A mass of lacerated red flesh slid down the slab towards the maw of battered iron waiting below. Dark steel hounded the crimson streaks all the way, filling the chamber with a slow, sharp, rasp. \u00a0<\/p>\n [Image Credit : Photo by Artur Voznenko<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a>]<\/p>\n Matthew lives in East London, UK, writing Fantasy, Sci-fi and whatever else grabs his attention. Having completed two novels, he is now actively building a list of published shorter works and seeking representation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
+++++<\/span>\u201cCarefully does it,\u201d a sanguine voice whispered.
+++++<\/span>The pot hissed and seethed, greedily swallowing every scrap, and sending the fleeting bubbles up to be lost amongst the broiling surface.
+++++<\/span>Meaty paws pulled the knife close to a broad chest, as a colossal head leaned down and drew in a nosefull of pungent air.
+++++<\/span>\u201cCan you see the colours changing? The blood\u2019s seeping into the mix?\u201d
+++++<\/span>A dozen chins jiggled as the head nodded.
+++++<\/span>\u201cGood, good,\u201d the voice hissed excitedly. \u201cAnd now\u2026 the garlic, quickly.\u201d
+++++<\/span>The big man shuffled over to the busy worksurface, his feet barely lifting from the floor.
+++++<\/span>With great care, he selected a large white bulb and began to pick and prod with the tip of his knife. Within moments the peel had fallen and the pale skin lay bare.
+++++<\/span>\u201cThe onion next.\u201d
+++++<\/span>The chef nodded again, breath spilling from his mouth as the pace of his work overwhelmed his shrunken nostrils.
+++++<\/span>The inn upstairs was heaving tonight. The mead was flowing like the river beneath the ice sheets, and with every slam of every mug that echoed down through the creaking floor, one thought stalked closer to the mind of every man and woman up there.
+++++<\/span>Dinner.
+++++<\/span>The chef, stained and greasy smock flapping, dropped the aromatics into the stew, sending the tenor scents of raw vegetable leaping into the air, rising sharply over the wholesome bass of baking bread and the rolling baritones of braising meat.
+++++<\/span>The symphony was almost upon them.
+++++<\/span>The big man wiped his forehead, skewing his thin hair at an odd angle as the sweltering air raked over his lips.
+++++<\/span>It was hot down here. The fire of industry roared below the antique pot, caked with all the seasonings of every yesterday.
+++++<\/span>From the darkest corner, buried between the sacks of potatoes, a sweating shadow watched the scene unfold.
+++++<\/span>As the big man worked, a sigh cut through the gentle rumble of the place, high and sharp.
+++++<\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re too early for dinner.\u201d
+++++<\/span>The chef didn\u2019t bother to turn.
+++++<\/span>The shadow smiled as he took a step forward, letting the flickering firelight paint his pale face.
+++++<\/span>He pushed a fraying lock of grey hair behind his ear with a chuckle.
+++++<\/span>\u201cSmells damn good, Sevvy.\u201d
+++++<\/span>A single dried laugh shot back as the chef groped at the spice rack and dropped a few leaves into the mix, knife still glinting in his hand.
+++++<\/span>\u201cIf only that was all you were after, Akkarin\u2026\u201d
+++++<\/span>The man spread his arms, looking about the room as if to garner the support of the invisible crowd, but the dancing light never left his eyes.
+++++<\/span>\u201cCan\u2019t a man drop in on an old friend?\u201d
+++++<\/span>A pause filled the little kitchen, almost smothering the flames under its weight.
+++++<\/span>\u201cHow\u2019d you find me?\u201d
+++++<\/span>Akkarin shook his head.
+++++<\/span>\u201cNot that hard, if you ask the right questions.\u201d The grin returned.
+++++<\/span>Another moment passed as his words were pondered and the bread was snatched from the oven, flooding the place with the soft scents of saffron lattice.
+++++<\/span>\u201cHere\u2019s another one, then: What\u2019s it going to take for you to walk out that door and never come back?\u201d
+++++<\/span>The smile withered. From under the slick expression, fatigue finally broke through. Upon Akkarin\u2019s face, the fire spelled out the lines like the words of an unspoken epic.
+++++<\/span>\u201cCome on, mate, really?\u201d
+++++<\/span>The chef flipped the meat and pulled the great pan off the flames with his free hand, setting it down upon the stone table as the hissing quietened.
+++++<\/span>This time there was no pause.
+++++<\/span>\u201cYes.\u201d
+++++<\/span>Turning, Akkarin sighed, throwing back the ashen cloak to reveal a glinting suit of rippling blackened mail, and knuckled either hip.
+++++<\/span>The movement scattered the firelight across the ceiling.
+++++<\/span>\u201cAlright, will you stop that and talk to me?\u201d Akkarin demanded, voice rising, making the big cook finally bring his staccato motions to a flinching pause. \u201cI think you owe me that much at least!\u201d
+++++<\/span>The two men eyed each other uneasily.
+++++<\/span>Akkarin stared into those watery doe eyes and tried to hide his contempt.
+++++<\/span>\u201cPlease, Sevvy?\u201d
+++++<\/span>The chef finally broke away, turning back to the chopping board, brushing crumbs and chasing cuttings with the flat of the dark blade.
When the voice spoke up again, it sounded as tired as Akkarin looked.
+++++<\/span>\u201cKeith. Go get some air.\u201d
+++++<\/span>The big man groaned reluctantly.
+++++<\/span>\u201cKeith!\u201d The voice said, warning for a moment, before softening like butter left on the hearth\u2019s edge. \u201cGo on, out with you.\u201d
The thud that followed seemed to rock the whole building.
+++++<\/span>With a heaving sigh, the man in the grubby chef\u2019s uniform bowed his head and turned, awkwardly padding away. The door clicked closed behind him and the sound of those gigantic feet stomped up the stairs.
+++++<\/span>Shaking his head, Akkarin looked back towards the counter, the relief palpable upon his face.
+++++<\/span>\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t know why you put up with him.\u201d
+++++<\/span>From the worksurface, tip buried half an inch in the wood, the knife stood, staring back. Blankly.
+++++<\/span>\u201cHe\u2019s a good bloke, we\u2019re happy together.\u201d The voice said defensively. \u201cAnd, more importantly, he doesn\u2019t throw me at anyone.\u201d
+++++<\/span>Akkarin looked at his friend. Ironically, it had changed more than he had.
+++++<\/span>The double-edge had retreated into one sweeping curve, and the elegant handle that had once sat so nicely in his palm had lost its silk wrappings, polished to a shine by years of hard use in sweaty fingers.
+++++<\/span>Sevvy watched the surprise trace his friend\u2019s face.
+++++<\/span>\u201cI don\u2019t care what you think,\u201d the voice said. If it had had an arm it would have waved him away. \u201cI\u2019m done.\u201d
+++++<\/span>Pushing the cloak out from under him, Akkarin stepped back and dropped onto a bag of potatoes.
+++++<\/span>\u201cCome on, you haven\u2019t even heard me out!\u201d The man protested.
+++++<\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s the thing, Akki, I don\u2019t need to. I know what you\u2019re going to say.\u201d
+++++<\/span>The man folded his arms. \u201cOh, really?\u201d
+++++<\/span>The knife regarded him coldly.
+++++<\/span>\u201cSomething like \u2018One last score\u2019?\u201d Sevvy tutted. \u201cPerhaps even a \u2018I can\u2019t do this without you, me ol\u2019 mucker?\u2019\u2026 Am I close?\u201d
+++++<\/span>Akkarin had the good grace to drop his eyes to the floor.
+++++<\/span>The cold edge of steel laughed in his face.
+++++<\/span>\u201cWhat were you going to offer me?\u201d
+++++<\/span>The man blushed a shade further.
+++++<\/span>\u201cHalf.\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cHalf?<\/i> Akki, I wouldn\u2019t do it for all the money in the world.\u201d The lungless piece of metal sighed.
+++++<\/span>Akkarin looked up, a sly flash of teeth sparkling from the corner of his mouth as he leaned forward and drew his secret ace.
\u201cHow about for an old friend?\u201d
+++++<\/span>Firelight glinted off the spine.
+++++<\/span>\u201cNo.\u201d
+++++<\/span>The man threw himself backward and folded his arms. The expression on his face seemed to melt through the various stages of grief, until even a heartless knife felt as though it\u2019d just stabbed a puppy.
+++++<\/span>Silence fell between them, the ruckus above pounding through the floor as the logs cracked under the pot.
+++++<\/span>Keenly aware of the cooking stew, the knife regarded the door eyelessly, wondering just how far his hands \u2013 and the body they were attached to \u2013 had gone.
+++++<\/span>Sevvy gave an awkward cough. \u201cCan you, ah, give me a hand?\u201d
+++++<\/span>Akkarin looked up, letting the firelight spill over his face, filling the range of mountainous peaks and cavernous troughs carved there.
+++++<\/span>\u201cWhat?\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cThe\u2026\u201d The knife cleared his non-existent throat. \u201cCarrots need doing.\u201d
+++++<\/span>For a moment, man stared at metal. Then the corner of his mouth snaked up into a crooked smirk.
+++++<\/span>\u201cSure.\u201d
+++++<\/span>He rose and sauntered over to the counter, awkwardly reaching out and wrapping his hand around his old partner. He whistled as he hefted the blade.
+++++<\/span>\u201cYou\u2019ve put on weight, Sev.\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cShut it.\u201d
+++++<\/span>Chuckling, Akkarin looked around for the carrots, spinning the wicked blade between his fingers.
+++++<\/span>\u201cOn the left, top shelf.\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cTa.\u201d
+++++<\/span>Selecting one, he set to work, quickly shaving the plant with smooth flicks of finger and wrist.
+++++<\/span>\u201cHaven\u2019t lost your edge though, have you?\u201d
+++++<\/span>The knife wrapped on the counter as Akkarin freed the last of the orange cuttings and plucked another vegetable from the basket.
+++++<\/span>\u201cI\u2019m not doing it, Akki. I want a quiet life,\u201d the blade whispered back, the words appearing in the man\u2019s ear as the steel spun in his hand.
+++++<\/span>He paused. \u201cYou\u2019re a sentient knife!\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cThe others all got their chance!\u201d Sevvy said, defiance his defence. \u201cThey all got to walk away!\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cYes, and they need someone to pile the earth on afterward.\u201d Akkarin parted the last of the veg and cast the orange slithers into the stew. \u201cYou don\u2019t.\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cMe?\u201d Sevvy spat. \u201cWhat about you? What happens when you\u2019ve used all your coin on booze and whores, and can\u2019t stand up anymore? Ever think about that?
+++++<\/span>Akkarin shook his head. \u201cWon\u2019t happen, mate. I\u2019ll go out in a blaze of glory, on my feet, in a flash. Not like you, going blunt in a blaze of carrot peel!\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re insensible.\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cAnd you\u2019re a knife, start acting like it!\u201d
+++++<\/span>Sevvy laughed. \u201cI\u2019d say I\u2019m in my element.\u201d
+++++<\/span>Akkarin slammed the tip of the blade into the counter and stepped backward.
+++++<\/span>\u201cYeah, alright for you isn\u2019t it!\u201d He roared. \u201cTransferable skills and all that. Whoever heard of an honest thief? You think a locksmith is going to want me<\/i> in his shop?\u201d
+++++<\/span>The knife would have looked away, if it had the eyes to do so.
+++++<\/span>\u201cAlright, calm down\u2026\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cEasy for you all to walk off, ain\u2019t it?\u201d The man kept shouting. \u201cBut what about me? Only thing I\u2019ve ever known is thieving.\u201d Shoulders heaving, the old man\u2019s eyes started to shimmer. \u201cWhat else I got? Nothing. Cos you decided to piss off and suddenly I had to go it alone.\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s not fair, Akki\u2026\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cToo bloody right it ain\u2019t!\u201d
+++++<\/span>The stew bubbled up through the silence and Akkarin stormed over and gave the pot a stir.
+++++<\/span>The world seemed to press in on the little basement, and at a certain point even steel starts to buckle.
+++++<\/span>\u201cAlright,\u201d Sevvy said eventually. \u201cI\u2019ll do it \u2013 on one condition.\u201d
+++++<\/span>The man sniffed.
+++++<\/span>\u201cWhat?\u201d He asked carefully.
+++++<\/span>\u201cYou do something with the money, and when we\u2019re done, put me in a proper kitchen \u2013 and then never talk to me again.\u201d
+++++<\/span>Turning away from the fire, the glow remained in Akkarin\u2019s smile.
+++++<\/span>Snatching up the knife, he brought it up to his face and kissed it, catching a flash of carrot and raw beef.
+++++<\/span>\u201cAh, you won\u2019t regret it, I knew you\u2019d have my back, me ol\u2019 mucker\u2026\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cWhere are we going?\u201d The knife called. \u201cDoor\u2019s behind you.
+++++<\/span>\u201cNah, I broke the window in the storeroom and climbed through.\u201d
+++++<\/span>\u201cYou did what\u2026!\u201d
+++++<\/span>With that, they were gone, the thin door gently scraping closed behind them.
+++++<\/span>A few moments later, heavy footsteps thudded uncertainly back down the stairs and the other door popped open.
+++++<\/span>The gargantuan head searched the room with watery eyes before the rest of Keith\u2019s body pulled itself in.
+++++<\/span>He approached the pot with a frown that rapidly deepened as he saw the empty countertop.
+++++<\/span>With a whine, he dropped to his knees and started peering into the dust on the floor.
+++++<\/span>Back on his feet in a flash he stood there, paralysed, mouth working, open and closed.
+++++<\/span>Breath heaving, he reached over, snatched up another knife from the rack and brought it to his ear, placing the flat of the blade against his skin.
+++++<\/span>He closed his eyes and listened.
+++++<\/span>Another moment passed.
+++++<\/span>And then, his eyes opened, the smile came to his face. The relief that left his lungs made the fire flare.
+++++<\/span>As he started to hum a dainty tune, Keith stirred the pot. He took a hefty pinch of pepper and, for the first time in months, made a decision all on his own.<\/p>\n![\"Facebook\"](\"https:\/\/www.close2thebone.co.uk\/wp\/wp-content\/plugins\/social-media-feather\/synved-social\/image\/social\/regular\/48x48\/facebook.png\"\/ "\\"Share")
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