"Ya-h stole ma-h bro'der." The street rat said from the shadows just behind Artemus.
Honestly, the rat was lucky that Artemus had the restraint to not slit his throat the instant he snuck up on him.
Keepers were quite jumpy outside of the Haven and Artemus was no exception.
The two stared at one another, Artemus from beneath the hood that shielded his eyes and face in a shroud of shadow, and the street rat from deep sunken eyes and a muck stricken portrait.
The blade glistened in the dim firelight from the mob marching down the street just behind Artemus.
"Is 'e well?" The street rat asked quietly as he flashed his empty palms towards Artemus, a clear sign of surrender.
"I wouldn't know." Artemus whispered in reply as he removed the dagger from the man's throat, displeased to see the edge stained in red, though the man didn't seem to notice the wound.
"Pity…" The rat spat before he turned away, skulking back into the shadows from which he came.
Artemus didn't have any intentions of following him, despite knowing that an urchin would have a far easier time navigating the narrow alleys of the city, he doubted anyone would know where his son was unless he told them specifically where he was sheltering…
And if Basso didn't know, Artemus could be sure that a lowly rat wouldn't either.
So, the Keeper remained where he was, hidden behind some old timber as a mob stalked through the city streets, baying like wolves as they hunted nobles, guards and imaginary monsters alike.
-oOo-
"Do you ever worry that the guard will find this place?" Garrett asked the Queen of Beggars softly over a dinner of looted scraps.
"Of course." she replied as she tucked a single raisin between her teeth, chewing slowly, savoring the rare sweetness a beggar had managed to find.
"Every day, I worry, I must, it's what a good leader does." She explained.
"What happens if the guard does come?"
"My, you are certainly in a grim mood this evening Garrett." The old Queen hummed as she stirred her tea thoughtlessly.
Garrett didn't reply, she didn't expect him to.
"I suppose when the guard finds this place, and they will." She insisted tiredly, "I will die." She stated calmly as she looked out onto the courtyard before her, teaming with beggars and fires and families…
"And my beggars will be left to run through the streets like the rats once more."
Garrett watched the old woman's expression for a small while…
She didn't seem distraught by the reality she described, she didn't seem sad or upset, if anything, she seemed accepting…
"Nothing in this city remains hidden Garrett, remember this." She sighed, turning to the thief beside her with foggy eyes and a gentle smile as she reached out and set her hand atop his, patting his hand softly before she rose.
"Eventually, someone will find this old cathedral, find us, it is simply the way of the city… We can't prevent it, the most we can do is prepare, and I've been preparing my beggars since we settled on these grounds." The Queen sighed, looking out to her people once more.
"How long do you expect yourself capable of staying hidden Garrett?" The old woman asked softly.
"If what you say about the track record for staying hidden here is true… Not as long as I would like."
The old woman hummed and nodded once.
Garrett never heard her leave, but he knew if he turned around, she would be alone.