Gasping for breath, Lynna darted through the market crowd, her robes fluttering behind her. Hello, it's Lynna, and welcome to my guide on how to catch a cutpurse in three seemingly easy steps.
- Step one: Shout loudly for help. "Kya! Thief! Stop him!" … However, making a bigger scene isn't my style. So, I'm skipping this step.
Determined, she dodged a cart of apples and hopped over a spilled basket of fish.
- Step two: Realize that unless you're in top physical shape, a seasoned thief will probably outpace you. He steals, runs, and then repeats the cycle. I could use a spell, but releasing magic amidst this dense crowd? Not the best idea.
As the thief nearly disappeared from sight, Lynna tapped into every ounce of her remaining energy. Her legs strained, and her lungs burned.
- Step three: Uh, what was the third step? Everything's becoming a blur. He's incredibly fast. I remember Professor Dorys at the Academy emphasizing the importance of physical training for mages. I regret underestimating him now. Apologies, Professor Dorys; I might let you down yet again.
"I'm - sorry, Professor - Dorys..."
Out of nowhere, a strong figure charged through the crowd. With broad shoulders and sun-kissed skin, it was Wil Alset. His intense green eyes zeroed in on the thief. Though a farmer by trade, Wil was known for his exceptional skills with the quarterstaff. Today, it was not being wielded for its usual pastoral purposes, but for justice.
Skilfully, Wil swung his staff low and tripped the thief. As the thief tried to recover, Wil struck him sharply on the chin with his staff, knocking him out instantly.
The crowd gasped, cheered, and whispered. But Lynna and Wil seemed to exist in a brief bubble of silence. Their eyes met in mutual understanding.
Lynna approached, out of breath. It took some seconds before she had enough breath to voice her thought. "Wil - it seems - I owe you again," she said, smiling.
Brushing a stray strand of hair away, he replied with a grin, "Always good to be at the right place and time, especially for you, Lynna. I'm just glad you're alright after the forest ... issue."
Gratitude filled her eyes. "Twice you've come to my aid: in the forest and now here. Thank you."
Wil leaned on his quarterstaff, glancing at the market's colorful stalls for a brief moment. "Has it really been almost a year since you returned to the village?"
She nodded. "Yes, almost a year. I graduated from the Academy at the end of Year 1017."
He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips. "So, you're now an official mage of the realm, huh? Time sure flies. I remember when you were about, yeah, this high," he gestured with his hand, indicating a much shorter height, "playing with my younger brother in the village square."
Lynna laughed, "Oh right, those were the days! Remember when we swapped Father Elandor's ceremonial wine with grape juice?"
Wil chuckled, "The whole village drank it wondering what was happening, but in the end he really gave you both a hard time for that. My brother couldn't sit properly for two days."
Wil's gaze deepened, and there was a pause, a momentary lapse where his facade seemed to crack just slightly. "You know Lynna... There's a lot we remember and even more we choose to forget. But the village… It has always been special since we were children. It's our only home right?"
She tilted her head, "Is everything okay, Wil?"
He smiled, but there was a certain distance in his eyes. "Of course. Just nostalgic, I suppose. You're not the only one who's grown and changed. Still I'm happy you decided to come back to the village."
A vendor shouted a deal on fresh fish nearby, and the moment was broken. The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and Lynna decided to go find Roan to travel back home.