It was early in the afternoon when Richard and Konnor arrived at the tavern. The smell of the freshly cooked meat was rising from within the building and into the street, charming stray travelers to venture into it. Both their stomachs were already growling with hunger. Before they could enter Richard stopped Konnor by putting a hand on his chest. Richard took out the gold he took from Felix and handed it over to the boy.

  " Before we go, can you take this and bring it to Senob? He deserves it. "

  " And I deserve to eat, I'm starving Rich'! "

  " Come on it's just a quick errand, I will be gone for a few days after this. It's the last thing I will ask of you. Please? "

  Konnor had a heavy sigh, snatched the pouch from Richard's hand and started walking away while sulking.

  " You better treat me to a full chicken for just me alright?! "

  " Yeah don't worry. "

  " That's so bullshit! Why does he send me on an errand now of all times? I could have eaten a full round of cheese and some chicken! It smelled so good and the waitresses are so nice ohhh! "

  His daydreaming got interrupted by a young man bumping into him, he was roughly the same height and age as him, he was a street kid but seemed a bit more tanned. He definitely was not from this country, he had a small semi lunar scar under his left eye and a cyan scarf wrapped around his head that kept his long hair tucked in. He was also wearing a leather jacket without sleeves so long it was trailing on the ground but no shirt under it. The young man seemed in a hurry and just smiled at Konnor and resumed his walk. " Why did he smile at me? ". Konnor resumed his walk and saw Senob emptying garbage in the street.

  " Senob! Richard asked me to give you th- "

  Konnor froze in place as he touched the place where there should have been the gold pouch on his waist. Senob turned to him, puzzled by his reaction.

  " He got wot? "

  Understanding what just happened, Konnor turned around and sprinted in the direction he just came from under the screams of the angry blacksmith.

  " HEY! Don't ya have any manner ya lil fooker?! Don't hail people just to fookin run! OI! "

  Konnor had no time to lose. This kid could be long gone. " I swear I will smash this little prick once I get my hands on him! ". After a few minutes jogging through the streets, he saw a glimpse of the blue scarf and ran towards it. When he turned at the angle he just saw the boy, he saw him just walking away while whistling as if nothing happened.

  " Hey you! "

  The young man turned around and took off in a sprint when he saw Konnor already coming after him. Konnor followed him to the end of the small alley they were in. He barely had any time to stop himself from coming into collision with a carriage that was going through the street. Looking left and right, he saw no sign of the scarf. " Damn slippery scarf wearing bastard! ". He then proceeded to put both hands behind his head and looked at the ground, he then saw a shadow of someone on the ground in front of him that was projected by the sun. He turned around and looked up and there he was, smiling at Konnor from the top of the roof.

  " Get down there and give me back my money! "

  " What money? Ahah! " The scarf boy then started juggling with the coins. " I 'found' it! So now it's mine ahah! "

  He then turned around and walked away on the roof. " Oh no you bastard you aint getting away! " Konnor took a few steps back to look at the structure of the building before him. It was a classic stone bulding with houses built in and balconys. " I'm used to climbing, it's easier than a tree and I don't have a bear trying to eat me this time. Come on Kon'! " . He started by taking a step on the wall and gripped the balcony above him, balancing his legs to gain some momentum. He managed to put his feet on the ledge and get onto the balcony. He then gripped the cracks in the wall and made his way up the roof. Once on the roof he looked around and saw the scarf boy simply walking away. This time he tried to approach him as silently as possible. Once he was a few meters away he rushed as fast as he could towards him, he then tackled him and tried reaching for the pouch.

  " You better stop resisting before I strangle you with your damn scarf! "

  " I'd like to see you try zogla! "

  They rolled on the ground and Scarf managed to move far enough to get up on his feet. Still kneeling, Konnor raised his head and managed to dodge the kick aimed at his chin. While rising from his kneeled position he launched an uppercut that landed straight in Scarf's solar plexus. Remembering what he saw earlier, he used the same kick as Richard to throw his opponent on the ground. Once on the ground the scarf boy moved in a way Konnor never saw before, he was using his hands on the ground to rotate his body in order to throw powerful kicks. " There is no opening! " . The succession of kicks were not touching him but were making him back away towards the edge of the building. Deciding to take a hit instead of falling from the building, he kneeled under the incoming kick and kicked the wrist of the boy off the ground. Using his agility, Scarf recovered fast enough and used his acquired momentum to deliver a strong hit with his heel to the top of Konnor's head. The hit was powerful enough to slam his head on the hard rock and make his ears ring. Standing over him, the boy rearranged his scarf and started running away.

  " Stop following me or you will get truly hurt! "

  Painfully getting up, Konnor started chasing after him on the rooftops. " All this for some fucking coins! I'm definitely gonna get at least two chickens for this! "

  Still on the rooftops, the two young men slowly started going down to the level of the street. They were in a part of the city Konnor hadn't seen yet but he could not stop to look at the street. He was putting everything he had to keep his focus on Scarf. the young man wearing the scarf turned right into a crowded street and started running between travelers and merchants to confuse his pursuer. Understanding his tactic, Konnor stooped onto a pile of wood laying next to a merchant stall and got up on it. He didn't need to be on the roofs but could still be above the street level, he continued to follow the scarf around but he was running out of steam, he needed to end this chase fast. In front of him was a building whose facade was under construction. Quickly running among the workers up on the shaky scaffolding, he grabbed a hammer from the hands of a surprised builder.

  " Hey! My hamm- "

  " I'll give it back I promise! "

  All his senses on edge, his gaze still on the thief, Konnor jumped from the scaffolding and rolled to soften the shock in his legs. He resumed his chase and slowly closed the gap between him and Scarf. The two of them were almost out of energy. He had a clear sight, he planted his feet in the ground, took a deep breath, looked to the sky and prayed. " Please creator, don't fuck me! ". He then used all the strength he had left and threw the hammer at the running thief. The hammer hit him with a thud, he then hit the wall in front of him face first after losing his balance. Konnor looked at the sky and thought " THANK YOU! ". He then ran to the Scarf boy still recovering from his fall. He lifted him and dragged him into a desert alley. Once they were alone Konnor threw him on a garbage pile next to a wooden fence. Still catching his breath, he was now hunched over with his hands on his knees.

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  " You sure ... made me... run ...for those coins. Oh by the creator... "

  He then leaned over and took back his coins. As he was turning around he came face to face with three large men standing in his way. They didn't seem too happy with him, he recognised one of them as being the builder whose hammer he just took.

  " Oh, I got your hammer right there sir ... "

  He took the hammer hanging from his belt and gave it back to the man, the burly man stepped forward and snatched it with a growl. The men were still there, staring at Konnor and Scarf. This situation was quite uncomfortable. " Why are they just standing there?"

  " Hummm, can I .... do something for you ..? "

  " Yeah you little shit, you can give me this nice pouch full of coins before I bash your head in with the hammer you just damaged! "

  Konnor had a deep sigh " oh come on .... ".

  " Listen, he stole my money. I had to get it back at all cost, and your hammer is a hammer! It's made to hit things! "

  " Yeah and now I will hit you unless you give me those fucking coins! "

  " Can't we come to an agreement? Do you really love this hammer so much? "

  " Come on boy, you know it ain't about the hammer, just give us the gold, we ain't paid enough and you slowed us in our work. "

  " Well that is NOT my problem so move aside please. "

  The man just crossed his big arms on his chest.

  " Grab him."

  " Oh shhi- "

  He didn't even have time to finish his sentence that the two other men grabbed his arms and and pressed him against the wall. The man put away his hammer on his belt and started cracking his knuckles. He then caressed Konnor's face.

  " I have some stress to relieve, first i'm gonna make you eat my fists, and then I'm gonna make you eat my cock, you have a pretty face ahah! "

  Both of his friends could not stop laughing, obviously the young man was not laughing at all and as an answer spat at the man's face.

  " Eat this you fat fuck! "

  The man slowly took the spit off his face, and to the utter disgust of Konnor, licked his fingers clean and smiled at him.

  " I'm gonna enjoy this boy, and if you are nice, the boys may not break you, Zorak on your right can be a little 'rough'. Remember that other lass we left in the gutte ? "

  Zorak looked at his boss with a grin.

  " I told her to stop moving! So I made sure she stopped moving for good. "

  " Yeah and when SHE stopped moving that didn't stop you from finishing ahah! "

  " I hate unfinished business boss. "

  In that moment Konnor's thoughts became chaotic." Get me out of this city !!!! " Konnor was now seriously starting to panic. "Ok, think! What would Richard do ? " He then had an idea and decided to put it to execution. But it was a gamble, the man swung at him and struck the left side of his face. He also took the pouch of gold and fixed it at his belt. He was big but he wasn't as strong as Richard, the hit he gave him back in the forest was stronger than anything, and next to this, this man was nothing.

  " You hit like a little girl ahah! "

  " You will scream like a little girl! "

  The man swung again, and again, and again. He was getting tired, Konnor vision was getting blurry and some blood from his open forehead was getting into his eyes. It was time to start the plan.

  " Come on, already tired big guy? You who are so strong and brave? "

  " Shut your mouth you little sh- "

  As he was preparing another big swing, Konnor threw a kick between his legs, taken by surprise the man fell on the ground. The two other men watching their boss squirming on the ground were now distracted. Konnor stepped as hard as he could on the foot of the one on his right and headbutted the one and the left, he then turned around to punch the one on his right. After a few hits, he grabbed the man, turned with him and kicked him towards his friends. The three men fell on top of each other. Konnor turned around and grabbed Scarf by the hand. He looked at Konnor with surprise.

  " What are you doing?! "

  " Do you wanna stay there with them or come to safety with me? "

  His mind was quickly made up as he started to run and stepped on the three men. Konnor ran towards them and performed an acrobatic flip over the three of them. In the same motion he grabbed the pouch away from the waist of the boss. He then joined with Scarf and the both of them ran away from the three raging builders.

  They ended up hiding on a rooftop waiting for things to cool down and for them to catch their breath. Both sat down with their back to a wall, they were looking at the sun that was now setting. Konnor looked at the thief still arranging his scarf.

  " Man, this city is scary, I have more chances to die inside than outside of here. "

  " Yeah tell me about it. These guys are common in this part of the city. The war has brought many refugees coming here to get new jobs and new lives but it's all bullshit. " He paused for a moment, still catching his breath. " It's just going from one hell to another, if it's not crazy cultist bastards or witches that kill you in the crossfire, it's the other refugees trying to steal kill and rape you just because they want to. "

  " Yeah, life is kinda shit everywhere, but you just gotta get the best out of it. " Konnor hit Scarf in the shoulder. " And not steal from strangers. You should be more careful Scarf. "

  " Yeah yeah, I steal because I'm good at it "

  To prove his point, Scarf showed two more pouches he snatched from the builders while they were on the ground. Konnor stood up and stretched his back with a satisfaying crack. " I'm gonna get three whole chickens when I get back at the tavern. "

  " Come on let's go Scarf. "

  " Hmmm where? "

  " To some place safe, I have an errand to finish before we get there but the two are fairly close. "

  " And why would I come with you ? "

  " Because you have nowhere safe to go? Come on clearly you live in the street. "

  Scarf looked at his sandals and got up.

  " See? You are smart after all Scarf. "

  " Stop calling me Scarf "

  " I don't know your name tho, so might as well tell me."

  Scarf kept walking without saying a word.

  " Come on, you must have a name your friends call you by right? "

  The boy looked at Konnor.

  " I don't call people friends, they need to be very special to be called that ok? Friendship is something valuable and only the most trusted people should be called friends. "

  " Ok... then acquaintances? I will keep calling you Scarf.

  Scarf stood still and held out his hand to shake Konnor's.

  " Izinqe, my name is Izinqe "

  Konnor shook his hand.

  " I'm Konnor "

  The night was upon them when the boys reached Senob workshop, Konnor entered the place slightly lit by a few candles. The two young men advanced deeper in the shop. Konnor heard a faint metalic noise that reminded him of this morning's incident between Richard and Senob. Getting a strange feeling Konnor made Izinqe duck by pulling on his scarf. Right after it, a hammer came flying in their direction.

  " Who the fock is sneaking in mo shop?! I'll bash your fookin heads in! "

  " Senob it's me Konnor! Richard's friend! He sent me to give you payment for the armor or whatever you needed it for! "

  Senob came out of the shadows with his usual limp. He then looked Konnor up and down and just held his hand out to receive said coins. Konnor simply gave them to him and walked away. The blacksmith then wobbled back into his shop while shaking his head.

  " Fookin youngsters sneakin into mo shop for fuck's sake, can't even be a bit tranquil in this fuck- ... "

  As the boys were now walking towards the tavern, Izinqe looked at Konnor.

  " Is he always like this? "

  " I met him this morning, but apparently, yes. "

  " What a zogla. "

  " What does that even mean? "

  " Zogla is my hometown language for fool or idiot. "

  " Well you were a real zogla for trying to steal my money. "

  " Usually people don't chase me or throw hammers at me for it! Still hurts by the way! "

  " Well just don't steal and you will be good, zogla! "

  They finally reached the tavern and he saw that Richard's horse was gone. " he already left, dammit ". They both entered the place that was full of people, Konnor gave a sign at Izinqe to follow him. They both went to the end of the room and sat down. After such a day, all Konnor wanted was to eat and sleep, his feet were killing him and ever since his adrenaline levels went down he was really feeling the hits from the builder. Malik saw Konnor from the kitchen and decided to approach him.

  " Where the fuck where you? Me and Rich' got worried you ran off with the money! "

  " Thanks for the trust you have in me ... "

  " Oh come on now, did you run the errand? "

  " Yes! For the creator's sake YES! Now can we get something to eat?! I haven't had anything since this morning! I'm starving Malik!"

  " Alright alright, your friend here seems hungry too. "

  Izinqe raised his head and looked at this strange one armed man.

  " I'm not his friend. "

  " Ok .... then what will you take? "

  " For me just bread and cheese "

  Malik then turned to Konnor.

  " And what about you lil buddy? "

  " By the creator finally ! Malik please get me two, no THREE chicken ! "

  Malik marked a slight pause.

  " Well comrade you are unlucky, we don't have any chicken left "

  Konnor looked at the ceiling, as if he was watching the creator himself straight in the eyes.

  " Fuck you. "