Bowstring

7 - The Banker Does Not Bugger Off

"Ehhh?"

She found his mocking expression inexcusable, and she would have burned him if it were not for the accumulating spectators in the perimeter that she only realized now. They are still on the streets, after all.

"Isn't it because you're trying to uncover the spreading blight that you are being attacked?"

The issue was that big? She contemplated. "I have not even started the investigation."

Seth's instruction was only to collect names to fill the list. It was not specified that she should dig deeper, and she is not planning to analyze either unless Seth says it.

But it was also clear that the aggression was intended for her because she is the only one receiving the assault, even if Laska is concretely present.

"But it is also possible," Laska continued, "that you have angered someone which triggered the attack on you? I won't doubt it. You are kind of irascible. You might have lashed out your irritation to them."

She would doubt it. It is not occasional that she flogs a considerable amount of insolence to obstinate schoolmates, rather frequent.

"As you can see," she started, "I'm a Fire Weaver, and I doubt if they are stupid enough to mess with me."

"Well, stubbornness often begets preposterous actions."

She noticed that he was rather unmoved of her being a sorcerer, which he seemed to have expected before she showed the prowess. The bank did not require inputs from the clients if they are sorcerers or mundane, so his reaction is kind of puzzling. But if she had to consider his profession, a guarantor would inspect the capacity of the client to pay. It will not be a wonderment if he found her to be a sorcerer as he checked her status.

But really... what will make him stop inviting me?

"Hey, missy," someone called. "What are you going to do about this?"

Both of them turned to the man who spoke amid the crowd. He was standing near the broken stall where the squash landed a while ago. His merchandise, composed mainly of food, was already on the ground, and only a few can be salvaged.

His face is already red with anger, and that rage is clearly directed at her.

"It's not us, as you can see," Corel said.

"Don't involve us with whatever fight you have. Firstly, pay me!"

"What?!" she also burst into annoyance. "Didn't you see that I am also hurt? I don't even have an idea of why they were attacking us. Why would I pay you?"

"I don't care! Just pay me." The vendor raised his hardened open palm.

"Ask them!"

"Well, well..." Laska stood between them. "I'm really sorry about the commotion, mister. But the truth is, we don't know these men. If you want, we can tie them so you can ask the compensation from them the time they wake up."

"You sure they have the coins to pay me?"

"Ehhh?" Laska released a smile of disbelief. "If they don't, isn't it right to take their possessions until you're satisfied?"

It made the man pause for contemplation. "Right..."

"So we'll be doing this. We'll tie him up, while you get anything you can salvage from your stall. You'll let us leave, and you ask for their payment the time they wake up. Or you'll report them to the authorities, and you'll still be paid fairly."

"Alright..."

Laska fetched a rope from his satchel and started tying first the man who was lying face down.