Executor Secundus Elise arrives in the town of Al Bawaba, accompanied by her hostile trainer, Executor Majoris Kaalaas. While they head into the town to seek out the authorities, a street urchin attempts to steal Elise's coinpurse … and while Elise is distracted to deal with this threat, another thief steals her sword! Kaalaas catches the girl who attempted to steal Elise's purse, but – despite throwing a dagger after him – the thief who took Elise's sword gets away. Kaalaas seems only amused by Elise's humiliating setback, but they take their prisoner on to the town hall.