Snippet #1874228

The hiker groaned as he went down, the weight of his backpack pulling on him. He loosed his grip his on his walking stick, letting it clatter to the ground, and cast a sideways glance, his head thrust back. Though, he could not see the cold, pointed steel pressed to the fleshy part of his throat, he let out a shriek and haplessly tried to free his right hand and fumble for his hunting knife, its hilt barely visible above the top of his boot.

"Guards! Guards!" he shouted, drawing the attention of a few more onlookers into a small crowd that gathered. "Please," he begged of the gray-eyed man, sweat trickling from his hairline into his fearful eyes. "I done told you, I don't know what you're getting after. I'm just passing through. If it's money you want, take it. It's yours, but I've a wife and family. For gods' sake, have mercy."