"What about Stewie?"
Sydney rolled her eyes and sighed. Going back for Stewie would mean finding another way around the numerous guards and back into the manse they had only just made it out of. They hadn't exactly been quiet about their getaway – Sydney and Nigel had the anklet of Koroibos but had definitely set off several alarms, and the guards would be alert. Still, leaving Stewie would remain on her conscience, even knowing that he'd certainly leave them if the tables were turned.
As she looked at the manor she considered the left side. There was a tree that they had dismissed earlier because it led to an occupied room. She started around the building, and stopped when she saw the tree, and stood in a shadow. Now that the lights were on they could see that the room was empty, and the tree would give them perfect access to the second floor. Sydney considered it for a moment and then hit Nigel's arm to point it out.
Nigel sighed but nodded, and when she started off towards the tree, he followed.
Sydney climbed easily, the tree had plenty of limbs for them to grab, and the branches on the second floor were tolerant of their weight. Still, they went one at a time, with Sydney working to jimmy open the window. As the window began to slide open, Sydney grinned.
She slid inside effortlessly. The room was empty save for furniture which included a bed, side tables, and a dark fireplace. She heard Nigel as he fell through the window and shushed him.
"Sorry, sorry," he whispered in response.
The two of them crept to the door soundlessly and stopped to listen for noise in the hallway. They shared a look and Sydney slowly opened the door. Clear. They stepped out of the room and started down the hallway in what they hoped to be the direction of the stairs. The last time they had seen Stewie he had been in the basement, staying behind to try to figure out how to grab as many artefacts as possible.
It was around the corner that they finally ran into two guards. Sydney took the first one by surprise and knocked him out quickly. The second had time to prepare and he and Sydney traded punches, and blocked kicks, with Sydney taking him out by flipping him.
The way clear they continued on through the hallways, meeting two more sets of guards that Sydney had to dispatch, until they heard voices. They inched cautiously forward until they came to a balustrade, and looked down to see that Stewie was flanked by two men in black, their arms bulging. Sydney could see the front door.
"You're going to learn what happens to people who break into my house and steal my things," a man who had to be Varnier hissed into Stewie's ear.
"This is all just a misunderstanding," Stewie said. "I was forced. And look," he opened his hands, "I don't have it."
"You think you can fool me?" Varnier demanded. "I'll teach you." He turned his attention to the men behind Stewie. "Feed him to the dogs."
"What? No. I'm sure we can come to some agreement," Stewie stepped forward and was immediately grabbed by the two men, one on each arm. "I can find other relics for you! I have a lead on a necklace from the Phoenician period!"
Stewie's pleas fell on deaf ears, as Varnier left the room. From somewhere under where Sydney and Nigel were situated came two more men.
Sydney frowned as she studied the room. Making a decision, she started halfway down the stairs and then leapt over them, landing between two of them. The ones holding Stewie let him go and pulled guns.
"Get 'em!" came Stewie's voice as she fought the two off. From the corner of her eye she saw Nigel jump one of the ones who had been holding Stewie from the bottom of the stairs. Relying on him to keep that one distracted she kept her focus on her two, aware that one more was around, and hoping he was being held there. The fight took longer than she would've liked, and she turned to see both Nigel and the man he'd taken on laying on the ground not moving. Her heart leapt to her throat. She didn't feel any better seeing Stewie with a gun to his head, but it didn't make her feel any worse either.
Sydney eyed them, trying to figure out how to get Stewie away from the gun. The best chance would be for Stewie to duck and push the gun away. As it was, Sydney was pretty sure Stewie wasn't going to do that. They stood there for a moment at an impasse.
"Get back," the man ordered. Sydney saw Nigel stir, and relaxed slightly. The situation was still tense, but at least Nigel was okay. Nigel looked around and took stock of the situation.
"Can't you just let him go?" Sydney asked, keeping the guard's attention on her and giving Nigel a chance to get up. "I know he's a shmuck, but he really doesn't deserve to die, does he? And dogs, so cliché."
The man didn't move, but Nigel did. He kicked out the guard's knee and pulled at his arm. The gunshot seemed to miss Stewie entirely and Sydney leapt forward to help.
Eventually the situation was contained, and Sydney, Nigel, and Stewie were left standing in the foyer with the four men lying unconscious around them.
"You saved me," Stewie said in wonder. "Why did you save me?"
Sydney was saved from answering by the sound of many footsteps coming their way.
"I think it's time for us to go," Nigel suggested. Sydney gave a nod, and they took their chances running out the front. The sound of barking dogs echoed somewhere behind them. The exhilaration of the hunt flowed through Sydney as she ran. She was excited to be able to present the anklet to the Museum in Athens as promised. And there was no way Stewie was taking credit this time.
