131 Days (Book 1) by Keith C Blackmore

Author:Keith C Blackmore [Blackmore, Keith C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Keith C. Blackmore
Published: 2011-08-07T22:00:00+00:00

They caught up with Goll halfway down the street and continued with him to a koch bay, the largest located conveniently next to the legendary main merchant’s square of Sunja. It was a great wooden structure three levels high. Great yellow and green banners hung in sleepy, festive loops from its heights, prompting Halm to wonder why Sunjans hung so many of them off their buildings. Goll proceeded inside the bay, charging his two companions to wait outside until he was done, something which Muluk and Halm had no issue with.

“Did you happen to see Pig Knot about?” Halm asked.

Muluk shook his head. “Wasn’t looking for him, to be truthful.”

Goll emerged moments later, his crutches rattling as he hopped down the steps. “That’s done. Nine gold pieces, I’ll have you know. Another expense I’m bearing. I’d best learn to piss silver before all this is done. We’ll leave when we get back from the Madea.”

“We’re heading to the Pit?” Muluk asked.

“Aye, the Pit. Have to speak with the Madea and let him know. Maybe he can push Halm’s fight back a bit.”

“Right nice of you, Goll.” Halm beamed.

“Right nothing. I’ll be wagering on your bulbous black hide once we get back. You can repay me by winning your match. If I can reschedule it, that is.”

“You almost sound like a house master,” Muluk said.

“I’m certainly spending coin like a house master,” Goll grumped. “Or house lord, whatever pleases you. Unless either of you intend to throw in some gold.”

Neither man moved or said a word, carefully staying quiet so as to not draw attention to themselves.

“Thought so.” Goll made a face. “Come on then, you wretched bastards. My luck the first founders of the house are without coin.”

Bearing the heat of the day, they arrived at the Pit, entering its depths through a brick archway. Above were wavy lines etched into the stone surface, depicting a rolling ocean and marking the Gate of the Sea. Halm had once heard it was named such because it faced south and the great ocean that lay weeks away. Once inside, they located an entrance to the general quarters and quickly descended steps lit by the barest of daylight. The light died a dozen steps down, giving way to bare torchlight bathing the stairs in baleful orange. The men quickly caught a whiff of the bad air they had been breathing only nights before. General quarters was a hole for the Free Trained, and returning to it now, just for a visit, made all three thankful for rented rooms at an alehouse. Talking, swearing, and laughing mingled with the crash of weapons as Free Trained gladiators practiced as best they could in the cramped space. When the stairway opened up into the general quarters, the full power of the stench hit them—a mixture of bad breath, urine, shite, blood, and vomit. Torchlight flickered at various points around the massive chamber, giving those men who were without shirts a gleam as slick as ripe maggots.

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