Solo Daggerhand? Pah!

[Marone]

34th Fall 514 AV

Nine days. That was long enough for people to realize that the food shortage really was going to be a problem unless they had some other way to get food. It was a big enough problem that it forced other problems to come out in Sunberth like the over and above thefts, murders and violence for people to get by. Marone however didn't have that problem thanks to being a member of the Sun's Birth.

Instead he got to spend each day as though it was just another ordinary day for him. Wake up, get cleaned up, work, eat, sleep and have the same routine the next day unless something else presents itself. Maybe he would get some extra work to equip the raider which got him the food he was able to enjoy. Maybe a friend would ask him to spend some time together. Perhaps Marone might indulge himself in a little malediction to better learn how to make its results less random or he would seek some training in the Proving grounds.

But going out into Sunberth? Marone knew better. There was just too much violence in the city to guarantee his own safety and he wouldn't go out of the areas beyond the Sun's Birth's control. Not unless there was a really good reason for him to. No better reason for that except getting lost in the underground tunnels which he still hasn't gotten used to yet.

It still wasn't an entirely undesirable predicament. The tunnels weren't one of those places people would go to unless they had nowhere else to go like the Sun's Birth after being chased out of the Gated Community which meant that there were a lot of people of the same gang as Marone in the tunnels along with whatever assortment of squatters, unfortunates and those that want to hide away from the city along with whatever pests and vermin which has made the tunnels their homes.

Of course sometimes there will be some other breeds that manage to get themselves stuck in the tunnels and today Marone had the misfortune to run into one of them.

At first it was not apparent to him. The individual before him was squatted at a corner with so much glee that under other circumstances Marone would've thought him mad. Marone walked past this one affording only a passing glance of disgust while he looked out for what was making this man so happy. The tunnels didn't really have much left. Anything of value would've been looted by now already.

In the man's bloodied hands Marone saw a small rat and the knife he was using to dissect it. Marone couldn't really tell why at first until he remembered about the food shortage and he smiled at the obvious difference in privileges between them. The man was easily satisfied by a rat but Marone as a member of the Sun's Birth could indulge himself in a proper meal each day.

His expression changed to seething anger when he spotted the Daggerhand tattoo on the man. This change didn't go noticed as well especially when Marone abruptly stopped for a moment to look and have things run through his head which is better not known to others.

"What? Never seen a man eat before? This rat be mine. Get lost before I shank you little fish." the Daggerhand said giving the most viciousness he could muster.

But given the hungry state he was in Marone could see nothing more than a wounded dog trying to protect some little prize it just got. In comparison he himself was one in its prime despite being inadequate for any real fight. It was interesting how a man's mindset could change just because of some changes in circumstances and Marone couldn't help but think about how much he would like to take out all his pent up feelings towards the Daggerhands on this unfortunate member of theirs.

He looked around in case anyone else was looking. Eventhough the Sun's Birth is using these tunnels more there was no telling if this Daggerhand had any other friends. Marone satisfied that the pair was alone gave a smile before viciously sending a hard blow at the posturing Daggerhand with a surprise punch. Thinking his bravado would've work as it always did the Daggerhand was unprepared and was sent tumbling to the ground.

Marone allowed himself a moment of satisfaction as the Daggerhand tried to recover before smacking the man at the back of the head to keep him down. With that chance he took the Daggerhand's paltry meal and gave a mean laugh before using it to send another blow to the Daggerhand while he tried to get up.

"Thought you were the toughest?" he asked.

"Thought you were the meanest?" he jeered.

"Thought you owned this city? didn't you?" he said in the most hostile voice he could use.

The Daggerhand in his already weakened state struggled to get up begging for his food. The one he desperately needed after lacking any sustenance for so long but Marone was not going to give it. There is no mercy for a Daggerhand and he was not wicked enough to foll around with him. Immediately after that Marone gave his answer.

"No."

And threw the rat to the ground before mercilessly trodding it with his foot. His heavy boots crunched the creature's bones and flattened its flesh. Marone knew it was a waste because it could be maledicted but he only wanted to deny the Daggerhand and nothing more.