I emerge from the alleyway, looking down the long row that hosts most of the brothels and taverns in the Platinum District. A smiling courtesan shouts to me, a lewd invitation to join her, but I merely tip my hat and smile. There is a well-lit tavern ahead on my left. At night, large lamps illuminate a sign above the door, on it, written in red: The Bloody Princess.
A man crashes through the door in mid-flight and lands in the street in a tumble where he finally comes to rest. Inside I hear shouting and cheering. I enter and am taken by surprise by the loud, deep roar of a man. Like a beast, he is. Enormous, easily over seven feet tall, his short black hair looks as though he trimmed it himself with a knife. He stands on a stage, which usually has erotic dancing, wearing nothing but a loin cloth and holds a man slightly taller than me with only his palm by the dome of his head, dangling him in the air.
"This puny speck of a man dares to challenge Mraundek! Perhaps I shall crush his skull."
A large drunken crowd cheers at this, giving Mraundek a standing ovation and chanting his name in unison over and over again. I notice several dazed men trying to make it back to their feet near the edges of the tavern. I approach the bar and sit on the stool farthest from the crowd. When I take my seat I hear a sharp scream followed by a loud crunch followed by the thump of a body hitting the floor.
Some of the men, struggling to get to their feet on the sides of the room, begin to scream hysterically. One of them shouts with rage and charges the giant. But Mraundek easily lifts him up over his head and then in one swift movement comes to a kneeling position and brings him down to his knee. His torso is nearly folded in half while the sounds of his spine and probably a few ribs breaking bring about a near-sympathetic "oooh" from the crowd. Mraundek slings his lifeless corpse at a cluster of men standing side-by-side, ready to charge, then beats on his chest and howls. He grabs a pint of ale on a nearby table and downs it in one gulp with some of the drink spilling down the rippling muscles on his bare chest and stomach.
A young pretty blond nearby cheers and claps, jumping up and down, allowing her full breasts to bounce along with her, even though the tight leather tunic she wears holds them mostly in check. She shouts in a slur "None of you bastards are a match for Mraundek!" Her laughter is a little louder than seems ladylike. The barkeep approaches me, while the giant backhands another of the men that dare to charge the stage.
"Bertie! Good to see you. Didn't think you'd be back here."
"How could I resist? With your new bouncer and all." I say, and the barkeep laughs at first but then his face turns deadly serious.
"Eh- just an occupant, came in two days ago and hasn't left since. Not that I'm complaining, he draws in a bigger drinking crowd than even my girls do, though most of the lot just have a death wish. Sailed in on a pirate ship from what he says, believe it or not."
"Pirates, in our fine city?" I say.
"Not anymore, Mraundek and the lady are the only ones remaining; the others have already set sail."
"Lady? Do you mean that drunken jiggling blond over there?" I say with a quick smirk in her direction.
"Yes, lovely thing. Name's Alexis I think. Tried to convince her to become one of my dancers but believe it or not when she isn't stone drunk she's a bit stuck up."
"What do you know of these pirates?" I say, and he gives me an almost menacing look.
"And what does a butcher want to know about pirates?" he says.
"Just keeping up on all of the gossip." I shrug and then glare at him.
He leans in closer. "Well, you know I'm not one to gossip, but I heard they left town yesterday on account of the city guard planning a raid on their ship. You see, word is, they had some precious cargo on board that they stole from a very wealthy man. One of the guards says that a very wealthy fellow has offered a hell of a lot of coin for their heads."
"A fascinating tale." I say, though it feels incomplete.
The giant laughs and grabs hold of two men and tosses them up in the air. They hit the ceilings bringing clumps of dust and debris down, and then plummet to the floor groaning in pain where they land on their on their stomachs. The crowd begin cheering and drinking and some are even dancing and Mraundek stands before them with his massive arms held high in a victory stance and he roars, "I cannot be defeated!"
"He certainly enjoys himself." I say to the barkeep.
Then they enter the tavern. A small regiment of the city guard, moving in formation they approach the giant, at least twelve men total. In the front are eight men in rows of four with swords and shields in hand and behind them are four archers with crossbows trained on the giant. The swordsmen move forward as one very tight-knit unit while the archers linger near the door with two men on either side. One of the men, wearing a helmet somewhat fancier than the others steps forward and engages the giant in an unwavering stare.
"This crowd will disperse immediately!" he shouts.
The crowd struggles with the revelation, that the city guard actually decided to do something about a disturbance in the Platinum Quarter. Some of the men have a look of sheer horror, while others are so drunk that though they make an effort to run they merely fall to their faces. The pretty blond makes a dash for a nearby hall that leads to the private quarters. I join Otis and some of the other members of the crowd behind the bar where we duck down and poke our heads up over the counter for a better look.
"I am Captain Roderick and you- giant, are under arrest!"
The giant steps down from the stage and moves closer to the Captain, his cold eyes show no fear.
"This small group is all you bring to challenge Mraundek?" he says.
"Surrender, or we will be forced-"
