The short, dark-hooded figure proffered a forward hand, faced up towards the sky. The gloves that shielded the flesh matched the hood, and I could see a small outline of a smile beneath the dark.

Vekrem opened his mouth as if he would speak, but Saise, ever the hothead it seemed, had already readied her weapon. It was a strange thing, with a hooked head that I swear people used to garden with. Then, remembering some comic I’d read long ago, I suddenly knew what it was—A sickle. And, connected to that sickle, was a linked metal chain which she now lowered to the floor as she turned. As she did, the chain spun, slowly, at first, but with every rotation of her shoulder, the sickle and chain spun faster and faster until I could no longer see either, just a whirling silver color that I knew meant death for any who came into contact.

Vekrem turned to her with shock on his angular face. “Saise, wait! There’s no need to resort to violence—”

Too late.

She loosed her weapon, and it flew through the air, narrowly missing Vekrem as it curved. Just then, the figure shied back; the hood falling from their face to reveal a human teenager—fourteen at the oldest. Saise flicked her wrist suddenly, and the chain changed direction, the head of the sickle narrow missing the neck of the boy who looked on with horror as he fell on his ass in the mud.

Turning, Saise began an intricate form, each step, she stacked the chain on top of itself. Round and round it spun, the chain getting shorter and shorter with each rotation until the sickle landed back into her hands. Sighing, she peered at each of us with an annoyed furrow on her brow. “I’ll leave this to you. Children make me… anxious.” Taking a last look at the boy who sat in the mud, staring back at her dumbfounded, she added, “Especially the human kind.”

The boy stammered as he rocked backwards away from us. “She-she-she… she almost killed me!”

Asema stepped forward, offering a hand. “Aye, that she did. You’re luckier than you know; she hates humans.” Saise scoffed at her comment as she disappeared behind a nearby tree as she headed away from the trail. “See what I mean?”

“Stupid Chitik bitch,” the other figure who was still standing said as he pulled off his own hood, now that their initial deception had failed. He had sun-kissed skin that spoke to a life lived outside. He was young, just as young if not younger than his partner on the ground. His face was dirty, his teeth yellow as he smiled nervously towards Asema. “But you miss… Wow!”

Vekrem coughed into his hands. “Looks like manners are not taught to the country bumpkins.”

He narrowed his eyes. “And why would a Rodrent care? Stupid rat bastards, best to kill every—”

Vekrem appeared to crack his knuckles, and I stepped in front of him, putting a hand to his shoulder. “Easy… he’s just a kid,” turning to face the boy, I added, “A stupid loudmouth kid that best learn when to shut the fuck up.”

“*Pfft.”

The kid who’d fallen had recovered now, trying to wipe the brown mud from his clothing and failing miserably at it. Turning back towards us, he said, “Don’t think we are done with you lot. Offer still stands, give us your coins or die. Your choice.”

I worked hard to stifle a laugh. “Think we’re well past that, don’t you? How’s this; a trade. I’ll tell you our names, you tell us yours. Deal?” The boy opened his mouth to protest, but I went ahead anyway, adding, “I’m Ike, this is Vekrem and the lovely lady you so generously complimented earlier is Asema. Saise, the red one, also apologizes for being rude earlier. She really should watch her temper.”

The boy, so similar in build to the first that one had to assume they were brothers, put a hand to his chin as if deciding something. “Fine… I’m Joppa and this is my brother Loppa.”

Pointing a finger at each, I said, “Joppa. Loppa. I think I got it… Maybe? Now that that’s established, I think we got off on the wrong foot. We are trying to get to a town named Mossguard. Heard of it?”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Of course you moron,” Loppa replied, or was it Joppa? “Who hasn’t heard of Mossguard? You slow in the head?”

Asema, deciding I was doing a poor job at managing our new friends, stepped in for me. “Ah yes, he is. Slow in the head I mean. Such a shame, his mother must have dropped him one-to-many times.” She shot me a sly grin, and I noticed Vekrem narrow his eyes towards me as well. I raised my hands in the air casually. “Now if you two young, good-looking men could help us out, I would be grateful.” She bit her lip, turning to the side to exaggerate her body.

The boys flushed as one replied, “Well, you can stay with us—”

His brother slapped him on the head. “Loppa! Did you already forget that were robbing them?”

Loppa rubbed the spot where Joppa had struck him with his hand. “I haven’t forgotten, but look at them. They aren’t merchants, just some poor travelers probably looking for work.”

I snapped my finger. “That’s right. Loppa, was it? I knew you were the smart one.” He beamed and Joppa went even redder in the face. “Just travelers looking for work… manual labor is our specialty.”

Loppa, now content on his role as the de facto leader, replied, “Then Mossguard is the right place. Keep following the path and you’ll be there in about a day. But, for tonight, we can—“

Joppa interjected again. “They can’t come with us. He’ll kill them. Maybe us too this time.”

Vekrem’s interest suddenly peaked. “Who? Who will harm you?”

The brothers answered at the same time. “Jandard”

“And why will Jandard hurt you?” Asema asked.

“Well…”

“We aren’t very good at robbing people.” Joppa said, turning to his brother. “Loppa always does this; spares anyone who is even the least bit friendly. Then, when Jandard gets angry, I get punished too. So…” he pulled a small knife from a hidden compartment in his cloak. “Coins. Now! Oh, and your satchels, bet you have some good stuff there.”

Despite actually liking the two boys, I fingered my dagger all the same. Vekrem, noticing my itching hand, put his on top of mine and shook his head. He turned back towards Joppa who held the knife. “I know you are hurting—I can feel it. I have been there myself. For many years I’ve felt despair. But, I can tell, this isn’t you; you don’t want to become this—become what Jandard wants to make you.”

His words had an impact as Joppa’s hand quivered. “You don’t know us. You don’t—”

“I do,” Vekrem replied. “I do.”

Loppa put his hand to Joppas shoulder. “It’s ok, brother. We’ll lie and say nobody passed on the road today.”

“No, you won’t.” Vekrem reached into his traveler's pack, pulling out a small bag. “Here, take this. It’ll buy you some goodwill, and perhaps a bit more.”

Joppa pocketed the knife as he took the bag with his other hand. Opening it, his mouth dropped in shock.

“Let me see!” Loppa said, moving to his side to peer into the bag himself. Silver gleamed in their eyes and slowly, they rose to meet Vekrem’s gaze as he nodded in satisfaction. Loppa looked as if he would cry as he asked, “Why—why would you give this to us?”

Vekrem crossed his arms. “I already told you, I have been where you are now. Stuck between survival and doing something you don’t want to do. I wish—I wish I could show you a way out. A brighter path; a better future. But alas, I’m still working on that part myself. Still, if your problem is coins, that’s a simple problem to solve. Take it, but only give away small amounts at a time. Keep a bit for yourselves and if you ever see an opportunity. Run!”

Joppa and Loppa wiped away small tears that formed at the edges of their eyes. Joppa, the true leader of the two, stepped forward, offering a hand as he said, “Thank you.”

Vekrem reached out and shook it. “Thank me by looking after yourselves. Survive; struggle, and fight for that better life.”

Pocketing the bag with the coins inside, Joppa flipped his hood back on, Loppa following his lead. Pointing, he said, “This road leads to Mossguard, but you won’t make it that far. Jandard has more men and women further down the road, looking for groups too large for us to take ourselves. Your Chitik friend had the right idea, stay in the forest that runs along the path for another few hours and you’ll pass the rest of our group. Then you can return to the path which will take you straight to Mossguard.”

Asema, seemingly bothered by the conclusion of the conversation, interjected, “Why don’t you come with us?”

“And be slaves like the two of you?” Loppa replied with a sneer. “Jandard is harsh, and brutal, at times… but he isn’t a slave master. We aren’t bound in chains, and even if we were… better our own kind. Besides, there are others we can help with this gift.”

“But I’m not—“ Too late! The brothers turned and walked back up the hill, eventually disappearing over the other side. Asema grounded her teeth and when I turned to speak to her, she added, “Let’s just keep moving. Where’s that damn Chitik woman?”

I reached out a hand, but she turned from us, walking towards the forest that edged the path. Vekrem shrugged his shoulders, and we followed her in silence.