Den of Thieves

Most of the story is kept the same, he avoids telling them about falling out the window. In order to keep the mysterious Inn Keeper’s silence, he had sex with her.

The fights are embellished but as Carr animates them, it keeps Cal and Toad entertained. Leaving out the encounter with Kryston. He ends it with killing the last two guards shortly after the poisoning death of the first pair. Where he takes their horse to Ingleside to be healed.

Carr finishes the tale, “after that I hid out in Halford’s city across the swamp.”

Toad and Cal are noticeably amused Burt is not, “yah, so where’s your treasure at now?”

Recalling what Toad said earlier Carr turns to Burt, “where’s yours?”

Burt grumbles out, “that’s none of your business.”

Grinning Carr utters, “and on that we feel the same.”

Toad has to ask. “Do you have the poisoned sword?”

Shaking his head no Carr answers. “No, it’s too dangerous to carry. Could see accidentally cutting myself out in the middle of nowhere.”

Nodding Cal agrees, “I wouldn’t want to carry it.” Speaking to his brother. “You’d cut yourself for sure.”

“Chickens,” Burt remarks, “a great weapon like that and you got rid of it? Yeah, right.”

“It doesn’t sound like he needs it,” Todd surmises.

Provoking Burt on purpose Carr suggests, “You may need a weapon like that. I sure don’t”

“What?” Burt gets upset, “I can beat you anytime anyplace anyway.”

Cal says to Burt, “I don’t think so.”

“What the hell do you know?” Burt tries to stare Carr down, “I bet I can. Let’s go right now.”

“A bet eh?” Staring back Carr’s certain none of them are as skilled, “well Burt I bet all my gear I can take on all three of you and still win.”

Not wanting to be killed Cal utters, “I don’t want to get into a sword fight.”

Disappointed by his brother’s statement Toad urges him, “come on Cal it’ll be three against one.”

“Yeah Cal,” Burt feels confident, “it’ll be easy and all his stuff will be ours.”

Nervous of Carr’s skills Cal states, “he’ll kill us.”

That makes Carr chuckle, “it’s okay Cal, we don’t have to use swords.”

Curious, Toad queries, “what are we using? Or are we using fists?”

“Sticks instead.” Carr keeps the eye contact with Burt, “Toad you gather long sticks for us to use. Hits to the head and body are deathblows all other hits don’t count. If any one of you hits me, you get my things. And I walk away never to be seen from again.”

Liking the wager so far Burt replies, “seeing you leave naked is just as good as dead.”

Thinking it over Toad asks, “what happens if you get two of us and the last one gets you?”

Carr can see over confidence in Burt’s eyes, “you still get my gear. But I walk away unhindered.”

Toad looks to his brother hoping he’ll accept the challenge, “come on Cal. It’s only sticks.”

“Yeah Cal,” noticing the rogue isn’t worried Burt inquires, “what do you expect us to put up?”

“Your word,” Carr tells them, “that you’ll escort me back to the guild and help me get the refuge I seek. And of course you’ll let me be, Burt. Until Marten has decided if he can help me or not.”

With nothing valuable at stake Burt nods breaking the staring match, “sure, why not.” Turning to Cal, “come on, what do you say?”

Rather be bruised than cut Cal slowly answers, “well, if it’s just sticks. I guess that would be okay.”

Smiling wide Toad turns to Burt, “are we gonna?”

Nodding yes Burt answers, “go ahead Toad, pick us out some good strong sticks.”

“All right,” Toad takes off to scour the surrounding area for choice weapons.

“Hey Carr,” Cal has a query incase things go badly, “do you mind if I touch your armor? I’ve never seen Dragon scales before.”

“Sure.”

Huffing at Cal’s young curiosity and jealous of the armor Burt follows Toad’s noisy movements.

Touching Carr’s right forearm covering Cal comments. “That’s smoother than I thought it’d be. I really like the way it looks. Is it heavy?”

Sitting by the fire Carr says, “it’s like wearing three suits of leather.”

Curious to the choice in material Cal inquires. “Why do ya? Ah? What do the scales have over the leather and chain? Is it better than plate?”

“No plate is better,” Carr takes joy in sharing enlightenments, “in our profession plate and chain are heavy and noisy. Can’t sneak anywhere. And with plate you can’t crawl through small spaces. Although this gets in the way too.”

Listening intently Cal nods, “Oh I see.”

Seeing the young thief is interested Carr continues. “Now leather is great. Not heavy, good warm protection from the wind and rain. It just doesn’t fair well against punctures and slashes.” Scratching the scales with a fingernail to show the rigidity, “scales main benefit is the ability to deflect projectiles and the occasional slashes. Just like plate. Wet it doesn’t get heavier. What’s neat is if in water it doesn’t drag you down. Which is why I prefer it.”

Taking it all in Cal is unfamiliar with a word used, “ah, what’s a projectile?”

“Projectiles, you know arrows, rocks and crossbow bolts,” Carr ponders over group’s education.

Not knowing the word either Burt glances at them. In his mind really wants that armor.

One other benefit from the armor he’s in no hurry to try, “also it provides great protection against breath weapons.”

Scratching his head Cal never thought of such a thing, “breath weapons?”

Snottily Burt clarifies, “when a Dragon breathes fire.”

“Oh,” Cal likes the sound of that, “so you’re safe from fire, that’s good.”

Tiring of Burt’s attitude, Carr keeps conversing with Cal, “Dragons breathe more than fire. There’s definitely lightning attacks…”

“Lightning?” Interrupts Burt, “from a Dragon’s mouth? Yah, right.”

Attempting to politely correct Burt Carr replies. “Hey I thought it was only fire too. Until recently. With my own eyes I saw one shoot out a bolt of blue lightning, took my horse down. It was crazy to see and it had no sound.”

“Bah,” Burt waves at him in disbelief.

“Trust me on this,” Carr ignores Burt, “they can also breathe out poisonous gases, ice, frost or steam.” Pointing to the armor, “this one spit acid.”

“Wow,” Cal utters, “I would have never guessed.”

Smiling Carr adds, “and that’s not all. They can cast spells like a wizard.”

“Please,” Burt mumbles, “I’m going to enjoy laying a beaten on you.”

Paying little attention to Burt, Carr contemplates on the quickest ways to take all three out.

About to ask another question Cal stops as his brother stomps back into the clearing.

Tossing a thick hardwood stick to Burt, Toad remarks, “I found us some weapons.” He hands a smaller one to Cal before presenting Carr with an old moldy stick, “this one I picked just for you.”

With a look of that figures Carr stands and takes it, “well at least you haven’t shown me any favoritism.”

Content with the stick given to Carr, Burt winks at Toad and nods slightly, “did you break your stick off?”

“Yup,” Toad grins tearing off the still fresh leaf bearing twigs from his stick, “I think it should do.”

Pointing with his stick Burt attempts to taunt Carr. “You should just hand over your stuff right now.”

Twirling the weak stick Carr responds, “what’s the matter Burt, don’t want to work for it?”

Standing to Carr’s left Burt replies, “this is hardly going to be work,” swooshing his stick through the air.

Behind Carr taking up a position Cal winks letting Burt know he’s ready.

Ripping off the last twig Toad pats his palm with the club like, stick, “I’m ready any time you are.” He digs in a foothold to Carr’s right.

Recalling lessons on fighting multiple opponents Carr takes a calming breath. Holding the stick end outstretched in his left hand and loosely midway in his right along the hip. Envisioning an easy first strike on Cal, he nods, “K’then.”

Toad and Burt immediately rush at Carr swinging hard. Carr steps back avoiding their sticks while sliding his stick backwards into Cal’s chest as Cal was stepping forward.

Barely making a thud on the chest Cal drops his head and stick surprised at how fast he was taken out.

Burt wildly swings again as does Toad. Carr spins himself behind Toad avoiding their feeble attack. Carr taps Toad in the back of the neck with the old stick hard enough to feel.

Without thinking Burt tries a flurry of swings trying to connect with Carr. Ducking and dodging each attempt agitates Burt.

Shaking a disappointed head and shrugging Toad stands beside Cal.

Carr manages to get a couple return swings in but Burt is quick enough to get out of the way. Toad and Cal watch intently as the pair fight.

Not so skilled Burt only keeps Carr on his toes. Carr stays defensive striking only at good openings. Blocking Burt’s stick with his own, the old stick cracks. Carr leans in forcing Burt’s stick and weapon arm against his chest.

With a free left hand Carr pinches Burt’s nose, “do you give yet?”

“No!” Burt kicks Carr in the leg.

Carr stumbles back, Burt seizes the opportunity swinging hard for Carr’s side. With both hands on the stick Carr blocks the hit, breaking the old stick.

Swiftly Burt swings for Carr’s head. Carr deflects the strike with the two broken pieces.

Blocking another of Burt’s swings, one of the pieces breaks again. Leaving a piece, no longer than a span in Carr’s left hand and in his right maybe three spans.

Feeling cocky Burt sneers, “whatcha gonna do now?”

Seeing the opening Carr whips the smaller piece at Burt’s head. Burt raises his arm to deflect it but the piece connects with Burt’s right temple.

Carr swiftly jabs Burt in the stomach with the piece in his right hand. Standing proudly Carr states, “there you go. You’re done for.”

Not done yet Burt attacks, “that doesn’t count.”

Carr evades Burt’s attempt, kicking him in the ass as he passes. Embarrassed and angry Burt lets out a flurry of wild swings. Carr dodges each one hopping around the small camp.

Trying to bat Carr, Burt cries out, “get him!”

Cal still young and innocent says, “I’m dead.”

Chuckling at his brother’s response Toad utters, “me too.” He watches Carr flip over one of Burt’s lower swings, “come on Burt. He’s good give it up.”

“No Way!” Now out for blood, Burt tosses the stick at Carr and reaches for a sword.

Catching the stick out of the air Carr uses it smacking Burt’s hands, hard.

Still trying to draw the weapon, Carr sights up the leg Burt has his weight on. Swinging with great force Carr connects with the back of Burt’s knee. A solid hit producing a fleshy whack sound, that echoes in the surrounding trees. Burt’s leg buckles dropping him down.

Jumping on Burt driving him to the ground Carr lays the hardwood stick across Burt’s throat, “are we done yet?”

Too mad to quit Burt musters his strength, kicking out he rocks Carr forward. Tumbling away Carr gets to his feet before Burt.

Both young males draw their swords and square off.

Toad and Cal look at each other wondering how this is going to turn out.