Murder of Crows - A Kingdom of Crows Book the First

Chapter 2 - The Mythmire Shack

The Mythmire Shack serves great breakfast and dinner. During those mealtimes, people would crowd the rustic and leaky tavern. In the morning, some of the patrons would place early requests, but most go there to enjoy a cup of steaming hot coffee topped with cream and salted caramel. People say those they serve are too fancy for a lousy place like theirs, but they come back for it and the food anyway.

Theodore, Knox's best friend, is a great cook, who prides himself on his experimental dishes. But behind his loud and rowdy façade, he could kill a mob of people with his self-crafted explosives without batting an eyelash.

Now back home after a long day, Knox put on his apron. In the shack, his job was to serve the customers. He poured another mug of beer for the man on the counter before turning back to check if Theo had already done the food he had ordered. The raven-haired teen was still frowning as he plated the seafood fried rice.

Knox chuckled. "Oh, come on, Theo. You still bummed about that? Based on the information I got, I could probably make a plan around this. I'd win the bet and have him work for us too."

"Shut yer trap!" Theo pointed a hot ladle at him. "Ya know, as much as I trust and believe your skills and strategies, the kid you've encountered was Seth. People call him some sort of reaper. I'm surprised you didn't even know it was him. He's like us, but because of his skill, his power is on a different level. You said he killed the Quaestor in a blink of an eye? That should've warned you not to mess with someone like that."

"I know," Knox sighed, pulling out another plate for the vegetable side dish. "But I can do this! I'll head to Tremorth this midnight to set up."

Theo clucked and drew in a sharp breath. "Fine." He handed his friend his share of food. "Eat up. That could be your last."

Knox snorted and then burst out laughing.

***

Knox tightened the strap of his satchel bag around his shoulder and headed toward the door. Theo was leaning on the frame, looking at the night sky and the full moon. "Clear tonight," he said. "You might have a chance of not making me gather up your remains."

Knox shrugged. "I'll return no matter what."

"Go get that little runt." Theo tapped his shoulder with a fist and made way for him.

Once out, Knox walked past small alleyways, passing by homeless men and children, who slept in scraps of cardboard. The familiar cold and salty air of the sea filled his nose as he took in the view of the abandoned warehouses of the Ansvale Docks with a single light by the side of the boardwalk.

"Goin' out there to die, mate?" His personal boatman grinned, eyes glinting with mischief in the candlelight.

"Not tonight, Kyle." Knox shook his head with a smirk. "What have you got for me?"

The lad chortled, opening the burlap sack in front of him as Knox settled on the other side of the boat. "This is the most awesome thing I've ever done for a gun although it doesn't shoot any bullets." He looked up to see Knox's reaction.

"How's that supposed to be a gun when it—?"

Kyle put a finger on his lips and showed him a long rifle-like gun. "Isn't it beautiful? Here are the . . . ah, but first—"

He took a pair of gloves from his body bag and handed it to Knox. "Wear this when you load 'em up."

When a questioning look flashed on Knox's face, he chuckled. "Poisoned. It's rigged to perfection. One shot of this thing will kill your target in minutes. He'll suffer the pain and pass out fast. That's why I made only three of 'em needles. I doubt you would need as much anyway."