Shattered Sanity

Despite Dara trying his best to drag Garsim along as well, in the end, the tall boy refused to be a part of the mischief and insisted that he would stay behind instead.

”I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

Garsim said, as he folded both arms across his chest.

”You two go if you want, but don’t expect me to bail you out if Garron finds out.”

He warns, as Riven and Dara try to convince him some more, however, when he doesn’t easily agree for another couple minutes, the duo decide to proceed without him, lest they lose the flower cart.

”Come Riven.... Let’s take a bath!”

Dara says loudly to avoid suspicion, as the two walk down towards the bath, before turning suddenly and rushing straight out of the inn, as they burst onto the bustling street and break into a wild sprint.

”Haha... Hahahahaha!”

Dara chuckled, as the wind rushed past their faces while their hearts pounded with equal parts excitement and nervousness, as the thrill of doing something forbidden made every step feel strangely exhilarating.

Riven, meanwhile, could barely keep his thoughts straight.

’Will Garron punish us if he finds out? Will Mary smile if I give her the roses? Will we make it back before anyone notices we’re gone?’

A thousand different thoughts raced through his mind all at once, as fear and anticipation twisted together inside his chest until he could no longer tell which emotion was stronger.

Fortunately, the flower cart had not travelled very far.

”Kind lady... Please wait!”

Riven called out in his childish voice, as the elderly flower seller immediately slowed to a stop before turning around with a warm smile spreading across her wrinkled face.

”Well now...”

She chuckled.

”What can this old lady do for such a polite little boy?”

She asked, as Riven awkwardly reached into his satchel before carefully producing one of the silver ornaments he had stolen from Hagrid’s house, as he presented it to her with both hands while several nearby pedestrians glanced toward the unusual exchange.

”Can... can I have a few of your roses?”

He asked timidly, as the old woman accepted the silver ornament before staring at it for several moments.

Then she suddenly burst into laughter.

”Silver?”

She asked between chuckles.

”My dear child, are you planning to buy my entire cart?”

She teased, as she gently patted Riven on the head before giving Dara an amused smile and began to gather a beautiful bouquet of deep red roses.

”You children aren’t from around Stoneville, are you?”

She asked casually, as Riven instinctively looked toward Dara in caution.

However, unlike him, Dara did not hesitate for even a second.

”No, ma’am.”

He replied with complete confidence.

”We’re disciples of a sect from far away. We’re only passing through Stoneville while travelling toward our destination.”

He replied, as the old woman simply nodded as though the answer satisfied her.

”Well, that certainly explains it.”

She smiled, as she carefully wrapped the bouquet before placing it into Riven’s waiting hands.

Then she opened the small wooden cash box attached beneath her cart and began counting out several bronze coins.

”Here.”

She said, placing the change into Riven’s palm.

”And take a little advice from an old woman while you’re at it.”

She added kindly.

”Don’t go paying for flowers or other common goods with silver around here. Silver is the currency of wealthy folk. Ordinary people like us use bronze.”

She said, as Riven quickly nodded before carefully storing the bronze coins inside his satchel.

”Thank you.”

He said sincerely, as the old woman smiled once more before looking between the bouquet and the bright red blush covering Riven’s face.

”She must be a very special girl.”

She teased.

”I can tell because your cheeks are almost as red as the roses you’re carrying.”

Unable to bear another second of embarrassment, Riven instinctively lowered his head while the old woman laughed softly to herself before pushing her cart further down the street.

The moment she disappeared into the crowd, Dara immediately burst into laughter.

”Ooooo... yes, yes... she really is very special.”

He coughed dramatically between exaggerated grins, elbowing Riven in the ribs, as Riven’s face somehow turned even redder from the jibe.

”S-stop it...”

He muttered, struggling to meet Dara’s eyes.

”We should go back now.”

He said hurriedly, tightening his grip around the bouquet before instinctively turning toward the inn.

However, before he could take more than a single step, Dara stretched one arm across his chest to stop him before pointing toward a nearby skewer stall where fragrant smoke drifted lazily into the air.

”Come on, man.”

He pleaded.

”You’ve got to look after me, Garsim, and Stacy too.”

He grinned.

”I’m not asking for much. Just three bronze coins.”

He rubbed his stomach dramatically.

”Something to feed the soul.”

He pointed toward the stall.

”It’ll only take a minute.”

He pleaded, as Riven immediately shook his head.

”No...”

He protested.

”We already agreed we’d buy the flowers and head straight back. This is unnecessary risk now.”

He said, as Dara instantly put on the most pitiful expression he could manage.

”Aww... don’t be like that.”

He begged.

”I risked my neck sneaking out here with you.

The least you can do is take care of your brother a little.”

He said while placing a mock hand near his heart and pretending to be hurt, as for several long moments, Riven hesitated.

’I should really not....’

He thought, however, not wanting to reject and risk alienating his new friend, he eventually let out a defeated sigh before reaching into his satchel once more and placing three bronze coins into Dara’s waiting hand.

”Fine...”

He muttered.

”But only one minute.”

He reminded, as without wasting another second, the two boys hurried toward the skewer stall, completely unaware that more than one pair of eyes had quietly followed them ever since they had produced a silver trinket moments ago.

”Three skewers please.”

Dara said boldly after entering the stall, as he happily placed three bronze coins upon the wooden counter before waiting for the shopkeeper to prepare the order.

The vendor nodded before turning toward the charcoal grill, where several skewers continued sizzling above the flames while the rich aroma of roasted meat slowly filled the small shop.

Meanwhile, neither Riven nor Dara paid any attention to the two men who quietly entered the stall only moments after them.

To anyone watching, they appeared to be nothing more than ordinary customers browsing the different cuts of meat hanging behind the counter, occasionally picking one up before putting it back down again while chatting amongst themselves.

However, in reality...

The two belonged to the Brothers of Birmingham, a local gang that made its living by relieving careless individuals of whatever valuables they happened to be carrying.

And the moment Riven had produced a silver trinket to pay for a handful of flowers...

The two had quietly started to follow him as a worthy target.

’Just a couple of village kids...’

One of the men thought, as he briefly glanced toward the satchel hanging from Riven’s shoulder.

’Should be easy enough.’

His companion followed the direction of his gaze before giving the slightest nod.

The two distracted children did not seem to have much backing.

While the street outside was still crowded and full of people.

It was about as easy a job as they were ever likely to find, and so, the partner winked at his friend, and shifted ever so slightly towards Riven, waiting for the perfect opportunity to snatch and run.

Meanwhile, completely oblivious to the danger standing only a few steps away, Riven tightened his grip around the bouquet of roses while anxiously glancing toward the street outside.

’The skewers should be ready soon...’

’The moment Dara gets them, we’re heading straight back.’

He thought, however, what he did not know was that disaster was about to strike.