The Dark Path Read Free

expressions underneath.
    “Yes.” Gen bowed slightly to the boys, his eyes never leaving the bigger boy in the center, and made to walk around them.
    “My name is Aaron Glormand.” The big boy stepped forward and reached out his hand in greeting, a smile on his lips. Gen took the hand to shake. He saw the blow coming but his sore muscles wouldn't react correctly. He managed to only pull back slightly before the fist crashed into his nose. Gen heard his nose break and felt the pain flash through him. He gritted his teeth and quickly shut it out. He felt the blood flow down his face. He finished the handshake and took his hand back. Gen smiled through the blood. He let it run, unabated into his mouth and over his teeth.
    “A pleasure to meet you.” Gen was happy to see that blood spattered from his speech onto the large boy's robes.
     
    Aaron checked his next punch. What was wrong with this boy? He didn't understand what was going on. The new boy was supposed to be crying and scared, so that Aaron could let him know that he was in charge around here. He took a step back as blood splattered onto his robes. He would retreat now and attack again when he understood what was going on.
     
    “I'm in charge around here. If you know what's good for you, you'll show me some respect.” Aaron took another step back.
    “I'll keep that in mind.” Gen reached up, before he could rethink himself, and grabbed his nose firmly in between his fingers. He pulled sharply to the side and reset his broken nose. The pain was almost more than he could take. Keep standing Gen. You've been through worse than this. Don't let them see weakness. Remember your training. His eyes were watering so badly he could barely see. He showed more teeth in his smile and aimed his eyes at the blurry vision of Aaron. He hoped he looked menacing enough. He didn't have the energy for a fight right now. His muscles still felt sore and raw.
    “If that is all, I must find my room.” Gen stepped around the trio of bullies and headed, he hoped, in the direction of the dorms. No one stopped him. He would deal with Aaron tonight. He couldn't allow himself to be bullied; he didn't have time for it.
    He found his room easily enough. It was simple and small. The dorms were in a large stone building split into four wings, two for boys and two for girls he assumed. His door had no lock though it was built of thick wood with heavy iron hinges. His furniture consisted of a bed, a desk, a wash-table with a small mirror, a small wardrobe, and a single chair. He tossed his pack onto the bed and used the washbasin to clean the blood from his face. He knew he wouldn't be able to breathe through his nose for a while. It was an annoyance he would have to put up with. He looked in the mirror and could see the bruises starting to form under his eyes. He pulled off his blood covered shirt and put it in the washbasin to soak. He pulled a clean shirt from his pack and pulled it on over his head. In the wardrobe, he found several pegs for hanging clothes. He hung his other pair of pants and placed his undergarments on the shelf above the pegs. He put his pack in the bottom and closed the doors. In the desk, he found a small, leather-bound book of blank pages along with a full inkwell and several quills. The peal of a large bell drew his attention to the window. The window had no glass but was covered by heavy shutters with a simple iron latch. He opened the shutters and looked out. The bell rang six times and the grounds outside his room filled quickly with students of all ages. Gen had no idea so many people were here. Other than Aaron and his gang, he had seen no other students since he had arrived. They must have been in class, he thought.
    “You new?” The voice came from the door. Gen turned around and saw that it came from a boy of about sixteen years of age. He was wide at the shoulders and Gen could see his well calloused hands from his grip on the door-frame. He wore gray