ambush

Kael woke up with a jolt, hand tightening around the sword still across his lap. The room was gray with early light, cold leaked through the grime caked windows

He's was alive

That thought hit first, no one had come. No blade through the door. No footsteps that turned to death

He rubbed at his eyes, jaw tight. He'd meant to stay awake, meant to be ready. His back ached from the awkward position. His coat was still wet from the rain

Still breathing.

He stood, stretched his legs and sheathed the blade. His boots hit the floor like they were testing it. No creak from the hall

Kael slid the door open slowly, his sword already out in chase someone was waiting for him. He checked the hall, empty. He moved down the stairs quiet as always. Avoiding the creaky stair out of habit

The barkeep was behind the counter, same book open, same unreadable look. He didn't glance up as Kael crossed the room, until he reached the door

"You're lucky" the barkeep said flatly, still reading his book

Kael paused "Yeah?"

"Some howlers boy was looking for you last night. Asked which room you were in."

Kael turned to face him, eyes narrowing slightly "you tell him?"

"I'm not in the habit of pointing customers to their graves," the barkeep said. He flipped a page, slow

Kael waited

The barkeep finally looked up "you should leave before sundown"

There was no threat in his words. Just tired truth

Kael gave a slow nod. "Thanks"

"Don't thank me. Just don't die in here, I have enough stains to mop"

Kael stepped outside, sun barley off the horizon. The street was wet again. Cold. His breath showed it

Kael checked his pockets as he walked three copper coins. Not enough for a hot meal, barely enough for cold bread

He still had a room, at least. Paid the rooks nest for the first two month when he first got to town. Three days left, after that…. Well that was tomorrow's problem

He could have gone looking for another inn, but what was the point. He didn't have money for it and he may die in the next few days, And someone was likely coming already

The alleys south of the dock were quieter in the mornings just old men unloading carts and rats fighting over last nights trash. Kael figured he might find work hauling crates or watching a shipment

He turned down a narrow path between two stacked storage sheds. That's when he felt it

Not saw, felt.

A shift in the air behind him, breathing that wasn't his

He spun around not taking any chances, three shapes loomed behind him, the same young howlers. The dice players, now all smiles and blades

Kael didn't wait for them to get any closer, he ran

Kael ran as fast as he could, boots pounded behind him. Too close, the alley twisted and Kael cut between two crates. Slipped on wet stone. Righted himself with one hand then kept moving

He knew this part of the city, but not very well. Only being here two or three times. Every turn felt wrong

They shouted somthing behind him, he didn't catch the words though. He heard them getting closer

One foot clipped the corner of a broke pallet as he stilumbled into a wall. He knew he wouldn't be able to run for much longer

Kael cut down another alley but didn't keep running. His breath burned in his chest. No more space, no more time. He ducked behind a crumbling wall, sword already drawn

One second, Two, it felt like an hour.

This was the only chance he'd get to even the odds

The first one came fast wide eyed, too eager. Kael stepped out and swung low, blade catching the boy in the gut. The edge wasn't clean, too worn to go deep, but it bit hard enough to drop him screaming

The second came right behind knife up, slashing wild. Kael stepped back, the blade missing his coat by half an inch

"You should've stayed down," the Howler spat. "Torvin said make an example."

The third rounded the corner and came in low, too fast to dodge. The knife hit Kael just above the hip metal on bone. It didn't go deep, but it hurt like hell

Kael gritted his teeth and brought the sword down hard across the Howler's shoulder. The boy screamed, arm going limp

The last one froze eyes flicking between Kael, the blood, the two bodies on the ground

The last howler standing knew he didn't have what it takes to take Kael, not with his sword