Sins of Greed - A Tale of Two Fools, Book One

Prologue

This novel is published with copyright credited to the author. Re-posting of this work or claiming of ownership is a felony.

Abben Dindle quickly scuffled through the damp, dark side alley and turned the corner onto the main plaza just steps away. The heavy bundle strapped under his left arm was beginning to weigh him down; mentally more than physically. He tried to not look suspicious as he made his way through the crowd of common folk that were browsing the wares of the merchants that regularly held stall on Jording Square, colloquially known as The Market Plaza. His destination was just on the other side of the courtyard; a quaint little book shop called Kirlin's Scrolls and Scryers. It's proprietor, Kirlin Pinof, was a rickety, bent over old man nearing his eightieth year, with the mental clarity of a twenty-something and the sharp tongue to match. Kirlin was an unofficial "advisor" to His Majesty the Sovereign of Lurinlia, Faelin Jording. Abben was sent by Sovereign Jording's Royal Sibyl herself, Evelia Ingrin, to deliver a set of mysterious scrolls with a particularly strong magical essence attached to them. 

As Abben made his way across the veranda, pulling his cloak's hood tighter around his face and zigzagging through the crowd of peasants and merchants, he spotted a familiar commotion on his right in front of a stall of fresh fruits and vegetables; someone was being arrested by Sovereign Jording's City Watch. A small crowd was beginning to circle the guards and the man that was being arrested. Abben looked closer at the guards and saw what he feared; the WSD (Wizardry Subservience Division) logo visible on their uniform.

"Show it to me!" yelled one of the three guardsmen, who looked to be in charge. 

"I don't know what you're talking about!" screamed the man on the floor. He looked to be in his middle ages, balding, in middle-class clothing. The man was on his knees. 

"If you cooperate, you'll find your accommodations in the dungeon to be fairer than most. Sovereign Jording is not an unreasonable man." 

"Kelek, maybe he doesn't have anything," muttered one of the other guardsmen, under his breath. 

"Quiet, Iloin."

"Please, I'm not lying to you! I don't have any magical trinkets on me! I don't know the first thing about sorcery! You must be confusing me with someone else, please!" 

Kelek looked unimpressed. He hissed, "Take this lying rat to the dungeon. We'll have Director Sarvis question him. Get him out of my sight."

The crowd of cityfolk were muttering amongst themselves, some shaking their heads in disapproval and others showing their signs of agreement and applause to the spectacle they had just witnessed. 

"Let this be a reminder of Sovereign Jording's stance on magic use – those caught tinkering with any form of sorcery or wizardry will be dealt with," Kelek announced to the crowd that had gathered. "Now move along!" 

Off to the side, Abben stole a nervous glance at the bundle of scrolls teeming with magical energy under his left arm. After recollecting himself, he took a couple more strides and opened the door into Kirlin's Scrolls and Scryers, firmly shutting it behind him.