Unsung

Chapter 3

Alfred

As soon as he heard the clapping, Alfie turned to see a man blockading the entrance of the dead end. The second Alfie saw the paw print tattoo on the dorsum of the men's hand, his heart sank. That was the mark of a wolf. The Wolves of Wyrewood were a gang of bandits that ran the Downs. Their ranks were full of cut-throats and thieves and the nastiest of all of them stood in front of Alfie now.

"Midi," Alfie said, spitting the name out as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. As far as bandits go, Midi looked especially menacing. His hair was shaved to the scalp with a long scar running down his face. He wore a tight white shirt and tattered black pants that fell a little below his knees. The hilt of a dagger was clearly visible, hanging off his belt like he wanted the world to know he was dangerous. Alfie recognized the other one too. Shaggy brown hair that looked like a bird nest led to a small body. He wore a black shirt that seemed a couple sizes too big and white pants made of smooth cotton. He brandished a dagger similar to Midi's and looked like he knew how to use it. While Alfie had never seen the third one, he knew he was trouble if he was running with the wolves.

Midi spoke with a drawl that was common in the Downs. "Well boys, look who we have here. If it ain't Slick, the sharpest lil swipe this side of the worlds ever seen." Alfie flinched at the sound of his street name. That name brought back memories of a time when he did things, bad things, in order to survive. He ran with the wolves for a time. He robbed people for a living. Killed them when he had to.

Midi walked up to Alfie, pulling him into a hug before whispering into his ear, "Been a while, slick. Been so long I get the feelin yous been avoidin me." Midi socked him in the gut, causing Alfie to drop to his knees, gasping for air like a fish out of water. He followed up with a swift kick to the chin and Alfie's face snapped towards the sunlight before he fell on his back. Midi sat on his chest and grabbed him by the hair, pulling his head up. "Don't think I ever thanked you fer this," Midi said, pointing up at his scar. "Nicolo said I couldn't touch you so I never got the chance to repay you. But he ain't ere now, is he?" He started raining blows on Alfie and soon his knuckles and Alfie's face were red with blood.

"Stop!" The girl yelled.

Midi stopped mid punch, fist hovering over his head. He looked up as if he had finally noticed that they weren't alone. "D-don't," Alfie croaked out, only to be rewarded with another blow.

"Shut yer trap." Midi jumped up and walked over to the girl, reaching up to pull her hood off, only to be greeted by a hard punch to the nose. He staggered back in shock, blood spurting from his nostrils. He dabbed his nose with the back of his hand and seeing his own blood pushed him over the edge. Alfie tried to stand and help her but his vision was swimming and he was seeing stars.

With a yell, Midi bum rushed the girl, tackling her to the ground before ripping off her hood. With a practiced movement, he pulled his dagger from his belt and just before he plunged the steel into her eye, the other bandit yelled, "Wait! Midi wait!"

Midi stopped, looking back at him with a venomous glare. "This'd better be good, Rik, or yous next."

Rik was terrified, and with a gulp he started to speak. "M-me'thinks th-thas the crown daughter. Mina or something."

Alfie's eyes widened in surprise. Myrella? That's Myrella? He remembered running the palace grounds with the little girl, black hair blowing in the wind as they fled from Lorelai. No... It can't be. He clearly remembered Mira having black hair and black eyes. Alfie could still see the girl's red hair and lilac eyes as if the sight was painted on his eyelids. He would've protested but he knew it was her best chance at living to see tomorrow.