Thank Goodness the Pickpocket Knows Some Things

Vynn pushed through the group of men, while Vallum walked around them.

"This city seems to be full of scum, so I'll let you do as you do, but you can't keep doing that when we go to more controlled places." Vallum looked at the new pouch of coins that Vynn held.

"Be a dear and shut up," She tossed him a coin, "Just be glad I am joining you on your witch-hunt."

"Kenra is not a witch," Vallum sounded agitated, "Let's get out of this dump of a city before those roaches from the inn decide to hunt us down."

So far, Vallum thought that his dreams to go to the mountains, instead of being like the others and wanting to go to the cities, was a great choice. Vynn was in front of him, walking backwards, she was staring at his face aside from the occasional glance behind her.

"You know, who did you say that this girl of yours is with?" She asked.

"She left the village with a man from the Court of the... Night." Vallum finished reluctantly.

"Ah, so... she is a witch." Vynn laughed. She tossed another coin at him, "Don't be mad. I am just teasing. We'll find your sweetheart," she said dramatically.

"Is this what you stole from that little kid back there?"

"Money is money," She shrugged.

"He was blind." Vallum disagrees.

"Not even the ones with good eyes see it coming. He was at no disadvantage."

"What? No. This isn't a sport. He was blind. He has no way of working, or stealing for that matter, so now he has no way of buying what he needs."

"You'd be surprised," Vynn turned around so she her back was to me, "It is embarrassing to admit, but he took more from me than I did from him." She spread her arms wide, "I saw you sleep a giant with a single uppercut, I don't think you should be one to judge by appearances."

"You heard the man. He said I was strong and well-toned."

"He was talking himself up, hoping that the slavers he was going to sell you to would pay well."

Vallum faltered and his eyes widened, "Slavers?"

"Ha! You actually thought that he was going to turn you into a servant? I didn't know that you actually needed me. It won't be easy to pay back whatever debt you think I have incurred if you are that ignorant."

"Whatever," Vallum rolled his eyes. Shortly after he spoke, they reached the city limits and passed through the gates.

Vynn looked back at the city as they moved further away from it. "Good riddance!" She turned around sharply and took some very deliberate steps away from the city, "You probably should have asked around for information on the Court of the Night while we were still in the city. We are just walking around blind right now."

Vallum shrugged, "That city was an awful place. If the Court of the Night has roots there then I need to be much more concerned for Kenra."

Vynn looked at Vallum, completely flabbergasted, "Do you plan on speaking to the cows to find out where she is? Or do you plan on stumbling right into their base of operations? You have to find information about things, by asking people who know about things, not the things themselves."

"I hear that big cattle shows will have court magicians that can use their magic to communicate with cows, so that the sales go smoother." Vallum said thoughtfully, "I wonder if Kenra will be able to do that."

"I am sure she will, but you will never see her do it. You'll have your head stuck in the sand, trying to figure out if the Court of the Night is camped out down there."

"You say hurtful things sometimes," Vallum said.

"Fine. You can have your wallet back," Vynn tossed him his coin pouch.

"You- when?"

Vynn winked and gave him a mischievous smile.

They traveled on the road, making whatever turns they felt like and stopped at the first city they found. Traveling took them most of the day, so the daylight was starting to wane.

"We have enough for a nice meal," Vynn unconsciously placed her hand on her stomach.

"This is why you are homeless." Vallum retorted, "You are supposed to spend the least amount of money possible, not buy the biggest steak you can find when you make some coin."

"If I couldn't eat well then why collect all this coin?"

"You know what? I do-" Vallum is interrupted by a voice as soon as they enter the city.

"Young man! Leave the lady here and come with me to my house. I would like to put those big muscles to use." An older lady in a small outfit called to Vallum.

"There's trouble?" Vallum's mind sprung into action, "Vynn, you stay here and I'll-" Once more, Vallum was cut off, but this time it was because Vynn got behind him was using both arms to push him down the street.

"Nope," She said, grunting from the effort of pushing him along, "That was a prostitute."

"A pro- Wait, you mean..." Vallum's face goes a bit red.

"Yeah, that is exactly what I mean, young man." Vynn laughed.

"So," Vallum hurried to change the subject, "Where do you think we could find out more about the Court of the Night?"

"Not that I have ever been in one, but maybe we could check the libra-" This time it is Vynn's turn to be interupted.

"Young lady! Leave that boy and come let me show you what a real man is like. I would like to put that body to use." A man in his twenties called out.

Vynn bit her lip and looked at Vallum, "I'll be back in a bit," she said before walking over to the man. Vallum moved faster than she could, and the man was out cold before she made it.

"Scum," Vallum spat, "I saw that look in your eye. I know you were just after his coin, but I'd rather you take it off of his unconscious body."

"You are no fun, farmer boy." Vynn smiled at Vallum as she retrieved the man's coin purse.

"Sadly, I don't think the library will be any better," Vallum said glumly, and they started walking.