In the bustling marketplace of the kingdom of Aequitus, an exhausted and dehydrated Agatha was begging passersby for food and drink. But despite her pleas, they ignored her, sneered, or laughed at her misery.
Her day passed like that, with little success, until a couple stopped in front of her.
"If you're really hungry, you'll be able to enjoy this," said the man with a wide, sinister grin as he handed her a cloth bag.
"This is the best we can offer, considering the times we live in," added the woman.
With great excitement, Agatha opened the bag, and her smile instantly vanished, replaced by rage and pain. Seeing her expression, the couple burst into laughterâfor inside the bag was nothing but a piece of moldy bread.
"A bit of rotten bread wonât hurt you," said the man between laughs. "You have to understand, we all have problems too, not just you, and we must grow iron stomachs to face these turbulent times."
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
With that, they walked away, leaving behind a heartbroken Agatha, her stomach audibly growling. But the sound of her hunger and the crowd bustling and shopping faded from her ears as she heard strange murmurs rising from the deepest depths.
"Those damn insolent people⦠they should die⦠we should kill them! They donât belong here! None of them belong!"
Hearing that sinister voice utter such venomous words, Agatha drew her broken sword and quickly spun around, pointing her shattered blade at the shadow stretching behind her in the alley.
âWho are you!? Did the hooded one send you to torment me!?â
The shadow raised its arms and said:
"Wait a moment, please! I just saw a poor beggar asking for food, and now I find out sheâs also a master swordswoman" said the shadow as it stepped into the streetlight, revealing himself to be a tall, muscular man with brown hair and beard.
Seeing his face, Agatha lowered her weapon but remained on alert.
"Relax, you can trust me. I only wanted to take you somewhere with lots of food. What do you say?"
The man extended a large hand, which Agatha took, but when she tried to walk, her legs gave out, causing her to fall. But the man caught her before she hit the ground, letting her lean on his shoulder for support.
"My name is Stultus. Iâm the warrior of the people."
"Iâm Agatha⦠who once was a knight," she replied weakly.