The god among kings - Sand and Swords (working title) prologue part 1

His sandals slapped as he ran between the huts and stalls. The shadows cast by the surrounding structures kept him safe from the scalding sun and prying eyes. Ansgar whipped a look behind him to see if he was followed, but saw no one. He turned another corner before stopping between two huts and allowed himself a brief breath.

Ansgar peeked around the corner to look at the stream of people going about their daily shopping. Two men appeared in his vision, enraged and tired from running.Ansgar pulled his head back before they could see him, he put his hand into the pocket of his ragged pants and felt that the loaf of bread was still intact. It was a precious piece, made from the dark plant that grew in the north, a scarce and rare commodity in Yaelon’dor, desert’s end. He turned to continue running but hit what felt like a wall and slammed onto the ground arse first. He looked up to see what he had hit and gasped.

“What do you have in your pocket drazi?” The larger boy spat the last word. In front of Ansgar stood Yaman an Shura, or as every other street urchin had come to call him: the desert ox. True to his nickname Yaman stood larger than most adult men and had arms as thick as tree trunks at the ripe age of fifteen. He held a tight rein on the comings and goings on his territory and tolerated no mischief other than what he himself orchestrated. He had a contempt for Ansgar because of his near constant insults to Yaman’s authority. The desert ox eyed Ansgar before hauling him up by his shoulder. “I asked you. What do you have in your pocket?”

Ansgar looked at him, fear clouding his mind. “Yaman, I have nothing. I swear by Ans.”

Yaman shook him hard and shouted at him “You think I wouldn't notice when Andhas’s stall began hiring guards? Or that those guards are now running around town looking for a dirty little whore child!” He spat at Ansgar’s face. “You take me for a fool? Give to me what you have taken and I’ll let you off with a beating.”

Ansgar tried to blink the spit away from his eyes, his shame was multiplied by the blood rushing to his face, although it was hardly visible on his copper skin while they stood in the shadows. Yaman grabbed him by the throat and threw him back to the ground. Ansgar coughed hard and wiped the spittle of his eyes. His vision returned just as Yaman’s foot connected with his face. He felt a tooth loosen and gave a helpless yelp as he was thrown across the ground.

Yaman came and knelt next to Ansgar and put his hand in Ansgar’s pocket.

“If you ain’t giving it to me, I’ll take it.”

Ansgar looked helplessly as the bigger boy took the loaf of bread and eyed it with keen interest.

“Rye,” Yaman said lost in his thoughts, no doubt calculating how much money he could get by selling it. He smiled, “This here is too good for the likes of you, drazi,” he said, his smile was menacing and kicked Ansgar in the stomach for good measure. Ansgar doubled from the impact and let out a gasp as the air escaped his lungs. 

After eyeing him for a while Yaman turned to leave with the loot. Ansgar began to stand up, his legs wobbled a little but he was able to keep his balance by leaning to the wall. He stared at Yaman’s back after he felt comfortable standing. He picked up a stone from the ground. Shame and anger raced through his mind when he lifted his hand. Ansgar was about to throw when there came a rustle from atop of one of the huts and an object flew through the air and hit Yaman in the head. The larger boy cried out in surprise and pain and a red stream begun immediately pouring from the back of his neck. Ansgar dropped his own stone and ran towards the desert ox. He grabbed his bread from Yaman’s hand and sped past the bully while he was still stunned.

Fueled by fear and desperation Ansgar pushed his feet to move fast. His legs were a blur as he ran. He heard Yaman curse behind him and then there was the sound of heavy feet stomping the ground with increasing speed. Ansgar didn’t have to look to know that Yaman was chasing him.
Although Ansgar was confident in his speed, but he was tired and Yaman had longer legs, so it was only a matter of time before he was caught.

He turned another corner to the left, he tried moving unpredictably through the various stalls and huts, but the stomps were coming closer.
“Stop you damn drazi!” Yaman screamed.

Ansgar didn’t dare stop, he knew Yaman would kill him this time, he was sure of it.
He turned to the right when he heard a whistle from above him. A face was peering down atop of one of the huts.

None of its characteristics could be made out though as the sun shone from behind casting shadows on the face. Nonetheless Ansgar knew exactly who that whistle belonged to.

“Salman!” Ansgar cried. He could imagine his friend smirking his signature devilish smirk, although he could see it on his face.

“Ansgar, grab my hand before that oaf sees us,” Salman said. Ansgar follow orders and jumped to grab his hand. Salman caught his grip and pulled Ansgar up. Right after he got to the clay roof he heard the stomps turn the corner and stop.

“Drazi!” Yaman shouted. “Come here!”

Ansgar held his breath. He knew the older boy could climb the wall if he knew they were hiding from him there.

“You damn desert shit!” Yaman screamed, “Come out you bastard!” Ansgar felt a sharp pain at the last one, the shame of being a bastard. He had no name because as he had no father. There was no greater shame.

Salman tucked at his pants and pointed at the other side of the roof. “Let’s leave,” he whispered.

Ansgar nodded and followed his friend. They descended on the opposite side and ran for it.