Ronan, a Troubled Mind
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((Login: SummonerXI. Character: Ronan Redralen))
"Papa! Look here. A toy horsey, can I get it?" The little boy picked up the small wooden horse from a shelf in the shop. The boy's father put down his glasses and looked it over.
"How much for this?" He asked the merchant.
"Yeah, that be 5 gold pieces there, well made as ye can see." The fat old merchant answered.
Papa bit his lower lip, and looked down at his son, "I am sorry son, we cannot afford this at the moment. Maybe in a few months.."
The boy sighed, not exactly knowing why they were having money problems. He had come from a rich family, but for the past year or two, the funds seemed to dwindle from out of nowhere. Out of the corner of his eye, the boy saw his papa slip the merchant a large sack. The sack jingled as it was passed over. The boy knew what was inside, and wondered why his papa had lied to him.
They went home, to their now small home. "All right, time for bed Ron Ron."
"Aww, Im not tired!"
"Now now, we have a busy day tommorow. You'll need your energy." Papa tucked in Ronan, which was the boy's real name. But papa liked to call him 'Ron Ron.'
Smash!
A noise woke up Ronan. He slowly came out of bed and tip toed to the common room. He opened the door slightly and peeked. Ronan saw a broken lantern on the floor and Papa was stomping it out. In front of Papa was the fat old merchant, who had two men standing on either side of him.
"Ye still owe me 'bout 'undred gold. Tryin' ta skip out on yer actual payment eh?" The fat merchant said.
"N-no sir.. I just.. I didn't have the money is all. I promise I'll get it to you by the end of the week."
"I gave ye too many chances already. Ain't givin' ya anymore. Not my fault yer too much of a gambler. Ye have owed me fer a year now. Times up."
"Please sir… I swear to the gods I will pay you back..."
The merchant shook his head, "Nope, ye either give it to me now, or I be takin' yer life insteada gold."
Papa continued to plea. The merchant nodded to one of the men at his side. The thug drew his sword and placed it at Papa's neck.
"Any last words, or do ye have the gold?"
"Yes…" Papa looked directly to Ronan's location for a moment, perhaps knowing the boy was watching, then he looked up at the merchant. "Run, boy."
The merchant shrugged and nodded to the thug and then with one quick motion, slit Papa's throat. Ronan was about to scream, but covered his own mouth to silence himself.
"Now, take what ya want boys… not he 'as much left anyway.." They all laughed. "Though hurry it up, aye? Nay want the guards comin' in." They stole anything of decent value, then left.
Papa's pool of blood slowly slid toward's the door where Ronan was watching. But the boy dare not move.. he sat completely still, letting the blood slide to his feet, staining them….
He suddenly sat up in his bed, sweaty. The young man grumbled and gathered his things. As he tried to leave the inn he was staying at.. "Hey! Still have to pay for half the room! Remember?" yelled the innkeeper.
Ronan simply looked over and smirked. "Why yes, of course. Forgive me, I simply forgot." Ronan walked over slowly, robes flowing about him and his hood covering his eyes with its shadow. As he walked toward the innkeeper, his right hand seemed to glow a faint blue. The innkeeper edged away as he noticed, "You know what? I am sorry, you have already paid for the full fee… Im thinking of someone else.."
Ronan smiled, "It is no problem.. If you had not said anything, I might have paid double…" he chuckled, turned, and left the inn into the streets…
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Reviewed, XP pending