Another week had passed, and once more Reese found himself in the library. The diffuse early morning sunlight lit up the table he was at and the smell of old books permeated his senses. Aside from working at his bench in his room or in the blacksmith’s workshop, this was one of his favorite places. If he had to explain it, it would be the feeling of knowledge that surrounded him. Knowledge that was encoded in the various languages and texts. Knowledge written in manuscripts which normally sat peacefully along the shelves and walls. Knowledge that was even flying by his head at this very moment!
“Ugh!” Reese narrowly dodged the small note pad that flew past his head.
Feuer’s schooling was going as well as ever.
“These are even worse than your other numbers! At least those didn’t give me a headache!” She crossed her arms in defiance, lifting a hand to rub at her eyes.
“That doesn’t mean should throw books around. These are expensive. More to the point, this one is mine. Your parents aren’t exactly paying me for this.” He whispered that last part.
To be fair it wasn’t completely true. The Vallhorn were paying him; in room, board, and other facilities. The blacksmith’s shop alone would probably have cost him three or four silvers to rent out each day he used it. Then there was this library, a space which while he still hadn’t made too much use of would still have cost quite a few coppers just for a day’s use, maybe even a few silver.
Anyway, the lack of extra coins did hurt a bit, but the other resources did have the potential to make up for it. Still, he was sure if he could make some progress with Feuer’s tutorage that her family might pay him something for all this. Come to think of it, he did also save Beeson all those gold coins, maybe he could fenagle just a few silvers out of him for the trouble? Certainly, in the future he’d have to do that.
Thunk.
The sound of Feuer’s head hitting the table brought his mind back to what he was currently trying to do. “I’m bored.” Her voice sounded like a mixture of a sigh and whimper.
It was still early, but he had learned it was counterproductive to do anything when she was in this state. As his poor notebook could attest too. At least the bidding wasn’t damaged. Maybe it would be best to just break for the day.
However Feuer said something that would make him pause on that idea while he considered something.
“I’m tired of being stuck in the castle. I wish my parents would let me back outside.” Feuer groaned.
Pausing his inspections the book. He looked up and the thought to himself, ‘Perhaps this could be an opportunity?’
“What do you normally do outside the castle?” He asked.
Feuer picked up her head and shrugged. “I don’t know walk around, maybe buy a few things. Mostly pastries and or some food. My family won’t give me more than a few silvers. They’re afraid I won’t know how to spend them. Sometimes I’ll go to the coliseum but, they don’t like me doing that.” The frown on her face filled her voice as well. “It looks bad.” She further mocked.
Opening his teaching journal, he jotted down some notes, seeing the reminder of her statement on the overpriced apples earlier. Maybe it would be a good experience for both of them. If she was getting conned in the marketplace maybe he could come up with some strategies to deal with it too. Also, if there any signs she had an easier time reading, that would give him insight into a better set of fonts he could use for her. Though, he’d have to convince her parents, which might not be easy.
He'd have the time later that evening, during dinner…
The next day, not too far outside the Vallhorn castle walls, three people walked slowly out on an adventure to the marketplace. At least that’s how Reese tried to sell it to Feuer, though she just seemed happy enough to be out of the castle. Shevanha also seemed amused by his energy and effort. It was hard to tell if her smile was a mocking one or perhaps a more hopeful one. The stuffed laugh seemed to imply the former.
Trillonia was a typical arid city, made mostly from yellow sandstones, old gray cobble, and in the richer areas actual red brick work. Precipitation here was rare, but when it did occur it could be quite heavy, which led to the streets having a rather massive underground sewer system. A system that he saw flowing into the silver lake earlier in the month. Also, it wasn't always rain; in the winter months it could just barely get cold enough snow as well, at least some years. Temperatures could fluctuate significantly over the year from very hot almost feverous levels in the deep summer months, to mild freezing temperatures at night in the dead of winter.
A rare new year’s eve snow mixed with the magician’s light show was said to be spectacular, and was something he was looking forward to. In another nine months.
Though currently, it was early spring, and snow was nowhere on the horizon. The mornings were best described as tepid, but the afternoons would be warmer almost hot some days. Despite her noble status, and likely despite some of the servant’s requests, Feuer was wearing something closer to what you might expect a commoner to wear. All be it a well off one. Forgoing the deep frilly lace and settling for straight fabric. She wore a tunic with green and yellows inlaid with silver threads, over top some lighter canvas like pants. The three colors of her house, whether by intent or not. The belt she wore under it all, had an odd notch, as if it was missing an accessory. Something like a scabbard.
Perhaps she could see him staring at her, or more accurately her outfit. “What? I hate dresses. Feels like I can’t move in them.” She adjusted the hem of her tunic a bit.
It wasn’t that different from what he had seen her wearing around the castle anyway. But, maybe a bit plainer. Closer to what she would wear while sword training.
With a longing sigh, she looked over to her guard, “I really want to wear armor like Shevana and carry my sword too, but they never let me.”
“Armor is unnecessary for a noble in the city, Feuer.” Shevana‘s subtle smile hid a deeper laugh she held back.
“You wear it, and what if we're attached by goblins?” Feuer’s mind began to race with possibilities and maybe even a few memories of something.
It certainly brought up a few memories for Reese. He still couldn’t believe he had done something so stupid. Yet, a small smile crept up his face as he could remember being in that forest with his friends. One of the two real adventures he had ever had.
A smart jab hit Reese’s upper shoulder. “What are you smiling about?” Feuer half snarled at him.
He rubbed at his suddenly sore arm, but couldn’t stop smiling. “Just remembering the time Emilie, Gezal and I face some goblins back in Wollseeth. It was, almost fun.” Pausing he looked off in the distance for a moment as the realization hit him again, “I almost died. For a second time. Man, I really have been through a lot in my short life.”
“You? Fought goblins.” Feuer glared at him, her eyes half closed trying to determine if he was lying, like she convinced herself he was with the dragons. “Liar.”
Before she could hit him again, Shevana stepped between the two of them. “Goblins and other threats are why I'm here and the one wearing the armor. If there's a significant threat, I expect you to get out of danger, not into it, and I’ll thank Reese to help with that if it comes down to it. Also, I think you're forgetting your sword is made of wood, you wouldn't be giving an assailant anything more than a few annoying splinters at worse.” The guard smile as Feuer turned away from her gaze.
The whole hypothetical was fine as far as Reese was concerned. The point of the outing was to gauge Feuer’s ability to read a market place and not to guard anything but her purse.
While her parents and grandmother didn’t particularly care much about her ability to handle a marketplace, Feuer’s father at the very least did see some value in it when he brought it up last night. Fuhen begrudgingly agreed with her son though she might have just done that to have Reese to leave her to deal actual business. Sencta, well she just didn’t seem to care much at all. Saying it was a waste of time.
It seemed to be a common sentiment between them any time Reese brought up Feuer’s education. Last night was a nice change in seeing two of the three support her education. Even if it was only to placate him.
But, back in the present, the small group quickly found themselves in the smaller and more upscale part of the city’s commercial district, the so-called high market, a space devoted to nobles, aristocrats and other fools with more coin then sense. Reese had developed a passing familiarity with the main streets at least from his travels with Beeson and his own wandering a week ago.
Sadly, after spending his only gold coin he was down to about 39 silvers, of which he had two today, to pay for his own lunch, because of course he would. Despite their wealth, the Vallhorn were proving quite tight with their purse. Far more than he expected them to be, and grew to doubt if he’d ever see that gold bar on his bead.
With how large some of these prices seemed to be, at least on those that even bothered to advertise them, he considered that his two coins may not even be enough. Well, he didn’t really need to eat lunch, this was just for her education after all.
It wasn’t that everything there was overpriced, but it was expensive. A magic apparel store was selling enchanted staffs with various mana stones on them for several dozen gold and with even more expensive ones inside. It may have been reasonable price given the jewels they were adorned with. Armor and weapon shops had plates, and blades made of hardened steel and other materials. The quality was well beyond what you might expect for this era, and well worth the several dozen gold they also asked. Of course, there were also the occasional bookstore, each of which could have fit Charstons’ shop several times over and still have room.
A part of Reese really wanted to go window shopping, and given Feuer’s gaze towards the swords and armor, it was likely she felt the same but this wasn’t the time. She had a very limited number of coins as did he, and the only real option for her was food stuff, and even then only the cheaper items. Though, with the inflated prices here, even that might be difficult.
Speaking of food, the three had quickly moved to the aptly golden apple section of the high market. A place devoted to food and restaurants, or at least the equivalent for this world. All at seemingly ludicrous prices. On more than one occasion Reese had to double take, unsure he was reading the signs right.
Add to that, the sheer number of people walking around might have been enough to make one dizzy. Certainly, Shevana kept her attention up as she surveyed everyone that passed. One small, hooded figure in particular seemed to catch the guard’s attention as she moved away from the two children for a moment.
Standing there in front of a particular merchant, Feuer nearly shouted, ”See!”
Feuer smugly pointed to a sign outside a larger food shop, advertising the exorbitant price of their apples, “Three and half copper an apple!”
Reese considered the sign for a moment, certainly it was three and two quarter coppers. Looking through the window the apples were generous in size, and almost the perfect color something you might expect to see in an earth supermarket, but it wasn’t worth the coin. Looking back at the sign he wondered how she was able to so easily read it.
Taking out his journal, Reese jotted down some notes, and did his best to make a sketch of the sign and it’s font. Clearly the ‘3’ was very stylistic. Being so unique probably made it easier for her to read the numbers. Same with the lettering.
She seemed almost agitated at his note taking. Best to continue on with an actual lesson.
“Well, since we’re here. Let’s start a quick lesson on haggling.” Reese’s smile was quickly dashed by the merchant overhearing them from just inside his shop.
“Young man and young lady, I don’t haggle at my shop. My produce is perfect, fit for a king or queen and the lord of Trillona himself buys from my shop all the time. You will not find more equity produce anywhere.” The man wore fairly expensive clothing, for a food peddler anyway. His face showed no signs of wrinkles or age, despite clearly being older. He must have spent a good sum of money on keeping up his appearance, which spoke to just how profitable this store must be.
“Beeson Vallhorn buys from your shop?” Reese asked almost surprised. This wasn’t a shop they had visited a few days ago.
“Yes, well not directly. But my produce is used for their frequent banquets.” The merchant continued to boast about his shop and the clientele who came to it.
Looking to his side he saw Feuer nodding, “It’s true, that’s why I come here.”
While that might have been true, there was no evidence the merchant actually knew who the girl in front of him was. Particularly given his attitude and words. Perhaps if he mentioned who Feuer was, that could be a wedge into price negotiations? However, he wouldn’t have the chance to get a word in.
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“If you miscreants can’t afford my produce, you should leave. Now. Unless you want the guard involved.” The man nodded towards Shevana who was walking back to the two.
“Yes, Yes. Come children, let’s not bother the merchants. Run along now.” Shevana spoke lightly as she pushed Feuer along in particular.
“Hey, you don’t need to push me.” Feuer protested.
“Play along, we don’t want to deal with the rest of the guards and your father. Or worse have your grandmother getting involved.” Shevana was thinking about Feuere, truly, however, she also didn’t want the extra duties and withheld pay if she couldn’t keep Feuer under control.
Reese tapped at his book. This didn’t seem to be the best place to go over this lesson. The prices in the high market were far outside the norm and merchants themselves seemed used to a different kind of cliental. “Well, I think we should head to the lower market. The high market is not how most markets work.”
“Non-sense. This is where we shop all the time. You just don’t want to admit you’re wrong.” Feuer continued her cool glare towards him.
“Look, I’ll admit, you found a place that will charge you an insane amount for an apple. That’s still not a good thing.” Shaking his head he turned to her guard hoping for a bit of back up or support. “Shevana, what do you think.”
The guard put her arms up as if pushing the idea away. “Oh no. I am not involved in this. I am simply here for Feuer’s protection, not to tutor her on economics. As her protector though, I think the high market is more secure, and her parents would rather she stay here.”
“Ok, well then, are there are any places here that are more affordable or might be open to some haggling?”
“I don’t know maybe-“ Shevana was interrupted by Feuer.
“The gate by the golden stairs. There’s a few there that usually cheap.” Feuer’s smug smile seemed to hid some alterior motive that Reese couldn’t quite pin down. Shevana’s expression seemed to carry some doubt.
“What? It’s still in the high market.” Feuer protested.
“Fine. But you are not to go through that gate. I’ll trust Reese to back me on this.” Shevana glanced at Reese with a small amount of worry on her face.
Reese nodded, not really understanding her concern. “Of course, I’ll help how I can?”
Shevana sighed, but smiled before rubbing his head. “They don’t pay me enough for this.” She whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
The road quickly opened up to a rather large crowd of people, as the three turned onto Markey Road, considered to be the main road connecting both the high and lower markets. At the end, Reese could see the gate house that led out to the high market outside the walls and not far from it, the golden stair that went down to the lower markets. Passing the large trade house, they found themselves in the more open section, which various merchants who’s prices were much more reasonable. Feuer even seemed more willing to engage with the lesson here.
“So I’ll take three!” Feuer pointed to some chocolate covered berries in a nearby display case. Quickly she pulled out a silver coin only to be stopped by Reese.
“What? You said I could buy things.”
“First things first though. How much is that.”
Rolling her eyes Feuer took in a breath, sighing. Seeing Reese wasn’t going to budge she gazed at the sign for a moment as her eyes glazed over. It was clear she was struggling. To be fair the prices for these were a bit strange, and there were many items on the sign. “I know it’s this one.” She pointed to a line “Chocolate Salva Berries. 4 ? coppers.”
“Very good, how much is that?” He asked again
She looked at the numbers, her eyes squinting all the while, “Four… Forty four and… four… That can’t be right.” She struggled.
Even Reese had to admit the font the merchant used was rather crude. Holding his notebook, an idea struck him and he handed it to her. “Feuer, try to write the price down on here.”
“What, why?” she protested
“Just trust me.” He said, and pushed the notebook at her again.
The eleven girl took Reese’s book from his hand, using a bit more force than necessary. Slowly scrawled a messy ‘4’’ followed by a ‘1’ and another ‘4’. Pausing she drew a line between the ‘1’ and ‘4’. “It’s four and a quarter?” She frowned at her own note, expecting to be called out for being wrong.
Only that didn’t happen. “Yes! Exactly. four and a quarter copper. Now, you wanted 3 right, how much would that be.”
“I don’t know…”
He tapped at his notebook, “So try writing it out.”
Gritting her teeth, she looked ready to bite him if not punch him“… You know I can’t do this.”
“The first time you picked up a sword, could you even swing it? Just try. Write out what you’re thinking on that page.”
Shaking her head, Feuer picked up the charcoal pencil again, and tried anyway. A few scratches and some rework; It took her what felt like a minute before, “Thirteen and three quarters?”
Looking over her work, she was miss reading her own handwriting. “I think this is supposed to be a ‘2’.”
“…Right. A Two… So, twelve and three quarters?”
Reese smiled proudly, and boasted., “Yes! Exactly! See you can do this. We just need to figure out how a way to write these numbers so you can read them better.”
Feuer pushed the notebook back into Reese chests. She refused to smile back, but a slight blush betrayed her own pride.
“Ready to order?” The merchant smiled as she finally walked up to the counter.
Feuer smiled as she savored each of the coated berry clusters. Reese meanwhile jotted a few notes in his journal and circled Feuer’s handwriting. He was getting a good picture of what to do next for her, maybe he should get her a notebook of her own. If she couldn’t keep her thoughts in her head, maybe she shouldn’t try?
Wandering down the street the three were being trailed by a young figure in an off-white robe. Feuer and Reese hadn't noticed yet, each too engrossed in their own activities. But their ever-vigilant guard caught sight of the rat following them. A smirk crossed her lips as a thought crossed her, Maybe she should have let Feuer carry her sword. It could have been amusing like the last time. Though, both Beeson and Sneacta would no doubt have thought otherwise though.
With a quick glance back around Shevana’s expression suddenly grew frantic. She lost track of their tail and for some reason, her head began to pound ever so slightly. This wasn't good.
Reese put away his journal, aware things were not right with the guard. “Are you ok Shevana You look a bit off?”
“I'm fine just keep moving. I think someone is following us.” Shevana caught sight of someone concerning next to them, and moved off to investigate a small robed man to the side. Pulling back his hood she apologized, as the man didn’t seem to be who she was expecting.
Feuer gave a deep and almost angry sigh as she swallowed the last of her treats.
Reese grew more concerned but also confused. The two seemed to be acting like there was a threat nearby, but their attitudes seemed to be more like an annoyance, as if a fly was buzzing around your head rather than a dagger.
Seeking some insight, Reese spoke up, “If there’s dange-” Only for a sensation of something tapping at his side to interrupt him. Glancing over, there was a small, robed figure, who was currently trying to lift his meager purse.
“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” He yelled and grabbed the would be theif’s hand tightly.
The thief froze. “Oh, you can see me?” The small girl’s eye’s shot wide open in surprise, “Huh, that's never happened before.”
Feuer tapped at her side only to notice her own purse was already missing. “You fucking Rat!” Likely snatched by the so-called rat.
The way she yelled almost seemed to imply some history between the two of them.
Reese held his hand out as if keeping Feuer at arm’s length from the smaller thief. The fiery look in her eyes turned towards him as he both detained and protected the thief.
The thief in his grip seemed to smile at the elven girl just further enraging her.
“Just give me a second to talk to her!” Feuer half lunged towards her, clearly not interested in just talking.
“Oh no! Won’t someone help me! This boy has grabbed me, and is holding me against my will, please help!” The Young thief called out in a half mocking tone. It was hard to take her seriously, as she seemed to be smiling all the while. People around them stared at the antics but didn’t seem to interfere. After all, it wasn’t their problem, and from their perspective, it might have just been some kids having fun.
Shevana quickly tried to push past the growing crowd to get back to the two of them, but it proved difficult.
“Feuer, take a breath. I’ve got her, she’s not going anywhere.” Again, Reese tried to calm his companion down.
For a second it seemed to work as Feuer smiled. Her head quickly turned from him and gestured at the smaller girl who was now running away. “OK, well she’s getting away.”
The young thief had managed to pull out of Reese’s grip without him noticing, somehow. In his hands were a few rags, likely designed to slip off easily if grabbed. It seemed clever, if simple.
Feuer didn't waste any more time while Reese stared at the rags in his hands, instead she bolted after the robbed figured. Reese quickly followed in pursuit, while Shevana remained stuck in the dense crowd unable to move as quickly or nimbly as the unarmored kids could.
“HEY! Wait!” The guard yelled as they flew out of sight on fast little legs.
“Oh, Beeson's going to be pissed again.” She mumbled out of their earshot.
Running after the eleven girl, Reese was more interested in catching up with Feuer than the thief. After all, it was just a handful of coins. “Feuer, wait!”
In the back of Feuer’s head a throbbing pain became apparent as she lost sight of their target. “Shit, I can't see her. She got away again!” Feuer began to slow down only to be caught up by Reese.
“What are you talking about, She's right on front of you?”
“Where!?” Feuer’s eyes darted around, seemingly not able to see the young girl.
Shaking his head, Reese closed his eyes before taking the lead. He knew this was a bad idea. A horrible one in fact. But a voice in the back of his head told him, ‘leave her’. He didn’t know why, but that voice pissed him off and more than anything else and he needed to defy it. Besides, this was almost fun?
The white hooded figure moved between people who strangely didn’t seem to pay her any attention. Left, right, left, she eventually darted down a nearby alleyway. With a quick half turn she threw some kind of spell his way. A small cloud of dim sparkly air impacted him, before blowing away like so much dust. Of course, it had no effect. Quickly she tried to jump up a wooden fence that divided the alley, only to be stopped as he grabbed at the thin mouse tail poking out from the dirty robes.
“Oww!” She yelped and fell back to the ground. From the ground she held up Feuer’s purse in her hand seemingly offering it up to him in exchange for his mercy.
"Here, take it you thief." She rasped back.
With a quick grab, he took her offering and tossed it back to Feuer who was now standing behind him. "Pretty sure this is Feuer's and you’re the thief."
The mouse girl shrugged her shoulders as she stood up and glanced behind her, rubbing at her now sore tail. All the while her smile never left her face. It was like she had no real fear of being turned over to the guards or having anything happen to her.
Though, Feuer looked like she was about beat the shit out of the smaller girl. "What did I tell you about stealing from me street rat?"
It was now clear to Reese the two knew each other. "I take it you're both acquainted?"
"This rat is Lalaluie. She's a thief around here and likes to steal from me and my family." Feuer nearly spat between locked teeth.
"Eh? I steal from everyone, you're just easy." Lalaluie further provoked the hot head girl. Feuer lunged for the smaller mouse, but rather than hitting her, merely grabbed and shook her instead. It was like Feuer was doing what she could to keep from actually hurting the young thief. Still lashing out as she felt she must.
Feuer continued to shake the poor girl, yet Lalaluie’s smirk never left her face. For a moment, Reese held some respect for her expert act of trolling the hot headed Feuer. Eventually, her hood fell backwards, allowing two rather large mouse ears to pop free, along with the shorth dirty blond mess of hair between them. Lalaluei's deep green eyes turned to stare at him as if sizing him up as a mark or a threat.
"So, who's the boy? Your new husband? How many times have you been divorced now, three? More?" Lalaluie goaded.
Feuer let go of the thief's robes and crossed her arms in defiance. "Zero, I haven't been married yet and I'm not married to this idiot." She sighed, "At least not yet."
"Oh? You nobles are weird. Still, he has to have skills to be able to track me." As she spoke, she grew ever closer to him. “I’m pretty sure I casted that bind spell right too…”
If Reese hadn't been watching her, he wouldn't have noticed her approach. Lalaluie was damn near silent in her movements, and it wasn’t all magic.
Her eyes ran across his body, as if looking for possible weapons or other hidden items. No doubt coins were at the for front of her mind. As she got closer, Reese couldn't help but stare at her ears. They stuck out father then Feuer’s and were covered in a thin velvet of blond fur, lighter than her hair. He had an odd desire to poke at them, much in the way someone might want to poke at a puppy’s floppy ears.
"See something you like?" She mocked with her head just under his chin. She was too close for his comfort, and sure enough, he could feel her reaching for his purse once more.
Feuer pulled at the cuff of his shirt, reeling him away from the grabby rat. "I told you, watch yourself around her. She was going for your purse again."
"Hey, if I see an opportunity." Her smile finally dropped as her eyes locked on to his. "So, how did you track me? Some kind of dispel or dark magic? I wasn't lying, no one has ever seen me before when I use that spell."
"I caught you before!" Feuer protested.
"That's different, you didn't see, you just grabbed me." Lalaluie waved away the point.
Not giving him a chance to respond, Feuer butted back in with, "Reese is a mage. That's how he saw you."
It wasn’t exactly the truth, though, as he thought about it, maybe it was better she didn’t know exactly why he could see her. Lalaluie was a thief, and despite the seemingly friendly rivalry between the two girls, he had no idea if he could actually trust her. That whisper in the back of his head just made things worse. As much as he wanted to defy it, the logic behind it was sound
Again, she looked him over “Oh? I'll pay you if you can teach me how you did that?”
For a moment, Reese thought it was another joke, but she seemed quite adamant. He wasn't quite sure how to break it to her.
"I'm sorry. I don't think I can teach you; it's just something… I am." Again, he held back the full explanation.
"Hmmm… Well if you change your mind, I can give you a few silvers... Maybe more?" She was probing, not quite believing him. With a final shrug, she dropped the point for now, "Anyway, what brings you to the markets? Don't your servants buy everything you need?"
"I'm here to learn about economics and numbers and... Things. Reese thinks I don't understand how money works." Feuer spoke matter of factly.
"Ha ha ha!" Lalaluie suddenly couldn't stop laughing, "You're just now realizing that. I remember that time you bought a loaf of bread from that baker in the apple for 10 coppers. You thought you got a deal because he gave it to you for 2 coppers off."
Bearing her elven fangs, Feuer also couldn’t help but blush as she stammered a bit, "I… I did get a deal. It was 12 coppers, and I got it for 10 that's a good price for bread. You liked it!"
"No, it isn't. A loaf of bread might cost 2 coppers in the Free Market, maybe 3 in the low market. Only you nobles would think 10 coppers is cheap for bread, and yeah it was good bread. Not worth 10 coppers though."
Feuer's face grew a few more shades of deep red.
The two girls continued to playfully bicker in the alleyway. Despite their very different stations it was obvious they were both friends. It was strange, and almost surreal how the two girls seemed to get along. It almost reminded Reese of a ‘Tale of two cities’, hopefully it would not have the same bittersweet ending.
Feuer broke up the banter and asked Reese directly, “We could… head to the lower market. Things are cheaper there.”
He was still uncertain about the young thief, but having shaken their guard this did seem like a good opportunity to give her more exposure, and for him to gauge her progress. Plus it wasn’t like she was in any real danger. At least, he didn’t think so. But Shevana’s warning earlier bothered him.
“You’ve been to the lower market before. It’s not like I have, but…” He waved her closer to him, so he could whisper in her ear the next part. “…Do you think we can trust her?”
“Of course not! But, I can keep my eye on her. Besides, she’s not going to hurt either of us. She’s a thief, not a killer.” Feuer was adamant.
The mouse girl smirked and shrugged her shoulders from the distance. “Eh, I might steal your purse, but I’m not going to steal your life.”
Reese looked away with a touch of his own awkwardness. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Lalaluie.”
She tilted her head up in a slightly smug way, before pointing at her ears. “These things aren’t just for show. I can hear almost anything. Like I’m pretty sure your guard is running around the nearby alleyway.”
The mouse walked between the two of them before picking up a light jog, “Well, you guys coming?” She called back.
Feuer didn’t think twice as she picked up her pace and ran after the thief.
‘Don’t. Stop.’
Those same words and voice echoed behind him. They were just the push he needed to run after them “Oh, fuck off.” He whispered to the void and chased after Feuer and his new companion.