A plan. Alister needed a plan. The princess had graced them with lodging, as how they conquered the test, so he had a few days to make one. He would’ve liked Maya’s help, but she was talking to a noble who had seen her skill. Even though it was belittled by Alister’s. He liked being better than others. He did not shove his skills down other people’s throats.

The room he had been granted was fairly large. It had tan walls and blue carpet, bookshelves lined one wall whereas windows lined another. A bed, couch, and CRT-TV took up the rest of the space. He had only seen them in bars, where he stole some of the expensive wine for a fence.

He had wanted to taste it, but he knew he shouldn’t. Yes, he was a thief, but he wouldn’t want to drink, as it might harm his skills.

The war might give me the upper hand. If I orchestrate this carefully, I could steal more than that. I could get more riches.

The war had been raging for years. Some of the citizens of Lithon were refugees. They were only a small percentage of the population. Other underground cities cropped up during the war. Alister liked their train of thought in choosing each place. Most had chosen places with abandoned mines.

But how would I incorporate the war into this? I can’t have him hurt, lest I lose my pay.

Alister knew he would solve this. He always found solutions. Maya’s help was always appreciated. He didn’t always need it.

He had teamed up with her three years ago because he saw potential in her. He saw that she was not going to make it another week. She needed help.

Maya might have some ideas, Alister admitted to himself. She is a refugee.

Dinner was in an hour. Alister decided to go find another dude to rob. To pass the time.

***

The food was good. Alister and Maya were not allowed at the royal table. But a lesser noble allowed them to eat with her. She was a bad cook. Her food was good, but her feathers got into the food, and she had imperfect kitchen hygiene. But that was the rule of unsanitary cooking that she failed at: Don’t tell or let anyone know. But now he and Maya could make a plan.

“I was thinking,” said Alister. “That we should use this war to our advantage. I was wondering if you had any ideas.”

Maya shuddered. She found it hard to talk about the war. She was affected secondhand. Her and her parents were drafted. But she ran away. And later, she learn the military building was destroyed. She vowed to go underground, to not see any of this again.

“Well, most all I know is from newspapers.” Maya’s voice had a shake that was barely noticeable.

A moment of silence passed. “Are you going to say more?” asked Alister.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Well, this idea just came to mind, but,” said Maya. “We could print a false newspaper for that one building. Making them leave.”

The green dragon smiled. “Good idea.”

Making a newspaper was easier than expected. The press was located next to the palace. It was run by nobles, so Alister had to show that he was given explicit permission from the princess that he could have the printers make them. It was going to be free of charge. But this city is a corrupt city, the secretary haggled the price to be two gold. A lesser noble’s day’s wage.

Seeing he couldn’t win, Alister gave in and paid. He could sense the displeasure radiating from Maya. She probably wanted me to haggle it down, at least.

The secretary lead them to the printing press and asked for a copy of what they wanted made. It turned up being only a false front page. Maya had a better hand at making, so she would glue it to the front, making Steven Harold (for that was his full name) run.

Alister and Maya sat by the wall. Minutes ticked by slowly as the printer people gathered the movable type for the printer keyboard and filled the ink.

Tick… Tock…

Alister’s heart was thumping in his tight chest. Precipice of anxiety closer and closer. Impatients flooded him and his ears throbbed. He felt absent from reality. His brain was surrounded by sheets of thunder and rain, blotting out all else perceptible.

He flinched when Maya said something to him. He heard the words, but they made little sense to him. Maya got up and took something from one of the men. It was a sheet of paper, but his brain had no words for it. Just anxiety. He closed his eyes and the rain poured ever more heavily in his brain.

It did not help much. He tried to get up to walk out with Maya, but it was taking too much willpower. He flinched again. He felt paralyzed. Unable. helpless.

He hated this part of himself. The part that got extremely anxious for absolutely no reason. He knew that he could only wait out the storm. So he did. He barely processed Maya dragging him out of the building, attracting many strange looks.

She let him drop, the storm still raging in his mind. She sat beside him, silent. It wasnot time to talk about the mission. He didn’t care at this moment. Only his anxiety was perceptible.

Something in the back of his brain made him take one deep breath. Another. He kept going until he was calmer.

“Sorry for that,” said Alister. “I thank you for helping me.”

He was thankful. But he felt indebted to Maya for all she had done for him. He told himself that saving her and helping her was enough for a lifetime of helping. But he knew that was not the case. He knew he needed to repay her. But how?

“It’s hard. Is it not?” she asked

“It is hell. It drains me…” Alister’s eyes started to water. “It… I can’t explain it. It, well… It’s just intense stress, like… my brain is full of static.”

Maya said nothing. Although it was midday, Alister took a nap.

***

It was early sunset when he finally awoke. A sudden snore assaulted his ears and banished his grogginess. Of course, it was Maya. To repay her help during the panic, he was able to turn or snuff most of the lamps so they would not light and give them away.

Even in a city of thieves, you had to stay in the shadows. If you didn’t, it was a sign of weakness. Besides, dark places are where some of the best trash is found.

He nudged Maya till she awoke as well.

“Rested?” he asked.

“Uh… yeah—I am,” Maya replied.

“We should leave soon. Are you almost ready?”

“I will gather some supplies, ok?” said the human. “And don't call anyone ugly. That was very rude. It shows badly on character.”