Chapter 5

Thankfully, the commotion in the streets below was still drawing all the attention away from the church. As Jack climbed, he occasionally checked his distance from the ground and looked to assure the alley was still clear of the guards. When he reached the window he desired, he gently wrapped the rope around a special knot built into his belt, and hung there like a skillful trapeze artist. Without hesitation, he quickly worked his magic on the window lock, opening it with the first tool he grabbed. This is almost too easy and too convenient.

After pushing the window out of the way, he climbed in carefully as to not knock anything off the desk positioned by the window. He then tugged a few times in a pattern on his rope, which allowed for the bolt to release its grappling hook prongs. He pulled the rest of the rope through the window, tied it up carefully, and placed it in his backpack. After re-securing the window, he took a moment to gather his sense of direction and reaffirm himself with where he was headed. Out the door; left three doors; down the stairs; straight across the chamber; and the second door on the right.

He had always taken careful preparations into every mission he planned out. His contact provided him with a layout of the church in exchange for a few gold coins. Jack found it ironic that no noble person ever seemed to make a decent enough living without contacting someone on the outside to do business with. Before proceeding with any mission, his plan had to appear to be foolproof in his head. And if not completely foolproof, he was trained to always prepare a backup plan…

########

"You've come a long way, my friend." Joel said as they walked along the garden nearby their new home in Aire. "I'm surprised that even you surpassed where I had been around the same time of my training… and they made me the master trainer! Well… I suppose it's a good thing, all in all." His cold eyes never seemed to show signs of life. It was almost as if all emotion had been burned from his mind, though his voice still carried his feelings with it.

"I never would have made it this far if it hadn't been for such a wonderful trainer." It wasn't custom for anyone to compliment one on his training techniques, however in the past few years, Jack and Joel had become more of brothers rather than 'trainer and trainee.' "And besides… you saved my life. Because of that, I devoted all my time to learning the things you've taught me. I have a strong sense that one day everything you've shown me will be needed."

"Planning your future already, are we?"

"Not planning… preparing." Jack seemed to think a bit harder about what he should say to Joel. Though he was sure Joel knew his intents, he was always careful not to give too much away for fear that one day, when he accomplished his goal, his unsung victory would be paraded throughout the guild. "Speaking of planning… wasn't that your intended lesson for the day?"

"Well, apparently I don't need to teach you. Call it what you wish, but I can see that you've already planned in your mind what you wish to accomplish." Joel's smirk seemed ironically negated due to the lifelessness in his eyes. Often, his face was an oxymoronic symbol to his past; showing feeling in the face, but knowing that all has left him because of his eyes. "Your plan will always be your most important part of your task. Perfect execution derives from careful planning on your part. Always know your way, back up routes, and tools you'll have to aide you. And remember your plan; do not write it down. If you're caught, no point in telling your adversaries your true plan, even without even opening your mouth."

"It appears I should learn to hold what's in my mind a little closer to me; seeing as how you're always somehow able to read my thoughts." The thought sent a slight chill up Jack's spine. He had never worried that Joel was constantly watching him, but he always felt as though his mind was being invaded by those dead, probing eyes. "Tell me how it is that you're so adept at reading what it is others are thinking?"

Joel hesitated for a moment, not sure of how he should answer. "At the almost complete loss of one's sight, you start to pick up on things others can't hear. Your thoughts, though contained in your mind, still flow like voices through the air. If one can focus enough to place himself between the 'mouth' and 'ear' of another's mind, then he can pick up on many of the 'conversations' conducted by them."

Again, the grin on Joel's face made Jack uneasy. He wondered if it was truly possible that Joel had the power to listen to his thoughts. If one man could possess the ability to listen to another's thoughts, why was it that it was not shared how to be done by others? I suppose if everyone could read everyone else's thoughts, there'd be no need to speak or think at all.

"You're very right, my friend. No need, indeed…" Joel's smirk gave way to a hardened chortle. His laughter slowly gave way to a gasping cough. It was apparent he had grown old, and his lungs could no longer endure the tobacco he had smoked for so many years. He sighed heavily, "I must rest. My tree grows thin, my friend. Soon it'll be you who's training the young ones all of the things I have shown you; only I fear my legend will be easily outlived by yours."

Jack knew already that Joel could sense his unease about what he was about to say. "Well, Joel… I won't be here much longer. I've been appreciative of all the help and training you've all done for me, but I must go live my life. I have my own needs I must take care of to make ends meet in my life." His tone was a very obvious somber tone which only made Joel smile.

"Bear in mind, brother… you will always be a part of our guild, and are always welcome. I know what you seek, and if anyone is to accomplish the goal you've set, I am certain you will be the one to do so." Another coughing attack forced Joel to pull a vial from his vest. With one quick swig from the vial, his voice seemed to clear and his mind more alert. "Well then… shall we be going? I wish to rest some before your final tonight. I think it'd be wise for you to do the same."

Without any words needed to be spoken, the two carried on down the garden with their thoughts completely intertwined with each other.

#########

His approach to the gathering onlookers was quickly noticed by everyone, and they slowly cleared a path. The watch keeper quickly moved through everyone and headed up the center of the crowd. "What is the meaning of all this?" he demanded from his loyal guards.

"W… well, sir…" one of the guards managed to stumble out before being cut off again.

"Take that damned bag off that young girl's head!" Knowing that his guards were not fully aware of his plan, he attempted to maintain his composure. I suppose if I'm to pull this off, I might as well make it look like I care about the average citizen. "What has she done that she deserves this inhumane treatment?"

"Sir… you said…" obviously leading on to what he had told them not to speak about…

"I said nothing about treating this poor woman to this type of ridicule. What is the meaning of her arrest?"

"She was found to be blasphemous of the church, Sir. I have a report signed by the king's aide himself to arrest her and have her tried and hanged should she not pass trial," the smarter of the guards managed to say. He quickly grabbed in his pouch a set of papers with a header of the official empire of Aire. The watch keeper quickly grabbed the papers, and then returned them to the guard after pretending as though he didn't write them himself.

"It's okay, folks… these papers are legitimate. Please… return to the church and your homes. We'll handle this from here on out. Thank you for your concern." His miniature speech did nothing to calm most of the protesters. Many of them knew Alexia personally, and wanted to do everything they could to keep her from being arrested.

To be arrested nowadays meant that you were to be sent to trial. Regardless of how saintly you could have been, every trial always lead to the public death of whom it was that was taken. Most of them for their "blasphemous" ways and attempts to avoid conforming to the church, each person hanged was likely wrongfully accused and murdered by the order. This young woman would be no different…

Such a shame, she has… such potential… yet, no matter. The watch keeper grabbed her by the arm and led her slowly to the stockade.