Visiting

The sun was just rising above the houses when Skif clambered back to the temple. He was dead tired but it didn't slow his sprint at all. His ankle hurt like a bitch but he ignored it. He was supposed to be back at the church hours ago, they would have noticed his absence by now. Stupid guilt, stay 'ere any longer 'an I migh'n grow morals. This probably would have been a more significant thought if Skif knew what morals were, but all that mattered was that Bazie always worried his boys would grow one and quit the work.

Skif pulled around the last corner and finally saw the church. He sighed with relief, wiped the sweat off his brow, and allowed himself to walk as he neared it. He had been up all night, robbing and vandalizing another house. On his way back Skif had remembered his job, he was supposed to steal from the Dean of the Colligium then they would bribe the guy with his own money. It had taken forever, everyone was home and he had to steal quite a bit.

He had been significantly weighed down on his way out with both the

Dean's possessions and his new trinkets from the houses before. Despite what people think it's not easy being a thief. If not for the practice, stealing, and acting involved, then for the heavy lifting. He planned on scaling down the side of the building as he hated front doors and, courtesy of the heavy bag, fell on the way down, hurting his ankle.

There was no point in trying to sneak in, although it was possible, it wasn't worth it. For one thing, he felt his ankle had taken enough abuse. For another, they knew he wasn't there and if he just walked out of the barn, well... Skif knocked on the door and cringed when he saw who opened it. Brother Halcom looked down at him for a moment before completely opening the door.

"We are glad you have returned. Did you get into trouble?" Brother Halcom asked, observing Skif's slight limp. Skif, anticipating an interrogation, had his answer ready.

"Yes sor, I was jus' out looking fer a job at the stables early like sor when I rans inter some trouble on da way back. I was deliverin' some stuff fer a lady when dese huuuuuge guys tried to steal her stuff. I got away though, and gave the gent his underwears just fine. He even let me keep the bag sor." Skif rattled on. All in all he appeared to simply be running an errand for some cash while looking for his stable work. Nice lie if ever there was one, he might even get pity.

"Right, and who would talk to a beggar like you afore sunrise? Well no matter, some wake early I suppose eh. I'll tell everyone your back so they can stop worrying; you go help out with those horses, you hear?" Brother Halcom clearly wasn't going to pity him, hell he probably didn't believe his story. Well, he tried.

Nodding, Skif did his best not to limp his way over to the barn and most importantly not to make it obvious that there was actually something in his bag. Although he had hid the Dean's possessions and most of the loot he got from the other place, he still carried a loaf of bread. Hey, a guy's gotta eat! And about the looting he did, yes, he could have scattered it everywhere but he would much rather pay a visit to the fence and make some cash. If he was going to go to the Colligium he would need better clothes and he wasn't about to trust Rick to get him any.

If everything went as according to plan, this would be Skif's last night at the temple. Skif's day was not fun, he had to do all the chores as usual despite that he was late in the burning sun without breakfast. When lunch came he wasn't even hungry as the heat had driven away his hunger and replaced it with heat exhaustion. Mid afternoon found Skif in the temple on the cool wooden bench with a bucket and a cool cloth on his forehead.

He picked the worst day to get sick. He slept in the barn in the lofts as usual and woke with everyone else. He felt fine, although he was starving. Chores done, he then went in and ate. Skif did so in a hurry, eating their bread and water. Pretending to be on a chore in the city, Skif gathered his belongings and left. He hadn't intended to stay so long, simply to get up and leave but with yesterdays illness pressing on his body, he couldn't pass up the opportunity for food.

"You're late." Rick stated as Skif approached him near the hotel. Rick was wearing high well and to do fancy clothes that were entirely too heavy for the heat. The rich wore heavy clothing no matter the weather though, and so Rick would just have to stick it out. "Shit, whad you do to your foot?" Observant, Skif really hadn't been limping too badly.

"I hurt me ankle last night" Skif replied, hoping Rick would get the hint. Last night meant during a thievery. And hell, he could make the man wait if he wanted. Rick couldn't do a thing without him today.

"But you're okay, right? You can still do your job no problem?" Skif verified he could and Rick said, "C'mon, it's this way." pointing to the left.

Having rethought the plan, Skif decided that he might need some help and insisted on a trip across town. The person he had in mind wouldn't get a cut of the money and wouldn't expect one either. He would simply be very glad to see Skif.

Walking into a prosperous bar Rick and Skif made straight for the privy. Rick handed Skif some clothes and a hat. Minutes later Rick walked out with a young boy dressed significantly better in shorts and play clothes. The hat hid his hair color completely.

They didn't say a word on the way there despite that the walk was a fairly long one. Skif wasn't feeling guilty in the least, Rick had strongly rejected the idea, claiming the fewer people the better, but Skif won out in the end.

As they approached their destination, Skif adjusted his hat and looked at Rick. Rick seemed to be struggling with this; apparently the master thief stuck to house robbery and couldn't act worth a damn. He was the rich guy, he was supposed to be snobby and hold his head high, maybe putting a hanky to his nose now and then in disgust by some smell. Suddenly, Skif really wanted to play the rich guy instead. Master thief, who duzze tink 'ees talkin' to?

"You sure you need this guy?" Rick asked, unsteady and skeptical. Unsteady because he looked about to pass out from the heat and skeptical because he has been convinced Skif was rather good.

Lying, Skif replied in the positive. "Aye, he be someting. We need

sumbudee te keep da instructors off me don' we?"

Rick looked confused for a moment before understanding dawned on him.

"Ohhhh, instructors. Well that's your job ain't it?"

Ignoring this Skif replied, "Are ye sure ye can talk through dis thing?

Ye have ter be snotty like and bossy. You have to convince them you be rich nuff ter get dem inter trouble."

"Yes, yes. Just you keep quiet. I don't want to explain why I brought an illiterate twerp with me." The conversation ended there as Rick opened the door.

The room was clean and tidy. But it was the last place you wanted to be if you were a thief and smelled like crap. Don't think that's a joke.

They walked to the desk where a fat balding man was sitting with his head on the desk. His uniform was navy and his badge slightly torn, was sown onto the left sleeve. It read "Haven Police Department". Skif was pleased, the desk was too high for him to be seen at all by the guard and the man had been sleeping when they came in. Even better there was nobody else in the room to see him

"Sir!" Rick barked out making Skif and the guard jump.

"Yes?" the guard asked clearly, annoyed by Rick's interruption. He had been having a nice nap no doubt.

"I wish to see a listing of all the prisoners." Rick said, his voice wavering. Skif stomped on his foot and he added "Now sir!" and lifted his chin, attempting to look like a noble. It worked anyway as the man scuttled out of his seat to retrieve the documents. The folder was enormous; it would take them forever to sort through it.

The man dropped them on the desk and sat down, preparing himself for a long search. As soon as Skif heard it hit the desk he snuck around Rick's legs to the side of the desk. He slowly poked his head around the corner and, satisfied that the guard was too hot and bothered to notice something on the floor, moved his body behind the desk.

Very carefully, Skif approached the fat guard and crouched behind him where he was least likely to be seen. His breathing was too fast, he forced himself to calmness. The keys were on the guard's right side near the front of his belly which almost overlapped his belt. Skif would have a hard time getting them unless he could get the man to stretch or stand up.

After minutes of waiting he grew worried. They could get through everything and he'd get caught. That wouldn't be any good; the guard didn't look at all friendly. Frustrated Skif took a reckless chance. For future reference, never hide near a fat man's behind.

He picked one of the many pebbles from the inside of his boot and chucked it hard at the wall opposite. The fat guy moved his head and not getting a good look, stood up. Grateful, Skif reached up quickly and covered the keys with his hand without making a sound. He raised his other hand with a small knife next to the ring of rope holding the keys. When the guard moved to sit back down Skif made a quick slice and the rope broke. Skif took the keys, rope, and all and snuck back to the other side of the desk.

That done, Skif stood up and poked Rick's waist. Looking down, Rick saw Skif who was holding the keys up for him to see. Rick looked back to the guard and said, "Thanks, erm, do you mind if I have a look at the cells? I'm supposed to inspect them you see."

The guard's eyes widened and asked "I won't be blamed if they are in rotten condition will I? I didn't know they got inspected. I've never been on duty when they did them before."

Losing his inspiration, Rick replied, "Ummmm, na. It's a new idea you see and we're just getting the general, uh, outlook like." Probably realizing that the guard intended to go with him, Rick added, "I have to check alone too. Don't want the guard influencing my opinion. And, and I'll let myself out the back too, save you some hassle." The guard relaxed slightly but still tense, picked up the folder and got up to put it back.

Skif and Rick turned to the door to the prison cells, quickly crossed the short distance, and entered before the guard turned around. Once the door was closed, Skif's nose was assaulted by the awful stench of the place. This explained why the office smelled funny.

The cells were small and cramped with too many people. There didn't appear to be an official privy, just one hole at the back. For so many prisoners to a cell, there should have been more than five any road. The prisoners themselves were in a worse state. Apparently the majority of them didn't get along and many were sporting bruises and the like. Or perhaps the injuries were gifts from the guard. In any case, Skif was glad he came.

"Find your man and let's get outta here squirt. This place reeks." Rick complained. There was a slight problem, what if he couldn't find him?

It had been a while, he could look different. And having seen this dump, he most certainly would. Now entirely uncertain of himself, Skif began peering into the cells praying that the prisoners wouldn't make a ruckus. Finally, he looked into one cell and in the corner, sitting lazily pretending to be bored, was Raf.