A/N: *bangs head against the wall* this chapter was so HARD to write for no particular reason. A chunk of it was originally from the last chapter and the actual 'plan' was gonna happen but now its not...oof.

Anyways, its done now so yay. Even more setup! Everyone's favorite.

Thank you once again to Kitkatkatester for reviewing the last chapter :)

Enjoy!

The next day was looking to be an eventful one. Mike woke up sore but was able to keep his mind off it, as he had more pressing matters to worry about than a little bit of pain.

After a flurry of chores occupying him most of the day, it was time to leave. He dressed as he always did going out to town as fast as possible to not leave Scott waiting. It was late afternoon, the period in which he'd relayed to Scott that Manitoba would be in town at the right spot.

Vito had gone on his walk the day before, returning only to spend a considerable amount of time in Noah's office having an arguably loud but muffled conversation with his father. Mike hadn't been able to catch any of it but Vito didn't make eye contact with any of them at dinner, clearly disturbed by something. Noah appeared stoic, yet clearly bothered when he wasn't before.

Scott couldn't care less about what he did or didn't hear or notice, because his plan was finally going to be put into action. This eagerness lead to impatience beyond what he normally displayed; they weren't moving fast enough, dangit! There was only so long before their window of opportunity closed and...he'd probably blame Mike for it if that happened, like always.

When they did arrive in town, it wasn't quite the time that most people were getting off work yet, perfect for setting themselves up. Scott carried the other two's enthusiasm and energy for them; Mike had been up since dawn working, and Vito was still emotionally exhausted after last night. "I best not see either of you sleepin' on me, alright? Gotta be quick, guy's got good reflexes," Scott reminded them as they halted their marching.

Mike nodded out of his own reflex to go along with whatever Scott was saying out of fear, while keeping his own personal plans to himself for obvious reasons. Meanwhile, Vito replied verbally, "Yeah, whateva, yo, let's just get this over with…" with a hint of irritation.

Scott frowned at his brother's tone but got over it quickly. "Time to get into positions. Vito, you're with me. Multiple Mike, don't even think about screwing this up," he said with a pointed finger as a warning.

"I wouldn't dream of such a thing, sir," Mike replied with no intentional sarcasm, though it came off that way regardless.

"Good," Scott said with narrowed eyes, not fully trusting his words but too focused on the plan to do anything about it. "Now get outta here." He dragged Vito off to their own spot.

Mike turned and stationed himself on the bench that had been marked as the place to 'set the bait', as Scott had said, the bait being him. His plan was terribly simple, but Mike wasn't going to let it go through. Something had to happen, he needed to steer Mani away from the alley where Scott and Vito were now lying in wait as opposed to towards it.

The waiting game began just then. He had the clock against him; with Mani's safety on the line, he had to think.

Many minutes would pass before anything really happened...but let's step away from town for a moment.

Around the same time, back at the house, Noah was leaving his office only to hear an eager knocking on the door. "Servant, get the do-oh right, he's out for the afternoon…" Noah stopped himself before sighing and walking over to peek through the door. He was shocked to see that the person on the other side wore royal colors on his hat, a signifier of a messenger from the king. The man had an envelope in his sweaty hand. "How strange…" he said to himself before opening the door.

The messenger bowed in greeting, gesturing with the letter. "Good afternoon, sir! I've been sent to deliver a message to a resident of this household," he said with a chipper voice before proceeding to check the name on the envelope. "A mister...Michael! Yes, that's the name." The messenger smiled. "Is that you, good sir?" he asked with a slight tilt of his head.

Noah was even more perplexed, and not happy about it either, plus this messenger was far too cheery for his liking. Still, he put on a stiff smile for the sake of politeness. "No, I am not he, but I will be sure he gets the message. He's not home right now, you see, out with…his brothers." He hated what he said. It left a bad taste in his mouth. "You can give that to me," he added, offering his hand for placement.

"Excellent!" The messenger was clearly in a rush, forgetting his superior's specific instructions, as he handed off the letter. "I shall be off then. Farewell!" He turned and jogged away, towards town where he'd left his horse in the care of the nice Australian and his broken saddle to the silent man that fixed things.

Noah closed the door and looked at the envelope in his hands. Pressed his fingers into the paper until it began to crinkle. Looks like someone's been keeping secrets he thought with anger as he returned to his office to use a letter opener on the mail that was not for him.

The handwriting was hardly legible, and the ink was blotted in certain spots from a speedy folding job on the paper, but he was able to get the jist…

the time of arrival was in only a few days...

Noah's shoulders tensed as he frowned deeply. No, no, he was not going to allow Mike to get away like this. Not when he was so close.

He gained the attention of royalty despite everything Noah thought to himself, clenching his hands on the paper further. Still, you can't possibly go with them...you haven't outlived your use just yet. And what Mike didn't know couldn't hurt him until the right moment.

He replaced the letter in the envelope and tucked it away in a desk drawer. Mike had some explaining to do when he came home…assuming he was in a capable state to be coherent.

But why wouldn't he be?

The messenger's no character in particular. Not relevant enough to be named.

Lemme know any thoughts on the chapter. Fingers crossed that next one will actually have things happen.

Til then, stay safe out there y'all, and I'll see ya next time :)