cross 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 will 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 did not care.
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 don't care," 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, opposite to where the fight was taking place. Winder's attention was drawn to them again as someone shouted, "Hey there little boy, lost your mommy?"
Winder looked behind him to see the two fellows who were fighting earlier talking to the young person who had just come in. Winder watched when the person did not answer. Someone else in the other corner said, "Hey boys, why don't you teach him a lesson? It's rude not to speak when spoken to."
"Yeah," one of them shouted. The other put up his hand and said, "Wait a minute, do I know you?"
The boy looked up. "Nope," he replied.
"Yes, I do," both of the troublemakers said. As one of them grabbed the boy's arm and pulled him to the floor.
Ow, the boy cried he got the floor, he instantly tried to stand up but On of the boys kicked him. Then one of the grabbed him and pushed him in to the corner with the drunken crowd.
Winder watched in horror as the young person was bullied by the troublemakers. He couldn't stand by and do nothing. He quickly got up from his seat, leaving his half-finished meal behind, and made his way towards the commotion.
"Hey! Leave him alone!" Winder shouted, his voice laced with anger.
The troublemakers turned their attention towards Winder, momentarily distracted from their torment of the young person. The inn fell silent as everyone watched the unfolding scene.
"What's it to you?" one of them sneered.
"It's not right to gang up on someone defenseless," Winder replied firmly, his eyes fixed on the troublemakers. "Now step away and leave him be."
The troublemakers exchanged glances, contemplating their options. The braver of the two took a step forward, taking on a more aggressive stance.
"You think you can stop us?" he challenged, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Winder's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched. "I'm warning you, back off."
But the troublemakers were not ones to listen to reason. With a swift movement, they launched themselves at Winder, aiming to overpower him with their numbers. But Winder was prepared.
Using his agility, Winder sidestepped their first blow, ducking under their outstretched arms. He retaliated, landing a solid punch to the gut of one of the troublemakers. The punch was followed by a kick that sent the other troublemaker stumbling backward.
The inn erupted into cheers and applause from the onlookers. The fight had quickly turned in Winder's favor, shocking everyone with his unexpected fighting skills. The troublemakers, now on the receiving end of the beating, tried to regain their footing, but Winder was relentless.
With quick, precise strikes, he disabled one troublemaker after another, ensuring they couldn't continue their attack. The young person who had initially been their target watched in amazement, both grateful and in awe of this stranger who had come to their aid.
After what felt like an eternity, the fight came to an end. The troublemakers lay defeated on the ground, nursing their wounds.
Winder, panting slightly from the exertion, looked down at them with a mix of disdain and triumph. "Consider this a lesson learned," he spat before turning away.
As Winder approached the young person, they looked up at him with gratitude and awe. "Thank you," they said softly, their voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Winder smiled, extending a hand to help them up. "No need to thank me. It wasn't right what they were doing. Are you alright?"
The young person nodded, accepting Winder's assistance. "I'm okay. They didn't hurt me too badly."
Winder glanced at the other patrons, who had returned to their conversations and meals as if nothing had happened. "Is this a common occurrence here? People bullying others without consequence?"
The young person sighed, shaking their head. "Unfortunately, it happens more often than it should. Most people prefer to keep their heads down and not get involved."
Winder frowned, his eyes scanning the room. "Well, that won't be the case anymore. Things are going to change around here."
The young person looked at Winder curiously. "What do you mean?"
Winder grinned, determination shining in his eyes. "I mean that I won't stand by and let innocent people be mistreated. I've had enough of that in my own life. From now on, I'm going to make sure justice is served, even if I have to do it myself."
The young person nodded, a spark of hope igniting within them. "I'll join you. Together, we can make a difference."
Winder extended a hand towards them, sealing their newfound alliance. "Together, we'll bring about the change this town needs."
And with that, Winder and the young person set off, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead and stand up against the injustices that plagued their town.