Well I have officially graduated from college. (Slow claps) Good news for you is that now I'll have a lot more time to focus on writing without the heavy weight of homework and school hanging over me like an old, dead goose. That being said, I'll be splitting my time between this story and one I'm writing to be published someday. So good luck to me on that endeavor.

Now let the festivities begin!

"I still don't see why I have to go with you. I thought we were supposed to be doing whatever we want!"

"Shut up. You get to hang with me because we haven't been on our own for a day and you've already picked seven pockets and stolen from at least ten different vendors. You should be god damn grateful that I was the one who caught you and not Maya."

Rook and Alec were trudging their way through one of the many marketplaces that had sprung up around the island. It had taken them the better part of an hour to get the license to open shop. There was a huge line of craftsmen and sellers waiting and they all bartered with the groundskeeper for the best spots and locations. By the time it was his turn he was so done with standing in line that he took whatever place they offered him first.

Long Run Island was flat and had few obstacles. The outlying land was designed to be a large racetrack that circled around the whole island. This track acted as the single main road. There were no other ways to travel between towns. The starting line was at the northernmost beach, in front of the kingdom's castle and it was wide enough to fit at least fifty people abreast. It would normally take three whole days to walk around the entire track. On either side of that track, towns were scattered around. The only thing that stuck out was the forest at the center of the island. Despite how pasteurized the fields and plains were, the forest was allowed to grow wild and free. There were no trails leading through that would have made travel easier for people. These people really took their running seriously. If you were in the northern town and wanted to go all the way south, you would need to walk around the entire half of the track to get there. If you were caught cutting through the forest, you were shamed by the townsfolk and banned from running the annual race.

Rook's stall would be placed near the edge of that forest. It was not the most ideal location. Stalls were set up in town where the closer to the pier you were, the more customers you were likely to get. Likewise, there were also stores, vendors, stalls, and merchants lining the track around the island. You had to pay a large fee to get those spots. People were constantly going between towns, trying to experience everything the festival had to offer. That was why there were three days of festivities before the race. It took that long for someone to go around the entire island. But Rook's spot was one of the worse ones. He didn't want to pay any fine for his spot so they threw him near the forest where people weren't as likely to go. He wasn't worried though. If this festival was as big as Dave made it out to be, he didn't need to worry about customers. The main problem was that the townsfolk themselves were avoiding going anywhere near the place. From what he understood from listening to some gossip while standing in line was that the inhabitants of the island only went near the forest to gather wood to build their homes. Aside from that they gave it a wide, almost extreme, berth. Rook had more than once caught people looking in the direction of the woods and scowling, like they thought it was distasteful. Probably because they couldn't run through a forest like they could a field.

When they reached their spot, there were leaves and sticks scattered everywhere. The people weren't as keen on keeping things tidy near the woods like they did for the track. Rook set down his two barrels while Alec sat on his one.

"Dude. You got screwed." The thief stated as he surveyed their

"Like I care." Looking around, there were only a handful of other merchants around. Some had brooms to sweep their spots while others prepared their stations. None of them were as bustling as the ones in town. But as he studied them, he noticed these weren't exactly the cream of the crop. There was a tinkerer with shoddy toys. The chandler's candles were small and some looked used. The only one who didn't look like they were selling secondhand was a tiny stand run by a bored looking woman who sold books. Much like Alec, she seemed pretty dissatisfied with the spot she was given.

Rook hooked his thumb at her. "If you have time to sit, go ask her if she has a broom or something. If we're going to sell anything, we need to clean this place up."

Alec looked ready to argue, but then his eyes wandered to the woman. She had silver hair but she couldn't have been too many years older than him. Maybe early thirties. And the years hadn't been bad to her by any means. All that plus the fact that he hadn't been in the company of a real woman for quite a while, made Alec grin. "Oh. I'll get your broom alright."

He swaggered his way over to the bookseller and Rook shook his head. There was no way Alec would have a chance with a woman like that. She would turn him down flat and then he would have to go beg a broom from one of the other craftsmen. Maybe the tinkerer would let him borrow his…

His attention was caught by laughter. His head snapped around and his jaw dropped. The bookseller was giggling! She was waving as Alec walked backwards towards Rook with a broom over his shoulder. He was waving back, a cocky grin slapped on his face.

He tossed Rook the broom and the smith could only stare at him and ask, "How? She's a proper member of society. And you're…"

"Charming? Good looking? Charismatic?" Alec supplied.

"Sleazy, conniving, and shady." He deadpanned.

"Heathen. You're just jealous because I have a date tonight."

"Whatever. Just help me set up. Just remember that until the sun goes down, you're stuck with me. And if you make me the third wheel to your flirting, Maya is SO going to find out that you broke her 'no stealing' rule."

Alec glared at him. "You are a real mood killer. Don't think I'm going to forget this."

"Riiight. Come at me whenever you want, sleaze ball." He popped his knuckles. "We both know I'll beat the piss out of you."

Alec looked ready to lunge at him. But he felt eyes on his back and he turned to see the bookseller watching him. Quickly collecting himself, he tilted his head towards Rook and rolled his eyes. He sent a wink her way before snatching the broom back out of his hands and getting to sweeping, doing his best to play the part of underappreciated worker.

That act wasn't lost on Rook as he heard bookseller start giggling again. "Oh. So that's how you're going to play it. Fine." A demon-like aura emanated from him. "If that's how it's going to be, I'm going to run you so ragged that you won't even be able to think straight! Now go back to the ship and grab the three crates I left in my forge."

"What!? But those crates are fucking heavy! And it takes like an hour to get here!"

"Should've though of that before using me to get a date."

"To hell with that! I don't have to work for you. You're not going to sell that many weapons anyway."

"You're also forgetting I have blackmail on you." Rook replied smugly. "Now get stepping before I report to Maya."

Alec shook for a moment, torn between two decisions. On one hand, he wanted to tell Rook to shove it and storm out of there. On the other hand, he wanted to continue working up that bookseller. And if he caused a ruckus, it was likely to turn her off.

But in the end, his desire for feminine company won out. Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, he casually walked back towards the ship. "You're gonna pay for this." He muttered under his breath.

A noncommittal grunt later, Rook was looking around the sparse stalls around him. In truth, Alec had been right. Despite this being such a big event, he was beginning to worry that he really wouldn't get the business he wanted. But he couldn't rely on the townsfolk. They were so leery of the forest that they weren't going to come anywhere near here. So he was going to have to appeal to the tourists…

His train of thought was suddenly derailed when he heard rustling in the trees behind him. Turning, he looked to see what was making the noise. But the moment he did, the sound stopped. He peered into the wood, trying to see what it was. As the seconds ticked by without anything changing, he raised an eyebrow. "Must have been a rabbit or something." He looked down at his shadow. "Hey, what do you say we go hunt it down? If we catch it, Maya can make it into a rabbit stew."

His shadow was silent, not even a ripple disturbing it. Odd. Even in his worse moods Bishop always at least grunted in reply. Rook kneeled down and put a hand on the shadow. "You in there, brother?"

Still no response. Rook rubbed his head. "Hmm. When did he leave? I could have sworn he was still in there when we were in line…"

It watched him from the safety of the trees. It knew that the local inhabitants would have fled already. They knew not to get too close. It didn't recognize this man either. Must be an outsider here for the yearly festivities. It waited until he knelt down and started speaking to himself. The way he touched the ground…was he okay? He seemed to be speaking directly into the stone plaza. Perhaps this wasn't the best one to approach. If he was mentally unstable, he wouldn't be of much use. Besides, if it revealed itself now, it would cause a panic. None of the stall worker were local, but the people walking nearby were. Its plans would be ruined if it were discovered so soon.

No. Patience was what was needed. Its instincts desired immediate action, but it curbed those desires with calm reason. The man turned, muttering worriedly to himself. It took that moment to slide back, further into the shelter of the woods. It had picked them for a reason.

But that didn't mean the plan was foolproof. It needed to continue its study. It would watch. It would wait. It would bides it time.

And there is that. Let me know what you think of this one. There are a few things that I feel a bit iffy on. I could use some feedback.

Till next time!