The building was in a sad state of disrepair, with patches of salvaged materials nailed to the exterior that made it look a bit like a quilt. It was an unassuming structure nestled on a crowded Undercity street, and in this particular slum, it was one of the buildings in the best shape. When Luna and her worn out gang got back to their hideout, they breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The past week had been hectic—it had given them all more than their fair share of peril. Everyone was eager to relax and lay low for a bit. The gang settled in right away, eating exotic food purchased from the festival vendors and playing cards. Luna’s younger brother, Lane, ran up to her hugging her tightly. “You’re finally home! I’m so happy to see you!” he said, shaking with excitement.
Luna crouched low, embracing him, “What happened to your eye?” Lane's right eye was swollen and bruised with purple and black dots above his cheek. His sister grabbed a washcloth and pressed it against his black eye. Lane winced but allowed his sister to go through the motions.
“Don’t be mad at me. The kids across the way said that you were gonna die on your trip. I told them they were no good rotten liars, and the witch was gonna take them.”
“And then?”
“And then we got into a fight over it. I’m okay though, I promise. I put up a pretty good fight. I don’t think they’ll mess with me again.” Lane said, smiling.
“What did I tell you about fighting?”
“I know. I know. You told me to focus on my schoolwork. But you’re such a good fighter sis. I just want to be like you when I grow up. I want to lead a gang of my own and have everyone need me.”
Luna ruffled the young boy's messy blonde hair, “If everything goes according to plan over the next few months, you’ll never have to get your hands dirty like me. I’m going to make sure we’re all well taken care of, okay?”
“It just makes me so mad when those jerks across the way say bad things about you. They don’t even understand or care about all the good that you and the gang does for them.”
“Ignore them, little monkey, they’ve got nothing better to do with their time. Now, how would you like to go get some treats from the festival food vendors? Take your friends with you and bring back some food for your classmates tomorrow.” She said, handing him a handful of copper coins.
“Really? Thanks sis! I’ll be home soon.” He shouted joyfully before running out the front door.
Luna waved to her brother before she slung a heavy bag over her shoulder and staggered her way down a steep and uneven staircase. The musty cellar was dimly lit by candles, she paused to watch as a rat scurried past her, disappearing into a hole in the wall. “Shards, it’d be nice not to have to share our home with rats one of these days.”
Mariska was sitting in a comfortable looking old chair that was covered in stains and holes. The pink haired girl was reading an old worn book silently. Without looking up from her book she commented dryly, “Hey now, I may not be the cleanest, but I don’t think it’s fair to call me a rat.”
The unexpected quip had Luna chuckling. “Oh shush, you…”
Sarcastically Mariska pretended to lock her lips and throw away the key. “Say, do you really think we have enough?”
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Luna opened the bag and ran her hand through the purple amethite crystals, “I think we finally do.” She said with smiling green eyes that lit up the dark room.
Mariska got up sluggishly and pushed an uneven wooden table from the middle of the room. Even though she was a small woman she slid the heavy table out of the way with the ease of a large man. Her pink hair fell in her face as she rolled up a tattered blue rug, revealing a hidden trap door waiting unassumingly beneath. Mariska reached into her shirt and pulled out a small key. She slid the key into a rusted iron lock and turned it. A quiet clicking sound rang out and she lifted the hatch. Warm, flickering candlelight illuminated the hidden crawlspace and a large stash of purple crystals.
Luna breathed in deeply, grinning before closing her eyes and falling back onto a cushy chair, “I want you to send a raven to Tyriel Tannathel’s agent in Cantrick. Let him know that we finally have all the amethite he requires and we’re ready to make the exchange.”
“Are you certain we can trust the elves?” Mariska asked.
Luna sat up biting into a bruised pear, “We don’t have many options unfortunately. Can’t just sell a horde of stolen amethite anywhere. The elves are desperate in Nisse. They’ll lose their war with Bohlkov and the Church of Embers if the conflict continues as it has over the past decade. This amount of amethite could turn the war in their favor if used properly.”
“50,000 Golden Crowns is more money than I ever thought I’d see in my life. If the elves have such a fortune, why don’t they just buy the amethite from someone else?”
“Denethor keeps an iron grip on the amethite his mines produce. Thus far he hasn’t entertained offers to sell or trade it with the other nations. A small amount has been stolen or exported but never in this quantity. The way I see it, he wants it to remain in Enthamere, ensuring he maintains an advantage over the rest of the world.”
“All the more reason we can’t let him find out we’ve been stealing the stuff. And we definitely can’t let him find out who sold it to the elves.”
“We’re on the same page there, that’s for sure.” Luna said, laughing at just the right time to diffuse the nervous energy filling the basement.
Mouse came bolting down the stairs, panicked and out of breath, “Luna, it’s the royal guard they’re out front in serious numbers. They say they’ve got a warrant for your arrest!”
Luna and Mariska both jumped up, looking at each other uneasily, “Hide all of the amethite and lock up the crawl space!” Luna whispered.
Mariska dumped the bag of amethite into the hatch and slammed it shut, locking it quickly and throwing the rug back over the top.
With an anxious sigh Luna put her hands on her head and closed her eyes before she started walking up the stairs, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this.”
The leader of the Blind Alchemists stepped up to the entrance, attempted to shake out her nerves, and opened the door. Standing in front of the building were fifty royal guards armed to the teeth. The chief inspector looked stoically at Luna, then slapped a pair of heavy manacles around her wrists with a loud clank. “Luna Stone, you’re under arrest for the murder of Queen Lillith Aveline.”