500 gold coins in unpaid taxes. GOD DAMNS IT!!!! "AGHHHHHHHHH" I scream in anguish. The king will eventually imprison my mother if she doesn't pay. I CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN. "DAMN YOU TYRANT, DAMN YOU!!! WHERE DO YOU EXPECT US TO GET THIS MONEY, WE DON'T HAVE SUCH WEALTH!!!"
*rustle*
"Hmm?"
*rustle* *rustle*
Suddenly a 'Wolf' jumps out of the bush growling with the face of hunger.
Crap. As I walk back I tripped over a tree root. As I turn back I see the wolf is looking at me with a mocking face. Quickly I look for any outs of this situation. Behind me I see a stone a few meters behind me.
*Growls* at this point the wolf inches closer and closer.
If I run for the stone now it will notice and pounce at me. If I don't run for it, I will definitely be chewed out. Man this is a huge predicament. I can't die now, at least not yet.
*wind blows snapping a branch* the wolf takes notice of the sudden noise from the branch.
NOWS MY CHANCE!! I pounce towards the stone and grabbed it with my right hand.
The wolf quickly notices and pounce at me. As it was about to snap its jaws together at my neck. I swung my right arm-that had the rock-across the face of the wolf. I quickly get up and I kept pounding the rock at him until I see his jaw get dislocated, or a better word, torn from the rest of the body.
"Ughhh man" *chuckle* "that was a close one." I look down to see that I was covered in blood.
"AAAOOOOOOOO"*sound of howls*
"SHOOT" Wolfs can smell the blood reeking from my body. In attempt to get rid of the scent I jump into the river. Because it was so dark, I wasn't able to see how fast it was going. Man one predicament after another. I quickly find my fate in the hands of the river
"UGguGug" I can't...I can't...breathe...water...too...fast...
Suddenly I see a couple of rocks ahead....SHit the river is too fast...no...Not now...nooo.... *bonk*...............................
"Ughhh" where am I?!? I notice the sun in the middle of the sky. AH IT’S BRIGHT. Man I still haven't gotten used to the morning sun.
I slowly pushed my body against the dirt. AH NO USE. I collapse back onto the dirt. I look at my surroundings. I noticed a giant wall...it could be the city. I look back at the river...so in order to get I need to travel upstream...what a pain.
After a couple of minutes have passed, I began to feel my legs and I quickly get up. Curious, I climb over the wall of the city. This was no problem since I climb all the time in the woods. I peered to both my sides making sure no knights were on this shift. I climb over. Luckily there is a building next to the wall so I ran and jumped across the gap and manage grab the roof. Man this city is beautiful.
I see kids running around.
Mothers shopping for groceries.
Men traveling and shouldering their fishing poles or pickaxes.
This kind of scene relaxes me...however I feel my mind churn in jealousy.
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, I paid 30 silver for 10 loaves of bread, this is 9, I'm not an idiot I can count."
I quickly take notice a mother and a shop keeper.
The mother seems quite angry. "Mr. Bellows, give me back the money"
The shop keeper gives an immediate wry smile and immediately puts on a straight face. "Madam, I hear you clear and loud, but I only see 27 silver coins not 30"
I notice 3 silver coins in his left hand. That bastard.
"UGH WHATEVER" the women begins to stomp and walks away.
The shopkeeper puts on a smile that's reeks of greed.
No I'm not going to take this. I quickly jumped roof tops until I reached the shop. I peered through the shutters and I see a pouch of gold & silver coins along with a few copper. I carefully open the shutters not wanting to create any noise. I quickly took the pouch and silently walked closing the shutters behind me. "Man that was easy" shocked at my own capability. These were probably all the money he cheated out of his customers. It seems to contain 4 gold, 50 silver, and a couple of coppers. Anyways I climbed up back to the roof and I look for the women. I follow her. Man I need to get closer. I climbed down from the roof and instead follow her. I tapped the women in the shoulder.
"Yes dear?" The women asked politely.
"Uhh I...here is the 3 silver the shopkeeper stole from you" she looks down at the coins. I quickly ran away not wanting to see the response, climbing up back the walls.
"Wait hey!!! Where have you gone to?!?!...anyways...thank you...you don't know how much this means to my family." With that she quietly walks away.
Once I hit the roof I jumped from roof to roof and jumped over the wall. Need to make sure I'm in a safe place, after all I did commit thievery. I quickly spot the river and traveled up stream back home.
"MAAN, that *huff* was one *huff* long walk *kehuu-kehuu*" I finally manage to get back in one piece. As I run through town I spot my mom teaching morning class through the windows. In haste I run for our home and grabbed a pencil and paper and wrote "Use this to pay off your debt" on top of the pouch full of money containing 4 gold/47 silver. Of course I had to write it really professionally because I knew my mom knew exactly how I write knowing every nook and cranny of my penmanship. I wish my mum wasn't so observant; it would make my life ton easier. Man I am exhausted. After applying myself some rags I go to the woods and go to my favorite fishing spot too lay down. I look up to see the sun smiling, the river looks so calm, and the gentle breeze blows through the sky. Without noticing I fall into a deep sleep.
"...rave...raveyyyy...rave..."
I snap awake. Did I hear my mother’s voice or am I delusional? Maybe that rock hit my head a bit too hard...there's no way I can hear my mom all the way from here. I'm like a mile away...it's impossible...right?
*The wind blows harder*
"Did mom call me?" I think to myself.
*the wind blows even harder*
It's a coincidence right? I better get back before it gets dark anyways. I gently walk home and take in the flow of the wind...MAAAAN it feels good. By the time I got home the sun already set over the horizon. Before I even took a step inside...
"RAVEY, WHERE WERE YOU?!?!" She frantically looks for any sign of harm over my body "AND WHY ARE YOU COVERED IN BRUISES AND SCRATCHES!!?"
"Sorry I was running through the woods and I kind of tripped and fell...I think I passed out-but I'm fine mom really" I frantically say.
"...really?...well don't worry me so much...anyways go wash yourself you smell terrible. After that I want you to go to bed and rest your body alright?"
"Ok" and with I was gone. I thought about telling my mum what had happened at the capital...however I don't thinks my mother will respond well.
"HOO HOOO"
Damn it...I can't sleep. I look out the window. I see that little Bastard making that sound. I quickly grabbed my bow & arrow in hopes I can hunt it down...I just hope my lack of hunting with the bow hasn't diminished yet. It's been quite the long time. Anyways I quickly went after him. Besides owls are a delicacy. Once I got close to him.
"HOOHOO" it turns around and started to flap its wings
NOO. With that it flew away. 'OH HELL NAW, I woke up with my bow and arrow because you ruined my sleep. You think I'm a let you leave??' I tirelessly chase after him. Man it's getting further and further.
Suddenly the owl takes a right turn to and open field.
I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY. I ready my bow while I chase it. I quickly aim it and I wait for the most opportune time. And *FLINK* and flies go the arrow.
"HUUUAWK." Realizing its fate, the owl tries to glide over to the ocean. However nature has other plans, a sudden breeze suddenly rushes in form affront falling towards Rave.
"This will fetch some coins." I said greedily. I quickly put it in my bag I brought with me. Nature decides to blow a heavy wall of wind. For the sake of my eyes I face away from the direction of the wind, and as I do this I notice a wall of light... It's the capital.
I finally reach the wall of the capital. I tied the bag to a branch of a tree so that scavengers like wolves aren't able to get it. I climb back up the walls and I retook the steps that lead to the center of the trading market. I take a look around and see many lights and a couple of bonfires apparently there's a festival going on. Knowing this I climbed down. I look around the stands and I notice many stalls with various good. Its sucks that I only have some owl feathers. Suddenly an older women called out to me with a voice that drags me to her stands.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Hello dear would you like some soup, or perhaps a hat, maybe you will like this mask"
"No than-"
"How about some candles, would you like some candles" interrupting me.
"No thank y-"
"I have a black candle"
I see how it is. "OK-BYE" I quickly run away...
"HEY WAIIT YOU HAVENT SEEN MY WARES YET..."
Oh thank god I escape.
Anyways this continues on for various occasions and sometimes I was interest but was rejected once they knew I had nothing to offer. Although it wasn't a complete loss I stole some coins from some of the greedy merchants. However the coins I gathered quickly dissipated when I gave them to a few children and all they wore were rags. Knowing their position I couldn't say no. Suddenly across the crowd I sport something irregular. It looks like a really older women and in front of her were a lot of masks. As I come closer I feel the area around me becomes dense.
"Hello dear, do you like anything on display?" She said in a hoarse voice.
"Sorry I don't have anything to offer but the masks you have looked interesting. Sorry for bothering you" I was about to leave when...
"Wait up- are those owl feathers?"
I look down on my right pocket. Huh...didn't realize. I slowly pick it up. When I take a closer look at the feather it had quite the coloring. It was black on one side and brown on the other. "Would you like it? I don't have any uses for it."
"Yes I would love it. You see I am quite interested in the coloring specifically. This feather tells a story and I would love to take it home and hear it"
"Sure" I gave her the feather as I was finally going to take my leave.
"Wait...before you go would you like a mask?"
"Sorry I don't hav..."
"It's fine when you are old like me, you'll realize that money becomes less important the closer to death you are so go ahead and take one" she gives off a warm smile.
"Uh thank madam" I search through her mouth mask collection. I held each one...this is too heavy...too hard... To sparkly...too rough...too big...too colorful. Once I got to the end I see a pure black and simple mouth mask. I picked it up to be surprise to be made out of some kind of skin. It was durable, it was breathable, and the atmosphere grabbed me.
Looking astonished."ahh that is made out of the last flying dragon. And I had it for many years but nobody seems to buy and most of my customers say tag it was REALLY heavy. How are you able to lift it so easily?"
"I don't know it seems pretty light...so…made from last dragon... is it really alright I take it?" Not wanting to bring her into poverty.
"Ha-ha it's fine; it was always a waste of space. I'm just glad I found someone to buy it. So please take it, I'm glad" she's says smiling.
"Thank you, sorry for not having money" I replied with sincerity. With that I take my leave with the mouth mask.
There was a dance around the bonfire, everybody washing the pain from yesterday and here to rejoice together. The more I listen, the more I realize that this celebration is for the kings triumphs against the Ottomans. During the whole night I was pick pocketing left and right and found a few coins on the coin. My pouch is filling up nicely I might add. Everybody had a smile on the faces...even the merchants. That's a bit suspicious.
"4 silver for bread!!! 4 silver for bread!!!"
Isn't that...the same merchant? Wait a minute isn’t that a bit expensive? I quickly open a window to the store. I see a bigger pouch than yesterday. Maybe I should knock him down a notch. Besides I've been stealing things throughout the whole festival, most people leave their house unlocked for thieves anyways so might as well. No worries though I've been mostly stealing from people who took advantage of others, I don’t want anyone to suffer poverty as I have. Once I slipped in, I grabbed a few gold coins as quickly as I can. As I turn around.
*clunk**bang* A stove fell to the floor
Oh SHET!!! I look back at the entrance to look for any sign of the merchant.
"HEY WHOS GOES THERE!! GUARDS IM BEING ROBBED"
I quickly aim for the window. I walk down the alley and when I got far enough I quickly aim up for the roof as a safe haven. This is bad, this wall isn't suitable for climbing-I turn around-looks like I don't have a choice. "Alright hands we spent many years climbing in the woods- don't fail me now."
"HALT THIEF!!!".
Oh crap the guards are coming. I grab the stones sticking out if the walls. I kept climbing and climbing. I chose the wrong building to climb...
Once I reached the top I collapse onto the roof too finally catch my breathe. Well to be honest I’m not worried if I was seen, mostly due to my new mask but it's obsolete if I get caught.
Time passed, but it seemed like it hasn't. Everybody is still enjoying the banquet...
"Hey man...don't make a single scratch on her. If boss found out that she has been scratched just by a tiny bit. Boss will have your head"
"Dude we've been at this for like five hours and just one kid out of like THOUSANDS won't matter besides I'm exhausted. And that's not the worst part I wanna try some grub from the festival" he followed with a drool. He grabs the women by the waist and heaves it over his shoulder.
"AHHHH LET ME GO! ILL HAVE YOU KNOW MY FATHER WILL HAVE YOU ARRESTED. YOU’LL REGRET THIS!!!"
"Yeah-yeah whatever just shut your mouth before I shut it for ya." Exhaustedly he carries her onto the back of a horse.
"AHHHHHHHH...NO LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"She screams and kicks hoping to be released.
I finally decide to poke my head out from the rooftop. She's about to get kidnapped...that's a shame. As I say that a huge gust of wind comes over and it almost blew me over the edge.
"Fine fine I get it"
Knowing they will have a hard time navigating through the crowd and the fact they need somewhere to be secretive, I kind of got the idea of where they may be heading. Either way they had trouble navigating through the crowd and the girl unconscious inside the bags is struggling to hang on to the horse thus made it a LOT easier for me to pursue besides...I can imagine all the riches behind the doors this man will lead me too.
*couple hours later*
*kuhee-kuhee*, "my GOD, how far do I have to follow this maniac!!!" we just now entered the 'bad side of town' where criminals and beggars tend to be. As I jump from roof to roof I notice a few people in shackled to a man...it seems slavery is present in this side. All the slaves were naked and exhausted. I better come in and get out...just being here is getting me depressed. There seems to be many mansions throughout this place but they seem to have decayed over time. I look back at the kidnapper; he stopped and grabbed the unconscious girl. Now that I get a good look at it...I can see that she seems to be a couple of years older than me so that'd make her 14-15. She also wore a dress that looks as pretty as 5-10 gold coins worth.
He got of his horse and went into the mansion "HEY BOSS!!! IM BACK AND I BROUGHT WHAT YOU ASKED ME TOO"
"Very well and bring the boy that's been following you"
"YES SIR" he turns around and aims his arm towards me.
"OH SHIT" I quickly turn around, but I feel something stab my left leg. "AGHHHHHHHHH" damn it I need to hurry, I got to get back oh no…I’m I think I’m starting to feel...woozy...no...I can't...fall now...I need...to..pay... the...debt...I can't ...sorry....mother...
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