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 passerby. "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 say, 'Oh, you know I don't care.' But he is just too good for others to notice."
"That's infuriating," the passerby said, anger tinting their tone. "Someone needs to put an end to his deceitful ways."
"Like anyone can, you know this is the first time someone has actually reported him."
"Oh, well, my friend, I must be going, but keep trying to sell, don't give up. Everyone has troubles."
The vendor smiled. "See y'all someday soon, I hope."
Meeting the Dumb One - Chapter 2
The passerby's name was Winder. He went to the inn to stay the night. He had troubles of his own and he was not going to travel in the rain. So he decided to get some food and stay a couple of days in town. When Winder entered the inn, he saw that there was a fight going on. But he cared not.
He made his way to the bar and sat down, ordering a hot meal and a pint of ale. The innkeeper, a burly man with a red face and a thick beard, looked at Winder with curiosity.
"What brings you here, stranger?" the innkeeper asked, wiping a mug clean with a towel.
"Just passing through," Winder replied, taking a sip of his ale. "Thought I'd seek shelter from the rain and grab a meal."
The innkeeper nodded, understanding. "A wise decision. This rain has been relentless. So, where do you hail from?"
Winder gave the innkeeper a blank stare. "Is it common that you must know where your customers hail from?" he asked.
The innkeeper chuckled, shaking his head. "No, it's not a requirement. But it's always interesting to know where people are coming from, especially travelers like yourself. Makes for good conversation, you know? But if you wish to keep it secret, then it matters not."
Winder just stared blankly at the innkeeper, but he said nothing.
“Fine, if you don't want to share, I care not," the innkeeper said as he went to help another customer.
Winder kept to himself, but then something caught his attention as the door opened. The fighting had stopped and someone came in; the only reason this caught his attention was because the wet figure wearing a long black thin coat, or robe, with a hood on their head looked mighty young to be traveling alone. Winder watched as the person went and sat down in the corner. ( the corn a cross from the one were the right was) winder attention was drawn her again as some one shouted "Hey there little boy lost your mommy"
Winder looked behind him to see the two fellows who were fighting early. Talking to the young person who had just come in. Winder watched when the person did not answer. Some one else said " a boys why don't you teach him alesson it is rude not to speak when spoken to. "
Yeah one of them shouted. The other put up his hand and said what a minute do I know you.
The boy looked up "Nope" he replied
Yes I do both of the trouble makers said. As one of them Grande the boys arm and pulled him to the floor.
Winder quickly stood up from his seat, concerned about the unfolding situation. He walked over to where the altercation was taking place and calmly but firmly said, "Alright, gentlemen, that's enough. Let the young man be." His voice held a note of authority that caught the attention of the troublemakers.
The two men turned to face Winder, sizing him up. "And who are you to tell us what to do?" one of them sneered.
Winder's eyes narrowed as he looked at them. "Just someone who doesn't like to see a kid getting bullied. Now let him go and leave him be."
The instigator hesitated for a moment, weighing his options, before releasing his hold on the boy. "Fine," he grumbled, shooting a final glare at Winder before walking away with his companion.
Winder turned his attention back to the young person on the floor. He extended a hand to help them up. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
The boy nodded, taking Winder's hand and slowly getting back on his feet. "Thanks," he mumbled, looking down at the ground.
"You don't have to thank me," Winder replied. "Just doing what was right. Are you traveling alone?"
The boy nodded again, his hood still pulled up, partially obscuring his face. "Yeah, just passing through."
Winder could sense that there was something off about the boy, but he didn't press further. Instead, he offered, "Well, if you need a place to stay for the night, the inn has rooms available. It's warm and dry, and the food is decent enough."
The boy looked up at Winder, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "I... I don't have any money," he admitted quietly.
Winder shrugged. "Don't worry about that. I'll cover the cost. Consider it a kindness from one traveler to another."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of the boy's lips. "Thank you... for everything."
Winder nodded, giving the boy a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "No problem. Now, let's get you out of those wet clothes and into a warm room."
As they walked toward the inn's reception desk, Winder couldn't help but wonder about the boy's story. It seemed like he had a troubled past, and Winder couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. But for now, all he wanted to do was offer some comfort and a safe place to stay.