The morning sun cast golden streaks through the windows of Maglina's inn, illuminating the wooden floors with a soft glow. Solis and Vaidya had been searching tirelessly for the satchel, scouring the inn's surroundings, peering under bushes, and scanning the dusty road leading to the village center. Despite their efforts, there was no trace of it.
"It has to be here somewhere," Vaidya muttered, raking his hands through his already messy hair. His usual composure was gone, replaced by frustration and anxiety. "I always keep my satchel close! How could this happen?"
Solis, searching near the inn's entrance, sighed. "Let's not panic just yet. We'll find it."
Just as Solis was kneeling by a patch of shrubs, Ada appeared, stretching her arms above her head. She approached them with a cheerful voice broke through the morning stillness. "Good morning, boys!" carrying a wooden training sword slung across her back.
Then she stopped, taking in the sight before her—Vaidya rummaging through a bush with an increasingly frustrated expression, while Solis studied the area with sharp eyes. She arched an eyebrow. "Umm... did I miss something?"
Vaidya sighed, standing up. "My satchel's been stolen," he said in exasperation.
Ada's eyes widened. "What?! How could you lose something so important?"
"I didn't lose it. Someone took it!" Vaidya snapped, agitation clear in his voice.
Ada placed her hands on her hips. "Great. And what exactly was inside?"
Vaidya groaned. "Postknight Scrolls, health potions, an energy-boosting potion, and some gold coins. Everything!"
Ada smacked her forehead. "You had our mission supplies in there too? Oh, gods."
"Okay, okay, let's calm down," Solis interjected before their bickering escalated. "We need to focus on finding it."
With that, the three of them resumed the search, combing through every possible hiding spot.
---
Two hours later, they were slumped in the dining area of Maglina's inn, exhausted and empty-handed.The search had yielded nothing, and frustration was setting in. Vaidya drummed his fingers against the table while Ada tapped her foot impatiently.
"This is pointless," Ada grumbled. "We've looked everywhere."
Vaidya slumped forward, resting his head on the table. "I can't believe this is happening…"
Ada tapping her foots impatiently scowls at Vaidya. "You were so careless. How does one even let something like that get stolen?"
Vaidya shot her an irritated glare. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ada. Next time, I'll chain it to my wrist, shall I?"
Solis sighed, rubbing his temples. "Enough. We're not going to find it by arguing."
At that moment, Maglina approached their table with her usual gentle smile. "You three seem troubled. Is everything alright?"
Solis looked up. "Actually, no. Vaidya's satchel was stolen, and we haven't been able to find it."
For a moment, Maglina remained composed, nodding in concern. But then Solis noticed a subtle change—her fingers tensed slightly against the fabric of her dress, and she shifted uncomfortably. Her eyes darted away as if deep in thought.
Solis narrowed his eyes slightly. "Ma'am, is there something you want to say? You seem... uneasy."
Maglina hesitated, her lips parting slightly before she could respond.
Before she could answer, a voice rang out from the kitchen.
"I can't prepare lunch without my ladle! That little menace! I swear, if he stole my ladle one more time—"
The trio turned as a woman stormed into the dining area. She was middle-aged, wearing a well-worn apron and an expression of sheer frustration. It was Maren, the inn's chef. Her face red in frustration.
Maglina turned to her. "What happened, Maren?"
Maren threw her hands up. "I'll tell you what happened! That kid stole my ladle again! And you know I can't cook properly without it!"
Maglina sighed. "Calm down, Maren. He's just a child."
Maren scoffed. "Child or not, his kleptomaniac habits are getting out of hand! Either he controls himself, or I'm resigning as chef. I mean it!" She huffed, shaking her head before stomping back toward the kitchen.
Solis exchanged glances with Ada and Vaidya. A thief? Could it be—
Vaidya sat up straighter. "Wait a minute… There's a kleptomaniac in the village?"
Maglina's face paled slightly. "I can explain."
Vaidya crossed his arms. "Please do."
Solis, sensing that Maglina was struggling, intervened gently. "We'd like to hear about this kid. Please tell us."
Maglina sighed, folding her hands in front of her. "His name is Phill. He lost his parents during the dragon invasion six months ago. I took him in and gave him shelter here at the inn. But… he has a habit of taking things."
Vaidya frowned. "By now, we know that problem."
Maglina nodded. "It's not out of malice. It's… an impulse. He doesn't understand why he does it, and when confronted, he gets scared. He's not a bad child. He's just… struggling. It's a mental condition. A compulsion. He doesn't do it with bad intentions."
"That doesn't change the fact that he might have taken my satchel," Vaidya said, his tone firm.
Solis nodded, thinking. He had seen cases like this before—trauma sometimes made people act in strange ways. "Where does he usually go?"
Maglina hesitated for a moment before relenting. "There's a small clearing near the southern edge of the village, close to the old well. He likes to spend time there. I can take you there—"
Before she could finish, Vaidya was already on his feet. "No need. We'll handle it." This was all Vaidya needed from her. A hint where this thief can be.
Ada followed him out the door, but Solis hesitated. He turned to Maglina and said in a gentle but firm voice, "We'll be careful with him. But we need to get the satchel back."
Maglina nodded, watching them leave with worried eyes.
Solis caught up with his friends, his mind replaying the past few minutes. He couldn't help but feel for the boy. Losing one's family in such a tragedy… it was something he understood all too well. But right now, they needed answers. And they were going to find them.