Another explosion. The ground shook, and the fires spread. The floor quaked as the sound of breaking glass smashed all around. Glints of fire and smoke could be seen rising into the sky. People screamed with terror as they ran throughout the city to make their way to safety, only there was none. Screams of men, women and children, pierced the air like a lance finding its mark. A young man ran through the palace as another explosion shook the palace walls, almost knocking him off his feet. When the man reached one of the palace’s many open hall balconies, he reached out and grabbed the open balcony. He threw himself onto the railing, forcing his deep blue eyes to look at what he already knew was taking place. His skin prickled as dread washed over him from the sight of his city, burning. His people crying out. His heart broke silently as he took in a gasp of grief. Once everything stopped shaking, he slowly straightened. Smoke wafted into his face, he stood witnessing the fall of Lormika, his city and capital of the Mengesha Kingdom.

 The culprits of the fires were flying a few feet from the palace, dragons. So many of them, flying all around, turning the sky into a battlefield. The dragons breathed fire at the people running and swooped down to grab them with their powerful claws. Soldiers fought in vain, falling one by one. Lormika was now a slaughterhouse, and there was nothing the man could do.

Suddenly, a shadow cast over him as it passed by. Wings brushed away the smoke and allowed the sun to gleam off chartreuse jewels that were scales of a gigantic dragon. The monster was as large as the palace itself. She let out a roar and with the gust of her wings, she caught sight of the tall dark-haired figure. The dragon opened her mighty jaws and breathed a jet of fire right towards the open balcony. The man ducks and he felt the heat above him, searing the fine strands of his long black hair. He prayed to the great god, Iam, that the stone walls would hold back the lava hot flames. Once he felt the cool air, he looked outward once more.

Tears fell from his eyes for his people. ‘Why did they betray us? Are we being punished due to father’s war?’ he thought. He tried so hard…tried to fight for what was right and to help the innocent people on both sides of the war. But as the man witnessed the collapse of the capital, it was all for nothing. He could only sob in grief.

“Christian!”

The man turns to see Jack, his personal bodyguard, running towards him. Before he could react, Jack grabbed him and started running.

Christian lets Jack lead him into an empty room and shoved him inside.     

            After listening to see if anyone was outside the door, Jack turned and said, “The dragons have breached the palace now. Your father gave me an order to get you and your family out. Do you know where Layla is?”

            “I was headed to Silverous’s nursery; she would be there.”

            “I’ll go find them. You must leave immediately; use the secret elevator,” Jack said, in a stern voice.

            “No!” Christian responded. “They are my wife and child. I’m not leaving without them!”

             Jack was about to argue when the men both heard and felt loud crashes and several thumps as if something large was walking across the floor. The sound stopped in front of the door. They held their breaths and listened.

            “Where can the Silverous hatching be, anyways?” they heard a deep voice growl.

            “I do not know, but he must be near,” a second voice rang out.   

            Jack opened the door just enough for the two to look out. Two dragons were a few feet away from the door. The bright scales were catching the light from the setting sun and towering flames, bathing the room with beautiful dancing specks of purple and bright red.

            “How are we supposed to find a little human baby in a place this confusing?” the dark purple dragon asked growling.

            “Come,” the slightly larger red dragon replied, “We find the father first, then we can force him to take us to the hatching.”

            The first dragon let out a deep rumble and replied, “Yes, and afterwards… we can eat him!”

            The red dragon snarled, “The small queen said she wants him as a mate! We can’t kill him!”

More growling ensued, “Just a nibble?”

The red dragon responded by sharply nipping the other in the neck. The purple yowls but got the point. Jack and Christian wait as they moved out of view and the thumps fade.

            Christian quickly looked around, they were in a small sitting room. He spots a double headed battle-axe staff that was mounted on the wall and pulls it down. The heavy axe was comforting in his hands.

            “What do you think you’re doing!?” Jack asked, whispering.

            “I’m not going to let them get Silverous!” Answered Christian, “I couldn’t stop the attack, but I be damned if they steal my son!”

            Before Jack could stop him, Christian kicked the door open and went after the dragons, running with the axe in one hand like it weighed nothing.

            “Damnit!”

            Jack unsheathed his guard’s sword and followed his prince. By the time Jack reached Christian, he was already engaging with the dragons. As he got closer, Christian jumped up on the wall and kicked off to gain more air. He landed on the purple one’s back and swung the axe deep into the scaled beast.

            Jack had to cover his ears as the dragon roared. Christian tore out the axe and goes to swing again when the red dragon grabs him and held him up to get a better look at the human. His arms were pinned to his sides, making him drop the axe.   

            “Ah, there you are. You just made things easy for us. Tell us where the little hatching is and no harm will come to you nor him.”

But before he could answer, the purple dragon snaps, “Fuck that! He attacked me! I WANT HIS FUCKING HEAD!”

            “Quiet! That tiny scratch will heal! I told you the queens want him for mating. Now, human, where is your hatch¾ UGH!”

            Jack’s sword was embedded deep in the red dragon’s chest, making him drop Christian. Once he was free, he picks the axe up once more and gets in a fighting stance. Jack backs up holding the now bloody sword. 

            “Thanks...”

            “You’re welcome, you reckless son of a bitch!”

            “I know!” Christian cried as he led the charge to attack the dragons.

The red dragon growled, blood pooling under him, “If you want a fight then so be it, but you will submit and corporate in the end!

When Christian swung the axe, the dragon lunged and grabbed the axe pole with his mouth. He tossed Christian back, still hanging on, making the man roll to get back up. Jack then replaced Christian, slashing at him on the nose. While Jack was busy with the red dragon, the smaller purple one goes for Christian with murderous intent. The prince stops the dragon as he pounced, knocking him hard in the face with the axe. The dragon roared, shooting fire upwards.

 

Even with the dragons holding back, at least one of them, it was impossible to land a killing blow. The dragons were just too powerful; they were the divine beings of Iam after all. Despite being a follower of the god, that was the last thing on Christian mind when his newborn was concerned. He kept fighting, yelling as he swung at the dragons with rage. Sparks and blood flew as the axe heads hit each dragon and scrapped the hard stone floor. Jack battles alongside him swiping his sword until claws grabbed him. Jack was then thrown right into Christian. Both men tumble to the floor.

“Enough!” The red dragon roared out. “This ends now! You cannot kill us and I am growing impatient!”

As the dragon approached the men, Christian whispered at Jack, “There has to be another way.”

            Jack, looking up toward the ceiling, noticed it was about to fall. The fires had spread quickly and roared from the flames of the colossal dragon’s continued attacks outside. Jack then whispered back to keep fighting and run when he gave the word.

            Christian trusted his friend, so he nodded with understanding and stood up. He turned to one of the dragons and yelled, “I won’t back down. You want my son?” he spun the axe and held it in front of him, “Then, come and get me.”

            The purple dragon grinned and showed his sharp fangs, “Gladly. The little queen wants you alive for her own use. I care not if it is for mating or a pleasure fuck, she will have to live with few of your limbs missing!”

            “What queen do you keep talking about?” Christian ordered, “The queen of the Urualans was killed in the war and she had no children. And I know that your queen dragon outside isn’t wanting a human mate.”

            He didn’t answer and lunged for the human. Christian met him with an axe blade to the face. He roars and throws Christian off into the wall. With his talon he swung to strike, but Christian dodged and he struck the wall instead, making a hole in the stone. Christian grabbed him by a horn with his free hand and slammed his head on the open hole. This caused the wall to crumble down. The dragon whined and staggered, but, though the dust from the wall, Christian spotted the other dragon pinning Jack on the floor with his teeth glaring. Christian jumped on the purple dragon’s head and jumped toward the red about to kill Jack. With the axe, Christian struck out at the wings, chopping one clean off. Blood splashed on the man as the dragon bellowed, thrashing around in pain. Suddenly, Jack yelled, “Christian!”

            He looked and saw Jack pointing up. The fires were causing the ceiling to crack and pieces of it had started falling in chunks. With the now damaged wall, the ceiling was only being held up by a few burning wooden beams. Christian watched the wall of fire that was the floor above.

Jack yelled again, “Run, now!”

Christian didn’t hesitate. He ran and jumped out of the way just as the ceiling collapsed on top of all of them.

 

            Christian moaned as he sat up and pushed the scattered remains of the ceiling off.

            “Jack!” he yelled, looking around for him.

            No answer.

            “Jack!” he yelled again, panicking now and got to his feet.

             “Christian… where are you?”

            He heard Jack’s voice faintly. Christian then yelled for Jack to call out again, so he could judge where the voice was coming from.

            After hearing his voice, Christian realized they were separated because of the collapsed ceiling. “Jack, I’m here on the other side of the debris. I can’t reach you.”

            “Damnit!” Jack cursed, “Stay where you are, I’ll try to find a way to you.”

            “No, I need to find Layla and Silverous. If the rest of the dragons are after them, I’ll need to find them before they do. The elevator is on your side, go and I’ll catch up.”

            “Christian, no! Come back, it’s too dangerous. Are you listening? …Christian!”

            He was already gone.

                                            

            Frantically, Christian began searching for his wife and child. Every room however was now engulfed in flames.

            The smoke made it hard to breathe but Christian kept going. As he approached the steps that would take him to the next floor up, to the living quarters, he found only more fire, everything that was wood was on fire or already ash. He looks around coughing for any other way up.

“LAYLA!” he screamed out.

Nothing.

Suddenly, he turned away from the stairwell and rushed to the throne room. If Layla escaped upstairs with Silverous, she would head to the throne room.

‘Please, Iam. Let her be there!’

He ran as fast as he could. When he reached the palace center, he heard crying. He heard his baby crying.

            “Silverous,” he whispered.

            Christian ran in the direction of the crying. It got louder as he sped down the corridor. He followed the sounds until he reached the big double doors that lead to the throne room. From the other side of the doors, Christian heard the cries from Silverous. He tried desperately to open the doors, but they were locked. Silverous cried out even louder.

            “Hang on Silverous, I’m coming,” the young father called through the door, hoping his voice would calm the infant.

He took the axe and swung at the door. He anxiously chopped away, bit by bit, until he could finally push the heavy door open. When inside the room, Christian ran forward. He zeroed in on Silverous in a young woman’s arms. She paced back and forth wearing the same ivory dress she had that morning. She stopped taking note of her husband.

“Christian!” 

            “Layla….”

            Christian ran to her, dropped the axe and pulled her into his arms. She lays her head on his shoulder closing her deep brown eyes.

            “Thank Iam,” she whispered.

            Being carefully nestled between his parents and feeling his mother’s relief, the babe seemed to finally settle. 

            Christian took a moment to hold his beautiful wife; grateful she and Silverous were alright. Layla had given birth a few weeks ago and he almost lost her then. The pregnancy was an extremely difficult one. She became weak and unable to leave their bed. While she had made a remarkable recovery, she was still healing. Christian silently thanked Iam for watching over her during the fire.

            Christian pulls away and cupped her face, “Are you alright? The flames… are you burned?”

            She shook her head, making her long black locks sway. At the first alarm, I took Silverous and left. They were evacuating… but I stayed behind.”

            He kisses her face and looks to Silverous kissing his forehead, “I’m sorry it took me so long but I’m here now, my love. Let’s go. I don’t know why, but the dragons want Silverous.”

            Christian turns to lead her away but stopped. He was solely focused on Layla, he didn’t take in the state of the room. All around them were bodies and blood. The bodies of his father’s guards, all slain.

            Christain’s blood ran cold, “Layla what….”

            He trailed off and looked for signs of a dragon attack. There was none. The dead men were killed by… what looked to be a blade.

He looked to Layla for answers, but her head was lowered to Silverous, gently stroking his little face.

“Layla? What happened?”

His eyes went wide as he had a horrifying thought, “Where is Father?”

Layla hesitated and slowly lifted her gaze to the throne. Sitting on the throne was a man in royal robes and an iron crown. His once sharp dark eyes were lifeless, and his mouth open slightly with blood still dripping on his lips and into his beard. One of Layla’s two golden daggers, that Cristain gave her as a wedding gift, was sunk into the king’s cold heart.      

            “Father!?” Christian half whispered in shock.

            He took a step towards the dead king, but Layla stopped him by gripping his arm, “Christian, it had to be done.”

            He snaps his attention to her, “What have you done!?”

            “Please, listen to me¾,”

            “What did you do Layla!”

            Christain backs away from her as Layla’s gorgous eyes tears up, “Christian, please… I had to.”

            He held the sides of his head, “No, no no, it wasn’t supposed to happen this way! Not… not like this. Oh God!”

            Christain turned to emtpy his stomach. Layla gasped and tired to rush to him, but he held his hand out.

            “Layla… why? Why would you do this? Why! Answer me!” He screamed at her, then added with a chilling realization, “It was you. You let the dragons inside the city… you were the one who attacked us. You’re the queen they were talking about.”

Layla turns to gently lay Silverous down on a cushion by the wall. He started to fuss with the yelling. She turns back and walks to Christian.

“Well, I’m not Princess Consort anymore… and yes. I did it for us. You know the kind of horrible man he was! You yourself were sabotaging his orders in secret. Christian, he wiped out an entire city of people! The Urualan magic is depleted! We don’t know just how many of them are left!”

“And so that justifies you letting our city fall!?” Christian yelled at her, “Those are my people out there! Your people!”

“Chris, I¾.”

“No! You are not... Layla… you murdered my father! I know he was loseing his mind, but he is still my father! You just… You didn’t even talk to me! You knew I was trying to lead a coup and we could have gotten him help. But, you… you went behind my back and murdered him! You murdered these people!”

He waved his arm over the room of countless dead men, “What did they do to deserve death!? They were protecting their king!”

Silverous then was crying once more. Layla started to move towards the crying baby, but Christain rushed forward and stepped in front of her, shielding their son from her.

            Layla’s eyes fill with tears, “I didn’t mean for the dragons to attack like this. I just wanted to stop your father. Queen Peridot was angry. She was so angry.”

He stares at her at a loss for words. Silverous was screaming for someone to hold him, but Christian didn’t dare move.

“You talked to Peridot?”

Layla nodded. Queen Peridot was the leader of the dragon race. Iam created dragons to rule the planet, and so, the dragons created man with their magic flame. This was the start of time and currently Peridot was the only living dragon descended from the first dragon.

Layla continued, “She wanted this to end. Lormika, your dad, had enraged her. She led the attack. That’s her out there now. It… it was my job to assassinate Lormika.”

Christian scoffed, “So that’s it? She is the bringer of our destruction, and we don’t have a say?”

“She’s not going to wipe humanity out!”

“Just our city then? My city!? The one I fought for this whole time!?”

Layla didn’t answer but went forward and grabbed the front of Christain’s coat with both hands, “I couldn’t stop them once it started. Please, I did this for us. I wanted a better life for us…for Silverous. Christian, please listen! This is not how I wanted this to happen either… but… but we can start over. We can rebuild! You and me. Everything will be ok!”

Christian slowly shook his head and tried to back up but Layla, desperate, held on to him.

“Christian no, please! I need you….”

He looks into her wet eyes and hesitates. He loved this woman so much, but the horror around them, it was too much. Tears started to fall from his own eyes. Layla moved to wipe them away and move his hair lovingly.

“Shhh, don’t cry, its ok… we can fix this. We can do it together. I know we can. Trust me.”

She leans up and kissed him. More tears fell as Christian closed his eyes to kiss back and bring her closer. Layla sighed into the kiss, relieved, but soon felt him pull away.

“Layla, I can’t.”

The words were like glass breaking.

Christian turns away towards Silverous and something inside Layla snapped apart.

“NO!” she roars.

Layla lunged for him and pulled him to the floor with her. She struggled to pin him down as Christian fought with her

“Layla! Stop!”

He tried to push her off, but she showed inhuman strength he never witnessed before. He faltered confused at first but then, just stared in shock at her eyes. Her brown eyes that he loved to get lost in, had turned crimson red. He watched as she stood up without taking her eyes off him. As he gazed at her, her flesh began to turn so pale she looked a greenish white. Her beautiful black hair turned wild and tangled, and her nails began to grow longer, and the ends began to bend down like claws.

            Silverous was now crying louder than ever. Christian looked at his wife, and for the first time felt pure terror.

            “What… are you?”

            It was the cries from Silverous that made him finally move to stand and get away from her, but Layla darts out and grabbed his leg. Christian kicks her off and stubbled to his feet. He had almost reached Silverous when he felt Layla jump on his back and they both fell to the floor again. There was a struggle, and they rolled on the floor for control. Layla’s claws scratched his face and caused blood to bead up from the marks. Christian tried to throw her off but yells as she bit his throat. He felt elongated canines pierced his neck and to his horror, Layla started to drink in his blood. He grabbed her hair and pulled, trying to get her to let go. When that didn’t work, he rolled to her on her back and punched her in the stomach. She gasped and let go and it was Christain’s turn to pin her down. His blood covered her mouth and spilled from his neck.

            Layla pants and looked up at Christian. Her red eyes were glowing brightly and didn’t make another move while Christian held her down. However, she suddenly began to change even more. Black lines started to appear from under her skin and started to cover her body. As Christian looked closer, he could see them moving and soon resized that …it was black colored blood veins showing though her skin pumping fast with adrenaline. With him distracted, Layla used her claws to dig into his wrists, making them spew blood. Christian gasped out in pain and let go. 

            She threw him off and stood up. With the amount of blood lost, Christian started to feel lightheaded and clammy. He tried to push himself up with his arms but fell back to his knees and onto the floor. Silverous’s crying was echoing in his head.

            “Silverous!” he gasped.

            He tried to get up again, but Layla pushed him on his back with her foot.

            She then knelt and swept his hair back lovingly. Christian then felt a pressure in his chest. He grunted, unsure what was happening, until he saw it. Layla had her hand on her second dagger, and half the blade was sunk into his chest. She slowly pulled the dagger back out, causing blood to gush out. Christian grips his wound in shock. She gently placed her hand on top of his.

            “I’m so sorry….”

Christian griped her arm with his other hand, fighting to stay awake, but soon his eyes roll back and his hand went limp, falling back on the floor. He lay motionless on the floor.

            Layla slowly changed back until she was her previous humanoid self. She looked at him intently and bent down close to him and whispered, “I love you… I’m so sorry.”

            She stroked his face with the back of her hand, tears falling on his cheek where she scratched him. She could feel a faint pulse in his hand that she still held. With this, she got to work stopping the bleeding and packing the wound until she could get him more help. standing up she went to her still crying baby. She picks him up cooing at him, “Shh, its ok. Mommy is here now.”

            Silverous finally started to calm down as he had exhausted himself but still fussed uncomfortable.  

            Layla wiped her mouth of her husband’s blood on her large sleeve, “I know Mommy looks scary. I’m sorry, my precious baby boy.”

            Soon, a dark green dragon forced his way into the room, tearing off what remained of the doors as he went. Layla looks over, bouncing the fussy baby in her arms.

            “Little Queen, the humans have brought reinforcements. We must leave; Queen Peridot’s work is done.”

            She nods, “Thank you, Draco. Get Hydra and Qwan to help me carry my husband.”

            “Qwan is injured, your mate cut off his wings. He will live but he has already been taken back.”   

             Layla’s eyes widened, “Damnit Christian, … alright fine. Get Hydra and come help then.”

            The dragon snorts and heads back out. Layla stood in place and took in the room around her. The fires had finally reached them. She watched as the Mengesha Kingdom banner caught fire and burned. The smoke didn’t seem to bother the woman, but Silverous had begun to cry once again, not liking it.

 

            It was those cries that caused Christian to stir. He slowly opened his eyes to orange light and heat. He saw Layla standing with her back to him and a crying Silverous in her arms. Seeing Silverous, Christian slowly got up and as he stood, he spots the forgotten axe. He picked it up. With the last of his strength, he threw the axe. The blades hit her in the back. She screamed and fell to the floor. As she was falling, she dropped Silverous and he rolled across the floor. He stopped crying and was silent.

            “SILVEROUS!” he screamed.

            Christian couldn’t see his face, because he was wrapped in a now blood stained blanket. The father somehow managed to reach him and fell to his knees. When Christian moved the blanket from his face, the baby looked up at him, and he started to cry again. The man cried with relief as he struggled to pick his son up.

            With the sudden movement, it had opened Layla’s patch up job on his wound. Christian was soon sitting in a pool of blood. He hugged Silverous tightly in his arms, thanking Iam and sobbing. He barely had the strength to hold the baby but still put his son first and comforted Silverous. The infant soon stopped crying and looked up at his father with his soft brown eyes. Christian smiled weakly and stroked his head.

“I got you.”

While Christian looked at his face, suddenly his eyes flashed for just a moment, a deep dark crimson. The man gasped and held him in shock.

            “Did I just…” he started at Silverous, but he was beginning to fall sleep in safe arms. 

            Christian looked over to where Layla had fallen… but her body was gone. He looked back down at the now sleeping Silverous.

            “No… this can’t be real, all of this, it’s a dream… it has to be….”

Finally, everything caught up to the prince turned king and he collapsed on his side, still holding Silverous protectively. He was too weak to move. The last thing Christian remembered before losing consciousness was a ring of fire closing in around them and running footsteps.

 

Twenty years later…

 

             The offroad pub wasn’t particularly busy, so when a lone man swung open the front door, all heads turned in his direction. The man walks forward towards the bar, his heavy boots thump loudly with each step. Wanting to avoid the stares, he sits at the end of the bar. The group of drunks at a table, uninterested, go back to talking among themselves and continue their card game. The pub keeper was washing glasses behind the bar.

            “What can I get you?” he asked the new patron.

            “A beer, whatever brand is fine.” A low voice said to him.

            He nodded and went on fixing the drink. Dark brown eyes did a quick scan around the pub. The only people inside were the group at the table, the keeper and himself. He also took note of the exits and no staircase to another floor. A single floor pub then. A Dutch door was behind the bar with the top half open. It showed a backroom, but no cook or other workers were working today it seemed. The man seemed satisfied but still raised the collar on his coat.

The pub keeper set down a mug for the man at the bar. He took it and took a few large gulps, draining it. He had the keeper top him off, but this time, drank it slowly and started listening to the conversation behind him.

 

            “Hey, did you hear about the king’s son?” one of the drunks asked.

            “No, what’s wrong with him now?”

             “Well, seems the damn kid has up and disappeared.”

“You kiddin?”

“Yep, sure did!

Another man from the group laughs and throws some silver coins on the table and pulls a card, “I hear that’s bullshit story! Doubt King Chris would let that happen anyway. What reason would he want to leave that cushy palace?”

The other man tosses his cards down, folding and shrugs, “Hell if I know! Lad just turned twenty, didn’t he? So, maybe he wants to celebrate becoming a man now! Get away from royal daddy I imagine. Find a girl to fuck?”

The first man laughs while the third one says, “Brothel’s closed ya dipshit! Thank the King for that!”

“Didn’t say he needed a brothel! I’m sure any gal would jump at the chance to ride a pretty boy.”

“Yeah, maybe your wife….”

“You shut your damn mouth!”

“Not what she said last night!”

“You fucker!” he says standing up and grabbing an empty bottle to fling it but the man next to him, stops him.

“You know he full of shit, Bob. Sit down and finish the game! I’m winning!”

He sighs and pulls the chair back in place, scraping across the wood floor.   

            Seeing his drinking buddies were clam, he then asked, “Anyways, if that kid ran away, we wouldn’t know what he looked like to begin with. Never made any public appearance.”

“Maybe because he takes after his momma. Crazy dragon bitch.”

            Laying more coins down one replied “Oh hell, don’t remind me. Maybe that’s why none of us seen the brat. Never shown in public or nothin? Pretty weird!”

The other man huffed and took a drink before slammed it down, “All we know, he might be running off to join that psycho freak woman!”

            “Ya think so?” the drunk asked.

            He drank the last of his drink and continued, “Maybe… the war been at a standstill has it not? Them just waiting to pounce on us! What a better way to tip the scales in the dragon’s favor if they get the kid on their side? Silverous Lemonto may be the worst thing to ever happen to Mengesha!”

            At the bar, the brown-eyed man slammed his drink down a bit too hard. The group hears him snort to himself.

“Oi! Got something you wanta add buddy?”

            The larger man glanced over his shoulder, “Just that you seem to have an interesting theory.”

            “Well, you got a better idea, hotshot?”

            He smirks and turns back to his drink, “Doesn’t matter. Truth is, none of you know. You three sitting around gossiping isn’t doing anything to change anything.”

            The drunk tossed his cards down, “Humph, you sound like you know somthin!”

            “No... I don’t know anything.”

            The man then stood up, tossed a few gold coins down for the drink and asked the bar keep, “Can I get a couple of apples also and a cut of beef to go?”

            The keeper turns to the Dutch door, swinging it open to gather the food. The man hears the chairs move as the drunk men were standing up. The man tensed up as he felt them gather around him.   

            “That’s a lot of gold you got, boy. Don’t see that too often outside the city… you know what? I haven’t really seen you around here before.” One of the men said, his breath reeking of alcohol.

            The man snaps back, “Just traveling though.”

            “That right?” the drunk says, “Where you headed then, stranger?”

            The man placed a hand around one of his hidden handguns that was hidden under his long coat, “Nowhere… now I suggest you back up of my personal space.”

He hears them laugh and starts to move his other hand of the bar to push them back, but one of the drunks grabs at his wrist, holding it tightly.

“Let’s just see if this here hand of yours is pretty or not why don’t we? No royal would have workingman hands!”

The drunk man pulls off the fingerless glove off just as a gun was pointed at his face. The other two backs away quickly and the drunk holds up his hands wide eyed. He glanced at the gunman’s hand, it was deeply scared and full of calluses.

“I thought I said to back up,” the man growled and ripped his glove out of the other man’s hand.

“L-look, I’m sorry I just thought… ah nevermind. I-it’s clear I was wrong.”

The gun was then lowered and put back in its holster, “Yeah, no shit.”

The bar keeper walks back with a rapped bundle and a small sack of apples. The gunman took his items and turns storming out.       

            As the door shut, one of the drunks looked at his friend, suspiciously. “What the hell Bob?! Gonna get us all killed one day!”

             

 

As soon as the man was alone outside, he breathed a sigh of relief. Shit… I have to be more careful.

            He ran his hand through his thick black hair to get it out of his eyes. The hot sun shined down on, causing sweat to trickle down his neck. His long black leather coat flapped around him as he turned and walked to a sleek black mare. She looked up at her owner as he approached. She stomped her hoof and snorted impatiently.

            “Yeah, yeah Safiya, save it. Sorry to keep you waiting,” he tells the horse.

            Safiya nudged him with her nose as she was untied from the post. The man gives her a smile and reached to pull one of the fresh apples out for her. Her ears perk up and she quickly gobbles it up, happy. He then placed the rest of the food in the saddlebag and was about to mount when he stopped. Noticing a black and white flyer on the side of the building, he walks over to read it over. It had a man’s face on it with the caption:

 

Gold Reward for finding this man

Must be UNHARMED!

 

            The man stared at his own picture a few minutes, and then angrily reached out and tore the paper off the wall. He crumpled it in his hand and threw it to the ground. After mounting Safiya, she reared up and took off in a full gallop, stomping the paper as she went.