"Stop that Patrox!", cried a running sentry guard who was apparently on the pursuit of a young male Patrox amidst a crowd in the main market of Tyron, "Somebody stop him before he gets away!",
The Patrox had secretly stolen some food stuff amongst other food items at a warehouse situated nearby, but was caught by the guards when he was about to leave the warehouse. He had managed to evade them and took off into a nearby market, fleeing through the busy streets disturbing the activities of other marketers, in order to escape capture but he was chased down by one of the guard who was quite faster than his counterparts. The Patrox stole past some commoners standing by into a left corner creating a lot of ruckus in the marketplace as he scurried for safety and then turned right but the guard caught up with him once more. A cart which carried some heavy sacks of seeds together with some fruits were being pushed by two commoners up ahead of them. The Patrox had noticed it and was clever enough to move past it before it obstruct the road but the guard didn't see it on time and almost bumped into it.
"Move out of the way!", The guard screamed as he prevented himself from crashing into a truck loaded with varieties of fruits together with five heavy sacks that contains seeds. The truck was slowly pushed by a two commoners that were clothed for farm work. The guard couldn't find a way through because the truck had to be pushed slowly so that it won't fall down the heavy sacks together with the fruits which were soft and could easily be damaged.
"Sorry sir", replied the older one with grey hair all over his red face, "I'm really sorry for this mistake, please punish me", he said and kowtowed on the ground.
"Can't you move this cart any faster?", he asked frustratingly.
"No, I can't do that because any attempt to hasten its movement will only sabotage the seeds including the fruits", he replied with his still facing down.
"Alright, you can carry on with it", the guard said still unhappy with the outcome for he knew that it was now impossible to capture the thief.
"Thank you sir, let's go", the old commoner said to his son who had been watching them and resumed his position as they continue to push the cart.
Passers-by watched the guard looking frustrated for not having no way to pass through as he continued to look as the Patrox escape unscathed with frightening speed. The guard stood there utterly tired and dismay at the escaped thief, and while he still stared at the open Street which were completely crowded with commoners going about their daily activities. While he continued to watch two of his comrades whom he had left behind to chase the thief, came to him gasping for breath,
"Where's the thief? Did he escape?", one of them whispered with tired breaths while the other continue to pant heavily,
"Unfortunately, he narrowly got away", the guard answered and turned around walking away from them, "let's go back to the store house"
"So what do we intend to tell the council about this incident?", one of the guard behind wearing a yellow armor whose name was Weymas, questioned as they continue their walk back to the warehouse,
"This has been the third theft ever since the council decided to store all the rations in different warehouse in the city due to the plague and distributing them seasonally, leaving the peasant to suffer from hunger", the other guard beside Weymas added,
"So Ravon, what are we going to do? Should we report this to the council or remain silent about this issue?", Weymas asked again,
"The last two theft were quite serious but this time it wasn't because that Patrox only stole a few minor items. Anyway we should inform them about it so that they could bring a good solution to this dilemma which is currently facing the city", Ravon replied and then turned left with the others behind him, towards a street corner surrounded by shopkeepers at both ends of the pathway.
As they moved closer to another street, they coincidentally heard a conversation which totally engrossed two shopkeepers that was spearheaded by a short old Motclux that was clothed in a green attire, covering his torso and knees. His grey hair obscured his neck, reaching far down his abdomen.
They had been listening to his gossip about a rumour which started at the southgate of the city, involving some sentry guards who by chance, caught the sight of four Tarnites foraging round the gate by night. The guards were alarmed by this and had told their Captain who denied such possibility since the Tarnites could only be found living in Tarnash, which lies northeast of Tyron.
"And until then, they had remained quiet about but they still see the Tarnites ferreting around the gate at night looking for something to eat", Motclux said with a hoarse voice as he narrated the story with ecstasy that seems to captivate his listeners.
"Where did you hear that from?", Ravon promptly interrupted which drew their attention towards him. Although the Motclux as well as his listeners were bewildered, he still managed to reply with his whole body trembling,"I heard it from a nice Patrox that lived close to the southgate But I guess I'm not the only one who she told because she could also have mention this to anyone since I have been hearing this same rumour that is currently being spread around this part of the city",
"Don't dare lie to me! ,Are you telling me the truth or are you just trying to lie to me?", Ravon interrogated vehemently,
"Yes officer, I.....amm...sin..cerely telling... you the truth", the Motclux stammered and continued,"I won't dare say a lie to you about what I heard. You can clearly investigate this fact in order to find out the truth"
"What's your name then?", Ravon asked,
"Balista sir," he retorted calmly and looked at Ravon warmly,
"Don't be scared, I just wanted to make sure that you weren't spreading false rumours which will influence the masses negatively, we will definitely investigate this issue and if we find out any hidden plot behind it as well as your involvement, you will be apprehended for trying to breed fear and anxiety into the minds of the commoners", Ravon boldly replied, "I'll let you go but don't ever speak of it to nobody, do you understand?",
"Yes I do and I swear never to mention it to no one else", Balista said and stood up placing his rough fingers across his chest which emitted a spiral green light inside his cloak.
"What's that supposed to mean?", Weymas, who was beside the other guard whose name was Makus and who stood behind Ravon,whispered quietly to him.
"That's a Motclux sign of a promise or oath which he has vow to keep till death", Makus softly replied back to him,
"That's enough for now but don't forget we can find you here.....or this isn't your shop, right? Ravon asked
"Of course it's mine... but I live quite far from here" Balista nervously replied,
"Okay, all right then", Ravon said and turned around, "Let us leave then, we've left the store house unguarded", he ordered as he led the way for them to continue their walk to the store house.