My feet flew through the air and I angled my body just the way I needed to so as to make no noise. I landed soundlessly on the next rooftop in a crouch my eyes locked on our destination. Straightening up I turned back to my accomplices my usual grin slipping into place.
"See boys," I said, "that's how you stick a landing."
The two brutes had recruited me, possibly for my good looks although more likely because I was known as a good thief, known for never being caught. They were gigantic men and I feared that they would snap my neck before giving me my share of the treasure, although being me I of course didn't plan to let them touch the thing in the first place.
The Stabbington brothers landed on either side of me their immense weight sounding a thud that shuddered through the roof, I winced at the noise. I turned back towards the giant domed roof that I had cut a section out of the night before.
I skimmed across the ledge jumping from some ladies balcony onto another roof while twisting through the air. Sliding down a roof I soared over the gap and landed on the ledge not missing a beat. I grinned, the Stabbingtons were way behind, they could not repeat my acrobatics and had to use an alternative route.
Looking out over the horizon a small smile played on the corner of my lips, the view was absolutely spectacular. That right there was the moment I loved, the moment I didn't feel any guilt about what I was doing. My conscience shut up when I could clearly see what these people had. What could losing one little tiara do to them? They had a whole castle with servants and hundreds of rooms to just reside in. Beds, and bathrooms, and most importantly food, they had more than enough. I barely had enough to eat, I needed it more than they ever would.
Suddenly I heard the distinctive thumps of the two Stabbington brothers landing behind me, "what are you doing?" the one with the eye patch, (I honestly don't know their names, and really I don't care) growled, "don't you dare tell me you've wimped out Ryder, because I will make your death slow and painful I swear it, the guards would be far more merciful."
I decided I liked the other one better even though he had an extra eye to watch me with. "Fuck you," I muttered under my breath as I began to run again.
The air rushed through my hair, which to my pleasure, (and the ladies pleasure of course) was still perfect, it was always perfect. A cocky grin spread across my face as I stopped right near the loose tile. The Stabbingtons dropped down beside me looking wearily at the spot.
"You sure we're in the right place," Eye patch asked. I rolled my eyes, "of course we are." I retorted, I didn't understand how they couldn't see it, the misplaced tile was as clear as day, then again they did trust me so they couldn't be that sharp.
Kneeling down I carefully slid the tile out of the way making sure to block out the sun with my body so that the sun streaming through the hole wouldn't be too obvious. I smiled to myself, looking down I had the perfect view of the tiara; I had selected the perfect position for my plan. Then again I was Flynn Ryder the most marvellous bachelor of the kingdom; so it wasn't that surprising.
The two brutes lumbered over pushing me out of the way to gaze down on the sparkling treasure on the plush red pillow display that was out goal.
"It doesn't look like much," muttered the brother without the eye patch (let's call him Patchless). I sighed at his naivety, "of course not," I said, "it's just your usual fucking tiara. The only difference is that it was meant for the lost princess and is solid silver encrusted with diamonds."
The brute just glared at me.
Standing up I stretched my shoulders back preparing to endeavor on the last phase of the plan. The view from up there really was spectacular. "I could get used to a view like this." I said smiling.
"Ryder!" Patch (the one with the eye patch) muttered trying to take me out of my thoughts, well screw him I thought. "Wait," I muttered, "Yup," I said a grin sliding onto my face, "I'm used to it."
The Stabbingtons didn't enjoy my humour and Patch grabbed me by my collar dragging me over to attach the harness. "Guys," I said, "I want a castle." Patchless just rolled his eyes and gave me his usual death glare, Patch glanced up from attaching the harness and he actually smiled, it was disturbing almost like a wolf baring its fangs. "We do this job; you can buy your own a castle." That probably should have been a positive thing to say but coming from him it almost sounded like a threat, I shuddered.
Bracing my knees on either side of the hole I glanced up at the brothers, I suddenly realized my life was in their hands, definitely not a comforting thought. "Remember," I warned, "you drop me, no payday, got it?" "Sure," Patch muttered, I gulped.
"Ok," I said, "one, two, three!" I jumped through the hole and was caught tight by the rope suspending me, slowly the Stabbingtons lowered me down towards the tiara that was so innocently lying on its little plush pillow.
The guards here were stacked, it was crazy how much surveillance was left on this one piece of jewelry, and yet there was one flaw. The guards formed a semi circle in front of the tiara which was against the back wall, but none of them were facing it. They had assumed that since there were no doors and windows on that side that it would be fine, that the front was more crucial. No one expected a thief to come in through the roof.
Reaching down I carefully plucked up the tiara and placed it in my satchel. No one heard or saw me, I grinned my ego having a field day.
One of the guards coughed, "ah hay fever" I asked casually hanging over the display podium that was now empty. "Ya," the guard replied in a bored tone.
Suddenly the Stabbingtons were pulling me up so fast that it felt like the rope had punched him in the stomach. The ornate walls of the chamber rushed past me so fast they became a blur. I didn't even see when the guard turned around to realize what had just happened. The Stabbingtons were already running, not even stopping to attack me for giving away our theft.
Jumping from turret to turret I went into full Ryder mode; spinning through the air and sliding down roofs that were almost a ninety degree angle going down.
All of a sudden we were approaching the drop off almost twenty feet up; the brothers went around finding a couple roofs and platforms they could jump from to get down. If I took their route I would be behind them and they would be leading the way; if I was going to get away that would be a big problem.
Picking up my pace I ran right for the ledge. Pushing my feet off at the last moment I soared through the air and then tucked myself into a ball, ending the jump with a roll that I quickly hopped up from to continue running. I was officially in the lead.
We were now on the bridge leaving the city, the gate was behind us. We had made it! "Ah," I rejoiced, "all the things we've seen and it's only eight in the morning!" I picked up my pace discreetly trying to stay in front, "Gentlemen this is a very big day!"