Chapter 1

Hieronymus Lex woke up at six in the morning every day. He couldn't even remember a time where he had slept in. He was a devoted Watch Captain for the Imperial City, and nobody took their job as seriously as him.

This morning, however, Lex found himself lying in bed a couple minutes after six, staring up at the ceiling of his room. There were too many things on his mind. His thoughts drifted back to last night's events, and he silently berated himself for getting distracted by a thief. A pretty Elf who happened to be a thief. Even Lex could admit such a thing. He might have been married to his work but he was still a man. And he was disappointed.

Why did she have to be a thief?

Lex sighed, and then he pulled himself up to a sitting position and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. When he was presentable, the Captain wandered down to the first floor of the South watch tower to get himself some breakfast. He greeted the few guards that lingered about, who politely responded back in the same manner. Once he reached the kitchens, the usual cook, Gerald, grunted a good morning.

"The same?"

"Please."

"It'll be right out."

Lex thanked Gerald, and then he wandered back into the main hall and sat down at his usual table. He poured himself a glass of water from the silver water pitcher resting nearby and took a deep drink. A drop of water dripped down his chin and he hastily wiped at it before placing his glass down. He idly stared down at the table while waiting for his food to arrive and noticed his reflection in the polished surface of the pitcher.

He wasn't a very young man anymore, not by his standards. He was nearing thirty summers, and his light brown hair was void of any signs of white or grey. His skin was still smooth and wrinkle free, but Lex felt older than what he was. His bright blue eyes stared back at him, and he hastily looked away. A moment later Gerald came by with a steaming plate of fried eggs, complete with a fresh bread roll and two links of sausage.

"Eat up."

"Thanks."

As Lex picked up his fork and began tucking in, his usually quiet morning was suddenly interrupted. Another Captain, Audens Avidius, walked up to where Lex was sitting.

"Hieronymus," Audens greeted.

Lex hastily placed his fork down on the table and stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor as it suddenly moved.

"Avidius, Good morning."

"Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I have a new recruit for you."

It was then that Lex noticed somebody was standing beside Audens. The recruit was a female, Elven in appearance, and she quickly turned around at the sound of being mentioned. She couldn't help but take a look at the room, since it was the first time being inside a watch tower.

Lex stiffened as he realized who it was. Recognition dawned on the woman as well, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Uhhhh," Brie stammered, struggling not to run. "I-It's a pleasure to meet you sir! I'm Brie!"

Brie stepped forward and quickly snatched Lex's hand. She shook it enthusiastically, a grin plastered on her pretty face. She stared up at Lex with a weighted look; her emerald eyes burning into his.

"I'm beyond excited to be working with you!"

She continued to shake his hand for another moment, and then quickly dropped it and stepped back.

"Captain Avidius has spoken so highly of you, I feel like I've really lucked out. I'm new to the city, and I'm looking forward to starting a new career!"

Avidius was oblivious to anything going on between the two. Lex didn't know why he hesitated to say something about Brie being a thief, but he did.

Brie hung back a couple paces, nervously chewing on her nails while she watched the two Captains converse for a few more minutes as they discussed the new recruit.

"Alright, I'll take my leave then. Good luck, Brie."

"Thank you, sir!"

Brie shuffled her feet, staring down at the floor as Avidius walked back towards the main entrance of the Watch Tower and left. There was a heavy air between her and Lex, and she looked up to see him sitting back down at the table.

"Have you eaten yet?"

Brie blinked, and then she gave a nervous laugh.

"A-Ahhh no... no, sir. I um, I haven't."

"Go to the kitchen then and ask for something."

"Yessir," Brie responded quietly, and she zoomed off towards the kitchen.

When she returned, she held a modest bowl of porridge sprinkled with brown sugar and fresh berries. She quietly sat at the table across from Lex, and was almost too nervous to eat, but she forced herself to take a bite, and then another.

Lex was silent as he thought about what to do with the Elf. Across from him, Brie was silently cursing her bad luck. Of all the areas of the guard to be placed, she just had to be posted directly with the man she was hoping to avoid.

I really am surprised he didn't turn me in the moment he saw me.

When Brie was finished, she idly chewed on her bottom lip, and her right foot tapped anxiously on the floor while she waited to see what Lex would do. She couldn't help but play with a strand of her long brown hair, all of her movements nervous habits that she had picked up over the years.

He's stressing me the fuck out.

Lex finally finished eating. Then he quickly downed the rest of his water and got up from the table.

"Follow me."

He gathered up his plate, and Brie followed suit. She followed him back to the kitchen to drop off their cutlery, and then he led Brie back towards the main hall and towards the door. They exited the Watch Tower and quickly made their way through the city towards the Waterfront district.

Lex walked fast, several paces ahead of Brie. The longer they walked, the more Brie had to resist the urge to turn around and run. She was slightly concerned about where he was taking her, and why. Within a few minutes they reached the rundown homes located near the edge of the Waterfront. Lex wandered down close to the water, his eyes glued on the surrounding landscape, and he stopped. Brie stood two paces behind, her body tense as she waited for him to say or do something.

Finally, Lex reached up and rubbed at his cheek for a moment before turning around.

"Please don't kill me!" Brie shouted, and then she quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.

Lex frowned, but he did not move closer.

"I'm not going to kill you."

"Oh thank Gods-"

"What do you think you're doing?"

Brie closed her eyes for a moment as she sucked in a deep breath. When she opened them again, Lex was staring at her, and she momentarily lost herself in his blue gaze.

"U-Uh I'm..."

She paused, unsure of how she wanted to proceed.

"I know you're a thief."

"Well, alright." Brie sighed, and she rubbed her arm. "You got me there."

Lex noticed that her clothes were rather worn. She wore a faded burgundy tunic that had a couple stains and a small rip in the left shoulder. Her breeches looked a little better but were also smudged in some places with what looked like ink. He watched as Brie nervously played with a strand of her hair, struggling to come up with an explanation.

"Are you trying to turn your life around? Or are your intentions less innocent than that?"

"You want the truth?"

Lex frowned, and he noddd.

"Always."

"Okay," Brie replied quietly, and she moved over towards a boulder.

Lex followed, but he remained standing. Brie leaned against the boulder and stared out at the lake for a while, her thoughts far away.

"I'm not from here, that part was true. I just moved to the city last week."

Lex was listening intently.

"I have no reason for why I do what I do. Perhaps it's because of my growing up, I dunno."

Brie sighed, and rubbed her neck for a moment, choosing her next words carefully.

"I realized when I moved here that stealing stuff isn't going to cut it. Last night... well, you know. I almost didn't make it out."

Lex remembered. They had been tipped off by one of the resident beggars late that night, and almost hadn't reached the house in time.

"Kinda woke me up, ya know?"

Brie shrugged, and she shot Lex a glance before continuing.

"I'm not a stupid girl by any means. I know when to call it quits. But, listen... There's something I can offer you."

Brie slid off the boulder and wandered over to the Captain. She peered up at him with an expression that made his pulse race, though Lex pretended otherwise.

"I know you're looking for that Grey Fox guy."

Lex's eyes narrowed, and his expression became serious. Even just mentioning his name made his blood boil.

"I'm listening..."

"I know you hate thieves, but... what if you had one... on your side?"

Lex was silent for a very long time. Brie started to grow nervous, and she averted her gaze to the ground while she waited for him to respond.

"How am I to trust that you won't double cross me?"

A smile spread across her face, and she beamed up at him while bouncing on the heels of her boots.

"Because, Sir... I have zero loyalty to the guy."

"Remember I told you," Brie continued enthusiastically, and she clasped her hands together. "I just moved here the other week? I really hate competition, you see, and someone like the Grey Fox is definitely my competition."

"Even if I were to consider it... you're still..."

"I know... I know sir but... I-I'm not getting any younger, I know."

Brie's brows furrowed together, and she put on a glum face.

"Like I said, I know this isn't a sustainable career for me. I want to try and make something of my life, and this would really give me a sense of purpose."

"I'll do it on one condition."

Sheesh. I thought for sure he wasn't going to cave.

"What is it?"

"I'll allow this... union... only on the condition that once the Grey Fox is captured, you stop being a thief."

Oh boy, that was too easy. I don't even know if this stupid mythical man exists... he really is dense.

Brie stuck her hand out and gave him an enthusiastic handshake.

"Deal!"