Hello there! Turns out my post surgery really kicked my butt. Still kind of recovering somewhat, my jaw is bothering me still. But, oh, well. Life goes on, I suppose.

Also, if you haven't already, I have another story up, The Grey Mage, which is a wizard story that has elements of the Ariane double billing. So, head over and check that one out. Thanks.

And now, on to this chapter!

Read. Review. Enjoy!

They were up early, and on their way to Al Kharid. A heavy mist settling on the village at the early hours, creeping up from the marsh to the south.

Here they were already feeling the warmth of the desert, the seasonal chill of autumn was gone from the air. Arianna had taken off her cloak and tucked it away into her pack.

They stepped through a tall, natural sandstone wall by late morning. It was the natural boundary between Lumbridge and Al Kharid. The sun was high and it was warm when they finally came into the city limits.

The city was like none of the other cities of Misthalin and Kandarin that she was used to. The buildings were made of rough sandstone, and all looked well weathered. Many of the buildings were lined with scaffolding for either repairs or to simple help hold the building up. Colorful tents were dotted among the buildings.

"Well, here we are," Ozan said, stopped and looking around at the city that had once been his home. "Al Kharid, home sweet home. Sort of…come on, let's head to the palace." Ozan started off through the streets, and she made sure to stay close to him, not wishing to lose him in the crowded streets.

They passed through a large open market, where stalls of traders lined the walls of the buildings. Large swathes of fabric stretched between the buildings over the market, providing everyone with shade from the sun. Everyone in the area talked over each other as people bargained over prices of goods. As Arianna looked around, she noticed that many of the stalls were lined with goods from all around Gielinor. She recognized silver goods from Ardougne, furs and fine ropes from the Fremmenik Provinces, and array of different foods from the local area. The market was filled with people, and the two thieves had to weave their way through. She was tempted to pick a pocket here and there, but she reminded herself that they were in a hurry, and with the prince's life at risk, a few coins wasn't worth it.

The crowds thinned as they left the market area and headed through a large arch way, where a large building came into view, she assumed it was the palace.

"And here we are," Ozan said, looking up at the grand building almost fondly. "Let's go."

The two thieves stepped into the near empty courtyard of the palace. Only a handful guards stood around, and all eyes were on the two of them.

The guard eyes them as they drew near the large set of doors that led into the palace. "The palace is under lockdown by order of the Emir. Please move along."

But this didn't deter either of the thieves.

"We have very urgent business," said Ozan. "We must speak with Spymaster Osman immediately."

The guard pulled his gaze from Arianna and put his attention on Ozan. "Oh, you 'must', must you? And I suppose my orders mean nothing, hm?" said the guard, snapping a bit. "No one is to come in! No exceptions!"

Arianna sighed, irritated. It was always guards like this that put a damper on plans, guard that take their jobs all too seriously. "We have information that Osman and the Emir need to hear. It's about the kidnap of Prince Ali."

The guard looked back to her, shocked. "What is this nonsense? The prince is safely touring around Lumbridge."

"No, he's not!" Ozan said, beginning to get annoyed himself. "We saw him being womanhandled into a boar headed for the desert just a few days ago. And if I'm not mistaken, his kidnappers were wearing blue and gold- the colors of Menaphos!"

"I guess that your paymasters haven't shared that little bit of intel with you, huh?" Arianna added. "Weren't you the least bit curious about why the palace was put under lockdown?"

The guard glanced at both of them, surprised to be hearing this from the two outsiders. "So, it's spreading dissent and hysteria, is it? You two are some of those pro-war nuts, trying to stir up trouble? Go on, tell me some more! Make me arrest you!"

Arianna smiled a bit. "Yes, do that!" she said, trying to seem more confrontational. "Arrest us!"

Ozan glanced over to her uncertain as to what she was trying to accomplish, until he caught on. "Lock us up! Take up to Osman as traitors!"

The guard started reaching for his sword, the reaction she was hoping for, but he caught on. "Ha! Nice try…you aren't fooling me; you're not getting in that way either! I wouldn't arrest you even if you were the world-renowned thief, Ozan, and you were trying to break into the Emir's very own bedroom to pinch all of his left socks!"*

Ozan started at the man in disbelief and let out a frustrated sigh. "But I am Ozan!"

The guard laughed. "Now I've heard it all. Brilliant. Wait until the others hear about this one. And in the meantime, you two clear off!"

Ozan sighed and led Arianna away from the stubborn guard. It wasn't until they cleared the courtyard did he speak again. "Damn, there's no way we're getting in the front door," he said, glancing back to the guard who still had his gaze on them. "But that guard gave me an idea. We're going to break in and find Osman for ourselves. It's not like I haven't broken into the palace before."

His nonchalant tone left Arianna staring at him. "And how the hell are we going to break into the palace, Ozan? I mean, just look," she said, motioning back to the courtyard, "the place is crawling with guards thanks to this lockdown."

He just flashed her one of his brilliant smiles. "I know just the way, we just need to go to the crafting shop, northeast of here."

"How-" she started, but was cut off as he grabbed her hand and began pulling her back through Al Kharid.

*When I came to this bit of the quest and the guard said this, I couldn't stop laughing. My roommate just stared at me with the weirdest look on her face until I was able to calm myself down.

So, this is the end of the small chapters. The last two chapters were only twelve pages hand written. The next one, fifteen pages all on its own!

Cheers!