The rain cascaded over Heather's cloak as she walked through town. Rain always meant less people out on the street. That was a good thing for a thief like her; a faster getaway if she was ever caught in the act. It hadn't happened yet but no one's that lucky for too long. Tonight was especially dangerous. She had been keeping tabs on a big wig noble who was flaunting his money lately. If she could score a hit on him, her mother would be set for awhile. She had never stolen from someone so important so she had to be careful.
It was difficult keeping food on the table for the two of them and paying for medicine. She had been slacking off lately because it was hard lying to her mother all the time. What work was there for a woman like her anyway? She had tried working at pubs, but the grimy men were too much to bear for that miniscule paycheck. Stealing was so much more exciting and not to mention easier for her.
Heather looked up at the wooden sign flapping in the wind causing an irritating creaking noise.
"The Silver Shield. Odd name for a pub."
She looked around the street before entering. There had been a nagging feeling like she was being followed the whole way there. No one was there but a man standing in the alley across the street. His face was hidden in the shadows. That would have to be dealt with later, for now she had better things to focus on.
Inside was a livelier scene than the dreary one outside. There was dancing, laughter, yelling, and clangs of alcohol filled glasses. After scanning the room she was disappointed to see that Tubby wasn't there. She figured he would show up sooner or later so she made her way through the crowd, picking some pockets on the way of course. She sat at an empty table near the corner and waited for her man to show. Minutes went by, then hours until finally she gave up. It just wasn't meant to be.
Before leaving she noticed a young couple going to the upstairs rooms people could rent for the night. The young girl had long red hair that looked soft as velvet. She looked so innocent and pure. Heather envied her. Young love was something she never experienced. She didn't really even have a childhood because she was forced to grow up too soon. The only memory of her father was the day he left her and her mother to fend for themselves. Soon after her mother became ill and it was up to her to take care of them. That burden was too great for a young girl. It had cost her almost everything.
Heather felt a tear run down her cheek. She laughed as she wiped it away. Why after all those hard years was she crying now? She had almost forgotten how it felt to cry. It was foreign to her. She had to be the strong one and that meant no tears.
Suddenly a man grabbed her arm and a dagger slipped from his sleeve into his other hand. It happened so fast she couldn't react. She looked at his face and realized who it was. That man in the alley earlier. She really messed up this time. She should have been focused on her surroundings but was lost in thought. She thought of her poor mother. How she would react to the news of her arrest and execution. It would break her heart.
"Come with me." He rasped. It was barely audible.
"Do I have a choice?" She said with a smirk. Inside she was scared but she couldn't let him know that. She would play it cool and get the situation in her hands.
His iron grip forcing her through the crowd told her he wasn't in a joking mood.
"Get us a room upstairs. You've got plenty of money to spare."
This guy was good. He had probably been spying on her for weeks. She eyed his weapon again. It was fancy and something she never saw before. This was no ordinary man. He was working for someone with a lot of money.
"You must not know me very well because my sick mother can tell you quite the opposite."
"Enough stalling."
Heather obeyed and bought a room for the night. The pub owner didn't seem to notice her pleading look or didn't care. The mysterious man led her upstairs with his weapon ready to kill her at any moment should she try to escape.
He led her down the hallway past the room she had just paid for.
"Hey slick, don't mean to interrupt but we just passed the room I paid for."
The man laughed, his first sign of human emotion, as he shoved her into the last room in the hallway.
"That was my room, yours was already paid for."
He slammed the door and Heather found herself in a dark room except the faint light coming from a candle in the corner. She drew her daggers out and waited for her eyes to adjust.
"There's no need for violence Heather. I brought you here to talk." His voice was melodic and non-threatening but she wouldn't let her guard down just yet.
"You could have just asked me. You really need to learn how to treat a lady."
The man chuckled. "Oh I assure you I know that most of all. It wouldn't be very fun if I approached you in any other way, besides I must impress you with my skill before I give you my proposal."
"Proposal? I'm not that kind of girl. You are barking up the wrong tree fella."
He stepped into the candle light and it took awhile for her to recognize him. He was one of Queen Elincia's confidants, the poetic one.
"I've seen you before. We fought alongside one another in the war but I never really talked to you."
"It isn't a big deal. I know a great deal about you, Heather, and I hope you accept my proposal. I work very hard to make sure Crimea is up to date on the happenings of Tellius. My network of spies helps me a great deal when it comes to politics. You are very talented and I wish to take you under my wing. I won't lie and say it will be easy. You need some fine tuning but your skill alone will cut the learning curve in half. What do you say?"
Heather thought on it for a second. Was no even an answer? They might kill her and then her mother would be alone.
"It is a hard decision I know. I will give you tonight to think about it. If it's your mother holding you back, please know that she would be taken care of. I make sure my friends are taken care of. Wouldn't you like to tell your mother the truth about the money you bring home for once? Please think about it."
Bastian left the room and Heather sat on the bed with a million thoughts swirling in her head. Her answer was not one of them.