Chapter Text
The streets of Milmeng was packed with people; some had horses and carriages, others had donkeys and they all had knew exactly where they were going apart from a few travelers. The market in the city square was even more busy thanks to the stalls that were selling things for the upcoming festival that was still a few days away.
A child, twelve years of age, ran through the square, grinning as he bobbed and weaved through the crowd. In his hand was a silver trinket he had stolen from one of the stalls, something he had felt little shame in doing, even when he remembered his mother’s words about stealing. His father’s teachings had overridden his mother’s, especially after she had passed when he was younger.
He could hear the stall owner shout from behind him, but he didn’t stop. He just continued to run and run until he was out of the square and running towards a bridge that went over a river that cut through the town.
Of course, he wasn’t watching where he was going and, before he knew it, he was slamming into someone, causing him to stumble back with a yelp. He shook his head and looked up and saw a man standing there, armor and robes adorned with designs that he hadn't seen before.
The stranger looked down at him, dark eyes taking him in for a moment. He didn’t see a sword on this person and as such, he could only guess that this person was a…sorcerer of sorts.
“Ah- sorry!” he quickly stammered out. “Wasn’t watching where I was going!”
“It is fine, young one.” the man stated, his eyes flickering over to the stolen trinket before looking back at the kid. “Although, I think you should start to. You hardly know if the next person you run into will become angry.”
“I know, I know.” He glances behind him. “I gotta get home now.”
“Being chased?”
“Nah, just about that time for me.”
He was about to run when the man held up a hand to stop him. Then, the man was reaching behind his back and pulled out what looked like a red strip of cloth and held it out.
“Take this.”
The boy narrows his eyes slightly. “...Why? No one just hands out stuff.”
“You can see this as a little peace offering from running into me.”
“...Fine I guess.”
He noted that the corner of the other’s lips twitched upwards before the man turned and walked away, his cloak billowing behind him slightly.
The boy looked down at the cloth once more, feeling the fabric and observing how red it was. With a sigh, he slips the cloth into his robes before running off, deciding to actually return home on time.
The memory of the man was pushed in the back of his mind and would stay there, fading for the years to come.