| Stolen From Chaos |
Hendandra watched the three men closely as she slipped through the crowd. Her small stature made it easy for
her to go unnoticed by those around her. Most people thought she was a child at first glance and many never
registered the daggers or rapier she wore at her side. She ignored several money pouches on the people she
passed as she approached her marks; there was no need to risk drawing unwanted attention to herself at this point.
Two smaller men, both wearing robes, flanked the large burly man in ring mail carrying a large sword across his
back. The cut of the silver-gray robes worn by the oldest of the pair, along with the staff he carried marked him
as a mage in her mind. This was the one she was after. His robes were of a finer cut than others she had seen
this day and his dark brown hair and beard were neatly trimmed. All signs he was doing well. That he seemed to
have a bodyguard with him was also a sign of a fat purse. The other was dressed in simple black robes, and
carried no obvious weaponry though he moved with the grace of a dancer.
She leaned against a nearby post as she continued to study the three men. The mage was the oldest of the group
and she would guess the one with the sword as being at least ten to fifteen years younger. He was clean-shaven,
though his black hair was in disarray and the ring mail he was wearing had seen better days. She glanced at the
scabbard on his back as they walked past her and frowned. No matter his appearance, the scabbard looked to be
well cared for.
The one in the black robes was only a few years younger than the one with the sword, though his face was also
clean-shaved and unlined; which made him seem much younger. It was his dark blue eyes that betrayed his age.
There was wisdom in those eyes as they met hers briefly. She smiled and he turned his attention away from her.
She frowned as she looked again at his robes, there appeared to be other colors woven into the material. Colors
that shifted and changed as the material moved. Very unusual, she thought.
The trio paused in front of one of the small shops that carried magic items and components for sale. They talked
briefly and she pressed back into the shadows to watch them.
After a few moments, the one with the sword and the unarmed man nodded and headed to one of the taverns a
few buildings down. The mage entered the shop and she silently moved from her spot to stand at the corner of
the building where she could watch for him when he exited. She risked a quick glance at the other two as they
left then turned her attention back to the door of the shop.
Hendandra didn't have to wait very long before the shop door opened and the gray robed man stepped out. She
took several quick steps past him then tripped on a "loose" stone, falling against him. "Your pardon, My Lord,"
she said bowing her head respectfully as she slipped his pouch from his belt.
He nodded, stepped back to allow her to pass then spoke very softly. "Your skills are good, but not good enough.
If you do not wish me to alert the guardsman across the way, you will accompany me to the tavern. Perhaps,
you will be willing to earn that pouch you have stolen from me."
Hendandra turned and nodded. She forced a smile as he took her hand to escort her.
