Minor infractions

Meanwhile, in Lord Kaloch's fief.

Cecília is distressed and exhausted after two days of tireless searching for her brother, who had mysteriously disappeared. She is determined to find answers, and the only person who could help her is the influential Lord Kaloch, who deep in his heart remained a strong and powerful leader.

With hope in her heart, Cecilia spotted Lord Kaloch in the market square, surrounded by his guards. She ran towards him, desperate for assistance and support. Her face was pale with worry, and her eyes were filled with tears as she cried out for help.

However, as she approached, Lord Kaloch's well-trained and vigilant guards promptly blocked her path, forming an impenetrable barrier. The leader of the guards, an imposing man in gleaming armor, sternly challenged Cecilia, "Halt, young lady! What do you think you're doing?"

Cecilia tried to explain in a hurry, "Please, sir, my brother has been missing for two days, and I have no news of him. I need Lord Kaloch's help to find him. He is all I have!"

The guards looked at each other with suspicion, but Cecilia's anguished expression was so sincere that they hesitated for a moment. Finally, the leader of the guards looked at Lord Kaloch, who watched the scene with interest.

The lord gave a nod of permission, and the guards opened a gap in their formation. Cecilia approached Kaloch, whose eyes met hers, examining her with a keen gaze. He seemed intrigued by her determination.

Cecilia, breathing a sigh of relief at having made it past the guards, pleaded with Kaloch, "Please, my lord! I don't know who else to turn to. My brother is all I have, and I fear something terrible has happened to him. You are the only one who can help us!"

The leader of the guard, David, looked at Cecilia with suspicion and, in a discreet gesture, whispered in Lord Kaloch's ear. Meanwhile, a young girl, unrelated to the situation, was passing through the market.

Suddenly, something peculiar happened. One of the guards shouted, "I've found the thief!" Everyone in the market square turned to the young girl, whose eyes widened in surprise and confusion.

Cecilia, realizing what was happening, looked on in astonishment. She didn't know why the girl was being accused of theft, but confusion quickly spread through the crowd.

The accused girl, her expression a mix of confusion and fear, wasted no time. As soon as she saw the crowd parting to create a path, she started a desperate run through the market. Her agility was remarkable, and she moved with determination, skillfully dodging obstacles in her path.

The guards, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, quickly refocused and began to chase her. Some ran after her, while others tried to block her way. The young thief displayed exceptional skills in her attempt to escape, leaping over crates of goods, slipping between vendors' stalls, and knocking over merchandise in her path to slow down her pursuers.

Confusion reigned in the market, with merchants and customers watching the scene in bewilderment. The thief seemed to be one step ahead of the guards at every moment, her surprising agility challenging their attempts to capture her. The crowd followed the turmoil, with some spectators curious and others afraid to get involved.

Meanwhile, Lord Kaloch remained in his place, observing the pursuit with interest. His face revealed a mix of fascination and contemplation, as if he were evaluating the thief's skills and the determination of the guards.

The young thief, no older than ten winters, found herself cornered, panting and exhausted, as Lord Kaloch's guards closed in on her. Her admirable resistance had reached its limit, and she was finally captured.

Lord Kaloch, intrigued by the girl's determination and skills, approached her. With a compassionate look, he asked gently, "What is your name, young one?"

The girl, named Joanna, looked at him in surprise and shock. She replied with a trembling voice, "Joanna, sir."

Lord Kaloch, studying her closely, noticed something that surprised him. Joanna did not have the neck tattoo that was a common mark among the citizens of his territory. He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the unexpected discovery. "You're not a citizen of my domain, Joanna. Where do you come from?"

Before Joanna could respond, a sudden commotion broke out nearby. A seasoned thief, an unexpected ally, appeared like lightning, breaking through Lord Kaloch's guards. He advanced towards the captured girl, with a complicit look that indicated he was there to help her.

Confusion reigned, with the guards struggling to contain the sudden turn of events. The skilled thief provided a valuable distraction, allowing Joanna to escape from their clutches and run towards freedom. Once again, the girl demonstrated her agility and determination, seizing the opportunity and disappearing into the bustling streets.

As Joanna escaped through the crowded streets after her accomplice's help, the latter, unfortunately, was not as lucky. He had broken through the line of Lord Kaloch's guards, but in his audacious rush, he ended up captured by the relentless leader of the guards, a man of great skill and cunning.

The accomplice, exhausted and breathless, found himself surrounded by a group of guards led by the chief of the guard. The soldiers' gleaming armor reflected the sunlight, creating an imposing and intimidating scene. The chief of the guard, a tall and imposing man with a sharp gaze, observed the captured thief with a severe expression.

The accomplice, realizing that capture was inevitable, maintained his determination and a firm posture. He stared at the chief of the guard with fearless eyes, silently challenging him, even in the face of imminent defeat.

The chief of the guard approached slowly, exuding authority and power. He examined the accomplice with meticulous attention, like a predator assessing his prey. With an imperative gesture, he signaled to the guards to restrain him.

The guards acted efficiently, immobilizing the accomplice and detaining him. They confiscated the thief's belongings and kept him under constant surveillance, ensuring he would not escape again.

The chief of the guard looked deeply into the eyes of the captured thief and declared firmly, "You have broken the law in my territory, and now you will face the consequences. Tell me, thief, what brought you here, and why were you helping the young girl who escaped?"

The accomplice, with a determined expression, replied, "I can't tell you! My actions are my own, and my loyalty is to my principles! No matter what happens, I won't betray my comrades!"