Chapter Text
“Thief!” A merchant yelled, “Stop that thief!”
Cyno didn’t bother looking back. He vaulted over a stack of woven baskets, aiming for a spice cart to land on. A cloud of cinnamon blew up, temporarily hiding him from sight. Somewhere behind him, armoured boots pounded against the ground of Sumeru City.
“He’s headed towards the Baazar!” Someone yelled.
Cyno slid under the legs of a camel, its owner cursing. He grabbed a silk that was pulled taut between two arguing merchants and used it to swing himself up to the low roof of a building.
A woman screamed, “Robber!”
“Actually, I’m a thief.” Cyno clarified, “Two different crimes. Hope this helps.”
One of the Corp of Thirty men threw a spear at him. He grabbed it before it hit his face and used the hilt to vault across the other side of the street.
Pain shot through his limbs as he landed, the hot sandstone scraped the palms of his hands.
Shouts grew closer again, too close for Cyno’s comfort.
The Corp of Thirty people walked up the stairs to the roof, weapons pointed at him. He held his hands up, “Gentlemen, gentlemen, don’t you think you’re overreacting just a tad. I mean it was just a little piece of bread, and you wouldn't want me to starve, right?”
The head of Corp of Thirty said gruffly, “You’re coming with us.”
“Yeah?” Cyno put his weight on the bottom of the spear he had thrown at him, picking it up at the head. He held out two fingers, “Why won’t you try that out?”
The guards lunged at him at all sides. Cyno jumped up in the air vaulting with the spear, leaving the guards all tangled up in one big pile where he had just been.
He chuckled, “Next time, look up.” He ran across the roofs, his leg throbbing with every step. At a drop-off, he jumped out, landing on an awning before sliding down in a crowded alley.
It crashed under his weight, he landed hard on his side. He quickly stood up and took a few deep breaths in. He kept on running.
“Seal the alleys! Split the Market!”
Cyno looked around, the chaos that used to assist him played against him now. His eyes narrowed on a small service channel that was covered up by a piece of fabric. It was only wide enough for one person. One thing about not eating was you could fit into even the small cracks.
He ran inside, his leg felt every pebble underneath him like a stab of a knife.
“He went inside there! Catch him!”
One grabbed his wrist, “Got you, street rat.”
He tugged, “No, let me go.”
“We’re taking you to the Academiya, you’ll be plenty well-fed in solitary confinement.”
Cyno used one last bout of strength to pull his wrist away, sliding back across the rough ground and rocks to the end of the passageway. The setting sun hitting his face.
He looked down around him, he was surrounded by beautiful, exotic plants.
“Excuse me, who are you supposed to be?”
Cyno looked up at the person standing above him, he had a green bob and a pair of ears that twitched randomly, “I’m in trouble. That’s who I am right now.”
“Well, hello In Trouble,” The man said, looking at this leg, “You’re injured.”
“Yeah, thanks for that. I totally didn’t realize that already.” Cyno’s eyes darted towards the passage, “Look, I don’t know who you are or where I am, but I really need a hand right now. If the Corp of Thirty comes asking for me, buy me some time at least. I’m sorry about the plants.”
Tighnari ordered, “Stand.”
Cyno did so, his leg almost giving out under his weight, Tighnari wrapped his arms around him just long enough where Cyno could steady himself.
Soldiers came crawling out of the passage, they immediately locked eyes with Cyno. Then Tighnari spoke, “You are trespassing on grounds protected by the Academiya, you do not have access to this garden.”
“The boy!” The guard yelled, “Give us the boy!”
Tighnari looked around, “What boy? I fear I do not understand who you are talking about. I suppose something in these flowers is inducing delusions, so again I am going to request that you leave.”
“Step aside, forest keeper. That’s a direct order.”
Tighnari answered calmly, “You are currently approaching a restricted botanical containment zone managed under the Akademiya’s jurisdiction. If you proceed any further, you will be considered contaminated and I will be forced to remove you.”
Cyno swallowed, he didn’t know who this botanist was, but he certainly didn’t want to be on his bad side.
The guard grumbled, “Whatever, I don’t have time for this. I’m reporting this to the Akademiya, you know!”
“Very well. I have no doubt on whose word they will believe to be true.”
The guards left, Tighnari led Cyno to a small table, “I’m going to wrap this, then you are going to leave. That is not to be discussed any further. You best not do any strenuous physical activities until you can see a doctor or it heals on its own.”
“Alright.”
Tighnari worked quickly, then he stood up, “I’m done. If you are fortunate enough, I will never have to see you again. Though I am curious why the Corp of Thirty were after you…”
“I stole a few things.”
Tighnari looked up at him, “I doubt they would mobilize almost half of the available guards because you stole a few things.”
“You’re right, it was more than that.” Cyno admitted.
Tighnari finished the wrap, “I have no place to judge, I don’t know you or what your situation is. I’m done, I trust you can find your way out?”
He nodded, “Yeah, thanks.”
Tighnari stood up, “Do try not to step on the plants.”
Cyno looked behind him, “That’s what you’re worried about?”
“Yes.” Tighnari answered, “Now go, keep your head low. The palace has been in an uproar lately.”
Cyno asked, “Why?”
He answered, “We’ve been receiving royal families and delegations all week. The Sultaness’ heir has yet to choose his suitor.”
Cyno noted, “Sounds miserable.”
“For everyone involved.” Tighnari said dryly.
“Thanks, for all of this.”
Tighnari held his hand up, “I hope, for your sake, we never meet again.”
Cyno walked out of the garden, no idea where he was headed.