"Fasterrr" Mangolia's child-like deep voice hammered at a laughing Krolla

"Oh shattap." Krolla retorted, his grin wide as flat plates. 

Mangolia’s mind wandered to the past as Krolla thundered beneath him. To a time before the gang had a name.

He was six then, wearing the itchy label of an heir and choking on it.

“Sit straight, Mangolia. Chin up.”

The tutor’s voice buzzed like a trapped fly. On the table lay the royal genealogies, neat lines of names that meant nothing to him.

He ...