You walk along with the rest of the patrol, listening to the quiet conversations and perhaps not 
paying as much attention to the surroundings as you should. A loose stone causes you to stumble, 
setting your armour to jingling. You fight to stay upright, the clanking metal the only thing 
cutting through your concentration.

The paving in this part of the city has been in need of repair for years. It's not the most 
coveted of patrol routes but that's why you volunteered for it; better to be where you're needed 
than to have a cushy job.

You become aware of the sound of a woman in distress, too far away as yet to be able to make out 
individual words, mixed with a man shouting what can only be abuse from the tone. You rush towards 
the noise as fast as you can, glad that the years haven't slowed you down too much.

"You damned whore! If you won't give me what I want, that brat of yours will do!" Through the window 
you see the man smack the woman across the face, knocking her to the floor, while a girl of perhaps 
ten years of age cowers in a corner by the bed. Without thinking you turn without stopping, 
shoulder-barging the door; the cheap lock splinters from the woodwork and the door smacks into the 
man, sending him sprawling to the floor.

Unable to stop in time you trip on top of him; he absolutely reeks of stale beer. He tries to hit 
you but you block him; the tussle rolls first one way then the other, stopping you from using your 
mace. The woman crawls over to the girl and hugs her tightly, sheidling her from the fight even as 
she watches it in fear. The pair of you roll near to the fire. Freeing a hand, you snatch a pan 
from a hook and bring it down on his head. It's just enough; his eyes roll back and he collapses 
limply.

You haul yourself to your feet, ready to read him his rights and drag him off to jail as he deserves. 
The woman releases the little girl and steps over. "My hero!" she cries and envelopes you in a hug, 
the sound of her jewellery jangling in your ears. Before you can protest she kisses you long and hard, 
the jangling even louder; you open your eyes in the midst of the patrol.