Small Time

Leah was exasperated.

The thief knew she should have stuck by her maxim: 'never steal from wizards.' Yet the money had been too good! If she had been able to pull this job off she would have been set for the next few years.

Unfortunately, she hadn't found the success she wanted.

She had heard of Saira, renowned wizard of Eastvale - Saira the Wise, Saira the Mighty, Saira the Dread, depending on who you asked. It was also known that she was in possession of more than a few magical artefacts - powerful items that were the envy of many in the kingdom. That was exactly why Leah had been approached, she was a more than competent thief, and the sting of how this mishap would affect her professional reputation was almost more concerning than how she was going to escape her predicament.

Finding Saira's tower hadn't been the challenge, nor had sneaking in, she was certain she was unseen. However, the thief hadn't accounted for traps of a mystical nature. When she picked the lock on Saira's study, an enchanted trap had been sprung and in a few moments the would-be thief found herself dwindled down to a helpless size.

Whatever enchantments had lay on the door had also roused the attention of Saira herself, and before Leah could try and hide herself, the now towering wizard had discovered her and scooped her up.

It had been more than a day now, and Saira only seemed interested in gloating about her new 'pet' to the humiliated Leah. The thief's accommodation was far from comfortable and the menu was... limited.

"Can you let me go now? I already told you who hired me! Reverse the spell, and you'll never hear from me again!" Came Leah's voice to Saira as she moved about her study. The thief's voice slightly higher pitched now.

"My little bird is so chatty today." Came the wizard's voice, coated in condescension, she was barely paying attention to the shrunken woman.

The thief slumped against the bars of her cage. "Ha ha. Very funny!" She groaned. "Can you at least give me something to eat that isn't old bread?"

Saira smirked back at the thief. "You need your strength, pet."

"For what?!" Leah replied, her voice somewhat whiny.

"I haven't decided yet. Maybe I just want a pet to keep me company, you'd look so cute in a little gown, don't you think?"

Leah swallowed nervously. "...What are the other options?"

Saira grinned. "You were able to find this place, sneak inside, and were only tripped up by my shrinking glyph. I'm mildly impressed, to be honest. Perhaps... I have need of a thief...?"

Leah narrowed her eyes, a smirk on her lips. "I'm sure we could negotiate a discount price for my services too."

Saira smiled. "Such a bold little pet... We'll chat in the morning."

The thief watched the wizard retreat from her study, leaving the shrunken woman alone - certainly, working for Saira was a far more preferable fate than living as her pet.