Urd walked briskly down a narrow alley, keeping his hood low. He knew these streets well, but he couldn't be too careful. His cloak was tattered and worn, and it wouldn't do for him to be caught.
A small group of people walked past, chattering loudly. The smell of fresh bread wafted from one of the women, making his stomach growl. He shook his head and ignored his hunger. The people walked on, unaware of the thief behind them.
He waited until they turned the corner before dashing after them. He paused at the edge of the street and looked around. No one was in sight. He continued running.
As he rounded the corner, a shout erupted from somewhere ahead. Urd slowed, scanning the area. There!
Several figures stood around a wagon, blocking his path. One of them held up a hand. "Stop there, friend."
Urd stopped. His mind raced as he tried to figure out what was going on.
Another man stepped forward, holding a knife. "You don't look like you belong here."
Urd took a step back, raising his hands. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Please, let me go."
"Not yet." The man pointed his knife at him. "Tell me what you know."
"I don't know anything!"
The man stepped closer. "Then tell me where you got those clothes."
Urd froze. How could he have been so stupid? Of course they wouldn't believe him!
"Well?" The man raised his knife higher.
Urd swallowed. He couldn't tell them. They'd kill him if he did.
"Well?" the man repeated.
Urd hesitated. He could try running, but he knew he couldn't outrun a group of men.
"Tell me or die." The man raised his arm, ready to stab him.
Urd looked at the knife, then at the men surrounding him.
"Well?"
"I... I found them. They were lying on the street."
"Liar." The man brought his knife closer to Urd's face. "Now, where did you get them?"
Urd felt his heart racing. "I stole them! Please, don't hurt me!"
The man laughed. "Hurt you? I'm going to gut you like a fish!"
Urd took a step backwards. He didn't want to die.
"Tell me where you found those clothes, or I'll slice you open!"
Urd thought about running, but there was nowhere to go. He'd have to fight his way through the group. He looked at the men again.
They were all big and strong, and each held a weapon. There was no way he could fight them all.
"Fine." Urd sighed. "I took them from the dead."
"That's more like it." The man grinned. "Now tell me where you found them."
Urd clenched his fists. He couldn't tell him, but he had to say something.
"They were just lying there."
"Lying where?"
"In a back alley."
The man shook his head. "I don't believe you."
Urd's eyes widened. "No, it's true! I swear it!"
"Swear it?" The man laughed. "Swearing isn't going to save your life. Now tell me where you got them!"
Urd took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I was walking down the street and saw someone lying in the middle of an alley. I ran over and found him dead. His clothes were still warm, so I took them."
The man stared at him for a moment. Then he nodded.
"Fine." The man lowered his knife. "Now go before I change my mind."
Urd nodded and ran past the group. Once he was a few blocks away, he slowed to a walk. He had been lucky, but he couldn't stay in this area anymore. He had to find another place to hide.
As he walked, he heard voices coming from behind.
"He went that way!"
Urd started running. He had to get out of the city. If they caught him, they'd kill him for sure.
The sound of hooves came from behind. Urd cursed under his breath. He was being followed. He picked up his pace. He had to lose them.
A shout came from the rooftops.
"He's here!"
Urd looked up. Three men were standing atop the roof.
"Damn," he whispered.
The men jumped down. Urd turned and ran. He dashed across the street and into an alley. The men chased after him.
"Come back, thief!"
"No!" Urd yelled back. He sprinted down the alley, dodging debris and garbage.
One of the men drew a sword and swung at him. Urd ducked under the blade and kept running.
Another man caught up with him. He grabbed Urd by the arm and tried to pull him back. Urd wrenched his arm free and kicked him in the shin. The man cried out in pain and fell.
Urd continued running. The sound of horses came closer.
"Give up!" the leader yelled. "We'll find you eventually!"
"Not today!" Urd yelled back.
The horsemen reached the end of the alley. Urd ran to the left. The men followed him.
He led them into a dead end. The horsemen stopped.
"You're trapped, thief," the leader said.
Urd turned to face the men. He was breathing hard, and sweat ran down his face.
"Give up now, or we'll kill you," the leader said.
"You can try." Urd grinned.
The men advanced on him. Urd pulled out a dagger and held it in front of him.
"Stay back!"
"Drop your weapon," the leader said. "Or we'll have no choice but to cut you down."
Urd didn't move. The leader drew his sword.
"Last chance, thief. Drop your dagger, or die."
Urd hesitated.
"Do it," the leader said.
Urd looked at his dagger, then at the men. He knew they meant business. He sighed and threw his dagger away.
"Good." The leader sheathed his sword. "Now turn around and put your hands behind your head."
Urd turned and obeyed. The man searched him and found nothing.
"Let's go," the leader said. "You'll be spending some time in jail."
"No!" Urd yelled. "Don't take me back! They'll kill me!"
"They won't kill you," the leader said. "Besides, there's no where else to go."
"Yes, there is! Just let me go! Please!"
"Sorry." The man grabbed him by the arm. "Let's go."
The two other men tied Urd's hands behind his back.
"Let's go, prisoner," the leader said.
"Please..."
"Shut up."
They dragged him through the city. Urd looked around, trying to memorize the streets. If he ever got away, he would need to know how to escape.
They brought him to the jail. The guards led him inside and locked him in a cell.
"There's no way out," the leader said. "If you're smart, you'll sit down and wait."
"For what?" Urd asked.
"Your trial," the leader replied.
"What?"
"You're going to stand trial. It will be decided if you live or die."
"But I'm innocent!"
"Doesn't matter." The leader shrugged. "It's the law."
"Why?"
"You broke it."
Urd groaned. He sat down and stared at the wall.
"Why did you have to steal?" the leader asked.
"I was hungry," Urd said.
"That's no excuse."
"Maybe not." Urd sighed. "But I had no choice."
"There's always a choice," the leader said.
Urd closed his eyes. He'd never get out of here. He was doomed.