Earlier in the evening, Ben was bored out of his mind as he walked. He entered the blacksmith's street, the ambient noise and heat proved a welcome change of pace. Folks sure made a lot of weapons in Gravelroy. It was weird, he thought, in a city which had no real army and took no part in the wars. Maybe it was for all the criminals then? Looking closer to confirm his assumption, the thief could see a lot of swords and shields inside the shops. That made for a shitton of steel, he was surprised for the metal was a rarity back in the Wilds. Armor was also a common item here, not for cutthroats then, Ben concluded. Anyone carrying something bigger than a dagger would risk arrest in these parts. Plus all the stuff he saw was more expensive than what regular thugs and muggers could afford.

The reason for his previous boredom was a couple dozen paces ahead of him. Brownie, that was how Ben called him now. Well, Brownie had been keeping a slow pace for an hour, following the same path as the night before. This whole business was not tracking, it was just damn walking. But Mae had told him to do it, so here Ben was, tailing the damn long coat. If only Brownie would do something or change his course, the thief complained. He needed sleep, wine, a distraction even... The young man sighed when he saw the docks ahead of him, signaling the end of the loop. A welcome sight brightened an otherwise dull night. Ben found Mae trying to climb up to his usual roof, cursing as she did.

"Get down old hag, yer too weak fer this." He scolded her from bellow.

"You little..." She paused, recognizing him. The woman was wearing her servant outfit and seemed tired to Ben, tired and... excited. Or was it scared?

"What's the trouble?" He asked as he helped her descent to the back alley.

"I had to leave Gilbet's place in haste. I gave that hood bastard the slip, I still friggin' got it, lad! We better hurry though, I think he knows you're tailing him." She blurted out in a frenzy.

"A'right"

Ben obviously needed an explanation for the whole ruckus, but Mae's safety came first. They went in direction of the slums, threading silently through the night, watchful of their surroundings. After a while and no sign of tailing, Ben shot an asking glance to his companion.

"He answered back, he did! The Parkhat I mean, I got a response and all. Brown coat brought it." She whispered.

"Now, how that's possible? ‘Been followin' him fer an hour, and I jus’ came back." He frowned.

"Ah! I knew it! He's been fooling you all along. I suspected it when you told me, but now I'm sure." Her customary smirk accompanied the declaration. Ben sighed.

"Let's hear it."

"So the guy you followed, it's not him. He was at the residence at the same time." She began.

"So yer sayin’... there's another brown coat? Or a whole bunch of ‘em?" Ben's eyes widened. He did not like the prospect of more of the bastards.

"It's an explanation, but that doesn't explain sir walk-in-circles. I think there's a real one and a decoy. You told me about the distraction, the guys blocking you." She pointed.

"There's been a nice lass as well, she had... Damn!" Ben cursed his own carelessness.

"Best tracker in the Wilds, my arse!" She scolded him, but Mae seemed too happy about her conclusions to be really angry.

"Damn. Guy's good though, gotta give him that. Only lost sight fer a second or two. Ya tellin' me he gave the coat to someone else no, he switches with another lad? He pays a lad to walk around town dressed as him?" Ben concluded, astonished.

"Sounds like it, yes. Maybe he does it every time he goes out, or only when he spots a tail, I'm not sure." She mused out loud.

They finally arrived at their shack and Mae let ou a breath of relief once inside. She lit up a candle and set out to brew some tea.

The thief on the other hand, felt pissed. There were few things at which he was talented. He was good at killing, even if he didn't look the part, Mae had said. Ben wasn't so sure, he was alive and breathing, so you could say he never really lost. Though being good didn’t help much against a lucky blow or stray arrows. Some lads could spin swords and knives really fast, impressing folks into cheering or clapping. Those could be called good yes, but it was useless against plate armor anyway. Hunting and in this case, tracking, were different matters. Ben was the best at those, he would never let a prey get away. And so losing a prey not once, but twice, was an insult to his skill. Damn Brownie.

"Here." She handed Ben a hot cup, he took it gratefully. "You have to give this to your little ghost, to read I mean." She said afterward, pulling the Parkhat's letter from under her dress.

"Coudn't Gilbet have done it?"

"I asked enough favors of him, I think I got the Lord into trouble. Plus, the smaller our circle the better." She explained.

Ben wondered if she was a bit soft on the guy. He seemed nice enough, taking care of Mae and Sebastian, plus he gave her good food. He also got Ben rid of the brat, so he decided he liked this particular nobleman.

"A'right. I need to check on her anyway." He nodded. At last, he would know if Cleo was fine or not.

"Sure, get on with it. Ask her if she found anything in the scrolls. They seems important enough to make Chaffaud friggin' piss himself. And..."

She was interrupted by someone pouding on their door. Ben drew his knife as soon as he heard it, and turned to face the noise, tensed.

"Holy nut! I was sure we weren’t followed, you?" She whispered.

"Aye, seen nothin', heard nothin'." He frowned.

"Open up, or I break this shit hole down! We can see the light, we know you're in there!" Came a rough, male voice from outside. Ben glanced towards Mae in askance.

"It's your kind of stuff, lad. You call it." She said, stepping aside.

The thief signaled her to take a peek through the gaps on their walls, while he drew closer to the entrance. Mae complied, before shaking her head, seeing nothing through the dark. Ben waited for the caller to grow impatient and knock a second time. He didn't hesitate when it came. He kicked the door open with all his strength, and pounced. The newcomer was a huge man, wearing lots of scars and even more muscles. It didn't do him much good though, lying on his back stunned with the impact. A door to the face would do that to a person. Ben landed atop of him, knees on the big arms and knife to the thug's throat. His victim froze when he felt the blade draw a little blood, staring at Ben's face, inches away from his.

"Everyone calm down, please." A man's voice, low and firm.

It brought Ben's attention to his surroundings. Half a dozen men, shaped like the one he currently sat on, surrounded the house. They wore the traditional cutthroat black leathers, sleeveless to show off as much biceps as tattoos. Daggers, axes, and knives stood in their hands, reflecting moonlight ominously. Ben cursed at the sight, damn trouble those were. A hazel-colored shape behind them grabbed his stare. Brownie was here, his hand stretched out to steady his henchmen. Ben startled, the picture didn't fit with his image of the boring guy.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Now, if you would let go of my associate, please. I believe we could find a peaceful resolution then." He told Ben, who didn't comply. He was not going to abandon an hostage while in so much shit.

"Damn. Looks like quite the pickle. One toppled with a friggin' load of shit." Mae commented behind him, confirming his opinion. "I'm just asking, but it seems like too much, right Ben?"

"Them huge bastards? Only got a knife. Can gut one maybe, two if I'm real lucky." Ben answered, considering the situation. "Not counting this one, 'course." He amended, referring to his seat.

"And I'm too old to run." She nodded. "So, what do you want gentlemen?" She spat the word. Ben admired her calm for he sure wasn't, he wanted to run or piss himself. Maybe both.

"First I must congratulate you for losing my men during your escape from Gilbet's domain." Brown coat told. His face was hidden under the hood. Ben let Mae do the talking.

"How did you find us?" Mae frowned.

"I had to use a rather crude method, I'm afraid." Brownie said, pointing somewhere behind him. Ben glanced in that direction and noticed another guy holding a sleepy kid. It was the damn brat! He thought, recognizing Sebastian.

"Now, how did you know it was me then?" The whore questioned.

"Please. We received a request for a meeting. One coming out of Gilbet's house, right after a mysterious son appeared at the very same place. Not long afterward, I see a new maid working on the lord's domain. One can't go very far in our line of work by ignoring such coincidences." He explained.

"Damn, I'm stupid, didn't think you'll figure it out that quick. Must be getting too old for this." She shook her head at her mistake. "So, what do you want? Apart from scaring little children and old ladies?" She said, now angry.

"Nothing too complicated. Only a discussion, and perhaps some missing scrolls." He shrugged.

"Now is when we say we don't have them, and your big lads growl a bit. Then Ben here growls, before blood starts spilling on my friggin' porch. Am I right?" Mae raised an eyebrow.

"That would be the usual course of events, yes." The faceless man answered. Ben was sure he heard a grin in his voice.

"So let's save everyone some time and have a chat, you and me. You can't be afraid of an old woman, can't you? Before you ask, I ain't letting one of those friggin' brutes pat me down." Mae said, with a commanding voice. Ben marveled, how did she do it in this situation?

"It means the goods are some place else. That, or you're a remarkable bluff." He answered as he drew close, accepting the request.

Both the speaker and Mae stretched their arms, palm open, signaling their respective men to stay back. They stopped in the middle of the standstill, two paces away from one another. They looked to Ben like two of those fancy generals before a battle, gauging each other while exchanging politenesses.

"Is this the base of your whole operation?" Brownie asked. Dawn had come at some point, and he could now see the decrepit shack better. "You managed to upset my employer quite a bit from this... I don't know whether to be impressed, or insulted, really." He mused out loud.

"Leave the boy be." The whore scowled, ignoring his comment.

"I have no qualms against the child, he has proved himself useful, showing us the way here. Very well, as a show of good faith, so we can get negotiations on the way. Bring him back to Gilbet’s." He gestured to the henchman holding Sebastian, who nodded and left with his hostage.

"What's your offer for the letters?" Mae asked, once the brat was out of sight.

"Straight to the point, I see. Well, your lives would be my initial proposal." He said, matter-of-factly.

"Ah! I'm dying, you tit! You'll have to do better than that." She shot back with a sneer.

"Then what could be your price be, I wonder?" He seemed a bit taken aback by the insult.

"Ya get Mae a doctor, Brownie, and a good one. No, the best one." Ben interrupted loudly. She gave him a nasty glare for it.

"And I get to meet HIM." She added, turning back to the hood.

"I must admit my surprise, I was expecting something very different. Gold, coin, or jewels are the common choice in these situations." The mysterious figure commented.

"Well, if you have some to spare I wouldn't say no." Mae remarked with a grin.

The man stayed silent, pondering the bargain for a long, tense minute. Ben went back to consider his enemies, evaluating his chances. Half a dozen thugs were staring at him, weapons at the ready. The poor bastard under him had calmed down a bit now, he would be ready to pounce at the first opportunity. Ben needed a spear or a sword if he wanted any kind of fighting chance. Damn, the situation was still shitty all around, he concluded.

"I can provide the healer, there shouldn't be any problem. As for the second request, sadly, I cannot speak for my employer. I can only promise that I will bring the matter up to him." The hood offered, breaking the silence.

"I want guarantees, I ain't throwing everything away on your word only. You are going to..." Mae protested.

"Done." Ben interrupted.

All eyes went to him in an instant. He stood up and sheathed his weapon, before stepping away from the thug on the ground, and raised both hands in surrender.

"You little shit!" Mae shouted in outrage.

"She get the best care money can buy. Startin' now. I go get them scrolls." Ben ignored her, addressing Brownie.

"It seems a reasonable compromise, a hostage until the missives are delivered." He accepted

"You friggin' traitor! How can you? After everything?" Mae screamed.

"No followin' me, Brownie. If ya do, I burn the damn things. Ya know I will." Ben warned the thugs.

"I understand that you have a famous penchant for arson, yes. My associates will leave you alone then." He nodded, and signaled his men.

The thugs went on to grab the woman, who tried to fight back desperately, scratching and biting. She yelled at Ben all the while, enraged like a rabid dog. He averted his eyes and walked away unchallenged. The thief did not let Mae's reaction get to him, she could yell at him all she wanted after getting a doctor. Did she take him for a fool? He had seen her kerchief, and the blood on it. The coat was probably not going to wait for long, Ben had to find Cleo and the scrolls, and quick.

****

The sun had risen and the morning fog was dispersing when he arrived at the church. Ben didn’t want to waste time sneaking through the back and the sewers again. So he headed straight for the entry gate. The thief was a bit disappointed to find it unattended, punching the statue guy would have felt nice. The young man rushed towards the large front door and found it slightly opened.

"As I already told you, we don't know why brother Gregory was here. We all left together soon after dark." A white robed man spoke, irritated.

"Maybe he came back for something, you should ask Albert, he's tending the gate at night." Another one proposed, his voice sounding heavy with grief.

"And you have no idea where the girl has ran off to?" An armed man in flashy livery asked.

"She couldn't have gone far… the lass was out of her mind, drooling at all times." An old woman said between tears.

Ben recognized the godfolks, he had seen them leaving the place a few times. The three stood at the other end of the hall, in front of the altar. They were interrogated by a fellow dressed in flashy livery. Those were Chaffaud's colors, he recognized the uniform now. What was the lord's part in all this, Ben wondered, he didn't recall anything that connected the guy to Cleo. The thief was in no mood to wait for the enquiry to end, so he rushed in their direction and drew his weapon. The priests startled when seeing him, only too late to react.

"Now, yer goin' to answer some questions yerself." He growled from behind the soldier, his blade at the man's throat.

"Who..." The guy paused and nodded weakly. Good lad, obedient, Ben noted. The rest stood frozen in fear a few paces away.

"What happened here?" The thief’s voice was firm.

"There was a murder, name's Gregory. The girl's gone away and..."

The hostage's explanation was interrupted by a loud scream. The elderly nun was calling for help, having recovered from the shock. Everyone else was surprised by it for a moment. Shortly after, Ben heard metallic sounds, armors clicking as their owners came in a hurry down the stairs. Half a dozen soldiers rushed in the room and stopped, taking in the scene. They quickly recovered and held their spears in a threatening gesture. Another figure arrived moments later, and both he and Ben startled in recognition at the same time.

"You!" Chaffaud roared. "Men, seize him! That miscreant is the one who stole my property, he probably burned down my domain as wel!" He ordered. Ben swallowed hard.

"Now, everyone calm down, please." He tried Brownie's line. "No need fer blood."The thief added, making a showing with his blade and his prisoner's neck. The lord's troops paused at the gesture, their resolve shaking together with their lances.

"Grab him! Ignore the hostage!" The councilman shouted. Ben cursed, it had worked better for the hooded guy.

The lord's men advanced but carefully still, not wanting their comrade's death. Ben wanted desperately to find Cleo, but facing six spears using only a knife didn't sound good. He grunted in frustration and stepped back in the alley, using the benches to funnel his opponents. He kept his living shield in front of him, dragging the lad as he drew closer to the exit behind. The man was trembling as he stared at pikes inches away from his face. Maybe he was even more scared than Ben. Meanwhile, Chaffaud was enraged, yelling at his servants to charge. The thief had to act soon, the attackers were about to give up on their companion’s safety. Now a few paces away of the exit, Ben pushed his captive forward with all his strength. The man landed in a jumble of benches, lances, and cries of surprise. Ben used the resulting confusion to run away at full speed.

He needed to find Cleo. He needed help. Ben looked at his knife and sighed, a goddamn weapon would be nice too.