Chapter 2: Silence
AN: I am so sorry, *sniff* my reputation for fast updates has been tarnished. *hangs her head in shame* sorry...
Dilly: *rests a hand on her shoulder in comfort* there there.
*glomps Dilly* ur so sweet!!!!!
Dilly: *can't respond due to lack of air*
Oh sorry, n e way enjoy the chapter!
Dilly: I've been meaning to ask...
What?
Dilly: why aren't I in this story?
*giggles* u have other things to do...
Dilly: like wha- oh those things...
*watches Dilly blush* so cute! I really must thank Tennyo again...
Preparation is vital
As is clarity in ones purpose.
A fogged mind is clouded vision,
And a keeper should never go in blind.
In a single fluid movement Van had opened the door, slipped inside the awaiting room and closed it again. Surveying his surroundings chocolate eyes narrowed as it became clear that he was in the basement. He sighed inwardly, the raven haired thief had hoped that he would end up in the lower levels, it would be easier to get to the Lords private chambers from there.
Like most Lords Van had summarised that the treasures that he sort were in the upper chambers. 'Close to his heart,' Van thought sarcastically, 'and away from his servants.'
''You know I've been thinking, they should really beef up security around here.''
Van backed quickly into the shadows of the cold stone room as the guards continued their 'intelligent' conversation.
''What's wrong with us?'' Another, throatier one asked, obviously confused.
''Nothin', I just think there should be more guards outside that's all.''
''But the thief's are on the inside.''
A loud sigh, ''No, no you catch them before they get inside, you taffer.''
''Oh, I see.''
The riveting conversation faded into the distance as the guards walked away. Chuckling lightly Van stepped out again and moved towards the door-less entrance into the basement halls.
As he stepped out he saw the two guards part company and go down corridors in opposite directions. Both were stone lined and each had small torches hanging from the walls and equal intervals. Van knew instinctively that whichever path he chose it would probably be the wrong one; with all the bad luck he'd been having tonight. Sighing the young thief removed the bow hanging from his back, on top of his sword, and pulled out a water arrow. Closing his eyes he let his feet guide him and when his dark depths blinked open again he found himself in a similar hallway.
''I don't see why I have to be the one down here, in the cold and the dark.''
The grumbling and clinking of chain mail gave Van good warning and he ducked into a corner, concealing himself in shadow once more. Aiming professionally he pulled his arm back and released silently. Watching as the guard turned sharply, confused, as the only source of light was extinguished. 'My game,' Van thought with an ironic grin, 'my rules.'
The aged, makeshift guard didn't stand a chance. The poor old fool never knew what hit him as he fell to the unforgiving stone below, banished from the living world. His attacker moved on light footed down the hallway without a second glance. 'No time for regret in this line of work.'
~~~~~
''Miss?'' The blue-eyed maid knocked lightly on one of the many mahogany carved doors and wait patiently for an answer. A few minutes past before the same door was pulled open by its silver handle and the maid responded with a light curtsy. ''I brought you your tea.''
''Thank you.'' The recipient replied emotionlessly, taking the cup of steaming liquid from the maid's tray and closing the door again without a second glance.
As the maid left, the young woman on the other side of the door proceeded into the heart of what appeared to be a large bedroom. A mid green carpet lined the floor as strange patterns created by shadows danced over it. The only source of light came from the blazing fire in the bottom centre of the north most wall. The fireplace was lined with cold greyish marble, a sign of wealth.
The emerald-eyed woman barley made a sound as she walked towards the small sofa opposite the fire and settled herself into the cream coloured cushions. Placing the cup onto the table beside her, slender hands reached out and grasped a small leather bound book and opened it. Hitomi's green depths flickered towards the uncovered window as a clap of thunder sounded, signalling the arrival of the
Nights expected storm, but were soon engrossed once more in her book. She wanted to finish the final chapter before retiring to her queen sized bed, lined with green sheets, a lighter shade however, than that of the carpet her bare toes grazed as she sat.
Hours past, not that Hitomi noticed and eventually she closed the book with a relaxed sigh, though the feeling didn't reflect in her forest orbs. Rising again and placing the book back on the small table the young lady of the house allowed her white nightgown to fall around her ankles as she crossed the many bookshelf's and wardrobes lining the walls and collapsed into bed, sleep engulfing her almost immodestly.
~~~~~
But a level below the sleeping girl a wide-awake boy of the same age swore inwardly as his sword clashed with that of a rusted armoured guard. ''You won't get away now thief!'' His opponent called to him in arrogance as he blocked another of Van's blows. ''I don't plan to.'' Van responded with a grin, turning the other mans monetary confusion into an advantage as he aimed low and struck through the side of the breastplate and into the leather jerkin underneath.
A startled cry irrupted from the guards blood filled throat as he collapsed to the ground. For a moment Van hesitated, there was too much blood now to move the body and hide it, he would never have time to clean up the mess before the next patrol arrived and sounded the alarm. There was nothing for it, stealth suddenly became second to speed in Van's list of priorities and the thief broke into a run, ignoring the lack of shadow as he raced up the nearest flight of steps to the private cambers above.
AN: I am so sorry, *sniff* my reputation for fast updates has been tarnished. *hangs her head in shame* sorry...
Dilly: *rests a hand on her shoulder in comfort* there there.
*glomps Dilly* ur so sweet!!!!!
Dilly: *can't respond due to lack of air*
Oh sorry, n e way enjoy the chapter!
Dilly: I've been meaning to ask...
What?
Dilly: why aren't I in this story?
*giggles* u have other things to do...
Dilly: like wha- oh those things...
*watches Dilly blush* so cute! I really must thank Tennyo again...
Preparation is vital
As is clarity in ones purpose.
A fogged mind is clouded vision,
And a keeper should never go in blind.
In a single fluid movement Van had opened the door, slipped inside the awaiting room and closed it again. Surveying his surroundings chocolate eyes narrowed as it became clear that he was in the basement. He sighed inwardly, the raven haired thief had hoped that he would end up in the lower levels, it would be easier to get to the Lords private chambers from there.
Like most Lords Van had summarised that the treasures that he sort were in the upper chambers. 'Close to his heart,' Van thought sarcastically, 'and away from his servants.'
''You know I've been thinking, they should really beef up security around here.''
Van backed quickly into the shadows of the cold stone room as the guards continued their 'intelligent' conversation.
''What's wrong with us?'' Another, throatier one asked, obviously confused.
''Nothin', I just think there should be more guards outside that's all.''
''But the thief's are on the inside.''
A loud sigh, ''No, no you catch them before they get inside, you taffer.''
''Oh, I see.''
The riveting conversation faded into the distance as the guards walked away. Chuckling lightly Van stepped out again and moved towards the door-less entrance into the basement halls.
As he stepped out he saw the two guards part company and go down corridors in opposite directions. Both were stone lined and each had small torches hanging from the walls and equal intervals. Van knew instinctively that whichever path he chose it would probably be the wrong one; with all the bad luck he'd been having tonight. Sighing the young thief removed the bow hanging from his back, on top of his sword, and pulled out a water arrow. Closing his eyes he let his feet guide him and when his dark depths blinked open again he found himself in a similar hallway.
''I don't see why I have to be the one down here, in the cold and the dark.''
The grumbling and clinking of chain mail gave Van good warning and he ducked into a corner, concealing himself in shadow once more. Aiming professionally he pulled his arm back and released silently. Watching as the guard turned sharply, confused, as the only source of light was extinguished. 'My game,' Van thought with an ironic grin, 'my rules.'
The aged, makeshift guard didn't stand a chance. The poor old fool never knew what hit him as he fell to the unforgiving stone below, banished from the living world. His attacker moved on light footed down the hallway without a second glance. 'No time for regret in this line of work.'
~~~~~
''Miss?'' The blue-eyed maid knocked lightly on one of the many mahogany carved doors and wait patiently for an answer. A few minutes past before the same door was pulled open by its silver handle and the maid responded with a light curtsy. ''I brought you your tea.''
''Thank you.'' The recipient replied emotionlessly, taking the cup of steaming liquid from the maid's tray and closing the door again without a second glance.
As the maid left, the young woman on the other side of the door proceeded into the heart of what appeared to be a large bedroom. A mid green carpet lined the floor as strange patterns created by shadows danced over it. The only source of light came from the blazing fire in the bottom centre of the north most wall. The fireplace was lined with cold greyish marble, a sign of wealth.
The emerald-eyed woman barley made a sound as she walked towards the small sofa opposite the fire and settled herself into the cream coloured cushions. Placing the cup onto the table beside her, slender hands reached out and grasped a small leather bound book and opened it. Hitomi's green depths flickered towards the uncovered window as a clap of thunder sounded, signalling the arrival of the
Nights expected storm, but were soon engrossed once more in her book. She wanted to finish the final chapter before retiring to her queen sized bed, lined with green sheets, a lighter shade however, than that of the carpet her bare toes grazed as she sat.
Hours past, not that Hitomi noticed and eventually she closed the book with a relaxed sigh, though the feeling didn't reflect in her forest orbs. Rising again and placing the book back on the small table the young lady of the house allowed her white nightgown to fall around her ankles as she crossed the many bookshelf's and wardrobes lining the walls and collapsed into bed, sleep engulfing her almost immodestly.
~~~~~
But a level below the sleeping girl a wide-awake boy of the same age swore inwardly as his sword clashed with that of a rusted armoured guard. ''You won't get away now thief!'' His opponent called to him in arrogance as he blocked another of Van's blows. ''I don't plan to.'' Van responded with a grin, turning the other mans monetary confusion into an advantage as he aimed low and struck through the side of the breastplate and into the leather jerkin underneath.
A startled cry irrupted from the guards blood filled throat as he collapsed to the ground. For a moment Van hesitated, there was too much blood now to move the body and hide it, he would never have time to clean up the mess before the next patrol arrived and sounded the alarm. There was nothing for it, stealth suddenly became second to speed in Van's list of priorities and the thief broke into a run, ignoring the lack of shadow as he raced up the nearest flight of steps to the private cambers above.