Markus and the kidnapped boy.

[Borg12345]

*Just an example of some of my writing. Hope you enjoy*

The city streets were filled with a throng of people. It was a market day, and so all of the traders were doing their best to sell their wears, be they intricate devices or plain old junk. Markus was making his way through the crowd to the fletcher he knew when a woman barged her way through the crowd calling his name. She sounded paniced.

"Markus! Markus, please you must help me!"
Markus turned to inspect the woman. There was nothing partiality special about her. She was wearing a plain old dress and had dark brown hair tied in a bun, a typical city dweller in these parts.
"My boy, my poor little boy! He's been snatched by foul creatures from the forest!"
Markus looked at the woman from behind his wide brimmed hat and replied bluntly: "Not my problem."
The woman's face started going red with anger but she managed to control herself and spit out a scathing: "I can pay you..."
"Then I'm all ears. What took him and where?"
"Some foul green skinned creatures took him into the forest! They were armed with swords and clubs!"
Markus thought for a moment. Combat was a definite, and the creatures were most likely orks. They were tough. He made a decision.
"500 yen, no less."
"Yes, fine!" The woman replied hurriedly, handing over the money. "please bring him back safely!"

And with that Markus carried on with his journey and stocked up on supplies. This was gonna be an interesting job...

*Will continue this another time*

[Borg12345]

*and now to continue*

Markus was on the edge of the forest, it's dark shadows and tall trees loomed over him. Crossbow in hand he walked foward, into the forest and began his search. It wasn't long before he saw the first signs of the kidnappers in the form of two green skinned orks. They were lightly armoured and sported spiked clubs. Not a problem if Markus' aim was straight and true, however plans rarely follow through.

"Grork, I'm 'ungry!"
"Shaddup you norgler! Boss says ta stay 'ere an' look' out for dem humies!"
"Frak dem humies, I wants food!"

Markus listened to the argument a little longer before making his move. Very quietly he kept to the shadows and away from the orks. Painstakingly he snuck around them careful not to make much noise. He was nearly past them when he heard a loud SNAP from under his boots.
"Dang..."

The orks whipped round and stared at him for a moment. Then they charged at him like raging bulls, swinging their clubs threateningly. With seconds to react he pulled out his short sword and dived between the green brutes, swinging the blade as he did so. When he emerged behind them, he quickly looked round to watch one of them crumple to the floor, blood gushing from a deep wound in his gut.
"Ah no, Grork! You'll pay tiny hum-"
A solid metal bolt was lodged between his eyes before his finished hid threat. Falling to his knees the ork coughed up blood, tried to gurgle out some last words and fell to the floor, a dumbfounded look frozen on his face.

Markus walked over to the dead creatures and searched for anything of interest. He found nothing to his disappointment, so he dislodged the bolt, returned it to his quiver and continues onwards. In the distance Markus could see a gentle glow of a fire, and the sounds of deep, heavy laughter and shouting.
"Bingo."

*And once again I shall continue later on, probably later tonight.*

[Borg12345]

*More story now*

Markus was very close to the camp now, and what he saw nearly touched even his cold heart. The boy had been crammed into a cage, and from the looks of him he'd been brutally beaten. A hand seemed to be missing as well. What concerned Markus the most was the spit being prepared at the centre of the camp, and the hungry looks the boy was getting. Markus knew he didn't have long to act, but he could just rush in, he'd be killed. He had to create a distraction. Moving round the perimeter of the camp Markus found a small hut full of food. And idea sparked in his head. He retrieved some matches from his carry sack and lit a few, throwing them into the hut. Realising that the hut would take to long to be set alight, he sighed, reached for his flask of cider, opened it and threw and threw it in.
"Last bloody flask as well..."

Now that the fire had something along the lines of fuel, Markus retreated to a safe distance and waited. He watched as one of the orks began sniffing the air.
"I smells cookin'"
"More like burnin'... burnin'?!"
The fire had taken hold and Markus smiled to himself as his plan began to work. The orks frantically rushed around the camp looking for something to put out the fire. He snuck up the the cage and was pleased to find the dumb creatures had just tied it up rather than locked it.
"Right kid, I'm getting you out of here."
"Who are you mister?"
"Not important right now."
"But-"
"Shut up and look out for orks!"
"Like that one behind you?"
"Ahhh..."
Before Markus could draw his weapon he was smashed to one side and into a tree.
"Dats my food! Get your own- 'ang on, yous an humie!"
Markus looked up and saw the towering form of the ork boss above him. This ork was heavily armoured, and was brandishing a large axe.
"Say 'allo t' ma choppa!" Yelled the ork boss, with a wicked grin on his face.
"Hello." Markus replied before pointing the crossbow at the ork's head and firing.
The ork roared in pain as a bolt dented his helmet, creating a sharp point digging into his forehead. He wasn't dead but that's certainly distract the brute. What Markus didn't count on the ork swing his axe around instead of dropping it. Swearing loudly as it just misses his face, Markus ducked and dived around the crazed ork and cut the rope keeping the cage shut.
"Common kid!"
And without another word he grabbed the boys arm and ran back the way he came. He didn't even slow down until the chaotic sounds of the orks had died down. The glow in the distance had become much larger and brighter now, and the smell of burnt food was carried in the air.

Markus and the boy arrived at the city gates to see the boys mother waiting anxiously.
"My baby you're safe!"
The woman rushed over and held the boy tightly, then she noticed the missing hand.
"What did they do to you?! Oh my poor boy, we have to get you home right now!"
She looked up to give Markus a teary eyed thank you, but he had already turned and left. She watched as he blended into the crowds of the city, walking away as if nothing had happened.

"Just another job lady. Just another job."

*And there you have it, a small tale of Markus the Merc. Hope you enjoyed it.*