Dark Legion Read Online Free PDF Page B

the man’s face, and he took a step back. When he lowered it, his nose was a different shape, and blood streamed from his nostrils. He was blinking away tears, and Marcus had no difficulty finishing him off. A quick lunge and a sword between the ribs did the job.
    The last two men no longer liked the odds and ran for their lives. Marcus planted his blades into the bridge and retrieved two knives from his belt. The first man caught a blade in the back of his neck. An impressive throw. His throw at the second man wasn’t half as good, hitting him in his thigh. He did not stop immediately, but the pain got the better of him before he could get over the branch. He slumped down hard on his side, losing his cudgel in the process, and was tugging at the knife as we approached.
    He finally freed the small blade as Marcus reached him with his own weapons back in hand. The man held the small knife up at Marcus. It looked ridiculous, like a young child threatening his father with a wooden sword. Marcus did not move. He just stared down at him. It did not take long for the man to realize the futility of the gesture and drop the knife to the side.
    â€œMercy, sir! Mercy…” the man pleaded, hands up in front of him.
    Marcus sat on his haunches, still staring at the man.
    â€œI’m so sorry… I’ll do anything, sir, if you spare me… please.”
    Marcus sighed. “You’ll do anything?”
    â€œAnything, sir, anything! Just name it, and it’s done.”
    â€œVery well, then listen closely…” Marcus paused for a long moment as he stared the man in the eye. “Stop being such a shit,” Marcus said. “By the Gods, man, get a job, find a wife, have kids, be happy. And pass this kindness onto others. And, for the love of the Gods, stop being such a shit!”
    The man looked confused for a moment, then nodded vigorously. “Oh, absolutely. I will do just that!”
    â€œCome on, then,” Marcus said. He sheathed his blades, returned the fallen knife to his belt, and held a hand out to the man. The man stared at it for a moment, then took it and stood up with a wince. “What’s your name?” Marcus asked.
    â€œMalvin, sir. My name is Malvin.”
    Marcus held Malvin by the shoulders, looking down at the shorter man. “Don’t mess up this chance I am giving you, Malvin.” Malvin looked sheepish, and was about to reply when Marcus hugged him.
    â€œThe man does like his hugging,” Elijah said from behind as he approached.
    â€œYou have no idea,” I said.
    â€œWhy are you embracing our attacker?” Elijah asked.
    Marcus let go of Malvin but kept a hand on his back as he turned to us.
    â€œMalvin has changed his ways. He has decided to be an upstanding man from now on. He will help anyone in need and be an example to others. Right, Malvin?” Malvin nodded. “Can you stitch the man up, Saul?” Marcus asked.
    â€œI could,” I said. “But I won’t.” Marcus stared at me accusingly. “Perhaps you failed to notice the fact that this man was trying to kill us.” Marcus continued to stare at me. Long seconds stretched, and when it became clear that his mind was set, I relented. “Fine, but if it’s him that sneaks up on you next, I am of the mind to let him do his worst. Teach you how good people really are.” Marcus’s misplaced belief in humankind annoyed me to no end. People were selfish creatures, and the sooner the man realized it, the better. I looked at Malvin. “Pull down your pants and sit on that rock.”
    Malvin looked to Marcus for confirmation. When he nodded, Malvin hobbled over to the rock behind him, pulled down his pants, and sat down with a wince. I knelt beside him and tipped some water onto the wound from my waterskin. On closer inspection, the man was lucky. The blade had missed most of the muscles and had slid between them more than cut them.