Capitolo Un

Thirteen years later...

The room was silent. For once there was nobody standing around drinking their asses off or looking for somebody to take to bed for the night. I stood facing the wall with perfect posture. I'd been trained for these situations for most of my life, the part that wasn't spent in an elegantly dangerous house. I knew exactly what I was suppose to do and how to enforce it in order to get my mission accomplished. I stared straight ahead, breathed in deeply and heard a voice behind me that broke my concentration. It was Mace's voice. Mithros he was annoying.

"Concentrate." he whispered coming up behind me and standing rather close. He always did but never touched me. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. He smelled of a hard days work, which was ridiculous because it was early morning and nobody was even stirring about. But of course Mace always had to get an early start on things. He was always trying to accomplish everything before our older siblings, and he rarely didn't. But he smelled sweet.

"I am," I replied with a hint of flirtatious tone. We were close enough to be siblings ourselves and enjoyed our banters of flirting and protectiveness.

"Softer," he whispered breathing down my neck. I knew what he meant. I was concentrating too hard. If I continued at that pace my focus would alter ever so slightly, I'd glance at a spot on the wall and miss my target. I never did of course, but I liked to let Mace think I did. It was fun to mess with his head.

I breathed in deeply and held the knife firmly. Even with Mace's distraction I was determined to hit the center. It wasn't like I couldn't. Pulling my arm back I swiftly flung the knife at the wall. It stuck a few centimeters short of the center. I sighed and slouched. I heard Mace chuckle slightly behind me and rolled my eyes. Of course he would laugh.

"Let me show you how it's done." Mace replied gently pushing me aside and pulling a dagger from his sleeve and settling it in his hand. I crossed me arms over my chest and waited for him to throw. He did. Landing it perfectly in the center of the bullseye. Of course. He only spent five hours a night perfectly his skill at aiming. There was never a moment when Mace didn't hit his target. Well there are some moments. Mace may be a really good shooter but he could never keep a lover for more than a few days. It wasn't his fault, actually it was. He's terrible.

Mace produced another knife from somewhere on his body and got ready to throw it again. Of course he wasn't content with throwing just one, he had to show off a bit more. I cleared my throat and walked closer towards him, standing directly behind him while looking over his shoulder. I could see the muscles tensing up on his back as I came closer. That fact made me smile. As he prepared to throw I gently blew on his neck, sending a shiver down his spine. He threw and missed. It landed close to mine.

I chuckled behind him. Maybe there was something that could set Mace off of his concentration. Of course I already knew that would happen. It was Mace after all and he was a male. Moving around him I walked towards and wall and pulled the three knifes from it, smiling as I did so. When I turned around Mace was gone. He'd slipped out as silently as he'd slipped in. Exactly as he always did, especially when he was annoyed or angered. He was both now. Angered at me for messing him up and annoyed because he'd allowed me to mess him up. Oh how our tangled web of weirdness worked.

"Dammit girl get up!" Jerome yelled pounding on my door with his fist. I pulled my blanket further over my head and buried myself deep inside it's folds. There was no way I was waking up. It was the middle of the night and I worked quite pleasantly when I had a full eight hours of sleep. The guys were different though, being able to work on only a few hours of sleep, and preferred to go about the town during the night. Waking both myself and Merry up in order to drag us along as well.

"C'mon!" Jerome continued through the door. I heaved a sigh and sat up in bed. There were certain things I could stand from the men, having to clean up their messes and making sure they don't cause too much trouble, but having to get up in the middle of the night because they're bored was not one of them. I glared at the door before lifting some of the covers off and feeling the cold air rush in between my body and the blankets. I hated that feeling. Immediately I wanted to cover myself again and sleep until morning.

"Alecian get yer ass out of bed" Mace hollered through the door pounding on it himself before opening it and walking into my bedroom without waiting for an answer. I was half out of bed and only wearing a small nightshirt of my brothers that reached just below my thighs. Angered enough I screamed at Mace, in his face actually as he was already walking towards the bed, having been ready to pull me out of it if necessary. I pulled a dagger from beside my thigh and threw it at his head, hoping to be rid of him once and for all. Unfortunately he ducked and managed to sustain another day of living.

He backed out of the room with his arms raised in defeat and shut the door behind him. "She's awake" he told his friends folding his arms and leaning against the wall waiting for her.

Inside my room and plucked my dagger from my bedroom wall and re-sheathed it on my thigh. How Mace annoyed me so! I really didn't see how anyone could be that annoying but obviously he was able to pull it off without a sweat. I slipped on a loose brown skirt and tan blouse that the boys loved because the neckline was lower than I usually wore. I pulled my hair back into a loose bun and opened the door to see the bored faces of the boys.

"Are you ready yet?" Mace asked pushing away from the wall with his arms crossed.

"Yes." I replied pushing past him and giving him a hard shove that sent him sprawling into the wall. Laughing I ran down the hall towards the stairs with the boys behind me. Mace caught up and grabbed my waist from behind sending both of us screaming and laughing down the stairs as we both lost our balance and tumbled to a stop before Dorian.

"Hello children," he muttered staring down at us with a strict look on his face. His arms were crossed and he stood with such hate that I thought we had done something wrong and were to be punished.

"Morning Dorian," I said sweetly standing and giving him a kiss on the cheek. I of course knew how to suck up as Mace could not do the same thing unless he wanted to look like a fool. A small smile grew on Dorian's face but he was still angry about something. "Is there something you need us for?" I asked offering our services as I know Dorian loves it when we volunteer and he doesn't have to bribe or threaten us to do his bidding.

"I suppose I could find something," he muttered turning from us and leading the way towards the back table where he like to do business.

"Way to go Alecian," Mace muttered in my ear standing and following too closely behind me. "We had planned on watching the royal procession go by this evening, but it seems as if our plans will now be changed."

"All you wanted was more money," I muttered in reply annoyed that he'd only wanted to steal from the rich. It wasn't their fault they were like that and they probably needed that money as their estates were costly. Could I help it if I still had a soft spot for nobles? I mean I was one but a few years ago and still remember living a life of luxury, how little it was wanted or needed. But whatever soft spot I may have for nobles was always brutally covered by my hate and loathing of them.

I remember my mother being exactly like those nobles who sit in their houses all day counting their money while making their servants work twice as swift to accomplish their days task only so they could be given more. I hated when my mother did that to the servants. It was unfair and unjust as she paid them no more than their annual salary.

So in some ways I didn't mind all the time the boys stole from the rich. It just depended on which rich. For I had educated myself to be aware of which nobles were bringing in the most amount of money and who payed their servants the fairest in order to give Mace and his friends the go-ahead for robbing from them. I could never live with myself if they had been stealing from families who were no better off than us but with the privilege of a title. It made me sick to even think about such thoughts.

I seated myself next to Dorian on his left hand side as his second in command Rafael sat on his right side, while the rest of the boys filled in between the cracks along the table. Dorian sat biting his lip while scratching his cheek for a few moments before his spoke.

"There's a royal procession coming through the town. Apparently they have been allowed safe passage through out city by some higher being, of course neither went through me first." he chuckled to himself as the rest of us did. It was a usual joke. Though Dorian was king of the thieves and did get much respect from the royals of the city, all who made sure Dorian gave permission before anything was to be done for fear of what he'd have his subjects (us) do if he were to disagree with the outcome, he was not always consulted and this always put him in a fowl mood. That must be the thing that's angering him at that moment.

"So," he continued "I need you lot to go to the parade and get me a few things..." he droned this out to make sure we were agreed as to his request before he continued. I turned and looked at my comrades. The three, Jerome, Christian, and Mace were all willing. I could see it in their eyes. They wanted a piece of the royal family and having permission from Dorian to do so was even better than they could've hoped for. I sighed. Evidentially I was outnumbered.

Of course I could always refuse, but then Dorian would send some of the more experienced men, knowing full well that leaving the three boys on their own was asking for complications and trouble. They would go no where without me. I was their permanent babysitter until they learned to hold their own. Which none of them could. They were all much to immature to be released on the streets of Scanran alone. They needed me there to bail them out of sticky situations with the law which they were frequently getting into.

"I'll go on one condition." I answered addressing Mace and the other two rather than Dorian. He knew it wasn't a sign of disrespect. I was simply having my say before I signed yet another possible death wish, being his favorite I was allowed this privilege every once in a while.

"Your wish is my command princess." Mace replied with a small mock bow as his eyes glittered with anticipation and excitement. He knew I would accept. All he wanted was for me to state my conditions so we could be on our way with Dorian's instructions. Unfortunately I wasn't going to let them off as easily as I usually did.

"I'll accept to whatever you'd like Dorian," I replied with a smirk across my face as I turned towards Dorian and gave a bow in acceptance. "But, I'd benefit from this experience much more if you'd allow me to go back to bed for a few extended hours of sleep, after all I was rudely awoken tonight and have yet to reach my full potential from lack of rest." I fluttered my eyes a bit and grinned towards Dorian who saw through my act like a crystal glass. But he played along knowing full well that his task could wait, as the procession wouldn't be coming through the city until mid day, and that my going back to bed would make the boys more irritated.

"Of course" Dorian replied with a nod and a wave in acceptance for leave. I smiled and stood from my seat before turning and making my way back towards my room. Mace ran after me. I knew he would though I wondered why Dorian gave him permission to follow me. Certainly he knew that Mace would be mad so why was he going to let him come after me? How men confuse me so.

"Alecian what in Mithros name are you doing?" Mace asked grabbing my upper arm while I was halfway up the stairs and slamming me against the wall. I winced against the pain that shot through my arm. Exactly like Mace to refer to violence in order to solve everything.

"Take your hands off of me Mace," I hissed trying to pull my arm out of his grasp. He held on firmly and grabbed my other arm with his hand. We began to struggle against each other for a few minutes as we each fought for control of the other. It was awkward standing lopsided on the stairs but he managed to hold on to me. We were like lovers in a passionate embrace of fury that wanted nothing to do with each other yet hadn't finished what we'd started.

I managed to break away from him for a few seconds. I pulled my arm back and slapped Mace across the face. I heard the force of the impact and saw the red hand print that appeared on his cheek. It gave me a smile of satisfaction to see the pain flash across his face for a second. The pain on his face showed slightly before the anger replaced it. He grabbed my wrists and slammed me up against the wall again pinning my arms down at my side.

"Damn you woman," he whispered clenching his jaw shut while pushing his waist up against mine to pin my legs down. I hated the position I was in but I wasn't mad at Mace, merely annoyed. He always got in these tiffs when he didn't get his way and I for one was tired of always bending to his wishes and tip-toeing around issues that angered him because of his temper. I was tired from lack of sleep, annoyed by being half molested and not in the mood to deal with a hormone raging ball of spitfire that was crying over spilled milk.

"Get off of me." I hissed in his ear before spitting in his eye. Letting go of one of my wrists he wiped the saliva from his eye and leaned his hand on the wall beside my head, still clenching onto my other wrist.

"Why the hell are you doing this to me?" he asked calming down a little bit.

"I'm doing nothing to you that you don't want done." I replied

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

"It means you're always getting yourself into situations where you know the outcome won't be what you want, so why get into them?"

"You're absolutely delirious,"

"But I'm right."

"Not a chance,"

"Believe what you want."

"I believe what I know,"

"Whatever," I muttered freeing my other hand and shoving him off of me. This time he obeyed. He moved out of my way as I continued up the stairs and walked down the hall towards my room. I opened and slammed my door before collapsing on my bed for a few more hours of sleep.

I woke a few hours later and composed myself. I was ready for Mace's next outburst. It was like raising a child of my own some days, but I'd grown use to it. I opened my door and saw Mace sitting against the wall in front of me. For some reason I knew he was going to be sitting there waiting. That was just like him. I sighed and shut my door behind me before walking forward and sitting beside him. I rested my hands on top of my knees and waited.

"Sleep well?" Mace asked

"Quite," I replied silently leaning my head against his shoulder. We were friends and I liked that but sometimes I wondered if there would ever be anything more between the two of us or if I even wanted something. I don't think I could deal with his different personalities every time he got upset. I mean of course I already do because I'm his friend, but I don't think I could do it as his lover. He got too emotionally attached to people.

"C'mon," he said standing and reaching down for my hands. I took his hands and let him pull me to my feet. If he wanted to go out then I was ready. I had won earlier after all and I was willing to let him have his glory now. On our way down the stairs we passed Sara who bid us good morning and announced she too was going back to bed for a few hours, apparently I'd started something.

We met the other boys in the common area and said hello to many of the other thieves. After receiving instructions from Dorian about behaving and not causing too much trouble we were out of the inn faster than lightening. I loved stealing. It was like holding power in the palm of my hand and knowing I was capable of making or breaking somebody's day.

"Alecian catch!" I heard from behind me. Turning I ducked in time to see the apple go flying over my head and landing a few feet away before rolling farther. I laughed and ran after it. Apples were still good even if they'd been on the ground, and I knew Jerome hadn't meant for me to miss it. It would be terrible to waist a perfectly good thing. I caught up to the apple and picked it up. Straightening I saw a shadow move beside me. Glancing, I saw a young boy, not older than Aaron had been when we were found by Dorian, standing a few feet away watching me with hungry eyes. I knew he was a peasant and from the look on his face he appeared to be starving.

With a sigh I tossed the apple to the kid who caught it with ease and hungrily bit into it. I rolled my eyes, some kids just needed to learn how to steal nowadays. I turned away and moved to the side as Jerome and Christian came running by with one of the cart owners behind them. They must've gotten caught.

"Alecian!" Mace yelled running after them and grabbing my arm and pulling me along behind them. I cried out in pain as my body followed the pain in my wrist that had been started when Mace grabbed me and swore as my feet started picking up speed. Apparently we had to follow and make sure the two weren't getting into too much trouble.

Mace was horrible at weaving in and out of the public while making sure i didn't get trampled on. In fact i got trampled on or run into multiple times. I growled while pushing my hair out of my face and ripping my wrist from Mace's grasp. I was perfectly capable of running on my own and didn't really care if the boys were caught. It was their own fault if they were. They had a nasty habit of being noticeable while stealing, I always wondered why Dorian kept them around.

The second I got out of Mace's grasp i was knocked to the ground by a man who'd gotten in my way. Well maybe I'd run into him as well but that really wasn't the situation. He'd run into me and we were both laying sprawled on the floor covered in dust and grim. Ugh, it would be days before I could take another bath. I would have Mace's head for this.

Groaning in pain the man got to his feet before offering my a hand as well. What was it with men these days and offering me their hands. Chivalry wasn't dead of course but I hadn't experienced it with anyone in quite some time. Not since I lived with my mother.

"I apologize miss" he said releasing my hands once I'd gotten on my feet. Whoever the man was he spoke quite well. He was obviously educated somewhere because he was definitely not from anywhere around here. "I hadn't seen you."

"It's no trouble at all," I replied as my manners flashed into my mind. I had been taught in etiquette school for a few months until I was released because of un-proper behavior towards the head mistress. I distinctly remember Aaron congratulating me on a job well done once he'd heard about the rats in her sheets. I thought it was quite funny even if she didn't.

The man seemed surprised by my language and looked at my in a peculiar way for a second. He shook his head and the look was gone. I heard a shout from beside me and turned to see Mace standing a few feet away watching with weary eyes. He nodded his head once to tell me that Jerome had gotten caught and that we would be having some trouble getting him loose again before turning away and drifting into the crowd. I knew I had to catch up to him then before he disappeared and did something stupid without me.

"I beg your pardon miss but I was wondering if you could direct me towards the Dev--" the man started to ask before I interrupted him as I hadn't really been listening. I couldn't afford to stand there all day and help some lost soul out.

"I'm terribly sorry but I have to be leaving. A friend of mine is in trouble at the moment and I need to get him out of a tight spot. Terribly sorry!" I called with a wave as I took off after Mace. Grinning I brought out the man's purse which I'd snatched in the process of standing and juggled it a few times in my hand. It clinked with coins inside that I would have been happy about it I hadn't spotted Jerome standing in front of two guards with his hands bound behind his back. I swear to Mithros I leave them for one minute and they go and get themselves locked up for heaven's sake.

Sighing I slipped the man's purse inside of my own and walked towards the ally where I'd spotted Christian and Mace. The two stood just inside the shadows and had a perfect view of Jerome. I wasn't surprised that Christian was started to hyperventilate, this was his best friend after all. The two were like Siamese twins almost connected at the hip.

"Alecian could you please help me!" Mace said trying to calm Christian down. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the two before drawing back my hand and slapping Christian across the face hard. He winced and blinked a few times but got himself under control again.

"Thanks" he said crossing his arms over his chest and returning to attention to Jerome.

"Well what do we do?" Mace asked turning towards me and waiting for my idea. Why did the boys always assume I had an idea? Probably because I did. I quickly explained to the two what to do before slipping out of the ally and slowly sliding up towards where the guards stood with Jerome. I stopped a few feet away and started pretending I was a buyer interested in the fruit that was shown on the cart beside them.

I glanced out of the corner of my eye and saw Mace coming down the street with the crowd. He blended in quite well and appeared to be a normal, law-abiding citizen. I almost laughed at that thought. I saw Christian walking a few feet behind him, he nodded towards me and I grinned before turning back towards the fruit.

I suddenly felt someone's presence behind me and pretended I didn't notice. The man behind the cart looked nervous as he glanced worriedly between the man beside me and myself. I inhaled shakily, my chest rising larger than is actually was and exhaled the same way causing the man to cough loudly.

Suddenly my body was jerked aside as the man beside me grabbed my arms forcefully and started kissing my neck. I shouted in surprise and started screaming when I realized what was happening. My attacker continued to attempt to actually kiss me as his lips moved upwards and his hands tightened their grip. I was weak without the use of my arms as I couldn't reach my daggers and instead started screaming as loud as I could.

My screaming caught the attention of everybody on the street. The guards who'd been with Jerome came running towards me in my defense. My attacker pulled me close and kissed me on my lips passionately before pulling away. With a wink Mace turned and disappeared into the crowds with the guards running behind him. A few passer-byes stopped and asked me if I was alright and after reassuring them that I was fine I slipped out of the public view and hid among the shadows. I found a ladder leading towards the roof on the side of one home and climbed it. After jumping a few roofs and moving down a couple of blocks I jumped down and landed in front of Jerome and Christian.

I was immediately embraced in a hug from Jerome once his hands were freed. I laughed and hugged him back before pushing him off of me.

"Enough of the mushy crap," I replied

"Thank you Alecian, I owe you my life," Jerome replied

"Or at least a few years," Christian replied clapping Jerome on his back with a laugh.

"Well I had to kiss Mace so you will be owing me something!" I hissed

"Oh you know you loved it," Mace interrupted coming up behind me and draping his arm around my shoulder.

"I don't believe so," I laughed removing his hand from my shoulder. He proceeded to place it on the small of my back which annoyed me greatly. I hated when he touched me. I appreciated being friends and that was all I was interested in, unfortunately most of the time I believe Mace wanted more. Any why not, it isn't like there are thousands of women for him to choose from in the rogue. Most of the girls are smart enough to avoid the premises or are already married.

"What would you have done without me?" he asked

"Slept peacefully for a few more hours" I joked crossing my arms over my chest and noticing how Maces eyes lingered there. I sighed in frustration and turned away from them annoyed. That was all they thought about. "Well what are we to do for the rest of the day?"

"Wonder about aimlessly until we loose every piece of sanity we may yet have." Christian replied walked up next to me with his arms crossed while randomly staring at the sky.

"Your kidding aren't you?" I replied with a laugh while slapping him playfully on the arm.

"No, not really," he mumbled continuing to stare at the sky. I glanced back at Jerome who shrugged before breaking into a wide grin. Christian held his posture for a few more seconds before he joined Jerome and Mace in their laughter. I couldn't help it either and laughed as well. After we calmed ourselves down some we emerged from the ally and split up so we'd be less likely to get into any more trouble. I was hesitant to let Jerome and Christian go off together to cause more trouble, but mostly because it would mean Mace and I would be stuck together.

But somehow that was how we were paired. I glared at Jerome as he glanced back at me with a grin before disappearing into the crowd. They really did annoy me most of the time. I wasn't even sure why I'd saved him in the first place.

"So looks like it's just you and me Tick." Mace laughed wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I made a face and glared at him.

"Don't call me that," I replied walking in the opposite direction of Jerome and Christian as he followed beside me. Tick had been the nickname I'd been given when Aaron and I first arrived at the inn. I use to follow Dorian around like a leech once I'd learned his real profession as I was quite eager to learn all about it. He'd started calling me Tick and ever since then everyone else had too. Lately it had gotten rather old and annoying so Mace was the only one who ever called me by that name.

"Don't you like your little nickname Leech?" he asked lowering his arm so that it was wrapped around my waist.

"As much as I love having you feel me up I'd prefer it if you kept your hands to yourself." I said removing his arm from around my shoulders.

"Whatever your command Tick." he muttered crossing his arms over his chest. I dangled my own arms by my side and swung them back and forth as we walked.

The royal procession began as Mace and I pushed our way to the front of the crowd. Of course along the way we were sure to swipe a few things from those who looked as if they would be able to share. Stealing from the poor was not something I was fond of doing. I was terribly glad that the boys were smart enough to listen to me.

Dorian knew that sending us to the royal procession had been the right thing to do. I watched in amazement as horses and carriages past carrying guards that were loaded down with so many weapons I doubted they would be able to use them if the situation arose. It was just wasn't physically possible. Upon realizing this Mace and I quickly came up with a plan. The prince and his newley betrothed would be passing by soon and we needed to create a distraction in order to get the procession stopped. Only then could we swipe some of the gold that was being quite conceitedly shown on top of the carriage.

Glancing about I recognized a few children whom I'd run into a few days ago. They had been playing in the middle of the street and I'd run over then while chasing Jerome through the streets. That gave me an idea. Walking over to them I croutched down and began to whisper in the little boys ear. He was twelve or thirteen so I had no fear in asking him to do the simple task. He smiled when I mentioned I'd pay them greatly for their help and nodded in agreement.

With a smile I made my way back towards Mace and waited for the carriage to approach. The boy and his friends continued playing though they all watched eagerly as the prince came closer and closer. Finally when the carriage was almost in front of us the boy jumped in the middle of the street to retrieve his ball that had been thrown there. The horses that were pulling the prince were startled from the outburst of the boy and reacted upon fear. They reared and threw back the driver who was trying to get them under control.

This was the distraction I had planned. Flipping a smile towards Mace who was angry that he hadn't come up with anything I silently slipped out of the crowd and got inside of the carriage with the two royals. They looked shocked and surprised to see me. The prince held the princesses hand tightly and started to scream all sorts of profanitites at me. I really wasn't in the mood for such language though. I silenced him by holding a daggar towards his throat and ordered them both to take off their jewelry and any other piece of gold they posessed.

The princess obliged willingly and the prince did so too with an angry look on her face.

"Oh don't look so sour." I said holding out the bag that the two were dropping their things into. Dorian would be proud of this.

"It's people like you who make this country so full of evil and hatred." the prince spat towards me. My how he was getting on my nerves quickly.

"Actually that would be your job, highness. As you rule the country you make it a reflection of your work and actions. Therefore any action that I make upon you or any other person in this country is a direct hit towards your ruling ability. Surely you could see that though?" I replied with a grin. I thanked them both for their givings, gave the princess a quick kiss on the cheek and wished her well on her marriage to such a tritan, slapped the prince for good measure and left the carriage just as quickly as I'd entered it.

The commotion outside was quickly dying down but the guards were now becoming more aware that something might happen to their precious prince. Sliding underneath the carriage I fastened my hands and feet into the crooks that were made and held on tightly as the procession began again. A few seconds later I heard the guards shouting throughout the streets about a maiden who had robbed and harmed the royal family. Disgrace. I had not harmed anybody!

The procession came to a turn as the guards began searching the crowds for somebody who resembled, well me. I un-latched my hands and feet and rolled out from underneath the carriage as it turned. The crowd was thinner there and I quickly got on my feet before slipping behind a prisoner stuck in the gallows. Poor soul, he was most likely innocent. Sliding along the walls I slipped into an alley and made my way down it, stopping to hand a blind beggar man a few coins that would suffice for a while. Giving to the less fortunate was something I highly encouraged. I had once been that unfortunate in life and I thanked Mithros everyday for those who had come along and saved me.

Winding my way through the ally's I found the boy and his friends waiting precisely where I had instructed. With a smile I handed out their earnings and thanked them once again before continuing on my way. I found an easy access towards the roof and made my up before sitting down on the edge and watching the last of the procession pass by. The guards were still searching the crowds as I glanced down. It was like watching a field of corn swaying in the wind. The shadows moved as the guards pushed their way through the crowd before pulling themselves back together.

The crowd was thinning out now as the people were returning to their carts in the marketplace or other place of buisiness. The women continued on their way home to prepare their families meal and the children continued playing in the streets. It was as if nothing had happened though the murmurs throughout the streets of the mysterious thieves proved otherwise.

Mace sat down beside me on the roof and crossed his legs. I hadn't even heard him behind me.

"Fine job you did." he said pulling out two large bags which he's been able to take from the roof of the carriage. I was surprised that was all he had been able to get. "I've already brought the chest to Dorian." he muttered.

Ah, of course. Mace always had to out due everybody else. But that was what we expected from him. I assumed nothing less.

"You actually slapped him." Mace muttered turning towards me with a grin spread across his face.

"He deserved it. You could tell the princess was under distress and didn't want to end up with a husband like that. I was merely doing her a favor." I replied with a cheeky smile.

"Of course."

"Of course."

A/N : Thank you to all my fabulous reviews! Oh I love you guys so much! I'm so happy people remember this story. I've reposted it because I felt I'd left it too long and people wouldn't remember, but you do! You like me, you really like me! Haha, okay enough of that. Yes I believe the newest chapter I have is the fourth one, but I did add some things to the end of this chapter so it made it longer. When I went back over the editing originally I realized I'd completely forgotten to write in about the royal procession, which was the reason for Alecian to go back to sleep in the first place, so haha I had to write that part. Hope everyone enjoyed and please do review!

Thank You To: Knight Queen, FanFictionFantom, animal maglet, tink20, maliaphire, and anyone else who happens to review on chapter one!