The Yunni Side of Town

 


That Yunni lass was going to pay, Skawlin thought as he tossed aside his empty wine bottle and staggered down the dirt lane, leaving the twinkling lights of town behind.

The moon was full, drifting in and out of fluffy clouds, and he didn't question why he could see two of them in the sky. His whole mind was burning with jealousy and rage as he made his way toward the Yunni side of town, deeper in the forest.

He kept seeing her smile, all fake and coy, as she had played him for a fool in the market that morning.

///

"How much for a cantaloupe," he had asked.

"Only a copper," she had replied, smiling. Her little Yunni teeth were perfect and white, like a toddler's. And, like all her kind, she stood about as tall as a child, even though she had a woman's pleasing figure.

He leaned in a little closer, a table of fresh produce separating them. "And how much for a kiss?"

Her hand had strayed toward her belt, but a row of large tomatoes had blocked his view. Maybe she had a little knife on her little belt. No matter. She was small and weak. He could haul her off anytime he wanted.

"Those are not for sale," she had said evenly. Her smile was unchanged, but her blue eyes glittered.

"Would a silver change your mind?"

Several people had stopped to watch, now.

"You would be better served spending your money on a bathtub," she said. The watchers laughed.

Skawlin frowned. This was not going well. Well, he'd show her who was boss.

"You'll be wishing you had held your tongue when I'm finished with you!" He reached over the table. He was fast, but she was faster. Much faster.

Her hand flashed, and his sleeve was suddenly pinned to the table. A surprisingly large dagger had appeared like magic, piercing his dirty linen sleeve.

The onlookers gasped, some murmuring, some applauding. "Ha, good on you, lass," one said. "Now leave her be," another said. "Yeah, go get a bath." Suddenly he was barraged by japes and catcalls, drawing even more attention, including the market constables.

The Yunni bitch made eye contact with someone behind him. She pulled out her dagger and sliced several inches off his sleeve in the process.

Skawlin had turned just in time to see a small Yunni man, standing on a wooden crate, land a fist straight into his nose.

///

Now he was at her house, deep in the dark forest, his blood boiling with rage and cheap wine.

"Open up, Yunni whore," he cried, slamming his rusty sword into her front door. "I told you you'd be sorry."

The door opened wide, and the light from within blinded him. He squinted and blinked, not quite sure what he was seeing.

It seemed to be a tall figure in a fur coat, not a small Yunni.

A wolf howled somewhere in the darkness. Another joined nearby. A third howl came from far away toward town.

Then the shape before him limned in red firelight howled.

The last thing he saw was glittering blue eyes, Yunni eyes, as the werewolf leapt for his throat.



///

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