Chapter Five
Rurik
Obudai Island, Hungary
The sun, impaled on the highest peak of the distant big top, shone through the open doors of the semi’s trailer. Rurik squinted into the light as six Italian men scrambled over piled equipment, jostling to get at him.
A slim scarecrow of a man threw the first punch. Rurik blocked it and shoved the man backward into his cohorts.
A shorter attacker zipped in from the side and struck at Rurik’s ribs. With barely any effort, Rurik raised his elbow and whacked it into the scrawny clown’s head, sending him tumbling into the truck’s wall.
Two other men darted closer, aiming blows at his head and stomach.
Rurik dipped and dodged, deflecting each attack.
One opponent wormed his way behind and chopped at Rurik’s kidneys. Rurik sidestepped but stubbed
