1 RAGE THE MAD MAN

The rain are pouring down from the moonless sky, oblivious to the life it gives as it washes the world and mends the broken hearts. The streets of the capital are mostly empty, only the wails of the drunkard men with cups full of ale in their hand broke the peaceful silence and awoke the sleeping beauties. Yet another complain from an angry citizen to the knightswatch. Even the ladies of the night gave up, with sulken faces as they returned back home. for they knew with- weather this terrible no man with a pouch full of money would step out of his warm and cormfatable home to endulge in the affairs of pleasure.

The streets are watched and guarded by the patrols from the knigthswatch in rotations. Four medium sized horses, sleek beauties they were with muscles that roll underneath the silky brown coat. A wet flowing mane that unfurls and waves side to side carried by the rainy winds. `Thump` the sound of it as it galloped on the wooden roads were loud and startled the drunkard men. Each of them tried to run but how could a man ever outrun a horse? especially one that was breeded in the Dragon kingdom. They say," the horses of the dragon kingdom fear nothing."

" Ser Williams, they have all been apprehended. Shall we take them to the cells or back to their homes?" said one of the patrols.

They all wore the same black linen and trousers excpet for Ser Williams. He wore a dark light armour with a woolen cape over his shoulders reaching all the way to the ground. His broad silver sword with hilt the shape of a lion biting on a red jewel hung on his waist. It was eye catching for it was made from the rare and expensive shining silver metal. He was dark and tall perfect for his build. His hair naturally black in colour but powdered to a dark brown- was neatly kept and tied back revealing his wide forehead. His eyes dark and mischevious glittered with self-pride of a man who thinks and carries himself as the best in the world.

He crossed his arms and his mouth curved into a smile. He said, "Why should we take them to their wives? Throw these fools in the cells for two weeks! that should ought to teach them a lesson."

"But Ser, these men have done..." before he even finished speaking, Ser Williams interrupted with an annoyed voice,"Are you disobeying the commands of a knight?"

" I dare not Ser," said the man afraid he would be charged for treason.

The times have been peaceful for more than a decade. No war! No invasions! the most serious events that occurs from time to time would be the stray beasts that found itself wandering around the city walls but all are quickly taken care of by young upcoming knights from the noble houses-each of them craving for merits and fame. The only thing left for the poor knights from the lesser noble houses was to solve crimes occuring in the city no matter how small.

An evil smile formed in his lips, and his forehead creased when he noticed someone sitting right at the entrance of the bar. He looked raggedy and wore patched up linen which was once white but now muddy and smeared with dirt all over. He walked towards the rag and bone man. The curve of the rag and bone man spine was like a dropped flower, his clothes fit him no more for it was a blessed day if he slept with a full belly.

The rag and bone man was now known as Rage the Mad man. He was a young child five years of age when his family moved here but now eighteen years of age and has nothing to live for. Life has been unfair to him, bringing misfortunes upon misfortunes, however he always picked himself up but there is so much a man can take before his spirit breaks down and is unable to pick himself up again.

Rage was trapped in his own world, not even noticing the rain or anything whatsoever. He was muttering. " Where did it all go wrong? Was it when we first moved here? Or was it when my beloved mother passed away? Or was it when my drunkard father got arrested and was sentenced to die? Or was it when my sweet older sister abandoned me? Or perhaps it was when my betrothed, my soul mate, left me for another man? Or perhaps when I was chased out of my own home?"

" Oh Rage! poor Rage! Is this what you have turned into?" said Williams. However, Rage gave no reply, didn`t bother to even look up. William clenched his fist and his eyebrows pulled down together as he bent his back and whispered to Rage.

He said," Well I have been taking care of your beloved lillian and damn does she turns crazy in bed as if possesed!"

The words awoke Rage from his daydream which he trapped himself in. His brown eyes which seemed like a lost cause regained some life in them.

He gazed at William, anger seething through his veins but he calmed himself for he knew better than to attack a knight.

He said with a croaky voice," Ohh if it isn't the proud knight Ser Williams, always protecting the weak and sending drunk men back to their wives. What a glorious thing you are doing eh Ser, I applaud you for your work."

His face changed colour as he punched Rage right in the stomach. Rage groaned and held his stomach in pain. " Words tend to get men killed especially those whome no one will miss." said Ser Williams as he continued landing blows after blows on the mad man.

Suddenly, the wooden doors of the bar were pushed apart. A young boy with two noble women on both sides of him, His arms around the waists of the well dressed women. His grayish hair was short neat and kept clean. He wore a white linen shirt unbuttoned at the top. He was smiling as he said," Dear noble Ladies, why don't you stay for a bit longer? The weather is dreadful for anyone to walk."

" Oh how we wish we could stay longer." said one of the women.

The young boy twitched his face when he saw Rage groaning as he held his stomach. He was a smart boy -already deduced what was happening.

" My Ladies, Today Is a lucky day. entertained by the famous Eric and escorted home by a brave knight of the kingdom." said the young boy as he removed his arms around the waist of the noble women.

The women wore long beautiful black dresses made of cotton with colourful scarfs around their necks. Long and round beautiful hats on their heads and faces full of powder enhancing their beauty. Both giggled, " Will your escort us brave knight." they asked.

The words didn't escape the ears of the knight. His face extremely pleased when he heard them. He got up and wiped the blood of his gloves.

" Of course my noble ladies we exist to protect the weak. Come ride with us we shall escort you back to you villas." said Williams.

He ordered one of the patrols to drag the drunkard men to the cells and the rest to ride with him to the noble district as they escort the ladies. He gave one last look at Rage before he galloped off on his horse and disappeared from sight.

Rage wiped the blood flowing from his nose and spat on the ground as he sat back straight leaning on the wall. " I'd say you're a bit late to mock me today." He gazed at the young boy.

The boy sighed and crouched down. He removed a white napkin from his pocket and started wiping the blood off Rage. He said ," When have I ever mocked you? older brother."

He received no reply but just a low gruff from him. The boy continued," There is still some fire left in you eyes. Pick yourself up and fight for you own sake! fight with you own fate."

Rage sighed and said," How? When all that happened so far has been misfortunes."

" Don't just count you misfortunes. count you fortunes as well which is meeting me." the young boy smiled " I have got work for you. It is the most hated job, no one wishes to do it but the pay is damn good."

Rage held the boy's arm. His hands skinny with no meat on the bones. He said ," One more last time! Hanad."