Ben had been following his prey for an hour. His pursuit didn't last much longer, for the courier just went into a dark alley, before taking the backdoor to a stone building. What was wrong with them nobles, employing fools like that? Going straight to your destination when carrying important letters was damn stupid. Especially if these were addressed to the underworld king. The lad had not glanced behind him a single time since he had left Gilbet's house. Ben shook his head in disbelief.

The next part of the job was to sit and watch the place, so he went in search for a proper spot. One would think the work to be done, now that Ben had found the Parkhat's den. But according to Mae, and she was right more often than not on these matters, this place would not be the one. He could not be such a mysterious man if he was this easy to find, couldn't he? And councilmen would not let themselves be controlled if they knew his address. Considering how simple it had been to find, Ben couldn't help but agree. So the letter had gone to what was probably some kind of criminal drop-off or hideout. Mae's assumption was that a different courier should be connecting it to the underworld king's office.

Ben climbed atop a wooden fence and used it to lift himself up towards a roof. He had found one that would give him a good view of his target. He reached the hard, flat top and examined his surroundings. Stone buildings and streets, warehouses, and fishmongers stalls. He didn't like the harbor much. Maybe it was not all mud and wood shacks like the slums, but it was nearly as dirty and the smell was worse. The only good point was the seagulls. It was their territory, so Ben wasn't expecting the usual bullying from the other kind of bird. The house next door was higher, its tiled roof a bit too large and covering the one he was standing on. Ben used it to hide under and began his watch.

The thief worried about Cleo, the current job was too important to leave and check on her. She had asked for a weapon, Ben remembered, and he had given it to her. Arming a cracked girl was dumb, but after hearing her explanations he couldn't say no. The young man clenched his fists, he wanted to kill the asshole himself. She had only spoken about the second crazy lass, the one with the empty eyes. But Ben had recognized the situation. The look on Cleo's face and the way she scared every time he had drawn close to her. The lady needed to stick the knife herself. If she didn't, it would mean spending the rest of her life jumping at shadows and sleeping with one eye open.

Ben's head perked up when some movement attracted his attention. He could discern a man's form wearing a long coat, going out the building through the back. The thief quickly estimated the guy's route, before abandoning his perch and climbing back down. The target was going towards the docks at a leisurely pace, not showing any signs of caution but his hood. Ben followed from the shadows for now. The waterfront was busy, even this late into the night boats loaded or unloaded various cargos. He had to leave the shades and enter the crowd, keeping a safe distance from his quarry. Folks carrying wooden crates, barrels, and amphorae began to obstruct his path. He struggled to keep his quarry in sight, before jogging a little and catching up. It had been close, he sighed and resumed his chase.

Mae had gone back to Gilbet's earlier and asked him to send a letter to underworld king. It was mainly to start a chain of messages for Ben to track, leading him to his current location. But it never hurt to have a backup plan. News of someone in his city burning noble houses might have pissed off the Parkhat though. The guy could decide that getting himself rid of the arsonist was more important than the stolen scrolls. The meeting could easily be a trap. It shouldn't be difficult, considering the man's resources, to kill Ben and take Chaffaud's scrolls from him. Ben had to avoid this by finding the invisible man's hideout himself.

Long coat was even worse at his job than the previous messenger. At least that one didn't walk at a snail's pace. Ben sighed, it would be a lot less boring to just wait for the Parkhat to answer Mae's letter. He brought his eyes back to the hooded figure. The both of them have been walking for a good hour now. Where the heck was his destination?

****

Ben woke up in a panic, suffocating. He caught his breath frantically, before opening his eyes, confused. The day was well on its way, it was almost the evening. He was on the same roof near the harbor. A sound attracted his attention, someone was chuckling next to him.

"Mae? What the heck... " He started.

"That was for waking me up like an asshole last time." She smirked. RIght, Ben thought, the bitch would sometimes pinch his nose when he slept.

"What are ya doin' here. Wait, how d'ya find me?" Ben asked, frowning.

"I thought I'll check on you, see how you're doing. As for finding you well, I just searched the roofs around here. You could find somewhere else to hide, it's a pain in the ass to climb. I'm not friggin' twenty anymore, lad..." She went on.

"How the hell did ya know it was here? The hideout, I mean. Thought I was supposed to find the damn place?" He interrupted.

Mae paused. She was holding back a smile, Ben noted, she was enjoying herself. He was obviously not going to like it.

"I asked Gilbet for the address." She said, struggling to keep a straight face.

"What was the damn point of me following the bloody message then?" Ben almost shouted. Of course, the woman burst out laughing.

"And how was I to know he would give it to me, just like that? The Parkhat is rumored to be dangerous and mysterious." She said after catching her breath.

"Don't tell me the guy has a goddamn address?" Ben's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Of course not, you bumpkin. Here is only where the nobles drop their letters for him." She explained.

Ben wanted to complain some more, when he noticed her outfit. She was still wearing the simple, long wool dress he had gotten her. The apron and the basket were new though. She noticed his stare and sat down next to him. She took out and showed him an impressive array of foods. Fresh bread, ham, cream and more. Ben's eyes widened.

"Ya got water? Goddamn fresh water?" He exclaimed. She nodded. How did she find this treasure, he wondered.

"Eat some lad, we have a lot to discuss." She told him. Ben nodded before jumping on the goods and she soon imitated him.

"What's will all this then?" He asked, pointing at the amazing meal.

"I got myself a job, I'm a maid at Gilbet's place now." She said.

"How?" He raised his eyebrows.

"You should have seen Sebastian, the boy is a frigging miracle walking! The house was a mess you see, with all the chaos you brought on. Nobles running around, gossiping about the fire, and trying to find a place for Chaffaud's whole household to stay at. Then the brat comes in, and does his damn puppy eyes. And now everyone stops worrying about the rest and fawns all over him. They stuff him with a week's worth of food, bathe him, clothe him and such. I even heard talk of frigging adoption, can you believe it?" She marveled.

The explanation irritated him a little. The damn brat had stolen Ben's spot in the house two days ago, forcing him to sleep in the church's attic. And now he had grabbed everyone attention at the nobles' place. They were all doting on the kid apparently. Ben knew for sure at last one person was. Mae had taken a job over there to care for the boy. The little shit was trying to steal her away now!

"Ya shouldn't work anyway, yer sick dammit." Ben protested. He was not jealous no, he was concerned about Mae's health.

"Come on lad, I cough a little is all. Beats lying around in a friggin' damp shack." She tried to wave off his concern.

"Damn stubborn old mule." Ben grunted.

"Anyhow, since everyone is in love with Sebastian, asking to send a letter was easy enough. Gilbet wrote it without lifting his eyes from his 'son'. I even got a job, and the frigging address, just like this!" She snapped her fingers as she said so, proud of herself.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"So what yer tellin' me, is that I've been bustin' my nut for nothin'?" He complained.

"Don't you go sobbing on me, Ben. You had your own messages to follow anyway." She shrugged.

"Why the apron?" He shot back.

"Let me explain. I asked Gilbet to pen me a letter for the Parkhat, as you know. It says Lord Chaffaud's mysterious savior wants a meeting."

"Wait a bit now, I'm what?" Ben startled at the news.

"I would have said the most famous arsonist in town, but I wasn't the one writing. It's not entirely false, you know." She smirked. "I'm betting on the crime lord to understand the meaning, though that idiot Gilbet sure didn't. The official version only speaks of the fire and some unknown hero saving the councilman from it. No mention about stolen scrolls, so I'm guessing some of them were friggin' sensitive. Makes sense, Chaffaud was right nervous when I saw him, probably scared someone had read them." She grinned at him.

Ben swallowed down a piece of bread, he didn't know how to feel about the whole thing, but Mae's scheme was clever.

"It also means the Parkhat is sure to be interested in them. I guess we're lucky your little ghost has the letters, no one will think to look for those in the loonie bin." She continued.

"Then why the heck am I doin' all this shit?" Ben raised both hands in annoyance.

"Well, to avoid a trap of course. Finding the man ourselves means we could do things on our terms then. It would also earn his respect. I know the type, he'd be more inclined to work with us, instead of killing us." She explained.

"Us?" Ben frowned, she was only supposed to go to the doctor and get better. Now she wanted to deal with big name criminals?

"Anyway, I asked for a meeting a week from now, leaving the choice of time and place to him." She went on, ignoring his objection.

"Sounds generous, stupid though." Ben remarked.

"Of course it is, dumb boy. I just want to bait out a reply. That's why I'm working as a maid, see? When the answer comes, we have another shot at finding the crime king." She explained.

"Oh." Damn, Mae was a genius. "But now ya got a job fer him, so can't ya ask Gilbet fer a doctor?" He tried, hoping for a safer resolution.

"I ain't going to beg. We are going to meet the firggin' Parkhat, whether you like it or not." She scowled. She sure seemed interested in the man, Ben noted. "Now, I think you have a story for me too." She crossed her arms expectantly.

Ben told her how he had followed the hooded guy for two long hours. He was pissed about the whole adventure, he had been made a fool. His prey had taken him on a tour of Gravelroy and nothing had happened. The quarry had walked around town at a snail's pace, before coming back right where he had started. Then, because it was the original plan, Ben had waited for other runners exiting of the dock's hideout. He had tailed half a dozen messengers before returning here and taking a nap, exhausted. He told Mae of all the locations they stopped at.

"Hm. I don't think any of these spots is the right one. Let me see, the first is a tavern, a well-known one. You can find cutthroats for hire in there. Another is a thug's lair, then... " Mae mused out loud.

So he really had been working for naught, Ben concluded in disappointment. After finishing his meal, he stood up and sat closer to the roof's edge, resuming his watch. Mae was still racking her brains behind him. Ben's mind went to Cleo and the scrolls she now possessed. He had seen the way she had looked at them, like Mae with her pastries. The thief wondered what she could find in those. Cleo had asked him if he could bring more, but Ben had work to do at the moment. She had other worries right now anyway, he recalled the knife. He hoped she would not confront the monster with it, that'd be dangerous and stupid. He had given it to her just in case, so she could defend herself. The lass had said she'd wait until next month. Ben planned to be there when she would kill the priest, to make sure things went right. Something caught his eyes down the street, a man's shape exiting the criminal's den from the back.

"Oh, 'tis the lad. The slow one, that is." He remarked flatly. Mae raised an eyebrow.

"Follow him." She answered quickly. Ben frowned.

"Just go, bumpkin!" She commanded.

Ben didn't lose time and scrambled on his feet. He then climbed down from the roof, to land on the paved stones. He hastened towards the docks, caught up with the prey and slowed down a dozen paces behind. The guy was of average height and in the daylight, Ben could see his worn-out coat was brown. Like yesterday his hood was up and well, he walked through the crowd damn slow. Not much else to remark on, Ben didn't understand what Mae was thinking, sending him on such an errand. He thought it was going to be useless again, but she had obviously figured something out.

"Hey, cute boy!" A sensual, female voice spoke from beside him.

Ben tried to ignore it, until he felt an insisting tug on his sleeve. He paused and turned to shake off the intruder. A young and very, very attractive lass. She had sunny hair, full lips and deep blue eyes. Ben could see a lot of womanly bits, she had a revealing outfit. She was close, really close and her bits sure were interesting... -where's the prey?-.Ben reluctantly pushed the woman away and took off in a hurry.

Where had the damn brown coat gone to? Damn, there were a lot of folks on the docks at this time of the day. There he was! Ben sighed in relief. The man couldn't have gone far walking at that speed anyway. Ben could have stayed longer with the nice woman, she had seemed cold, wearing so few garments. He resumed his tailing, disappointed.

****

A little later in the evening, Mae was back at Gilbet's residence. She was scrubbing the floor in front of his study, her back hurting with the effort. How shiny did the frigging thing need to be anyway, she wondered. The woman was feeling weak and tired, despite eating better than she had for months. Her sickness had grown worse, it was getting hard hiding it. Just a little more, Mae told herself, and she would complete her plan. Maybe it was wishful thinking though, since Ben's job had brought up nothing so far. The whore had told him to follow the brown coat, having seen the man in this very house before. Mae had spotted him among Chaffaud's household last night, when she had brought back Sebastian. The residence was still busy with all the new lords and servants. The homeless Lord has been pacing up and down the hallways since, growing distressed by the day. She paused in her work, hearing footsteps coming down the corridor, and moved out of the way.

It was the frigging guy, the one Ben was tailing! She stilled her expression, hiding her surprise, and bowed. She felt a bit disappointed, for his features were plain. Chestnut, short hair and dark eyes, no beard and a blank look on his face. The man passed by her and went into Gilbet's office without knocking, closing behind him. Mae did not lose a second and rushed into the adjacent room, the library. The whore knew the house intimately, she had been its owner's lover after all. When court gossip and intrigue were your daily bread, you had to know where you put your bed. And so here she was, pulling books off a shelf, revealing a small hole in the wall behind. Good old Gilbet wouldn't use such means, but Mae had always been handy. She had never been against a little eavesdropping either.

"My employer had recently received an interesting letter. One brought by a courier of yours, I believe." Mae smirked, her plan had worked and the Parkhat had reacted.

"Let me see if I can recall... I think I might have a list of my correspondences somewhere." She would praise Gilbet for trying to defend her, if only he were more convincing. You sent the frigging thing yesterday you idiot, she rolled her eyes.

"I see. Our common friend will be sad to hear about your refusal to cooperate." He had a way to say 'friend' wich gave Mae goosebumps.

"I can assure you I am trying my hardest to recall. It is... my old age, you see..." The councilman's voice shook so much she felt sorry for him.

"In any case, I came to deliver a response. I trust that you will give it to that mysterious individual once your memory returns."

Mae almost cried out her joy. She for the sound of a door closing before hurrying to see the Lord. Once inside, she could see the poor man was white as nun's pants, and sweating profusely to boot.

"Ah, Maeva. I should have known for you to be here. Old habits do not die easily, as I can see." Gilbet said without mirth.

"I just happened to be in the mood for some reading. Coincidences and all." She grinned.

"I am afraid I cannot stall that person's requests for very long." He apologized.

"It was very brave of you, Gilbet." She bowed slightly. Late in his life as it had been, the man growing a spine was noteworthy.

"Then you could perhaps get rid of this missive for me." He said as he handed it to her. Mae considered asking him to read it to her but, seeing his face, gave up the idea.

"Don't worry, I will be out of your hair now. Thank you for everything, my lord." She curtsied her goodbye, and headed for the door.

"That was the least I could do, I finally have a son, thanks to you."

His voice came from behind her, and she waved a hand at him as she left. Mae had to hasten and leave now, the Parkhat was going to investigate the matter. She went to her small room in the servant's aisle and grabbed her things, before hurrying out. The woman was glad the brown coat had not pushed to know her identity, though it had surprised her. Gilbet would have folded under some more pressure. She shook her head, now was not the time. Mae had to pass the underworld king's reply on to Cleo if she wanted to know its contents. There were still a few days left before the meet, it might not be necessary, Ben was already following the right guy. Things were going well, even Sebastian's life was better now, she marveled. The woman realized she had missed her previous life, with all its intrigue and plots.

She crossed the courtyard, seeing many more guards than usual. Most were wearing chaffaud's livery, did he think someone was going to burn down this house as well? The letters in the lady's possession must be very important, judging by the lord's reaction. Mae passed the gate and headed towards the docks. There was something tugging at her mind, worrying her. It had been too easy, she realized. Brown coat had given up on her identity too quickly. She hurried forward, opening ears and eyes for pursuers. A faint, almost silent ruffling noise confirmed her suspicions. The whore was being followed, she was sure of it. The adversary had turned her plan on its head, using the response to bait her out. Ah! The guy was smart, though he wouldn't be such a legend if it was not the case. Mae was old and tired, but she'll make him sweat if he wanted to catch her. The middle-aged woman was not in the ground yet, she thought, and turned at a corner suddenly to begin her escape.