Dust arose beneath a pair of heavy black boots on a narrow road, leading through the forest. Silent rustling of leaves in the warm breeze was one of the few sounds, along with happily singing birds and the silent steps of a lone traveler.
Aldanith pushed the stray wisp of his white hair behind his pointed ear and pulled the black hood, hiding his head from the sun, into his face. He was boiling in his leather armour, but as always, protection was more important than personal comfort, and he kept walking with long steps, passing through the forest. It will be soon dark, the air will cool down, and he will get to Ketra in a matter of few hours, if he will keep up this speed.
The rays of sunlight made their way through the leaves every now and then, giving them a lively green shine, and a sole beam fell upon the ground only every so often, enlightening the air with the warm light of a summer afternoon. The dark elf kept on walking, occasionally wiping the sweat from his skin, when he came upon an unusual sight...
A huge man, stretched beneath a tree. Aldanith, currently with only a few coins in his pouch, stopped to hide in a shadow of a nearby tree, and scanned the figure with his keen eyes. That man may have had some money, and he may not, but he appeared to be fast asleep, and Aldanith wanted to sleep on a better place than a dirty room in a cheap inn. In the end, what could happen? Big men are rarely fast, unlike him, and he could sneak into his pockets without the snoring giant even noticing his nimble hands.
He walked closer, carefully stepping onto the grass without making a sound, and bowed to search the man's bag. There was nothing but a few copper coins... He hissed with bitter disappointment and turned to the giant himself. Maybe he kept his money in his pockets instead of the bag.
A slender hand, covered by a fingerless gauntlet, slipped into the man's pocket and searched it for anything valuable. There was a money bag... Excellent. However, it appeared empty. Another sigh escaped from Aldanith's mouth, and he begun browsing another pocket.
A loud sound, emerging from the trees above, suddenly rang through the air. Aldanith flinched, accidentally poking the sleeping man with his hand, and as he quickly stood up and backed out, looking around himself in horror.
If I woke him up now, I'm in deep shit. For the sake of the gods, I damn hope he's still asleep. he cursed in his mind, staring at the man.