Alaric woke up early, it was still dawn but the light would soon shine.
He sat on the edge of his makeshift-bed, rubbing his eyes. His bed was still a pile of hay wrapped in old burlap, but he had grown used to it over the past months.
The room was quiet except for the gentle creak of the wooden floorboards.
He left his room and made his way to the common area where his father, Leonard, was already up.
Leonard was cleaning a chipped mug at the poorly made kitchen table.
Eleanor, his mother, humd softly as she folded worn clothes near the doorway. The atmosphere was calm and unhurried.
"Morning, Alaric," Leonard greeted, glancing up with a small smile. "Sleep well?"
Alaric shrugged. "As well as one can with hay and a cold breeze," he replied.
In his mind, he noted that things were rough, but at least they had each other. 'Or maybe it's only who's having it rough? This may be normal for them...'
Eleanor joined them at the table, her voice gentle.
"Rember, lad, a good day starts with a good breakfast. Co, help set the table." Her tone was light, and she tried to keep things simple and warm. Alaric picked up a clean bowl and set it beside hers.
As they ate, Leonard asked, "Any plans for today, son?" His question was casual, nothing more than small talk.
Alaric picked at his porridge, thinking about the day.
In his mind, he planned how to use the few reales he had saved up from his recent shop sales.
"I might head to town," he said after a pause. "See if there's work to be done or sothing I can pick up on the way."
His voice was steady, though his thoughts raced with ideas of small jobs and opportunities to earn more reales.
Leonard nodded. "Make sure you keep your head about you. The town can be busy, and not everyone is friendly."
Eleanor added, "And be careful with strangers."
Alaric smiled slightly. "I know, I know. I'll be careful."
He felt a flicker of hope, a small sense of control in a world that still felt unpredictable.
After breakfast, he helped around the house. He swept the floor and carried a bucket of water to the small garden behind the house. As he worked, he listened to his parents' quiet conversation.
Leonard talked about the weather and how the crops might do this season, while Eleanor ntioned that she hoped for better days ahead.
Their words were simple, honest, and filled with the rhythm of daily survival.
As he finished his chores, Alaric glanced at the low quality heirloom pocketwatch that's used as a clock.
It was ti to head into town. He pulled on his patched trousers and a worn shirt, then stepped outside.
In his mind, he rehearsed his plan for the day... steady work, watchful eyes, and a mind ready for any opportunity, as a kid no less. *Sigh*
The town center was a busy place.
People moved about with purpose, and voices filled the streets.
Alaric walked slowly, blending into the crowd, his eyes alert and his ears open to the hum of everyday life.
He noticed a variety of rchants shouting their wares, children playing together and laughing, and elders discussing matters at the corner.
As he walked, Alaric's thoughts travelled sowhere far away. He rembered his ti at ho, the conversations with his parents, and the small victories of each day. 'I think I'm becoming cheesy..'.
He kept his eyes peeled for anything unusual or worth his while.
Then, as he passed a busy square, he saw a man he hadn't noticed before.
The man was in his twenties, with a neat brunette haircut and a confident air. He wore fine clothes that stood out among the common garb of town folk.
His pockets seed bulky, and his smile was easy as he flirted with a group of won near a fountain.
Alaric slowed his pace to get a closer look. The man's cheeks were slightly flushed, hinting that he might have been drinking a bit too much.
His laugh was loud and free, and he moved with a swagger that made him seem both charming and careless.
'Hmm... his clothes are neatly pressed and his boots are shiny...'
'He's new here...' Alaric noted.
Looks like he doesn't care much for subtlety. And his pockets? He's clearly carrying more than he should.
This one's an easy target.
Alaric's mind went through the details, calculating the risk and reward of a quick pickpocket.
He moved closer to the man, rging with the crowd so that he wouldn't draw attention.
The man was too occupied with his flirting and his own enjoynt to notice the subtle approach of a quiet observer.
Alaric's hand slipped inside the man's jacket pocket with practiced ease.
His heartbeat stayed calm as he felt around, searching for sothing valuable.
For a brief mont, Alaric's thoughts were entirely focused on the task.
Easy money.
Just a quick grab and I'm out.
The man's distracted deanor made it simple.
Alaric didn't linger... he simply withdrew his hand and rged back into the crowd.
He didn't care much for details; his main interest was to add to his ager funds so he quickly put what he got in his pocket and left.
After walking a few more blocks, Alaric found a quieter corner of town... a narrow alley away from the crowd.
He slowed down and stopped at a spot where there were few people around.
He sat on a low wall and pulled out what he had picked. Carefully, he opened the small pouch he had taken from the man.
Inside, he found 70 reales and a folded letter.
Alaric's mind imdiately began to process the value of the cash. He counted it quickly, noting that 70 reales was a good sum for a quick pickpocket.
Without overthinking, he reached into his system interface on his portable screen and placed 70 reales into it.
[ 70 R]
[Current Balance: 467 R]
Alaric let out a quiet sigh of satisfaction.
The extra money was welco, and every reale brought him closer to the items and powers he dread of unlocking. 'Chakra, I'm coming baby... just sit tight and wait!'
He then turned his attention to the letter.
The paper was a bit worn, and the handwriting was sharp and to the point.
He unfolded the letter and read it carefully.
"To Mr. Dorris Wilson
I trust ye have readied the amount we agreed upon. We have been accommodated by Mr. David Powell at the Powell Manor, to which will be our rendezvous. Let us et at midnight. Burn this letter once ye have read it.
– Howard Vaughan."
The ssage was short and secretive.Alaric read it twice, making sure he caught every detail.
"Dorris Wilson... I don't think the ga introduced soone like that, but then again... I'm in Swansea at the mont."
The eting was set for midnight at Powell Manor.He wondered if this was an opportunity... a job, a chance to make reales, maybe even sothing bigger.
Or it could be a trap, sothing that would put him and his family at risk.
'Let's go back and try following him for the an ti... perhaps he has so goods I can 'borrow'.
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