As he glanced around, he caught a pair of people dressed in baggy clothing, hiding obvious weapons underneath, looking in his direction. As if he didn't see them, Todd stepped into the alley.

Once out of sight from the street, he found a spot where the door of a building allowed him some cover. He carefully pulled out his sword and rested it against the wall so it wouldn't be seen nor reflect light. Standing there, he waited for someone to come around the corner.

Todd took a deep breath and calmed himself as he waited. He also pulled out a dagger and held it so the blade was hidden behind his arm. A couple of slow breaths later, two hooded figures stepped into the alley. The first immediately ran into the alley, saying, “he knows,” as he passed by Todd.

Two other hooded figures turned into the alley and were three steps in before one of them spotted Todd. Without a word, the figure raised a crossbow at Todd and pulled the trigger.

The bolt clanked against Todd’s right shoulder, his chainmail deflecting it harmlessly to the side. The guard quickly dropped the crossbow and reached for a second. Todd lept toward the man, dagger leading the way.

The hooded figure stiffened as the dagger dug into his arm but managed to keep a hold of the crossbow and still pull back on the string. Todd tried to twist the blade, but it was lodged between bones or something tight. The figure screamed in pain as he tried to raise the crossbow. Todd twisted his body while pushing the weapon away from his abdomen.

Clank! The bolt again skipped off Todd’s chainmail. Feeling a rush of confidence, he pulled his dagger out with a snarl. He yelled, “Drop the weapon and run, and I’ll let you live.”

The hooded figure lowered the crossbow as he took several steps back.

“Ok, ok, you win.” The figure said, taking a few more steps back away from Todd.

Todd peered down the alley behind the quitter, looking for the other person who followed him. A subtle click returned his attention to the hooded figure he thought was giving up.

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Another bolt flew out of the crossbow and clanged against the metal links in Todd’s armor. Even in the dim light, he could see the pale yellow teeth of the lad under the hood as he smiled.

“Really! What the fuck is wrong with you?” Todd said. He pulled his arm back and threw the dagger at the smiling teeth.

The dagger flew toward the smiling figure but continued above the head, missing by a foot. The figure laughed as he loaded another bolt into his weapon.

“You’re screwed now,” The smiling figure said as he raised his weapon.

Todd cursed at himself for not skilling up ranged weapons and reached for his sword. The weapon wasn’t in his holster. He turned and looked where he’d left it, ready for him to grab, when the other hooded figure waved the weapon around in a flourish and display the impressed Todd.

Todd quickly patted around and couldn’t find another dagger. With someone in front and someone behind, he didn’t think he could go digging in his backpack without it getting damaged. Reaching into a pocket, he felt the weapon he knew was there, hoping the laughter from the hooded figures would grant him at least surprise.

As he pulled out his fork, he thrust it up into the air. The little light that illuminated the alleyway caught the metal and revealed this weapon of doom to the hooded figures. The one in front of Todd with the crossbow gave a sharp laugh that turned into a cough. That was all Todd needed; he rushed forward, weapon outstretched, all two hundred pounds of muscle and bone behind it.

The fork jabbed into the hooded figure's shoulder, near his neck. Todd gave the utensil a twist before pulling it out. The crossbow fell to the ground as the hooded figure turned around and ran away. Todd turned around and stared at the other hooded figure holding Todd’s sword.

“It's dinner time,” Todd said as he held the bloody fork up high. He mimicked, licking the blood off of it.

The other figure turned and ran. Todd laughed at the success and started to wipe off the fork on his clothing before he realized whoever tried to jump him also took off with his sword.

“Fuck!” he shouted, then quickly ran away, not wanting to be there whenever reinforcements or whoever else poked their head into the alley.

After several twists, turns, and loopbacks, Todd found a small tavern nearby and bought a drink. He carefully watched the streets, looking for signs of someone following him or keeping an eye.

After an hour and three drinks, he figured he was in the clear. He paid his tab and walked a couple of blocks to the inn Mark and Henderson were at. He relayed his adventures to Henderson as Mark was in a trance.

With some time to waste, he decided what would be most productive: buying a new sword and some daggers.