Get him! Someone shouted.
The knight turned in the direction of the voice and got run over by a hooded man. They both fell into the mud of the busy marketplace. The thief in the hood was the first to be on his feet and he took off winding himself through the crowd of visitors.
– Damn it!
This did not look good, he thought. He quickly jumped on his feet and started running in the direction the thief had taken, but the hooded man was long swallowed by the waves of people moving through the market.
As he stopped he felt a hand on his shoulder.
– He took all my Doubloons! Sir, what am I going to tell my wife?
The man had tears in his eyes and his dirty hands were shaking. He was about 50 years of age but looked much older, probably years of cheap beer and hard work on the fields.
– How about you tell her that you successfully got robbed? The truth can go a long way.
The man started sobbing.
– She will think that I spent it on wine in the tavern.
The knight laughed – I don't want to be in your position. How much did that man take off you? – his hand went for his leather money bag under his armor.
– It was 250 Doubloons a full week's harvest gone! My wife is going to kill me! He buried his face in his dirty hands and sobbed even louder.
– Don't you worry I am going to give you the m... By all the... Caitiff! He took my doubloons too!
The knight looked in his money bag in disbelief. It was empty, save for a small scroll of paper. His precious gold, doubloons, and even his cherished diamonds had vanished without a trace. Unraveling the scroll, he discovered a sinister image—a black hand clutching a dagger. The symbol struck a chord deep within his memory.
As he unraveled the scroll to its full length he could read the message.
"You made it on the death list of the brotherhood. We will be in touch"
He looked up from the scroll but the sobbing man had disappeared. Suddenly the market was shaken by heavy steps of knights running with their swords drawn. Lead by a giant of a man with two war dogs on his side the troops came to an abrupt halt. The giant told his two dogs to sit with a single wave of his left hand. He walked towards the knight and started talking in a deep voice that is used to shout quick commands.
– Are you the knight who tried to get that piece of cow dung thief?
The knight was a bit surprised
– Yes I am.
This was strange, how the hell did they know of this already?
The giant reached out for a handshake
– My name is Sir Goliath the Mighty, I would like you to come with us we have a few more questions about what happened to you.
The knight reached for the giant's hand – My name is Solymi from the clan of Guardians. Am I under arrest? Why all the weapons?
The giant laughed, somehow one would not expect a laugh like this, full of joy and genuine humor.
– No you are not under arrest, but in great danger, we have to get you off these streets immediately. Let's go I tell you everything when we are in safety!
Solymi was torn, he wanted to pursue the thief but he was very curious about what the Goliath had to say.So he smiled at him and said.
– By all means, get me off these streets then. Where are we going?
Goliath smiled back at him and lowered his face close to the knights.
– That my friend, is a secret.
Solymi felt a small sting behind his ear, then everything went black.
To be continued...
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The images for this story have been created with AI. Thanks for reading!