(Most characters, names etc are property of Eidos; Sara and the Kamra order are my creations and so © PantherDemon)

Chapter one - An unwanted encounter Only he is alone who wishes to be. The spirits hath chosen a guide for all of us and as long as we are guided we will never truly know loneliness. ~First book of Kamra

Daylight was slowly fading as Garrett settled himself on a chair in his home, eating his dinner which consisted only of a bit of old bread and a cup of wine. Still Garrett wasn't complaining. At least he had food. Yet his landlord had recently come by to remind him the rent was late. And this wasn't the first time that had happened. He needed some cash, quick. After Truart had been murdered and he had 'disposed' of the mechanists his life had certainly become easier. The sheriff's department had been full of mechanists that were being kicked out now that Truart, and therefore their connection to the mechanist order, was no longer there to look after them. So the guarding of the city wasn't to well organised these days. Wasn't that a shame?

When the sun had gone down and darkness covered the land Garrett swung his cloak over his shoulders, put his hood up, swung his quiver over his shoulder and made sure his sword and blackjack were secure. Then he left his house to make his way to the city market place. Conrad That was his target this time. A rather new trading company founded by two men who were too rich for their own good. They were so lucky to have Garrett, who else would help them out? Of course they had forgotten to leave the front door open so he good move some of their goods, but all he needed to do was climb through one of the windows, get some valuables and make his way out again.

Whatever it was Conrad and Gowell spent their money on it wasn't locks Garrett decided as the window at the back of the large building swung open the moment he stuck his lock pick into the lock. Ah well, he wasn't complaining. He soundlessly climbed through the window and closed it behind him again. Nothing like a window standing wide open to alert some guard passing by. The back room of Conrad&Gowell, which appeared to be an office, made it clear what the rich men did spend their money on. The walls were decorated with fine tapestries and so was the floor. The wooden chairs and table were decorated with gold and next to the door stood a large closet that immediately got Garrett's attention. He picked the lock on its doors and looked at the contents for a moment. Golden goblets and a few bottles of good wine. He could always use those. Beyond the office's door was a hallway. As usual there was a guard patrolling around, but Garrett treated the honest man to a bonk on the head with his blackjack and he immediately started to take a little nap. The master thief dumped the body in the deserted office and continued his way through the building.

A few rooms and guards later Garrett made his way out of the building again. He had gathered enough loot and goods to pay the rent and feed himself for a while. Besides he had ransacked almost the entire building for valuables so there wasn't much left to take. With a satisfied little smirk on his face Garrett made his way back to his house where he would enjoy a glass of Conrad&Gowell's best wine. At least, that was what he was planning to do until he stumbled across the hump of green cloak lying in a narrow, dark alley.

It was a girl, her long blond hairs were spread all over the ground and her patched cloak seemed big enough to cover a man at least a foot longer than her. Her breathing was fast and short and her face was pale. She was lying on her side and seemed unconscious. "Great, what now?" Garrett asked himself. He should just leave her here. She was probably a runaway and she would only give him trouble. This wasn't his problem. Yet as he walked on a moan escaped her lips, she rolled over and got to her knees. Even though she was probably very dizzy her eyes were alert as they settled on the face of the master thief, which was still mostly covered by the black hood. "Who are you." She asked. Her tone was sharp, as if he had wronged her by standing here in the street. "I am no one." Garrett said, glaring back at the girl. He turned around and started to walk away when he heard a 'poof' sound behind him. One glance over his shoulder told him the girl had tried to get up but had fallen down again. "What are you doing here?" He asked her. She shook her head, as if to say 'none of your business'. Then she crawled to the wall of a nearby building and leaned against it as she slowly stood up. Garrett shrugged and turned around again. This was only keeping him in the streets longer than he should be. He had almost reached the corner when he was forced to turn around one more time, alarmed by footsteps.

Whistling a merry tune, a bearded guard dressed in a purple tunic stepped around the corner on the far end of the alley. The whistling seized when he saw the swaying girl, still leaning against the wall and the black cloaked man. Immediately jumping to conclusions the guard drew his sword and made for Garrett, apparently thinking he was acting in the girl's defence. Running away would be useless now, Garrett realized. Even if this guard didn't manage to capture him he'd raise such a racket chasing him that someone else would. "You don't know what you're doing." Garrett said as he drew his own blade. "Oh, I really think I do." The man said, his voice full of sarcasm. Garrett easily parried the man's first blows and wounded him with a few quick slashes. The fight was short and (for a sword fight) rather quiet. The soldier's sword fell to the ground, and he fell after it.

"Is he....dead?" The girl's green eyes had grown large as she stared at the bleeding body on the ground. "Either that, or unconscious, in which case he'll be dead soon." Garrett replied coldly as he cleaned his sword on the man's garments. He re-sheated it and looked at the girl. What a fine mess this evening had become. Ten minutes ago he could have just walked away from here, but not now. Very soon someone would pass this spot and see the dead man. The girl didn't look like she'd make it far on her own. "I'm getting soft." Garrett told himself as he shook his head. He could still leave her here. After all she was none of his business. With a sigh that sounded more like a growl he offered her his arm for support and she took it.

They couldn't walk to fast. Well, of course Garrett could, but the girl couldn't. "Er - thanks, I guess." She said. "Don't mention it." Garrett said. And he meant it. Garrett, the master thief, gone soft. News like this did not need to reach anyone's ears. "What's your name?" "Sara." She sounded tired. Garrett had a few more questions for the young creature, but not now. Not here. He made his way through the streets and knew exactly where he was going. He was going to collect a favor.

Basso's house was small, but probably big enough for the now wedded man. Garrett had knocked on the wooden door three times already before there was an answer. "Who's there?" Basso's voice sounded cautious. "An old friend." "Garrett?!" The door opened and Basso stepped forward. He had gained some weight since Garrett had last seen him, but other than that he looked fine. Happy even. Without saying a word Garrett stepped through the door right into Basso's living room. Jenivere, Basso's wife, jumped up with a startled look on her face. Just in time to catch Sara, who seemed to have fainted again. She didn't seem to need an explanation, but dragged the girl to the bed in the small room next to the living room, with a little help from Garrett. Basso offered the thief a seat and a glass off wine. "Who is she?" He asked. "Beats me." Garrett said. He quickly drained the glass and Basso filled it again. "Then why did you take her to my home?" Garrett quickly explained. A little.

Meanwhile Jenivere had been taking care of the girl, covering her with a warm blanket and cleaning her face with a cool cloth. "She has a fever." She told her husband. "And she looks like she hasn't eaten in days. "She can't stay here for long." Basso told Garrett. He didn't need to hear the entire story to guess that there had been trouble. Apparently, he was afraid of what would happen to his new life. "How about the favor you owe me?" Garrett asked, looking Basso in the eye. "I'm doing you a favor by letting you in my house in the first place. I don't live that sort of life anymore Garrett, so I don't want any trouble." "Just fix her up a little and we'll be on our way." Garrett said to Jenivere, who had been following the conversation. She nodded and continued cleaning Sara's face.