Blades.

Aeris Aeris had two problems, the moon and her hunger. Stealing under a full moon was no easy task and her hunger was so severe that she felt like throwing up but if she did that, it'll be her intestines. The moon was annoyingly bright, casting shadows everywhere she turned to. The marketplace was alive with noise—merchants shouting their prices, the clatter of wooden carts, and the chatter of townsfolk exchanging gossip. Aeris moved through the crowd like a shadow, her hood drawn low over her face. Her stomach twisted with hunger, but she ignored it, focusing instead on the stalls lining the square. Her target was a plump baker with a red face and flour-dusted hands. His stall overflowed with fresh loaves, their golden crusts glistening in the bright moonlight. He was distracted, arguing with a customer over the price of sweet rolls. Aeris edged closer, her fingers itching. She had done this a hundred times before. A swift hand, a quiet step, and she would disappear before anyone noticed. She let her eyes scan the stall, looking for the easiest target. A round loaf, slightly misshapen, rested near the edge of the table. It would do. She timed it perfectly—just as the baker threw his hands up in frustration at the customer, Aeris struck. Her fingers closed around the bread, and she slipped it into the folds of her cloak. The air in the narrow streets of Arlindale hung heavy with the stench of rotting produce and despair as she slowly but briskly maneuvered her way through the crowd so as not to attract attention, her tattered cloak billowed around her as she clutched the stolen bread to her chest. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. No one had seen. Then— “Thief!” Her blood ran cold. The baker’s furious roar cut through the marketplace. Heads turned. Aeris didn’t wait to see who was watching—she bolted. Behind her, the baker gave her a hot chase, his heavy boots pounding against the cobblestones. “Stop her! That girl stole from me!” Suddenly, the crowd erupted into angry shouts and cries of "Thief", "Stop her". Aeris ran with all her might and as she slipped into an alley, she saw out of the corner of her eye a massive crowd chasing after her. Some were holding torches while the rest were with sticks and stones. As she rounded a corner, her heart dropped. She had come to dead end. As she spun to double back, she realized it was too late. A group of men had followed her in thereby blocking her escape route. "No, no. Please No" She muttered to herself. "There she is, filthy rat" One of them sneered. Aeris in a show of defiance pulled out her dagger. "Stay back" Laughter rippled through the crowd as a butcher who she had stolen money from two weeks ago came closer and spat on her. She smelt it before it hit her on her forehead. "The little pest thinks she's dangerous. You've been a nuisance from day one and it's time we put an end to you once and for all". Before could react, a rock flew through the air and hit her temple. They had started stoning her. Pain exploded in her skull and her vision became blurry. Another stone hit her ribs, sending her to her knees but the mob didn't stop. Blows rained down on her from everywhere. Boots, sticks, stones hit every part of her body as she laid on the ground and curled into herself. Their laughter, jeering and cursing began to sound afar off as she was losing consciousness. Then suddenly- "Enough". The voice was smooth and controlled but it carried an undeniable command. The assault stopped instantly. The men hesitated and turned towards the newcomer. A tall figure in a dark cloak stood in the darkness by the alley's entrance, face obscured by his hood. "And who are you?" One of the men asked. "You know the punishment for stealing in Arlindale is death by stoning ". The cloaked figure stepped into the light, took off his hood and before them stood Lord Lucian Alistair, the commander in chief of the Great Army of Arlindale and the right hand man of the great King Saran of Arlindale. Murmurs of "My Lord" "Commander" filled the air as the crowd went down on their knees with their heads bowed, paying respect to the commander. Lord Lucian walked through the crowd and stood in front of the man who had questioned him earlier. "I say enough and you dare question my authority?" Lord Lucian said calmly "I...I .. I'm so..ooryy my Lord, I didn't know it was you". The man trembled. "I should lock all of you up" He said while strolling through the crowd. "But she's a thief, my Lord". The butcher explained, shifting uncomfortably. Lord Lucian turned to him, grabbed him roughly by the collar and pulled him up. "And you've never stolen anything in your life before? Cedric the butcher. I hope the old widow whose family inheritance you scammed her of curses you everyday from her grave". Lord Lucian said firmly. There was a loud gasp from the crowd as Lord Lucian dropped Cedric who scampered towards the wall to catch his breath, eyes downcast in shame. "Get out! All of you" Lord Lucian barked. They all scampered away, some falling over each other. Lord Lucian knelt before Aeris who laid bleeding on the floor, to weak to move a muscle. Through her haze of pain, she felt his finger lift her chin. "You're beautiful". He said "Why are you helping me?" She said "Cause this isn't where you're supposed to be. You're meant for greater things, you have a greater purpose in life than stealing moldy bread from a poor baker". "It wasn't moldy". She said "I like you, you're stubborn". He laughed. She felt his arms circle around her, lifting her effortlessly off the floor. "Why are you taking me?" She said weakly. "Home" He whispered. She wanted to ask what he meant by home and where "home" was but she felt the darkness enveloping her and before she blacked out completely, she heard his final words soft yet filled with unshakable certainty. "You don't belong in the dirt, Aeris. You're meant for greater things".