Things Go Wrong

While Islana and the guard in the middle of the market place, near a small babbling fountain, that passing by people dipped cups and their hands to quench their thirst in the afternoon sun.

Suddenly across from them there was a commotion. One of the vendors was shouting loudly and waving is arms in the air as if calling for attention.

They had pretty much finished eating and Islana was contemplating getting more water when the commotion happened.

Islana got up to try to see what was going on. That made the guard get up as well.

"We go see?" Of course, Islana wanted to see if they could help and knew she was going nowhere without the guard.

The guard grunted and started walking towards the commotion.

"You. Close." He told Islana in no uncertain terms that she was not to leave his side. He glared at her letting her know what would happen if she did.

The vendor was shouting at anyone that could hear and pointing at his broken flagons. As soon as Islana approached, the smell of wine wafted through the air.

The man was obviously upset about something. Maybe someone had broken some of his wares.

A small crowd gathered around the scene, some laughing at the merchant misfortune, others speaking to the man, asking questions. A young man near Islana smiled at her and reached out to touch her hair. Shalia's guard hand snaked towards the man, grabbing his one of his fingers and snapping it. The sound crunching bone barely audible to the crowd but very loud, so close to Islana's ear.

Islana just nodded she wasn't really in any position to cause problems intentionally. It had been pretty certain in her mind that the guard was there to keep her in line as much as keeping her protected, the man's look seemed to cement that idea.

It looked like it had been one of the wine sellers. Islana looked around to see if she could figure out what had happened but it didn't look like there was much to be done to help.

The redhead had returned the smile to the young man but it quickly faded as the sound of the bone snapping hit her ear. The guard had moved so quickly Islana hadn't seen what was about to happen until it was too late.

The young woman was horrified that the guard would do that just because the young man had touched her hair.

Her green eyes looked at the guard and shook her head. "Why?"

This development clearly was upsetting to the red head.

"Please - help him."

Islana pleaded with the guard and indicated she meant the young man. Pretty sure that if she tried to help him herself it would only make matters worse.

Before the guard could reply to Islana, she felt a slight tug in her belt. A hang sneaked out and grabbed the purse Shalia had given her, before running away through the crowd.

There was a tug and then the purse was gone. That was all Islana could even register with how fast it occurred.

Now, there was another problem.

"Thief"

Islana said to the guard and pointed in the direction she thought the thief had run in.

She could tell the guard swore although she did not understand his words. He growled at her and orders. "STAY!!!" He pulled the man with the broken finger towards him headbutting him violently in the face, breaking his nose, before pushing past her and giving chase through the crowd after an escaping youngster. Maybe the two men were working together.

People around Islana stood and shouted and suddenly she was alone among strangers and felt incredibly vulnerable.

Islana was standing there now alone, feeling a little lost with all the people around her shouting in a language she barely knew.

Islana was out in the open with no protection. Her arm still injured, obviously no weapons. What if something else happened?

Once again, Islana had wanted to help, only to find trouble. Maybe, one of these days she wouldn't jump in so readily but it just wasn't in her nature to not want to try.

As for right now, the only thing this attempt had gotten her was a stolen purse, and guilt over an injured man that might or might not have been working with the thief.

All Islana could do was stand there, wait for the guard, remain as vigilant as possible giving the circumstances and hope nothing else happened.

In that moment of confusion, doubt and guilt Islana looked across from her past the merchant and saw a glimpse of a face grinning at her that she hope she would never see. Alcuin's face flashed in her field vision. A few men moved in front of her to help the injured young man up and when she looked again there was no one there.

Had she imagined it? She could not be sure of anything anymore.