Not everyone was fond of Paul's profession. He could agree that it wasn't always the most honest way to make a living, but it was making him a living. And besides, he figured being a thief had a certain coolness factor to it. He was mulling these thoughts over when he pushed through the door into the Dragon's Fang tavern.

Looking out over the room, Paul went through the options. Up at the bar there was a woman, dressed in classic white mage robes and a man in armor, a big and burly man. People at the bar were the easiest targets, so Paul strode over and took a seat next to the woman. Ordering a fairly inexpensive drink from the barkeep, he shifted himself so he was facing a little more toward the woman.

"So, I take it your not from around here?" he said, turning his head toward the woman. Slightly startled, the woman turned herself toward him.

"What business is it of yours'?"

"Oh, none of my business at all, I'm just trying to extend the hand of friendship. I'm Paul."

"Hmmnn…Well, I'm Tylde, and this is my traveling companion Gildat." She motioned to the warrior on her right.

"I see, and where might you two be coming from?"

"Lufenia."

"From all the way down there? What are you doing so far north?"

"We had a messenger come through our town, he told us that Yrdrasil of the north was experiencing some unknown disease. They asked that all apothecaries and white mages make the trip up there to help them fight it."

"Ah yes, I remember when that messenger came through here, we had a couple of people leave for Yrdrasil." Paul looked up and down the white mage, until he spotted his quarry. She had a small brown gil sack tied to a loop on the inside of her robe. It would be an easy job to take it.

With his drink now on the table, Paul set his plan into motion. Shifting again, he gave the drink what appeared to be an accidental shove, and it splashed onto the bar and the white mage. As Tylde pushed away from the table, Paul acted as if he was trying to support her, so she wouldn't fall backwards, but he slid a small blade from his sleeve and cut the gil sack loose from Tylde's robe.

Sliding off the stool and away from the bar, he turned back to offer the white mage his apologies, but instead he was met with a fist. Suddenly Paul was on the floor, and the warrior, Gildat, had a hand around his throat and a sword inches above Paul's head. Sweat began to bead up on Paul's forehead.

"You will return milady's coin purse or I will slice your skull in two!" Gildat let out in a snarl.

Paul threw the gil sack across the floor. "There you go big fella, no harm done."

"You will also pay for the robes you ruined!"

"What? Like he…!"

The point of Gildat's sword was now firmly planted against Paul's head. "You would rather pay with you're life then!" Gildat yelled.

"Enough Gildat, he gave back the money, now let him up." Tylde stepped over to Gildat and put a firm hand on his shoulder. Gildat gave Paul one last hard look before letting him up. Rubbing his bruised neck, Paul hastily made his way out of the tavern.

"You should have made him pay for you're robes…"

"I think we can get him to make a fair compensation later on…" with that Tylde turned back to the bar.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we'll take him with us." said Tylde with a chuckle.

What! That lowlife!" Gildat slammed his fist on the countertop. "I will not have it."

"Too bad, I will." smiled Tylde. "Now, lets just finish our drinks and call it a night, alright?" Gildat could do nothing but turn and sip his drink.