I like the concept here, and the first paragraph in particular is a really intriguing set-up with the background of the change in kingship…

But some points feel a little clunky. The change from present to past tense between the first two sentences is a little jarring, and later, the line ‘piles of trash grew in along the sides of the streets’ reads a bit awkwardly – maybe it doesn’t need the ‘in’ at all?

Finally, ‘I didn’t know which gang claimed him – at least three active in the city’ might flow better as ‘at least three were active’ or maybe ‘at least three operated’…

Some tweaks and this could be a really well-crafted set-up – MH :)

Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood comes to mind. I imagine this scene occurring in the early morning, likely because of the reference to “deaths found by the light of dawn.”
As a reader I’m left with a question of whether the narrator is a vigilante, or has some other purpose in mind. Or maybe he’s planning on buying like the others, just keeping a blade handy for the exchange.

the guard is caught up with the the taxes for the throne, my guess, and not the riff raff. :) I like it, but can’t sequel, as I am unsure what he is, too. You have to continue.

Fixed some of the problems. Glad you folks liked it.

@Elsha- Feel free to sequel any of my stories any time. If some one doesn’t beat me to it, I’ll sequel this one, and if they do, I might sequel anyway…

Nice edits, this is definitely tighter now – MH :)

@Robert- Nice. Got me hooked, so I am about to read the sequel(s). One thing that jumped out at me was “boot maker’s shop” as somewhat out of place. Shoemaker’s shop could work (as shoemaker is a recognized profession), or if the era fits, you could go with cordwainer’s shop (which might actually help to date the piece past the hints of kings and cobbled streets).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordwainer

A great set up for any sequels. You have several points that intrigue me as you end with a possible intervention from our hero.