Disclaimer:  These things are just getting annoying now.  Disney owns the newsies.  Either SaL or Hotshot owns anyone else.  Check previous chapter if you're confused.  Understand?  Good.

Justify The Thrill
Chapter 6
Exempt From Sanity

Despite the bed being softer than any he'd slept in for years Spot was up at first light the next morning. He moved around the room and dressed in the noble's clothes quietly, leaving Racetrack asleep in his bed. There was a guard waiting for him outside the door, and he followed the man down a maze of stairways to the stable. They stood by the door for what seemed to be only a few minutes before three figures appeared through the early morning mist. They followed Spot inside and returned to his room.
       

It was a slap in the face for Race to be awakened by a splash of ice-cold water on his face. Mouse stood over him with a grin for a moment longer before Spot replaced her. "Get up and get ready," He hissed, "I have to wake the others."
       

He moved along the rooms not caring if he bothered anyone. He threw open the doors to his friends' rooms and woke them in whatever way he saw fit. In each room he ordered them dressed and ready within the half hour.
        

To his surprise Candy was already awake when he reached the room she was sharing with Hotshot.
       

"Dutchy woke me up," She explained, "He has the gift you know. He can send messages to a persons mind. Uses light to wake people up early. King Adonis must have woken him up early."
       

Spot just nodded, unsure what to make of the noble's kindness. It was the only side he had seen of her and he was still unsure if she would actually be able to fight if needed.
       

He passed her and pulled the blanket off of Hotshot. It woke her up but she refused to even open her eyes. She curled into a ball and rolled over. "You need to be ready in half an hour," Spot warned her. He turned to Candy, "Make sure she gets up, will you."
       

Candy nodded a wicked glint in her eye. Spot closed the door behind him and half-expected to hear Hotshot scream. It wasn't until halfway down the hall that he finally heard it.
       

It seemed that Dutchy had woken the remaining nobles as they were all assembled at the gates when Spot and the thieves joined them. All were decked out in the same fancy clothing as their enemies of sorts. Guards soon arrived at the gate; several surrounded the king and others walking their mounts.
       

There were fifteen of the best palace horses as well as two stockier ones pulling a cart. Two packhorses were tied to the back of the cart, loaded down with supplies. All of the animals, even the packhorses which were honestly plain looking looked majestic compared to the mountain ponies and odd horses that most of the city's occupants owned. Their gear was new, but looked like it had been common made.
       

Spot took a rather large package from Specs and slipped it onto the cart without being noticed. What he'd brought would most definitely be needed soon. He moved back into position and looked toward the king.
       

"I want to thank you and your friends for doing this, Spot." King Adonis said, "Most thieves around here would rather spend their lives in jail than do me a favor. You are truly a good man."
       

Spot nodded, "Thank you sir." He didn't necessarily agree with the king but he didn't see any need to be rude either. He stepped forward and faced his friends. They all looked considerably more awake and alert than they had when he'd woken them not thirty minutes before.
       

He spoke directly to them, "If any of you back down now I'll understand. I'm sorry I had to drop all this on you so fast, and I didn't really give you time to think about it. Now that you really understand what we're doing I won't be mad if you want to back out."
       

All of the thieves exchanged glances. It would be the understatement of the century to say that any of them were exactly eager to go but they weren't about to let Spot get stuck with these nobles for more than a month by himself. They also weren't about to march back to Blue or give up the chance to do something like this.
       

Race seemed to redeem himself for his actions the past day by speaking up for all of them, "What and let you have all the fun, no way!"
       

Spot gave him a knowing smile, "This isn't gonna be fun-"
       

"Yeah, yeah, we know; it's gonna be lots of hard work." Race interrupted him, "but I think we can handle it."
       

"That goes for all of you too," King Adonis continued. His gaze was directed toward the knights and squires. "I personally think all of you are too young to be doing this. If I could I'd send more experienced knights, and not squires. If you want to stay here, now is the time to speak up."
       

Wolfgang looked to Jack who stood in his place, unmoving. The other knights also looked to him and their squires to them. Not one of them even flinched, or had any doubt in themselves. It was almost inhuman to show so little emotion and personal struggle over such a big decision.
       

"Very well then," King Adonis nodded solemnly. "I wish you all luck. Get there and back as soon as possible, and don't get caught. I only hope you have enough sense to listen to each other. Good luck."
       

The group dispersed to find their mounts. The cart had been reserved for Swifty and Candy, each side choosing someone to not ride. The nobles chose Candy because she was female, and the thieves Swifty because he was good with horses, and other animals, but that's not important yet.
       

King Adonis stopped Spot with his long cane, knowing one of the better horses would be saved for him.
Spot looked up at the king. Being short was the only disadvantage he remembered having to face, but then again, King Adonis towered over everyone, "Can I help you, Sire?" He asked.
       

"Master Conlon," The king began, "I know you do not think highly of my son and most other nobles."
       

Spot shrugged, "They don't show any respect for those lower than themselves. I figure that's reason enough not to show it back. Respect must be earned. That's the first thing my friends and I learned in this city."
       

"That's an important lesson to learn," King Adonis agreed, "It's also something that my son and his friends may not have a firm grasp on. You and your friends have done all sorts of things, dangerous things, am I quite correct."
       

"Yes sir." Spot agreed.
       

"When they were pages and squires this lot learned to fight just as well as you probably. The only thing is they are the sons and daughter of nobility so we can't necessarily endanger their lives. And even those that are knights have only just become so. They haven't faced any real danger, and if they did there was always someone older and more experienced there to help them. They don't know how to think on their feet and get out of sticky situations like you and your friends. Also, they aren't as experienced as you are with traveling, especially not without protection."
       

"What exactly are you trying to say your Majesty?"
       

"I am saying that I want you to take care of them and make sure to keep them out of trouble. Teach them a bit so they'll be able to take care of themselves in the future. Who knows, maybe you'll even learn something form them."
       

"I doubt that." Spot shook his head, "I'll try my best." With that he bowed quickly to the king and hurried over the horse that Swifty was holding for him. He walked to the front of the line and took his position next to Jack as Swifty jumped into the cart.
       

He didn't turn once to look back at the city as they left. The sooner he could put space between himself and Tralee the better, especially for now. The only thing he took notice of were the guards that followed them to the edge of the forest before stopping.
        

Jack on the other hand glanced back many times at the party of guards that were quickly ushering his father inside. His father hadn't even hung around long enough to watch them go. There had been no farewell words to him, the king's son, but it seemed he'd spoken at great length with Spot.
       

As they reached the forests edge Jack urged his horse into a run. Upon suddenly being away from the restraints of the palace he liked the feeling of the freedom and suddenly wanted to be far away from his father. Spot urged his horse to go faster and the others easily kept the pace.


Perhaps the running horses and clink of metal form both weapons and tack was why no one noticed. Perhaps the guards were too lazy or just didn't care enough. Whatever the reason no one noticed when a strange figure rode near the path still in the brush, following a good distance behind the group.



* * *

            Spot kept an eye on their surroundings. He knew these woods and the road well. His friends and himself had often traveled it, selling the items they stole from the palace. He knew they would not reach another village before nightfall. That was what the nobles wanted and thought, but he knew better. Even the fastest horses in Rosslare couldn't make it that far in one day. But he wasn't about to ruin their fun and tell Jack that.
After the first half hour Jack had slowed their pace. Spot let him set the pace, because he wasn't concerned with how long the trip took, in fact, the longer the better. The longer it took the more the king was willing to pay them. Jack's sudden speed as they entered the woods had startled him a bit. He'd disguised a look at Jack and seen anger etched across the young noble's face.
           

This boy has everything he could ever want Spot thought to himself what does he have to be angry about. He decided it would be better not to question him and just go along with it. It had been so long since he'd last ridden that he certainly didn't mind the feel of the breeze on his face.
           

They rounded a sharp corner at about noon. It was nothing special. They'd passed several almost identical to it along the road already. This corner was different though. Spot knew this corner very well. This is why he brought his horse to a very abrupt stop. The other thieves followed suit very quickly. Swifty stopped the cart so quickly that he almost sent Candy tumbling out of it. The other nobles had to force their horses to the side to avoid collisions. Jack turned form several feet ahead and returned to them.
           

"What's wrong?" He asked Spot, "It's too early to stop."
           

Spot said nothing but made a quick motion with his hands. The thieves all dismounted and gave their reins to whichever noble they were nearest to. Swifty handed out several small, tightly packed bags that had been hidden in the cart. The nobles only sat speechless as the ten thieves dispersed into the woods.
           

"What the hell are they doing?" Wolfgang spat. He turned to Jack, "For all we know this could be a trap."
           

Skittery proceeded to call out the names of several of the thieves in hopes that they would come back. They all reappeared several minutes later.

Candy's jaw dropped at the sight of them. "What… Why… Who…" She was nearly speechless.
           

Jack was the first to speak what all of them were thinking, "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He directed the question at Spot.
           

He asked with good reason. Every single one of the thieves was now wearing what she or he had been when they had first met the nobles. Their clothes were those of common people. The boys were made of course fabrics and the girls wore their old clothes. Mouse wore her dress proudly, and Hotshot her leggings and blouse. Their clothes were all stained or worn looking.
           

"You and your men need to change," Spot said. He caught the bag that Swifty threw at him and heaved it at Jack. The noble caught it deftly.
           

Jack pulled out a set of worn clothes and looked at them in disgust. "What do you think you're trying to pull?"
           

Spot sighed and opened his mouth to speak.
           

"I wouldn't wear these rags if you paid me."
           

Spot went red with anger at Jacks poor choice in words. "Listen here you stuck up, arrogant, little snob, "He practically spat, "I don't care what the hell you think at the moment, or what you have to say. It's time you shut up and listen to me. If we stay dressed in those fancy clothes you want us to we're going to be robbed and probably killed before we even reach the first town on the way to Odessa. If you want me to put it simply, the shirt you are wearing, or the leggings, or the cloak are all worth more than all eighteen of our lives to the common thieves that live around here.
           

"If we dress like commoners and thieves and hide our weapons for the most part they will just think we're commoners or thieves selling stuff from town to town. They could still attack us, but the chances of that happening slim to none."
           

Jack just stared at him.
           

"Maybe we should just change then, "Bumlets suggested. He was immediately shushed by Skittery and Dutchy.
           

"What's it gonna be Jack?"
           

Jack threw the clothing to the ground at Spot's feet, "Forget it. I'm not dressing like some common criminal just so you can get a laugh."
           

Wolfgang loudly agreed form behind him.
           

Spot had to fight to control his temper. He took a deep breath and clenched his fists before he spoke calmly, and evenly, "You're going to regret that."
           

The two of them sat there for several minutes, just staring at each other. Neither was willing to turn away first and show defeat. As if some cue had been dropped an arrow soared through the air. It caught Wolfgang's fancy feathered hat, pulling it from his head and connecting it to a nearby tree. A second caught Jack's cloak, pining it to a tree that was luckily less that a foot away from him.
           

Jack managed to pull the arrow out of the tree and climb down from his horse. He got right up in Spot's face and held it between them. "This was your doing; you're setting us up." He accused.
           

Spot's face remained deathly calm. He didn't even wince as Jack screamed in his face. Very slowly a smirk crossed his features. His eyes sparkled with delight. "Maybe it was Jackie-boy, but then again, maybe it wasn't. How do you know for sure? Are you really willing to risk it all over something so trivial?"
           

Jack stared long and hard into Spot's eyes, trying to find some hint to the answer. Finally he let out a cry on injustice and snatched the clothes from Spot. "Come on," he called toward his friends talking toward the woods.
           

"But Jack-" David began to protest.
           

"Now." He commanded. Each of the nobles climbed immediately down form their horses and followed him into the woods, each taking a bag from one of the thieves.


            Close to two hundred feet from the roadside an archer sat contently in his perch, a tall oak tree. He twirled an arrow around his fingers. Then he quickly knocked and released it, sending it into the ground by Spots feet. As soon as he saw Spot pick it up he began his decent. He'd lost a complete day of business by doing this, but it was worth it to see the looks on those spoiled brats faces, and besides Spot and his friends were his best customers. If they died so would his business.


            Spot picked up the arrow and uncurled the message that was tied to it. He pitched the arrow into the woods where the nobles were sure not to find it, and then opened the letter.

                                                            -Spot,
                                                            Hopefully that was enough to convince
                                                            them. Watch your back and get
                                                            home in one piece. Good luck.
                                                            By the way, you owe me.
                                                                             -Blue


Spot smirked and waved in the direction from which the arrow had come.  He noticed a small patch of blue among the green of the leaves that surrounded them.  He slid the note into his pocket and turned to his friends.  They all grinned as the nobles came out form the woods.



A/N:  Two reviews! That's it; this must be getting really pathetic.  Rumor and Spider Chick, you are wonderful.  Not going to do personal shout-outs this time but you are.  I'm sorry but I'm just too tired from work and school.

            Now, for those of you that did not leave a review last time you read, pleasepleaseplease leave a review.  We really want to know what you think of this because we're hoping to change names and other stuff and getting it published after it is finished.  We need your input. 

            Also, I know this chapter is pretty short but the next one will be longer, and we will have it up soon.  Anyway, I can't think of anything else to write so I'm going to stop rambling and post this.  Thanks for reading, review, blah.

Forever,

Exempt from Sanity