As the day turned to night, the few lazy guards that watched the harbor prison were all suprised by a knock on the door. They answered the door to see two young boys carrying a body with a sack over it's head. The body was in bad condition, with severly bloodied clothes and twisted appendages. The guards were in shock, suddenly raising a fuss as a messenger was sent out to gather the apothecary.

  "Excuse me," said one of the boys, "but is there a girl in here with red hair and freckles?"

  "You mean Christina? Yeah, she's a regular," the guard acknowledged. "If she stole from you, the city won't pay it and I doubt she still has the coin."

  "Brother, she's here!" the young boy shouted in glee. "Oh, mother will so happy that we finally found our sister!"

  "Sister?"

  "Yes," the other brother chimed in, "Christina was lost when we were kids, but we didn't have the money to come back and rescue her! Please, let me see her!"

  The guard led the two brothers back to the cells, stopping in front of one that had a teenage girl in the fetal position. She was wearing rags and had obvious bruises that covered her body. The two brothers were so infused, they sorrounded their sister with gentle hugs and tears.

  "Play along," whispered Goddard into the girl's ear.

  "Sister, do you remember me?" Paxton questioned, lifting Christina's face so that they could see eye to eye.

  Paxton saw a girl with a heartless gaze that no amount of fake smiles or fake tears could give light.

  "Brother!" Christina shouted, embracing Paxton and Goddard with a gentle hug. "Where's mum? Is she here?"

  "She's still out looking," Paxton said with a soothing voice. "Come on, we're taking you home."

  "I'm sorry," the guard said from the cell entrance, "but she needs to rest a few more nights in here. Unless you have bail to post."

  "I think that guy we brought in was on the wanted posters," Goddard mentioned innocently. "Can we just trade him for her?"

  "Sure, why not?" the guard agreed lazily. It probably wasn't any skin off of his nose to let Christina go, and the money he got from the bounty could go straight to his pocket. It wasn't a perfect plan, but it had worked so far.

  The two brothers helped their 'sister' out of prison and down the street. The crowd that had once ruled the streets had given way to the night life. Bars and taverns carried the sound of drunken ramblings and soothing music, but the brothers didn't stop at any point.

  The trio arrived at the central point of town where a large fountain with a bronze statue squatted. The brothers carried Christina over to the fountain, then set her beside it to give her a break.

  "Did Pete send you?" Christina asked, her warm demeanor gone. She dipped her hands into the water and splashed her face, washing away some dirt and blood. She had a pretty face, like a fox with big innocent eyes that gazed into the soul.

  "No, Pete is no longer in the picture," Goddard said gruffly.

  "So, what? Who's the new player?"

  "Me," Goddard said, getting his hands wet and washing Christina's arm. "I convinced Mr. Potter to release your debt, which means that I have your title."

  "I'm going to need to confirm this with Pete," Christina said, obviously wary of the two brothers.

  "That's going to be a bit difficult," Goddard said with a grin.

  "You passed by him in the prison," Paxton elaborated, "he was the dead body laying next to the door."

  Silence enveloped the air around Christina as if she had frozen time itself. Her gaze was a mile away, staring into the water as though it held the secrets of the world. She couldn't seem to process this, but she snapped out of her trance when Goddard put a gentle hand onto her shoulder.

  "It's over, Christina," Goddard said slowly. "Peter Potter isn't going to bother you anymore."

  "Then who is?" Christina demanded. "I was in debt to Peter, and debt doesn't go away! Who owns me now? Is it Williams? The fat mayor?"

  "If you want to be indebted to someone," Paxton spoke up, "then you owe the boy sitting next to you. He's the one who saved you."

  Christina glanced back at Paxton, then at Goddard. Goddard had a weak smile that communicated many confusing emotions. He seemed like a nice guy, the kind that Christina had taken advantage of all her life.

  "Why did you do it?" Christina had to ask.

  "Because I know you," Goddard said with a deep sigh. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, and there's a power inside of you that I want to use."

  "How am I supposed to believe you? I've just met you, but you sound like you've been stalking me for a long time."

  "Paxton, do the thing."

  Christina felt a hand on her head, then a sudden white light blinded her. It was over in a flash, but the thief girl was already up and ready to run. As she moved on reflex, it didn't occur until a moment later that her aches had disappeared. She was no longer in pain, even the deep gouge in her stomach didn't feel like sliding steel. Her hands roamed her body tentatively, checking to see if she could find the bruises once more.

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  When her vision cleared, Christina was met with the sight of Paxton and Goddard. The two brothers were basked in poor light, but the shadows accented their more adult features. Paxton looked like a human wrecking machine with a rough face, but his eyes had a light behind them that was hard to describe. Goddard was an athletic fellow with pretty-boy features and a bright smile, but his eyes had a darkness behind them that hid a horrible secret.

  Christina was in some stage of shock that only extended as the two brothers were sorrounded by a strange energy. Paxton had a white mist that sorrounded him like a thick fog, while Goddard had red flames that slowly flickered.

"We're magicians, Christina," Goddard stated, "and we think you're one, too. We have an entourage going to Wizeman, and I want you to come with us."

  Christina was beyond the realm of her expectations, everything was happening so quickly, it was hard to take in. She had a lot to think about, but the brothers expected an immediate answer.

  "If you're scared, that's understandable," Goddard sighed in resignation. "Being told by strangers that all of your troubles are gone and that you have an easy chance for a better life, that's not something that happens every day. I understand if you can't take that leap of faith."

  "Come on, we need to get back to the inn," Paxton told Goddard, then the two brothers turned around. They took three steps, then they heard a soft chuckle from behind them.

  "The funny thing is, I know you're playing me," Christina laughed, "but you're right."

  "So, you're coming?" Paxton asked.

  "I'll join you in the morning. For right now, there're some things I need to do before I leave this town."

  "Don't be late," Goddard said, then the two brothers turned and continued back towards the inn.

  Halfway there, Paxton asked, "Why didn't you tell her the truth?"

  "What truth?"

  "That you love her," Paxton stated with absolute certainty.

  Goddard was silent for a long time, until the moment that they were almost upon the door. Goddard stood there, holding the handle to the inn as he thought about something he didn't want to share.

  "The Christina that I fell in love with died at the hands of a demon lord," Goddard solemnly admitted. "I watched it happen, and it kills me every time I think about it. With the things that we've been changing, I don't even know if the Christina that I love is going to exist in the future. She might turn out completely different. Besides, I fell in love with her because of a thousand tiny moments in our past. That might not happen again."

  "What are you talking about?" Paxton slapped his brother on the back of the head. "If you truly love her, then it doesn't matter what she was or what she will be. All that matters is that you love her now, and that she knows it."

  "Oh, that's... thanks, Paxton," Goddard told his brother sincerely. "By the way, weren't you supposed to stay close to Mini at all times to keep the illusion up?"

  "Actually, she's been here the whole time," Paxton said, stepping to the side. Where was once a cobblestone street turned into a red girl with small horns and curly, black hair. She was suckling on a stick of hardened caramel, looking up at Goddard with an innocent smile.

  Paxton's happiness drained immediately, so he pushed his way into the inn with an angry frown.

  "Paxton, what is 'love'?" Mini asked.

  "It's a feeling you get after you spend a lot of time with someone," Paxton stated before turning Mini back into a cheeky brunette kid.

   Christina limped her way through the back alleys, navigating the labyrinth until she arrived behind the docks at a warehouse. The warehouse was lit up inside with a large group of burly sailor-types rummaging around in the candle light. 

   "Where've you been?" one of them demanded in a surly tone. 

   "I'm out on good behavior," Christina sneered, showing no fear in front of the big guy. 

   The big guy curled his lip, returning the sneer, then pulled his arm back and slapped the child across the face. The smack silenced the room as Christina went down. She landed hard on her butt, caught off guard by the sudden violence. 

   "Watch yer fuckin tounge," the thug warned with a pointed finger. "Tha nex'time you're pissin' about while we're gettin' our arses handed to us, I'm guttin' ya!" 

   Christina was in shock that she had just gotten smacked. Normally, Peter was the only one allowed to hit her, unless someone was given permission. 

   "I'm telling!" screamed Christina, getting defiantly to her feet. 

   The thug pulled his arm back again, but the girl was wary and jumped back a little. 

   "Go to the fuckin' moon," cursed the sailor. "Peter's dead. You've got nobody to protect ya, and the only reason I've not broken you yet is out of respect for his memory." 

   Christina felt a cold shiver go down her spine. The boys had been telling the truth. Peter Potter had actually been killed. 

   But nobody had the skill to do it. Peter was the boss for a good reason, he had magic and swordsmanship to put his money where his mouth is. He had served time as a mercenary through a few large battles, and he wasn't one to boast about it. 

   "Who did it?" Christina demanded, her voice quite and tamed from the shock. 

   "Two boys," said a ragged homeless man tending to an unconcious member. "They kicked the doors down and rampaged in here like demons. They moved like water, breaking apart." 

   "One," interjected a guy whose arm was heavily bandaged. "It was just one of them." 

   Christina felt a deep sensation of emotions she couldn't understand. Fear was prevalent, but fear of Peter dead, the kid who killed him, and what she was going to do now. She felt angry that she couldn't get her own kicks in, but also that she had been sleeping when it had happened. She felt relief that her debt was gone, but a hidden harboring horror that someone would try to pick it up. 

   'That kid,' Christina thought, 'he beat Peter Potter. He should own my debt, but he didn't call me on it. Why?' 

   'Maybe he doesn't actually own it,' she thought, 'maybe the mayor paid them, and now the slimy bastard is coming for me! The mayor! But the kid did the deed, so the debt goes to him. I have to stop him from passing it on!' 

   Christina turned and ran, despite the pain in her leg and face. She ran through the alleys, into the streets, then into the tavern. The tavern keeper looked at her with a sneer, but a whistle caught her attention. 

   Sitting against a wall wearing the same clothes as before, Goddard beckoned for her to come closer. 

   "What do you want?" she demanded, softening her tone to not offend her new debtor.

   "You," said Goddard with a smile. 

   "For the night?" 

   "Gods, no. We're too young. I want you to BE something for me." 

   "What's that?" 

   "A thief," Goddard said smuggly, "the BEST thief. I want you to train like your life depends on it, because I'm going to call on your debt, and I'm going to make you pay every penny." 

   Christina knew it. She knew no good samaritan would just capture her debt without strings attached. 

   "What for?" she asked, wary of what she was getting into. 

   Goddard sat back and looked around, seeing who was listening. 

   "A war is coming," he cautioned. "A war the likes of which the world has never seen. I plan to play an important part in that war, and I need your help." 

   Christina felt her stomach turn over, although she hid it well. She was thief, not an assassin. She didn't kill people, and she certainly didn't fight wars. 

   "What if I say no?" she asked. 

   "Then you can leave," said Goddard in a husky voice, "and when the war comes, you will die like everyone else." 

   The threat was so vague, Christina wasn't sure what sort of force the little boy could be referring to that spelled her doom. 

   "It's your choice," said Goddard, standing up and turning around, "but your debt is mine. You can come with us to Wise, learn to use your magic, or leave and do things your own way. Either way, I'll make good on your debt." 

   Goddard walked away, leaving Christina there to think about what sort of turn her life had suddenly taken.