Mordigan Bryre glowered down at the boy cowering between his feet. The noonday sun beat directly down on the dusty square, sending heat waves dancing and raising the scents of baked earth and unwashed boys. They crowded around the fighters in a loose ring, thirsting for a little diversion from the workday monotony.
One fist cocked behind his shoulder, ready to strike; eyes narrowed to blazing green slits; Mordigan snarled through clenched teeth, "Take it back, you swine!"
The fallen combatant raised one arm to shield his head. His face streamed with blood in two places from Mordigan's blows. "I take it back, Digan," he burbled through a thick lip. "I take it back!"
Digan nodded his head once in emphatic satisfaction. "That's right, you do." Stepping over the boy on the ground, he scooped up the lute lying on a nearby stone wall. "I won't waste any more time with you lot. I have responsibilities. My master needs me." He tossed silky black hair out of his eyes with one strong brown hand. "I must practice. We play before the king next week. I am to perform a duet with Master Cormeyer that I have written especially for the occasion."
The boy on the ground sat up shakily, drawing the back of a grimy hand across his bloodied lip. "Right. And I am the mayor," he muttered under his breath.
Digan whirled, eyes emerald fire. "Do you have something to say to me?" he purred, voice dangerously soft. The square was silent; the crowd of apprentices and shop boys holding their collective breaths to see what Payter would dare to say.
Payter's face flushed crimson. Sluggish trickles of blood still seeped from his nose and lip. "Damn it, Mordigan Bryre-somebody has got to say something!" He sprang to his feet and squared off before the taller Digan. "You are the biggest liar in the realm. You are lucky if Master Cormeyer allows you to carry his instrument into the castle-much less perform before the king!"
Digan's fist flew up, the lute clutched white-knuckle tight in his other hand. He stepped toward Payter, then dropped his arm. "You aren't worth the trouble."
