Chapter 1

The tiefling Shinscale Ghaiti moved quietly down the busy street of Protector's Enclave, holding tightly his longcoat tightly as he watched the people walking and chatting, wondering if they thought anything of his red skin and yellow eyes. Shinscale and his family moved to Neverwinter a month ago and he had started to familiarize himself with the city's streets.

Shinscale picked up his pace as he moved past two young men who loudly boasted of being squires of guards. He made an effort to avoid these two every afternoon since he arrived in Neverwinter. They words were mostly harmless, calling him derogatory names or making claims about his family. Shinscale paid little attention to their words as he had dealt with a few bullies during his younger years in Waterdeep. Although the two boys fancied themselves as squires, Shinscale had briefly watched their movements with swords and figured they were not as attuned to the weapons as they boasted.

Shinscale was about to turn the corner when one of them blocked his path. He was a stout young man with a pimply face, whose he heard was Ranstalf. "What do we have here? We've been trying to talk to you, but you never answer."

"He probably thinks he's better than us because he comes from Waterdeep," the fatter squire said. Shinscale knew this young man's name was Clyd. The squire pointed to the sigils on Shinscale's coat decorated with Waterdhavian sigils. "Doesn't he know that we don't like his kind around here."

Shinscale cocked an eyebrow. "My parents say Neverwinter is a melting pot and the city was repaired because of Waterdeep's resources," he said in his somewhat deep voice. "Now if you excuse me," he began, trying to move around while the other squire took a step toward him.

Ranstalf stood in front of Shinscale pushed him. "Please, you Waterdavians think you're so great." He gave another push before Shinscale held out his hand.

"Please don't do that," Shinscale said, his tone growing more aggressive. He did not like to start fights with other adolescents, but he was not someone who ran from confrontation, even if it would result in a quick effort.

"What?" Ranstalf asked with another push as he grinned. He followed it with a slap to Shinscale's face. The tiefling responded with a punch to the squire's cheek.

Clyd drove his knee into Shinscale's back then held him in place while his friend regained his footing. Gritting his teeth, the other squire connected two slow punches to Shinscale's cheek. The tiefling started to slip from the other squire until two more men ran toward the scene. Shinscale was relieved for a moment, believing they were Neverwinter guards, however his relief was gone when he noticed they were wearing similar attire as his attackers.

Shinscale finally broke free after driving his elbow into the Clyd's chest when he saw another man walking toward them. Unlike the others, this young male was somewhat lankly and had elvish eyes, and sported a facial hair that matched his black hair.

"What's going on here?" the newcomer asked. The squires turned to him while Shinscale broke away from them.

"None of your business, half-breed," shouted Clyd. After taking a breath, he directed the two squires to attack Shinscale. The man who Shinscale assumed was a half-elf blocked the squire's path. He assumed some sort of stance before he blocked a punch before delivering a right hook that sent his foe to the ground,

The other squire caught the half-elf with a jab, causing him to reel back. Shinscale let out a yell and threw a quick punching combination, then drove his right fist into his jaw.

Both squires were on the ground while their companions fled the area. Shinscale glared at both of the hurt squires, who followed suit. Sensing someone behind him, Shinscale swiped his right hand, only for the half-elf to catch it.

"Not bad," the half-elf said as his lip started to swell. "Your technique is a bit raw, but you have some power in your hands. My name is Thalas Deachron."

Shinscale stepped back as he felt a throbbing sensation around his eye. "Thank you for your aid. My name is Shinscale Ghaiti," he said shaking Thalas' hand.

"It is good to meet you Shinscale," Thalas said before noticing a faint trail of blood on the tiefling's lips. "The Academy is down the street. I can take you and have the cut looked at, if you don't mind."

Shinscale nodded and followed Thalas through the street. "Don't mind them," Thalas continued, referring to the squires. "They believe because they are squires they can beat anyone. They will usually stop by the Academy and try to pick a fight with the trainees there. By the way, I haven't seen you much around here. Are you fairly new?"

"My family moved here from Waterdeep a month ago," Shinscale answered as they ventured to a two-story house. "They are spell-casters who moved to Neverwinter at the request of Lord Nevermember."

Thalas nodded as they ventured to a large stone building at the edge of the Enclave. The two stepped inside and Shinscale immediately smelled the sweat from the men and women who were hitting large leather bags and practicing shadow boxing movements. A large canvas ring was in the center of the room where three people were taking turns sparring with each other. He eyes focused on the elvish writing on the wall next to the ring that read "War only in the ring, Peace on Toril."

He continued to follow Thalas through the training area, watching as people greeted him with smiles and waved in between their sets. Thalas stopped at a corner and handed Shinscale a pair of large leather gloves. "We can take care of the cut in a minute. Put these on your hands, we'll spar for a little bit. Don't try to knock me out, just focus on hitting the mitts."

Shinscale placed the gloves over his hands, glancing at the illustrations of competitors in what he assumed were fighting stances while Thalas threw on a pair of large mits over his. He moved his hands back and forth to get a feel for the gloves, then threw some punches, causing loud smacking noises to fill his ears. At Thalas' suggestion, Shinscale started to move back and forth to avoid his punches.

Thalas pointed at the two women in the ring who were sparring in the ring. "Try to get in a stance and move around from side to side, then maybe try and throw some punches."

Shinscale threw several short combinations, allowing Thalas to catch them. For a moment, he thought of the squires and started throwing more force into his jabs. He threw one last punch into the mit that caused Thalas to step back. "Not bad Shinscale, you have some strength beyond your punches, which my father says you cannot teach -"

"But you can refine it," said a deep voice from the back of the room. Shinscale watched as a tall man approached them. He had a similar face as Thalas' only his hair was silver and his chest was bigger. "My name is Jacen Deachron," the man said, shaking Shinscale's glove. "I am Thalas' father. Judging by your movements, you haven't really boxed before, have you."

Shinscale shook his head, but Jacen smiled. "We all have to start somewhere. I run the Academy here. We teach other types of combat, like wrestling, kicking and pankatorian. We also do a little bit of weapons training and even books where you can research fighting techniques, but that is just the tip of mountain. People come to the Academy for anything, from researching magic and cooking classes, to finding a safe place to rest."

Thalas smiled and walked away while Jacen continued, "Thalas is one of the boxers who train here. There are others who would be willing to help you, if you would be interested."

Thalas brought back the water and gave Shinscale a cup of water and a bandage with salve. "I can come and help you spar, I spend a lot of time at the Academy."

"Sometimes too much time," Jacen said with a proud smile. "What do you say Shinscale, would you be willing to train here with us?"

Shinscale was quiet for a moment. He had never seen boxing in Waterdeep, though he heard about it from others and even seen someone demonstrate hand movements.

The tiefling unlaced his gloves. "Thank you for the offer, but I must speak with my parents first. I don't know what they would say."

Shinscale quietly entered his home as the sweet smell of sulfur filled the air. He peered into the small living room where his father Creed was reading his spellbook, one of the many the elder had on the shelves scattered throughout their home. Shinscale had his father's blood-red skin, but the elder tiefling's hair was curly and grey.

Creed peered from his spellbook and smiled at his son, then immediately noticed the small cut on Shinscale's chin. "Oh son, did you get hurt? I hope you got in a swing or two."

"Was it those bullies?" yelled a voice from the back room. Shinscale watched as his mother Holina emerged, wearing her purple robes that matched her skin.

Shinscale smiled and nodded as his mother examined the cut. "This was treated with an interesting salve," she said. "Did a cleric help you?"

"It was my new friend Thalas, I went with him to the Academy," Shisncale said. He told his parents the story of the fight and Thalas' involvement that led to his arrival at the Academy. He explained Thalas and Jacen showed him some sparring and boxing techniques.

Holina bit her lip but Creed smiled. "I am glad to hear you made a friend Shinscale and it sounds like you will be able to handle yourself the next time those boys hurt you."

Shinscale nodded. "Yes, and Jacen offered to train me how to box and maybe train me."

Creed blew into his pipe but Holina shook her head. "Boxing? That is a violent sport. Why would you want to engage in a grueling sport like that?" She started to breathe heavily while Creed took her by the arm. "Shinscale, supper is prepared for you, darling we need to talk."

Shinscale ate his meal of spiced potatoes and roasted chicken, attempting to drown out the voices of his parents in the other room. Creed argued for their son to take up boxing while Holina was set against Shinscale from training, saying the sport breeds violent men and leaves them poor and alone.

Shinscale spent the next hour, nibbling on his food and quietly practicing his arm movements at the dinner table. He watched his father enter the room looking tired. "Your mother is asleep, she is just worried."

Shinscale shook his head. "She doesn't want me to box, I know it's a violent sport and I realize she's not a fan of it but -"

Creed held up his hand to interrupt his son. "Your grandfather, your mother's father, was a boxer who competed in Waterdeep. She grew up and admired him, and competing in the ring gave him the means to provide her with a good life. But she said the life of a boxer can be too much. She says he fought for too long and his body was too beat up."

Shinscale looked surprised. "Mother has never said anything about this before."

"It is a subject she doesn't like to discuss," Creed continued. "I met him once. It was during a time when he was living with his fellow pugilists in an apartment. He had enough money for him and his friends to have a good life, but his body was weak from the punishment he took from his days in the ring."

Shinscale sighed "Is mother worried I will down this path? Are you worried?"

Creed smiled. "There are many boxers who have made good lives for themselves. Even the Open Lord herself was a fighter in the ring. Once you become an adult, life is what you make it, my only request is if you pursue boxing, you also pursue other avenues that can help you make a living. But I'm not too worried. it sounds like this Academy and your new friend can provide you with a good road map in life."

Shinscale watched his father stand and begin to walk toward the master bedroom. "Give your mother some time, I think she'll come around," Creed said before he walked into his bedroom.

After watching his father disappeared, Shinscale went to his own bed. It did not take him long to fall asleep and his dreams were filled with dreams of standing in the ring and sparring with Thalas.