Marius let his rock fly as soon as they entered the street. The sizeable stone glanced off the fat merchant’s shoulder, causing him to sway and leaving a dust mark on his otherwise spotless jacket.

The man whirled around as quickly as his portly form allowed.

“Get away from her!” Marius shouted as they crossed the dirt road’s midpoint. Tobben threw his stone so hard that he stumbled and nearly fell. It missed the merchant’s head by inches and shattered against the wall.

“Thayne preserve me!” the merchant gasped in shock, “I wasn’t-” he abandoned the notion of explaining himself and fled, waddling away like landlocked walrus.

“Are you okay, Liza?” Marius asked, crouching at her side. Tobben seized another stone from the street. “Don’t, Tobben.” Marius warned him, but the boy turned and wound up.

“Take this with you, stupid sack of lard!” he roared, and pitched the rock.

The merchant turned back just in time for the jagged stone to graze his temple. He let out a wordless wail, clapping a hand over the wound and disappearing around the corner.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Marius said, standing up and laying a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

The boy was still breathing hard, and trembling. “He can eat shite,” he muttered, and swallowed a big breath. “Eliza, do we have enough for a meal yet?”

“Yes,” their sister stood up, smiling suddenly, “that wicked man gave me a silver mark.”

“A whole mark!” Tobben gasped, “why would he do that?”

“I think he meant to have it back, one way or another,” she said delicately, sharing a glance with Marius.

“Nevermind that,” Marius gave his brother a playful shove, “let’s get something to eat!”