The Tale of Friedensberg

Chapter 4 - Blending In

Jade walked down the alley, leading to the city square, where the markets stood. Looking around to determine where she could go to get more information, and how to get into the fortress. Although, she would need to focus on blending in first. She started walking through the market, being sure to keep her face hidden by keeping her head low.  The city square was bustling with customers, merchants and traders. Merchant stands were offering many different items, food, clothing, jewelry. 'I know the outfit I have on needs to be changed. I stand out like a sore thumb. Time to blend in with the era, but how do I buy the clothes I need?' Jade knew she needed money, and judging by how the commonfolk dressed, she was in a medieval era. While thinking of how to get money, she knew she needed it fast. So the only way she thought she could get money fast was to pickpocket, but she couldn't pickpocket from just anyone. Her target had to be someone of high status, but none could be seen within the market itself.  However, Jade spotted what looked like an open tent. 'That's got to be where nobility gathers.' Jade started to walk towards the cyan colored tent, hoping to find nobility. As she did, she tried her best to blend in with the surrounding crowds.

As she approached the tent, she saw the tent was guarded by two knights, clad in shining silver armor. As she peered into the tent, the noblemen were sitting at a large wooden table covered with fruits of all kinds. The nobleman that seemed the easiest to pick was on the right, wearing the green cloak. Jade needed to find a way to get past the guards and steal from nobility, but how? Even though the front of the tent was wide open, it would be too obvious. She needed to sneak around to the back of the tent. She looked around the tent, observing the surrounding areas. She noticed a gap between the back of the tent and a nearby wall. As well as a street that was near the tent. 'Maybe I can slip under there and steal from one of the nobles standing nearest to the back.' She started to walk towards the tent, but made it seem that she was going down the nearby street. "Halt! Where are you going?" One of the guards said. "I am merely passing by. Pay me no attention ser." Jade responded. "Very well." the guard replied. Jade continued walking, but slipped behind the tent, getting low to the ground, as to not be easily spotted. 

With the sun positioned in sky, shining into the tent, Jade's position was unnoticed as she was in the shadow. 'Now is my chance.' Jade had tested to see how far she could lift the bottom of the tent. It was able to be lifted just enough for her to slip in. So with careful precision, she crawled in stealthily as to not be spotted. As soon as she was in, she crawled to the nobleman wearing the green cloak. When as she was close enough, she spotted his coin purse. Carefully she slipped it off of him. Once she was successful, she crawled back out from under the tent. After she was out of the tent, she stood up and smiled, proud that she was successful on pickpocketing a nobleman without being caught. She placed it on her hip and walked back to the street, as if she were to be returning to the market. She browsed the market stands, trying to find the ones selling clothing. Then something caught her eye. A red dress with white sleeves. 

'Perfect.' Jade approached the merchant stand that held the dress she had her eyes set on. "Greetings! Welcome to my shop!" The shop keeper chimed. Jade only nodded as she was not wanting to speak too many words. Jade walked over to the dress she had spotted, grabbed it and walked to the shop keeper and placed it on the table. "Ah. A very fine selection. That will be 20 silver." Jade grabbed the coin purse and gave the shop keeper 20 silver and a gold coin. "Good day to you shopkeeper." Jade grabbed the dress and walked out of the shop. 'Now to find a place I can change into this.' Jade walked back down the alley she emerged from when she left the tavern, and went back in through the back door. The waitress was there when Jade walked in. "Miss! You're back." The waitress exclaimed. "Not for long. I just need a space to change into this." Jade pulled out the dress she purchased. "Oh, you can come in here." The waitress pointed to a small closet. "That will have to work." Jade walked to the closet and got changed. But in reality all Jade did was put the dress over her current outfit. Jade knew she would need it for the journey ahead.

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Thanks for joining! Seems like Jade is quite the cunning character. Question is, how is Kai doing while Jade has been preparing for the coming journey. Stay tuned in the next chapter: Travelling to the Fortress - The Road Ahead