Novus had finally arrived, announced the previous day by runners sent out into the city. The general lack of calendars in Soccordia meant that most of the population was unaware of what was coming. For Rhys however every day was a step closer.

The official celebration, though the city felt far from celebratory, took place outside the gates of the upper city, right next to the bridges. It would begin close to noon so Rhys had to begin moving before then. Wearing his acclaimed thieving outfit and equipping his usual items, dagger, lock-picks, the map, Rhys was as prepared as he could be. As an afterthought, he decided to take the miniature jackscrew with, just in case.

Rhys kept his hood down as he walked towards the entrance to the upper city, covering his face would draw attention, and to the drama-queen Rhys, this time attention meant failure, failure in turn – death.

Novus was magical by nature. On the other side of the world, the Kingdom of Iraenum was where it was originally celebrated. Its Ruler, the Grand Magus, was so powerful that her magicks could affect the world on a global scale, albeit not too significantly, she sacrificed power for scope. Novus was celebrated at midnight on the 53rd Friday of the year, in Iraenum and the other Western kingdoms. With time differences, this meant around noon the next day for the eastern kingdoms. Though the problem remained, fireworks would be rather ineffectual in broad delight. The Mages of the western continent devised an elaborate illusion that would extend over the entire known world. Its effects, darkening the day as well as being a vehicle for magic infused fireworks.

This ‘darkening’ was the dead giveaway, the moment Rhys realized the sky was beginning to dim he knew he had to make a move. Rhys hurriedly made his way through the crowded streets, the only time the City felt truly alive, as everyone converged at the divide between the two parts of the City. The gate would be barely guarded, for the guards themselves indulged in the celebrations, that is after the King had crossed into the lower city. Until then everyone was on guard.

The gradual darkening would have felt eerily unnerving on any other day but it was expected, and so it went unnoticed. Today was special, seeing all the people outside, eating food, listening to music, goofing around – it was the only day Rhys would see people smile in the streets. The streets got progressively louder and claustrophobic as he got closer the bridges.

Once Rhys reached, people lined the sidewalks leaving the area close to the bridge empty. Rhys did not want to seem conspicuous so he crossed the bridge following right behind a family. Both sides of the bridge housed similar festivities, and the nobles were scattered across – the King however, powerful as he may be could not be on both sides at the same time. Rhys could only hope the King chose to make his way onto the side opposite of Rhys. For once the King began to move there would be no space for Rhys to sneak his way past the heavy security, unnecessary as it was.

Interlude.

"You sent Josef?”

“Just a contingency, after all we can’t afford to fail here. Everything else is ready.”

“Why not just send Josef in the first place?”

“Can’t afford to lose him if the situation were to worsen, his orders are simple, and it’ll make things easier for us too.”

Steve sighed, as he looked up at the darkening sky. A lot of things would change in the coming days, far too many things.

“Where’s the boy?”

“Outside the gates. shouldn’t take too long now.” The figure replied almost as if he were expecting the question.

“And you’re sure Augustus will notice?”

“If I a mere man can, what say a God?”

“And once he’s in?”

“I’ll do my part, don’t worry about it."

End.

Trumpets blared to alert the people of the King’s arrival. The festivities paused as the Royal Chamberlain, stepped in front of the Royal contingent.

“His Majesty, King Augustus, Supreme ruler of the Kingdom of Soccordia, has arrived.”

The announcement was but a formality, even without it, or the King’s contingent itself, Augustus’ presence was defined by the aura that he emitted. Crushing confidence and callous disregard. The embodiment of Sloth he may have been, but there was no opening, no suggestion of weakness. While the Soccordians may have despised Augustus for his ineffective ruling, the presence of their king also served to remind them of his power.

The lack of magic meant that there was no way for anyone to ‘sense’ Rhys’ presence so the moment the Royal proceeding ventured unto the opposite bank of the river, Rhys covered his head with his hoodie and blended in with the crowd.

Navigating the crowd ended up being easier than expected but the throng of people, food and celebration was hard to ignore. Novus was a special day to everyone, Rhys didn’t usually indulge in the festivities but with Shade, he could enjoy the food, watch the grand fireworks and not worry about being mugged if he happened to be drunk afterwards.

And now I’m risking it all.’ Rhys grit his teeth and kept walking.

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While the gate themselves were unguarded at this point, it happened to be in everyone’s field of vision. The moment Rhys made it onto the platform to the upper city he would quite literally be in plain sight, no apparel would shield him that well. Too late to back out now. The plan was simple, the gate would not be locked, after all the king had just passed through. Rhys would risk discovery if he were to pick the lock though that was still an option. Afterwards he’d simply slip through, run the distance to the royal estate and find what he was looking for and get back out without a -.

Before he knew it Rhys was face flat on the ground, unable to move, gasping for breath. Wha- what’s happening. His senses were being overloaded, his vision clearly impaired by the earth in front of him, his ears felt as if someone had detonated an explosive right next to them. Reeling, Rhys grasped for air and tried to claw his way forward. His mind in shambles, Rhys tried putting together a coherent thought. Coupled with the fall itself, the concussion left Rhys bruised and even more disoriented. All the while Rhys realized how the people in the vicinity had compressed themselves away from him.

How is this possible? I’m still within the crowd. There’s very limited light. How did they know it was me? What’s pinning me down? Was this a ruse? Was I betrayed? How do I get out of here? What.. now...

These thoughts ran across his mind almost simultaneously, not allowing a moment to gather himself. He finally managed to raise his head off the ground. There so close in front of him, was the gate. The people on the street had moved to the sides so as to create a path, as if to taunt him. Moments later, Rhys regained his thoughts, he could hear whispers, the rattling of armor, and an all too familiar voice.

“Our King has incapacitated the spy! Capture him. Now!” Fare commanded over the throng of steel on steel. The pressure loosened for a moment but before Rhys could react he was scooped up on either side, his hands wrested away from him. The soldiers ripped away his cloak and turned him around to face the Chancellor.

The man was seething, the previously calm Chancellor who had parlayed with ‘Titus’ was nowhere to be seen. Left in his place was an old man with his veins burgeoning across his face, presumably out of anger.

“How dare you!” He screeched at Rhys. The thought of being manipulated so easily must have infuriated him. Realizing the context of this public ‘execution’ the Chancellor gathered himself for a moment. Regaining the air that befitted a chancellor, he breathed deeply and waved his hands.

“Take him to the dungeons, this isn’t the time to deal with him.”

Rhys could faintly hear some groans from the soldiers but they complied. Rhys was freed from their clutches and then was disarmed. Everything but the map of the estate, one he hid in an opening in his clothing, was taken away. He was then prodded along towards the royal estate. Prodded along by eight fully armed soldiers. Technically the walk itself should not have taken more than thirty minutes but a combination of Rhys’ physical, and mental states, made it take them take twice along. The constant taunting and minor physical abuse, if anything, slowed down the process even more. Capture was not something Rhys had ever experienced, hell he didn’t even think it could be possible.

The guards were eager to get back to the central square area, the closer they got to the estate the more aggressive they got. Eventually, Rhys was forced to comply, he couldn’t afford to suffer any more damage, that would only worsen his odds, whatever they may be, at escaping. The troupe quickly led Rhys to another small building on what seemed to be close to the boundaries of the estate, thrown into one of the cells and locked in. The soldiers were quick to leave after rechecking Rhys for any other tools he might have had. Satisfied, they left the ‘dungeons’ behind, leaving Rhys’ tools on a wooden desk on the way out. There wasn’t much of a way to break out, the bars were far too thick and well placed to allow for any contortionist schemes. Nor was there any way to pick the lock without his tools. Rhys banged his head against the metal beams, once, twice, thrice.

Deep breaths, deep breaths... He thought as he tried to calm himself down. He regulated his breathing and watched his mind gradually get clearer. He still felt sore, and he didn’t have to see himself in a mirror to realize how grazed he was, after all getting smashed into asphalt would do that to you.

These are the facts, I’m stuck in prison. It was the King himself who probably noticed me considering what happened to me, so safe to say that I’ll die once he gets back. Only one thing left to do, get out of this place.

“Quit trying to give yeself brain damage kid.”

Rhys gasped, the voice sounded familiar to him. The cockiness, belittlement, all of it. Rhys strained to look across to the other cells but he couldn’t see anyone. It was from the adjacent cells then. He tilted his head and spoke, “Joe..?”

“I know this is a lot more than logistical support but I knew you’d manage to fuck up somehow, now let's get out of here,” he explained casually, as if this was just another friday. Rhys heard the gears clack and a moment later Joe was in front of his cell with a grin on his face, “come on now, must be the easiest heist you’ve done.”

“How’d you get out so easily?” Rhys said dumbly.

Joe dangled some keys in front of Rhys’ face.

“Picked them as they put me in,” he started grinning again.

Rhys stared in awe at the gall of this man. He quickly snapped himself out of it.

“What now?”

“Now you go complete your task.”

“And you?”

“Gonna take a break.”

Rhys nodded, slightly disappointed he didn’t have backup. He was still put off by the fact that he was given an ‘out', yet there was no choice here but to complete his job. The guards, and everyone else would be back before too long and Rhys had to break in to the treasury and get out of the upper city before they had a chance to realize he was gone. Of course by his previous experience Augustus could just find him and crush him in the event that the escape was successful. Rhys shivered at the thought, being defeatist wouldn’t help in anyway.

Rhys nodded at Joe, grabbed his gear, and snuck out the front door. Can’t risk that someone might have been left behind.

Novus and the light show helped cover him, after all without it Rhys would have been sneaking around in broad daylight. Rhys took out the map and gauged his position, he was on the end furthest away from the treasury, the run would take him a few minutes but he couldn’t afford to miss his way. Rhys sighed once, took a deep breath, then set off. His chest feeling a little lighter.

Extra.

His eyelids wavered for a second, then opened to take in the fireworks. He struggled to stay awake, falling asleep would have to wait.

“Interesting,” he murmured to no one but himself.

End.