Christine headed to the marketplace in the southwest of town. It was still early and the streets were far from full of people, so she had a lot of time to look around. Just like the rest of Alexandria, it hadn't changed much in the last eighteen years. With only a few exceptions, all the same merchants were there too. As usual, Christine looked around, window- shopping more than anything. Being a Holy Knight is hardly the most financially rewarding job in the universe but she had been saving up the last few weeks in case she saw anything. Most of the objects for sale were nothing more than junk to her but amongst the meaningless trinkets was the most incredibly beautiful ring with several diamonds encrusted along the outside.

"How much is this?" Christine was sure to keep her eyes on the ring despite being the only person near the stand. "That? 60 GC, quite a bargain." Christine knew it was a bargain all right; she wasn't going to let it slip out of her hands. "I'll take it!" As she lowered her hand towards the usual resting place of her purse all she felt was empty air. Her purse wasn't there.

A feeling of shock, anger and disbelief overtook her. It must have been that guy she ran into at the church. Alexander or whatever his name was. That jerk, he probably set the whole thing up. He said he was looking for the castle. At least that's what Christine's line of thought was heading.

"Can you keep that for me? I need to take care of something then I'll be right back!" She wasn't even finished before she had dropped the ring and was heading towards the castle.

He wasn't getting away with it!