Light boots clicked on the marble floor as Kaemal ran down the long hallway. Outside, the full moon threw shadows off of the priceless artifacts and portraits that lined the gold-trimmed walls. The sound of clinking metal followed him at a hurried pace. Kaemal gave a heavy exhale and pushed forward as quickly as he could.

He sped down the extravagant halls when he came to a sharp, right turn. As he rounded the corner, he slid on the slick ground and a gold idol flew from a pouch in his jacket. With a quick reaction, the man caught it and he let out a sigh of relief as he tried to settle his breath.

"There he is, get the rat," a voice rang out behind him.

Kaemal quickly stowed his loot back in its pouch and extended his hands. Without a word, they summoned a slick liquid that covered the floor behind him.

Not going as planned, Kaemal thought as he continued down the dark corridor. Not long after, he heard a crash of metal behind him as he gave a wry smile.

***

The sun beat down on Kaemal as he stood looking up, high above the dusty street.

“I don’t know about this one, Genji,” the young man said with uncertainty.

In the distance, high above them stood a building of impressive make. It had marble pillars that stretched high above the ground and large windows that overlooked the city.

“What is there not to know? We came all this way to make money. Clearly, everything we have been trying has not worked. We need something to break our way. Who better to help us than this guy?” Genji slapped his friend’s back as if to instill some of his confidence in Kaemal.

"I hate these golden buckets as much as you, but to steal from a Duke? We should stick to honest work, or at least work that won’t get us killed.”

“It has been what, five months since we have come to Vaelor? Days on end to travel here? We need something big if want to go back west, back home. Besides, I haven’t even told you the best part.”

“And what is that?” Kaemal asked dryly.

Persuading someone to do something was an art for Genji. He took his time and tried to be theatrical with every twist and turn. After all this time on the road, trying to make some gold, Kaemal was about over his friend’s games.

“Come with me, there is someone I want you to meet.”

Kaemal gave one final look at the looming villa as he followed his friend down the congested, urban road.

***

Genji lead his friend into a small hut that was made of dried mud. The door was made from a tattered rug. Inside, there was a large man with a thick beard and bald head. He wore an apron and gloves as Kaemal realized this was a workshop, or was at least meant to look like one.

“In the back,” was all the man said in his deep voice.

Without a word, the two went to a back room that as furnished with a few worn chairs and a dusty table. The only light came from slits in the wooden boards on the windows. When they entered, a man was already seated at the table. He was slender and dressed in black cloth and leather.

“Ah, Faris,” Genji said with his arms wide. “How are you today?”

“Genji,” the man said with a bow. “Is this our burglar?”

Genji gave Kaemal a proud slap on the back. “Yes, it is. This is Kaemal.”

Kaemal felt uneasy about this stranger knowing their names. He could not place it, but there was something about the man that seemed off. The man was dressed different, but had the same shaggy, black hair, and same short beard as them. If he had not known better, this Faris could have been a long, lost brother.

Maybe that is the point, Kaemal thought. Wouldn’t put it past those Vaelorans to put a plant down in the streets to catch people trying to make quick coin.

“Good to meet you, Kaemal,” Faris said with a nod.

“Likewise,” Kaemal said cautiously. “Now, what exactly are we doing?”

***

Faris took a swig of wine that the large man had brought in as he took out the blueprints of a home.

“This is the residence of Vaelor’s great Duke Dresden. High up in its lofty holds there are vast riches you could never imagine.”

Genji nudged Kaemal as he said, “Money they got from our people.”

Kaemal looked up to Faris, “Is that true?”

Faris nodded, “Dresden is a retired general of the Vaeloran royal army. Officially, wealth won on campaign goes to the crown for proper distribution to the army, but it is well known these high-ranking officials skim a bit off the top.”

“More like a whole fortune off the top,” Genji added excitedly. There was a twinge of anger in his voice.

“So, the plan is get in and get out as quickly as possible?” Kaemal asked.

“Sort of, there is a gold idol,” Faris said. “People from your region of Umarlad have been looking for this relic for quite some time. They are willing to pay a large sum of gold for its return. We get that and we are rich beyond our wildest dreams. Everything else is extra.”

“What is the idol for?” Kaemal asked.

Faris rolled his eyes. “I do not know. It has something to do with the connection to a god. They think it will bring back the magical power they need to reclaim their independence from Vaelor.”

Genji whistled, “That is hopeful thinking for one item.”

“The why does not matter,” Faris said, clearly getting frustrated at all the questions. “We have a plan. Kaemal and I will enter from the rooftop,” he stopped to point at a ceiling window over the treasure room. “If you are as good as your friend says you are at climbing, we should have no issue.”

“I am,” Kaemal said defiantly.

“Good,” Faris nodded. “We enter the room, take what we can, and make our way through these corridors. Then, our out is through the sewer. That is where Genji will be to make sure the way is clear.”

“Then what?” Kaemal asked. “Do we just run the rest of the way out of Vaelor?”

Genji cut in, “No, I have arranged for the fastest wagon I could find. The driver is an old friend that also wishes to return back to Umarlad.”

“I imagine there should be high security,” Kaemal said as he studied the blueprints.

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Faris shook his head. “In that part of the city, there is less than you would think. Some guards inside, but they are looking for people on the street. We will be in the sky. Besides, not just anyone would try to break into the house of a duke.”

“Maybe there is a reason for that,” Kaemal said, still unsure.

“Maybe,” Faris shrugged. “But from what I hear, you are a fairly decent mage. Anyways, you boys want money? This is how you get it quickly. Kaemal, you will meet me here at midnight. If we can get to this alleyway undetected, we should have a smooth path onto the roof.”

Faris handed Kaemal a small map with a location circled. With that, he and Genji shook hands with the man and were off.

***

“How long have you known this guy?” Kaemal asked as they left the small building and walked the streets.

“I met him yesterday. One of the workers down at the mill told me about him. Why, what is wrong?” Genji asked.

Kaemal scoffed, “Doesn’t this seem a bit strange to you? I don’t trust him. It could be a setup.”

Genji shrugged, “Maybe, but we aren’t getting by on our own. At this rate, it will be years until we can return home with anything to show for it. Besides, with my silver-tongue and your magic, there isn’t anything we cannot do. This kingdom has taken everything from our people, it is about time we take something back.”

Kaemal was sill unsure as they walked on in silence.

Genji reached for his satchel, “That reminds me, here is a potion for the glass. It should work just like that job we did out west. As for me, I got a little surprise for the Duke in case things don’t go our way.”

His friend flashed a stone sphere that looked to be blasting powder.

“You are never one to shy away from making a scene,” Kaemal said with a smile. “Just be sure it is for a distraction only. We are not killers and I do not want anyone dying on our account.”

“Don’t worry, everything will go well. This time tomorrow, we will be headed home.”

Genji punched Kaemal in the shoulder and they both laughed as they went off to find a hot meal.

***

Darkness vailed the beautifully paved roads as Kaemal slunk in the shadows, dressed in all back. So far, Faris’ instructions had worked out well. There was a wall that separated the lower city from these upper neighborhoods. Normally, a commoner such as Kaemal would not be permitted to pass, but a young guard posted at one of the smaller gates was already paid-off to let him through.

After the gate, Kaemal made it to the tight alleyway where Faris was waiting for him. The man was leaning against the brick wall as he said, “Ready to climb?”

Kaemal looked up at the brick wall that seemed to stretch forever into the darkness. He let out a breath and nodded to his companion.

Scaling the building was more difficult than Kaemal expected. He was given spiked gloves that clung tightly to the wall, but their destination laid hundreds of feet above them.

“Keep up,” Faris called down. “You need to be moving faster.”

Kaemal rolled his eyes and continued on.

***

At last, they made it to the roof of the Duke’s home. The two hunched low to keep from the whipping wind and any watchful eyes. As they walked, Kaemal slipped on the roof that was damp from an evening rain.

“Over here,” Faris called from the edge of the glass skylight. “Do you have our way in?”

Kaemal nodded, “This should do the trick.”

He took out a small, old bottle of clear, viscous fluid. He emptied it onto the glass and spread it all around. In a matter of moments, he pressed on the glass and his hands went through. It was as if the glass turned into a bubble that would not pop when touched.

Faris whistled, “Potion-masters will never cease to amaze me.”

Kaemal looked far below to the room of countless treasures. As he looked on, his body froze. He was unable to move anything as he fell to the side.

A chilling laugh came out. “You little desert rat. You thought you could steal from one of the most powerful Vaeloran families and get away with it? I know your friend is not too bright, but I thought you would have sniffed out this trap. Serves you right for thinking any of you could outwit a Vaeloran.”

Kaemal laid on his back and tried to murmur obscenities at his captor, but his mouth would not move. Some spell from his betrayer had a hold on him.

“Shh,” he replied. “Do not be too hard on yourself. I have been doing this for a long time. We have a nice operation setup to catch you scum. One more criminal off of the streets and off to a work camp. There, you can finally be useful.”

The man went to bind Kaemal’s hands as he slipped on the roof. He cursed and slammed against the stone. In that moment, Kaemal realized he could move again. He sprang to his feet and readied himself for a fight.

The other man squared off against him as he drew out a blade. Kaemal came with lighting-fast blows that threw the man off balance. His attacker came back with a vengeance and tackled Kaemal to the ground. They rolled around, trading blows, neither able to get an upper hand.

In the skirmish, Kaemal was able to form him hands together. He shouted thundi in a commending voice.

A blue shockwave came form his hands and threw the man back. He slid down the side of the roof and was unable to regain his balance as he fell from the side of the building.

Kaemal let out a sigh and wiped the sweat from his brow. His first instinct was to run, but he thought of the mission. He thought of succeeding and returning home.

If there is any hope this whole thing was not blown, I have to try and finish this, he thought.

He made his way back to the window. The man had brought a rope for them to repel down into the room, so he tied it off and made his way tot he bottom.

There were weapons mounted all over the walls. Rows of books filled the floor along with a number of different sculptures. He walks through the aisles of grand items in wonder. Then, he saw the prize.

A golden idol sat in the center of the room upon a table. It was a man who was seated with his arms crossed. From what the idol lacked in intricate detail, it made up for in mystery.

Kaemal felt a strange energy coming off of the object. It was clear that there was some magic that it possessed. The very air around it seemed to vibrate the closer he got to it.

Maybe it really can bring some power back to my people, he thought as he approached it.

Right before he grabbed it, a voice came from the ceiling.

“Intruder!”

Kaemal looked up to see Faris starting daggers at him as he went to repel himself down. The clanging of armor could be heard form down the hall. In a flash, he grabbed the idol and ran out of the room as quickly as he could.

***

A few more turns and Kaemal was nearing the sewers. Flights of stone stairs plunged into the floors as torches dances in the darkness. Another turn and he would be at the entrance.

He took a sharp left and came face to face with a tall slender man. It was Faris. He was backed by five guards that were dressed in golden armor. They had their broad shields out and completely blocked the way out.

Faris clapped as he walked forward. “Very good, you have done a fine job. After we wipe your mind, you should be a valuable asset for our operations.”

Just then, the villa shook from a blast upstairs. Stones shook from the ceiling and a wave of heat flew down through the passageway.

Genji, Kaemal thought.

“I thought you said that you got the other one already,” Faris barked as he turned to the guards.

Kaemal did not hesitate. He threw out his hands and the same, slick liquid was thrown onto Faris and the guards. The slander man slipped as he turned back to face him. Then, Kaemal ran forward and put his hands to the floor as he yelled thundi.

The young man was thrust upward and over his adversaries as they were all thrown down into the liquid. When he landed, Kaemal was facing the door to the sewers, where he ran through and down the dark, wet passageways to freedom.

***

The man ran down the tubes of the sewers turning right and left through the maze. Occasionally, he would slide down the steep drops until he came to an exit that was marked with a ‘U.’

He climbed out of the sewer and found a man in a wagon drawn by two horses. There looked to be plenty of provisions and a clear road out of the city.

Kaemal looked west where he knew the open lands of his homeland stood. The task had been completed. He was free to return home with riches that would satisfy his for the rest of his life. Only one thing was missing, Genji.

“Where is Genji?” Kaemal asked the man.

“How am I supposed to know?” he responded anxiously. “I heard that blast, do you think they got him?”

Kaemal looked back into the sewer. He was almost sure they got him and if they hadn’t yet, he needed help.

“Come on, let us go,” the man beckoned him. “Forget your friend, we have what we need.”

Without a word, Kaemal dropped the idol and turned back to the vast city with the Duke’s home looming high on the hill. “Leave if you must, I am going to get my friend.”

Then, Kaemal ran back into the sewer tunnel, back into the city to find Genji.