Pebbles. (Brix'tul meets Kazkali for the first time)

“Do it, Brix!” The little girl urged through a tusky-lisp.

Sweat beaded on Brixtul’s adolescent forehead. Everyone was looking at him, he could feel their eyes. It wasn’t often that he held people’s attention. It felt strange and weighty, leaving him with a sick feeling in his stomach. And sure enough, without any delay they all began to chant his name.

“BRIX! BRIX! BRIX!” Honestly, it just made everything worse. He looked up from the ring marked in the sand, housing several scattered polished round pebbles. Directly across from him sat his opponent, eyes fixed on his last remaining piece in the game. The boy looked nervous, and rightfully so! Brix had taken him for nearly everything he had- shot for shot.  

The game was simple. Knock the other player’s pebbles out of the way. Try to get yours to land closest to the center of the ring. The winner would have the traditional supreme pleasure of beating the shit out of the loser and taking all his playing pieces.

There was one shot left- and it was Brix’s. Kill shot. Everything was lined up perfectly. Toss in the pebble, knock his out of the center, humiliate him to show prowess, claim Echo Isles as your kingdom.

Death or glory- as far as children could be concerned.

The chanting of his peers gave him a new-found boldness. He stuck his tongue out between his teeth, squinting an eye in attempts to get the best angle. His lucky blue pebble rolled between his thumb and his index finger idly. Thoughts poured into his mind. The sting of pressure coupled with his uncharacteristic stroke of luck had him doubting every fundamental he knew to be true about the game to begin with.

He extended his arm and gave his thumb a flick, sending the pebble bouncing into the ring. Something told him that closing his eyes would be better, so he did. Everything else happened in slow motion. The hush that fell over the small crowd of children was palpable and excruciating. When cheering didn’t immediately follow, he squeezed his eyes shut even harder. A laugh broke the silence, followed by the roar of a dozen others joining in. His eyes flew open, scanning wildly for his piece. There it rested, so far outside the game area, that the other young trolls had to clear a path for him to see it. They pointed with jeering remarks to where it lay in the sand, shaming him for his crushing loss. His arms dropped limply to his sides, all the while still staring at the game circle. Too good to be true.

The next thing he felt were about six hands on his shoulders and arms, pulling him to his feet.

“Wait…” was all he could squeak out. He’d really done it this time. Of course he knew better than to play that game with this crowd. But the peer pressure and dreams  of grandeur had overwhelmed him in the moment. He was paying for it now. His feet dragged in front of him, as they carried his dead weight backwards over to the tree closest to them. Knowing there was no real way of avoiding what he had coming to him, he just stared as the game circle grew smaller.

One of the older trolls grabbed his wrists and held them behind the tree’s trunk. Two others stood on either side of him, restraining his shoulders. Everyone turned to the winner as he approached Brix to claim his reward.

Brix let out a sigh and tried not to wince. The thought of seeming frightened, in front of every child he knew, would hurt more than the physical ass kicking he was about to get.

“Explain yourselves! Right this instance. Look at you! Got blood on your shirts. This behavior will not be tolerated….” One of the orphanages caretakers, Sulashi, stared at the four young trolls. Her eyes flaring with the rage of a thousand suns. None of them answered her. She was older but of all the caretakers most of the children prefered her. Her long maroon hair tied back in a tight woven braid, she paced back and forth in front of them.

“Quiet game yeah?” She came to a slow halt.

“Sandcrawler season has started. So many this year. Thousands. Who would like to spend the next month picking those up? No hands?”

She clapped her hands together as she flashed a false smile.

“Didnt think so! You all will be doing this, every night, if someone doesn't talk right now.” Her face looked hauntingly cheerful. No one liked those damn crabs.

“IT WAS ALL HIS FAULT!!” Yelled one of the three.

“We were just playin’!!” yelled another.

An eruption of shouts, cursing and raised fists swelled amongst them.It was silenced by Sulashi’s shrill shriek.

“ENOUGH!” They all blinked silently, Sulashi even startled herself.

She zeroed in on one of the trolls who had yet to say anything, even in the uproar he just stood there.

“Kaz’Kali, You seem to be surprisingly quiet. Just nothing to say?” She scanned him visually “Your knuckles seem to be a bit bruised and cut.” She leaned down to be eye level with him.

“Did you beat Brix’tul? Is this your handy work? You proud of what you have done?”

Kaz spoke without thinking “No! I a… It wasn't me. I tried to..”

“You tried to what?” She said quickly.

“I tried to stop them Sulashi.” He said softly as he lowered his head.

“Stop them? Was this by asking nicely? Hmm?” Her brow raised. Kaz looked at the other boys. Their eyes flared at them, one of the older ones mouthed ‘You're dead’

“Look at me Kaz. Actually, boys please all go sit out by the big palm. Go now....GO” She watched them all go when she continued. “ Kaz, I know you thought you were doing the right thing. Im sure you were. You can only make this better for you. Now. Explain.” She acted kind towards him. She knew his late foster mother.

Kaz fidgeted, he was a little more bulky than the other trolls. Not fat, just sturdy. He didn't get picked on much but he also didn't have very many friends. He was just kind of forgotten amongst them all. He held his hands nervously behind his back and tapped his toe. He finally spoke, his voice higher in pitched with slight cracks in it.

------------------------------------------------------

Kaz sat, drawing shapes in the sand. He was in the corner of the yard where he could see a portion of the sparring pen. He started to have favorites of the warriors and was becoming something of a fan.

“BRIX BRIX”

He looked up and squinted down the way. The other trolls were always messing around and it was never in a fun way. He saw Brix before but never talked to him. Kaz would listen from a distance to Brix play this odd instrument that he made. He didn't know what it was called but he liked how it sounded. It was interesting and different, that always caught Kaz’s attention.

He saw the trolls playing some stupid game that ended abruptly. One of the trolls was dragged and held up to a tree. He stood and closed the gap a bit to get a better look. It was Brix. He was about to take a beating. Kaz froze in place, his heart beating quicker, adrenaline seeping into his body. Should he ask them not to? They dont even listen to the elders, why would they listen to him?

Thud, a blow was landed in Brix's stomach. Two more were released into his chest. The large troll taunted Brix and was winding up for a shot to his tormented face.

Kaz looked down and saw the game pieces that they were playing with, smooth stones. He picked up a few and made his way to the back of the crowd.

-CRACK-

The troll about to throw the punch crumbled into a heap. Everyone started looking every direction. Kaz was shocked he happened to be so accurate. Kaz played along with the group and looked around like he didnt know what happened either. One of the other older trolls stepped forward who was holding one of Brix's shoulders back.

Brix’tul didn’t bother to struggle. He was deadweight, slumping his head away from the tree and bending at the waist to accommodate the two trolls who held him by the shoulders for the moment. They moved to hold him by the arms in order to give space to the approaching winner, Vu’jcha. Brix had no need to struggle- not because of the restraint, but because he was getting what he signed up for. He knew the rules, he knew the stakes- and in his defense he had nearly taken it all in a blaze of unexpected glory.

In his short life, Brix had already been the subject of several beatings. Lessons in tolerance. Thickening the skin. Toughens you up. The whole being restrained thing was a new twist that he wasn’t particularly fond of, though.

Don’t hold your breath, it’s worse when you do that.
THUD- a blow landed in his stomach
Lock up your shoulders, he’s coming at you again. Breath through it, don’t cry.
THWAP- Another was released into his chest, causing a dull hollow sound. His knees buckled, trying to shrink away subconsciously.
If you don’t straighten up, he’ll hit your head next. You have to use your legs to stand. They’re watching.
THWAP- A third blow to his chest knocked the wind out of him. His head bobbed backwards against the tree before slinking forward as he coughed and gasped for breath.

Twenty blows was the right bestowed to the winner as tradition had it. Most kids were typically decent enough to stop shortly there abouts- give or take. He braced for the next one, knowing it was probably coming for his head. He couldn’t bare to open his eyes- until the blow didn’t come. Instead, a sound like a watermelon being thunked was heard followed by the sun hitting Brix’s eyelids.

Why had the punching stopped?

Cautiously he opened his eyes allowing them to drift down to the child who had crumpled on the ground in front of him, holding his head in pain. One of his shoulders slumped forward as the child who had been holding it let go suddenly, and then the other. His knees hit the sand, followed by his hands. A groan escaped him as he tried to stand. Brix squinted into the sun, attempting to orient himself or prepare himself for a flurry of kicks.

Vu’jcha rubbed at the back of his head with both hands, roaring with anger.

“WHO DID THAT?!” His friends rushed to his aid. “Twenty blows is MY RIGHT!” He pushed himself to his feet, looking around at the quickly scattering group of child spectators. They left in their wake, the box of a child- Kazkali.

Brix’tul finally caught his breath, pushing himself up onto his feet. His arms were extended, shaking his hands ‘no’ in a flurry.

“No! Don’t! He has to finish!” he shouted to Kaz in a pleading tone.  

What is he doing? Trying to get me murdered?

From his peripheral vision, Brix could see children running in every direction. The only ones that remained in their designated area were Kaz, Brix, Vu’jcha, and his two thugs- Mrah and Xon. Everything else was utter chaos. Screaming, shouting, laughing…. The sound of the pigs being released from their pens.

Vu’jcha snarled with adolescent rage.
“Looks like the new kid wants to share the blows!” Upon his last words he hurled himself forward into Kazkali, without regard for his many younger years.

Brix’tul took a step forward, his intent was to stop this from going any further. An elbow met the bridge of his nose and his right cheek, which sent him staggering backwards again clutching his face with both hands. A steady stream of dripping of blood ran from his hands down the front of his shirt. Xon now turned to face him, rubbing his elbow in rage. Brix shook his head, still shielding his face as Xon barreled into him, pinning him to the tree. Instinct made Brix bring his knee up quickly, somehow landing it in the other child’s stomach. Xon doubled over in pain allowing Brix enough time to slip out from his grasp and into the open.

He dashed for the game circle, sliding in the sand feet first and grabbing as many pieces as he could. Tucking them into the satchel on his side, he scrambled to his feet again with just enough time to roll out of the way of Mrah’s kick that slammed into the sand. He spit sand from his mouth, looking to where Kaz had been.

Brix'tul pushed himself up, rushing for Vu’jcha and shouting. “HE’S JUST A KID!!!”

Kaz was strong for his age but was no match for the momentum of Vu’jcha flying at him. Kaz tried to put up his arms to block the incoming mass like the fighters he watched. It was a decent attempt.

Sadly it was like a Clefthoof barreling through a pile of hay. Kaz’s body collided and was catapulted into the air, head over heels. At around two full rotations he surrendered to the fact that he was not going to be able to land on his feet. It was up to the Loas now.

He thought a million miles an hour. What was he thinking? What did he hope would of happened by throwing that rock? Why did he always-

All of a sudden the entire spectrum of color filled his eyes. His face was firmly dug into the sand, his eyes staring blankly forward. He was breathing shallowly.

He stared into the blackness, a distant shape growing in size. It was a voodoo mask. It hovered and its eyes flicked out wisps of green fire. He tried to reach out to touch it when all of a sudden the lights were turned back on.

The intense glare off the sand filled his eyes. A vertically tilted world greeted him, blurry shapes moved around him. Those shapes took form, it was the young trolls pointing at him moving their mouths as if they were laughing. Sound followed a moment later filling his ears confirming that they were indeed laughing. Only seconds had passed but he was disoriented.

-THUD-

Vu’jcha’s foot landed heavily into Kaz’s stomach. Air was pushed out of him spattering spit and blood into the sand. Kaz didn't try to get up or move. He laid where he landed, focusing on breathing, wishing he just kept to himself.

Brix’tul’s feet tore through the sand, leaving a trail of blood behind him as he ran. He shouted again, watching the child’s face crush into the sand.

“STOP! Vu’jcha! He’s just a kid, man!! Let him go!”

His words penetrated nothing, causing him to grind his teeth with a growl. Brix wasn’t strong, but damn if he wasn’t spry. He leapt from the sand onto Vu’jcha’s back, grabbing him by the hair and giving his head a yank back. Squeezing his legs, he was able to wrap one arm around Vu’jcha’s neck and lock his hand onto the elbow of his other arm. His feet kicked to stay placed on the boy’s hips as Vu’jcha began flailing and struggling for Kazkali.

“He’s a KID!! It’s not his fault, it’s mine!!! Look at him, man! He’s just barely had his first ten pass!”

Brix’tuls words once again fell on deaf ears. Vu’jcha had gone full Bezerk. He tightened his squeeze on his neck, knowing it would do SOMETHING if he just could hold on. The sensation of Gravity being wrong came next. Hands grabbed onto his waist, pulling him and Vu’jcha backwards. Xon had recovered at this point and was attempting to tear Brix off of his friend. Now all of them were falling backwards into a heap.

Sand flew out from beneath them and Brix was struggling with all of his weight to roll out of the pile to no avail. He grabbed a handful of sand and threw it at Xon causing the adolescent to screech in pain and claps his hands to his eyes. He struggled wildly, but Vu’jcha had a tight hold of his legs, using a free arm to deliver several punches to Brix’s kidney. It was about then that Mrah showed up, hovering over Kazkali.

“All the more reason to teach him his place, early on.” Mrah said with a cocky grin, cracking his knuckles.

Kaz could feel that tears were about to emerge from his eyes. He knew that if any of them saw this it would be the end of him. Get up.

Right as Mrah was about to finish his sentence he saw his opportunity. Mrahs hands were occupied cracking his knuckles. With his lower angle, Kaz could see a straight shot to the older trolls face. Kaz raised his fist upwards with all the strength he could muster. It wasn't much but it was just enough to slam Mrahs jaw together. A deep hollow crack reverberated as one of his teeth fell apart in his mouth.

Mrah squealed and spun  as his fingers fished around in his mouth as if he could remedy the pain.

Kaz climbed to a wobbly knee and groggily tried to balance. His head was extremely heavy at the moment .

He dragged himself over to the sand cloud and looked down to Brix. The tangled mess of gangly troll limbs left them vulnerable and open. He squinted with a hazy look down to Brix.

“Wha… What do you want me to do?”

Brix’tul used his elbows to dig into the sand, pulling at his lower half to follow. It was no use, he rolled onto his back to get a better view of what was happening.  The boy had managed to climb up the length of Brix and had him pinned on the ground by his bruised shoulders. Brix shut his eyes hard just as his forehead was pulled into contact with Vu’jcha’s in a headbutt. His dreads were caked in sand already, so they didn't help to soften the hardness of the ground. He was suddenly acutely aware of what they meant by ‘seeing stars’ when you've had your brain rattled that hard.

His jaw clenched from the pain shooting to the back of his eyes, telling him to give in to the rising threat of unconsciousness. Feet kicking, he managed to still struggle enough that Vu’jcha had a hard time landing every punch.

A shadow fell over the three boys as they tangled in the sand. Brix’tul blinked up at the lumbering child who stood over them

“What do you want me to do?” He’d asked. Brix managed to get his arms free, grappling with Vu’jcha to get off his chest. He struggled to breathe through the blood pooling on his face making a sick choking sound when he took a deep breath. It wasn’t wasted, however. He shouted to the boy.

“RUN MEM’KI! Get an elder!!”

With expert timing, Xon let loose an elbow slam to Brix’s temple- causing his vision to go black and consciousness to finally slip from his grasp.

Kaz just started running, his big paddle like feet thudded softly into the sand. He looked around frantically for anyone who resembled an adult. The main hall was empty, he ran to the back of it and looked out over the railing. He saw a silhouette out fishing on a boat in the distance. He slapped the rail and kept on running.

He scrambled up some planks to a small hut to what looked like it belonged to a hunter. Traps and various sharp things lay strewn about. Is no one around midday?

He sped down to the oceans edge. The waves lapped peacefully as the birds gently called in the distance. He really wanted to just hide and stay down at the coast. It was the complete opposite of the scene he just left from. Zujera would not be proud of thinking like that. He looked out over the waves one moment longer before he bolted off again. He knew where to go.

His lungs huffed and puffed as he flailed into a blur of speed. His legs brought him to the troll pens. Jum'Nay was finishing up harnessing a blue raptor with a beautifully made leather saddle. He had this job for ages and everyone dealt with him at some point. He was older with tough leathery skin that has seen more sun than shade. Jum had a horrendous scar that began around his jaw, traveled down his torso and ended at the top of his knee. He swears to this day that it was not from a raptor no matter how perfectly it matched the claw marks.

Kaz flew  around the corner flying towards Jum'Nay with only the raptor spotting him. The raptor screeched and lept in place as it was tied to the railing. Jum'Nay was pulled into the air and his legs kicked out. He came down hard on his feet and stumbled into the dirt falling onto his hands. The raptor stomped his feet and Jum'Nay had to roll out of the path. He struggled to his feet cursing at Kaz.

“What are you doing!! You cannot sneak up like that! Come HERE!!!” Jum'Nay started swinging his hand wildly at Kaz. Jum was still holding firmly onto the raptor so his swings were over a foot away.

“Someone is getting beat--” Jum'Nay cut him off still frantic.

“I dont care what you sneaky boy! Get outta here!”

Kaz turned to run and ran directly into Vuzegan. Master of the combat ring and trainer of all warrior. Kaz’s nose crumpled into the rock solid twisted muscle of a wall he just ran into. He didn't bounce back. Vuzegan grabbed him by his shirt and stopped Kaz's body from flying. Vuz lifted the young troll high off the dry floor. Kaz hung limply as he stared into the fierce sharp gaze staring deep into his soul.

A deep grumble emitted from within Vuzegan as he spoke and eerily calm said:
“Explain yourself.”

The first sense that became clear to Brix’tul was the high pitched ringing in his ears. It was so deafening that he thought it might be the only sound he’d ever hear again. His eyes blinked at pure white, shooting pain caused him to repeatedly squeeze his eyes to clear his vision.

He was waking up? No. He was… IN THE SAND!

An uncontrollable twitch pulled at his leg, then his arm. His hands gripped out of reflex. Barely able to keep a clear thought, he tried lifting his head. The pure weight of it caused his neck to strain. Through the blur, he could see several sets of bare feet pointed his way.

“He’s moving!!”
“Oh shit!”
“Don’t kick him again!”
“Shut up! Let’s go!”
“Leave him!!”

Brix went to speak, but his teeth ground on sand. He spit out into the air. The sound of the other boys shuffling their feet in different directions made him pull his arms up defensively to his face. It only took a second to realize they were scattering. He peeked through his arms, starting to pull himself up to sit.

No, everyone was running.  

A pig snorted past him towards the surf in a steady wobble. He rubbed his head with one hand and pushed himself to his feet with the other. It took nearly everything he had just to stand against his injured posturing, leaving him unbalanced. His head spun and he wavered momentarily before regaining his stance. Though he was in no mood to chase after the boys who'd started it, he figured he’d still try to control what he could of the situation.

“HEY! Come back here! Where’s my Twenty?! I call that BARELY eighteen! Don’t you finish anything?” He looked to the other side, suddenly able to see a large approaching silhouette. He did his best to straighten and act as if nothing had occurred. The blood down his face and shirt was caked in sand and the lump on his head was already beginning to bruise. He held his breath, as if it would help, until he could make out who the silhouette was.

Kaz kept a fast pace as he walked. Anytime he slowed down he received a firm push against the back of his head. He quickly started to think that he chose the wrong adult.

They entered the long flat dusty area that the youth hung out in, trolls were fleeing in every direction. Vuzegan pushed Kaz to the side and broke into a trot then into a full sprint. Kaz’s mouth hung open, he never had seen someone so effortlessly move. Before he knew it Vuzegan had one boy by the ankle who was now silently swaying in a state of defeat.

Vuzegan took in a deep breathe and violently roared at the others still trying to flee. To this date Kaz swear he was part dragon.

“CEASE MOVING!!!!!!” His eyes met with a group of three, they slowly fell to the ground and laid against the floor. He turned, his neck bulged like the roots of a tree. Eyes burning with rage so pure. Something you could only get from countless battles and bloodshed.

“DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE FULL EXTENT OF YOUR REGENERATION??!” Another group of two boys and a girl stopped. The smaller male of that group began to have a panic attack and fell to floor with his hands clutching his face. Kaz looked on in fear. He totally wanted to be this guy when he grew up.

Vuzegan still had the troll dangling by the ankle. He gestured at the one group with the limp body flailing behind his movements. He beckoned them to come to him. They moved towards him like they were under fire from a volley of arrows. “Stand, cowering is for the weak.” He casually dropped the troll boy to the floor.

A few of the other fleeing trolls showed up out of sheer fear. A small group now gathered around the imposing warrior.

He pointed his finger like a dagger at the direction of Brixtul. Vuzegan rolled his hand over and used his finger to beckon Brix over.

“You. Here.” He pointed right in front of himself.

He looked him over noting all the rips, bruises tears and scrapes.

"What have you to say."

Kaz slowly walked up behind Vuzegan his head low.

Brix’tul lifted his chin, still holding his breath. He knew what he must look like, because he knew what he felt like. Nonetheless, he finally took a deep breath and planted one foot in the sand after the other. His steps were slow and shaky, with a lot of attention placed on where and how he shifted his weight. He came to a stop just a couple feet in front of Vuzegan. With his arms held behind his back he did his best to look the man in the face and hold a strong posture. He cleared his throat.

“Nothing,  Sir. We were playing a game. I fell. The new child must have misunderstood.”

His eyes glanced between the other boys briefly as if to dare them to challenge his story. He brought his attention back to Vuzegan immediately.

“I… am not sure how the pigs got out.” He added to deflect at least part of the chaos. He looked down at the ground, still struggling to keep his shoulders back.

Vuzegan struck Brix upside the head. It was not with all his strength but it was jarring to anyone who was in earshot. He studied how Brix reacted. Vuzegan stood not moving, not saying a thing.

Kaz’s eyes went wide. He messed up again. The feeling of dread crept through his body with a tinge of nausea. His hands began to get clammy and he discretely wiped them on his pants.

Vuzegan’s thick trunk of an arm slowly stretched out with a finger pointing firmly at one of the stones on the ground left behind.

“This is the game you were playing? Pebbles?” He asked out loud to no one and everyone. He dropped his arm and looked right at Brix. “Im going to wager that you were the loser of such game.” Vuzegan looked around at the group. A few of the young trolls nodded. He preyed on their eagerness to answer.

“Pebbles is a game that takes boys into adulthood. “ He smiled for the first time in what Kaz figured was his entire life. ”It was one of my favorites.” Vuzegan said coldly.

“Now tell me, did this one here finish all his punishment?” The same trolls as before and a few new contributors shook there head no.

“We can't allow such blatant rule Violations. They must be completed.”

He turned his body and motioned towards the tree.

“You stand near the tree.” He peered into Brix.

“You two, stand behind the tree.” he gestured to two of the oldest standing around. One happened to be holding prior.

He strode over to Kaz’ and grabbed him by the hair and began dragging him towards the tree.

“You will complete your punishment. On this weak example of our species.”

He shoved Kaz into the tree. Kaz hit it with a thud and pieces of bark crumbled to the soil. His hair was clumped from where he was pulled, and involuntary tears filled his eyes. He didn't call out during the drag.

The two behind the tree hesitated but complied with the huge warrior. They pulled his torso taught to the tree.

“Starting at zero, commence”

He gestured from Brix to Kaz’s panicked ridden face.

Brixtul’s ears rung after being slapped upside the head. It threw him off balance, but he caught himself before the point of no return. It had been a risk to lie, but it’s all he could do to try to diffuse the situation.

Yep. The new kid had definitely grabbed the wrong person.

He knew what would happen next, and it all played out like déjà vu. He shuffled his feet to the side of the tree where he’d been instructed to stand. He watched Vuzegan drag Kaz by the hair to the tree, and it made him grind his teeth with a grimace. If he hadn’t overheard the elders talking about Kaz, he would have assumed the same as everyone else. That the large child looked much older than he truly was.

As Vuzegan pointed from him to Kaz, he turned and faced the younger troll. Brix studied his face for a moment, and the image burned into his mind. The feeling in the pit of his stomach told him he was about to regret his next move. But his fear and place in the pecking order kept him from resisting. He noticed the tears forming in his eyes and spoke softly to him.

“Hey. Don’t let them see you cry, Mem’ki. You wait until they’re gone.  Okay?” He closed his three fingers into a fist with a pained look on his face. He hesitated for a moment before laying a swift punch into Kaz’s arm with intention.  There was a collective sound of approval that was released from the onlookers.

“One. Again.”

The next blow landed near the shoulder of his other arm.
“Two. Again.”

If there was any kindness he could pay to this kid, it would be in quick recovering bruises. He wouldn’t aim for his head or stomach, sticking with limbs and chest only.
“Three. Again.”

Brix’tul was starting to feel sick. He didn’t know the kid, but he knew he was afraid.
Some welcome.
He shook out his hand and quickly remade it into a fist. He hesitated before his fourth blow.
“A-GAIN!”

He let his fist hit Kaz at the top of his chest.
“Four. AGAIN!”

His knuckles had already been sore from the scuffle just before, and he was exhaused. The last blow he gave split the skin on his knuckles, and he cradled his hand in the other for a moment.
“Give him his FIFTH BLOW!”

Brix shook his head, motioning with his bloody hand to Kaz. Exhaustion overcame him and his voice broke. He turned his head to look at Vuzegan with pleading eyes.

“He’s a just a kid! He’s… he’s just a kid…”

He was out of breath and desperate, his eyes searching their immediate area for a way out. That’s when he saw the silhouette of the one he’d hoped Kaz would find.  Sulashi- the one most of the children present called their caretaker.

“And WHAT is all this, then!?” She shouted, moving from a walk to a run towards the group of young boys and Vuzegan.