บท 6: Six
Two guards arrived at the scene, hearing the baker's shouts. They saw Aaliyah on the floor, surrounded by gold coins. They looked at her with scorn and amusement, and laughed at her.
"Look what we have here, a little thief with a big fortune" said one of the guards, kicking Aaliyah in the ribs. He was a tall and burly man, with a thick beard and a scarred face. He wore a leather armor and a helmet, and carried a sword and a shield.
"Where did you get all this gold, girl? Did you rob a bank, or a noble, or a dragon?" said the other guard, picking up Aaliyah's bag of coins. He was a short and skinny man, with a bald head and a crooked nose. He wore a chainmail and a cloak, and carried a spear and a dagger.
"Please, let me go, I'm not a thief, I earned this money fair and square" said Aaliyah, pleading with them.
"Sure you did, and I'm the king of this land" said the first guard, sarcastically. "You must think we're fools, to believe your lies. You're coming with us, to the dungeon, where you'll pay for your crimes." He grabbed Aaliyah by the arm, and pulled her up.
The guards dragged Aaliyah to their horses, ignoring her protests and cries. They threw her on the back of one of the horses, and tied her hands and feet. They took her bag of coins gave some to the baker, and rode away, leaving the baker and his wife behind.
The baker was a fat and greedy man, with a red face and a curly mustache. He wore a white apron and a hat, and carried a rolling pin and a basket. The wife was a thin and sour woman, with a pale face and a straight hair. She wore a brown dress and a scarf, and carried a broom and a bucket.
But Aaliyah was clever, she had anticipated this situation. She knew that people would not trust her, or respect her, because of her appearance. She knew that they would try to take advantage of her, or harm her, because of her gold. She had prepared for this, and she had a plan.
She had kept some coins with her, hidden in her pockets, and in her boots. She had also hidden a small knife, under her belt, and a lockpick, in her hair. She waited for the right moment, when the guards were distracted, or relaxed, and then she acted.
She cut the ropes that bound her, and freed herself from the horse. She grabbed some of the coins that the guards had taken, and threw them in the air. She created a diversion, and a confusion, and then she ran. She was so fast, the guards could not catch her. She darted through the streets, dodging people and carts, until she reached a quieter district of the city.
Amidst the tranquil atmosphere of this district, Aaliyah discovered a modest market. Merchants here seemed less bustling and more welcoming. She approached a stall selling dried fruits, vegetables, and some basic provisions.
"Hello, how can I help you today?" greeted the elderly merchant with a warm smile. He was a kind and gentle man, with a gray beard and a bald spot. He wore a green tunic and a hat, and carried a scale and a pouch.
Aaliyah hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of uncertainty after her recent encounter. However, she straightened her posture and met the merchant's gaze with determination.
"I'd like some food, please. Enough to last a few days," Aaliyah requested, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.
"Of course, dear. What are you looking for? Some dried fruits, perhaps some bread?" the merchant asked, noticing the slight apprehension in Aaliyah's demeanor.
"I'll take some dried fruits and bread, please," Aaliyah replied, relieved to encounter someone kinder than the baker. She carefully counted out her remaining coins and handed them over. The merchant accepted the payment without any hint of suspicion, packing the provisions neatly in a small bag.
With a heartfelt "thank you," Aaliyah hurried away, clutching the bag close to her chest. She cautiously made her way back to the tow, gate, constantly scanning her surroundings for any sign of the guards.
As she reached the outskirts of the city, Aaliyah felt a mix of relief and lingering frustration. She made her way through the familiar path toward her rundown house, the weight of the day's events heavy on her mind.
Upon entering the house, Aaliyah greeted her sister Zoe with a forced smile, not wanting to worry her. She quickly retreated to her room, setting the bag of provisions on her table.
Frustration boiled within her as she recalled the baker's disdainful treatment. "I hate that baker," she muttered to herself, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
Suddenly, the room around her seemed to shimmer, and a strange sensation washed over Aaliyah. The system she had encountered since arriving in this world seemed to activate once again, projecting a message before her eyes:
"New Mission: Eliminate the Baker. Reward: Increase in Fire Magic Level."
Aaliyah thinks for a moment, then says she has no choice but to accept the system's mission. She feels a surge of adrenaline and fear, mixed with a hint of excitement and curiosity. She wonders what the system is, and why it gives her these missions. She also wonders what will happen if she fails, or if she refuses. She decides not to dwell on these questions, and focuses on the task at hand.
A countdown began, announcing 5h30 minutes, much less time than the last time Aaliyah had to kill the wolf. She remembers the terror and the pain of that night, when she was chased by the beast in the forest. She remembers how she barely managed to survive, thanks to her ability. She remembers how she gained the ability to use fire magic, and how it going to help her now.
An icon appeared in front of Aaliyah, a map with a red dot. "It must surely designate the baker's location", said Aaliyah, "It's going to be a lot easier than expected", said Aaliyah with a wry smile. She recalls the baker's face, and the way he treated her. She feels a surge of anger and resentment, and a desire for revenge. She decides to make him pay for his arrogance and cruelty.
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