Tales of Avanturia 1

Chapter 15: Old Geezer

It was a calm evening in the streets of Ravigrad and the sun was just setting. Brynjolf and Bella were taking a relaxing stroll through the streets. The few people that they passed all looked like they were having a good time. It was one of those evenings, where nothing seemed to be wrong in the whole world.

Bella had just finished the new attire for Lucia and persuaded Brynjolf into taking a walk, because yesterday he had a terrible hangover and some fresh air would do him some good, eventhough he mostly recovered after staying in bed all day.

They eventually came across the city's park. A wonderful place to relax and get a free mind. Especially in the evening, the atmosphere was very special and couples would often go there to have a rendevouz, because when the sun was setting, the lanterns were put on and the fairy lights started to glow. Fenrock would always call it the 'most romantic place in all of Ravigrad', whenever his soft side was showing.

It seems like at the end of the day, he had something for romantic stuff, even if he'd never admit it.

„It really is a beautiful place," Bella said, „What do you think, Bryn?"

„Very." he replied blantly.

„Is everything okay?" she asked concerned.

„It's just.. I have kind of a strange feeling all of a sudden." he said looking around suspiciously.

„I don't know what you mean.. Do you feel sick?"

„No it's.. just forget it, it's probably nothing."

And thus the two continued their walk through the park.

Suddenly someone stumbled into them, causing Bella to fall down. But the stranger quickly ran off again, „Ouch! Hey, watch out, you idiot!" She shouted.

„Are you alright?" Brynjolf asked, helping her up.

„Yeah, I think s-" she stopped for a bone-chilling moment, „MY PURSE! HE STOLE IT!" before Brynjolf had even fully realized the situation, Bella was already chasing the thief. The thief proved to be almost inhumanly fast, so Bella had to conjure her spell-bow and pin him down, or at least try.

He jumped, climbed and ran all over the city, chased by the two Blood Roses. It almost looked like he'd get away, but all of a sudden, he was stopped by someone else – or someone else's stick. It was an old man. He wore a big wizard hat and had long greying hair and a long, scruffy beard. The thief stumbled over his cane and the other two soon caught up.

„There you are!" Bella said, „Thank you, sir, you've stopped the thief, that stole my purse."

„Oh did I, now?" he asked, „Well, what a funny coincedence." He then to the thief and extracted his hand towards him to help him up, „Now, good sir, would you be so kind to return that woman's purse?"

„No! Fuck you all! I need that money!" he protested angrily.

„I see." mumbled the old man, „Then tell me, what do you need it for? You don't look like a common thief."

„I.. It's.. *sigh* I don't have any work and I need to feed my family. I didn't see any other way.." The thief said.

„Young man, there is always another way. You just have to be open enough to embrace those opportunities and to turn your life around." he said, „You don't have to live like this and neither does you family. Tell me, what's your name?"

„Bosko. My name is Bosko." he replied as he rose to his feet.

„Bosko, let me tell you about a young man that was in a similar situation. He had thrown himself into darkness, avoiding people. He made many mistakes in his life and had many regrets. He'd lost his way, but you know what? He kept going to look for his true destiny. To search his equals. And I'm sure that he'll find them and he can finally see the positive sides in his curse."