The trio moved swiftly under the cloak of night, the weight of the recent betrayal heavy on their minds. The shadows of the capital receded behind them as they rode silently, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Prince Aldric, particularly, seemed a world away, his eyes fixed on some distant point, burdened by his father's belief that he sought the throne through treachery.
Aldric's mind replayed the king's stricken face and accusatory tone, each memory a fresh wound. Elara and Gareth exchanged worried glances, their concern for their friend evident. The silence stretched thin, a fragile thread threatening to snap under the weight of unspoken words.
Finally, Elara broke the silence. "Aldric," she said softly, urging her horse closer to his. "You know your father was manipulated. The conspirators played him like a puppet."
Aldric sighed, his voice barely above a whisper. "He looked at me as if I was his greatest enemy. How could he think I would want to kill him?"
Gareth spoke up, his tone firm. "We've done so much good, Aldric. Remember when we saved those villagers from the marauders? Or when we stopped the plague from spreading? We're not the villains here."
Elara nodded, her eyes earnest. "We have saved lives, Aldric. And we will save more. The kingdom needs us, and your father needs us, even if he doesn't realize it right now."
Slowly, Aldric's expression softened. The determination that had fueled their mission flickered back to life. "You're right," he said, his voice gaining strength. "We can't give up now."
As dawn approached, the trio reached a small village. Their horses slowed to a trot as they entered the bustling market area, the early morning light casting long shadows. They found a stable and tied their horses, the promise of rest and food a welcome relief.
Inside the village inn, the trio's hope for a brief respite was shattered when they discovered their money was missing. Aldric cursed under his breath, while Gareth scanned the room with narrowed eyes. Elara, however, remained calm. She closed her eyes, extending her telepathic abilities to search for the thief.
Elara closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind to search for traces of the thief. Her brows furrowed in concentration, and after a moment, she spoke, her voice a hushed whisper. "I remember someone bumping into us at the stable," she murmured, the details of her vision sharpening. "He's planning to gamble our money."
With Elara's insight, they weaved through the labyrinthine alleys and bustling streets of the village, moving with purpose. The sounds of haggling merchants and the scent of fresh bread filled the air as they approached the market's vibrant heart. Eventually, they reached a throng of people gathered around a makeshift gambling table, the clamor of excited onlookers filling the air.
Amid the crowd, Elara's eyes locked onto a young man shifting anxiously from foot to foot. His nervous glances and twitchy movements made him stand out. He clutched their stolen coins tightly, preparing to wager everything on a risky bet. His desperation was evident, and it was clear he was about to lose their money.
Just as Aldric and Gareth moved to apprehend the thief, Elara held them back. "Wait," she whispered. "Let him gamble."
Aldric frowned. "Why would we let him lose our money?"
Elara's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Trust me. I have a plan."
They watched as the thief, a desperate glint in his eyes, placed the last of their coins in front of the gambler. As expected, the street gambler, skilled in deception, easily relieved the thief of his money. The thief's shoulders slumped in defeat, and he began to walk away, dejection etched on his face.
The trio approached him, and the thief, realizing who they were, turned to flee. Elara stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "We know you stole our money. You wanted to help your sick mother and buy food for your family."
The thief's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"
Aldric, still fuming, stepped closer. "We want our money back."
Elara raised a hand to stop him. "Wait. We can help him and ourselves." She turned to the thief. "I will win your money back. I want nothing in return, just your trust."
The thief, seeing no other option, nodded reluctantly. Together, they approached the street gambler again. The gambler looked up, a smirk on his face. "Back for more?" he mocked. "And you brought a lady to play for you. How quaint."
Ignoring his taunts, Elara took her place at the makeshift table. The crowd, sensing an intriguing showdown, grew silent. The gambler's confidence was palpable, his eyes gleaming with the prospect of easy winnings.
The game began, and Elara's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the gambler's bravado. Using her telepathic abilities, she anticipated his every move, countering his tricks with ease. The tension in the air was thick, each move scrutinized by the onlookers.
As the gambler started losing money, his smirk faded. Desperation crept into his eyes. "Alright," he said, pulling out a small, ornate ring. "Let's raise the stakes." He explained, "This ring grants invisibility to the wearer."
Elara nodded, and the game resumed. With each loss, the gambler brought out more artifacts—a necklace that enhanced physical strength, and finally, a coin that ensured luck in future gambles. His explanations of the artifacts' powers only heightened the crowd's interest.
In the final round, Elara's concentration was unwavering. She used her vision and telepathic powers to outmaneuver the gambler, who, now visibly sweating, realized he was outmatched. With a decisive move, Elara won the final round, the gambler left destitute, his collection of artifacts and the stolen money now in Elara's possession.
The crowd erupted in awe and admiration. Aldric and Gareth stood speechless, their initial skepticism replaced by respect and gratitude. Elara, calm and composed, simply said, "Let's go."
As they left the market, the thief, now holding enough to help his family, looked at Elara with gratitude. "Thank you," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I don't know how to repay you."
Elara smiled. "Just take care of your family. That's all the repayment we need."
Aldric, feeling a renewed sense of purpose, looked at his companions. "We have
a kingdom to save, but first, let's find something to eat."