More Murdock:The Early Years

I know I've left you hanging too long!  Here's more of Murdock's story:

Murdock ignored the man’s obvious attempt at distracting him. Homing in on his target, the young ranger pulled back his bow and let the arrow fly. All eyes followed the projectile that found its mark in the center of the target seconds later.


“Bull’s eye!” cheered Seth, as he jumped up and down with excitement.

The vendor stared at the target, his eyes round and mouth open. He then snapped his head and glared at Murdock. “You swindled me!” he exclaimed, his face turning red with anger. “You should’ve told me you were a marksman!”

Murdock remained cool. “You never asked.” He pointed to the tattered bow. “I want my prize now.”

The man continued to steam. Thrusting a finger in the boy’s face, he said, “No one gets the best of me!” He then turned, grabbed the worthless treasure, and shoved it into Murdock’s chest. “Get out of here and don’t come back!”

The young ranger chose not to respond. Instead, he accepted his winnings and gestured for his brother to move along.

“Let’s go, Seth,” said Murdock, quickening his pace, anxious to get away from the older person. 

When they were at a safe distance away from the vendor, Seth said, “I told you you could win that!”

Murdock handed the award to his brother. “Keep it. I have plenty of toys at home.”

Murdock's Saga Continues

As promised, here's more to young Murdock's story.  Enjoy!

“Young man,” he shouted at Murdock, “how would you like to try and hit the bull’s eye?” The man motioned to three targets that rested a hundred feet away.

“I don’t have any money,” said the teen, barely making eye contact.
 “Not even one gold piece?” said the man. “I bet you have at least one coin in your pocket.”
“I don’t want to try!” said Murdock with agitation in his voice.

The man tried another tactic. “How about this?”

Seth tugged on his brother’s sleeve, getting him to stop. “Aren’t you going to listen to what he has to say?”

Murdock stopped and glared at the con artist. “What?”

“I’ll give you your first shot for free and, if you hit the target, you’ll win a prize.” The person pointed to a rickety bow that leaned against a table.

The teenager pointed at the prize. “That piece of junk?”

“Hey, I had to win that from a marksman! It’s a fine piece of weaponry!”

Murdock rolled his eyes.

“And if you miss, you give me that coin you’re trying not to lose.”

The young ranger instinctively touched the sack on his belt, jingling the coins it contained. Squinting, he said, “I won’t miss.”

“Then it’s a deal!” The man waved Murdock over and showed him where to stand. “Wait right here,” he said.

The teen did his best not to appear agitated, but he failed miserably. A second later, the man returned with a tattered bow and arrow.

“You want me to hit that target using this?”

“That’s right.” The man’s eyes narrowed to slits. “What’s the matter, are you afraid to lose?” The man held his stare on the teenager.

“Come on, Murdock, you can do it!” encouraged his brother.

With a scowl, the young ranger snatched the bow and arrow from the man. He raised the bow, positioned the feathered portion of the projectile, and readied his shot.

The con artist leaned closer to the bowman. “Take your time,” he said in a soft voice. “You wouldn’t want to miss.”

Xavier Murdock -- the Back Story

In an ongoing effort to ready my fans for Book Three in The Overlords series, I'll be starting back stories on some of the supporting characters.  Xavier Murdock, known simply as Murdock throughout the saga, is one of my favorite characters.  Cut from the Han Solo mold, Murdock is always there keeping Harrison in check, swigging ale, and ready for a fight!  Keep checking back for more additions to Murdock's storyline.  Here it goes!

“How long are you going to be away?” asked the young boy, sadness in his eyes.

            His brother did not answer right away; instead, he continued to stuff his backpack with clothes and other assorted necessities.  Lifting his eyes, he said, “Seth, for the last time, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

            “But Xavier, what am I going to do while you’re not here?”

            The thin teenager stopped his packing and pointed a finger at his younger sibling.  “How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t like being called Xavier?”

            Xavier Murdock, who insisted people call him by his surname, had recently piqued the interest of several elders a few days earlier, his talents with the longbow no longer hidden.

            “I should never have won that contest,” said Murdock, shaking his head.

            Over the past weekend, fourteen year-old Murdock, his parents, and his brother, attended a local fair, partaking in Aegean festivities for a whole day.  While his father drank flagon upon flagon of ale, his two sons meddled about the fair grounds.

            Murdock had always enjoyed watching the jousting contest, in hopes of watching someone get knocked senseless off his horse.  As he and Seth meandered toward the area, a man called out to them ...

What Overlords Fans Have Been Craving!

To all the Overlords fans out there, Mike is giving you what you have wanted!  In an effort to whet your Overlords appetite in anticipation of the upcoming release of his third book in the fantasy series, Mike will be blogging short stories of the supporting characters on a bi-weekly basis.  One of Mike’s favorite characters is Xavier Murdock, the rogue ranger and expert marksman of the group.  He definitely had a checkered past, to say the least!  Look for new blog entry in your inbox or social network of choice.