Across the blue sky, gray clouds could be seen in the north, indicating an approaching storm. This news brought dismay to everyone, especially the vendors who had set up their booths to sell their wares. The rain had only stopped that morning and had already caused significant damage. Puddles had formed, and every time someone ran or children jumped in them, water splashed everywhere. The horses only added to the mess. The prospect of more rain made the situation even worse, as it would create even more waterlogged conditions. Everyone, except for the guards and a few working men, would seek shelter in their homes. This left the vendors in a difficult position, wondering how they were supposed to make a living if no one ventured out to buy from them. Occasionally, a passing wagon or two might come by, but the likelihood of a purchase was doubtful.
To add to their frustration, just half an hour before, the guards had attempted to arrest a vendor for theft. The poor man swiftly fled, causing chaos in his wake. He knocked over people's booths, trampled over fruits, and even knocked some people down in the process. Some of the individuals who had previously been cheated by him found amusement in the situation. The ones responsible for reporting him happened to be the king's son and the grandson of a general. They may have appeared like ordinary peasants, but they had guards standing nearby who knew about the vendor's dishonest practices. It was their decision to put an end to his cheating ways. The two young men laughed throughout the whole ordeal, even when the general's grandson was knocked over. But he was never caught, which brought disapproval from all, save the angry vendors. Now, many of the vendors were closing up until the rain would stop.
"Hey," a voice called out, "I need you to sell me some fruit." It was a person passing through.
"Nope," replied the vendor. "I am not selling anything to anyone. Big or small, king or queen. I am done."
"Really, what happened here? This is the worst place I have been," replied the passerthrough. "There are even abandoned booths."
"Yeah, well, blame it on the rain," the vendor grumbled. "It started pouring this morning and hasn't let up since. Everything's a mess, and nobody wants to come out and buy anything."
The passerby looked around at the deserted and disheveled market, nodding sympathetically. "I can understand why. It looks like a disaster zone."
"It is," the vendor agreed. "And to top it all off, we had a thief causing havoc just before you got here. He knocked down our booths, ruined our goods, and got away scot-free."
"That's terrible," the passerby said, a mix of concern and curiosity evident in their voice. "Do you know who he was?"
"Oh, we know exactly who he is," the vendor replied bitterly. "But he's slippery, that one. Always manages to elude capture. It's like he has some sort of ally with connections."
The passerby raised an eyebrow. "Connections? You think someone is helping him?"
"I wouldn't be surprised," the vendor replied. "There are rumors that he's been scamming people for years, but nothing ever happens to him. Some people as oh, you know I don't care. But he is just to good for oh to notice."
"That's infuriating," the passerby said, anger tinting their tone. "Someone needs to put an end to his deceitful ways."
"Tell me more about this thief," the passerby urged. "Maybe I can help bring him to justice."
The vendor hesitated for a moment, studying the passerby's expression. They could see the genuine concern in their eyes and decided to share more.
"Well, they call him the Slippery Bandit," the vendor began. "He's known for his smooth-talking and clever tricks. He mainly targets unsuspecting customers, selling them counterfeit goods or swindling them out of their money. He's been operating in this market for years, always managing to slip away before anyone can catch him. Many have tried, but he's always one step ahead."
The passerby's interest grew as they listened intently. "Does he have any known accomplices or hideouts?"
"Rumors suggest that he has a network of informants who tip him off whenever the guards are onto his schemes," the vendor explained. "As for his hideouts, no one knows for sure. Some say he has secret tunnels and hidden passages throughout the city, allowing him to vanish without a trace."
The passerby nodded thoughtfully. "It's clear that catching him won't be easy, but it's not impossible. We just need a plan. Are there any witnesses who can provide useful information?"
The vendor scanned the area and pointed towards a small group of other vendors who had gathered nearby. "Those folks over there might have some insights. They've experienced his scams firsthand and may have seen something that could lead us to him."
The passerby walked over to the group, introducing themselves and expressing their determination to help bring the Slippery Bandit to justice. As they spoke, the vendors realized that this passerby was different from others. They possessed a fiery determination and a genuine care for justice, which sparked a glimmer of hope within the frustrated vendors.
Together, the passerby and the vendors formed a plan to gather evidence and expose the Slippery Bandit's deceit. They decided to document his scams, gather witnesses, and share their findings with the guards who were willing to take action. It wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to put an end to the vendor's reign of deception.
As the rain continued to pour, the passerby and the vendors worked tirelessly, coordinating their efforts and preparing for the confrontation to come. The Slippery Bandit may have thought he was invincible, but little did he know that a group of determined individuals was ready to expose his secrets and seek justice for all those he had swindled.