...

The travel to Redmont was easy going. On the roads, he saw dozens of people who gave him a wide berth. Seeing his green cloak made them nervous. Most people saw green cloaks as those who wandered the wilds. Whether that was the Ranger corps trappers or woodsmen. None of them were trusted fully by the normal folk. The distrust would have been much higher if he hadn't been wearing his gloves. Thief Catchers were trusted even less unless there was a thief to be taken.

During the nights he would go off to the side of the road to make a fire. He had dried meats in his pack so he didn't need to set up traps. He avoided the villages that were along the roads. It took most four days to reach Redmont. Night had already fallen when he arrived outside of the city and castle. Rather than wake the guards he camped one more night outside.

On the fifth morning, Will changed into fresh clothes. For a moment he considered whether or not to wear his Warder's cloak. Then decided against it as he would rather not draw the attention of the local Ranger.

With a yawn, he entered just after sunrise and the guards started in surprise. To them, he was a strange young man on what could only be described as a warhorse. Smoke, his black and grey horse was in fact a warhorse. It had been trained by the Warders and they're like.

One guard called, "Hey now! Who are you? What is your business in Redmont?"

Will turned in his saddle to stare at the man. Cool brown eyes held no emotion in them. The guards flinched before stepping back and allowing him to continue on. They had no way to detain him unless he was a known troublemaker. Given how long it had been since he visited he doubted anyone remembered his face.

Riding through the village drew the attention from all who were on the street. A few called out warm greetings while others glanced at him suspiciously. When he reached the inn a young stable hand came to greet him. It was Niko a fellow orphan who aged out before Will left.

Niko had black hair and dark blue eyes that showed more emotion than most. He wore a white short-sleeved tunic and brown pants. There was a small belt knife on his left side. If one looked closely they could see a small x shaped scar on his neck.

Niko peered at his face trying to discern something. Will smiled ever so slightly as he pushed his hood back. Niko's eyes widened with recognition.

"Will," he cried, "You're back and with a warhorse! Where have you been? Where did you get a horse?"

Will said dropping down from the saddle, "It's good to see you too, Niko. I've been a little bit of everywhere. Smoke here was a gift from my mentor. Be careful with him. He can be frisky if you're unfamiliar with war horses."

Slowly Niko reached out to Smoke's nose and the horse nudged his hand. It was a better reaction than what he was expecting. Smoke wouldn't give him any trouble.

Before he could walk off with Smoke, Will held up a hand. He unstrapped his sword from the back and belted it across his side. The next was his sword breaker to be held in one hand. With his free hand, Will pulled out a silver penny and threw it to Niko. His old friend gaped at it.

Silver pennies were more than what a stablehand would make in three months. For him it wasn't that much Catchers made several whole marks per thief unless it was a petty pickpocket. To help an old friend it was a simple thing.

Niko stuttered out, "I'll take good care of your horse, Will."

Multiple uses of his name was drawing attention. He wished he had indeed worn his Warder's cloak. At least then he could have faded into the shadows. He let out a sharp whistle and the previously unseen bird dipped down out of the sky to land on his right shoulder. The hand that he carried his staff in. This left his main hand open if he needed to draw his sword.

Villagers blinked in surprise as they began to get better looks at his face. They were trying to place the name to his face. Confusion seemed to resonate through them as they didn't recognize his face.

Ignoring the villagers he made his way to the castle. The castle rose high above him and he could see the stone handhold and footholds. When he was a young boy he had climbed up the walls and the trees.

It had been his favorite pass time sneaking in and out of the castle. Not being seen had been a skill he worked at more than any other. It was only strengthened by his time in the White Tower.

The gate was made out of sturdy would that would have taken several rams to break. Two guards in chainmail with swords at their sides were waiting. When they saw him they stiffened uncertainly.

Will greeted, "Good morning. I am looking for an audience with Baron Arald. Is he in this morning?"

The guard to his said, "He is. Who are you might I ask? What is your business with the Baron?"

Slowly so they could see everyone movement Will pulled off one glove baring his falcon tattoo. The guards glanced between the tattoo and Aiden on his shoulder. His falcon simply looked back at them coldly.

The one on the right said, "A Thief-Taker! What brings you all the way out here?"

Will winced internally at the second name of the Catchers. Then he said, "I need to speak to the Baron. If he is available I would like to speak to him soon."

The two guards exchanged a look before one entered and beckoned for Will to follow him. They went through the gate and up the stairs into the castle. Will could hear the footsteps of those who traveled the halls. They went up two more flights of stairs and went to the eastern side of the castle. They came up upon an office of the Baron's scribe. Hearing the guard's footsteps the man looked up uncertainly.

Grey eyes caught sight of Will in seconds and they widened at the sight of the bird. He shouted, "Get that creature out of the castle. Don't you know better than to bring creatures unwelcomed into another's home?"

"You would separate a Catcher and his partner?"

It was a terrible thing to ask a Catcher to separate from their partner. Only Kings and Barons could ask that of them. They glanced at Aiden again before the receptionist and the man knocked on the door to the office.

A moment later familiar voice called out, "Come in, Daniel."

So that was the man's name. Soft words were exchanged and Will could hear most of it. Though he pretended that he didn't. It was easy enough after all he did so every time he was on a job. People were a lot more forward if they thought you couldn't hear them.

Daniel said, "There is a Thief-Taker here to see you, Baron. He looks extremely young to be a full-fledged member but he bears the mark and has an animal partner."

Arald asked his voice losing its warmth, "Do you know who this Catcher is? They don't typically just show up for no reason."

"I don't fully recognize him," answered Daniel, "But he does look familiar."

A sigh came a moment later, "Let him in."

"Yes, sir."

Daniel came back and waved Will inside the office. Arald was sitting behind his desk. He was an older man in his early fifties. He had short salt and pepper hair and calm blue eyes. One couldn't tell from behind the desk but Arald had an ale belly. Their country had been in peacetime for almost two decades. Once hardened warriors had let their skills falter.

Arald looked from his hand to the bird on his shoulder. Aiden ignored him just like he ignored all but Will. Instead, he preened the young Thief Catcher's hair. Then the blue eyes went up to the boy's eyes. Recognition followed by surprise flickered crossed them.

Arald breathed, "Will. We thought you weren't coming back. You were gone for so long."

Will smiled as he said, "I promised I would return. A little later than I intended but I got caught up helping another Thief Catcher."

Arald stood from behind his desk and made his way to stand in front of Will. If it had been before he left he would have flinched. Now he stood tall and strong. He wasn't scared of people anymore. Lan had made him strong.

Arald said sounding genuine, "It is good to see you lad. Are you planning on staying?"

Will smiled as he said, "I plan on staying for the moment. Next week we are supposed to meet with the master to find an apprenticeship. As promised I'll attend. If I get an apprenticeship I'll stay longer. If not I may go to some of the larger fief's looking for trouble."

"Looking for trouble?"

Will laughed, "That's what Juilin calls it. He says when I go looking for thieves. I don't know why. I'm never looking for trouble it just finds me."

Arald snorted, "I can see that. Are you going to stay at the Ward House?"

Will's face grew dark as he replied, "Absolutely not. I refuse to return to the House as a residence. I have left my horse at the inn and will take up residence there until the testing day."

Arald's eyes searched his face for a moment before nodding. Then he asked, "Do you plan on telling them you're back? I know several of the girls have asked after you."

Will considered it before he said, "I don't mind seeing them but don't expect me to act the same way I did when I left."

Arald simply nodded.