The Thief of Alvera
You wake up a few hours before dawn. Waking up woudn't be the proper term to use though, since you have hardly slept during the night. The excitement is too much for you to bear. You slip out of bed and change into yesterday's tunic and a clean hose. You strap your dirk to your belt on one side and tie the pouch containing the jewel to the other. You managed to stuff your requirements in your leather bag. It is a rather sturdy bag and you are very proud of it.
You see Vin and Andon sitting on a couch on the ground floor with tankards in their hands. "Isn't it a bit too early in the day for this?"
They turn around and see you coming."Oh good you're ready.", Vin says. Andon drains his tankard and lets out a contented sigh. "You should probably get going now. It will be better for you to be under the cover of the woods before day-break."
You nod silently. Vin finishes his drink and stands up. His face is clean shaven and cleaner than yesterday. He is still wearing the same garments as yesterday, but strapped to his belt are two long daggers. You also notice daggers poking out of his boots. "Shall we go now Reon?" You notice that he is only carrying a small cloth bag and wonder where the supplies are. You save up the questions for later and nod. Out in the courtyard you see two horses, saddled and loaded with packs of supplies. A canteen dangles from the saddle of each horse. You have only travelled on horse-back once before but you are sure you'll manage fine.
You bid Andon farewell and mount your horse."Good luck and take care", Andon simply says and goes back into his house.
You trot along the zig-zag streets of the eastern district. The streets are deserted save the torch-bearing guard patrols. "Going through the main gates is a quick way to get spotted. Let's not take chances. I'll take you through a side-door that very few people know about.", Vin tells you. You nod and follow him.
You travel to the west end of the city and go into the ruins of what had been a huge house along the west wall of the city." A gift of the Aregs", Vin comments. He leads you into a small room with a caved in roof. The walls are covered by thick vines. Vin gets off his mount and cuts the vines off with his dagger to reveal a rusted steel door, held by a single loose hinge. The other hinge has broken off. The door lead to a hollow compartment within the walls, just enough for one man to pass through. Vin then opens a similar door on the other end which opens to the city's outskirts. Thick bushes have grown around the door but there's enough gap to get through them. You are amazed at the secrets your city hides.
"This building was constructed more than a hundred years ago.", Vin tells you. "Only a handful of people know about this route. Andon has a few his men clip these bushes once in a while so that they don't grow too big."
"You mean Andon knows-".You're a bit startled at learning that.
Vin smiles briefly."Of course he does. Who else do you think told me about it?"
You ride silently along the countryside. Neither of you is in the mood for much talking. As day-break approaches, you notice the dark mass up ahead. The forests of eastern Galatia are extensions of the Oak Woods of Eston which, according to folklore, are the home of many vicious beasts. However, there are no legends of any monsters in the Galatian part of the forests.
You enter into the woods just as the sun rays kiss the blue sky. The forest floor is littered with leaf and dried animal excreta. You see a well travelled path up ahead. The path isn't really a constructed road. It is just a long stretch of dirt. Constant trodding by travellers has prevented the growth of vegetation over the path.
"You'll never find well maintained roads anywhere in Galatia outside the cities." Vin comments."Even the trade-corridors are not paved and till a few years ago, there weren't very many patrols along the route. But with the outbreak of war, patrols were strengthened and no one has bothered to decrease the number of patrols. But it's a good thing. Merchants fee safer now."
You come to the realisation that Vin is a lot more knowledgeable than you expected and you feel the trip ahead is going to be an enjoyable one. The sun is shining brightly now and you begin to feel the heat of the day.
"I'm feeling hungry. Can we stop for breakfast?", you ask slowly.
"Why yes, of course. If my memory serves right, there's a clearing in the woods up ahead. We can eat there. It can't be seen clearly from the road so we'll be safe from anyone who might be following us."
The thought of being followed sends chills through your body and you look behind your back instinctively. But the forest is calm as always and the path is empty except for a few squirrels and rabbits.
After a quick breakfast of bread and cheese you get back on your horses and trot off along the dirt path.
The sun's rays are turning roange from thier bright yellow. Sunset is approaching and you need a place to camp for the night. You've been on horseback for most of the day and your back is beginning to ache.
"Let's find a suitable place to camp. We can rest a bit and start moving again when the night's dark enough if that's alright with you", Vin suggests. You nod in agreement, glad for the break to rest your aching back. You don't mind travel during the night. You're a thief after all, you've been on the move at night for almost all your life.
You see Vin and Andon sitting on a couch on the ground floor with tankards in their hands. "Isn't it a bit too early in the day for this?"
They turn around and see you coming."Oh good you're ready.", Vin says. Andon drains his tankard and lets out a contented sigh. "You should probably get going now. It will be better for you to be under the cover of the woods before day-break."
You nod silently. Vin finishes his drink and stands up. His face is clean shaven and cleaner than yesterday. He is still wearing the same garments as yesterday, but strapped to his belt are two long daggers. You also notice daggers poking out of his boots. "Shall we go now Reon?" You notice that he is only carrying a small cloth bag and wonder where the supplies are. You save up the questions for later and nod. Out in the courtyard you see two horses, saddled and loaded with packs of supplies. A canteen dangles from the saddle of each horse. You have only travelled on horse-back once before but you are sure you'll manage fine.
You bid Andon farewell and mount your horse."Good luck and take care", Andon simply says and goes back into his house.
You trot along the zig-zag streets of the eastern district. The streets are deserted save the torch-bearing guard patrols. "Going through the main gates is a quick way to get spotted. Let's not take chances. I'll take you through a side-door that very few people know about.", Vin tells you. You nod and follow him.
You travel to the west end of the city and go into the ruins of what had been a huge house along the west wall of the city." A gift of the Aregs", Vin comments. He leads you into a small room with a caved in roof. The walls are covered by thick vines. Vin gets off his mount and cuts the vines off with his dagger to reveal a rusted steel door, held by a single loose hinge. The other hinge has broken off. The door lead to a hollow compartment within the walls, just enough for one man to pass through. Vin then opens a similar door on the other end which opens to the city's outskirts. Thick bushes have grown around the door but there's enough gap to get through them. You are amazed at the secrets your city hides.
"This building was constructed more than a hundred years ago.", Vin tells you. "Only a handful of people know about this route. Andon has a few his men clip these bushes once in a while so that they don't grow too big."
"You mean Andon knows-".You're a bit startled at learning that.
Vin smiles briefly."Of course he does. Who else do you think told me about it?"
You ride silently along the countryside. Neither of you is in the mood for much talking. As day-break approaches, you notice the dark mass up ahead. The forests of eastern Galatia are extensions of the Oak Woods of Eston which, according to folklore, are the home of many vicious beasts. However, there are no legends of any monsters in the Galatian part of the forests.
You enter into the woods just as the sun rays kiss the blue sky. The forest floor is littered with leaf and dried animal excreta. You see a well travelled path up ahead. The path isn't really a constructed road. It is just a long stretch of dirt. Constant trodding by travellers has prevented the growth of vegetation over the path.
"You'll never find well maintained roads anywhere in Galatia outside the cities." Vin comments."Even the trade-corridors are not paved and till a few years ago, there weren't very many patrols along the route. But with the outbreak of war, patrols were strengthened and no one has bothered to decrease the number of patrols. But it's a good thing. Merchants fee safer now."
You come to the realisation that Vin is a lot more knowledgeable than you expected and you feel the trip ahead is going to be an enjoyable one. The sun is shining brightly now and you begin to feel the heat of the day.
"I'm feeling hungry. Can we stop for breakfast?", you ask slowly.
"Why yes, of course. If my memory serves right, there's a clearing in the woods up ahead. We can eat there. It can't be seen clearly from the road so we'll be safe from anyone who might be following us."
The thought of being followed sends chills through your body and you look behind your back instinctively. But the forest is calm as always and the path is empty except for a few squirrels and rabbits.
After a quick breakfast of bread and cheese you get back on your horses and trot off along the dirt path.
The sun's rays are turning roange from thier bright yellow. Sunset is approaching and you need a place to camp for the night. You've been on horseback for most of the day and your back is beginning to ache.
"Let's find a suitable place to camp. We can rest a bit and start moving again when the night's dark enough if that's alright with you", Vin suggests. You nod in agreement, glad for the break to rest your aching back. You don't mind travel during the night. You're a thief after all, you've been on the move at night for almost all your life.