Thief Trouble
Jacob smiled satisfactorily as he counted and totaled his profit to 3 marks. This was going much better than he'd expected, it was almost the end of the first hour and he'd only sold half his merchandise. He looked up as a customer walked past, picking up a wolf steak and leaving 50 ticks on the counter. He added those to his tally and promised himself he would get a proper money bag as he dropped them into his pocket. He looked up as he the market taxman walked into the market flanked by a pair of armed guards in either side and realized the first hour was up. He sighed, pulling out 20 ticks and putting them on the edge of the counter and resting his hand lightly on top of them so nobody got any wise ideas about grabbing it. He watched solemnly as the guards pulled a man out of his booth and dragged him out, crying and grovelling. The taxman walked up to Jacob's booth and as Jacob removed his hand from the money and the taxman's moved closer to collect it he hesitated then glanced momentarily at the hooded character behind the counter.
''Have I seen you before?'' He asked imperiously, his arrogance evident.
''No, you have not'' Jacob's reply was firm as he hid the nervousness climbing up his throat.
''hmm'' the taxman turned to the guards and conferred with them quickly.
''are you sure you do not have an identity that would rather remain… hidden?'' he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
''No, I am sure I am perfectly fine and that you have never seen me before'' replied Jacob, trying to ignore the sweat sliding down his forehead.
''alright…'' muttered the taxman, clearly not convinced as he picked up the money and turned to the guards already walking out of the market.
Jacob sighed in relief as wiped the sweat off his face and relaxed again, settling in until he'd sold everything. He totalled his profit and his face broke into a satisfied grin as he counted 10 marks. He got up and stretched groaning in relief as he eased the tension of sitting in one spot for almost two hours. He stepped out of the booth and walked deeper into the market aiming to buy a money bag to keep his coins safe for the thievery was rife in the castle and the surrounding village; he also had to pay a visit to the blacksmith to obtain the steel An'drax had requested. He now strolled along the market, checking the stalls to find what he was looking for, finally, he stopped and headed for a nearby stall and bought a money bag for 1 mark to keep his money safe for the money bag was made from a reinforced fabric that was impervious to knives unlike pockets which could be cut open and emptied. He poured the rest of his fortune into the bag and tied it to his belt so no one got any smart ideas about grabbing it. He turned left on a small side street that he knew led to the blacksmith's hopefully without coming face to face with a guard. Jacob finally arrived at the metal door that served as the entrance to the blacksmith's forge; this thought brought a smile to his face as he thought of the Protoss forge back at sanctuary, similarly named, much different level of technology. He rattled the knocker on the door and stood back, hoping the blacksmith hadn't closed for the day. His prayers were answered as a burly, bearded man opened the door.
''yeah, whadda ya need?'' he asked politely
''umm… I'd like to purchase steel ingots, if you have them?'' he answered
The blacksmith rubbed the back of his neck, then continued ''I'll check if I've any, come 'nside in the meantime''
Jacob stepped inside and sat down on a chair, relaxing and watching as the blacksmith stepped into a different room and stepped back in grasping a heavy iron key, he slid this into a safe set into the wall and swung the door open. Jacob made out stack after stack of ingots of various metals and several smaller safes inside just before the blacksmith shut it with a dull clang.The blacksmith walked over and nodded in affirmation.
''yup, was right mah guess, I got some steel''
''how much is it?''
''a mark per ingot is what I'm gonna charge ye''
''that's alright, I'll buy eight ingots then please'' he decided, pulling out eight of the heavy silver mark coins, leaving him with a single of the coins.
The blacksmith nodded handing him eight refined steel bars I exchange for the marks. Jacob nodded his thanks and put the weighty ingots into the canvas sack he'd brought with him and headed out of the blacksmith's. He wondered how he was going to escape the castle courtyard and he became lost in his thoughts as he wandered into a small side alley. He felt a hand on his shoulder and a cold chill shot down his spine.
''what 'xactly do ya think yer doin' here mate?'' he asked, the threat in his tone frightfully obvious.
Jacob gulped and swallowed down his fear as he turned around to face his challenger; he noted the knife in the man's hand and guessed he knew how to use it.
''I thank we have an intruder here boys'' he called out.
Jacob's eyes widened as another half dozen men stepped into the alleyway drawing knives.
''what's in the bag Draven'' said one of the other men, nodding at the canvas bag containing the steel that Jacob was gripping uncertainly.
''let's find out, shall we?'' he asked evilly ''hand over the bag, runt''
''no'' was the simple reply from a calm and focused Jacob. Jacob's eyes were closed and he smiled serenely, the thieves had tried to rob the wrong person this time. Had the thieves known what Jacob was capable of and what was going to come next then they would have run out of the alleyway screaming like five-year old girls, unfortunately for these thieves, they had no idea.
A/N: Heya guys, this chapter is finally up and I wanted to know if you guys want me to add in some rpg elements...
e.x.
He panicked as he ran outside to deal with the wolves before they destroyed a probe. The probe floated away in alarm as the wolves jumped at it(38 hp), their claws and teeth bouncing off the blue shield that flashed into visibility momentarily as they weakened from the repeated wolf attacks. Jacob took this all in as he ran to intercept the wolves before they damaged the probe. He dove into an attack as he called on the swordsmanship skills he had learned in his days in the castle. He sliced the forelegs off the first wolf (3 hp)and intercepted the second one mid-jump slicing its snout in half (0 hp). He brought the blade down in the third wolfs back wedging it deep within the flesh (0 hp). He pulled the blade out and sighed as he realized he'd won. He turned and saw the first wolf whimpering in pain and the second one dead. He stepped over and quickly slit the throat of the first wolf to end its misery (0 hp).
And of course, I'll include how much money he has too.
Muahahahaha, I'm learning how to do cliffhangars
ADUN TORIDAS
