I
Deep in the heart of Pelias lay a district worn down by the oppressive hand of royalty, a place where all those the city wished to forget were cast aside to fight like wolves for survival. The day was dim, as thick clouds hung heavily above, obscuring the rays of sunlight and casting long, ominous shadows across the ground. It was a bustling day in the district—market day, when traders flocked to sell their goods, eager to exploit the desperate needs of the residents.
Amidst the chaos, the air was filled with a medley of sounds: the lively chatter of people exchanging news and gossip, the sharp arguments echoing over prices and bargaining, and the abrupt clamor of guards making arrests, their authority palpable and unyielding. In this vibrant yet volatile atmosphere, where desperation and opportunity intertwined, the day unfolded as a quintessential moment—perfect for a thief with nimble fingers and a keen eye.
----------------------------------------
II
In a dimly lit alleyway, two small children sat huddled together, their bodies battered and worn from the harsh realities of their lives. The air was thick with a sense of shared struggle as they discussed their plan. A soft yet urgent sound emanated from the belly of a small girl—hunger.
“I’m so hungry,” she whispered, her wide eyes reflecting the emptiness within.
The boy, the same age and rugged, reached out, gently rubbing her head and ruffling her disheveled hair even more in a comforting gesture.
“I know, Raina. I’m hungry too,” he admitted, his own stomach growling in agreement.
His expression brightened with a spark of mischief. “Today is market day! It’s the perfect opportunity for us to steal some bread,” he proclaimed, a sense of determination in his voice.
Raina's face lit up with hope. With her striking blue eyes gazing up at him, she asked, “Which stall should we steal from?”
The boy thought for a moment, his brow furrowing in concentration. “Do you remember that old man we stole from last time? He’s so clueless and slow; he’ll be an easy target.”
Raina erupted into giggles. “I remember! That silly old man tried to chase us, but he fell and hit his head!” Her laughter was a moment of brightness in their bleak surroundings. However, her brow creased with worry as she continued, “But Tyr, what if he’s prepared this time?”
Tyr leaned in closer, a reassuring grin spreading across his face. “Don’t worry, he’s just an old fool! If he tries anything, your valiant hero will save you. After all, I’m destined to become the greatest hero the world has ever seen!”
He struck a playful pose, puffing out his chest dramatically.
Raina chuckled at his antics, her spirits lifting. Inspired, she picked up a stick and raised it toward the sky like a staff, boldly declaring, “And I will be a great mage who will rule the lands and bring peace to the world!”
With shared laughter echoing through the alley, Tyr nodded with pride. “Well then, shall we go get some bread, my magnificent queen?”
“Of course!” Her voice brimmed with excitement as she strutted out of the alleyway with the confidence of royalty, Tyr trailing closely behind, ready to embark on their audacious quest.
----------------------------------------
III
The cobbled streets of Pelias were alive with an overwhelming crowd, a tapestry of all types of people merging into a lively chaos. Vendors shouted their wares, enticing passersby with the promise of food and fine goods, though the prices here were steep—too steep for the likes of Tyr and Raina. As the children neared the end of the alleyway, Raina’s eyes widened at the sight of the crowd.
“There are so many people here today! What if we get lost in all of this?” she fretted, glancing nervously at the sea of bodies.
Tyr, ever the brave leader, turned to her with a reassuring grin. “Don’t worry. If we hold hands, we’ll never lose each other.”
Raina’s cheeks flushed a deep red at his words, and a smile bloomed on her face. “Of course, I won’t let go,” her voice firm yet affectionate.
With a flourish, Tyr extended his hand, and Raina wrapped her fingers tightly around his.
“Are you ready?” he asked, his heart racing with excitement.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
She nodded enthusiastically, and together, they leapt out into the bustling city street, a world brimming with opportunity and danger. As they weaved through the crowd, laughter bubbled up between them, their spirits buoyed by the thrill of adventure.
They bumped into people along the way, skillfully nicking small items from distracted vendors. Tyr flipped a beaten-up bronze coin to Raina, grinning as he showed off his find.
“Look what I found!” he exclaimed, winking at her.
Raina giggled and stuck out her tongue in response, raising a leather bag triumphantly in her small hands. “Look what I got!”
Tyr felt a flush of embarrassment mixed with pride as he observed her talent, thinking to himself:
She’s so good at picking people’s pockets.
The chatter of the marketplace concealed their mischievous escapades, and as they continued to navigate through the crowd, the lively symphony of voices and the clatter of goods surrounded them. Suddenly, they spotted a gap in the sea of people, and through it, the old man and his stall came into view, a familiar landmark amid the chaos.
----------------------------------------
IV
Tyr pulled Raina behind a rundown wooden cart, its wood splintered and faded from years of neglect.
“See, Raina? Just like I told you—the man is as old and foolish as last time,” he whispered, needing to convince himself as much as her.
Raina nodded, her large eyes trained on the old man, whose gnarled hands busily sold warm, crusty loaves of bread. The mouthwatering aroma pervaded the air, weaving its way into the children’s nostrils and intensifying their gnawing hunger. Tyr’s stomach growled, a deep sound that resonated in the quiet of their hiding place.
“We’re so close to eating warm, delicious bread,” he muttered, smacking his lips at the thought, drool pooling at the corners of his mouth.
Raina tugged at his ragged shirt, her voice barely above a whisper. “If we wait for him to be distracted by a customer, we’ll have a better chance at getting the bread.”
Tyr nodded in agreement, their hearts racing as they positioned themselves like predators lurking by their prey, muscles tense and ready.
The moment arrived—a short, unsuspecting customer approached. Tyr and Raina sprang into action, ducking low behind the stall as they stealthily crept toward the enticing loaves. In one swift movement, they grabbed the bread, their tiny hands clutching the warm, crusty bounty. But just as they turned to flee, Raina’s foot caught on a rope concealed in their path. She tumbled forward, slamming against the ground with a loud thud that echoed through the chaos of the marketplace, sending a cacophony of metal implements clanging to the cobblestones.
“Tyr! Help!” she cried out, her voice laced with fear and desperation.
The old man’s head snapped in their direction, a glint of sharp awareness in his eyes as he seized Raina by the arm, lifting her with an unexpected strength that belied his age.
“Looks like I caught a filthy little rat,” he sneered, recognition dawning in his eyes. “You look familiar.” He squeezed tighter, and Raina yelped in pain, squirming in his grasp.
“Let me go!”
The old man’s laughter was cold and cruel. “Filth like you deserves to rot.”
With a bellowing shout, he called out for the guards.
Panic surged through Tyr as he heard Raina’s cries. The sight of the old man gripping her arm fueled a blazing rage within him. Without a second thought, he leapt at the man, sinking his teeth into the old man’s forearm, clamping down with all his strength. The man howled in pain, and Tyr felt a fleeting sense of triumph as the old man dropped Raina.
But the victory was short-lived; the old man kicked Tyr hard in the gut. Winded and gasping, he crashed against the stones. Raina, sobbing, rushed to his side.
“We need to run! The guards are coming!”
With every ounce of strength she could muster, she pulled Tyr up. He struggled to breathe as they bolted down an alleyway, the heavy sound of armored boots pounding against the cobblestones echoing behind them.
As they burst onto another street teeming with people, chaos reigned. In the distance, yelling and shouting pierced the air, followed by the ominous sound of hooves striking stone. Tyr’s heart raced as he squinted through the crowd.
What’s going on over there?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a guard bellowed, “Stop that horse thief!”
A thuggish man on horseback thundered through the crowd, panic erupting in all directions as people scrambled out of the way. Raina, caught in the moment, stumbled and fell, landing in the very middle of the street.
“Tyr!” she screamed, panic flooding her voice.
Tyr’s heart plummeted as he saw the horse barreling toward Raina. Without thinking, he dived to push her out of the way.
“Move, kid, or I’ll run you down!” roared the thuggish man atop the horse, his voice dripping with menace.
Tyr shoved Raina to safety, but the hooves of the horse connected hard with Tyr’s leg, followed by another crash that reverberated with a sickening snap. Pain shot through him, sharp and undeniable. The third blow collided with his back, flesh compressing like a fragile wall under a flood. The final hoof came crashing down onto his throat, crushing his windpipe into a silenced scream.
Raina’s scream rang out as she watched Tyr crumple beneath the monstrous weight. Time slowed, and her world blurred, the vibrancy of the market fading away as despair crashed over her like an unrelenting tide. She rushed to him, cradling his battered body close, tears streaming down her face as she felt the last trembling gasps of his breath.
“Please don’t leave me,” she begged, desperation lacing her voice. “I don’t want to be alone! We were supposed to be together forever!”
With trembling hands, she felt the warmth fleeing from him, blood seeping between her fingers as she held him tight.
“I need my hero,” she sobbed, her heart shattering as the twitching subsided, the light fading from his eyes. She heard the gurgle of blood in his throat until it fell silent.
A deathly scream escaped her lips, a sound that pierced the very fabric of the atmosphere, overwhelming the cacophony around her.
As rain began to fall from the darkening sky, it mingled with Tyr’s blood, washing it down the cobbled street like a cruel reminder of what had been lost. Raina remained there, clutching Tyr’s lifeless body, the world around her dissolving into sorrow.