[Story Short] The Debt
#The Debt
As I approached the table, I carefully passed the shaken man his ale out of fear of him knocking it out of my hands. Even the slightest movement seemed to send the poor bastard in a complete frenzy. Rushing in like he had just escaped death, I looked him over as he coward by the fire in terror. As if he had been stuck in the Shuriman desert for weeks without a drop of water, he guzzled down the ale. His hair was as wild as an animal, with eyes as crazy as a Wharf Rat. Likewise, he carried a smell that could send the Shadow Isle packing. Although I made it a business to never ask a man’s story, I couldn’t keep my intrigue silent any longer.
“Ho, what brings you to these parts?”
With a sudden jolt as if he had just seen a ghost he slid back on the bench with a look of pure dread in him. He seemed ready to scream when he seemed to gain some semblance of self control and returned to what you could consider “normal”.
“I-I had a bad run in…”
“Bad run in?” my brow rose in utter confusion. What in the gods name could that mean I wondered?
“Y-You ever feel like you had been knocking on death’s door, t-then when you think you are fine, the door starts knocking back?” My look of confusion only grew. The man had already seemed delusional but now I had begun to believe he was half insane. With my kindest tone I could offer, “Can’t say I have friend.”
He gave me what I could tell was a forced smile, a couple of cheap, hopeless nods before he hung his head towards the ale in front of him. The air around him carried a grim force that I couldn’t bare to stand around any longer. As well as that god awful stench that pierced my nostrils like daggers. I returned to the counter to get a good look at the pub. Around the house were your random bunch of rough houses and drunkards. All good men but I understood the desire for that little escape. Between all the rumors of dead emperors, half animal people, wars and gods popping up in the damned world, I could blame them. Zeke, my long time partner approached the counter with that damned smug look on his face. Although he was a good friend, I wish I could punch that face.
“Talked to crazy over there I see?”
“What of it?” I could tell Zeke was dying of laughter as I rubbed my nose to forget that terrible smell out of it. After a moment he looked back towards the individual as if checking to see if he was unable to hear. Whatever the case Zeke started, “I’ve heard a very interesting tale about that individual. Care to hear?”
Nodding I thought to myself, why not? The night was slow and I could go for one of Zeke’s tall tells.
“Talk of the town is that guy is on the run. They say he made a little deal and the collector is hunting him down.”
“Collector? He did mention having some kind of bad run in.” Zeke’s smile grew as I spoke. As if my statement helped confirm his speculations.
“Now a name is hard to find. People got all kinds of crazy names but the most common name I hear popping around is the Ol’ River King. The poor bastard has been running for days in fear of that demon of desire.” Although I wasn’t much for tall tales, every poor sap in the Butchery had heard of the River King. Anyone at the cross roads of life could simply make that deal. However, when it was time to collect, you would be losing a lot more than a few coins. With a long sign I looked at Zeke with bore. Whatever lad or lass told him that story should give him back the coins he spent for it.
Then out of the corner of my eye I saw the man jump from his sit once again. This time a loud crash and scream arose from his corner of the room. Within seconds, he had dashed away from the flames he once found comfort with. I rushed outside to see where the lad had run off too. Something had scared the life out of him but I was too late. Without another word, the poor bastard was never seen again.
Thanks to everyone that took a minute to read a little story about the a man running who had a run in with the River King!
I put together for the Concepts & Creations Writing Competition this month. Not really sure if this works for it but I enjoyed making it none to less. Feedback would be much appreciated! 750 words is a damn hard limit to work with XD
Edit note for judges - Not sure if you want my reviews but I could link one or two I have probably done in the past month. I am pretty active on the boards and don't want to be dropped ;-;
