Original Submissions by Okthen

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  Just an ale
  Added on Dec 25, 2006

  A night out for a 'rinther...

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  When the stranger walked into the room, little did I know what the night had in store for me. It had been the usual sort of day for me in my alleys that I call home, stole for my food, barely enough. Decided it was time to kick my feet up in a nearby tavern.
  

  
  

  The smell of ale and smoke hit me in the face as I slipped in amongst the thick crowd of the tavern, weaving my way quickly through the rowdy patrons and approaching the bar. I muttered a brief acknowledgement to a couple of grim looking men seated along the bar, their faces shadowed by the deep hoods of their cloaks. Petty thugs,I figured, as most folk were around these parts.
  

  
  

  A burst of laughter erupted from a nearby table, I turned my head briefly towards the commotion before snickering and turning back to the bar top. ‘Just an ale for today, fella.’ I said, raising one finger in the air and rolling a few coins along the bar. I accepted my chipped mug from the barkeep and raised it slowly to my lips, tasting the bitter liquid before taking a long pull.
  

  
  

  I turned my attention towards the doorway, gazing absently at the crowd milling about the room. A few voices were quickly raised above the din of the crowd, two bulky looking men jumped to their feet, their eyes dripping with malice. They glared at each other before both turned and stalked towards the entrance. I snorted, knowing all too well what was in store for them.
  

  
  

  It was then that I saw the stranger, he towered over most of the other men in the room, his build was very thin though, a lithe looking man with dark hair falling around his face. His gaze passed mine without the slightest hint of acknowledgement, yet I saw him glance back towards me soon after.
  

  
  

  My attention was quickly pulled away from the stranger as the night wore on before I decided it was time to head back home. I eased from my stool and began trudging through the crowd, stepping out onto the foul smelling alley outside, leaving the noisy establishment behind me as I began sauntering down the streets.
  

  
  

  The scuffle of feet moving quickly along the trash-ridden alley grabbed my attention, shooting a swift glance over my shoulder before hurrying my step. I fumbled a hand towards my belt, looking forthe familiar feel of my blade. No luck. Damn, somebody must’ve pinched it back at the tavern.I tugged my hood further over my face, hoping the shadows could conceal my identity.
  

  
  

  I hear the footsteps again as I hurry towards my destination, the muffled sound of boot on stone seeming to echo along the alley. Just as I was rounding one of the last corners, an almost familiar face stepped in front of me, a couple heads taller with scruffy dark hair falling hazardously across his eyes. It was the stranger from the tavern I realized.
  

  
  

  What does this fool want? I snarled towards the stranger, lowering my stance as I prepared to fight or flee. The stranger lunged at me, a glint of dark obsidian showing up in the dim moonlight. I twisted to the side, barely escaping his blade. I turned to flee down the street but more cloaked figures stepped from the shadows. I whirled in a circle, cursing as I saw no way out, and they were on me.
  

  By ThirdEye...Final words from The Lottery (I liked the ending)....
  

  When the stranger walked into the room, little did I know what the night had in store for me. It had been the usual sort of day for me in my alleys that I call home, stole for my food, barely enough. Decided it was time to kick my feet up in a nearby tavern.
  

  
  

  The smell of ale and smoke hit me...

  
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