Chapter One ~ A Thief Strikes Twice
Duke:
The cool night air tugged at me with it's gentle breeze as I stepped out onto the ledge of the manor. With the heels of my boots scailing the catwalk I'd found I looked up to see where I was in relation to the roof and the ground below. High enough I thought...better find a better way down. My gaze fell upon the garden wall reaching around the side of the elaborate mansion. A smirk curved my scarred lip as I gripped the stone at my fingertips a moment and then pushed myself into a leap. Crouching into the fall with the grace of a cat, a soundless laugh emerged from my throat.
With a quick scan of the area around and below me I crouched down still as I crept along that wall. Guards patrolling the courtyard and gardens were none the wiser to my presence. So I kept my attention on the path ahead of me. Once I found the ledge that dropped off into the shrouded streets outside the manor I was home free.
After the last guard turned back to walk to where I'd come from, but on the ground, I hopped over the gate and strolled away with the pouch on my belt a bit heavier with the gems and gold I'd acquired.
A bit away I allowed that laugh to be heard by the dark night accompanying me in my brisk walk, "That was a bit too easy."
Continuing further down the cobblestone, being mindful of wagons at my right and making sure to keep out of their path, I was drawn towards the pleasant sounds of the local tavern deeper into the city. Lively music, drunken laughter to distract from their pockets being picked here and there, and of course a lady to charm into a giggle to steal a kiss or two? Why not? My job was done for the night after all.
Soft rain began to greet me, cooling my brow after such a task. However as I returned my gaze to face forward from this light shower I would notice something odd catching my eye. Down the other end of the street, crossing over to duck into an alley, a blur of shimmering blue came in and out of view. Even stranger still was as soon as it had appeared it vanished. Yet with this came the heavier rain and a soft thundering bringing it's storm closer. With a shrug I paid this little mind, for as I passed that road I would find it empty without so much as a trace of a step or anything left behind.
"Another!" A boisterous bug bear laughed with his oranged furred catfolk companion hanging on his arm, purring against his cheek.
In the corner of the room I found a rather loud bard singing of his supposed exploits to intice the local ladies not otherwise taken. This only ended with a glass of wine splashed in his puzzled face as she marched off.
Shaking my head I offered him a drink to actually sip rather than wear out of pity I think. He accepted and regailed me with a tale of strong friendships beginning over a single drink such as this. To which I gave a polite laugh and excused myself.
Looking around with my own glass untouched I found my legs itching to move.
"Maybe it was too easy?" I pondered while spotting a few ladies across the room and walking over to one.
She was a glistening skinned half elf with amber eyes glowing in the warm light of the bar. Her dark hair cascaded down over her right shoulder. She had a rather curved frame encased in violet velvet and a white maiden's tunic that left her shoulders and neck bare. Her skirts hung from her hips down to her ankles.
"Evenin' sweetheart, might I ask for a dance from such a lovely lady?" I offered a hand to her.
She giggled with her eyelashes fluttering as though she'd done this a number of times before. Then again so had I. To this I gave a smirk as she took my hand and pulled her into step with the music. With a quick twirl she stepped to my right side as I turned to catch her, "Tryin' to slip away are ya?"
"Not at all," she mused while I spun her into me.
Yet just I went to draw closer to her I would hear the labored steps of two pairs of boots stumble into the tavern. The music came to a sudden end note, screeching briefly. I turned around to give them a good look to then narrow a bit of a glare at the two figures strutting up to the bar.
"You know them?" the half elf asked.
"I know of them," was the only answer I was willing to give her.
The leader of the two, clearly noted as such by the confidence in his smirk and stride. His dirty blonde to brown hair was recently combed back and his black tunic fixed back into place just as quickly. I raised a brow at this as I wondered to myself, "What was he up to around here?"
"I'm in need of a stiff drink old chum, and quickly," he stated with mock respect for the owner, "I have important places to be and precious cargo to unload when I get there."
The bartender raised a brow as well, "One would normally finish the job so they can pay for their drink Falcone?"
"I assure you after the first half it is needed, now please get to it. You are a bar keep are you not that is in need of business?" He pushed back with feintly kept patience.
"Coming right up," the half orc owner retorted while retrieving his drink of choice.
"Splendid, and one for my partner here as well," Falcone added.
To this I grew more curious. With a polite bow I excused myself from the dance and walked up to the counter, "Been a long time hasn't it Falcone?"
He had jumped slightly at my voice and turned with widened eyes before forcing a pleasant laugh, "Duke, that is has! I see you're doing well."
I simply smirked, "That I am. You should warn your new partner you have a terrible history working with others."
"I won't be working with him for long," Falcone mentioned casually, "he's simply helping me with a delivery and then we'll split ways."
"Ya seem to be on edge, you weren't expectin' to need help with this job were ya?" I went right for it.
"It simply made the task at hand less time consuming. My employer insisted," Falcone shrugged with a wave of his hand.
He took a sip of his drink once it was set on the counter. Then he said, "It's been difficult to stay on top hasn't it dear boy? Thanks to our last partnership you were left incomplete as it were?"
He gave a sneer of a smirk looking me eye to eye. Until I smirked back and assured, "If anythin' it's been a good challenge to keep my skills from growin' dull. Maybe you should try it, if you're in need of help for a simple job after all?"
Losing his calm demeanor he gave a glare and hissed, "Lucky for you I don't have the time to finish the job with you dear boy. Stay here and dance with your wenches while I take on jobs you'd never dream of taking on. You're too cowardly to do what it takes to be a real thief."
He'd kept his voice low beneath the returning music, however I had heard him clearly. I didn't rise to his bait as I pondered now to myself, "Just what have ya taken?"
I glanced at his partner. He towered over Falcone by a good two feet with bulked up limbs. Stealth wasn't the skill needed here for whatever it was.
I knew he wouldn't tell me if I inquired further. Still something didn't sit well with me on this. When he left I knew I had little time to wait. With a mournful glance at the half elf and her friends I shrugged and slipped out the back entrance of the tavern. Just as I stepped out into the side street I would hear the crack of a whip as an iron clad wagon drove off. Taking a breath I hurried after it along the shadowed alley until it went to pass by. In that running start I managed to leap onto the side just as it went over a bump, causing them to mistake my shifting it's weight for the bumpy cobblestone road. This allowed me to creep up onto the roof of the wagon and listen without much extra effort. Neither Falcone nor the driver spoke.
However I soon looked head on to see we were headed to the manor I'd just left. Overhead the storm had found us as lightning struck the skies and thunder rumbled enough to shake the ground we road along. This brought little comfort to me as I sat on that large metal box on wheels.
Luckily we reached our destination rather quickly seeing how we weren't on foot this time. As we drove passed the walls I readied my stance and made another leap. I wasn't about to be greeted by the guards certainly waiting to escort Falcone and his buddy with whatever loot they'd acquired in hand. Though this did make traveling along those walls even easier with their attention brought to the wagon entering through the front entrance in a bold declaration of arrival. Whatever it was it seemed this baron was not afraid of others seeing, or had enough to cover it up perhaps to the right people.
Either way I made my way along the garden once again to reach the front. From there I crouched down and watched carefully from the ledge I'd perched myself on. As expected the guards gathered around the large iron case as Falcone hopped off the front. He strolled along to the back and unlocked the sheet of metal that was a door. It was then that I realized that the metal box had thin air vents, but no windows to see inside from, or for what was inside to look out. Or who...?
For as I watched from above them I would see Falcone slip into the back of that wagon. Then moments later he would emerge, growling threats under his breath, while dragging along a young human woman behind him. Even with focusing on them it was difficult for me to get a good look at her as they walked to my right. Following their steps I would see them head quickly into the front double doors of the manor with the guards shielding them from view that wasn't from above. Then again who would watch them from above I mused while swiftly turning to the nearest window. With my fingers running along the edge of the pane I found the latch and slipped my tool from under my sleeve beneath and shifted it just so. In moments I was inside.
My soft soled boots planted themselves on the evergreen rug, masking my steps as I made my way to the hall and ducked into a corner to listen on. Several sets of boots could be heard heading towards the study I'd explored not hours ago. Following the map in my head I made my way to that large room lined with countless books on magic and other such wonders. While a few guards stood inside with Falcone, his partner, and the girl they were still dragging as she fought to get loose, I slipped into the back and hid behind a shelf. From there a very well dressed figure stepped out from the central bookshelves with a dusty tome in his hands. He looked up from it and raised his brow at the sight pulled in before him, "So you've found her for me then?"
"As promised Baron Ebon," Falcone assured with a grin I knew without seeing it, "the dragon you've been seeking?"
The tome clamped shut in the artisticrat's hand as he strolled up eagerly to examine the fighting figure before him. She pulled and kicked to try and slip away to no avail. Energy sparked around her in short burst to try and shake their grip that only tightened. The baron smiled with a gleam of intrigue in his eyes as he spoke to her, "Your very nature reveals the magic lineage running in those veins of yours."
She froze with a shudder of rage as she spat at him. He went to raise his hand, but paused and chuckled, "Do not fret, you will be comfortable here for as long as I need you."
"How long is that exactly?" She demanded in a bitterly low tone.
"Just a moment my dear," he insisted before looking to Falcone, "You can go. You'll get your payment on the way out for the service you've provided me."
His eyes gleamed with a lust as they gazed over her again. Falcone gave a slight mock of a bow and strolled out, not even looking in the eyes of the one he'd just condemned. I vaguely caught the sound of him catching a bag full of gold in his hand. I briefly wondered if it was the one I'd refilled with scraps of metal earlier in the evening as a trade.
Then the baron was left with two better prepared guards and the girl held between them. He ran a hand to her chin and cupped it tightly to keep her from looking away from him. He glanced at the worn text in his hand and said to her, "You see my dear, it's quite simple even for a mountain dweller such as you. To continue my lineage I need an heir, but I needed the correct mate for such a thing. Then you wandered into town, your dragon heritage worn on your sleeves as it were. The very fact you can dwell among those beasts is proof of this. Making you quite the exotic beauty to bare my child for me and gift your magic to them."
A shudder ran through us both it seemed as his wishes were made inescapably clear.
"I will not carry your child! I don't want to be here and you will not keep me here!" She warned in a growling voice, "You and your town have made it so I have to scrape by to just survive, and you think I'll let you touch me?!"
"My dear you'll have little choice in the matter. I suggest you get used to the idea," he assured with a smile, "You will be well cared for in the meantime. While you hold my son I will make sure you are given the most comfortable life you could imagine."
"And when your child is born?" she demanded in disgust.
"Then you will no longer be needed will you? Though I could be persuaded to keep you I suppose," he said as though she were a pet.
As he leaned forward towards her I nearly slipped out from my hiding spot to give an answer of my own to this. Yet my actions were halted when she gave him a swift kick in the jaw, twisting her form just enough to knock him back into his shelves. However it wasn't enough to get free of the guards that shoved her into the closed door behind them. The baron sneered while nursing his bruising lip, "You horrid wench! How dare you strike me?!"
He stood up and looked down at her with eyes fuming with alarm and rage, "Consider yourself lucky that I sought you out! I will have that magic of yours for my family line. It will begin with my son, and you will be the dearly departed mother that brought his life into this world before losing your own!"
He then eyed her and said, "It is the most a demon like you could ever hope for. As you said, you aren't exactly welcomed here by the people. So who would miss you? Who can blame them considering the company you keep? Though that's proven useful to me."
"If you believe their blood to be in my veins you should really let me go," she warned sharply.
"No dragon will be able to find you here my dear. They do have some weaknesses, and the enchantments placed on my home will keep them from seeking you out within it," he explained.
Then he nursed his lip a bit more and said to his men, "See to it she is secured to her chambers. I will join her when the time is right, when she had much less fight left in her."
"Coward!" she growled.
"Hardly," he sneered just as he had her dragged away, "Now I'll see you soon my dear."
With that she was pulled out of the room and down the corridors of the manor. When the baron turned his back to pick up the books that had fallen I made my exit out of the study. Without decision I followed those marching metallic steps combined with kicking and dragging. I ascended carpeted stairwells to hurry after them. However as I found the hall that her echoing shouts met me at I realized I couldn't simply barge in. Guards would swarm the hall if I went in immediately.
So I waited in the darkened end of the hall, the thundering masking my steps when I had to walk across the marble floor. Then I listened for the guards to emerge once she had been secured inside as commanded. From within the room I could hear sudden gasps of pain from various men as bursts of electricity illuminated the room on and off. Finally as they stepped out, leaving one guard in to watch her closely, I weighed my options. A few of them grumbled over some mild burns they'd taken from the devil of a woman as they reffered to her. The one closing the door mocked their captive, "That'll hold you good and ready now won't it?"
There was the obvious hall lined with a number of guards waiting for their employer to emerge.
Then there was the room beside her's. The room that lead me to another narrow catwalk that I found myself stepping onto. This time it was much more difficult in the rain, but I focused each step carefully. Sliding along I would reach my hand to the side and grasp the window left open to my surprise.
"Maybe the rain will cool you off," the guard snickered while I risked a glance inside.
She was bound to the bed with strong cloth binds wrapping around what I was certain was sturdier ropes. Her wrists were held up by the posts on each side of the headboard with her legs left free as they folded beneath her. Her roughed up and torn tunic were the evidence of the fight she'd put up already.
"You're lucky to be hand picked with that dragon blood of yours. If it weren't for that you wouldn't be worth much would you?" the guard scoffed.
When she only glared at him he laughed while strolling up to her. As he reached to cup her chin in his gauntlet wearing hand I slipped in behind him. I froze as I noticed her briefly glancings at me for a moment. Yet she remained silent while looking back at the guard forcing her to face him. With that I slipped a damp cloth from my pouch and swiftly crept up behind the guard. My gloved hand closed over his mouth as he gasped in that toxin drenched cloth and dropped to the floor without an ounce of resistance given. Before he could collide too harshly though I managed to slide him down carefully.
Then I looked again to the young woman now stairing back at me. As lightening struck outside the window the light would engulf the room. With this all too brief illumination I was able to take in the flash of energy sparking in the depths of those eyes. They glistened not unlike sapphires watching me as I approached. She bared no smile, nor did those eyes narrow into a glare.
She was wearing a very worn burgundy tunic that was torn at the collar to reveal a bit of her chest and black slacks, both in which were clinging to her thin, but curved frame. Her hair hung in waves of ruby pink and deep wine wildly down passed her shoulders and in her face. Her skin was quite pale, with a form daring not to tremble before me as I drew nearer to her.
I looked to her and promised in a whisper, "I'm here to steal ya away from this sweetheart, jus' trust me okay?"
With slightly raised brows at hearing this she looked over me. Then she attempted a weary smile and gave a nod, "Please?"
"Of course," I replied while retrieving a few tools from my belt and getting right to work on those binds.
In mere moments those bonds were severed and she, who had been leaning forward with her feet tucked under her, fell forward into me. As she did I quickly caught her by her upper arms.
"Easy sweetheart," I whispered as I realized how she trembled, "Ya put up quite a fight didn't ya?"
She nodded her head.
Then I instructed softly, "Put your arms around my neck an' I'll handle the rest."
She did as I asked, trusting me to lift her up into my arms. With her securely in my grip I headed back towards the window.
Outside I could hear a few pairs of boots making room to prepare for the ones approaching from down the hall.
"He's not wastin' time is he?" I half chuckled under my breath and felt her arms tighten around my neck, "Easy there."
With that I gingerly placed a foot out onto the ledge again, testing it's purchase before following after it with the rest of me and her. Out on that catwalk the rain poured down on us, threatening to send us plummeting to the gardens below. A straight drop would land us right in a briar patch that wrapped around the manor from roses they failed to grow. Beside the window still we could hear the door open followed by an outraged gasp, "How did she-?! That wench! Find her you idiots!"
Balancing along that wall to avoid him spotting us as he looked out that window took more skill and practice than I'd like to admit. However we managed to just turn the corner before he would have caught side of us. This also became our salvation as that turn of the building had spaces in the brick for me to grasp.
"Hold onto me an' I'll get us down," I instructed as I carefully helped her shift onto my back.
With my grip set on that wall I began our descent. Nearby I could hear the metal boots of guards hurrying through the courtyard and hedges of the manor. Leaping over to the wall wasn't an option this time with both of us.
"One thing at a time," I breathed as my grasp on the ledge nearly missed from the dampness left from the rain.
In just mere moments I had us the rest of the way down that wall. After I set my feet firmly on the grass I helped her down off of me.
"Once we get out of here we're in the clear. Even the baron can't afford to chase you beyond the gates," I mentioned, "Do ya have the strength to run?"
Without a word she nodded her head.
As we heard a set of heavy boots drawing near we ducked behind a row of hedges and lined our backs against the thorns and brush. The dry twigs and leaves pricked at what little was exposed of my neck and pulled the hair of my short ponytail a bit. Glancing at her I would find the thin branches pulling at her tunic and scratching her arms and neck.
The guards hurried by and we made our break for it. With a nod of my head gesturing towards the side gate I'd used earlier to get in we ran along. When more men rushed near we would pause and duck into the shrouds alotted to us here and there. After several minutes of this we caught sight of the iron gate only to find a number of armored men standing there in the rain to block our way. We could also hear the baron now shouting at his men and then calling out to her, "Where are you my dear? You shouldn't keep me waiting."
Glancing beside me while we were crouched down among the thorns and brush again I could see her tensing up. A shudder ran down her spine as he commanded, "Come to me and I will give you purpose to be."
At this I closed my hand over hers, causing her to look up at me. With a reassuring smile given to her I then glanced down at the pouch on my belt and sighed. Taking a few gems from the opened satchel I gave a swift swing of my wrist and tossed them to where they'd hear the clattering off to the side. Like clockwork they hurried over to investigate, leaving only one guard to sneak by.
"Where is she?!" the baron demanded when they found no one there as we hurried along, snaking passed the distracted guard.
With that I lifted her up so she could climb up onto the gate and hop over. Then I followed after her as a claw of lightening covered us by striking across from us, catching their attention in the split moment we needed to get over that wrought iron.
Thunder masked our hastened steps as we bolted from the manor and that baron. We didn't stop until we'd made it well close to the center of the city. Catching her hand I pulled her into an alley to evade any chance of being followed. Once tucked away we both gasped for breath with burning lungs and worn out legs it seemed. Our backs pressed against the damp wall as the rain began to soften over our heads.
"Are you alright?" I asked after some air graced my lungs with a cool comfort to it.
She gasped a bit still while turning her head to look up at me. Her frail form trembled with fatigue and cold from running as well as her fight from before. Yet still I could see a number of questions forming in her perplexed brow once the adrenaline of the moment washed away.
"Wh-Who are you?" She started with.
Stepping from the wall I turned to face her with a heartfelt bow, my hand over my heart as I answered, "Duke L'Orange at your service sweetheart."
In this motion I'd offered a hand out to her out of habit. I was genuinely surprised to see her extend hers to me in turn, placing her hand in my open palm. With a smile I shifted my grasp to hold that hand as I lifted it and brushed my lips softly over her fingers. I glanced up in time to catch her sapphire eyes widen and her cheeks blushing a deep pink.
"Duke?" She asked a bit nervously.
As I stood up and released her hand I assured, "In name only darlin'. There isn't an ounce of nobility in me. Though if there were I'd like to believe I'd have more manners than that pompous lord of slime."
"Then why were you there in the first place?" She asked looking over my deep burgundy tunic and black high collared leather armor beneath it reaching from my throat down to my feet.
"You're...?" she realized quickly when noticing my gloves and tools tucked into the pouches and pockets of my belt.
I waited for her to run, or at the very least turn her back on me. Yet there she stood before me.
"Thank you," she answered instead with a soft smile curving her lips.
"Of course sweetheart," I replied before inquiring, "May I ask for your name?"
"It's Heart," she said with little hesitation.
"A lovely name," I told her to see her blush a bit again.
"You gave up those gems to get us out of there?" she then mentioned.
I shrugged at this, "I'd say it was worth it."
Then I quickly added, "You're free again an' that's far more important than a few rocks to carry around."
"Thank you still," she repeated.
"You're quite welcome Heart."
As she turned to leave I heard myself say with genuine concern, "Not that I mean to keep ya instead, but there may be a few guards out there lookin' for ya still. Maybe stayin' with me a night would be safer?"
She looked over her shoulder at me a bit thrown off by this proposal. I remained where I stood so not to push her either way.
"Unless there's a home I can escort ya to?" I offered when she grew a bit uneasy.
She shook her head, "Not really. I wander in and out of town for supplies and the occassional meal."
"That's how they got ya isn't it?"
She nodded, "Most people here either don't pay me much mind or they're chasing me out for the company I keep. When they jumped me I tried to fight back, but that did little it seems."
"Falcone's never been anythin' more than a thug," I commented with a rise of a temper hinted at in my throat, "He gives us hard workin' thieves a bad name."
For a moment I thought I caught a glimpse of a smile. Then she said, "Lucky for me you were on the job then tonight?"
A smirk curved my scarred lip as I looked over her, "I'd say I'm the lucky one to have stolen such a treasure away?"
Caught off guard by this remark I couldn't help but enjoy the sight of her blushing. Then I offered again, "I know a place where we'll be safe for the night. The baron can't risk a wide search or one that extends into daylight. Outlander or not what he tried to do would land him in trouble he can't pay off."
"You're putting your own safety at risk Duke, if you're caught hiding me away-," she started to warn.
"I'm at risk every day with my line of work. One noose or another doesn't look much different to me by this point," I assured with a bit of confidence curving my lip.
I glanced over her torn tunic and mentioned, "Besides, what conscience I have left would never let me rest if I left ya alone like this. I can hide ya away for tonight an' escort ya somewhere safe once dawn finds us. I give ya my word."
"Honor among thieves?" she raised a teasing brow.
I smiled, "The deepest honor there is sweetheart."
"How shall I pay you for this then?" she inquired.
With a soft chuckle I replied, "I'd settle for a dinner shared an' maybe a smile?"
I got the second request instantly. The first I had to escort her to the tavern for. Once there I paid for our meals with some of the gold I still carried. The owner heard our tale and made certain no guards entered into his establishment that night. He also asked one of the ladies that lived in the apartment upstairs if she had some clothes for Heart she could wear. The orange catfolk from before obliged by bringing Heart a fresh white tunic and a deep burgundy skirt. When she returned I gave a genuine grin, "Ravishin'."
I wondered if anyone had ever offered her such words with how quick she was to blush. The demands of the baron were hardly in the same vain as I'd seen him look at her like mere property he'd paid for.
Heart sat at the counter with me and ate her meal rather quietly. Sipping the cool glass of milk she'd asked for seemed to bring her some comfort though.
Heart:
"You're safe Heart. I can't promise much, but that you can be sure of okay?" Duke told me.
When he said this I couldn't help but look to him a bit curiously. A pleasant smile still graced his scarred upper lip as he talked with the barkeep and here and there. His hazelnut skin was quite dark in comparison to my pale complextion. I noticed as we talked that he kept his left side towards the outer side and me to his right before I realized why. Over where his right eye should have been was an eyepatch that I had noticed when he'd first looked at me, but didn't really think about it in the pressure of the moment. His long dark hair was swept wildly to the right side, framing his high cheekboned face. Those strands of midnight grew out a bit long in the back and were tied into a short ponytail at the base of his neck. The stress from the loss of his eye had given him a premature streak through a bit of the front of his bangs. The burgundy tunic and ebony leather he wore encased what I could see was a rather lean, but strong frame well fit for exploring the world at night.
"That baron had better watch it, last I heard he was running out of funds to pay his men. He spends it on items he claims will ensure his lineage to thrive. They'll turn on him when he dries up his resources," the barkeep scoffed while drying a glass or two.
"Not to mention the risk they're taking if he's ever found out for this. Are they willing to take the fall for him?"
"He may be able to cover it up with the right items at his disposal, the man's got a plethera of charms and tomes to persuade others."
A shudder ran up my spine hearing this.
"I think the guy knows he's at the end of his ropes though, that's why he's so desperate for a powerful air, an' what's more powerful than dragonblood?" Duke mentioned while glancing at me.
The barkeeper raised a brow, "Ah, the blue scaled outlander here in my tavern of all places?"
I winced before he offered a smile, "Well weirder things have happened."
Duke looked to him a bit puzzled before the barkeeper mentioned for me, "Best consider yourself lucky my friend, this lass doesn't usually sit comfortably with the company of others. I'm afraid others have proven her right to be that way."
I nodded without a word to add to this. Then while glancing at Duke a moment I said quietly, "I'm glad I was proven wrong this time."
Duke gave a smile in answer to this.
Shortly after we were told that our room was ready when we grew tired. After such a busy night I could see he was more than ready for a good night's rest. Opening the door to show there were two beds seemed to help me ease up a bit more as well.
"I didn't save ya to claim ya for myself Heart," he said to me.
"It's not that," I insisted softly, "I'm not used to a bed."
"Ya weren't kiddin' before," he realized as he followed with his gaze while I sat on the firm mattress.
I shook my head. To this Duke picked up one of the blankets folded on the nearby table and carried it over to me.
"Here, get all the rest ya need," he offered it to me.
"Thank you, for all the risks you've taken tonight," I replied.
"You're quite welcome sweetheart."
Duke:
Morning, however, came a bit more abruptly than I'd thought it would. Just as the sun barely peeked through the window did I jump with a start at the crashing below the floor boards of the 2nd story of the tavern. It only grew louder as the shoving of furniture followed after. Shouts and cursing reached our ears as I looked to a rather startled Heart still in her bed. Metal boots stomped around and she flew from her sheets and blanket to the window. I hurried over and pulled her back from the frame to look out in her place.
"What are you-?!"
"Shhh," I instructed as I checked over the street below.
Outside the tavern was another wagon much like the cage from last night. With it were a few men bearing the baron's emblem on the chest of their coats. I felt her tensing up as I held her against me, silently demanding answers.
"Have you seen the baron's bride?!" one of the men shouted, "Any information would be worth a reward to him. He wants her found and brought back home to him!"
Heart shuddered in my hands.
"What is the cage for then?" the owner questioned.
"We believe someone has stolen her away and we merely wish to bring them to justice once they are found," the guardsman replied in a mock pleasant tone.
At this Heart looked up at me as I said, "Lyin' cretin."
Still the owner at the counter stated, "I haven't seen her. Now if you'd kindly leave so I can make the little living I can-"
"I'm afraid a more thourough check is called for sir, we'll check the upstairs and be out of your way in no time," one of them insisted snidely.
As they came up the stairs I looked below to see the owner shouting at the awaiting men. He waved his hands in the air as he shouted in outrage...at least I thought before he glanced up at the window with another wave. It was now that I saw the wagon of recently emptied stock below the window just pulled over by his catfolk daughter. Still the barkeep yelled, "I'm trying to sort my supplies and you're ruining my bar! It's time for you to get out of here!"
With that I gave a quick nod and pulled Heart onto the roof with me before she could pull away. While they were still distracted I took Heart by the hand and barely had a chance to count down to three before taking a leap onto the wagon below. Fortunately the drop hadn't been too bad as we landed in a crouched position and jumped back up. Before anyone could register what we'd done I cracked the reigns fastened to the two horses and we were off, "Hang on!"
We didn't dare pay heed to the shouting and cursing trailing after us into gradual silence. While I drove on Heart sat at my right, while I kept my focus on the roads ahead of us.
"Time to leave town, would have been nice to get some breakfast first," I shrugged as while urging the horses to go faster.
"Duke you don't have to do all of this! They didn't see you, you can go free!" Heart insisted.
"An' let them take ya back to that self absorbed snake?!" I exclaimed.
"I'll think of something! You already got me out, that's more than enough Duke!" she attempted before she gave a short gasp.
I couldn't turn my head enough to see, but I could hear another wagon gaining on us. Cracking the reigns once more I felt our own picking up in speed.
"Is there somewhere I can take ya? Somewhere you'll be safe?" I asked her.
"If I can get outside the city I'll be fine; but, I can get there on my own from here! I don't want you dragged away for this!" She attempted once more.
I gave a confident laugh, "They'll have to catch us first Heart! Now hang on!"
Heart:
As we rode on I could see the other wagon drawing closer. It's driver tried to steady his horses in their hastened gallop. Their companion rider readied a crossbow and took aim, sneering at the driver beside me. I quickly turned and hopped onto the back of our cart and crept as close as I could without falling off.
"Heart what are ya-?!"
Focusing on the horses chasing our wheels I let out a deep breath, flicking my hand in a slapping motion and watched. In that instant the horse nearest to our side reared up in alarm, jolting the wagon it pulled. In this sudden shift the crossbow was shot, but aimed upwards in it's attempt.
"What happened?!" the marksman demanded.
"I don't know! Something spooked it!" the driver stammered in just as much shock.
"Hurry, before we lose them!" the first shouted to little avail.
With these precious moments we managed to turn a corner and keep going for a bit longer. As we neared the walls of the city we would find guards posted at the gates. Duke, however, simply laughed, "Did they really think we'd go straight for the front door?"
With a pull and another turn we rode down an outer street near a few buildings. Duke then called to me, "When I say go we make our jump, we'll let them chase after an empty wagon for a bit while we climb out."
Just ahead I could see a soft bed of hay set aside for a stable that hadn't been brought inside yet. As we drew closer Duke loosened the reigns and partially stood. He offered a hand to me, "Ready?"
Still at his right I placed my hand in his and took a breath, "Ready!"
"Go!" Duke said just loud enough for me to hear as we leapt off of the wagon and into that bed of straw.
We had little time to catch our breath as we heard hooves and boots alike chasing after us. The two of us scrambled to our feet and made a break for it down a side street while they went after our horses. Still holding my hand, Duke pulled me along to a piece of the outer wall surrounding the city. He ran his fingers along a plank and smirked before shoving it to the side. He then pushed me along ahead of him before sliding in behind me and letting the board close up into place.
"Go straight ahead Heart, it's safe," he assured me as I blindly lead us along.
"What is this?" I asked.
"It's how I get in an' out when I don't want to be noticed, comes in handy from time to time," he replied.
"Duke...if they saw you then you can't go back there...what about your home?" I asked with growing concern.
"I don't really have a home to go back to Heart. I'm an outlaw remember?" he pointed out.
"All the more reason for you to just let me go on my own. You're risking too much," I pushed.
Still he followed after me, reaching passed me at points to shove more beams of wood out of our path. Before we made it to the other end of the passage I turned around and looked up at him. He came to a sudden pause as he had heard me do the same.
"So outside of town then?" he asked, avoiding what I'd just said.
"Duke-"
"Heart, don't worry so much about me okay?" he stated firmly before admitting, "It's kinda fun usin' my skills to help someone for once."
Realizing the only way to go was onward I gave up. We quickly made our way to the other side where Duke slid open another temporary door. He looked out ahead, deeming the coast clear before we hopped out.
Then I heard it, the distinct shifting of fastened triggers and pulled cords.
"Did you enjoy your little run?" the captain of his guard sneered while stepping into view at the center of his men.
Duke and I had frozen where we stood, our hands up for them to see clearly. My eyes narrowed as the baron strolled up beside his captain. He raised a brow with a amusement twisting his goateed face, looking over the rogue beside me, "Well if it isn't the wanted thief, caught taking what simply doesn't belong to him."
"She doesn't belong to you either!" Duke retorted sharply.
"That's where you're wrong you slithering pickpocket," he scoffed, "Was it not my private chambers you broke into and took her from?"
"Is it really stealin' her when she wanted to leave? All that money an' you couldn't even pay to enjoy the warmth of a woman's touch!" Duke chuckled with contempt gleaming in his remaining eye.
The baron's eyes widened from the jab and his jaw locked in place with his breath seething between his teeth, "How dare you?!"
Duke gave a smirk while facing the teeth of the arrows aimed at him, "I consider it to be an honor that what got me caught was savin' her from the likes of you."
"Save her, interesting word for it?" the baron scoffed while walking up to me.
The baron looked me over with a shine in his eyes that made me shudder with disgust. Contempt emerged from his throat, "A comfortable life provided to her in return of the service she'll provide me is hardly a concern to be saved from. It's the best a serpent like her could have hoped for. Then again you wouldn't know that would you? You couldn't know the intriquesies of power and wealth being nothing but a lowborn dog biting after what scraps he can find and take!"
My blood ran ice cold before rising to a boil. I watched as the baron strolled up to Duke with a sneer twisting his oily face, "To put it simply, by beind hand picked by me, this creature belongs to me. I paid to have her brought to me where she can live safely off the streets and from the cruelties her life would have otherwise brought her. In return I ask she provide me the son I require to carry on my heritage, along with the blood to create a strong successor. A simple request really, and more than fair if you ask me. Despite the name you carry, you are nothing more than the thief you were born to be, writhing along to swipe what could never belong to you."
"I'd rather be a thief than a cretin like you," Duke growled, his smooth demeanor cracking slowly.
The baron however gave a smug, all too comfortable, grin, "I would have enjoyed seeing you dance at the gallows, but I think gutting you right here would bring me some peace of mind so you can never touch what's mine again!"
"Too cheap to afford the rope?" Duke bit back, "Or are ya too afraid I'll steal her away just as easily as I did last night?"
The baron didn't answer him in words, but walked over to me. Despite my attempts to inch away from his hand, he slid it to my chin and forced me to look at him, "I think you would find it much harder this time."
Duke:
I caught a glimpse of the pendulum swinging from his fingers behind his back and the amulet centered circet in his palm.
"I was bringing her a lovely gift when you stole her away last night," the baron said with feigned sweetness towards Heart, "I'm certain it will win her obediance?"
Heart tried to pull away as he went to slip it on her head and he snickered, "Now my-"
"Funny," I said with a smooth air in my tone to catch his attention when I added, "I didn't need some cheap jewelry to earn a smile an' a kiss from her."
"You what?!" the baron hissed.
"Ya heard me, an' the company I was rewarded was some of the finest a thief like me could have asked for," I assured more to Heart than the baron with a smile.
I knew how he would take it. What I didn't calculate was him striking her as he bellowed, "You let this filthy urchin touch you over me?!"
"Ya touch her again an' it'll be the last thing ya do," I warned with a narrowing glare as I ignored the aimed firearms, too sudden for them to adjust, and grabbed his arm as he went to hit her again.
"How dare you?!" he demanded as I pulled him back away from her.
He looked to his men, "Execute this thief where he stands, what am I paying you for?!"
Heart:
They took aim and their fingers raced for the triggers. Two men rushed up and grabbed Duke by an arm each to hold him in place. Another grabbed me, and began pulling me back.
"No! Please don't!" I exclaimed as Duke was forced down to his knees, while I was dragged a step or two away.
"Crime simply doesn't pay, but you certainly will," the baron sneered.
The arrows flew and a gasp of shock emerged from my throat. With a hand pulled free all I could do was stifle this before I registered the sight before me. There he was with several arrows struck into his form, his mouth touched with crimson as he choked on the blood emerging upward. His eyes wide with shock and pain. He looked to his men, the baron demanded through coughs of red, "...what...have...?"
"You don't pay either," the general commented with an icy tone drifting through the still air somehow.
He then nodded to the two holding Duke as they brought him to his feet, but still held him in place. The heavy boots of the general sank with every step in the dampened soil. His eyes of cole met with Duke's one with bewildered intrigue. He glanced at me and shrugged as the baron dropped to the ground unhelped by a single guard of his employ. Then with one last uttered garbled curse his eyes went wide and he grew rigidly still.
"I should be bringing you in for the crimes you have committed. I care for this girl as little as the baron did, and I doubt you care much more than that. I don't even care to hear your reason for this," he spoke dryly, fatigue seeping through, "One way or another the baron was going to bring us to ruin, whether it be for his ill deeds to gain an heir, his lack of payment, or otherwise."
He looked over the thief with clear disdain for his profession, and then giving a nod to his men. I watched in fear that he was about to be dragged away after everything he'd just done. Still he smiled as though nothing were wrong. The captain's eyes narrowed, "It is quite tempting in deed to see you hang and be done with you."
Both Duke and the commander glanced at me briefly. Though Duke held his gaze a bit longer as the stern half elf before him spoke, "However it would be far easier to explain this was an accident if you weren't there to try and unveil what we've done here. No one will miss this Baron and we can say he went mad and tried to take matters into his own hands as we were firing. That, and this chase has left me longing for my bed and a good night's rest."
With this Duke was shoved out of their hands. The beige skinned rogue brushed off his clothes after having been shoved to the ground and yanked back up.
"Understand thief, that this is a one time reprieve. If you are ever caught within the walls of this city again you will receive an irristable invitation to dance before the town by a rope. Have I made myself clear?"
"You have," Duke assured.
The captain turned to me, "As for you I care not what you do or where you go. Though I would strongly suggest that you leave as well. Your presence has caused a great deal of trouble for us and would simply like to forget about it while we weave our way out of this."
I gave a nod of my own, though I'd already planned on leaving.
Without another word to either of us they walked away, carrying the lifeless form of the baron back with them to weave their tale. I decided I wanted to be far from the gates before the people could begin questioning anything. As I went to leave I looked to Duke a moment and said softly, "Thank you."
When I went to step away I would hear him following.
"That's it? All that an' you're just goin' to say thanks an' be on your way alone?" he asked in surprise.
"I'm sorry you can't go back to town. If it weren't for me you wouldn't have been nearly dragged away like that. It's for the better we split ways now before anything else happens," I tried to explain with frustration masked in my tone.
"Heart if it hadn't been for all of this an' I was caught I'd be strung up without a second thought right now," he mentioned.
"That's if you'd been caught in the first place right? I have a feeling this was a first for you? I don't want you taking such a risk for my sake again!" I pushed back trying to walk faster.
His stride was a bit wider than my own, making it easy for him to keep pace with me. I was about to just run when he kicked up his own speed to get ahead. Then he spun on his heel and stood blocking my path along the dirt road we'd been walking along thus far.
"Don't ya think I understood that risk when I decided to help ya?" he asked.
He then gave a wide grin with his scarred lip and added, "An' that was some of the most fun I've had in a long while."
I looked up at him, my eyes wide and mouth slightly agape at his casual reaction to a brush with death.
"Duke, I don't want to see you end up in trouble like that again," I insisted, "I thank you for all that you've done in the last 12 hours, more than I can say...but it really would be better for us to go our own ways."
He then tilted his head with a bit of his own frustration touching his furrowed brow and remaining eye, "Is it because I'm an outlaw? Are ya worried about bein' caught with me?"
Duke:
The hurt that struck those eyes made me wish I could eat the words I'd just said to her. Then I recalled the pleading she'd cried out when we both thought I was being shot at. Realizing this I understood a bit of what she was trying to do, but still I pushed apologetically, "I'm sorry...I know better than that from before; but I think that's why I'm a bit confused on this sweetheart?"
"It's more so I don't want you caught again because of me Duke. This isn't the first time this blood in my veins has landed me in trouble, I'm just usually better at slipping out of it though..." she said, "I'm chased out of towns for simply mentioning the company I've kept."
"What company is that?" I asked.
"Duke, I received this magic in my blood from the blue dragon I used to travel with. That's why others don't stick around, and I don't expect you to either," she said before trying to get by me.
"Thing about expectations sweetheart, is that they can be proven wrong," I mentioned while stepping to the side to block her path still.
Her arms folded over her chest as she glanced away from me. I attempted a venture forward, "So you were worried about a vagabond pickpocket such as myself?"
Her grip on her own arms tightened out of defensive instinct, her thin frame a bit rigid as she replied, "I was worried that one of the few people in my life I would consider a friend would be taken away somehow...even if you didn't consider-"
"Of course I do sweetheart," I said quickly, ignoring the stunned sensation in my chest at her words with a delighted smile and tone.
I watched as her eyes widened a bit from this remark, just as startled to hear this confirmation as I had been.
Then I assured her, "Still, either way, I would have helped ya. I want ya to know that. Thief or not, there's no way I'd leave someone in trouble like that. There's a number of things that can be stolen...somethin' like that isn't one of 'em."
To keep her from shuddering as I caught her about to do I lastly added, "But friend has a nicer ring to it than thief for once."
At last I drew out a slight smile with these carefully chosen words. Her stance eased a bit and she looked up at me with eyes glistening of sapphire I realized with contentment.
"Duke, what you did, the risks you took, I'd think hero fits even better?" she mentioned softly.
The pride beaming in me could be seen in my smile and felt in my chest. In my entire career as a rogue I'd never quite felt as rewarded as I did in this moment. I'd helped families from time to time with the gold I'd taken, helped a friend hide from the law here and there; but it was never something like this. Some humility returned when I caught the soft pink brushed over her cheeks and I heard myself say, "I'll gladly settle for friend when it comes to you sweetheart."
Then I requested, "I also hope you'll let me travel with ya a bit longer? At least to the next town?"
"You don't have to Duke," she protested cautiously.
"I'd still like to Heart," I told her earnestly to try and get by her remaining hesitation as I offered a hand to her.
To my genuine surprise she placed her hand in mine again and answered, "I would like that Duke..."
I simply couldn't resist as I lifted her hand, bent forward slightly, and brushed her fingers with a brief kiss. That shade of pink turned to light red and I said, "Forgive me Heart?"
"I'd say it's a fair reward...?"
I shook my head, "No darlin'. The only reward I need is knowin' I was able to save ya simply by goin' back there an' stealin' a far better treasure than a few rocks. This was just my way of thankin' ya for trustin' me to do that in the first place."
Thinking on that I wasn't sure if I meant the trust she had in allowing me to kiss her twice, or when she'd trusted me to take her away from there in the first place. Either way, looking over her and seeing her safe and trusting me to stay near her, I was quite grateful, and quite proud my skills could be used in this way at least once.