"Watch where you're going!" the tallest of them demanded, straightening his expensive jacket with exaggerated care. "Can't you see who you're bumping into?"
The white-haired man remained calm, his head tilted slightly. "Actually, no. I cannot."
"Oh, what's this?" Another of the group stepped forward and started mocking the man. "A blind villager? Did you take the wrong road while trying to find your village? How did you even pass the guard? Maybe you can't see, but I am sure they can."
All three men laughed at the mockery, but the man remained calm.
"I believe I am exactly where I need to be," the white-haired man replied calmly, his voice cold. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
The first man blocked his path. "Not so fast. This sort of disrespect could get you banned from the city, you know. Though perhaps we could overlook the incident... for suitable compensation."
Heron's blood started to boil. I can't just sit here and watch them bully the blind man.
Setting down the pastries, he stood and approached the group.
"Funny," Heron said, loud enough to draw attention from nearby tables. "From where I was sitting, it looked like you three deliberately bumped into him."
The tallest turned, sizing up Heron with a dismissive glance. "This doesn't concern you."
"No," Heron cut him off. "You listen. I saw you deliberately walk into him. Is this how city folk show their superiority? By harassing the injured?"
The tall man smirked. "Another villager approaching to rescue? Guess you both should be taught some respect."
The white-haired man's head tilted slightly at Heron's words, his expression remaining impassive behind the bloodstained wrappings. "Your concern is appreciated," he said calmly, "but unnecessary." He turned toward the three harassers, reaching for a coin pouch at his belt. "How about I pay you for both of us, and we forget this unfortunate incident ever occurred?"
"Don't," Heron stepped forward. "They orchestrated this whole thing. You don't owe them anything."
The tallest man's attention shifted entirely to Heron now, eyes narrowing. "You should follow your friend's lead here. You must be quite new if you don't understand how things work in these parts."
"Oh, I understand perfectly," Heron replied. "Three men preying on someone they think can't defend himself. That's all I need to know."
The second man cracked his knuckles. "Careful, boy. That mouth of yours better be as fast as your fists if you keep this up."
"Is that a threat?" Heron's hand moved into a fighting stance, causing several café patrons to push back their chairs in alarm.
The third man lunged forward, but before anyone could land a punch, a sharp whistle cut through the tension.
"What's all this then?" A patrol officer emerged from the crowd, her uniform bearing the insignia of Jamtara's city guard. Two more guards flanked her, hands resting casually on their weapons. "Starting a fight in a public place? That's a serious offense."
The tallest of the three harassers immediately straightened, smoothing his jacket. "Officer, thank the Creators you're here. These villagers were causing a disturbance. When we tried to explain proper city etiquette, this one," he gestured at Heron, "began making threats."
"That's not what happened," Heron protested. "They were trying to extort money from us."
"Silence," the officer cut him off sharply. "I've seen enough of your kind causing trouble." She turned to the three city men. "Do you wish to press charges?"
"Wait," Heron tried again, "they're lying. I saw them deliberately—"
"One more word," the officer warned, "and we'll remove you by force."
Heron's jaw clenched in frustration. Then he remembered Haran's words about the pendant, which he also carried by his side. His hand moved to his shirt, where the Bratti family crest hung against his chest.
"Actually," he said quietly, withdrawing the pendant, "I think you should see this first. I tried to avoid publicizing myself, but I am the son of a merchant who came here with some exotic offers."
The officer paused, eyes narrowing as she looked at the crest. She stepped closer to examine it, her stern expression wavering.
"Hmm, your clothes don't match your social status. You sure you didn't steal it?" she said, her tone less hostile, but she was suspicious.
No, backing out now. I should make something up. Heron thought.
"Actually, I dressed like this while exploring the city, not to get attention drawn to me. But then I saw these ruffians attacking this villager, and I decided to intervene. I know villagers are not worth our time, but this one is clearly damaged." He pointed at Icarus's face. "We are citizens, but we shouldn't turn into monsters. I also heard from merchant circles that Jamtara has been struggling with supply and demand due to fewer village resources. So is this the message you are willing to send to your suppliers? That is just bad business."
The officer nodded as she listened to him. "You do have a point. It would set a bad precedent if we started to harass the villagers when these are trying times."
The three harassers shifted uncomfortably, their confidence beginning to fade.
The officer glanced at the white-haired man, who had remained eerily still throughout the exchange. "So, is this citizen correct about the situation?"
Before the white-haired man could respond, the tallest of the three spoke up, his tone measured and reasonable. "Officer, there seems to be a misunderstanding. We noticed this gentleman appeared lost, and as we approached to offer assistance, an unfortunate collision occurred. We were merely trying to help when this young man," he gestured dismissively at Heron, "started making accusations and threats."
"Indeed," added the second man. "We're well-known in this district. Would we risk our reputations trying to extort money in broad daylight?"
The white-haired man tilted his head slightly. "They did approach me," he confirmed, his tone neutral. "Though their offer of 'assistance' came with specific demands."
"Watch your words," the third man warned, then quickly caught himself as the officer's eyes narrowed. "I mean... we were simply trying to help. Unfortunately, our good intentions were so badly misconstrued."
The first man jumped back in. "Yes, we did ask a fee for our time. As you can see, this person has a disability. But, as he is not a city resident, we couldn't really give up our time without compensation."
The officer sighed. "If all of you disband and go separate ways, we will overlook this. And for you three."
Three men looked at her with faces cracked. "You'd better not try to pull these kinds of stunts in this district again."
The white-haired man turned to leave, but before he could disappear into the crowd, Heron called after him. "Wait! Are you sure you're alright?"
The man paused, his head turning slightly. "As I said before, your concern is unnecessary." Without another word, he merged into the flow of pedestrians, leaving Heron to wonder about the strange encounter.