Justify the Thrill
Chapter 3
Exempt from Sanity

A golden light seemed to seep through Jack's eyelids. At first it was merely a spec in the distance. He fought to cover it with darkness, praying for more sleep. The light, however, was persistent. It grew from a spec and rapidly spread to envelope everything in sight. The light was bright enough to hurt his eyes; it was an annoying and dreadful dream. He soon realized what was going on.

Jack threw an arm into the air and mumbled as he rolled over. "Dutchy let me sleep." He buried his head beneath the covers to escape from his friend's unique technique of waking people up.

"You know very well that the blanket isn't going to help you in the least," Aurelie, the lady knight Dutchy served under, snickered, "Dutchy can do that stupid light thing right through it."

Dutchy grinned at her and placed his hand over the blanket above Jack's head. He closed his eyes and began to concentrate again.

Jack sat up suddenly and swung at his friend, "Dutchy, stop it. What's wrong with you? Can't you see that I want to sleep."

Dutchy grinned meagerly, "Your dad woke me up by doing that an hour ago, except he was badgering me with a message. He wants all of us up in the study in an hour. Get up, get dressed and help us wake the others."

"What time is it?"

"About an hour past dawn," Aurelie said from the window. She walked back to his bed and dragged Dutchy toward the door, "We'll go get David and be back as soon as he's up. If you're not dressed I'm sure Dutchy would be happy to get you up again."

"Remind me Dutch. Who's the man and who's the woman?" Jack asked, watching amused as the small woman dragged Dutchy from the room.

Dutchy was only able to make a rude gesture with his hand before the door slammed shut behind him.

Jack lat out a laugh and begrudgingly pulled himself out of his large, comfortable bed. He yawned and stumbled over to his dresser to dig out something to wear. He had a feeling that Dutchy knew something more was neglecting to tell him the reason behind everyone being woken up early.

Spot on the other hand awoke to find sunlight streaming into his eyes through the tiny sliver of a window. He was still in a sitting position against the wall, and he had no more of an idea about how they were going to escape. He let his eyes slide closed again after noticing both of his friends still asleep in the cell across from his.

The next time he woke was a little less pleasant. His cramped body felt as though he'd been through hell and back. Suddenly a banging had started from the door that they'd tried to escape through the past night. It grew steadily louder and he realized what it was. A guard was coming down the hall with a small cup of water, scraping it loudly against the bars that lined the wall. The guard stopped in front of his cell.

"Sleep well, Conlon?" The man growled.

Spot opened his mouth to reply but all that came out was a dry cough. He cleared his throat again and spoke. "Unless you want something leave me the hell alone."

The guard thrust the cup of water, now only half full, through the bars. "Drink up." He watched Spot as he drank slowly and allowed a carefully thought out phrase to slip out, "The king wants to see you."

Spot froze looking into the guard's eyes, "What?"

"He wants you brought up to his office."

"Why?" Suspicion rose behind Spot's eyes.

"Oh, you know, just to chat a little." A tall and lanky blonde boy appeared suddenly behind the guard. Spot turned his cold gaze on the boy, looking him over, smirking a bit as though amused. He was dressed like any noble would be, though more plainly than the prince. He wore a spotless white shirt under a worn but clean yellow tunic. Brown leggings and boots only a shade darker completed his outfit. Unlike the prince he did not wear a sword. There were several small bags hanging from his belt and a single dagger off to one side.

"You another one of his majesties nobles that think they're knights?" Spot asked with bitter distaste.

"I am a squire, thank you very much, more than halfway through my knightly training" he said. He noticed Spot's staring at his lack of accessories, "But I'm also a healer. Besides a dagger suits me just fine." Without any warning his hand darted through the bars to touch Spot's neck. Spot swiped but the boy just as quickly pulled his hand away. Spot's cut was gone.

The squire started past the guard, "Now if you don't mind the king wants you up in his office in the next few minutes."

"What about my friends?"

"I promise they won't be executed while you're away," he tried to lighten the mood with a bit of humor; "I'm Dutchy by the way."

The guard bound Spot's hands again and the three of them set off. Spot tried to cover a snort with a cough when Dutchy tripped halfway up the stairs. How on earth had this poor kid gotten to be a squire? Even more, how was he to become a knight? He listened as the boy rambled on about all of his friends, supposedly the prince's friends as well.

His eyes went wide as they reached the upper levels of the palace. This was the area he and his friends had never stolen from. There were too many guards and too much risk. Now that he saw the treasures lining the walls he decided that it was worth the risk. The items he could lay eyes on in one stretch of hallway were easily worth more than all they had stolen in the past three years.

"Well, the king wants to talk to you alone but I'll see you later." Dutchy said. He bounced off toward a girl waiting on the other side of the room.

The guard cut Spot's bonds and let him into the room. The king's office was magnificent. He looked around in awe and noticed the king standing by an open window. The man was dressed simply like Dutchy had been in a simple red tunic and blue leggings. Those colors and a crest were the only markings that led Spot to know he was royalty.

The king turned to him and smiled warmly, "Ah, Master Conlon, good morning."

"Your Highness," Spot said, without bowing. He took a seat as the king motioned for him to do so.

The king sat in his own chair and looked Spot over. The poor boy certainly looked weary and it seemed as though he had the weight of the word on his shoulders. Though, that did not change that fact that they needed to talk.

"Spot is it?"

"Yes"

"Well Spot, it seems that you've been very busy around my palace for the past," he paused, "Five years?"

"Yes"

"And it was only under unusual circumstances that you were caught."

"Yes, Race tripped running up the stairs. Your guards were there before we could get him out." Spot had never lied about his work before, despite the audience. Not that he'd ever been caught and confessed to an authority figure before, however.

"If I'm not mistaken that would mean you have been stealing here since you were twelve."

Spot looked up in wonder, how could the king possibly know his age? He'd made sure all records regarding his life had been disposed of.

"Last night several of my advisors, as well as myself, stayed around here until all hours of the night doing research of your two friends, but mostly and more importantly on yourself. I must admit, you're a difficult man to get information on but luckily for me the palace has its own private set of records. You see Spot I like to know who I'm dealing with, both my enemies and my friends. Now you may think I hold you as an enemy Spot, but I'm willing to brush aside the fact that you have been stealing if you'd be willing to compromise with me. Do you understand?"

"Yes"

"I'm going to explain this simply Spot as soon as-"

There was a brief knock at the door and Jack entered. He glared at Spot and received a look from his father. He took a seat and spoke, "I heard you saying you were going to explain, continue, please."

"Neither of you are to interrupt me, nor do I want to hear any complaints." With that King Adonis launched into an explanation.

"My men returned from the Duke Esmond's palace last month with news that he was plotting an attack on my rule. As much as some around here would like to see me fall it would mean devastation for everyone. Esmond cares nothing for anyone but his men, lowly peasants and thieves would be hung with no trial. Now I can't send my own men back because Esmond would suspect them, but I do need information on when and where the attack will be.

"Jack used to visit Odessa when he was a boy and reminded me that many traders and travelers pass through. Jack also visits there frequently. It has been customary for the young squires to carry out part of their knightly challenges there as Odessa has more difficult surrounding territories. Now Spot, I know you have at least two more men that help you and I believe that would make a good sized party."

"Sir?"

"I want you and your men to travel to Odessa and find out whatever you can. If you can get in here for five years without being caught than I believe you can spend a month or two finding out about Esmond's plans. I will drop all charges if you are able to go Spot. I won't make you and your friends give anything back, I won't deal out any punishment, and I will not keep your names. You will be free to leave or do what you wish once you report back to me.

"I am going to pay for lodging along the way, provide horses and weapons and food. Your thieves, Spot, I don't know who all of them are but I know some of them have unique gifts and your team would be perfect for this mission. Esmond would never suspect you."

As the king came to an end there was a pause as the room fell silent. Jack was staring awe struck at his father while the king had his eyes fixed on Spot, who remained expressionless whilst deep in thought. "So what say you Spot? I wave the criminal records of yourself; your companions and you spy for me. A reasonable request I believe."

"I will have to confer with my friends, this will significantly affect them as well." Spot sighed for he knew they wouldn't like it. No, that was an understatement, his friends would detest this with a passion; but Spot had to consider all of their options, even if it meant swallowing his pride just this once. The king merely nodded understanding what the young man before him was experiencing, for the king had to make such drastic decisions daily.

"Jack have the guards bring his friends up, brief you friends and assemble them here as well. This will concern all of you." The prince nodded before leaving all the while wondering what more his father could possibly have to tell him.

As the guard neared the prisoner's cell he heard a commotion and took off toward it in a sprint. Upon approaching he notice the boy called Race pounding on the steel bars yelling at the guard on post. "Where's Spot! Where is he! What have you done to him you perverse cowards!"

"My, my those are big words for such a lowly street thug." The guard chuckled appearing before the cell. "Why I do believe he's angry"

Race's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, "you're damn straight I am! Now where is Spot! Tell me!"

"Easy there boy, he's just having a little one on one with the King."

"Why you sick…huh?" Race blinked staring incredulously at the guard. "The King?"

"Yes boy, you and your companion are about to join him." The guards opened the cell proceeding to the bench where Mouse was resting. In a flash Race lifted a guard's sword positioning himself between his friend and the guards.

"Don't even think about it! You take one more step and you'll be dead before you can blink. Now this is what we're going to do…" He spoke while tying the guards together. "I'm going to let you live and you're going to tell me exactly where this 'one on one' is."

"Why would we tell the likes of you?" The fat one demanded stubbornly.

"Because," Race began jabbing the dull tip of the sword against the guard's belly, "you don't want to die do you? Especially not like this in your own castle's dungeon. You'd be forever remembered as the guards who were caught idling. Now, how embarrassing would that be?"

The guards exchanged a look before glancing at the thief in front of them.

Once he acquired the information he'd requested, Race gagged his captives and turned his sword to Mouse who'd remained in a deep slumber through the commotion. "Mouse," he whispered jabbing his friend, "Mouse…Mouse wake up. Come on Mouse!"

The teen mumbled something derogatory as she tried to move away from the sword, proceeding to roll of the bench landing on the hay-covered floor. "Mouse!" He exclaimed when she showed no signs of awaking any time soon.

"What?" She snapped from her position, "Can't you see I'm in the middle of something here."

"Like what?"

"Like a perfectly good dream which, I might add, you just ruined!"

"Well I'm sorry but I figured escaping was more important than a silly dream."

Sighing the girl opened her eyes glanced at the guards then up at her companion. Race sheathed the sword in his scabbard and helped Mouse to her feet before the two headed out of the dungeon in search of their leader. This time they safely entered the corridor and made their way stealthily toward the King's office pocketing a few items along the way. When the thieves came down a large hallway Race noticed the great oak doors the guards had told him of. He moved quietly toward them, opening the door a crack to check for his friend. Scanning the room he noticed the King, the prince, Wolfgang and squire as well as five others assembled about the room. When he saw the familiar black attire of Spot's, Race sighed deeply and reached out to push the door open. Suddenly he let out a yelp as two knights seized him from behind. Struggling ferociously as the knights began to drag him away he managed to kick the doors open. The occupants stared curiously at the scene unfolding before them.

"Get your grimy hands off of me you dumb oafs!" Race had been screaming until he noticed the others. Grinning sheepishly he waved. "Um, hi?"

Sighing Mouse emerged from the shadows and jumped the knights. In a flash she jabbed her thumb into the hallow part of their throats effectively knocking them out cold. "Jeez, you want something done you just gotta do it yourself." Mouse rasped eyeing a large crystal pitcher upon the king's desk.

Noticing this, the king motioned toward the pitcher, "Water?" he offered.

"Don't mind if I do, thanks." She responded reaching for the pitcher and began guzzling the water.

Meanwhile Race and Spot had moved to a secluded portion of the room leaving the others watching Mouse in awe as they began speaking in hushed tones. "What's going on Spot? What was the King talking to you about?"

"He's talking proposition. Wants us to spy on his brother for him and all charges against us are dropped."

Race chuckled, "So what'd he do when you told him off?"

"I didn't" Spot stated frankly avoiding eye contact with Race.

"You what!" Race exclaimed drawing all attention to him. Mouse who had started on her second pitcher shot the two a questioning look. "It appears our fearless leader told the king that we would spy for him!" He explained as Mouse spat water out in shock.

"Spot how could you! We trusted you and this is how you repay us! By stabbing us in the back!" She growled advancing toward her leader alongside Race. "Why I otta…" She snarled as the nearest chair went flying through the air forcing its target, Spot, to jump out of the way.

"Mouse! Get a hold of yourself! I never agreed to anything just let me explain! Please?" Spot pleaded holding his hands up in a surrender warily eying the second chair hovering above them.

The girl seemed to consider this. Finally, deciding that Spot wouldn't do anything stupid, she let go of her anger as well as the chair, which dropped with a thud between the two. "Ok, I'm listening."

Slinging an arm across the girls shoulders Spot began whispering his plan waving his free arm about for emphasis. "Picture this: me, you, Race, the entire gang under aliases of the king's consent allowing us access to anywhere we want to go. Heck we'd be stationed inside the castle. Think about it Mouse, we'd be clearing our records and picking up whatever treasures we please. This is the kind of opportunity thieves only dream about, but we have a chance to make it a reality."

"Fine, I'm in but you owe us Conlon." Mouse agreed reluctantly.

"Big time" Race added.

The three turned their attention back to the crowd behind them and Spot grinned cheekily at Jack. "Oh trust me it'll be worth it."

"Father, how do you know they just won't up and leave?" Jack questioned, wondering what Spot had said to change his friend's minds so quickly.

"That," the king continued, "Is why you and your friends will be going with them." He watched as both groups gaped at him. "I'm sorry Spot but you must understand I can not fully trust you. I believe my son and his friends are enough to keep you from bolting. I will also be sending a teacher, one of common blood, with you. It does need to look a bit like a group of students. And Jack, I know you think you are capable of handling this yourself, but Spot's men have more experience outside the kingdom than you do. Now, Master Conlon, where shall I send my guards to collect your friends?"

Spot shook his head, "Sire, I am not willing to do anything without all of my friends' approvals. I myself am a little reproachful about this whole situation. There are a few things I must ask though."

"Just a moment with my pal Spot here you highness. There's something we need to discuss." Race inquired pulling Spot toward the open window. "Are you crazy? How do you know this isn't just a trap to capture the rest of us huh? What makes you so sure he's telling the truth about this brother of his?"

"I just know Race. I wouldn't do anything stupid to put us all in danger; I'm not an idiot! Trust me ok?"

"Whatever Conlon, you'd better be right about this or you're a dead man."

"Well if I am wrong, you'd be dead too now wouldn't you?" Spot warned staring Race down as he turned back to the King one last time to work out the details.

"Sorry about that sir, now about those questions I have…"

"Go ahead." The king answered.

"Will we be paid after?"

"You will be compensated for your efforts."

"If we stay in this country after it's over we won't be watched?"

"Not unless you start stealing again."

Spot nodded, "What about our personal items my cane, Mouse's daggers, Race's sword?"

"I will see them returned to you," the king said, "We can work out the rest of the details later; now my only concern is your friends."

"The only problem is that if they see guards they'll run. Trust me they know this place better than any guard. If I may sir, I could go and get them, my friends and me. They would come if we explained it. We'd even bring Jackie-boy here and his friends with us."

"Very well," The king nodded, "You will set out this afternoon. Dismissed"

"Oh, your majesty?" Spot started.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry to question your sons training but my friend Mouse is Cascadian and we used her powers to try to escape last night, which I'm sure you heard about. Your son ordered her hands to be bound, which I can understand, but he also ordered her to not be given any water. Sire, Cascadian's are easily dehydrated as I'm sure you noticed, if you could just dismiss that order, it'd be appreciated."

"Of course," He yelled for a guard from the hall. The man came to meet them. "You'll have to go down to your cell for now. I'll send Jack down for you this afternoon."

Spot nodded as his hands were bound once more. Mouse, who was beside him, began scowling. Her hands were being tightly bound behind her back and she was glaring daggers in Spot's direction "So you can understand them leaving my hands bound huh? You so owe me!"

"Ah it's not that bad. I think you're overreacting."

"Sure, you only say that because you're not gonna be bound when you're in the cell. Back me up here Race."

However she received no response. "Come on Race back me up." She spoke louder lifting her eyes to scan the room for him. "Race?" Mouse meagerly questioned when he wasn't found. "Where'd he go?"

"The window" Spot hissed. He'd known Risto far too long to miss the boy's seizure of opportunity. "He escaped out the window! The idiot!"

"You're not planning anything brash I hope."

Spot took a seat in one of the plush chairs again with his elbow on his desk and hand supporting his forehead. He began calmly speaking though he physically shook from anger, "I'm gonna kill him, I swear I'm gonna kill him!"

"Spot!" Mouse protested.

"He got us into this mess in the first place! He's just asking for it now!"

Rolling her eyes Mouse followed the new guard out stepping over the unconscious one's on her way. It was going to be a long day.

1

A/N: Ok, so not much to say. For anyone who read the original version i know this seems to be axactly the same but a bit of editing has begun. Up through chapter 8 is revised and being edited (and chapter 8 is very different from the original version). Hopefully the rest will be up soon so we can add some new stuff. Enjoy, R&R.

Exempt From Sanity