I felt writey.

[Baxxter]

Silence filled the old city as Graine walked slowly down to the hideaway. No one was there to challenge him at the door, even the rats fled at his passing. Bits of refuse clutterd his path, and he scuffed his foot in a pile of offal. Tonight was going to be the night, he knew, and nothing was going to stop him. He may not be as powerful as his ego thought to make him, but neither was anyone else in this hellhole.

Approaching the door with a confidence that only came from experience, he palmed his weapon. The rough grip felt good in his hand, a companion where there were no friends to be found. No one would dare bar him entry, but it was better to err on the side of caution. Besides, a show of stregnth was often more valuable here than actually backing it up.

With a heave he pushed the door aside, it in turn scraping loudly on the floor and wall beside it. A place like this had no room for finery, and even less respect for it. The light streamed out from a fire in the hearth, and there was just enough time for his eyes to adjust before the crowd inside took an interest in him.

There were men seated in groups, feasting and reveling, sprawled out across the large room. Discussions were taking place of the days happenings, tomorrows comings. One group sat clearly above the others, a large man and his companions. Food  was cooking, a large roast hanging on a spit over the hearth. Women of low moral virtue were walking among the men. They would go from group to group, looking for acceptance. Some found it being carried off to the sleeping quarters to earn their survival for another night. Others were beaten away, forced off into some shadowy corner to sulk and starve this eve.


As his face was illuminated by the firelight a challenging yell came from the back of the room. The large man rose and approached him, anger in his eyes. All revelry and conversation stopped in an instant, all eyes on the confrontation. Graine was not welcome here.

"Ung! Ung! Brrraaaawwww!" The large man raised his weapon as he made his battle cry, a large rock held in both hands. Charging to Graine's left he swung in a downward arc with fury in his eyes, Intent on crushing the man's skull.


With unmatched speed Graine sidestepped the attack, the weapon making a gust felt on his cheek. At the same time he raised his own instrument of death in counterattack, placing his jagged piece of bone on the other's exposed eye and thrusting with all his weight. He felt a sickening pop as the blade pushed past the socket and into the large man's brain.

The large man fell to the ground, the force of his attack carrying him to the far wall. His momentum rolled him face up, the weapon jutting out of his face. All eyes went first to the fallen leader, then to Graine. Some hid from him in horror, some ignored the situation now that it was resolved. But none dared challenge him.

He finally settled down on the dirty floor of the cave room, tired from the days trials and helped himself to the spoils of meat and women.

[Peji]

((eww... Cavewomen.  They might have nasty fungus))