made of a rough wood, their tables marked by rings where drinks were once held. The bartender was scrawny lady who instead of holding a mug was holding a cudgel and brandished it at Yaeno once he walked in.

Subiri was there at a table listening as woman retail a tale involving lyndworms and goats? There was one tankard in front of Subiri and three in front of the woman. Yaeno could barley make out the slurred story she gave him. She spoke with her hand waving the mug she held around as she sloshed the liquid. Her hair was greasy and unkept, it was golden with streaks of grey growing through it.

The bar was somewhat crowded, less than he’d expected but still not too bad. It seemed like recruiting would be as easy as pie…it wasn’t. The moment they learned that Yaeno was the one recruiting half left. A third of the remaining looked like they would be useful, the other two thirds looked like they had never picked up a weapon in their lives. It all continued to go down hill from there, those that looked like actual veterans were the worst of the lot, constantly trying strong arming him. Some asked for exuberant prices, while others asked for so much they might as well take the company from him and have him pay them for it. There was a bald lanky man who kept look at their table. His eyes sometimes on Yaeno but most of the time on Dawnfanna. Anytime their eyes met the man would look down into his cup. He would stop staring for a few minutes then he would get back into it. Though he never approached them, so Yaeno ignored him.

For hours Yaeno dealt with drunks, thieves, thugs and worse. His time wasted listening to their empty boasts as they drank on his money. Subiri left as soon as he escaped the drunk, who then came to bother Yaeno. She had an eyepatch and wouldn’t stop talking. Yaeno offered to buy her a pitcher if she left him alone. She wouldn’t budge until Yaeno bought her three. The only saving grace being Dawnfanna, who’s charming demeanour worked with some of the mercenaries. Who took him as Yaeno’s secretary. The man was quick to catch on. He took down information weeded out those who weren’t serious. By the time the second sibling was well passed its peak, Yaeno had only two candidates he was seriously considering.

Dawnfana got up to leave, and the same drunk from before quickly took his spot. Yaeno groaned into his cup, watching as Dawnfana left. The same lanky man stood opening the door for Dawnfanna who thanked him with a smile. The man’s eyes were on Dawnfanna as he followed him out the door. That bothered Yaeno. His eyes drifting to the door that Dawnfanna had left through. Every few minutes he’s eyes would return to that same wooden door. The woman in front of him was telling of him of the same story he’d heard her give Yaeno. The one with goats and lyndworms. The drinks lone eye had gone from Yaeno’s tankard to his arm her expression melting away into a blank mask. Yaeno’s eyes followed her one, finding he’d rolled up his sleeves and was scratching at his scars. Yaeno quickly covered it with his cape, his eyes going back to the tavern door.

It bothered him and he wanted to know why. Yaeno was already heading for the door. The barkeep tried to stop him, something about him not paying. Yaeno wasn’t listening to her. He shoved the woman out of the way. Throwing her his coin purse without looking back, not waiting to see if she caught it or not. The cool night enveloped him as he stepped out, his steps quickened. The cane in his hand denied its purpose as he kept it away from the ground. His eyes caught movement. A man was sitting by a crate at the mouth of an ally. His eyes scanned the street, but his mouth moved. He was talking to someone behind him. Yaeno’s feet urged him forward, there was an urgency to his steps now. One that had his gut twisting with anxiety. The lookout had turned around chuckling as he answered some joke from behind him.

Yaeno had crossed the street, his heart almost roaring in his ears. Something was wrong, so very wrong, the itch in his arm intensified. He was only a few feet from the man when Yaeno’s eyes landed on what lay in the alley. It was dark, Yaeno could see nothing but a group of shadowed forms. There were five people, surrounding a lone person who towered over them. The light of the third sibling broke free of the dark clouds above, shedding light on the horrific scene.

The same lanky man from before held Dawnfanna by the throat. The front part of Dawnfanna’s shirt was torn open. The cloth hanging loosely over his toned chest. The thugs eyes hungrily scaned the Dawnfanna’s exposed skin. The man’s chest rose, his breathing uneven and excited. Another was groping Dawnfanna’s pockets emptying them. The other three crowded around them snickering. A hand was placed against his chest as the man guarding the entrance of the alley tried to push him back. Yaeno didn’t budge his eyes locked on Dawnfanna’s face. Dawnfanna had his eyes closed, his head raised as he looked away from the men. Tears were falling from his closed eyes. The moon caught them at just the right angle making them sparkle as they fell. Priceless gems, wasted on these pigs.

The man guarding the alley was on him, his foul breath wafting across Yaeno’s face. He said something about ‘doesn’t concern you’ and ‘if you leave us your purse, we’ll let you go.” Yaeno wasn’t paying attention. Something slithered its way up his scarred arm, setting it alight. Wherever the thing slithered the itch followed. As though tiny fires trailed along as it slithered up to his neck and whispered into his ear.

Rage.

A grabby fist for his jaw, the thug swinging with all their might. His movements were slow and sluggish. Nothing like that of Akum or his minions. Yaeno let the blow sail passed him, letting it pass a hairs breadth from his chin. His grip on his cane slackening. Yaeno slammed his closed fist into the man’s chest and felt bone crack as it give way under the strike. The thug let out a wet cough that was swallowed as Yaeno grabbed him by the hair and pulled his face down. Yaeno’s knee connected with the man’s mouth. Splitting his lips and breaking tar stanned teeth in the process. The man fell to his knees holding his ruined mouth, blood and teeth falling to the cobblestones.

They’d noticed him now. The second thug rushed forth making a pass for his legs trying to trip him. His dirt covered hand reaching for Yaeno’s cloak, while his leg went behind Yaeno. An icy rage scored a Yaeno’s veins. Yaeno raised one foot letting the thugs own foot pass by. He grabbed the man’s wrist pulling him forwards and into the face of the other thug who tried to circle him. The man was fat, his heavy footsteps could be heard a mile away. They slammed into each other, the collision muted as they fell into mess of legs and dirty rags

The poison in his veins burned as the thing demanded he hurt them all the while Yaeno’s mind was locked on one clear image. Dawnfanna’s scared face as gems cascaded down his cheeks. He’d looked defeated, accepting even.

How DARE they.

The other two were now circling him, Yaeno gave them no room to move. His fist snaking out and slamming into the closest one. Cartilage broke as blood spewed from the mans nose, Yaeno wasn’t finished with. Reaching out he grabbed the mans wrist and twisted. There was an audible pop and moan as the man cried out his eyes wild. He fell to the floor holding his dislocated shoulder. The other came slamming into him aiming to tackle him to the floor. Yaeno let him, a fist came down slamming into his cheek. Yaeno feeling the sting of each blow. It was nothing compared to the venom in his veins. The man sat atop his abdomen. His eyes on the man, as one blow after another fell. Yaeno lay his eyes unblinking and burning with hatred, as blow after blow failed to even get a flinch out of him. The mans strikes became slower till they stopped all together. Yaeno could see the fear worm its way into the mans eyes. The mans hand shot to his waist, fighting to unhitch the club tied to it. Yaeno’s open hand reached out, slamming into the mans left eye with a wet sound. The man howled in agony his hands forgetting the club and instead reached up for his wounded eye. With the same hand Yaeno grabbed a fist full of the man’s greasy hair. Pulling hard he slammed his forehead against the thugs. The man slumped against him unconscious. Two more to go.

Yaeno rolled away and as a foot came down where his head had been. Yaeno grabbed the mans ankle bringing him to the floor. Still holding onto the mans ankle, Yaeno grabbed his foot and with a twist. Yaeno heard something snap. The thug wailed trying to kick Yaeno away with his other leg. Yaeno only twisted harder. The man shook his curses fading until he was begging Yaeno to let go, Yaeno only twisted harder. This had been the bastard who’d touched Dawnfanna. Who’d looked at him like he was some piece of meat. The man’s begging was cut short as he slumped forth. The pain knocking him out. The last man standing just fled, turning tail and disappearing into the dark. Yaeno turned back to the unconscious man, his fist connecting with the mans nose. Before he even knew what he was doing. Once, twice, thrice it fell. Each blow throwing droplets of blood against his fists and cheek. The thing whispered in his ears, ecstatic with joy and pleasure at the carnage that ensured. It was please with the bloodied ruin of the lanky mans face.

The other two who’d crashed into each other had stayed on the floor watching. Their eyes were wide, with terror. Yaeno stood and the smaller man broke out of his stupor. He cursed reaching for the dagger at his hip. The fat man still on the floor just watched him, his mouth hanging open. The rank smell of piss on the wind. Yaeno cooly walked up to him.

The dagger the skinny man reached for was a rusted old thing. It had a higher chance of giving you a disease than actually cutting you. Yaeno’s foot came down hard, a resounding crunch could be hard as fingers gave way under his boot. The scrawny thug let out a yelp of pain. Yaeno foot was moving again catching him in the jaw and silencing him. The man slammed against the other unconscious.

The bigger man lips shook, showing missing teeth. He looked close to tears. The fear in his eyes had the thing that snaked around him howling with joy. Its forked tongue slithering out and tasting the air. The mans eyes were no longer on Yaeno but his arm and the scars on them. The light of the full moon fell against them, the smooth flesh almost shone under the gleam. His scarred fist rose once then twice the second hit splashing more beads of crimson onto Yaeno. The fat man’s eyes rolled back and into his skull. Yaeno turned finding Dawnfanna’s eyes on his arm as well.

“Are you alright, We should go soon”

Dawnfanna didn’t answer he eyes still on the mangled flesh of his arm. There was blood coming down his lip where they’d struck Dawnfanna. Yaeno reached out and Danwfanna flinched. Yaeno drew his hand back as if he’d been burned. For a brief moment Yaeno had seen his hand, bruised, his fist covered in flecks of blood. Dawnfanna eyes were now on him, they were wide and glistened in the moon light. Yaeno looked away the knot in his gut twisting. Grabbing his cloak Yaeno covered his arm.

Dawnfanna took one step back, his eyes still on Yaeno’s bloodied and scarred hand. He took another before turning and leaving. Dawfanna did not flee but his steps were hurried. Yaeno waited a few heartbeats before following. All the while still feeling an itch in his arm.