《Veracity: A Tale of Seven Sins》 001 - [Rhys] - Meeting ¡°Turn around boy.¡± The boy¡¯s eyes flickered over from the ruined landscape below to look up at the newcomer. ¡®Boy¡¯ may not have been the most accurate term, a short stature was not a fair representative of age. At 19, he was almost a man. Just not in size that is. Careful not to make any sudden movements, Rhys¡¯ gaze rested on the figure standing right next to him. A shiver went down his spine, not because of the rain, no. Rather at the grim prospect that this man, potbellied, bald, and with a squeaky voice to boot ¨C had managed to sneak up on him. ¡°I must be losing my touch,¡± Rhys whispered under his breath. ¡°Whas that?¡± It was never a smart move to sit down on a cliff, feet over the ledge. The atmosphere was serene with the gentle pitter patter of the rain, maybe that was what had lulled Rhys¡¯ senses. And it was ridiculously easy for someone to blindside you. Regardless, if by any chance your typical bad-guy chanced by you unawares, as was quite possible in Soccordia, it was very likely that you would die in this position. ¡°What do you want?¡± Rhys growled reproachfully. Fear, after all, meant nothing when cornered. Nor did that saying about cornered mice often apply, tactical disadvantages were hard to overpower with brute strength. ¡°You¡¯re Rhys, aren¡¯t cha? The kid who¡¯s been gallivanting around stealing from the nobles. That ain¡¯t good for business ye hear me? The Big Boss wants to talk to you ¡®bout that. So follow me.¡± He motioned his hands. Rhys¡¯ attention had drifted back to the view below but at the mention of the ¡®Big Boss¡¯ he reconsidered the scope of his problems. It seemed as if his Robin Hood schemes were getting noticed by the top brass of the underworld, or would it be bottom brass considering it was ¡®under¡¯. Rhys furrowed his brows then quickly remembering his situation, shook his head. Focus, he told himself. This could go two ways, either he had made a good enough impression meriting a chance to move up - or down? - in the world or he had made a spectacular impression, so much so that he had to die. Rhys shuddered at the thought. Regardless, his options were limited. Nobody else here in the capital city was referred to as ¡®Big Boss¡¯ and the title itself was of such a caliber, that while generic, it was not thrown around on a whim. Rhys could refuse to partake in the ¡®conversation¡¯, but this man was your typical lackey and his death probably meant more to Rhys than to the man¡¯s employer. ¡°So, uh¡­¡± The voice broke Rhys¡¯ train of thought. ¡°You comin¡¯?¡± Rhys¡¯ laughed out loud at that in a vague attempt to boost his confidence, there¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to die here. He picked himself up from the ledge and used his hands to wipe away the mud before it crusted over. His shirt was soaked and his short hair did little to stop him from having to squint to get a better look at the stranger¡¯s face but he felt warm inside. It¡¯s show time. The capital, Acedia, which lay at the heart of the Kingdom and continent sought to defy every notion of grandeur the title of a ¡®Capital'' could inspire. Instead of well-ordered streets with unique architecture, markets that enticed citizens of other kingdoms and the ideal populace ¨C Acedia was home to the most decrepit city structure, miserable populace, and instead attracted the worst of the worst. This description would entail that things might possibly be different elsewhere in the Kingdom. Rhys didn¡¯t believe that for a second. Rhys was led through an assortment of narrow pathways that befit the occasion. More than once he cursed silently for losing his focus, after all if things turned sour he would need to be able to find his way back. On either side of the pathways were tall buildings, so called accommodation for the citizens. But the worn bricks and windowless walls betrayed how deprave things really were in the city. Their lacklustre nature made it difficult for Rhys to keep his internal map running. Rhys dismissed the idea of climbing the walls to get away, the rain made sure he did. There are two ways to do well in Soccordia. Either travelling toward the port cities and becoming a fisherman, or by being born in the capital as nobility, which was a matter one did not have a say in. Though there is a third, more frowned upon vocation ¨C larceny. The fact that the average citizen was barely scraping by meant that thieves had to target the nobility. While a few cases here and there did not attract much attention, once the market becomes too saturated things get harder for everyone, which was why Rhys was here he guessed. ¡°Go on inside, the Boss¡¯s waiting for you on the top floor.¡± This building looked less decrepit than the others but Rhys was cautious as he walked up the stairs, taking firm steps to make sure he didn¡¯t slip, all the while keeping an eye out for potential escape routes. After what seemed like forever, he finally made it to the top floor. As expected of a clich¨¦ entrance there were two huge doors in front of him. It was then Rhys realized, It¡¯s way too silent here. The lack of human life, both on the way to this building as well as while climbing the stairs was not something you would expect from the lair of an underworld boss. Unless, this was not his lair. After all, what self-respecting leader would lead an outsider to his base of operations. Rhys sighed to himself, things aren¡¯t that bad yet, he put on a smirk before going on to open the double-doors with as much flair as he could. The room was empty, laid bare except for a huge arm-chair overlooking a window at the end of the room. ¡°Come on inside,¡± the man on the chair spoke, his voice resounding across the room. Rhys almost missed the man, his body dwarfed by the chair he sat on. Rhys walked forward until he was standing an arm¡¯s length in front of the chair, a position that gave him a full view of the man, close enough to throttle him if necessary. The man looked to be in his mid-forties, greying hair, no real characteristic features. Except his eyes, a deep blue that seemed to twinkle. Rhys gauged him, by no means was this man weak, while he did seem to be slightly shorter than Rhys, which was really saying something, the man was rather muscular and his eyes permeated confidence. The self-assuredness that comes with power.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. ¡°Not what you expected eh? Well you aren¡¯t the first. Taking my title quite literally.¡± Rhys looked around, reassessing his surroundings once more before speaking. ¡°Uh, why am I here Mr. Big Boss sir,¡± Rhys asked as politely as he could, the sarcasm dripping off his voice. ¡°Ha, just call me Steve, kid.¡± Rhys¡¯ eyes twitched. Steve? STEVE??? Are you telling me that this man, the one that everyone knows and fears in Soccordia, as he who should not be messed with is named¡­ Steve? The look on his face betrayed his thoughts. Steve laughed before continuing. ¡°Now, as you know, I control everything that goes on in the less than noble corners of Soccordia. The work of individuals like you, isn¡¯t very¡­¡± he paused to look at Rhys. ¡°¡­profitable for my endeavors. Recently though my reputation has begun to precede me. While work here in Acedia has grown stale it hasn¡¯t stopped us from thriving. As such, I do occasionally get contracts for work in the other Kingdoms.¡± Steve picked up a bottle of what seemed to be alcohol from his side and started drinking from it. Rhys considered the consequences of killing this man. The lack of lackeys was probably a statement. One that put Rhys in his place while implying, ¡°at over twice your age, while drunk and quite possibly unarmed I would still kick your ass.¡± ¡°So uh... do I get to live?¡± Rhys was blunt, every moment he was here was one more moment Steve had to size him up. His piercing gaze told him as much and you would not want such a man figuring you out. He put the bottle back down, using the sleeves of his overcoat he wiped his mouth. ¡°Normally yes. Yes I would.¡± His response was equally blunt. Rhys instinctively reached for the dagger hidden behind his back. He stayed his hand with his fingers gently gliding over the hilt of the blade. ¡°And really, it crossed my mind just now. Don¡¯t speak unless I ask you to, kid¡± he emphasized the last bit as he turned back to looking out the window. As if there was anything out there worth looking at, Rhys thought sullenly. And maybe that was the point. ¡°Circumstances do change though, with the number of contracts I¡¯m in the need for more¡­ uh¡­ contractors. The fact that these contracts are out of Soccordia means that turnover between contracts is quite long.¡± Ah, that might explain the rather empty streets. As well as why I could go on about my merry thieving without stirring up a shitfest. ¡°So here we are, me a desperate starry-eyed man trying to make ends meet. And you, a boy looking for a chance for change.¡± He looked at me and winked. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Starry eyed? Was Steve also a pimp by any chance? All these double entendres. ¡°This isn¡¯t a negotiation, and if you¡¯re worried about these overseas contracts being death traps. Well, I am sending you with the best of my own. So you¡¯ll die in good company.¡± You would not work well in a marketing department would you Steve? However, Rhys did flinch at that, his original assumption was that this was going to be a solo gig. After all that was how he operated. Yet, being a part of group especially of renowned thieves provided him with a measure of confidence. Though, should it have? The chance at getting to travel however made Rhys giddy with excitement. The Big Boss turned back to Rhys, and for once he looked his part. His aura seemed to tower over Rhys. He smiled as he spoke. ¡°I do have a condition though, a small job to confirm your qualifications.¡± What is this, a job interview for the dark depths of the underworld? Surprisingly well managed. ¡°One of my men will contact you with the logistics to this particular job soon, keep your eye out for him. He¡­. Likes to play around.¡± What in the seven hells does that even mean... With that Steve got off the chair and looked at Rhys once more in the eyes. Apparently satisfied with whatever he saw he began walking towards the end of the room. ¡°Hey uh¡­ Steve¡­ you forgot your drink?¡± Rhys called out. ¡°Keep it, think of it as a gift.¡± He answered. Rhys wanted to mention how unhygienic it would be for Rhys to drink out of the same bottle, or how bloody ungenerous it was since Steve already drank a good bit of it. But he didn¡¯t, there was little to be gained from such an endeavor. Steve kept walking, just like that towards the end of the room... the one with a fireplace, not the door. Rhys watched nervously, ¡°Hey, look out for¡­¡± Steve passed right through it. ¡°What the hell!?¡± The words came out late, confused, disbelieving. Rhys ran towards the wall and fumbled around looking for a crevice in the wall or a small protrusion or anything that would activate whatever hidden mechanism Steve used. Defeated Rhys stepped back. Perplexed and shocked by the ramifications at what he had witnessed Rhys stepped right back in and inspected the entirety of the wall once more, his hands akin to those that mourned a dropped ice-cream sundae on a warm summer day, hands of resignation After a few minutes, he gave up. Sighing Rhys found his way back downstairs, bottle in hand, without any more surprises. Baldie was gone too, looks like I get to live. Pulling on his memories of the way here and gently tracing his way backwards he found his way to a familiar street. Weaving his way in and out of the dispersing evening crowd to put off any committed pursuers, Rhys began the journey home. It was a lengthy walk, but it did give Rhys time to think about several things. Soccordia was a magical dead-zone, that much was well known. That was how it used to be since the current King came into power and this was a while ago considering Augustus was immortal for all intents and purposes. It also explained the general state of the country. Magic was responsible for the generation of electricity and with it the myriad of technological advances it bought. Without it though, Soccordia was far behind every other Kingdom and its living conditions were¡­ primitive. More relevant however was Steve¡¯s escapade. The stunt he pulled was not magic and the only alternative was a piece of high-tech that let him phase, or teleport or something similar. With this information in mind Rhys reassessed his impression of Steve, access to such technology was not commonplace, as far as Rhys knew it was the first of its kind. Logically, any such individual who did have such great reach should not be trifled with, even more so in Steve¡¯s case considering who he was. The job, that was what took up most of Rhys¡¯ thoughts. He was still conflicted about whether this was the right way to go about things, whether Steve was setting Rhys up to fail - with everything till now being a ruse, was also a possibility. These thoughts clouded Rhys¡¯ mind and while contemplating future decisions is often rational, it does mean that he had forgotten his most valuable tool, his gut. ___________________Interlude________________ ¡°Did you really have to do that?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Steve stopped walking and turned to look at the man. ¡°Using the gate like that would make the boy suspicious no?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, the point was to leave an impression, and boy I think I did.¡± Steve grinned. ¡°As you say, Sir. ¡°Come now, the gears are about to start turning. I would rather you be ready lest we be crushed.¡± ______________________E.___________________ Phew, finally made it back. Doesn¡¯t look like anyone followed me here either. Rhys¡¯ humble abode was situated atop one of many empty buildings towards the outskirts of the town. By some means the roof had caved in in the middle of and created a natural source of ventilation and light within the otherwise confined building. At this moment it was covered, a metal sheet to protect the interior from the rain. Rhys stumbled up to the roof and groaned in exertion as he heaved the metal sheet away. Dusk had rolled by and the pale moonlight that crept in was enough to go by, the rain had stopped so the sky was clear. The day¡¯s ordeals had left Rhys sufficiently tired and while not an early sleeper Rhys decided to indulge himself. Putting together a meal of hard bread and canned beans together from his meager supplies he washed it all down with the drink Steve had given him. I mean he drank from it himself, I suppose this would be okay. And just like that, all too easily, it was lights out. 002 - [Rhys] - Surprises Gah I knew that meal wa- the pressure deepened, so quickly that it caused him to gasp for air. Rhys woke up with a start, his neck craning he ¨C stopped dead in his tracks. That was not the point. He did not voice his elaborate plan however. The air was tense, the man¡¯s nonchalance did little to sooth Rhys¡¯ nerves. After an excruciating period of time that would have bled Rhys to death if it were not for being metaphorical, Rhys spoke. Steve you sly bastard, slipping something in like that you. Definitely pimp material. Steve, huh. He¡¯s gotten awfully chummy with the boss. Joe sighed, the casual blade meets throat encounter was meant as a scare tactic, the boy did not seem to have been affected though. The boss would probably blame Joe for that regardless. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. 53rd Sunday? He perked up the moment he realized. There was one day however. A day celebrated across the Seven Kingdoms. Even in the darkest of lands. A day of new beginnings. then we discuss your employment. based on your performance of course.¡± Of all the places in he world, this one huh? Just like the rain. 003 - [Rhys] - Plans The rain washed away the blood but left Rhys drenched to the bone, and hungry. Should have left the clothes out here and gone back down¡­ Drying himself, Rhys then chose a set of fresh clothes from a neatly stacked pile in a corner of the floor and prepared himself, equipping his gear. Once ready, Rhys began the trek to the Upper City. While guards were posted at the entrance, a mere gate around 30 feet across and 20 feet wide protected the nobility of Acedia from the average Joe. Ha. Yet the natural layout of Acedia was such that the real physical divider between the classes was not man-made but rather natural. The tributary that split apart and surrounded the entirety of the Upper City was wide enough to merit being its own river. Two bridges connected each side of the Lower City to the Upper City, Rhys found himself at one of these bridges after a short walk. Pausing to gather his wits Rhys inspected the vicinity for food-carts. The areas closest to the bridges were the most active. People bustled around attempting to sell their wares, nobility passing through the crowds in their carriages. The sounds were obtrusive but the smells were not. Rhys breathed deeply taking it all in, the breeze keeping him constantly engaged. Sighting a desirable cart, Rhys moved towards it, carrying himself with vigor. Boasting a wide array of fruits, the sweet acidic odor wafting through the air helped Rhys make his decision. ¡°What can I get for you young master?¡± the owner said eagerly. It was rather amazing how far a clean set of clothes an umbrella and an assertive personality got you. Rhys pursed his lips, ¡°give me those two apples.¡± Waving his hand exaggeratively Rhys directed the man to the ones he wanted, nobles were picky like that, Rhys picked up two copper pieces from his pocket and laid it on the cart. The man scampered over to wrap the apples in a piece of cloth, then handed them over to Rhys. His eyes saying one thing, his body another. Now in possession of lunch at a third of the usual price Rhys whistled as he walked towards the bridge. The Upper City was closer to the ideal Capital City but not close enough. Most buildings had a fresh coat of paint, homes were lived in and the nobility indulged themselves. The general state of despair permeated through to the Upper City however. It did not take a keen observer to tell that the people were discontent, while civilians were bustling around, they did so with routine exertion. The kind cultivated over years of uninspiring work, lifeless ¨C without motivation. Even the nobles with all their comforts eventually got bored. After all, as far back as Rhys could remember there were no extraordinary events, no illustrious festivals, nothing to commemorate, not even Augustus deigning to make a speech mentioning the lack thereof, truly empty. Rhys¡¯ cheery expression coupled with his clothes got him past the guards easily, he simply had to state his intentions. Security was lax and considered clothing and confidence over identity. Phew, step one done. Now gotta make my way to the castle. Spending a large amount of time, with all the wrong intentions, in the Upper City, Rhys capably maneuvered himself towards his destination. Nodding at the occasional noble, waving at some others his presence went unsuspected, he was a natural. The castle was a lie. At least it would be a lie to call it one. It was not what anyone would expect by any means. For a castle inspires images of ancient gray walls, tall towers, maybe even battlements. The royal castle of Soccordia was simply a wide estate split away from the rest of the Upper City. As if it magically landed out of nowhere, the castle took none of the features of the surrounding buildings. The walls were high enough to stop a committed straggler, yet nowhere close enough to defend itself from a siege. The estate itself was like a city with in a city, several house-like structures came together to produce a piece of architecture that excelled in not height but width and length. The only building standing out, what looked to be the throne room. Rhys fidgeted with a coin. Imagining himself in their made him anxious, the building had no discerning features, it would be as if he was in a maze. Rhys saw all this from his vantage point close to the castle. Using his false authority and penchant for coming up with elaborate lies, Rhys conned his way up a nearby building. Sweating, Rhys paced the roof, the estate itself was a nightmare for thieves. The lack of regular structure meant that previous notions of guard positioning, room positioning and even the location of the treasury was void. Even with the freedom that Novus might provide him, the little buildings within the estate were identical ¨C and a few hours were not enough to explore the entire area. Factor in a completely mystery security system and Rhys was left brows creased, lips pursed in frustration. Easy huh. For now, taking a pencil out of his pocket as well as a piece of paper Rhys began to sketch a broad outline of the different areas, as well as the few pathways he could discern. Satisfied, Rhys snuck his way back to the entrance before he was called for his ¡®appointment¡¯. Rhys began making his way out of the Upper City, there was little to be done here without more information. Rhys bit down on his apples savagely, the frustration leaking out of his fa?ade drawing in unwanted stares. Unfazed, Rhys made his way out.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Just out the gates Rhys was caught unawares as someone walked into him. Surprised, but quickly regaining his composure Rhys turned towards the man, ¡°Pay attention, scum,¡± he retorted his fist clenched. The man scampered off with a hasty apology, Rhys not wanting to draw any attention decided to not be a drama-queen today. As he walked back into the throes of the Lower City, his garb now completely alienating him from the average person, he was beginning to get a few surprised heads turned his way. Raising his pace Rhys made his way towards a nearby tavern, maybe the one decent place in the Lower City. It was then, HOLY, ¡°SHIT!¡± he exclaimed, the words traveling from mind to mouth as fast as humanely possible. Not at all conspicuously he began rummaging around his numerous pockets to make sure of his belongings. Oh, sweet lord, I really am losing my touch. A quick search revealed that his belongings were intact, especially his coin purse. Rhys flushed when he realized that nearby people were staring at him in confusion. He glared back, as was expected of him. Realizing his outfit was creating more problems than expected, Rhys doubled back to his home. Quickly changing into a less conspicuous outfit, leaving his valuables in their respective pockets in his rush. Putting on a cap Rhys ran back out and did his best to catch up on lost time. Shade¡¯s Tavern was disgusting. Disgustingly good at managing to be a decent, not company wise, place in this shit-hole of a town. Rhys walked in slamming the door open only to be crinkling his nose at whatever 4pm drunkards, puke and blood smelled like. WOAH! Rhys ducked out of the doorway as a man was merciless thrown in his direction. The man, with nothing to shield him was sent a good five feet outside the tavern before crashing, out cold. ¡°Always lookin¡¯ out for my door aren¡¯t you, Rhys?¡± A jovial voice shouted over the remnants of the bar fight. The comment and Rhys¡¯ timely entrance drew a round of cheers from the crowd. Bowing Rhys found his way to the counter. Occasionally being pat on the back and dodging the high-spirited wandering souls that were these drunkards. ¡°Give me something good old man,¡± Rhys said to the man behind the counter. ¡°Yeah, water,¡± his straightforward response drew laughs from the crowd beside the counter. Rhys¡¯ faced flushed red, with an exasperated sigh he replied, ¡°but¡­ but... why?¡± The old man, Shade, the very epitome of shadiness, responded with a twinkle in his eye, ¡°¡¯cos this stuff ain¡¯t good for you. I wouldn¡¯t be caught dead pouring you a drop of death.¡± ¡°Then, these guys?¡± Rhys got up on the counter and waved his hands around pointing to literally everyone in the bar. ¡°Don¡¯t care about this lot, as long as they pay me,¡± Shade shrugged as he spoke. ¡°Come on Shade, make that boy a man,¡± a voice in the crowd called out. All the onlookers paying attention laughed out loud at that, raucous comments always managed to elicit a laugh. Shade humbly laughed along, his hands at work whipping up a sandwich. Delighted at the outcome he placed the sandwich with some apple cider in front of Rhys. ¡°Eat now, we¡¯ll talk later yeh?¡± The old man was the closest thing Rhys had to a friend, or family. He led a humble life as the tavernkeep, earning his due. Brawls were common but largely unlikely to do any real damage. Shade was a good man and good men were rare. Shade¡¯s regulars were a mix of thieves, mercenaries and other unsavories who would break a couple of bones to keep this place upright. While Rhys had enthusiastically eaten the apples to keep his hunger at bay it let loose at the sight of Shade¡¯s wonder sandwiches. With freshly pressed apple cider to wash it all down Rhys momentarily forgot his predicament ¨C the food clouding not just his stomach but also, his mind. As the sun began its merciless retreat the tavern¡¯s attendees rolled out accordingly. After all, a living had to be made. Rhys and Shade were left alone at the counter. ¡°So, what brings you back lad?¡± Shade sparked a conversation while nimbly cleaning his glassware. Rhys looked down and away at that. The last time Rhys was here their conversation had not ended well. Shade felt the need to advice Rhys on his career options, Rhys being as pompous as he was had burst into a tirade on why Shade had better mind his own business. The conversation left Rhys devastated, and Shade equally so. Rhys had not come back since dreading this very confrontation. ¡°I ain¡¯t gonna say anything ¡®bout your job,¡± Shade suddenly said. ¡°I realized I¡¯ve been too presumptuous, can¡¯t really judge you with me catering to all this lot here though.¡± Shade put down a glass and looked at Rhys. ¡°I know you aren¡¯t the kind to scramble back in here apologizing. So, you probably need my help, don¡¯t you?¡± Rhys had eyes wide open and mouth slightly agape by the end of that. Expecting nothing less than Shade to rip him a new one, oh¡­, Rhys was unexpectedly unsure of what to say. His original plan was to convince Shade with his oh-so magical powers of speech to let him go ahead with his career path, before requesting something off him. I guess I skip to part 2. ¡°I uh¡­ have a request. Could you put me in touch with anyone who knows the ins and outs of the castle?¡± Shade raised his eyebrows, his eyes narrowing. ¡°You could get yourself killed y¡¯know?¡± Was his only response. Rhys sighed in defeat, ¡°I know, I know¡­ This job though old man. I can¡¯t say no.¡± Pursing his lips, Shade scratched his beard trying to recall anyone he might know. ¡°This one guy, comes by every other day,¡± he finally said. ¡°I¡¯ll put in a good word for you. Come back here in two days, I¡¯ll get you something to work off.¡± Rhys elated at his prospects got up to hug the old man, though he was not tall enough, making the scene rather familial. Shade smiled as Rhys, a full head shorter wrapped his hand around him. ¡°Now get outta here you rascal. Though¡­ do come back,¡± he said with a twinkle in his eye. Rhys smiled at him and got up to leave. It was late evening now but he decided to take a short break before gallivanting into the night. Going back home he decided to clean out the pockets of his earlier clothes before he misplaced something. Paper, pen, coin purse, lock pick, lighter, paper¡­? ¡°Huh,¡± Rhys exclaimed. Picking out the second piece of paper he opened it carefully to see what was written. It had a drawing on it, akin to the one Rhys had made earlier, except this was much more detailed. Glossing over it he noticed an X marked towards the top left end of the map. Confused, but not entirely unsure of what he held he turned the paper around. Etched in with fine penmanship were three words, Rhys read them out loud. ¡°Logistical support, bitch,¡± Rhys grinned to himself. This keeps getting better and better. 004 - [Rhys] - Samaritan Rhys spent the two days after meeting Shade doing more surveillance on the castle. Picking out the treasury room from the map he was given, then working around possible entrance and exit routes. It was hard to plan around unknown security measures but Rhys factored in the occasional guard, just in case. To keep in touch with his inner thief he spent the nights engaged in bouts of minor larceny, the less reputed nobles were easy prey. His targets, portable valuables, and books. It was how Rhys had taught himself to read and write, as well as educate himself of the basics concerning a myriad of topics. Magic, history, politics, science and occasionally geography, though he despised the subject. The information gained per brain cell wasted was not worth it. With little to do during the day aside from the surveillance Rhys took to the books to keep himself occupied. A prominent thief but not the greatest with people Rhys enjoyed the isolation. By midday Rhys was thoroughly tired. It was a few hours till his meeting with Shade so he took himself out for a walk. The streets were as active as they could be, the people in it were of little interest to Rhys however. Instead he wandered into the buildings. ¡°In a bright blue world, in a far-away land, there lie great beaut- oh shit, excuse me.¡± Rhys quickly shut the door he had opened. Walking into passionate couples was as awkward as it sounded. Somewhat traumatized and more so cautious of his actions Rhys continued roaming around. Looking for nothing in particular his eyes gazed over the grey walls. The occasional piece of graffiti provided life to the city, its vibrant splashes of primary colors resounding across the monochrome structures. Rhys did not travel randomly, he intentionally moved towards parts of the city he had little knowledge of. Paying attention not just to structural layouts but also of the people that lived there he put together mental notes of potential hide outs, escape routes and individuals and their crafts. On one such streets, he came across a mechanic, a lone man on a lone street. The man¡¯s eyes were focused on his craft, paying no heed as Rhys walked up to him. His hands moved swiftly across a device of sorts, the materials he used, a mystery to Rhys. The device was small, almost a toy, it was shaped like a diamond but with a metal rod in the middle. The man efficiently replaced the bolts, and cleaned the gears with some oil. Rhys gaze fixed, leaned forward to get a better look. There was another piece of metal of running through the object, it looked like it could be turned, like a gear. ¡°What is it?¡± Rhys asked curiously. The man looked up at that, his hands momentarily pausing before getting back into work. His attention however seemed to be on Rhys. Well damn, that¡¯s some serious skill there working as fast as he is. ¡°It¡¯s a jackscrew,¡± his response was curt telling Rhys nothing about how the device operated. Before Rhys could come up with a witty retort, they received company, three individuals walked into the otherwise empty street. They were slightly taller than Rhys, clad in jet black jackets with ugly faces to boot. ¡°You gotta leave this place geezer, this here¡¯s part of our territory now.¡± The thug in the middle motioned to his friends and they started moving forward together. Seriously, wannabe thugs are all I need. Next think y¡¯now I¡¯ll kick their asses and the mechanic dude¡¯ll gimme something as a reward. Honor amongst thieves meant something, but these three were not thieves. While the underworld strictly operated against the nobility of Acedia there were a few who preyed on the weak. Which was expected, but infuriating for those who had a shred of decency. Shade¡¯ll be proud of this. ¡°Ho there, wonderbros.¡± Rhys called out, walking ahead to intercept them. ¡°Who the fu-¡° Starting on the one from the left, Rhys kneed him in the crotch before elbowing the thug in the middle. The two men stumbled back in pain, cursing. The third man reacted in turn, drawing a metal stick from heaven knew where, that definitely used to be up his ass. Rhys foresaw the swing and ducked low, before dashing forwards out of the effective range of the weapon. Without any room to maneuver, the man was defenseless against Rhys¡¯ onslaught. Rhys swung at the man¡¯s temple attempting to take him out.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. From behind one of the thugs bashed his legs with a similar stick, Rhys¡¯ leg crumpled and he fell to the ground before he could finish his punch. The defenseless man, eyes wide apart quickly regained his composure and kicked Rhys while he was down. ¡°For fucks sake man, that¡¯ll teach you to mess with us. Jake teach him a-¡± The thug boss crumpled as he was hit by a steel ball, the crunch of bone clear to all those involved. ¡°HOLY SHIT GRE-¡° Down went Jake. The last thug was still kneeling on the floor clutching his crotch in pain. Sighting his companions on the floor, out cold, definitely concussed, and bleeding he picked himself up and ran the hell away. Rhys laid there groaning, until the mechanic came over to help him up. ¡°Rushing three guys wasn¡¯t a smart move,¡± he mumbled. Rhys did not respond, nursing his damaged leg, his pride hurt more than his body. ¡°Now they¡¯ll come back with more. Made the situation worse huh?¡± His words seemed to blame Rhys but his voice was not accusatory. The mechanic sounded resigned, he simply went back to working on his device. After a few minutes Rhys managed to gather himself and get back up. He limped over to the mechanic, those few minutes had given him time to think. ¡°You like the solitude, don¡¯t you? Peace to work on your,¡± Rhys motioned to all the strange devices, ¡°gear.¡± He nodded, not bothering to look up. ¡°I know a similar place, not too cut off from people so you can get whatever you need from them. But secluded enough that you won¡¯t have to look hard to be alone. Doubt you¡¯d deal with thugs like this there, it¡¯s on the other side of the Lower City.¡± Rhys finished his speech and smiled at the man, proud that years of exploring was paying off. The mechanic looked taken aback at that. His eyes showed his eagerness, he got up and started gathering his possessions. It all surmounted to two wooden boxes. ¡°You know your geography, don¡¯t you? Lead the way.¡± Was all he said. Rhys cringed at the mention of geography. It took over an hour of limping to cross the city. The mechanic was strong, enduring the weight of his possessions. It slowed him just enough to keep pace with Rhys. Eventually they made it to a similar street, albeit a little less colorful, on the other side of the Lower City. The man settled quickly finding a spot near the wide entrance of an abandoned building, to make him home. Satisfied, he looked up to Rhys with a sparkle in his eye. ¡°Thanks. This¡­. This really helps.¡± Rhys smiled, realizing how much time had passed he waved at the man before turning around to make his way back to Shade¡¯s tavern. ¡°Take this,¡± the man tossed him the device he was working on earlier. Stumbling to catch it, Rhys was surprised at how heavy the object was. He continued to toy with it amused that the mechanic had said nothing of its uses. ¡°Thank you,¡± he turned to walk away but paused. ¡°Never got your name, mine¡¯s Rhys.¡± ¡°Cid.¡± Rhys looked at Cid before turning around and getting on with his merry roaming. The sun was fading out, the heat so much more bearable. Rhys pocketed his new toy before he accidently dropped it. With a limp in his step he decided the time was about right. As always, the tavern boasted twenty-four seven brawl fights as entertainment. This time it was a one-eyed thug against an old man. Rhys thought it was one sided until he realized how swift the old man was, his moves clearly not reflecting his age. Thud. The thug hit the ground with a groan. He was about to get up before the old man walked over and soccer kicked his head. Rhys shuddered as one-eye was brutally knocked out. The smack of flesh against wood reverberating across the room. With a soft moan, the man tried to stand up but old man kung fu raised his legs high, about to bring it down in a devastating stomp. ¡°Stop,¡± a voice cut through the crowd. The cheers, jeers and other shouts ceased as Shade stepped into the fray. Even the old man brought his leg down without a fuss. Shade was not that big, at nearly two meters tall with a hundred kilos on him, mostly muscle, he looked intimidating, sure. Shade stepped towards the thug, still moaning, and lifted him onto his shoulder, one handed without a sound. Whoops gotta reconsider his power levels. Following Shade as he dropped off the man at a corner stool at a¡­ corner, wait shit is he drooling? That¡¯s some serious concussion. ¡°Hey, Shade looks like business is booming.¡± Shade turned his head at that, realizing Rhys was here he smiled before moving behind the counter. ¡°Cider?¡± He asked. ¡°Always.¡± As conversation returned to normal within the tavern, Shade took a break from the crowd, his two apprentices managing the stove and counter, to catch up with Rhys. Bringing a large glass of apple cider with him the two sat down across each other at secluded table. ¡°The limp?¡± he asked. ¡°Daily dose of ass-kicking.¡± ¡°You mean, ass-kicked.¡± Damn he¡¯s good. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Shade said changing the conversation, all too suddenly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong,¡± Rhys replied quickly. ¡°The man who was supposed to help you, he¡­¡± Shade turned around and motioned to one eye on the corner stool, spit sliding down his face. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem to be doing so well.¡± Shit, Mr. Pirate was my contact? Devastated Rhys narrowed his eyes looking for any sign that the man had the faculty for conversation. He seemed to be out for good. Rhys discerned from his face that it would be a while before he could talk to the man, too late for it to do him any good. Unable to do anything about the situation, Rhys drank the cider and made his farewells. The cider doing little to soften his bad mood. I guess for every good thing that happens to me. He fidgeted around with the device, something equally bad just had to have happened. Screw this equivalent exchange bullshit. With almost no time till Novus, Rhys was running out of options. He needed a genuine plan if he was going to get out of this alive, with nobody left to help him Rhys was left with one option. Gotta help myself, he thought. Resolved, Rhys decided to take his merry roaming elsewhere. Tomorrow, the castle deserved a visit. It was after all, the stage that had been set. And every good actor knew how important a rehearsal was. 005 - [Rhys] - Espionage Getting into the Royal Castle was easy. The problem however, lied in finding the targeted destination without being caught under suspicion. For Rhys, who¡¯s intelligence was slightly above average, he did not want to go into the castle blind, and then be blindsided, and then die slowly in the dungeons. Rhys decided it would be best to feign an identity to get into the castle, use Augustus¡¯ slothful nature against him, and use the time waiting to explore the different areas. It was not a bad idea, he got into the castle without his credentials undergoing massive scrutiny, it was just a matter of time before his attendant left him. Alone. Fate had other plans however. ¡°He¡¯ll see you now, follow me please.¡± Fuck. That was like a minute. Rhys was not expecting this. Unprepared for any sort of confrontation Rhys shuddered at the thought of being captured. Getting caught by guards and getting caught by nigh immortal super powerful beings who did not want you wasting their time, there were minor differences. ¡°A moment please.¡± Rhys said. WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO! ARGHHHH. ¡°Sorry, needed to gather my thoughts, my limp threw me off.¡± Rhys nodded at the man to lead the way. His inner consciousness screaming in despair, his face sweaty, hands clammy. His face had no emotion of his predicament, a keen onlooker would have been able to tell with all the fidgeting. If you were to look simply at Rhys¡¯ face however, his confidence kept him upright. Rhys paced himself after the man, his limp yet to heal, as they travelled through from the waiting room, a structure of its own, towards the throne room. Rhys mentally placed himself on the map he was given and gauged how far it was to the treasury. ¡°Here we are.¡± The man stood at the entrance of the building that housed the throne room. ¡°The Chancellor is waiting for you inside.¡± Rhys¡¯ eyes widened in surprises, the Chancellor eh? Feeling a little more confident he waved his attendee off and stepped in There was a straight path to the throne room and Rhys carried himself cautiously, but with conviction. He had passed himself off as an aspiring business representative here to negotiate contracts.s The throne room was breathtaking, easily the most beautiful, and picturesque thing Rhys had seen. While buildings in Soccordia failed to measure up to their counterparts in other Kingdoms, even the Royal Castle, this room was nothing like that. It exuded a sense of elegance with its hanging tapestries, lofty ceilings and the glass windows brought the room to life. On either side of the room were seats for the nobles, made of mahogany and furnished to glaze under the sunlight, seating no one at the moment. Rhys¡¯ eyes never left the throne itself. It exuded the very power as was expected of a king. It was furnished with red velvet cushions, a deep contrast against the dark oak. ¡°A little too young aren¡¯t you.¡± The voice emanated, soft, but piercing the room. Rhys¡¯ snapped out of the trance, his gaze shifting down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs to the throne was a table. A worktable, filled to the brim with documents. An old man was seated behind it, he laid down whatever he was working on, giving Rhys his full attention. ¡°Ah, come sit.¡± He motioned to a chair by his side. ¡°I suppose introductions are in order. I am not Augustus as you might have figured. I represent him with regards to such matters of course. I am the Chancellor of Soccordia, Valoren Fare. And you are?¡± ¡°Titus, Titus Mendacel. Representative of the Siege Entrepreneurial Company.¡± Rhys replied without missing a beat. ¡°I¡¯ve come here on behalf of my master, to negotiate our wares.¡± Rhys¡¯ mind ran through numerous piles of bullshit, picking the most royal kind he could find. ¡°I ¨C ¡° ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of this particular company.¡± Valoren had his eyes narrowed looking at Rhys. ¡°Tell me more.¡± Well shit, he¡¯s already suspicious. ¡°Ah, yes, this is our first venture into the eastern continents. Our headquarters primarily operates in the central continent.¡± Valoren raised his eyebrows frowning. ¡°Why here? Would your devices not be usable considering the lack of magic in Soccordia?¡± Rhys hesitated. ¡°We¡­ uh.¡± ¡°Are you really a representative?¡± The words came out cold, without a hint of hesitation. Rhys bit his lips. He took a deep breath, calming himself and returning to the cold demeanor of his fa?ade. ¡°I apologize if I haven¡¯t seemed very forthcoming. Our products do not run on magic, instead, on more fundamental forces of physics.¡± Rhys nodded at Valoren. He grabbed a device from his pocket and brought it to the table. ¡°This is our latest invention; our mechanics call it a ¡®jackscrew¡¯.¡± Curious but not wholly convinced Valoren took the device in hand rolling it around his palm, supposedly trying to figure out how it worked.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°And?¡± He said, his voice not betraying his eagerness. Well, THANKS CID. Rhys stared helplessly at the device trying to remember what it did and what the hell it could be used for. His previous experimentation had revealed that screwing the lever made the device more oblique. Fuck me if this is actually a kid¡¯s play toy. Maybe it acts like a support? Confidently, Rhys took the device and reached underneath the table placing it there at a corner. He motioned his hands at the Chancellor asking him to look down. Rotating the screw, the device continued to morph until ¨C *Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh* The oblique angle led to gravity pushing hundreds of paper documents off the table. Well shit. Rhys looked at the Chancellor with an awkward smile. ¡°It¡¯s still a work in ¨C¡° ¡°Marvelous!¡± Valoren exclaimed. His attention fixated on the device. ¡°How, is it capable of exerting such a great force on the table so easily. AND, maintaining it?¡± He interjected excitedly. ¡°Uh¡­ Trade secrets?¡± ¡°Of course, of course, I understand. I must however consult various ministers before giving you our decision. You will be in Acedia for a while?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Wonderful. Please do come back in a few days. I will have our terms ready by then.¡± He sounded serious but his previous excitement told Rhys that the response would be favorable. Holy shit, is it really that easy? He didn¡¯t even ask for my terms. No wonder capitalism is bloody booming. Nodding Rhys picked up the device, putting it back into its original form, and taking his leave. The Chancellor, in his excitement, had forgotten to call for an attendant. Rhys took the opportunity to quickly sneak out. Moving with a purpose he cut through the pathways, ignoring the stares of the servants, finally making his way in the direction of the treasury. It was... small. Unlike the grand throne room, the structure that housed the treasury was not eye-catching in any way. The only reason it stood out was because of the numerous guard posts around it. Each of them seemed to be manned, as Rhys watched he noticed a few guards routinely circling the compound. He could not get any vision of what lay inside the building though. His vantage point, close as he could get, without drawing any unwanted attention. Let¡¯s try my luck. ¡°You there!¡± Rhys shouted out. The nearest guard turned his head quizzically unsure at who was being spoken to. ¡°Yes, you!¡± Rhys commanded. The guard looked confused, he did however follow Rhys¡¯ words. Apparently, the right attitude did get you into places. ¡°Yes... Yes sir.¡± The guard stammered. ¡°Chancellor Fare asked me to inspect the inside of that building. For security reasons.¡± ¡°The man looked distraught. Sir, we do not have authorization to enter.¡± ¡°Not you man, just me.¡± Rhys retorted, his arms crossed. Yet at his height he looked more of an angry child than a respectable person of importance. The guard, not wanting to contradict the Chancellor¡¯s orders, finally replied. ¡°I¡¯ll go get my commanding officer, please wait here, Sir.¡± He scampered off before Rhys could make another move. ¡°Well shit.¡± Rhys quickly realized that he was in no position to continue with this farce. He quickly moved out of the area and back onto the main path towards the entrance of the Castle. Rhys was able to leave without any further incident. Disappointed in the fact that he was unable to get a glimpse of the treasury but nonetheless reassured that the main line of defense were guards, Rhys was more confident in the job. His only regret, having to had reveal himself to the Chancellor. Mentally and physically exhausted by the charade, he got himself a light meal at a nearby tavern and then began the journey home. With Novus happening in two days, Rhys decided to dedicate more time to his plans. Interlude Valoren was jovial as he left the throne room after the day¡¯s meetings were over. Representing the King was no easy task. Especially considering he did everything Augustus was supposed to do. With one last duty on his roster he made it to the King¡¯s chambers. It was situated at a far corner of the Castle, well removed from anything that might disturb the King. As he came closer, he began to sweat, his knees weak, arms heavy. The pressure he felt was normal. This was the aura Augustus exuded subconsciously, nowhere near as powerful as it could be. Knocking twice on the door he hesitantly awaited a response. ¡°Enter.¡± Setting foot in the room and quickly closing the door behind him, to not let any light enter, he made his way closer to the bed. A thin veil was hung across the room, dividing it in two. Valoren could not see the King, but the dark silhouette and immense pressure was enough to be sure of his presence. He spent no time dilly-dallying. ¡°There were several meetings today. With the minis-¡± He choked off the words as his throat tightened. The temperature in the room plummeted and Valoren shuddered as he fell to his knees. ¡°Who was it.¡± The voice came out soft, aloof. It was an unexpected contrast against the intensity which kept Valoren on his knees. ¡°I¡­ I¡­ Yo-¡­.¡± He struggled to form words as what limited oxygen he had escaped him. The silhouette seemed to shrug, the intensity softened. Valoren, in tears, was unsure of how to react. ¡°Your Majesty¡­ what do you mean?¡± ¡°There was someone you met today, someone who was not part of our court.¡± ¡°I ¨C I was just about to tell you.¡± Valoren stammered, unsure as to how his King knew of Mr. Mendacel. ¡°The man, he came as a representative of a business. The Siege entrepreneurial company. He bought a fascinating device with him, he came to parley for our sponsorship on behalf of his master.¡± ¡°Where from?¡± The response was curt. ¡°They are based in the central continent, or so he told me.¡± Augustus said nothing at that, instead he dismissed Valoren with a wave. ¡°Leave, and keep me updated on this matter.¡± ¡°O-Of course your Majesty.¡± Valoren was dumbstruck at what had just happened. Quickly running out of the chambers and into a different section of the Castle to escape the suffocating pressure, he could not understand why the King had done what he just did. Even Augustus was surprised by his own reactions. He quickly passed it off as a natural reaction. After all, it had been nearly a decade since he had last sensed magic within his kingdom. End. Oh shit, I should really figure out a way to keep my stuff safe. Rhys realized how much he had neglected his own possessions, rather ironic for a thief. His humble abode had nothing restricting access to anyone passing by. Aside from the fact that it was inconvenient to get to, there was nothing physically stopping someone getting to it. He was reminded of this when he walked into his lair, there was a piece of paper knifed into a wall. Rhys gasped in surprise. How the hell do you stick a knife into a rock wall? What the fuck. Carefully removing the knife, perfectly good knife too, he tossed it to a side and then inspected the paper. Etched in it were the words, ¡®Tread carefully.¡¯ Rhys stared at the paper in disbelief, clearly expecting more. He dismissed the words, after all he was a thief, and thieves knew no other way to tread. Instead, Rhys made plans to make sure no one else stumbled across his home, with or without intention. 006 - [Mia] - MIssion Isaac ducked, the incoming sword swishing above him, grazing his hair. Gathering himself he charged forward before his opponent could bring his sword back into stance. The difference in size was against Isaac, his nimble feet however allowed him to close the gap. Thrusting his entire body eight at the opponent¡¯s abdomen, Isaac pushed him off balance. Garett matched Isaac in skill, quickly recovering his balance he retreated to the side. Anticipating this move Isaac had already begun motioning a thrust in the same direction. Steel screeched against steel as Garrett parried the attack to the side responding to Isaac with a thrust of his own. Caught off guard, Isaac was forced to retreat to the side. The two were out of range, back to square one. A spar between Knights had a few simple rules. Duels without the use of the Knight¡¯s gifted powers, the match would last until either one surrendered. Considering their pride on the line, it was a draw if either side retreated once, twice meant a loss for the cowardly Knight. ¡°Woah, guess it¡¯s a draw then!¡± Shouted out an excited onlooker. ¡°Damn Isaac, you¡¯ve improved.¡± Isaac grinned at Mia¡¯s words. Genuine praise from a beautiful lady, what could be better than that? ¡°Don¡¯t encourage him,¡± Garett grumbled as he walked up to Isaac, placing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°We know quite well how he reacts to compliments, that damned ego of his.¡± Isaac could not help but smile at Garett¡¯s words. After failing to match up to Garett nine times out of ten, even a draw was a welcomed reprieve. Mia let out a hearty laugh, ¡°the very embodiment of pride himself. Truly a Knight of Superbia.¡± They all laughed at that. The trio alone in the dueling grounds, all the staff had been called on to prepare for the Novus festival, the biggest event of the year. The Knights were given the week off, one of few times in the year. Isaac and Garett''s rivalry ran deeper than that, they tested their skills every week whenever they found themselves at the Capital. Isaac being one of the younger Knights, at the age of twenty-three, was easily eclipsed by the older Knights. Well versed in actual combat with genuine experience. Most of them were bigger than him too. Isaac¡¯s dedication to the job had created tremendous growth. So much so that he held his ground against Garett, at least this time, a Knight three years his senior. Superbia rewarded the dedicated. Boasting the most advanced kingdom in the world, both technologically and economically, it was not a force not to be trifled with. With a military might that was unparalleled except for the Kingdom of Iraenum in the continent to the far south, Superbia had managed to consolidate its place in the world. Its prosperity had attracted peoples hailing from all parts of the world. The Kingdom granting all that requested it, refuge ¨C at a small price, fealty to the King. The Capital, Fedia, housed the Knight¡¯s barracks. The lavish quarters, well equipped training grounds, capable commanding officers and brutal regimen showcased the status of the Knights. They were after all, the Pride of Superbia. The Knight¡¯s base was outshone by the rest of the City. High rise buildings did take up most of the skyline, the outer city itself however was punctuated by several smaller buildings. All manner of businesses, homes for the civilians and guard posts. The inner city housed more intricate buildings, homes for the nobles, larger businesses and of course, a real castle. While Isaac and Garett peeled of the layers of armor in the Men¡¯s room, Mia laid back fully enjoying the warm breeze and view overhead, an orangish hue rolling over the horizon. A Knight herself, she had cut her auburn hair short and wore tight fitting clothes, unbefitting of a lady but easier to fight in. She did not enjoy random bouts of physical exertion, so ignored her friends¡¯ pleas for a fight ¨C aware of the outcome of the duel if she were to partake. At twenty-four Mia was the youngest captain, and one of the strongest Knights in the Kingdom. Her quick rise to success had drawn the scorn of other Knights, they were silenced as she offered to duel them ¨C their envy was legitimate felt but unfounded, her qualifications were undisputable. As Isaac and Garett came back, worn in similar loose-fitting garb Mia picked herself off the spectators¡¯ seats and found her way to them. The two of them looked cheery the out come of their duel, forgotten. ¡°Dinner?¡± She asked, putting herself in between them. The three had grown close after a small skirmish outside of the kingdom. The three knights had proven adequate in quelling the insurgent threats, their quests knitting their friendships close. ¡°I¡¯m up for it,¡± Isaac quickly responded. ¡°Too early dontcha think?¡± Mia shrugged, ¡°Never a wrong time to have food.¡± Garett guffawed, ¡°you¡¯re right. Let¡¯s go.¡± Mia took charge of the group, leading them through the vibrant roads colored in dye. The festivities were just beginning, men busy at work putting up celebratory flags, the newest color switching bulbs and tents crowded the roads. These tents would serve alcohol and foods during the festival. The Knights were often recognized by the people and waved at them in response. They stopped occasionally to greet parents with their wide-eyes children as well as thank the workers for their hard work. They came to a restaurant chosen by Mia, her favorite but not well liked by the other two because of small portion sizes and expensive alcohol.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Could we not.¡± Isaac whined. ¡°I concur with Isaac, while he general does have bad taste with regards to cuisine, I too would prefer something simpler.¡± Garett added. Both Mia and Isaac raised their eyes at that. Garett was not the best spokesperson; his sudden outburst of civil conversation was rather off-putting. ¡°What in God¡¯s name are you on, Garett?¡± Isaac decided to voice the duo¡¯s thoughts. Garett shrugged and said nothing. Before Mia could interject, their attention was drawn by footsteps, rapidly approaching them. They looked up to see a young man, hastily making his way towards them. Panting, clearly out of breath, the young man was in fact a squire. He respectfully bowed to both Isaac and Garett before turning his attention to Mia. ¡°Captain Mazda, I am Squire to General Gardener, I was sent to meet you at his request.¡± He paused to collect his breath. Mia raised her eyebrows but said nothing, she was however extremely hesitant about the legitimacy of this messenger. While General Gardener did employ a number of Squires, her hesitation stemmed more so from the timing of this message. So close to Novus, especially when all the Knights were off duty, it seemed unthinkable that he would call for a Captain. ¡°What¡¯s this with regards to.¡± She said hastily, annoyed at the Squires abysmal constitution. *Huff* *Huff* Issac was giggling at Mia for her stern demeanor while Garett looked confused as to why they were not eating yet. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t given details. Just told to being you to him.¡± What¡­ All this waiting and for nothing. ¡°Well, looks like you boys get to have fun eating at one of those shitty diners.¡± Mia said her annoyance at being called in showing. ¡°Hey!¡± The two guys exclaimed in unison. Mia smirked at them and nodded to the Squire to lead her. He seemed exhausted but he moved at a decent pace. ¡°Didn¡¯t catch your name.¡± Mia said, trying to make conversation. They had moved away from the livelier side of the city. ¡°Carvel. Just, Carvel.¡± Was his solemn reply. He looked disappointed, as if his name did not meet some standard. ¡°What a wonderful name! Is Just short for Justin, maybe?¡± Mia replied frankly, the obviousness of his statement passing over her. Carvel was perturbed at how a Knight, those individuals renowned for their perfection, could be so¡­ lacking in common sense. ¡°Uh, what I meant was. I have no last name. ¡° ¡°That¡¯s dumb.¡± Mia glossed over her silly misunderstanding. Carvel bit his lips but said no more. Mia realized something was going on but she did not insist on the matter. Instead she paid more attention to her surroundings. As they moved deeper into the city, the amount of people reduced. They were in the territory of the nobleman and these were people who preferred to spend their time indoors, in their own homes or in others for their parties, balls, and numerous other excuses to indulge. The lonely roads were a welcome reprieve for Mia who was constantly bombarded by people praising her for her ¡°Knighthood.¡± They reached General Gardener¡¯s home not too later, it seemed empty saved for a few lights in his study. The house was truly a sight to see, the peak of architectural prowess, it befit a General of the Kingdom. Carvel led her through the door, not bothering to knock. Onwards to the General¡¯s study, the path were lightly illuminated. He knocked twice on the doors to the study and took a step back, as if the General was going to burst out. ¡°Come in.¡± Mia took the lead and opened the door effortlessly. She stepped in and saluted her commanding officer, while she was jovial by nature, and she did not enjoy duty calls on her week off, Mia was still dedicated to a fault. ¡°Captain Mia Mazda, reporting in.¡± Gardener looked up from his desk, his glasses hiding his weary eyes. At fifty-five he was rather old, but the only characteristic that betrayed his age was his greying hair. Separate head from body however and you would be presented with a different image. Muscular, but lean, strong, but careful, a face hardened by years of battle experience. And power bestowed upon him like no other. A General was the highest rank a Knight could be. Superbia had no standing army, Gardener was a General of Knights, a man above men. If ten million people were to attempt to achieve Knighthood, maybe a hundred would be chosen as knights, just one as General. Currently, there were three Generals who were active in duty, each of them reporting directly to the King. Each held enough power to govern their own lands. And here Mia stood, in front of one. He looked at her, his eyes betraying no hint of what he sought. She waited, as was expected of her, being the lower ranking officer. Carvel, probably under the immense pressure that now emanated from the two, scampered out of the room. ¡°I apologize for calling you in so late in the day, especially now on your week off.¡± Mia remained expressionless. While it would be assumed of the Generals to be hot-tempered or irredeemably prideful of their own position, they were no such thing. The King¡¯s pride was of his own, and even though this was the Kingdom of Pride, that did not mean everyone in it suffered from such issues. ¡°This matter is quite¡­. Urgent. Not in the sense that you will have to concede your week off. Rather it requires some preparation, the mission will officially begin after Novus. When you¡¯ll be in active duty.¡± Mia nodded, understanding. Her brain was shifting through whatever information she had heard over the days that might be relevant. It was not often a captain would be called in for a mission. ¡°For now, only the necessary information. Once Novus is over you will board a ship, one that will sail to Invidia. You will travel alone; the ship will be manned by personnel loyal to the King. Your task is simply, this is not a military mission, it is¡­ more political. We have received information that Envy possesses something that rightfully belongs to his Majesty.¡± Mia raised her eyes at this. It was not often knights were sent outside the Kingdom. Their strength was unrivaled, a situation could easily get blown out of proportions, and outside of the kingdom there would be numerous political implications. ¡°You will meet with King Vert as a direct representative of our King, and take what is rightfully ours. Using force is not recommended.¡± Mia finished his thoughts for him, but is not entirely forbidden, is it? ¡°That will be all, your free to leave. We will meet officially after Novus ends. Consider this a¡­ heads up.¡± Mia nodded and left the room, making sure to close the doors behind her. Once outside the mansion she sighed, she was tired. A journey outside of the Kingdom, especially one to Invidia would take weeks of travel. And then I¡¯ll have to come back too. Mia was not in a good mood, grumbling to herself, she realized she had lost her appetite. She would have gone back to meet Isaac and Garett but the confrontation would require her to divulge too much information, something she would normally do, but considering the length of this mission, she did not want to deal with them tonight. Mia walked back home, ignoring the lack of dinner. In the brightly lit roads of Superbia, she looked far more sad, and alone than a Knight had any right to be. [007] - Rhys - Out Novus had finally arrived, announced the previous day by runners sent out into the city. The general lack of calendars in Soccordia meant that most of the population was unaware of what was coming. For Rhys however every day was a step closer. The official celebration, though the city felt far from celebratory, took place outside the gates of the upper city, right next to the bridges. It would begin close to noon so Rhys had to begin moving before then. Wearing his acclaimed thieving outfit and equipping his usual items, dagger, lock-picks, the map, Rhys was as prepared as he could be. As an afterthought, he decided to take the miniature jackscrew with, just in case. Rhys kept his hood down as he walked towards the entrance to the upper city, covering his face would draw attention, and to the drama-queen Rhys, this time attention meant failure, failure in turn ¨C death. Novus was magical by nature. On the other side of the world, the Kingdom of Iraenum was where it was originally celebrated. Its Ruler, the Grand Magus, was so powerful that her magicks could affect the world on a global scale, albeit not too significantly, she sacrificed power for scope. Novus was celebrated at midnight on the 53rd Friday of the year, in Iraenum and the other Western kingdoms. With time differences, this meant around noon the next day for the eastern kingdoms. Though the problem remained, fireworks would be rather ineffectual in broad delight. The Mages of the western continent devised an elaborate illusion that would extend over the entire known world. Its effects, darkening the day as well as being a vehicle for magic infused fireworks. This ¡®darkening¡¯ was the dead giveaway, the moment Rhys realized the sky was beginning to dim he knew he had to make a move. Rhys hurriedly made his way through the crowded streets, the only time the City felt truly alive, as everyone converged at the divide between the two parts of the City. The gate would be barely guarded, for the guards themselves indulged in the celebrations, that is after the King had crossed into the lower city. Until then everyone was on guard. The gradual darkening would have felt eerily unnerving on any other day but it was expected, and so it went unnoticed. Today was special, seeing all the people outside, eating food, listening to music, goofing around ¨C it was the only day Rhys would see people smile in the streets. The streets got progressively louder and claustrophobic as he got closer the bridges. Once Rhys reached, people lined the sidewalks leaving the area close to the bridge empty. Rhys did not want to seem conspicuous so he crossed the bridge following right behind a family. Both sides of the bridge housed similar festivities, and the nobles were scattered across ¨C the King however, powerful as he may be could not be on both sides at the same time. Rhys could only hope the King chose to make his way onto the side opposite of Rhys. For once the King began to move there would be no space for Rhys to sneak his way past the heavy security, unnecessary as it was. Interlude. "You sent Josef?¡± ¡°Just a contingency, after all we can¡¯t afford to fail here. Everything else is ready.¡± ¡°Why not just send Josef in the first place?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t afford to lose him if the situation were to worsen, his orders are simple, and it¡¯ll make things easier for us too.¡± Steve sighed, as he looked up at the darkening sky. A lot of things would change in the coming days, far too many things. ¡°Where¡¯s the boy?¡± ¡°Outside the gates. shouldn¡¯t take too long now.¡± The figure replied almost as if he were expecting the question. ¡°And you¡¯re sure Augustus will notice?¡± ¡°If I a mere man can, what say a God?¡± ¡°And once he¡¯s in?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my part, don¡¯t worry about it." End. Trumpets blared to alert the people of the King¡¯s arrival. The festivities paused as the Royal Chamberlain, stepped in front of the Royal contingent. ¡°His Majesty, King Augustus, Supreme ruler of the Kingdom of Soccordia, has arrived.¡± The announcement was but a formality, even without it, or the King¡¯s contingent itself, Augustus¡¯ presence was defined by the aura that he emitted. Crushing confidence and callous disregard. The embodiment of Sloth he may have been, but there was no opening, no suggestion of weakness. While the Soccordians may have despised Augustus for his ineffective ruling, the presence of their king also served to remind them of his power. The lack of magic meant that there was no way for anyone to ¡®sense¡¯ Rhys¡¯ presence so the moment the Royal proceeding ventured unto the opposite bank of the river, Rhys covered his head with his hoodie and blended in with the crowd. Navigating the crowd ended up being easier than expected but the throng of people, food and celebration was hard to ignore. Novus was a special day to everyone, Rhys didn¡¯t usually indulge in the festivities but with Shade, he could enjoy the food, watch the grand fireworks and not worry about being mugged if he happened to be drunk afterwards. And now I¡¯m risking it all.¡¯ Rhys grit his teeth and kept walking.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. While the gate themselves were unguarded at this point, it happened to be in everyone¡¯s field of vision. The moment Rhys made it onto the platform to the upper city he would quite literally be in plain sight, no apparel would shield him that well. Too late to back out now. The plan was simple, the gate would not be locked, after all the king had just passed through. Rhys would risk discovery if he were to pick the lock though that was still an option. Afterwards he¡¯d simply slip through, run the distance to the royal estate and find what he was looking for and get back out without a -. Before he knew it Rhys was face flat on the ground, unable to move, gasping for breath. Wha- what¡¯s happening. His senses were being overloaded, his vision clearly impaired by the earth in front of him, his ears felt as if someone had detonated an explosive right next to them. Reeling, Rhys grasped for air and tried to claw his way forward. His mind in shambles, Rhys tried putting together a coherent thought. Coupled with the fall itself, the concussion left Rhys bruised and even more disoriented. All the while Rhys realized how the people in the vicinity had compressed themselves away from him. How is this possible? I¡¯m still within the crowd. There¡¯s very limited light. How did they know it was me? What¡¯s pinning me down? Was this a ruse? Was I betrayed? How do I get out of here? What.. now... These thoughts ran across his mind almost simultaneously, not allowing a moment to gather himself. He finally managed to raise his head off the ground. There so close in front of him, was the gate. The people on the street had moved to the sides so as to create a path, as if to taunt him. Moments later, Rhys regained his thoughts, he could hear whispers, the rattling of armor, and an all too familiar voice. ¡°Our King has incapacitated the spy! Capture him. Now!¡± Fare commanded over the throng of steel on steel. The pressure loosened for a moment but before Rhys could react he was scooped up on either side, his hands wrested away from him. The soldiers ripped away his cloak and turned him around to face the Chancellor. The man was seething, the previously calm Chancellor who had parlayed with ¡®Titus¡¯ was nowhere to be seen. Left in his place was an old man with his veins burgeoning across his face, presumably out of anger. ¡°How dare you!¡± He screeched at Rhys. The thought of being manipulated so easily must have infuriated him. Realizing the context of this public ¡®execution¡¯ the Chancellor gathered himself for a moment. Regaining the air that befitted a chancellor, he breathed deeply and waved his hands. ¡°Take him to the dungeons, this isn¡¯t the time to deal with him.¡± Rhys could faintly hear some groans from the soldiers but they complied. Rhys was freed from their clutches and then was disarmed. Everything but the map of the estate, one he hid in an opening in his clothing, was taken away. He was then prodded along towards the royal estate. Prodded along by eight fully armed soldiers. Technically the walk itself should not have taken more than thirty minutes but a combination of Rhys¡¯ physical, and mental states, made it take them take twice along. The constant taunting and minor physical abuse, if anything, slowed down the process even more. Capture was not something Rhys had ever experienced, hell he didn¡¯t even think it could be possible. The guards were eager to get back to the central square area, the closer they got to the estate the more aggressive they got. Eventually, Rhys was forced to comply, he couldn¡¯t afford to suffer any more damage, that would only worsen his odds, whatever they may be, at escaping. The troupe quickly led Rhys to another small building on what seemed to be close to the boundaries of the estate, thrown into one of the cells and locked in. The soldiers were quick to leave after rechecking Rhys for any other tools he might have had. Satisfied, they left the ¡®dungeons¡¯ behind, leaving Rhys¡¯ tools on a wooden desk on the way out. There wasn¡¯t much of a way to break out, the bars were far too thick and well placed to allow for any contortionist schemes. Nor was there any way to pick the lock without his tools. Rhys banged his head against the metal beams, once, twice, thrice. Deep breaths, deep breaths... He thought as he tried to calm himself down. He regulated his breathing and watched his mind gradually get clearer. He still felt sore, and he didn¡¯t have to see himself in a mirror to realize how grazed he was, after all getting smashed into asphalt would do that to you. These are the facts, I¡¯m stuck in prison. It was the King himself who probably noticed me considering what happened to me, so safe to say that I¡¯ll die once he gets back. Only one thing left to do, get out of this place. ¡°Quit trying to give yeself brain damage kid.¡± Rhys gasped, the voice sounded familiar to him. The cockiness, belittlement, all of it. Rhys strained to look across to the other cells but he couldn¡¯t see anyone. It was from the adjacent cells then. He tilted his head and spoke, ¡°Joe..?¡± ¡°I know this is a lot more than logistical support but I knew you¡¯d manage to fuck up somehow, now let''s get out of here,¡± he explained casually, as if this was just another friday. Rhys heard the gears clack and a moment later Joe was in front of his cell with a grin on his face, ¡°come on now, must be the easiest heist you¡¯ve done.¡± ¡°How¡¯d you get out so easily?¡± Rhys said dumbly. Joe dangled some keys in front of Rhys¡¯ face. ¡°Picked them as they put me in,¡± he started grinning again. Rhys stared in awe at the gall of this man. He quickly snapped himself out of it. ¡°What now?¡± ¡°Now you go complete your task.¡± ¡°And you?¡± ¡°Gonna take a break.¡± Rhys nodded, slightly disappointed he didn¡¯t have backup. He was still put off by the fact that he was given an ¡®out'', yet there was no choice here but to complete his job. The guards, and everyone else would be back before too long and Rhys had to break in to the treasury and get out of the upper city before they had a chance to realize he was gone. Of course by his previous experience Augustus could just find him and crush him in the event that the escape was successful. Rhys shivered at the thought, being defeatist wouldn¡¯t help in anyway. Rhys nodded at Joe, grabbed his gear, and snuck out the front door. Can¡¯t risk that someone might have been left behind. Novus and the light show helped cover him, after all without it Rhys would have been sneaking around in broad daylight. Rhys took out the map and gauged his position, he was on the end furthest away from the treasury, the run would take him a few minutes but he couldn¡¯t afford to miss his way. Rhys sighed once, took a deep breath, then set off. His chest feeling a little lighter. Extra. His eyelids wavered for a second, then opened to take in the fireworks. He struggled to stay awake, falling asleep would have to wait. ¡°Interesting,¡± he murmured to no one but himself. End.