Scarred

Trudging through the thick snow, Roan hefted the deer carcass higher on his back. The hunt was long and he almost lost the track after the First Fall but stubbornness and hunger drove him forth. The butcher would pay nicely for so large a buck before Wintar set in, blocking the pass the Scavengers frequented. The white landscape of the thinning forest was peaceful to his restless and wondering mind. People have told him one day it would leave him bolted to Shame, the stockade in the center of town. Just once has he been locked in that infernal contraption for peaking on the mayor’s daughter during her bath. Chuckling as he went the smoke from chimneys released the knot in his stomach as he approached. Grey clouds floated from the stacks to slowly blend in to the grey afternoon sky as the white forest turned to brown slush and mud from the many people who went about getting the final preparations done. The single storied wood and stone buildings that ringed the town where well-built to with stand mounds and mounds of snow stacking on the roofs. Children ran around him and in-between the others ever under the watchful eyes of the elders of the town. Smiling to the elder’s roan did a little bow of respect but they just stared at him emotionless. Shaking his head as he walked on a couple of older teens approached him from the alleys.

            “Wondered when you’d show yer face” it was Bonti who spoke first, being the butchers son seemed to grant him immunity from all wrong doing. Seeing how it was Bonti who tricked Roan into seeing the mayor’s daughter. “We’ve have a score to set’le still ya know.”

            Sighing Roan spoke with a rasp to his tone, “Once I’ve finished conducting my business with your father then we will sit and confer on this madness like men” the dark scar along his throat stood out and marked him for a lot of questions from strangers flowing through.

            Not many cared to bother with an orphan but for some reason Bonti had it out for him and Roan was still lost to the force that drove Bonti to constantly fight him. Quickly ducking into the shop before Bonti could start up once more Roan smiled politely at the butcher. The man was shorter by almost a head then his own son and Roan but there was no one more intimidating in the town then the little man wielding many knifes at once hacking and slicing into the haunch before him.

            “Good noon to you. I was wondering what you would pay for a third tier buck?” most hunters never take down a third tier buck for they were largest and fastest amongst the herd. Laughing out right the little man motioned for the deer to be laid out on the counter. Watching the man go over the carcass was like watching a general going over the plans before the battle. After some time roan he’d him grunt in satisfaction. Looking on in interest Roan tried to see what was so satisfying as to grant a grunt. Disappearing into the back the man brought out two sacks, heavy with their contents.

            “fifty gold marks plus a side and a haunch, delivered on the morrow.” He set the bags down with a thud.  Looking at Roan in the eye he continued, “If your unsatisfied with the deal, well, go f**k yourself. Its’ the best I can do for so late in the season”

            Thanking him and saying it was no problem Roan took the bags and left before anything else went wrong. There was enough meat there to grantee three times the amount he was just given. Multiple shadows crossed his path stopping him in his tracks. Looking up Roan just managed to duck the fist that was tossed at him. Lounging to the side and rolling to his feet Roan wrapped his coat around the coin bags and dropped it before taking a stance.

            Bonti and his group of six surrounded him quickly leaving no avenue of escape. Laughing maniacally Bonti motioned for the attack. Jumping up as one tried to tackle him from behind Roan grabbed the boy and tossed him head first into one on his left.  Two down four left. Quickly side stepping to the right he released a jab that impaled another’s face knocking him down for the count. Spinning to kick another in the chest caused Roan’s leg to be caught by the fifth boy who spun and tossed, slamming him against the wooden porch of the near by building.