Chapter 45 A Chance Encounter

### Chapter 45: A Chance Encounter

The bustling streets of Salevo were alive with the chatter of merchants, the clinking of coins, and the aroma of roasted meats. Trill moved purposefully through the crowds, his satchel filled with neatly labeled vials of potions and elixirs. His stop at the alchemist guild earlier had gone smoothly this time, and he was looking to unload his wares at local stalls for a tidy profit.

As he finalized a sale with a jovial merchant, a familiar voice called out.

"Master Trill! A surprise to see you here among the common market folk," Vas A. Belich greeted, his tone laced with amused condescension.

Trill turned to see the young noble striding toward him, his pristine attire standing out among the crowd. "Vas," Trill replied curtly.

"You wound me with your indifference," Vas said, though his smile remained unshaken. "Fate has brought us together once more, and perhaps for a good reason. Tonight, the city holds a rather exclusive auction. It's a rare opportunity to acquire some of the finest treasures the realm has to offer—items that even you might find useful."

Trill raised an eyebrow. "An auction?"

"Indeed. Only the wealthy, the powerful, and the well-connected are invited. Luckily for you, I happen to have an invitation." Vas's smirk grew wider as he pulled a gilded card from his pocket.

Trill hesitated, his practical instincts battling with his curiosity. "Fine," he said at last. "But don't expect me to play nice with your noble friends."

Vas laughed. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it."

---

The auction hall was an opulent spectacle of wealth and power. High arches adorned with intricate carvings framed the space, and chandeliers of enchanted crystal bathed the room in a warm, golden glow. Rows of plush seats were arranged before a raised stage, where items of incredible rarity were displayed.

Trill felt out of place among the lavishly dressed nobles and seasoned adventurers. Even the mercenaries in attendance seemed to have polished their armor for the occasion.

As the auction began, Trill found himself engrossed in the array of rare alchemical ingredients and seeds on offer. With Vas's encouragement, he successfully bid on several lots, including a pouch of crimson moonflower seeds, a vial of distilled storm essence, and a bundle of frostbloom petals.

"Impressive haul," Vas remarked as Trill sat back after his latest win.

"I know what I need," Trill replied, his attention shifting back to the stage.

Toward the end of the auction, the atmosphere grew tense with anticipation. The auctioneer, a flamboyant man in a deep red suit, stepped forward with a flourish.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the final item of the evening," he declared. "A treasure of unimaginable value: an ancient scroll said to contain lost knowledge of the elemental arts!"

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The scroll was encased in a protective glass tube, its surface glowing faintly with runes.

Trill's gaze flicked to the shadows high above the stage. His sharp eyes caught movement—a figure perched silently on a roof beam, shrouded in darkness.

The bidding began, and numbers soared into the stratosphere. Trill's attention, however, remained on the shadowy figure.

As the auctioneer called out the highest bid, the figure moved. With a fluid grace that defied detection, it leapt from the beam, landing silently on the stage.

The room erupted in chaos as the thief snatched the scroll and darted for the nearest exit.

"Thief!" someone shouted.

Guards surged forward, but the figure was too quick, slipping past them with ease. Trill's breath caught as the figure briefly turned, the glow of the chandelier revealing a detail that made his blood run cold.

Ram horns curled from the thief's head.

For a moment, Trill was frozen, his mind racing. Could it be?

"Excuse me," he muttered to Vas, who was still recovering from the shock. Without waiting for a response, Trill pushed through the panicked crowd and gave chase.

---

The streets of Salevo were a labyrinth, but Trill was relentless. The thief's agility was extraordinary, darting over rooftops and leaping between buildings with uncanny ease.

"Stop!" Trill shouted, his voice echoing through the night.

The thief glanced back, and for an instant, Trill thought he saw a flicker of recognition in their eyes.

The chase led to the city's outer wall. The thief paused briefly on a rooftop, their silhouette stark against the moonlight. Trill seized the moment, summoning vines from his palm to ensnare the figure's legs.

The thief twisted in mid-air, slashing through the vines with a blade of glowing green energy. They landed lightly on the edge of the wall, preparing to leap into the wilderness beyond.

"Wait!" Trill called, his voice laced with desperation. "Who are you?!"

The thief turned, their face still hidden in shadow, but Trill could see the horns clearly now. They hesitated, as if considering his question, then spoke in a voice that was low and rough.

"You already know," the thief said before vanishing over the wall.

Trill stood frozen on the rooftop, his heart pounding. The implications of the encounter were staggering.

Whoever that thief was, they had answers. Answers he desperately needed.