That suited him just fine.
For if he was going to die, then Sunja was the place he’d do his dying. He truly believed he would perish upon the streets of his home. Koba wasn’t entirely willing to get rid of him, which surprised Pig Knot. He’d figured the trainer would be quite happy to throw him onto the wagon. Koba did not; however, after a short conversation, Pig Knot convinced him to do his bidding. And for that, he was grateful to the ugly topper. In his mind, he wished him luck with Ananda. Oh, the woman tempted him, to be sure, but Pig Knot had already had his share of women. Koba certainly wasn’t gifted at honeying words, and it was painful to watch the exchanges between him and Ananda. But the emotion was there. It took Pig Knot a while to see it, but it was there. And far be it from him to poison an infant romance.
But he did use it to get what he wanted.
Sunja. Back in his city. Back home. Pig Knot rested his head against stout timbers and peered up. The sun was nowhere to be seen, but the sky was the deepest blue, whitened with cottony cloud. He intended to live off the streets, as he had when he was a boy—at least until his few coins ran out.
Whereupon he assumed he’d eventually perish. Gladly. Eagerly.
Death. He often wondered what became of old gladiators when they could no longer pull steel for whatever reason.
Pig Knot relaxed, smiled faintly, and looked out from the alley’s shade, partially hidden from the herds. For the first time in what seemed a very long while, he felt free.
The people walked by him without notice.
*
A pair of sun-browned men walked past the legless man in the alley. One glanced in his direction but rapidly looked away. There were better things to see in the city. The Skarrs had asked the two travelers their purpose for entering Sunja. The newcomers informed the soldiers of their plan to make contact with the cobblers and leather workers, and with a little good fortune, maybe even negotiate supplying the merchants with materials.
That was good enough for the Skarrs. The two travelers had appeared honest enough and carried nothing more than spare clothing and boot daggers. Protection while on the road from Marrn, they’d said.
Entry was granted.
Once the two men had gotten past the Skarrs, their expressions changed from weary honesty to guarded determination. Their thoughts turned to a violent future.
And shortly after they entered the city, they disappeared into the masses.
TO BE CONTINUED
About the Author
Keith lives in Canada, on the island of Newfoundland.
Try these other titles by Keith C. Blackmore:
Horror
Mountain Man
Safari (Mountain Man Book 2)
Hellifax (Mountain Man Book 3)
Well Fed (Mountain Man Book 4)
The Missing Boatman
Breeds
Cauldron Gristle (novella—contains Mountain Man short story “The Hospital”)
Heroic Fantasy
The Troll Hunter
White Sands, Red Steel
131 Days: House of Pain (Book 2)
Science Fiction/Fantasy
The Bear That Fell from the Stars
Children’s
Flight of the Cookie Dough Mansion
If you enjoyed this story and have the time and inclination, please consider leaving a review.
It’s good advertising for me.
Visit www.keithcblackmore.com for news and book announcements.
Want to sign up for my mailing list, so you’ll always know when the next book is available?
Click here!
CHARACTERS
*The Free Trained*
Skulljigger, seasonal Free Trained pit fighter
Targus, Free Trained pit fighter
The Masters, their Houses (Stables/Schools), and their people
*The House of Ten*
Halm (Zhiberian), seasonal pit fighter
Pig Knot (Sunjan), seasonal pit fighter
Muluk (Kree), seasonal pit fighter
Goll (Kree), seasonal pit fighter, pupil of the Weapon Masters of Kree
Tumber (Vathian), seasonal pit fighter
Brozz "Crowhead" (Sarlandish), first time pit fighter
Torello (Sunjan), pit fighter
Kolo (Sunjan), pit fighter
Junger (Perician), the Perician Weapon, his first games
Clavellus, exiled taskmaster
Machlann, trainer of Clavellus
Koba, trainer of Clavellus
Ananda, house servant
Borchus, free agent
Bagrun, wagoner
Clades (Sunjan), survivor from the Third Klaw, head of the house’s guards
Pratos (Sunjan), once-Sujin, house guard
Valka (Sunjan), once-Sujin, house guard
*House of Curge*
Curge, the oldest, most successful owner of any of the established houses
Kolem “Sapo” (Sunjan), pit fighter
Bezange, agent
Baris, trainer
Tubrik, trainer
Bechar, trainer
Demasta, burly head of Curge’s household guard
*School of Gastillo*
Gastillo, once gladiator, now Master of his House, wears golden mask
Varno, agent
Prajus, gladiator
*School of Nexus*
Nexus, wealthy wine merchant turned Master and first season at the games
Bojen, agent
Tino, spy
Bernd, trainer
Rezzo, trainer
*Stable of Grisholt*
Older house that almost grasped glory within the games, only to fall short and never again reach such heights.
(Borl) Grisholt, owner and master of the house
Brakuss, once gladiator and head of household guard
Barros, gladiator, first to drink Sons of Cholla’s potion
Kossa, gladiator, second to drink Sons of Cholla’s potion
Gunjar, gladiator
Seel, gladiator
Hease, gladiator
Turst, taskmaster
Ballan, spy
Marrok, cook
Sarkus, smithy
*Sons of Cholla*
Brejo, brother and leader of the Sons
Jaro, brother and enforcer of the Sons
Calagu, brother and controls Iron Games
Strach, brother and controls beggars
Linfur, agent for the Sons
*House of Vandu*
Curn, gladiator
*Others*
(Karashipa, town of)
Miji, tavern owner
Thaimondus, once taskmaster
Torcul, Thaimondus’s son
Neven, Thaimondus’s son