New Plans
"I love it when a plan comes together."
– John "Hannibal" Smith
Flynn Rider was not a gambling man.
In spite of how often he played the odds or played poker, Flynn was not a habitual gambler. He took calculated risks. When there was a problem, he weighed the solutions and picked whichever one he thought was best. Of course, you can't be a risk-taker or a thrill-seeker without getting burned now and then. Sometimes, the cards just aren't in your favor.
As Flynn stood atop one of Corona's shingled rooftops in the midday sunlight, he stared blankly at the wanted poster in his hand. One of many posters that had been plastered across the kingdom since his epic bar fight with the Captain of the Guard yesterday. Okay, in his defense, it was hilarious. But now the whole kingdom was on high alert and the entire guard were searching for him with a vengeance.
And the posters still didn't get his nose right? Seriously? Come on! Now everyone in Corona thought that he looked like a misshapen duck-billed platypus! There had to be a conspiracy at work.
"My extreme awesomeness has backfired on me. Why has thoust forsaken me, oh yee gods of yore?"
Seriously, the Captain had it coming! He had needled Rider in a way that only the most arrogant and smarmy of nobles usually did, how could he just let that go unanswered? Flynn had challenged the Captain and an entire squad of 'Corona's finest' and emerged victorious in front of a crowd! Oh, and he also did it to get a measure of how the guards in this city operated. Yes, that too. And he learned a lot, didn't he? Plus, the Captain now knew to take him seriously!
Oh wait, that was a bad thing.
Bravery and folly often ride in company. Fight wisely, never overcommit. A fool vents his spirit without restraint, but a wise man channels it with foresight.
Flynn gritted his teeth and sighed at the memory of his idol's words. Alright, alright. Maybe he got a little too carried away. This was the life he wanted, adjust to the consequences. Adapt to any new obstacles and move on.
Much as he hated to admit it, his time in Corona would have to be cut short. Just because he lived for thrills and adventure didn't mean he wanted to spend every waking moment with heart-pounding action. That would be just exhausting. He still wanted to enjoy the simpler things every now and then. And so, he had hoped to spend a few weeks here in Corona to relax, recuperate, and enjoy the Festival they had going on. To just have a good time. Besides, he hadn't seen Norris in years, and he wanted to catch up on some quality time together. And Flynn could not bring himself to say that a single afternoon was enough. Who knew when they would see each other again?
The thief scowled. Not any time soon if that Captain had anything to say about it; he had already found him disturbingly fast, less than twelve hours after his arrival even. Flynn was usually fine on his own, but after the wonderful time they spent together at the Honeycomb yesterday, the thought of not seeing one of his only friends again for a while cut at him deep. And that a rude and presumptuous authority figure was responsible for it all angered him more than he thought it would. Maybe Flynn had overplayed his hand in retaliation, but the Captain proved he would have interfered either way.
The man took a sharp sip of air as he looked up at the royal palace, its spires reaching high above the kingdom below. So be it! If Flynn Rider had to leave early, then he would get his money's worth and pay back the Captain in full for all grievances accrued. He would steal something right out from under the man's nose in his own castle!
Flynn glanced back at the poster in his hand. Duck-billed platypus…
Oh yes. There would be a reckoning for this.
He tossed the offending poster high up into the air. By the time the wind swooped it right back down, the thief was already gone.
The cards certainly were not in his favor now. So, he'd have to cheat.
~o~O~o~
Three days later…
Kings and queens built their castles grand and strong. A symbol of both authority and aspiration for the masses. A bastion to house and protect a royal family, their advisors, their wealth and their archives. Pristine, majestic and untouchable. Defended by a small legion of men whose loyalty was without question. But despite what many royals and nobles would have you believe; palaces were ultimately designed to keep out armies. A single dedicated man of unequalled skill was another matter entirely.
Flynn Rider had been in and out of a dozen palaces and a hundred mansions. This would hardly be any different. King Frederic of Corona was known to have a 'professionally childish' rivalry with King Trevor of Equis, who was famous for having one of the most impenetrable castles in the known world. Massive defensive emplacements, no less than one thousand trained soldiers on duty at any time and riddled with more booby traps than anyone could count. King Trevor never missed an opportunity to boast how no one had breached his family's castle in over two hundred years and no one ever would.
At least until… well, there was a reason why Flynn still couldn't show his face in that kingdom again.
And it already looked like it would be the same here in Corona. No matter many of those infernal posters he tore down, three replacements always appeared within the hour! All of them depicting that awful nose! The sheer number of them was ridiculous; whatever artist was designing and printing those things seriously needed to find himself a girl.
Nevertheless, Flynn became a shadow, shifting from crowd to crowd easily. No one ever looked twice at him. He had spent the last few days scouting everywhere across Corona, his mind soaking in the layout as he gathered information. Granted, his usual preparations were more difficult with the guards tripling their patrols, but it was nothing terribly new to him, let alone original. He was the best of the best.
As Flynn scouted the kingdom, one of his key findings was that, while the Royal Guard was certainly incompetent in a fight, they followed procedure and their efficient search protocols exceptionally well. Flynn could hardly go forty steps without seeing a patrol. They were inexperienced against dedicated threats, but still frustratingly well-fortified. Windows were locked and obvious openings were well secured. Most kingdoms he had visited thought that simply doubling the guard was enough. But it seemed the Captain took everything to the next level; a stickler for proper rules inside and out.
'What a gloriously irritating commitment to security standards.'
But even as diligent nitpickers, the Royal Guard were still as unimaginative as ever. They watched the streets effectively but hardly ever glanced up.
At the beginning, Flynn knelt on a roof above it all, absorbing every little detail he could. On the roof, he took a deep breath. Above the crowds, he was detached from the noise and his sharp senses were free. Up amongst the wind, he could focus. He breathed, his inner hawk observed, and his eyes could go exactly where they needed to go. He'd already stalked the roofs entirely around the castle, at least twice, matching the city maps he had acquired with the actual building's perimeter. He had explored its surroundings thoroughly in the pre-dawn light, looking for everything and checking whatever he could. And no matter the kingdom, royals always kept giant windows everywhere across their palace; it was easy to see much of the castle interior with a common telescope. By the end of the first day, Flynn had already noted eight promising infiltration routes.
But he needed more information on the castle, its defenses and most importantly, what potential treasures he could collect. Flynn's last heist in Weselton was much easier. With an authentic invitation to the gala and disguised as a noble, the thief had simply walked through the Duke's front door and went almost anywhere he wished. Additional reconnaissance was almost unnecessary when the guards themselves welcomed you in and gave you directions. But that was not the case here in Corona, and so Flynn took to the streets to open his ears. No one understood the system or the flow of things better than the locals, even if they didn't know it. Even harmless gossip could be valuable to an experienced infiltrator.
The coming Festival worked to Flynn's advantage; the crowds grew busier every day as the holiday grew closer which made blending in all the more easy. A shift in his posture, a small crate of timber in his hands, a small bale of hay on his back or the appearance of some other mundane chore, and everyone's eyes easily passed over him. Nodding to himself, he stole some bread for a light lunch and started another circuit around the city.
Now he focused on specific words, looking to find gossip and slips of information about the palace itself. A rookie guard was barely getting enough sleep for his squad's newly appointed double-shift of patrolling the castle. A stonemason's apprentice lamented how his master sprained his ankle before he could repair a loose section of the throne room's rooftop. A merchant was concerned how the Royal Guard diverted the bulk of the garrison away from the palace to increase patrols in the city. The royal gardener was grateful that his trees remained tall and strong after the Lost Princess disappeared; some even stretched over the castle walls! A florist bitterly moaned to her brother about the Captain now spending his time away from the palace, relentlessly interrogating anyone even remotely suspicious.
All of it helped him.
By the time the evening sun began setting on the third day, Flynn Rider had a detailed map of the city and all points of entry to the castle marked. But it wasn't quite enough. Despite his best efforts, he still didn't have enough solid information on the most worthwhile prizes inside the royal palace to pursue. He had maps and designs with no clear destination, a heist without a known prize. And with the Festival only a few days away, he was running out of time.
But Flynn wasn't worried. No, not at all! It only meant he had another reason to pay one last visit to the world's best information trader who had been living in Corona for over three years.
~o~O~o~
For a kingdom that revered the sun, night in Corona was just as picturesque.
The moon blazed like a phantasmal sun over the ocean, the swells playing with its shimmering ivory image. The city stood majestic in the moonlight, the palace's proud spires stretching high and bearing the waving purple and gold pennants of the kingdom. A faint breeze rustled the willow and roses in the gardens, the hissing of leaves interrupted by the whistle of wind through branches. Ripples played across the river's surface as though fairies were dancing over it. Throughout the cobblestone streets, many of the food merchants and other vendors were either packing up or seeking out that one last customer or transaction as the crowds thinned and returned to their homes. The sounds of life were barely a murmur at this time of night, but still audible to the trained ear.
Flynn strode through the city, smiling as he spotted the Honeycomb again. His stomach made several eager noises in anticipation. The restaurant was closed for the night, its silence a stark contrast to its usual lively and bustling business during the day. The doors were closed, and the amber-tinted windows had a golden glow from the flickering lights as a few staff worked the after-closing hours before heading home for the night. The chimneys still puffed some light fumes, signaling that the kitchens were still at work. A small flock of night birds were still gathered around the chimneys, drawn to the warmth and delicious odors wafting from below.
With practiced ease, Flynn shimmied up and quietly slipped in through the second-floor window, carefully closing it behind him. The second-floor tables were deserted of life, but still had golden light from the chandeliers overhanging the ground floor where he could hear several voices chatting amicably below. He caught Norris' voice immediately, talking with two others. He didn't recognize the first one, and the second sounded like—
The thief's eyebrows shot up. Could it be? Without making a sound, Flynn slinked over to the balcony overlooking the tables below while staying in the shadows. The smell of freshly prepared food drifted up to greet him. He observed two or three of the Honeycomb serving girls still cleaning and going over inventory. At the center of the tables sat three people; there was his old friend Norris and a short round man he didn't know but sitting across from them was none other than Opal! The young dancer he helped escape from the Duke!
And she was eating Norris' cooking like a woman possessed.
"What is this marvel?!" Opal exclaimed as her fork barely seemed to ever slow in delivering another morsel to her eager lips. "It's so delicious! I thought only nobles could eat like this!"
"No need to be so surprised, Miss Valentina!" The unnamed man laughed. "Corona has always had a proud and distinctive heritage for the culinary arts, not to mention our hospitality to newcomers!"
"Of course, Monty!" Norris replied. "I am not one to deny food to a starving guest."
Ah, so this was Monty. The local celebrity that Norris became fast friends with. The man had a short and rotund build, with plump cheekbones and an impressively rosy complexion for an old man. Monty had a face that was clearly used to giving a joyful smile that even his large gray mustache could not conceal. He carried a youthful energy and exuberance that belied his wide frame and age. He wore a maroon fez hat with a peppermint-colored crest, along with a sky-blue apron and forest-green bottoms that apparently had no trouble containing his large middle. A simple change of clothes and he could easily pass for a short Father Christmas.
The chef turned back to Opal with a kind smile. "Please do take care how quickly you wolf it down, bella gemma. You might hurt yourself."
"I'm sorry, it's been years since I've eaten this well!" Her full lips closed around another mouthful, the brunette trembling delightedly in her seat as her eyes closed in pleasure. "Oh gods, thank you for this meal!"
Norris chuckled shakily at the young woman's reaction, tugging his collar nervously. "W-Well, I guess I have to be one lucky cook to have someone eat my food this eagerly. I-I, uh, I don't mind making some more, you know!"
Monty immediately eyed him, noticing that his friend's cheeks had turned a delightful shade of pink. The older man smirked and knowingly elbowed Norris. Even Opal's plain commoner clothing couldn't fully conceal the dancer's curvaceous form, let alone her stunning face and striking blue eyes.
After several minutes, Opal sighed with content as she put her fork down. "Mmmm… Thank you so much for this."
"Prego caro," Norris nodded "I'm delighted you enjoyed it."
The woman's eyebrows rose and easily replied "Grazie mille signore."
The chef immediately straightened. "Oh, parli italiano?!"
"Sì! E parlo fluentemente anche il francese e tedesco. La mia insegnante di danza è stato molto ben viaggiato."
"Veramente? Ti ha parlato dei famosi piatti di—"
"And this oblivious old timer – who's still sitting right here – speaks only one language. Including English." Monty dryly reminded them before the two got carried away.
"Oh, sorry," Norris answered sheepishly. "Anyway, it's my great pleasure to be of service to anyone in my restaurant, however I can."
"Oh, everything was delicious." Opal meant it; she had not left so much as a bite on her plate. There was much more life to the young woman now, more than she had in a long time. But soon the resigned and careful look returned to her eyes. "I…I truly appreciate the gesture, you're much too kind. Thank you for inviting me here, but-but I don't have any way to pay you back. I have no money or income, or even a place to go. What little I had back home was taken by the Duke, so I have no collateral to offer and there's no way for me to—"
Norris held up a hand. "Relax, bella gemma. You've spent too much time in Weselton if you think that everything in life costs an arm and a leg. But you're in Corona now, you may eat whatever you wish."
Opal stopped still, looking at the man as though he had said something silly or foolish.
"You're not the only one that man has tried taking everything from. All of the kingdom knows him," Monty briefly had a solemn look on your face. But then his face lit right back up. "Besides, what kind of hosts would we be if we didn't offer a helping hand to those with an empty stomach?"
"But I—"
"You say that you've been through hard times? Then you'll fit right in at Corona! I know more than a few people just like you across the city who you'd make fast friends with. You can even make a home here, a new life. And we'd be happy to help you get started."
(Cappuccino – From the Silent City)
Another delightful smell tickled Opal's nose. She turned to see one of the serving girls bring them a tray with three steaming hot beverages. Two were coffees for Norris and Monty, the latter promptly pouring sugar and vanilla cream into his cup. The third was gently placed into Opal's hands, a pleasantly warm mug of hot cocoa with cinnamon sticks and bean cream. The swirling foam had been expertly poured to resemble a basil leaf floating in the brew; an artistic touch that seemed almost criminal to disturb. The scent that drifted up to meet her was rich and creamy like melted chocolate bars. Even without taking a sip, it soothed her nerves and put a soft glow in her heart, making her feel safe and cozy.
The runaway dancer tentatively looked up from her mug. Did she dare to feel hope?
"Y-You'd… you would help me?"
"You said a while ago that you were desperate for work, didn't you?" Norris asked. When Opal nodded, the chef smiled as he gestured around the Honeycomb. "Then how would you like to work here? I'm always happy to have more help, especially with the Festival coming up."
"Hmmm?" She blinked in shock.
"The work is from dawn until late in the night. You'd be waiting on tables and clearing away the dishes, basic stuff. As far as pay goes, how about we treat you the same as a young woman finished with school? No, actually, let's go more than that. Five silver coins for a full day sound good?"
Opal jolted as if she had been struck. "Wait, that much?! Each day? And just for waiting tables for you?"
"Well, it's about a fourteen-hour shift, including breaks. I must warn you bella gemma, it will be very rough if you're not used to it. Working here will be a lot of work. Oh, and I'll feed you, three meals. They'll be simple staff meals though, nothing terribly fancy."
"I can see why Norris called me over this late," Monty smiled brightly. "I know everyone here in the city. I can easily get you setup with a place to stay. Room's a little tight these days, but there's several places that will give you free room to sleep until you have a steady income, especially with written references from the both of us!"
The offer mulled over slowly on the dancer's mind as she stared mutely into her mug. One could watch as the impact of what she was being offered slowly dawned on the woman, and she leaned back against the back of the chair, quiet awe filling her face. A steady job, a warm place to sleep, good benefits, free meals, and plenty of new friends wanting to help. Such seemingly simple things in life were all that many people could ever want. And after years of the Duke of Weselton's horrible conditions with no pay, it was like paradise for a young woman like Opal. After almost two minutes, her eyes snapped to Norris again.
"What kindness is this?" She whispered, tears once more filling her eyes, though this time for a much different reason. "Yes, yes! I'll do it! Please hire me!"
Norris stood up from his seat and shook Opal's hand. "Alright, then considered yourself hired, Miss Valentina. Training will start tomorrow afternoon, just before the Festival. You'll have to learn quick and shape up fast. I hope it will be enough to get you back on your feet."
"It's more than enough! It's everything, it's…" Opal slowly took her first sip of the Honeycomb's hot cocoa, her eyes closing in bliss as the warm flavor seeped through her. "It's wonderful. Thank you. I owe you so much."
Monty stood up as well. "Look, times may be a little rough here in Corona, but we do what we can to help each other through the rough patches. Sticking together is how we make it through."
"Thank you as well, Mister—"
"Just call me Uncle Monty, everyone does, you're one of us now." He scribbled something on a piece of paper. "Here's a few of the addresses where you can stay until we get you settled in. Until then, if you think the Honeycomb's good then you should visit my place, the Sweete Shop! Kids come by all the time, they'll love you!"
"Oh, don't even bother with Monty's sweets," Norris waved his hands. "It's not worth your time nor the inevitable brain damage."
Monty snorted and playfully slapped his friend's shoulder. Then he stifled a yawn and checked his pocket watch. "Well, it's late and I have to get home. Big few days ahead of us. I'll check in with you later, Miss Valentina," he called back as he headed out the door. "Make sure to check out the next Gopher Grab contest, it's a big favorite around here and I can get you free tickets anytime! See you tomorrow, Norris!"
"Arrivederci!" Norris waved.
After Monty left for the night, the chef and the dancer spent the next twenty minutes discussing the finer details of Opal's employment. The young woman had plenty of questions about her contract and the Honeycomb's establishment, showing plenty of intelligence and determination for her craft. She even made several suggestions for improvements, which also made another positive impression on a fascinated Norris. She had plenty of experience waiting and entertaining powerful people that had far greater expectations for their service. But now she was more than ready to give it her all for a job with far less demands and a much more friendly staff. It was truly better than anything Weselton gave her.
"I suppose we should call it a night for now," Norris stood up and extended a hand. "Remember, training starts tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock, enough time to teach you a few things before practicing with Giselle during the lunch hour."
"You won't regret this, Master!" Opal shook his hand with as much enthusiasm as manners would allow. "You can count on me."
"No no, none of that, you may call me Norris if you like. Or just Chef, when in company."
"Thank you… Norris." She smiled radiantly. "Then you can just call me Opal."
The chef smiled back. "And don't worry. I have good instincts about people, and I'm sure you'll fit right in perfectly. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Ciao, bella."
The dancer bowed her head one last time in gratitude before she turned to depart. She stopped halfway through the door to look around the entire Honeycomb, drinking it in. Opal was already happy to work at a simple restaurant that was tasteful and well-made, yet far less opulent and gaudy than the Duke's ridiculously lavish mansion. The Honeycomb had a homely and welcoming aura that she couldn't describe, and she already loved it.
Opal's shoulders relaxed as if a great load vanished from her shoulders. "I'm free…" she whispered, soft enough that no one would hear. "Tomorrow's a new day."
A fresh start. That was more than what some could ever hope for. What was more priceless than a second chance?
And with that, Corona's newest citizen left with a new spring in her step, the bell ringing melodiously as the door softly closed.
Norris stood alone as on the floor as he watched Opal leave his restaurant, unable to help a small smile. "Yeah, I'm sure she'll be happy here. Hehe… although after watching her eat, I might be just as famished now."
The chef turned and headed for the empty ironwood bar. He rounded the corner and quickly bent down under the counter to pull out a few cooking utensils. Norris rose back up and placed a tray on the counter, pausing when his eyes noticed—
"More paczki please!" Flynn Rider raised a hand, casually sitting three feet away.
"Gack!" Norris lurched back with a startled yelp, barely catching himself before crashing into the shelves of clean glasses and brightly colored bottles. The blonde man put a hand to his chest, breathing rapidly in alarm before he descended into heaving chuckles of amusement. "Cinnamon sugar on toast, do you ever make noise? You scared me half to death!"
"Well, that means you're still half alive!" Flynn sat with crossed arms and his signature grin.
"And here I was anticipating that you'd visit early this morning." The chef wagged his finger, grinning back. "You're late."
"Flynn Rider is never late, nor is he early," the thief answered sagely. "He arrives precisely when awesomeness demands it."
The two men laughed. Not even ten seconds after Flynn's surprise appearance and the two friends had already slipped back into their usual banter without even realizing.
"I suppose it goes without saying that you weren't followed, were you?"
"Course not!"
"Yeah, I believe that. They're having a hell of a time trying to find you. Still haven't lost your touch, huh?"
"And I intend on keeping it that way. I've updated my privacy policy."
"That's not how it works," Norris answered flatly, rolling his eyes. The leaning down behind the counter, grabbing a pair of fine crystal glasses, before tossing a cube of ice into each one and filling them with an adequate amount of drink, just barely enough to make the large chunk of frozen water float. With a smooth move of his hand, he let one glass slide over the polished wooden surface of the counter right into Flynn's hand.
The thief smiled as the two clinked glasses together and both downed their glasses in a single go.
After another moment, Flynn's smile dropped a little as he shifted uncomfortably. "And hey, uh, I'm glad you went the distance to help out Opal back there. Because if I'm being honest, I'm not sure what else I could have done other than hand her a purse of gold coins and say 'good luck'." The thief sighed. He had been more worried about her than he wanted to admit. "I mean, sure, I got her out of the Duke's madhouse, but I don't really know anything about—"
"Relax, vecchio amico," Norris reassured. "It was nothing, and I was happy to help her out. If anything, I should be thanking you! We could use a dancer to go with our live music. I'm very impressed that she was willing to argue with the Duke. Not many people have that kind of backbone. And I can see why she was so sought after with a nice smile and a slender frame like hers. She certainly comes from, uh, impressive stock." His cheeks flushed with pink.
"Yeah, I saw the dishes you made for her," Flynn was grinning like the cat who caught the canary. "Some of your special recipes this short on notice? You sly dog, you must like her."
"W-Well, she was hungry!" Norris quickly answered. "And she needed help, alright? I wouldn't leave you in a place like that, either. And she's even prettier than you."
Flynn only sniggered, unfazed. "Feeling the love here. Believe me."
"Bastardo."
"So, how have things with you been for the past few days?" Flynn moved on.
The chef lightly shrugged. "It's mostly been about the mess you caused with the guards. And my food. Normally, that kind of altercation would be incredibly inconvenient for me and my restaurant. But according to gossip, I, Norris Flint of the Honeycomb, apparently survived an encounter with a dangerous rogue that even the Captain of the Guard couldn't handle. And suddenly, that makes my business even more popular! What is wrong with people?"
Flynn burst out laughing.
"Seriously, my restaurant can be a lively place, but I haven't had that kind of excitement since this Varian kid from out of town snuck in and used my kitchen for an experiment. Let me tell you, that was one crazy day. It took an entire long weekend to clean up that mess of purple gelatin he left everywhere. But even that doesn't compare to this week. Who would actually take on Captain Stilton himself and make it look like some sort of theater performance?"
"I sure would!"
"Of course you would, but you're weird." Norris shot back. "You've always been wicked with the sword, but how can you just duel and humiliate the Captain of His Majesty's Royal Guard and act as though it's no big deal?"
"With great ease!" Flynn smiled. "Remember how we first met?"
A look of enlightened comprehension entered the chef's eyes. "Things make more sense every day. Hehe, I forgot how much fun it is to work with you, Rider! And good heavens, did you make Stilton mad!"
"Yeah, he was obviously less than thrilled at my presence. So, I thought he could use an object lesson."
"An object lesson?"
"A lesson to which he objects." Flynn returned smoothly. "I mean, amateurs shouldn't play with dangerous weapons. They could get hurt— namely by someone better."
"Indeed. By this man right here!" Norris wore an ear-splitting grin as he reached into his chef coat and unfurled a certain wanted poster. "What keeps happening to your nose? Have you got something you want to tell everybody?"
The thief immediately slumped at the sight of yet another horribly inaccurate drawing of his nose. "Those depictions of me are false and I will refute them until they die!"
"Ah, don't be like that. Look at the bright side: you're a wanted man either way."
"Yeah, thanks. Go ahead and brag about it, why don't you?" Flynn playfully scowled, crossing his arms.
"I already did!" Norris laughed. "It's as if they're really trying to make fun of you!"
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up."
"You can count on it!" Norris answered with a tone that was both jovial and dead serious as he thrust the poster an inch from the thief's face. "Because if you ever think to start a food fight with my cooking again, I will make sure the newspapers hear how much these annoy you. Just imagine what kind of posters the Captain will make next."
The blood seeped from Flynn's face as he stared with abject horror. "I promise! Message received!"
"Smart boy." The chef smiled in satisfaction and then tore up the poster. "Now that that's dealt with, how about some dinner?"
"Oh, yes please," The thief sighed in mild relief. "Haven't had a full proper meal in the last few days. And speaking of which, I could use a little info on a job I've been putting together. Remember my idea about 'spring cleaning'?"
"Oh boy… yeah, I remember. Alright, just give me a few minutes while I'll cook us something up, and then we can talk." Norris turned and headed toward the kitchen door. Just as he reached it, the door opened to reveal Giselle stepping out, her hair done in a long ponytail and no longer dressed in her work uniform.
"Ah, Norris!" The brunette smiled. "Oliver, Tiana, and the rest of the late shift have already gone home. How'd the interview go?"
"Opal Valentina is very eager to get started, I see a lot of potential in that one," Norris nodded. "She'll be here by eleven tomorrow, and as senior hostess it'll mostly be your job to settle her in."
"You can count on it; I'll be happy to help the poor thing out. Anyway, everything's wrapped up on my own end. So, if there's nothing else, I'm going to take off for the night." Giselle paused mid-step when she noticed Flynn at the bar and her entire expression instantly gleamed, Norris already forgotten. "Actually, there is one thing that needs my attention…"
"Here we go." The chef sighed before he simply disappeared into the kitchen.
"My, my! The famous Flynnigan Rider," her lush lips revealed a lovely smile as she approached, her hungry gaze taking him in. "I was hoping you'd pay another visit."
"Oh, did someone miss me?" Flynn rose to his feet, in full Eye-Candy Mode. "I always prefer to leave a lasting impression."
Color entered Giselle's cheeks, and the desire was reflected in her eyes. "I work at the finest restaurant in the kingdom. I like fine things, so you have my complete attention." The woman reached back to smooth the hair of her ponytail. It was impossible to miss that she also quite deliberately flexed her shoulders slightly to do… interesting things to her chest.
"Mmmmm… sadly, I won't be able to visit this fine restaurant after tonight." Flynn pouted playfully.
"Awwww, I'd hate to see that handsome face leave. Or at least, not without saying goodbye." The young woman smiled coyly as her hand now lifted her ponytail, slowly slipping off the clip until her hair came undone and plopped over the front of her shoulder.
It was amazing how a woman could manage to make such a simple act seem so alluring.
"You know," Giselle spoke as she twirled a finger through her hair. "I loved the way you dueled with the Captain. Would you be willing to share a few stories of your exploits, just with me? I'm very curious how much those hands must have practiced to become so… skillful." She purred suggestively.
"If it means that much to you, I'd be willing to indulge your curiosity all night."
"I'm all ears."
Flynn couldn't quite hold back the chuckle. "Only all ears?"
"Oh, you're good," she replied, looking up and down his frame. "But I have to wonder if your wits are the only part of you that performs so well."
"Now, now," Flynn turned up the charm with his own mischievous smile. "Only an embellishing braggart talks about such things with so lovely a lady in public."
"Such a flatterer, you just keep getting better and better," Giselle ran a finger from her ear down her cheek. "And here I thought true gentlemen were a dying breed."
"I prefer 'dashing rogue'. For example…" Flynn leaned in closer and began whispering in her ear.
The effect was immediate. Giselle's eyes glazed, her lips quivered, and a heavy warmth began rushing down to her loins. She canted her hips more solidly against him, her body tingling, and finally gave into the urge to whimper how much she wanted him.
"I hope I'm intruding!" Norris called as he exited the kitchen with a tray of two dishes of dinner and steaming coffee. "Sit down, Flynn. And Giselle, I will see you tomorrow. The two of us have some private matters to discuss." The unspoken dismissal was clear.
The handsome thief looked at the brunette and shrugged apologetically as he complied. Giselle pouted, but then stepped behind the man, putting her arms around Flynn and sighed, her eyes rolling back, pressing her ample chest into his back.
"Capocuoco?" She lifted her eyes up. "Might I have three chocolate mousses to go?"
Flynn's eyes widened along with his eager smile. She was a bold one!
Norris, unfortunately, did not share the enthusiasm. "Assolutamente no! No one will ever use my beloved desserts for that!"
"Pity, it would have been so delicious." Giselle pressed her body closer to Flynn. Hidden in her skirts, a naughty hand slipped her address into his pocket before she traced the length of him. "Just don't take too long, okay? I'll be drawing myself a bath in an hour. If you hurry, I might just have a space for you…"
Flynn only smiled. No doubt her naughty hand felt his reaction to her.
Giselle smiled demurely and then strode out of the Honeycomb for the night. Feeling Flynn's eyes on her, she put an extra swing in her hips to give him something to think about.
And then it was just the two old friends.
Norris gave the thief a flat look. "I have known that woman since before I even first arrived here in Corona, and she's never been like this before. You don't even have to do anything, do you?"
Flynn stroked his chin as if in deep thought. "Well, yes, you could say heaven was feeling pretty generous the day I was created."
"Damn it, you storybook character," Norris bemoaned. "I'm telling you Rider; she's training to be a governess. A woman of refined education, I swear! Like I told you before, she's never wanted her good looks to be the only thing that someone cares about! So how do you do it? Again, women are supposed to be complicated!"
"I think you just answered your own question," Flynn laughed. "How would you know what tastes or interests she has in her own private time?"
The chef stared, then he sighed loudly in exasperation. Somehow, he hadn't realized that. "Alright. But just remember, Giselle is still a member of my staff and a good friend. You better not hurt her."
"Relax!" Flynn held up his hands disarmingly. "Love and leave them always satisfied, that's my motto."
Norris blinked. "You have like thirty mottos, with all your quotes from that book."
"And besides, didn't you see her?" Flynn continued like Norris hadn't said anything. "I can tell you from plenty of first-hand experience, that is the look of a woman who knows she won't be seeing me again in the morning and is determined to have all the fun she can get!"
"You always keep finding new ways to impress me. How the heck does one man attract the attention of every bad guy and anyone even vaguely female in whatever kingdom he happens to be trekking through? I'm surprised you ever get anything done."
"Like I've told Astella, I have no idea what you're talking about." The wry grin on Flynn's face made the statement less than convincing. "So then, what do we have to eat?"
Norris presented the two dishes of salad before them. As a man often on the move, simple dishes like a salad were usually a regular meal for Flynn. Inexpensive, easy to make, available almost anywhere, and good for nutrition. But with Norris, he could always expect him to turn an otherwise simple dish into a delicacy, especially with the rich and flavorful aroma he was smelling. His friend had cooked up a frittata, a new Italian favorite that folded cheese into the eggs and cooked them, much like an omelet. But unlike most omelets, Norris had then broken the frittata into rough chunks and sprinkled them over the bed of salad itself. He had next gently tossed the mixed ingredients to merge flavors. After that, he had simply drizzled the dish with balsamic vinegar and grated parmesan cheese, and it was already done.
An ensalada de frittata, as Norris called it.
And to the side was a plate of Flynn's favorite paczki, which Norris had sprinkled some powdered mullet roe over, giving the jam pastries an entirely new depth of flavor. Norris handed him a fork, and the two of them dug into their dinner. Everything was delicious! The combination of omelet eggs and fresh vegetables was magnificent as every bite blended with the sauce.
"Mmmm-mmmmm!" Flynn savored the tastes spreading through his mouth. "I've had a lot of salad dishes, but nothing like this!"
"Grazie!" Norris gave his signature chef smile at his old friend's praise.
Flynn then reached for the coffee. With the business the two of them had and spending the rest of the night with Giselle afterward, he could use some extra energy. He paused as he smelled a most invigorating aroma from the mug. "Mmmmm… what kind of blend is this one?"
"It's called Kopi Luwak," Norris grinned. "An exotic and delicious blend. Try it, I promise you've never had coffee like this before."
Flynn nodded and took a deep sip. The coffee's flavor had a delightfully subtle taste of chocolate and caramel, and an odd earthy texture he couldn't quite place. "Oh! Oh, wow, that's good stuff! Even your coffee is always a treat!"
"Oh, this one isn't mine," Norris' smile grew even wider, which suddenly gave the thief a bad feeling. "They have a place in Asia that grows the special coffee cherries. There's a wild breed of jungle cat that eats the cherries, digests them, and then defecates. Their stools are then collected and processed into coffee beans. It's the combination of the cherries and the gastric juices of the tree cat that gives the coffee such a unique flavor and aroma."
…
…
…
Flynn burst out the front door and hurled the coffee as far as he could out into the night. "AND STAY OUT!"
A startled cat screamed in the distance.
He marched back in, slammed the door behind him, sat back down and leveled a glare. "I trusted you."
Norris was pressing a napkin to his mouth as he laughed almost hysterically. "I couldn't resist! It's so hard to throw you of all people off your game like that! Forgive me while I bask in the moment!"
"Cat poop, Norris! I drank cat poop! Here's a customer review for your restaurant: crap coffee! That was cruel!"
"As cruel as the time you made Lance and me wait while you finished cracking the Pluvian lock in Albion?"
Flynn blinked. "The Pluvian…what? That took me literally three seconds!"
"They were a boring three seconds."
"Har de har har." Flynn went back to his salad. A few minutes after Norris' hysterics calmed down, the thief eyed the paczki dessert critically. "You didn't do something to them, right? Like prune jelly?"
"Prune jelly?! Of course not!" Norris answered incredulously. "This isn't Vorhaven!"
~o~O~o~
Thirty minutes later…
The two friends continued to eat and drink happily, sharing laughs and advice from the last few years. But while it seemed they always had room for another paczki dessert or one more hilarious story, business always had to come sooner or later.
"Alright, moving on. Spring cleaning inside the royal palace! I'm itching for a little civil disobedience and could use your help."
"So, you really are going to sneak into the castle?" Norris raised a wry eyebrow. "I heard all about the last time you did that. King Benjamin of Glowerhaven hasn't been very fond of pigs ever since."
"Oh yeah, now that was one of the most entertaining heists I've ever done!" Flynn laughed. "Hey, would you like to come along? Could be fun."
"No thanks, I'm out of that business."
"Ahhh, come now, don't be that way! It'll be just like old times."
"That's what I'm worried about." Norris answered flatly.
"It's fun and profit, what's not to like?"
"Getting shot at by crossbows for one but working with you makes that commonplace."
The thief opened his mouth to protest, then slowly closed it without a word. This was true.
"Flynn my friend, there are two things I love in life these days: Making good food and making miniature doll furniture."
…Wait, what was that last part?
"I admit it, your jobs helped me get the surplus money I needed for this place." Norris conceded. "But I've found my dream place, and I don't want to gamble with it. I'm done with adventuring. I'll leave that part to you."
"Fair enough and I can respect that, but what's wrong with adventure?"
"I'm a chef, adventure makes you late for dinner!" Norris answered jauntily. Flynn stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. Norris joined in seconds later.
"But come on! Just because you find your dream life never means you should throw excitement out of your life!"
"Says the man who wants to retire on a private island all alone while in his prime."
Flynn was brought up short for a moment before he conceded the point. "Well, uh, yeah! I'm not going to turn boring, that's not the life of Flynn Rider. A-And what I meant is that if you should always keep enough thrills of the unknown in your life. If we knew everything that would happen, it wouldn't be an adventure! It would just be moving around, and everyone hates moving. Just the packing alone, bleagh."
Now it was Norris' turn to concede the point. The blonde chef let out a hearty laugh. "Well, I have no trouble helping a friend out with some information at least." The man headed for the kitchen, gesturing for the thief to follow. "Come on, I have a few things in the back."
Flynn wiped the last of the paczki jam off his chin with a napkin and followed him into kitchen. "Any intel from you was always a big help. I did some scouting for the past few days, but—"
"But you need inside knowledge of the palace so you can carry out another of your ridiculous ideas." Norris laughed as he opened the back kitchen door, gesturing for him to enter.
"What do you expect? I'm a master of tactical improvisation!" Flynn smiled brightly as he entered the Honeycomb storage room.
"That's a fancy way of saying you just make it up as you go along," Norris answered as he closed the door behind them.
"Hey, don't worry, I've got a plan."
"Oh, great… He's got a plan."
The thief just snickered as he glanced around the storage room curiously. The place was insulated, dimly lit with three lanterns, and packed with barrels, crates, knitted sacks and many other containers for food and ingredients.
"Um, it's certainly private but not exactly full of anything I could… use…" Flynn trailed off as his inner hawk chirruped and drew his gaze towards the large wine rack Norris was approaching.
Norris held up a hand, turning to give Flynn a smirk as he rested a hand on a dusty bottle of wine on the far-left shelf. "Do remember who you're talking to, ragazzo."
Before Flynn could reply, a section of the floor, looking like just any other section of dirt, lifted, then swung aside without a sound. Until it moved, it was completely indistinguishable from any other section of the packed-dirt floor. A ladder descended down the narrow hole out of sight until it was swallowed by darkness. Norris took one of the lanterns, sucked in his gut and went first down the ladder. Flynn's eyebrows went up and then followed him down.
At the bottom, he found Norris lighting several hanging oil lamps with the lantern's flame. The underground room was not entirely spacious, though it did contain two small cots in one corner, folded up and stacked neatly out of the way. A low wooden table, roughly cut, but nicely finished, stood against one wall, and the other was absolutely covered with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling pigeonholes, each about the size of a loaf of Norris's fine bread. Most of them had some scrolls or notes thrust into them, but a few were empty.
The space was clearly dug out by hand, and probably over a long time. The ceiling was rather low, Flynn had to stoop slightly, but it was otherwise comfortable in the long, narrow room. Planks across the roof were supported by upright pillars thick as tree trunks to support the weight of the dirt overhead. At the far end of the room, it lost the neatly defined definitions and flowed off into two small passages, so low a man had to go stooped over to fit. One curved to the right and seemed to rise slightly, while the other curved left and down at a sharp angle.
Flynn took the entire place in. Then he gave his friend a wry look. "Oh sure. You're out of the business, huh? Then you must have some seriously industrious gophers."
Norris indignantly threw up a hand. "I'm retired from that life, not deaf! I'd be a fool to just shut down the vast network I've painstakingly built. I still hear things from my many informants, and it always helps important people to owe you favors."
The man set the lantern down on the table, and then he suddenly paused. He was looking drearily at a scroll sitting next to the lantern that he had left. With one hand, Norris wordlessly spread it open as he read its contents. His shoulders slumped, downcast.
Flynn's smile waned slightly. "You okay, buddy?"
"Do you remember when you were here several days ago?" Norris spoke in a morose voice. "We were expecting a crew of performers from Seahaven to entertain my customers during the Festival?"
The thief's brow furrowed slightly as he searched his memories. "Uh, I think so… oh yes, their ship was delayed, right?" Flynn had taken the opportunity of their absence to fool the restaurant into believing his duel with the Captain was all just an elaborate performance.
"Their ship never showed up at all," Norris answered grimly. "I received this document yesterday morning. They found the beached wreckage of the ship only a day's journey from Seahaven. Completely crushed. All hands lost."
"Oh… damn. I'm sorry." Flynn's posture slouched; his expression holding none of its usual frivolity. It was always rough to hear about fun-loving people like that getting lost at sea. It would also make a big dent in the Honeycomb's business if they had no live entertainment for their guests during the Fest—hey, wait a minute…
"Hold on, did you say 'crushed'? Norris, I thought that Seahaven has the calmest waters in all the kingdoms. No hurricanes, waterspouts, or even rogue waves. What could have crushed their ship?"
Silence.
Flynn's eyes took in the way his friend was shifting uneasily. "Norris? You're wiggling like an eel in a basket. What's wrong?"
"Zelinsky's not the only one." The chef let out a long sigh. "I've been getting disturbing activity reports over the last year. Things in the Alliance kingdoms are getting worse. Ships getting crushed in calm waters with no explanation, pirate attacks and slave traders increasing, coastal towns found completely abandoned or ransacked. It's hitting them hard. Something's going on out there, and I don't like it."
Now it was Flynn who fell silent.
There it was again. The same uneasy feeling he felt back in Weselton, when the Duke gave him an unredacted description of the strange behavior behind the pirate attacks. His inner hawk stirred in agitation. Something was definitely happening out there, and whatever it was the Alliance Kingdoms were caught in the middle of it.
Suddenly his private —and very secret— island looked more appealing than would be able to hide out until this whole thing blew over, whatever it was.
Another shiver of worry suddenly went down Flynn's spine as a thought occurred to him. Strihaven was one of the Alliance Kingdoms. He swallowed uncomfortably as he struggled to ask about something that had always been personal to him. "Ummm… so Strihaven, is there any word on…?"
Norris saved his friend the trouble. "Astella is in good health and her orphanage is still steady. But it's busier than ever. With all the trouble the Alliance is having, they've never had so many orphans in their care before. They're almost to capacity, and it's hard on them."
Though he was still a little concerned, Flynn found himself letting out a silent sigh of relief. Astella would be alright. He had left them a lot of money, and if she could handle him as an orphan then she could handle anything.
"Anyway, the four kings have been working out new treaties with each other," Norris continued. "They're on the way to recovering by kickstarting their trade and ship building, and they're bolstering their militaries against the pirates. But King Willard of Strihaven is being unusually stubborn. Even for him."
"Of course he is." Flynn rolled his eyes. He knew from first-hand experience what kind of man King Willard was to the people of Strihaven. There was a reason why he started stealing from rich folks that didn't deserve to be rich.
"Anyway, while all things appear to be focused on the Alliance, the ripples are still being felt elsewhere. I was banking a lot on Zelinsky and his performers. It's going to make the Festival a lot more difficult for my place."
The thief frowned, suddenly remembering Norris' words from the other day. 'Things have been pretty hard for Corona lately, which is why everyone's looking forward to this year's Festival.'
"Norris, I don't want to think it was a mistake for you to settle here. Just how hard has it really been?"
"Bad. It's not hopeless, but still bad," The Italian chef sighed. "Flynn, Corona used to be the greatest agricultural bastion in the realm. No other kingdom has ever matched the sheer quality and quantity of the crops grown here, let alone the farmers and cooks born and raised in Corona. But over the last two decades, whatever special blessing that favored them for centuries seems to have disappeared. Some of the older locals say that the bounty of the earth disappeared along with the Lost Princess. Corona has been in decline for years now. Then the Duke of Weselton came along and his stranglehold on their resources, merchants and shipments further choked any significant economic growth for a long time. Worst of all, it seems that Queen Arianna is barren. And that's a catastrophe for any royal family to have no successor."
Flynn could only shake his head. It seemed even paradise had its share of hard luck. This kingdom wasn't oppressed by the ruling elite, but he could still sense a similar desperation.
"But like I said, there's still hope. And you actually played a role in that!" Norris smiled. "Thanks to how you humiliated the Duke, he had to withdraw his hold over Corona to recoup his losses. The people now have enough freedom to make their own financial decisions, to nourish Corona instead of feeding a greedy Duke leagues away."
Flynn couldn't help but smile. It may not have been his plan whatsoever but putting a corrupt noble in his place and indirectly helping the little guy out always felt good.
"That being said, even though it came with a lot of strings attached, the Duke had been footing most of the bills. And after years of being caught in his contracts, Corona's coffers are still nearly empty. And without their usual bounty of food and crops, things are going to be rough for the next few years. The only reason why the kingdom still has a fair chance is because of Arendelle. They've always been a loyal friend to Corona, and they've been doing an amazing job at helping this place stay afloat. I must say, the consistency and organization of Arendelle's relief shipments are a real thing of beauty. Princess Elsa doesn't become queen until next summer and she's already proving herself a great and compassionate leader."
The thief nodded. "Good to see that some royals really go the distance to take care of their subjects and their friends."
"You have no idea, old friend. If it wasn't for Arendelle, I don't know what we'd would do." Norris sat down. "But even if Corona gets back in shape, that doesn't change the fact that the kingdom has no heir to the throne. If something big doesn't change, even I don't know what can be done."
Then Norris suddenly scowled and slammed a fist on the table. "And Captain Stilton is not helping the situation!"
Flynn blinked at his friend's sudden outburst. "The Cap'n? "Yeah, he's an odd one. His sword stance was painfully obvious, and he smelled like armor polish and underachievement. It was like watching an overenthusiastic mascot at a western Albion pep rally."
Norris snickered, his lips lifting into a brief smile.
"But other than that, what's he done? I know he can be harsh and contemptuous to people like me, and he's certainly taken his search for me to a level I've rarely seen. But what else is there?"
"That's just it, my friend." The chef slowly exhaled as he ran a palm over his blonde hair. "Stilton is an honorable man but ever since he failed to catch the Lost Princess' kidnapper years ago, something inside him broke. From then on, he started taking his enforcement of the law too far. You heard how he spoke to you the other day, he sees everything in black and white without compromise or exception, which is dangerous for any man of authority. There's no shades of gray to him. He always thinks of people as either devoted and selfless citizens or the most wicked and vile scum of humanity. Even the smallest criminal offense will put someone in that last category."
The thief did a double take, his jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"
"Oh yeah, you should have heard what he had to say about you. Stilton talked about how since you're a criminal, you are obviously a heartless and murdering pirate who delights in making good folks suffer. His running motto is 'A is A, and scum is scum.'"
Flynn Rider was absolutely appalled. Much as he resented the man's derisive words towards him that day, he still thought it was simply an explosive reaction to Flynn's style of throwing witty insults. But to think that the Captain held such beliefs towards everyone?
"And remember, with the kingdom in decline, there's been an increase in crime over the years. But it's all from simple theft; hungry folks stealing food and just enough money to get by."
Flynn's eyes widened as the implications sank in. "Don't tell me that…"
"I'm afraid so. He goes after them all as if they had openly declared rebellion against the king." Norris frowned as he recounted. "These are hard times for Corona, and Stilton expects everyone to do their part in fixing it. He thinks everyone around him ought to have the same level of utter devotion to the royal family as he does. In his eyes, even just being unable to pay taxes means you're not working hard enough and is therefore disloyalty to the crown."
The man pulled out a small wine bottle, pulled the cork out and took a long swig. "Now, the courts ultimately have the final word in a person's prosecution, but for a long time just getting arrested or even merely condemned by the Captain of the Royal Guard was enough to ruin a person's livelihood here. It often gave the Weselton banks an excuse to seize their homes and property. Thankfully, that won't be the case anymore with the Duke pulling out of Corona, but a lot of people still got hurt by it over the past ten years. Opal's not the only unlucky soul that I've taken in, grateful for the work and generous pay; half of my local contacts and even most of my other employees had lost so much to the Captain's zealotry."
Stealing our freedom is far more than a sin. It denies us our humanity.
Flynn remembered seeing a middle-aged woman, standing at the windows of the Strihaven palace, stand up on her toes to kiss her husband, locked away for trying to eat. The thief scowled, knowing all too well what that was like. Nothing to eat but a small loaf of bread hard as a pebble, a finger sized strip of salted hare meat and a little clay pot containing three small olives. His belly growling in protest at the pathetic meal, demanding to know where the rest was. It was a harsh way to live.
Especially for orphans.
A rare anger began to build up in Flynn's chest. All these people the Captain so carelessly hurt. Did that man not know how many orphans that caused?! The poor and the orphans were always the most to suffer in a time of strife! He needed to be taught a lesson.
"Alright, that's it!" Flynn put both hands on the table and looked his friend in the eye. "What's the most valuable thing in the palace?"
"Flynn, no," protested Norris. "These are good people going through hard times, and I still have to live here. If you take anything from the treasury—"
"No no, not that," Flynn waved his hand. "I mean something fancy. Don't royals always have expensive and useless baubles just lying around the place doing nothing? That's totally different and totally okay."
The young man meant it. He had seen that happen back when he used to ride with Staly—with She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named. Stealing directly from the kingdom's funds hurt regular people like him far more than the nobles, which also usually led to bigger taxes. A good thief stuck only to rich folks, and no one with a cane or wheelchair. It was both cruel and bad luck.
Besides, the idea that he might have inadvertently contributed to the common people's suffering by making the Captain more paranoid than ever was… disturbing.
Norris looked thoughtful, then intrigued. "Alright. If you just want to snatch some priceless artifact or keepsake, then I can definitely help you out."
"Thanks!" Flynn clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Sneaking into enemy territory is always much simpler with a well-informed guide."
"Eh, simple is a stretch. Let's start with 'not instantly lethal'." The information dealer smiled as he turned around and started pulling several scrolls out of the pigeonhole shelves. "Now let's plan a robbery!"
"Just like old times, my friend," Flynn nodded. "Just like old times."
(Ocean's Eleven Main Title Theme)
Norris lit another oil lamp just above their heads, and then spread out several maps and other documents across the table. Flynn in turn began sharing his own findings as well as the marked map he had put together. The two professional outlaws spent several minutes comparing notes as they outlined guard patrols, points of entry, and the castle's internal passages.
"Corona wasn't always completely peaceful, Rider. In the old days, the kingdom of Saporia coveted its wealth, territory, trade routes and especially its natural crops. While the guards of today may be inexperienced since there hasn't been a war in centuries, King Herz Der Sonne still designed the palace to be easily defended. And look at how much the Captain has stepped up security in the last few days. They really don't want you going in, which only means…"
"I'm going in."
"Of course. It may tricky, but this will hardly be the most difficult heist you've pulled off."
Norris then carefully laid out another map. The document was old, very old. As such, Norris had treated it with care, as befitted a relic. The ancient piece of paper had such a high linen content it was more properly a kind of cloth, rather than paper, which is why it had been kept between two flat slats of metal, both to preserve it, and to keep it flat.
"Now this is one of the original maps of the royal palace. Here, you have all the ancient ruins and entry routes. But I don't think anyone else knows about this."
The man carefully and delicately folded one side of the map over so it the edge fit against the side of the castle's outer wall. It wasn't a straight line, the edge of the ancient map had worn away a little, but even without creasing the fold, a hidden image jumped out at Flynn and bit him on the nose.
The moat ran around the entire castle, but at one place it was shallower. This was thought to be because of an outcrop of rock under the soil on which the castle was built, which was perfectly correct. What wasn't widely known was that the rock outcrop was dug out, and a tunnel ran into the old wing of the castle's basement levels, around about where the old dungeons were said to be located.
"Huh… very clever."
"You don't know the half of it. King Sonne was extremely creative with his secret passages. He constructed a vast catacomb of them under the castle. He was very careful and made less than five maps of the tunnels. As far the world knows, the only still existing map of those tunnels lies in Sonne's personal journal which is kept under tight lock and key in the palace. No one else in the world is supposed to have another copy, but for various reasons… I do."
Norris grinned as he laid out another old document, showing a massive array of tunnels stretching across the capital of Corona.
Flynn raised an eyebrow. "You're scary, you know that?"
The information broker only smiled before they got back to work. Flynn had to memorize the most useful underground routes, as there was no way he could take this priceless and dangerous document with him. Corona would have Norris arrested if they knew he had this in his possession, and other nations would pay a king's ransom for it.
"And here is the modern blueprint," Norris laid out yet another paper, this one blue with plenty of more refined schematics of the palace. "There are one, two, three open gateways. But as you can see here..." He shifted the map, pointing out an annotation and a thin line drawn to one side. "You have two other secret entrances not known to the public that were installed about fifteen years ago."
Flynn smiled as he compared it with the older blueprints and his own observations from the past few days. Several plans were already forming in his mind. Now all he needed was a good prize to make off with.
Norris handed him a large slip of paper, listing off such things as pure silver plate kept in a locked case in the servant's section of the dining wing, along with piles and piles of official royal silverware and even gold flatware. Only royals ever used gold for simple dinner knives.
The paper also listed numerous valuable sculptures and paintings, priceless relics, and other expensive trinkets. Another section was written in a different hand, and included the exact location of the royal stationary, as well as the backup royal signet rings, for both the King and Queen, as well as two unused and blank rings, intended for the Princess and her heirs. The final section was in Norris's own hand that detailed a list of various gemstones kept in the family vault, as well as the combination to one of the vault's two locks, the other being a key lock.
Until, suddenly, Flynn spotted something in the list. Something he never expected to see in any royal palace.
Wait a minute… a royal crown?
That no one was using?
"I WANT THAT!"
Norris jumped slightly at Flynn's very abrupt outburst. Then he took a closer look at where Flynn had slammed his finger down. "You want what? Wait, the crown? The Crown of the Lost Princess? Are you serious?"
"Oh, that crown would be worth a fortune. And I could really use a fortune…"
Flynn was almost giddy with excitement. Even his inner hawk had perked up and narrowed in on the mention of an unused crown. He could feel it. Even without the gold and gems every crown used, a symbol of royalty would be worth a fortune upon fortunes! And it was just sitting there, itching to be took. This one prize could truly be the last thing he needed. He could have his private island within the year!
"You know the kingdom will be after your head for this?"
"As opposed to every other kingdom I've robbed?"
"Alright, fair point, but that's still the crown King Frederic hopes for his long-lost daughter to wear should she return."
"It's just a dusty old heirloom," Flynn waved off. "Do you really believe that a piece of expensive headwear just sitting around will have any tangible effect on whether their princess ever comes back or not? What, did some fairy godmother cast a spell on it or something?"
Norris blinked. "That's… actually a very good point."
"Precisely, no one's using it! So then, someone ought to 'liberate' that crown into more deserving hands where it can actively serve a good cause. The cause being getting me lots and lots of money! The money brings all the happy!"
"Just don't let your maniacal giggling make you lose sight of how dangerous royal security can be. This is by no means a healthy hobby."
"Eh, semantics. Can you describe the crown?"
"It will be the valuable-looking hat surrounded by guards. Didn't you hear me?"
"Now how did I know you'd see this as glass half-empty? What are obstacles but those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the prize?"
Norris looked both impressed and worried. It wasn't the first time Flynn had caused that look.
"You've always been a few sprinkles short of a sundae, Rider. I've never seen such a remarkable disregard for personal safety."
"The longer the odds, the better the payout. And I love a good payout. Selling a priceless royal crown would be the best!" Flynn reached out and took his friend by the shoulder, looking him in the eye with great intensity. "And don't I not fail to never not deserve the best?"
Norris' eyes rapidly darted back and forth in mental calculation. "Um… y-y-yes?"
"Then that settles it!" Flynn patted him on the shoulder. "Hey, think of it this way. I would be the first to successfully break into the royal palace of Corona in almost twenty years. I doubt that will look good on the Captain's resume."
The other man immediately paused in thought. Then he began to smile just as widely. "Oh my god, you're a genius, Flynn! Questo è bello! The last thief to break in there had kidnapped the Lost Princess, and the Captain failed to find her. And if another thief were to escape with her crown, the blame would surely fall on him. Stilton would likely be censored and dismissed, and Corona could breathe easy!"
Flynn's eyes went wide with giddy delight. "Oh, ho-ho-ho-hooooo! Oh yes! That would be the greatest thing ever! Come on, let's make it happen!"
With that, Norris eagerly continued to help Flynn to the best of his ability as the two friends began laying out plans to steal royal property.
Normally, the Crown of the Lost Princess was kept sealed away in a vault and was only taken out during the Festival that honored the princess' birthday. During that time, it was always kept atop a symbolic pedestal within the throne room, the most fortified area in the palace, and remained as heavily guarded as the king and queen themselves. While the Captain had diverted most of the castle garrison to search the city for Flynn, he had still left more than enough men to watch the throne room. It was literally the seat of Corona's power; it was no surprise that just getting inside there would be an achievement for numerous reasons, let alone undetected. While the throne room did have a secret passage, its entrance was unfortunately right in plain sight.
Obviously, a crown was one of the hardest things to steal inside any royal palace. Some would even call it impossible. But as Flynn's idol had once said, if wasn't impossible, it wouldn't be worth doing. A problem is a chance for you to do your best.
And sure enough, the legendary thief discovered a way in. A plan to take the crown and be long gone before anyone would notice.
"Ah, this is the life, Norris!" Flynn laughed as he finished scribbling everything down. "Nothing like plotting a good caper at night with a best friend! And to top it off, I better get going. There's a delightful young lady waiting with a hot bath and in desperate need of attention. Duty calls."
Norris chuckled as he opened the door back into the main floor of the Honeycomb. "Just keep track of time, because I know you. Please remember that you have a massive heist to prepare for with little time, and Giselle needs to train Opal tomorrow."
"Alright, that's fair. I'll leave her fully satisfied but still able to walk." Flynn chuckled. "And then in another day or so, it's off to the castle to claim the prize of my destiny!"
The other man looked at him wryly. "That's a bit melodramatic, don't you think?"
"Nonsense," the adventuring outlaw declared. "We lead very dramatic lives; I'm practically underselling it. Don't you remember those days?"
"A history of close calls, narrow escapes, and more near-death experiences than I care to remember."
"Yep, it's a bad habit!" Flynn smiled irrelevantly.
"Just be careful with the Captain. You may be better at the sword, but he can still bring down a lot of heat on you. He'll be hellbent on catching you after this."
"Yeah, well, he better get used to disappointment then."
"Just don't be stupid, Rider. Sorry, let me rephrase that. Don't be your usual self."
"Ouch. Right in the dignity."
"I wasn't aware you had dignity," Norris laughed jovially. "Just watch your back out there."
"My number one pastime these days," the thief shrugged. Then he looked at his friend almost sadly. "I really wish that you could come along, but… yeah, it can be pretty dangerous, and I can see you've found your place." He looked all around the Honeycomb, the finest restaurant he had ever visited that one of his only friends in the world had built with his own two hands. It was a magical place with great food and already a source of some golden memories. "Don't you ever let go of it. You hear me?"
"Thank you, old friend. And I hope you will achieve your own dream soon." Norris smiled sadly. "I'll keep an ear to the ground for whatever trouble you stir up. I'll make sure my people know to watch out for you."
There was a beat. An unspoken cue passed, then the two friends hugged each other fondly, patting each other on the back. They knew that if all went well, it would likely be a few years before they could see each other again. But such was the life they chose.
"Hey, what was that fond farewell the old Flynnigan Rider used to say?" Norris' brow furrowed as he searched his memories. Then he snapped his fingers as he remembered. "Until I see you again, may the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back."
The thief smiled gently as he finished, "May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall soft on your fields. And until we meet again, may a friend be always near."
"May a friend be always near," Norris nodded. "Take care of yourself, Eugene."
The actors are almost all assembled. Flynn Rider spends quality time with his best friend and a lovely lady, and soon he would take the crown as a going-away black eye to the Captain. Ah yes, the Crown of Princess… what was her name again? Ah, he probably wouldn't need it.
My friends and loyal readers… I am so sorry for the long wait. A whole year. I have never taken so long to make an update, but the past year has not been kind for me. My little brother got hit with numerous health problems, just one after another without end, and has gone to the hospital more times in the past twelve months than most people do in their whole lives. So far, he's had 23 MRIs, 18 Cat scans, several spinal taps, and even a few biopsies. At one point, a neurosurgeon had to be flown in to remove a tumor they found at the base of his spine. And worst of all, he got diagnosed with a lifelong condition that, out of everything else, is the one thing he doesn't want me to share. It's been a nightmare.
On top of that, my family was moving to another house. But with my brother in the hospital, my mother unable to walk because of MS and our only housemate being too overweight to help, I was the only available person working legs. I literally had to do ALL the heavy lifting and packing involved in a move for a house of four. It was all extremely exhausting and stressful. Combine that with college work and moving upstate to university back in September, the year of 2021 was a perfect storm of problems and setbacks. I had no time let alone the motivation to write until about two months ago, and I felt horrible for that.
But all of that is finally over now! I found my groove and my old love for writing this story, and I could not be happier! I feel so great, and I can't wait to get my next chapter out! Your reviews are what keep me going, so please leave your thoughts! All the stress and hard work a writer goes through, and reviews make it all worth it in the end. They mean the world to writers everywhere.
And on top of that, I would like to give a shout-out to my closest friends who helped me through this difficult time, whether they knew it or not. My beta-reader DarkDragonFires12, as well as Vyrexuviel, Master4444, Nerdherder51, Nanoblade, and others! Thank you all! Till next time!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Disney franchise, nor the Tangled film or the TV series. Everything original that you see, such as OCs, are mine.