The next morning I opened my eyes and smelled a familiar smell. Fresh bread. For a moment, I forgot everything I had been through in the past week and just sighed. What a peaceful smell.

After my moment of clarity, I was ready to start the day. Mr. Saelas pulled out a pan of bread from his hearth as I sat up. My chest slightly flared up with pain but I ignored it.

"Take it slowly, young man. You had quite a beating earlier." He commanded as I watched him carefully set the pan of bread on a towel. Mr. Saelas approached me once he placed down the pan. "Let me take a look at your wounds." I sighed and laid back on the bed in obedience.

As he unwrapped the bandages from my chest, I heard a slight gasp. "What? What is it?" I asked and looked at him for an answer.

"Your wound...it has gotten worse." He stared at my chest with the partially removed bandage. I strained my neck to see what he was talking about. My stomach looked almost totally black and blue.

"Oh...wow." Resting my neck and relaxing, I realized my hopes were smashed. I had hoped that they would have healed by now except for a couple of bruises.

"Hmm...those bandits certainly did a number on you." He brought out a pan with water and a rag. "I am going to try and clean it again, but something isn't right." He remarked.

I sat up and gasped. "Oh...my goodness...that really...hurts...but I need to be going. My family is waiting." A sharp pain exploded in my chest and wouldn't let up.

He gently pushed me back down upon the bed, "No. You are staying in the bed until I have done what I can."

I didn't want to consent, but finally did and laid back down. The pain softened slightly when I relaxed. Then, he rubbed a cold, wet rag on my stomach. It hurt more than I cared to say but I managed with my fists clenched tightly.

When he was done, I looked at my cold wounds. They hadn't changed at all. If anything, I was in more pain now than I had been.

"Can I please leave? I told my family I would only be gone for a couple of days." I decided not to sit up until he told me I could.

"Did that help at all?" He inquired.

"Um...ya." I answered sheepishly.

He looked at me with a slight grin on his face, "It didn't help at all, did it...?"

"Well no. It didn't." I finally admitted. "But I need to leave. I have detoured long enough."

"Yes, you may leave but I have a warning for you. Avoid unruly or easily provoked people. Because of this stone, it will be extremely easy for you to become angered. Also, you are in pain, I can see that, but you must hurry home and get rest. Hopefully by resting, your wounds will heal."

He painstakingly helped me stand up and pull my shirt on. "Thank you, sir, for helping me greatly." I half bowed (as low as I could without dying from the pain) in respect.

"It is no trouble, young man. Just heed my warning and you should be fine." He sent me out the door with my horse, belongings, and two slices of fresh bread.

On my way home, I remembered what I had told my mother. Even though we didn't really need a new saddle, I didn't want her to know that I had lied.

Stopping at a nearby town, I walked through the streets with my horse following closely. People bustled in and out of the many buildings. No one seemed to notice me, thankfully. I didn't need any more trouble.

When I walked into the craftsman's shop, he greeted me, "Good morning, young man! What can I do for you today?"

"Good morning, I am just looking to sell my old saddle." I had removed it from my horse after tying him to a post.

"Well let me take a look at it. I'll see what I can do." I thrust the saddle onto the old counter. As he looked at it, I realized something. The stone! I still had it in my pocket! With that thought, I remembered what Mr. Saelas had warned me.

"It's not a great saddle..." he began, "but I can give you ten silver pieces for it." He eyed me warily. I think he realized that I was a visiter.

"Ten silver pieces? Are you serious?" I scoffed, "I couldn't buy a totally junked saddle with that much! This saddle is worth at least thirty." I argued.

"Are you trying to cheat me?" He growled.

I ignored his threat. "It sounds more like you are trying to cheat me! You know that's a worthless price!"

"If you don't like the price then you can go." He turned around and rummaged in some drawers.

I should have stopped talking but for some reason, I couldn't. "No! You are being a cheap skate! You know this saddle is worth more!"

"Don't be asking for trouble, boy." He turned around angrily. "I don't take kindly to threats.

"Yet you are threatening me!" I reasoned.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Store." I forgot all about my wounds, my stone, and punched the man in the face. Big mistake. He recovered way too quickly and hit me right back. Then, he jumped over his counter and kicked me right...in...my wounds.

"Ugh..." I stumbled backwards until I toppled over unto the floor. My breathes came heavy and labored as I struggled to stay conscious. His kick made the pain once again flare up like...like...I can't even describe it. I tried to stand up but couldn't.

Without waiting for me to recover, the shop owner picked me up and drew back his arm to hit me, again.

Before he could throw the punch, I slipped out of his grip, barely, and brought up my own arm. Pulling it back, I hit him but not hard enough to hurt, apparently. He barely moved when I hit him. I think that was due to the fact that I could barely breathe. Oh...what had I gotten myself into?

I tried to punch him again but he was expecting it and easily dodged. He grabbed me for his turn though, and didn't miss. I was just about to pass out when two men ran into the store. They pulled us apart and grabbed me. Because I was almost unconscious, they had to drag me.

They pulled out of the shop and brought me to a different building. By now, everything around me was either spinning, or incredibly blurry. As they opened the door to the building, I lost it. My body convulsed and I emptied my stomach of its contents.

I faintly heard them groan but I couldn't be sure of anything. They dragged me into the building after I was done heaving and brought me over to a room with bars lining the wall.

With a grunt, they tossed me into the cell and slammed the door shut. "We'll be back to talk to you later." The men left without another word.

I crawled to the corner of the empty prison cell and laid down. Slowly, I closed my eyes. I felt myself slipping into oblivion. It felt wonderful to be unconscious and not be able to feel anything.

Four Hours Later

A loud banging sound woke me abruptly. I looked around, disorientated, until my memories came back. The fight, me losing, and getting stuck in here. Now Mother will really be worried.

"Wake up, boy!" A voice shouted. I looked up to the two men who put me in here. I realized that they must be the law enforcement in this town and unfortunately, I was in jail.

"I'm awake." I muttered.

"Good. I was beginning to think that Damion had killed you. You obviously know why you're in here."

"Yes...but why isn't that other guy in here too? He was fighting back!" I snapped.

"Well there's a couple of reasons now. First, he said you threw the first punch-"

"Cause he was cheating me!" I interrupted.

"But did you throw the first punch?" One of the men walked over to his desk and sat down. The other one stayed to talk.

I didn't answer.

"Anyways, two, you are a stranger here in this town and we know Damion. I trust Damion's word over yours any day." He leaned against the bars. "Damion told me what happened but as a law uphold'n guard, I wanna know your side of the story."

"It's pretty simple. He tried to cheat me out of what was mine so I decided to give him what he deserved." I grunted as I crossed my arms.

He made a sound that seemed like a snort before replying, "Oh really? What he told me is that he offered you a fair price and you got all huffed up 'bout it! As the owner of the shop, he has a right to charge or offer exactly what he wants."

I knew what I had done was stupid and that I didn't have a single reason to argue, but I was frustrated. After a moment of my silence, I changed the subject. "What's gonna happen to me, sir?"

"Well you have to pay a large fine and spend a week in jail." The law officer explained.

"How much?"

"Five gold pieces."

"Five? I don't even have two! That's ridiculous!" I fumed.

"Well, then it looks like you're gonna be in here for a while." He turned around without waiting for a response and walked over to the door. Before he walked out, the law man turned to his buddy, "Keep an eye on him, Jared."

"Yes sir." The other man replied.

I practically screamed on the inside. Now how would I ever get home? My family was probably already worried for me. I carefully lifted up my shirt to look at my stomach. It did not look attractive. Because of the kick to my stomach, it had swollen even more.

I put my shirt back down and realized something. After fumbling in my pocket, I pulled out the stone. It was still here! All my other items and weapons had been taken. That's strange...why didn't they take this?

I lifted my eyes to see the guard staring at me, "Um...what did you do with my horse?" I inquired.

"It's in the town stable. It'll be fine until your out of here." He looked back down upon his desk.

At least my horse was in good hands.

Greetings once again, mellon nins! I hope this author's note finds you well and enjoying my story! Please VOTE, COMMENT, or FOLLOW! Thanks!

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