A/N): It feels like a life age of the Earth has passed since I last posted. I'm deeply sorry for the delays. I had term exams, sickness, projects, more sickness (same sickness as what I had around Christmas), and finally the real killer: lack of ideas. As we all know, obstacles are there to be overcome, and it seems I have broken through my literary dry spell, so expect multiples chapters this week. I apologize for the shortness of the chapter, but I got stuck in the middle of this one, so once I ended it at a natural place I wanted it out as soon as possible to let you guys know that this story is not dead and neither am I. Enjoy.

Overkhryak: The master thief is indeed back. He must be really bored, waiting for the sequel, so I'm sure he used his epic Keeper skills to transport himself into the Overlord universe to find shiny things to steal. :]

Spitting Faerie: I'm pretty sure nothing gets by Garrett, even emotional things. So I suspect that he would know. About his eyes, I'm going to write (say?) this once for everyone: his right eye (the green) is mechanical, while his left is real.

General Herbison: can you imagine an Overlord sneaking? I can't. :]

YuyaYunka: Thanks for the help, I'll work on that. As for the eyes, comments above. :]

xtenchix: In the next chapter, there'll be a bit of both.

Disclaimer….you guys know it by now. Also, Garrett does not belong to me…unfortunately.

Chapter XXV: Old Friends

At night, the Capital City lost only some of the activity that filled its bustling streets. The main streets that crossed the market district were as busy as ever, lit up by the many lanterns that hung from buildings that overshadowed the cobbled road.

Tonight, however, most residents were in their homes, owing to the pouring rain. The inns were full of smoke and laughter, as tenants gathered in the main rooms to listen to the songs of wandering minstrels.

Assira exited the carriage, her booted feet hitting the paved street with a quiet thump and a splash. "I'll be around when you need to leave," the carriage driver said as he drove off. The young woman pulled up the hood of her cape, shrouding herself in shadow as she pushed open the door to the Wayfarer Inn.

Inside, the inn was dimly lit by the fireplace in the center and several lanterns suspended from the wooden columns that supported the ceiling. The main room smelled of smoke, roast meat, and mead. The patrons were spread out, sitting at different rickety tables and some at bar. Assira walked up to the hardwood counter that was stained from many spills and years of service. Within seconds, the inn's owner appeared and produced a book and quill, the guest registry. "What would ya like? I've got rooms, food, and ale." "All three please," the woman said as she produced a small leather bag filled with gold and slid it across the counter.

The innkeeper opened the bag, counted out the gold and opened his book. "I shall need to know your name miss," he stated. Assira raised an eyebrow and slid a smaller bag across the counter. "I'm sure you can come up with one."

The innkeeper swiftly snatched the bag and hid it in his belt. He then motioned one of the servants over. "He'll show you to your room and bring you your food." Assira nodded her thanks and followed the servant up the creaky wooden stairs to her room.

Once inside, the woman removed her outer cloak and hung it up to dry. She gazed around the dimly lit room with a low ceiling. Assira lit some more of the lanterns and put her baggage next to the bed. The pitter patter of raindrops made her come to the window and take a look outside. The rain kept coming, and the city's residents were more than happy to remain inside.

Assira tore her gaze away from the window and opened one of her bags. Inside was her thieving kit: lockpicks, a dagger, and several other items of great usefulness. She began tucking the equipment into various pockets on her armor, making sure that none of it interfered with her movement.

A knock on the door tore the woman's attention from her equipment and she slipped her cloak back on to hide the armor that she wore. "Your meal Miss," the servant said when the woman opened the door. He handed her the platter of various meats and potatoes as well as a tankard of mead and retreated downstairs.

Assira placed the platter on the table and resumed her repacking. The candles had burned low by the time she was done, so the woman put them out, shrouding the room in half-darkness. The moon shone through the windowpanes, illuminating the raindrops. The rain had finally stopped, but raindrops still lingered on the glass.

The food the servant had brought up was still somewhat warm and Assira dug in with relish. It was a simple meal, but delicious. Under one of the plates, the woman found a note. It was crinkled and the heat of the food hand ruined some of the ink, but it was still legible.

I've been inside the castle, and I've drawn a map on the back of this letter. The sword you're after if locked away in the paladins' vault, surrounded by more magical security than anything you've ever stolen, with only one visible entrance. The flaw in their plan consists of several gems hidden throughout the castle that power the enchantments. Since they are placed in locations that are normally out of the way, the only thing standing between the total shutdown of the magical fields are a few guard patrols and the secrecy surrounding the gems.

Once the field is down, the gems must be used to open the vault, but time will be short. The paladins will be able to feel the field losing power as time progresses, but there will be an hour-long window during which you will have to remove the sword and return the crystals before anyone notices.

This will be an extremely dangerous task, which is why the Overlord paid me more gold that I could ever spend to help you out one last time.

I'll see you tomorrow night,

Your mutual friend.

Assira smiled as she put the letter down on the platter and smiled to herself, a fond gleam in her eyes. The man who had taught her almost everything she knew was still alive.

(A/N): Please take the time to review and speculate, as it helps me generate ideas. Constructive reviews help me improve my writing, so if you see anything, please point it out and I will do my best to fix it. ~R. Overlord