They had no time to waste. They had to get out before Urgoth was missed. Garrett pushed Claire back. "We've got to get out of here before they find us." He told her. She sniffed and nodded, wiping her eyes. Garrett grabbed the key ring from Urgoth's belt and hefted the baton. He went to the hall door, his entire body was weak, they couldn't afford to fight anyone. Garrett pressed his ear against it. Nothing. He turned the handle slowly and opened the door a crack, sticking his head in. A stone stairway in front of him ascended into darkness. He motioned for Claire to follow him. They two of them headed up the stairs, alert for any sound of approach. At the top of the stairs was another door. "It's Urgoth's room." She said. "He brought me here all the time." Garrett nodded and pushed the door open. The room was empty of life and sparsely furnished. They moved through it and out into a torchlit hallway.
Garrett led the way down the hall to the left. He couldn't leave until he found the Vestrius pieces. He didn't say anything to Claire however. They were about to round a corner when they heard footsteps coming towards them. Garrett ducked into a sideroom, Claire right behind him. It was a storeroom, with boxes piled to the ceiling. He listened at the door until the footsteps faded. They left the room and continued down the hall and around the corner. The hall went on for a few more meters before it hit a deadend. "Where to now?" Claire asked.
Garrett looked around at the various doors. He saw a pair of double doors off to the right. "How about there?" He said, pointing with the baton. Claire shrugged. He went over and tried the knob. It was locked. He brought out Urgoth's key ring and started trying keys. The fifth one worked and the lock clicked open. They entered the room cautiously.
The room was fairly large, but with a low ceiling. There was a long table near the wall to their left and two more long tables at either end of the first one, created a U-shaped figure. There were torch brackets along the wall, all of which were unlit. Comfortable looking chairs were positioned around the tables and a particularly large chair was in the middle of the first table. The tables had large clothes of white draped over them that almost touched the floor. There was a low circular platform within the arms of the U-shape. The room was decorated with various paintings along the walls. Another set of double doors were directly across from where Claire and Garrett had entered.
Garrett surveyed the room and entered cautiously. They were about halfway between the two double doors when the farthest one opened. Garrett pulled Claire with him under the head table, pushing past the cloth. They remained totally silent as a pair of people entered the room. "-re that you understand the layout for tomorrow night?" One of them said. It was Emilio. "Yes sir, perfectly." The other replied. "The guests will be led inside at exactly 9:45pm. I will have them brought into the antechamber until everyone arrives. Then, they will be escorted by thirty of the house guard here. The men will take up positions around the room while the servants show the guests to their seats and begin serving the entrée's. At 10:20pm, you will enter and take your seat, you will give your opening speech and the Vestrius will be brought in and set on the pedestal in its stand by the servants. Then the bidding shall begin." The second man stopped talking. "Very good Colin. Now, you're sure that the correct amount of poison has been purchased from the apothacary?" "Yes sir, I had Frederick aquire it yesterday and checked the amount myself." The other man said. "Good, now, are you sure that the cooks know the correct dosage for each portion?" Emilio asked. "Of course sir, 1/8th of a unit per ten entrees." The man replied. "Excellent Colin! You are a faitful servant and you will be rewarded. With this single stroke we will have drawn out all our competitors for the Vestrius and eliminated them." Emilio said. "Yes sir, it is indeed a cunning plan, brilliant if I may say so." The other man said. They had walked the circumference of the room and we're headed for the doors. "Thank you Colin, oh and did you place the Vestrius in it's proper place?" Emilio asked. "Yes sir, in your personal chambers as requested, in the safe next to your bed." Colin replied. "Good, good…well I will retire to bed now Colin, have the guard doubled on the third floor, I want to feel safe while I sleep." Emilio told him. "At once sir, have a plesant slumber." With that the doors were pulled shut again.
Garrett peered out from beneath the table. He motioned for Claire to follow and stood up, moving quickly to the doors that Emilio and Colin had left by. He pulled to door open and peered out into the stone hallway. He dashed up the hall, his bare feet making no sound on the stone floor. Claire was far less muted and every now and then her feet slapped noisily against the floor. Garrett reached the corner and peered around it, a set of doors at the far end were wide open, allowing for a view of a large room beyond. Garrett turned and put a finger to his lips. Claire nodded and stooped low. Carefully, they padded towards the doors and entered the darkened main hall.
It had a high vaulted ceiling, supported by marble pillars. The floor was a rich red carpeting, edged with gold. Suits of armor, paintings, busts, sculptures, and plants created the room's décor. The hanging chandeliers were dark, as were the torch brackets so that the only pale light streaming in was from the moonlight coming through three enormous windows above the large front doors. A wide marble staircase dominated the room, with two branches leading away from the landing at the top of the main flight. Above the landing was a large painting of a gallant looking nobleman sitting on his horse, a sword held high above his head and a battle cry frozen on his lips. Several other passages also led off the main hall which was, at the moment, devoid of life.
The two former prisoners started out into the grand hall, but while Claire nearly dashed for the main doors, Garrett made for the stairs. Claire stopped in front of the doors and turned to face Garrett, who was ignoring her. "Where are you going? The doors are here." She said. "I've got to get something first." He replied distractedly. "What? What do you need to get? I don't understand. We need to get out of this place, I need to get out of this place!" Claire said, her voice rising. Garrett stopped and turned around. "I can't leave without this thing. You can do as you like but I need to get it." Garrett said. "What? You promised you'd help me out. I don't know what's going on but I don't want any part of it!" She started to shout. "Shutup!" Garrett hissed. "I'll get you out, but first I've got to do this. You can go out those doors and try to cross the grounds yourself, but even if you do manage it there is still the outer gate." Garrett said. "What makes you such an expert?" She said angrily. "I've had a bit of experience in these matters but that's not the point. You stick with me and I'll get you free or you can go it alone I don't care." Claire stood there looking furious. "Fine, I'll come with you, but we'd better get out soon." Garrett shrugged and started for the stairs again. In truth it was probably better that she was with him. If she were captured, they would raise an alarm and make his escape much more difficult. Now that he was out of his cell, his instincts were back in control, which meant he was looking after Garrett and only Garrett. But something nagged him at the back of his mind. He couldn't have gotten out without her help, he owed her. Garrett pushed the feeling down, his adrenaline was high and he needed to keep it there or his grievous wounds would incapacitate him and most likely be fatal. No more emotion until he was out.
****
Derrick was a capable guard. He had muscle and an IQ with more than a single digit. He patrolled a dark third floor corridor, completely at ease in his surroundings. He had a sword at his side and there was an entire barracks within shouting distance. And now that the guard had been doubled on this floor it seemed almost crowded. He whistled tunelessly as he rounded a corner and readjusted the chainmail tunic he wore. He loved his job here. He got to rough up people and look tough, and he got paid for it! There was nothing better in Derrick's mind. He hadn't even been injured once.
The hall before him was dark like the rest. He strode jauntily down the carpet, life was good. Derrick heard a noise at the far end of the hall and his hand was on his sword hilt in a flash, checking that it was clear in it's sheath. Another guard rounded the corner at the far end. Derrick relaxed, his nerves instantly cooled and his muscles unbunched. The other guard continued towards him. "Evenin' Derrick. Nothing happening?" Derrick felt slightly sheepish. "Nothing at all Tom, you?" Derrick said. "Can't say that I've seen anything, but best to keep eyes open." Tom said. He tipped his helmet to Derrick and strode off. Now Derrick felt stupid. What in the hell could possibly get in here? I'm too tense. Derrick thought.
He had gone nearly two feet after that thought when it happened. A dark shape dropped from the rafters behind him, landing with a soft thump on the carpet. Within another fraction of a second It sprang at Derrick before he could turn. Something ridged rammed against his throat, cutting off his air. He tried to cry out but the device at his neck prevented him from any verbal action. His assailant half-dragged him over to a side door and pulled him inside, shutting the door with his foot. All of this happened within five whole seconds, and then the hall was empty once more.
The room was dark and his assailant had him from behind, he could hear the man's heavy breathing. He also felt the presence of someone else in the darkness. The thing at his neck pressed harder and he made a gurgling sound. "You even think of doing something stupid and you'll be dead before you can act on it." The voice was cold and sinister. Derrick grabbed at his neck weakly, trying to relieve the pressure. Then the other person spoke. "He's choking to death, let him breathe or we won't get anything out of him." The voice was female and sounded scared. Derrick's attacker grunted in answer and the pressure on the guard's neck slackened, allowing him to breath. He gulped in air, his breathing ragged. "Tell me where Emilio's chambers are." The man said, his voice no less cold than before. Derrick spluttered out the directions in haste and the man made him repeat them twice before he was satisfied. "You've been very helpful." The man said. With that Derrick's helmet was pushed off and the baton whipped off of his neck and descended on his skull with a sharp crack. As Derrick blacked out, he vaguely remembered thinking about how he no longer held the record for no injury.
****
"They make it almost to easy." Garrett said as he dragged the guard's unconcious form into the stone fireplace. In truth, that last stunt had drained him terribly, but he didn't say it. Claire stood watch by the half open door her face a mask of disgust. "Let's get going." He said after the guard had been placed to his liking. They crept out into the hallway and started off towards where the guard had said Emilio's room was located. After dodging the odd guard patrol or sentry, the pair arrived at Emilio's bedroom. The doors were very tall and flanked by two guards holding pikes. Garrett observed this from far down the hall within the cover of a sideroom. They couldn't get past those guards and he doubted they would leave their post for any reason. Garrett's eyes searched the room they were hiding in for an answer. "What if we went through there?" Claire said, pointing to the far wall. Garrett looked to where her fingers were pointing and smiled internally. "That'll do it." He replied.
The metal vents were tight, noisy, and hot. Garrett crawled on his hands and knees down the shaft, Claire right behind him. Bars of light filtered through the grating at odd intervals, their only source of light. The ducts ran the length of the hall, with branches inwards to every room to allow air to flow through the mansion. When Garrett saw the pike of one of the door guards through the grate, he knew he was at the right duct. He and Clair slithered down it and peered into Emilio's room. A large, four poster bed was directly across from them, gauze drapes hanging from the canopy, surrounding the sleeper. The room was furnished with various decorations and items usually found in the chambers of the wealthy. A small iron safe was next to Emilio's bed.
Garrett popped the grating as quietly as possible and pulled it into the vent. Then he slid himself out without a sound, head first. Claire came next, Garrett helping her out. He motioned for Claire to stay put and started off towards the safe. The floor was carpeted, and so Garrett had an easy time staying silent. But, as he crept towards Emilio's bed he missed an ottoman sitting at the foot of an armchair. Garrett's bare foot caught on the footrest and he toppled forward. His reflexes were dulled but he was still quick. As he fell forward he stretched his arms out. When he hit the floor he used his momentum to propel himself forward into a roll that deadened almost all of the sound. He came up near a dresser and nearly lost his balance, almost crashing into it. He managed to steady himself however, and stood perfectly still, arms outstretched to either side. Garrett waited…nothing. He exhaled deeply and brought his arms back down to his sides.
Garrett crept over to the safe and knelt in front of it. It was key locked which meant the proper key had to be close by. Garrett stood and pulled open the gauze drapes around the bed. Emilio lay slumbering, swathed in blankets and nearly submerged in soft satin pillows. Around his neck was a golden chain, a small key hanging at the end. Garrett felt a sudden rage well up inside of him. He could kill this bastard right now, choke him to death, smother him in his damn luxury! He should! Why the hell not? So much pain, so much torment caused by this evil bastard! So much… But he could not. It was only practical. Garrett was terribly weak. If he somehow failed to do it properly or if Emilio overpowered him or even simply raised an alarm, he would be dead. No, as much as he felt it was his duty to kill this man, he let his survival instincts override his emotions as he promised himself he would. The feeling of rage left him and he set to work.
Garrett's hand's were dexterous and delicate. With perfect care he lowered his hands to the key and lifted it off Emilio's chest. There was no catch at the key end, he would have to take it off Emilio's neck. Slowly, he lifted the key, his hands wavering only slightly as they were poised in the air. Garrett drew it back towards Emilio's face, sliding it over his head. The chain brushed his cheek slightly and Garrett froze for nearly a minute… Emilio didn't stir. He managed to get the key off of Emilio's neck and draw it up from behind him. Garrett pulled the key to himself and held the chain so it would not clink even slightly. He drew the curtains back and knelt in front of the safe again. He slowly twisted the key, making sure it wouldn't squeak in the lock. The safe opened silently, it's heavy bolts well greased.
Inside there were two shelves. The bottom one held various trinkets of the rich. A jewelled dagger, a small intricately carved silver and gold box, a tiny pouch of illegal spice, stacks of gold coins, a half empty bottle of expensive wine, a pair of crystal goblets, a leather bound book, various incriminating documents and so on. On the top shelf was Garrett's prize. The two pieces of the Vestrius, now joined, lay on a pillow. It now resembled an intricate, short wand the blue stone glowly faintly as ever. The silver band on the middle of the first piece had moved down to where the two pieces joined, binding them together. Garrett retrieved a small pouch from the dresser and looted the safe. He took the dagger, the coins, and the Vestrius. Everything else was of no use to him. Garrett placed the key inside the safe and shut the door, the mechanism locking as he closed it. Just one more complication for Emilio to deal with tomorrow. He slid into the shoulder strap on the small pouch, letting the strap cross his chest and hang the pouch at his side.
Garrett padded back to Claire who had watched with bated breath as he worked. He led her by the wrist over to the balcony doors. He opened the two glass-paned doors and stepped out onto the balcony. The balcony overlooked the dark, tree studded grounds below. An outer wall surrounded the acreage and beyond that the city stretched out, the twinkling lights glittering in the darkness and the smoke stacks from the many factories jutted up belching smoke into the cold night. Garrett could just make out the bay at the far edge of the city. Claire stood next to him looking out at the sprawling metropolis. "It's been so long since I've seen the outside…smelt the air." She said, tears welling in her eyes. Garrett shushed her with a curt look. "How are we going to get down?" She asked tersely, angry that he was so commanding. Garrett surveyed the surroundings. There was a drain pipe next to the balcony but he doubted that he or Claire would have the strength to climb down. There was also a thick cable stretched from Emilio's roof to a lower rooftop across the wall. This gave the cable a steep angle. Garrett tested its smoothness with his hand. It just might work. He thought. Garrett reentered the bedroom and quietly opened a dresser drawer. It didn't hold what he wanted. He went to the next drawer down. Excellent. Garrett pulled the two thickest belts he could find out of the several that were in the drawer beside the sweaters. He went back to the balcony and shut the doors. He handed a belt to Claire and looped his own around the cable. "What is this for?" She said "What does it look like? It's your way down." He replied. The realization dawned on her. "Are you crazy! We'll be killed!" She said in a loud whisper. "No we won't. Just hold on tight and you'll be fine." Garrett replied as he hopped up onto the thick stone balustrade. "I can't do this." Claire wailed. "Either you do or you stay here, your choice." Garrett said.With that he leapt off the balcony.
He started sliding immediately as gravity took hold. He picked up speed, sliding faster and faster. He tucked his legs close up to his chest, increasing his momentum. The descent was over in seconds. He whisked over the outer wall and towards the roof. The instant the roof top appeared beneath his feet he let go. He landed with a thump on the flat roof and rolled forward, slowing him down enough so that he was able to stop. Garrett stood and turned towards the mansion. He waited for a few moments and then he saw the sillouette of Claire mount the balcony railing and launch herself. She approched rapidly, and didn't even cry out, to her credit. As she sped towards the rooftop she let go to early. Her momentum still allowed her to reach the roof but Garrett caught her before she injured herself and both of them fell in a heap.
They untangled themselves. Or at least Garrett did. Claire lay on the roof, half laughing and half crying. It was nearly two minutes before Garrett could get a response out of her and then it was merely an "I love you." And she would kiss him on the cheek and fall to laughing again as tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks. Finally, she managed to bring herself under control and was able to follow Garrett as he leapt to a small shed in the yard and from there to the ground. They exited through the wooden yard gate and walked down the alley to the main street. Claire leaned on Garrett as they stumbled down the street in the cold night. Now that the excitement was over they began to feel the pain and the cold. Garrett's adrenaline left him with an increasingly sharp pain in his chest and arms. The cold bit at his bare arms. Claire shivered as well, and her scars and bruises didn't look to healthy. At first Garrett couldn't remember where they were going, merely staggering dazedly. Then he recognized the green marble of the bathhouse walls, its windows alight. Claire did to. She started towards it, pulling him with her. "Come with me, we will be taken care of here. The matron looks after her courtesans and she will hide me and you if we need it." Claire said. Garrett shook his head. "No, I can't, I've got to find someone quickly. You go, you'll be safe, they'll be after me." Garrett said and pushed her off. She didn't go immediately, but stared him in the eye. Then, she went up and embraced him, kissing him deeply. When she finally broke away, she gave him one final look and dashed off shakily and disappeared into the bathhouse. Garrett touched a hand to his lips. He had felt nothing.
Garrett now turned away from the bathhouse and moved off into the darkness. The cold cut him and felt searingly hot, as though it was under his skin, burning his nerves. His lips were turning blue and he began to spend long periods stooped over couching violently. He could taste the copper tang of blood on his tongue, mixed with bile. And throughout him the pain returned full force. His eyes were clouded and he felt as though he were in a hazy dream. Those who passed him stopped and stared, but none offered to help. The cobblestones cut and scraped at Garrett's bare feet making him stumble and his exposed, gaunt chest pained him even more, so that the agony felt like a palpable entity within him. He could feel death coming for him, hear its ghostly call from the void. The last thing Garrett remembered was knocking on a door somewhere. As it opened, Garrett finally could no longer stand the pain. The ground rushed up to greet him.