The Onyx Ravens
Copyright© 2019 by Christopher Podhola
Chapter 3
Decker and his Gang
∞
“I can’t believe you didn’t punish that bitch right then and there!” Cree Duffman said to Decker. He was leaning up against the outer wall of their fort and watching Decker tend to his busted nose. “You gonna go see a doc?” he added.
Decker was gently placing toilet paper wads up his nose, wincing and grimacing as he did it, and taking his dear sweet time. Tending to his swollen nose didn’t keep his eyes away from the crimson stain on his shirt and jacket, however. After he finished blocking his olfactory passages, he stood up, and glared at Cree. “You’re not very smart, are you?”
Cree gave him an empty look, but said nothing.
“You’re new to the group, so I’m gonna cut you some slack, and educate you a little. When someone wrongs us we get better than even, but we don’t lose our heads about it,” he said as he walked over to the corner of their fort. He reached into the corner and picked up an Eskrima stick made out of rattan, and tossed it to Cree. He turned back, grabbed one for himself, and headed for the door leading out. “Follow me,” he ordered.
Cree looked down at the weapon in his hand. His shoulders drooped slightly and his gaze was returned to the fort’s corner. The Eskrima staffs weren’t the only weapons stacked there. The corner had accumulated an array of hand to hand combat weapons and armor. There were swords in scabbards, daggers, chain mail and breast plates, nunchucks and metal helmets. Cree couldn’t help but wonder what he’d gotten himself into. He shrugged it off and followed Decker outside.
Decker had removed his blood stained leather jacket and was maneuvering his Eskrima in a skilled combat display. The rest of his cronies were gathered around and were watching. “This is your first lesson so I will go easy on you,” he announced as Cree exited the fort. “Take off your jacket and stand in front of me.”
Cree followed his instructions. Seeing Decker with his staff reminded him of why he had joined the group. He wanted to learn to defend himself against his father.
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