Star in the Streets

Chapter 2

Jason walks in through the back entrance.

'I just got off the phone with some of the Elders, the location for tonight's gathering has changed, you're still coming, right Ky?' asks Jason.

'Yh, I'm just gonna head to bookies and place a bet on Billy Sanders's fight tonight. Everyone's talking about his win over in Deacon, they say he moves like the wind' states Kylon.

'I'd like to pay for this item!' shouts The Nobleman.

The Nobleman stands by the shop counter ready to pay for his Flintlock pistol

'Serve the nobleman, I'll start closing the shop' states Jason.

Kylon drops his mop and heads behind the shop counter. He's confident due to his grandfather's presence.

'That's gonna be one bronze and twenty coppers Lord' says Kylon.

The Nobleman drops three bronze coins on the counter.

'The extra Bronze is yours if you want' suggests The Nobleman.

Kylon gazes greedily at the coin offered. The nobleman presents a deal, but Kylon is unsure what he must offer in return.

'You know anything about the fight tonight?' asks The Nobleman.

'The match happening in Low Street Lord?' asks Kylon.

'Yes, I heard theirs a special fighter taking the stage tonight' asks The Nobleman.

'Yes Lord, Billy Sanders is going to be fighting tonight' states Kylon.

'You ever sever him fight before?' asks The Nobleman.

'No lord, but he's the best around, he hasn't lost a match since he appeared one year ago, theirs's all sorts of mystery around him, some say he fixes the matches, others say he's Blessed by Exa.' Says Kylon.

'What's your name?' states The Nobleman.

'Kylon Arvin'. Say Kylon.

'Let's hope the fight is a good one tonight Kylon. Keep the money, it's yours, ' States The Nobleman.

Kylon puts the bronze coin in his pocket and places the rest of the money in the cash register.

paying no attention to the nobleman as he leaves. Kylon is ecstatic with his unexpected gain.

'What's got you so happy all of a sudden?' asks Jason.

'Nothing, just happy that today's work is finished' says Kylon.

'Nothing worth doing is ever easy Ky. It took time and effort to get the store up and running. The Nobles hated the idea of an Archaean business on High Street, but I never gave up. I need to know you'll be willing to do the same when the time comes' says Jason

'I can Gramps' says Kylon.

Jason sighs with disbelief. He's used to his grandson's disappointments. Often drinking too much and entertaining himself with the savage fights in the famed Arena of Low Street.

'Alright Ky, you can head off early to the betting parlour, but once you've finish head back home and wait for me. We'll head to the new location together' says Jason.

'you're the best in the world Gramps' says Kylon.

Kylon takes of his workers' apron and heads to the back of the shop. The storage area is a murky site. It's a testament to the life of a shopkeeper. Grueling and graceful. A life of servitude to the customers. Kylon places the apron on a hanger.

'See you later Gramps' say Kylon.

Out of the shop and back into civilization. High Street is as flamboyant as ever. Its shops are painted in some fancy colour to catch the attention of the people, but peek at the back of these high-end shops and you'll see dumpsters filled with manure. the street itself stinks of it. the horses belonging to aristocrats get tied at the front of the shops, where they defecate, and no one wants shit left outside their shops so they bag it up and put it at the back.