The scent of salt and damp wood filled the air as Rivaan and Reines stepped onto the bustling docks of Valtara. The city was a paradox - once a flourishing trade hub, now a prison of greed and corruption. Merchant stalls lined the street.
Their owners watch warily as bandits and slavers patrolled openly, as if they were the rulers of this land.
Rivaan adjusts the strap of his bag, glancing at griffith in the bag. This place feels... wrong, he muttered
Reiner walked ahead, his swords resting on his back. Places like this exist everywhere, he replied. The strong take what they want, and the weak endure it.
They approached a group of ship dealers, eager to find a flying vessel, but the moment they inquired about a price, a greedy-looking merchant sneered at them:
You want a ship ? Ha! That'll be twenty thousand Crowns it's worth, he chuckled. Unless you're working with the syndicate, you pay twenty times.
Rivaan frowned. That's absurd.
The merchant shrugged. Then walk.
As they moved from stall to stall, the story was the same. Honest traders gave them fair prices, but they all whispered the same warning- if the syndicate catches us selling to outsiders, we're finished.
Frustrated and exhausted Rivaan and Reiner decided to rest, they need to find a place to stay
They entered a bar, full of disgusting. people who were drunk, they sat on the counter. Reiner asked a beautiful lady for water to drink and some things to eat.
The lady poured that was the water, and said we only have these day fruits Reiner grateful to get said thank you and, they both started eating
From the corner a girl came a young girl with shorts, unkempt hair' and big, brown eyes approached them.
Would you like this cupcake? She asked softly.
Reiner, what's your name girl?
The girl replied, Mira.
Where is your mother Mira? There at the counter.
Oh! I see, Reiner replied.
Rivaan with a smile why not, Mira; There were two cupcakes Rivaan, and Reines take each, but Rivaan Shared it with, Mira.
Mira while eating continuously staring at Reiner sword.
Reines asked, do you like this, Mira replied Yes, you look so cool."
Reiner chuckled and Rivaan said You look cute and beautiful Mira.
Before they could eat completely , a group of three thugs swaggered into the stall.
Their leader, a scarred man with a, jagged girn, slammed his fist on the counter.
Hey brat! Where's our drink? he barked at Mira.
The girl stiffened. M-My mother said... no more drinks on credit'
The thug's expression darkened. He reached out, slapping the cake from her hands, sending it tumbling to the dirt, You little rat, he growled
Reiner seeing all this, he stands up and confronts their leader, his fingers twitched toward his sword, but Mira, fearful of what happened, quickly grabbed a mug and poured them drinks.
Then, Rivaan pulls Reiner by pulling him back, the thugs, laughing mocking Reiner and Rivaan, Outsideas, huh? You won't last long here, one sneered before they walked away
Reiner just only God knows how. he controlled himself.
Reiner reached his pocket and pressed a few silver coins into Mira's palm. For the food and buy something for yourself also, he said simply.
Mira hesitated, then whispered Thank you.
Before leaving Rivaan said, I will pay your owe which you did to us, then Both left again to find the ship.
Mira hurried back to her mother, near the counter wiping down glasses, Despite her mother's simple dress and weary eyes, there was unmistakable grace to her which drew attention to the wrong people.
Those thugs after talking with Reiner are still there and, in a drunk state ask for more but mira is at back so they went back to catch her.
As Mira handed her the money. She beamed. You did well, my little one, she said gently.
But peace just shattered, That thug with his people came in.
We were too kind earlier, the scarred man sneered. since your brat refused us before we're taking... compensation
First they tried to grab mira but her mothers beauty increased those people's urges.
The leaders said, your mother would be better than you & Sera tensed as one man reached for her arm. Mira screamed.
You can't! Please - !
The leader grinned wickedly. Oh we can. And no one in this city will stop us.
Call any one, no one will help you girl.
And then those basterd people, took her mother like she is a thing which they can take.