Part V

Finally dried off from the heat of the fireplace, I drank a bit more mead as Rakool looked at the map.

“So this is where the book is?” He pointed to a circled section.

“Yup. I’m thinking what I could do is get the Builder’s Guide and hand it over to you. Then you could go to the Head Priest guy of the Hammerites and the leader of the Mechanists and see how much they are willing to pay for it.”

“You already told me that idea.”

I had also told Rakool about how I found everything in Clothilde’s house and how I ended up in a gutter. For some reason I felt like I was forgetting to tell him something important-

“I think it’s stupid.”

My attention was drawn back to Rakool. “What?”

“I said I think your idea wont work.”

I frowned, “Why?”

“The Hammers would kill me within seconds if I said anything about their precious book. Even if I sent them a note they would hunt me down. I might be able to talk to that Karras guy.” Rakool picked up some different paper, “Anyway, what are these?” It was the bunch of papers with the odd writing.

“I don’t know. I just found them with the map. Maybe they’re from the Guide. It’s-“ I stopped, “What are you looking at?”

Rakool was starring at something over my shoulder. I turned my head slightly and saw a man sitting in the booth behind me. He wasn’t facing us, but it looked like he was listening.

“Dirk, do you think he heard what we said?” Rakool hissed. I was turned half way around in my seat now. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rakool take out his dagger.

The man behind me slid to the side of the booth and stood up. Keeping his back to us he walked calmly to the door and outside.

“That was weird.” I turned and faced Rakool, who sheathed the dagger.

“Next time don’t talk so loud.”

I smiled, “I’m sure it was nothing.”

“Can I get you two boys more drinks?”

Both Rakool and I jumped.

“What, did I scare you?” Penelope smirked. Rakool began to laugh.

Clutching my chest I turned to Penelope, “I swear! Don’t do that, Pen.”

She grinned, obviously enjoying the fact that she startled us. “No really, do you want a refill?”

“Yes. Tha’d be great!” Rakool, in a good mood now, slapped her on the ass.

Penelope turned and slapped Rakool across his face.

This time it was my turn to laugh.

Pen walked off to get the refills as Rakool cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “So we were talking about how I should sell this Builder’s Guide to the Mechs.”

“Or the Hammers.”

“No, not the Hammerites. They’d kill both of us before I could get a word in. I’m thinking if I send a note to directly to Karras I could get his interest.”

“I thought you said that they would trail the deliver kid and kill us both”

“Dude, man you gotta clean out your ears. I said that about the Hammerites because they’re so choleric. Karras seems different and might take the opportunity to get the book he wanted in the first place. Anyway, I have the best delivery boy in town. He can slip in and out of a place without being seen. Too bad he has ethics, otherwise he’d make a great thief.”

“I remember. That’s what you told me.”

“’Cept you didn’t have a problem with right or wrong.”

“Yeah, remember the time I changed Sean’s apology letter to Lord What’s-His-Name and sent it full of insults?”

We both laughed.

---

After talking about some of the fun times Rakool and I both had together, we got back on the subject of the book. We continued to form our plan on how we were going to sell the book to Karras, and figure out what price he would pay for such an item. 20000 for a bid would have to do for now.

Rakool made some interesting points on how I could get into the Hammer Cathedral. With the help of his previous knowledge, (hearsay) we decided I was to enter on the east side of the garden and climb up onto the second story balcony. From there cut my way west into the Reliquary, then into the Main Chapel.

We both agreed that an entrance to an underground area of that size would most likely be located under the altar. After I blast apart the altar with a sunburst device, I could get the book by using the map. After I get the book, all I’d have to do is get out.

A few days before I would get the book Rakool would send a letter directly to Karras describing that we have the Builder’s Guide and are willing to sell it, for a price. Rakool would haggle with Karras if necessary.

When I have the book, Rakool would send another letter to Karras saying where we’d pick up the money and drop off the book.

I decided that I was going to do the job two weeks from today. Rakool said that was perfect and he would begin working on the letter to Karras tonight.

We bought a few more drinks and chatted. An hour later we said our good-byes, then parted.

***

Back at my apartment I laid the old map flat on the floor, weighing down the corners with bowls, and studied it further.

Looks like if you entered here at the corner there, you could go south along this hall and turn left at the second crossroads.

From there you could loot these extra rooms on the side going east, then north to the last large room where the book's supposed to be held. After snagging it, go back the way you came.

I thought about that path. It looked good and solid. If nothing was blocking any of these halls I should be fine, in and out within 2 hours.

Then I asked myself what supplies I would need for a job like this.

“2 dozen broadheads, 3 flashbombs, 3 rope arrows. A dozen water arrows, Rakool has the sunburst device so I wont have to pay for that, a fire arrow to set it off, and a healing potion and….” I trailed off trying to think if I would need any holy water. If I did run into an undead thing, I could throw the water on it like I did the rat. But I didn’t know how much holy water costs.

So far, all the items added up to more than 3000 gold. Rakool might be willing to lend me 1500 towards the equipment, but not 3000.

Time to get money the best way you know how.

I started a fire in my small fireplace and flopped down on my couch, map still on the floor.

I didn’t feel like thieving tonight. Too tired and my head still hurt a little.

The fire crackled and the flames danced.

I’d work tomorrow.

***

It had been a week and a half since my last meeting with Rakool and I’ve already gathered over 5000 gold in some simple jobs just stealing coins.

About an hour ago I sent him a note saying, “Wash it down with a sad one and blast off." That meant I wanted to meet him at the Grieving Burrick Inn and for him to bring the Sunburst device. I admit, our code is rather simple and crude, but it works.

I got dressed in some casual attire and pulled on a light cloak for hot afternoons like this.

I liked the cloak. It’s black and very thin, but weighted at the bottom so it wouldn’t flap around too much. It was fitted with a baggy hood, silver clasp, and the length went down to my calves. I’m not sure as to how much a cloak like this was worth, I just happened to grab it from another thief on the same job as I.

I adjusted the hood around my shoulders, (didn’t feel like wearing it up) and was about to grab Clothilde’s map and my notes when a piece of paper shot out from under the door. It drifted down, settling on the floor a few feet away.

Think it’s Rakool?

I figured it might be, since it looked like his handwriting.

I picked it up and read it.

“Scratch the sad people and dive on in.”

I was right. It was a note from Rakool, saying not to meet him at the tavern, but at one of our less common meeting places by the well, just south of Down Towne.

I tucked the map away in my shirt and fastened my money purse around my belt. I slung a bag over my shoulder and walked out the door.

I arrived at the well a few minutes later. When I turned the corner I noticed Penelope leaning up against a building, arms crossed, only a few feet from the well. She was wearing a nice, light blue tunic held at her waist by a strip of dark blue cloth, serving as a belt. Her tights were white and she wore the standard black slip on shoes. Her hair was down around her shoulders, wavy and curling in slightly around the base of her neck.

I waved, but Penelope didn’t see me. Some people bustled past as I walked forward.

“Hey, Pen! How’s it going?”

“Huh? Oh! Hullo.” She smiled as I rested my back on the wall next to her. It was a second before she spoke again.

“Um, Dirk?”

I grinned, “What?”

“Are you waiting for Rakool?”

How did she know about you two meeting?

“Uh, yeah, why?”

“Great!” Penelope looked relieved, “I got an odd note today under my door. It said something about a well and it was signed with an ‘R’ so I thought it might be Rakool. Anyway I have no idea what he wants and it’s just lucky I don’t have to work right now-“

“Shh! Guard.”

A few feet away I noticed a Blue Coat walking towards us. I hid the bag under my cloak so I wouldn’t look suspicious, and started up a different conversation. “So that new lord of yours treating you right?”

Penelope caught on, “Oh yes. He’s very kind and gives me extra pay on the weekends. As a matter of fact, I’m out on an errand-“

“It’s good. He’s gone.” The City Watch Guard turned the corner and was out of sight.

“As I was saying, do you know what Rakool wants?”

“No, I don’t.” I was lying. I knew why Rakool and I were meeting, but the one thing I didn’t know was why he wanted me here with Penelope.

“Oh, well.” Penelope looked at the ground and kicked a loose pebble. It skipped and jumped, skittering off somewhere under a cart. She sighed, looking bored.

Say something, just say anything at all. You don’t want you to think you’re a moron do you?

It was one of those awkward silences where you can’t think of anything to say. Just then something popped into mind.

“When did Rakool say he was going to meet us?” Inside I smiled, knowing this was a good question to break that silence.

“I think he said something like half past noon.”

“Then he’s late.”

Penelope grinned, “He’s always late.”

I saw a middle class man walking by us; my eye caught his money purse.

“Hey Pen. Watch this.” I walked casually up behind the cluless man, then when no one was looking (except for Penelope) I untied his purse from the belt, and held it in my hand. The man continued walking.

“Dirk!”

I turned around to see Pen’s face change from astonished to a scowl. Walking back to her I tossed the purse in the air and caught it in my hand.

“Dirk, why did you do that?” She looked at me with those green eyes. Momentarily I couldn’t do anything; I was lost in her gaze. Then I recaptured my cool and jingled the coins in front of her face.

“To show off.”

She smiled, “Taffer.” and snatched the purse from my hand. She opened the bag and poured some of the shinny coins into he palm of her hand. She began counting out the gold, skipping silver. I watched her in amazement. Penelope didn’t continue to yell at me or get angry. She actually looked pleased.

“And here I thought you were going to scold me.”

She looked up and smiled. “Well, what’s done is done.”

“You could’ve chased him down and returned the money.”

At this she blushed. “He’s long gone, and I wouldn’t be able to catch up to him.” She looked down at the gold in her hand, then put it back into the money pouch.

“Hey there, Dirk!” It was Rakool.

I called out, “You’re late!”

“What? I am? I am! Aha.” He trotted up and glanced at Pen, who was fanning her face, trying to get rid of her blush.

“Good. You’re both here.”

“Why are we here anyway?” Penelope asked.

Rakool answered simply, “I need you, Pen, to help me in detracting that guard, while my boy, Dirk here goes into that building,” He pointed to a stone house, with a taller building standing high behind it. “and gets that little device.”

I blinked, “You mean you don’t have it?”

Penelope looked from one face to the other as we spoke.

“No, I thought you knew you had to steal it. Anyway, look like you came prepared.” He pointed to the bag slung over my shoulder.

“This was to carry the device so I wouldn’t have to walk with it out in the open.” My anger was rising for some reason. I tried to stay calm.

Then Penelope spoke. ”So what kind of distraction do you need?”

“See that guard.” Rakool nodded to one that had his back to us. He didn’t have a Mech or City Watch uniform, so he must’ve been privately hired. “I need you to tell him that there is a burrick on the loose. I’ll be around the corner over there making noises and messing the street up a bit.”

“Maybe next time you should wear something a little less loud if you’re going to do a job.” I pointed out his red tunic.

“What’s wrong with my shirt?” Rakool began tugging at his goatee subconsciously again.

“So, when you start to make burrick noises and turn things over, I’m to run over and hysterically yell at the guard, ‘A burrick’s on the loose in the streets!’ Right?”

“Exactly. Then, like I said before, I need you,” He looked at me, “to run into that building and get the Sun Burst Device.”

“What is this device?”

I answered Pen’s question abruptly. “It’s an extremely powerful mine like thing that blows up when hit with a fire arrow.”

“Oh.”

“Rakool, do you know were in the building the device is being held?”

“No,” Rakool looked a bit uneasy, “I don’t.”

“Do you have a map for me then?”

“Nope, sorry. This time you’ll have to wing it, my friend.”

My anger rose, then ebbed away again. “That’s OK. It looks like a small building anyway,” I looked up at the two-story gray building, with its yellow windows here and there. “I should be in and out in 5 minutes.”

“Excellent!” Rakool clapped his hands together, “Ready? OK, let’s go!”

Rakool, clearing his throat, walked down the street I came from, and disappeared around the corner. Penelope shrugged and followed. I was left alone, looking up at the circular stone building, its windows plain and yellow, as to keep hidden some secret it wishes to hold.

I heard something crash and splinter. Then a scream. Penelope came running out from around the corner, she looked pale and frightened. As she ran I noticed the front of her shirt was lower, so it showed more cleavage. She stopped in front of the guard and started screaming.

“Help! There’s a burrick running and it’s breathing gas and, and it’s,” Penelope continued screaming. The guard’s eyes grew wide when she mentioned burrick, “Oh please sir. Help me. I’m scared!” Penelope hugged his arm pleadingly. The guard blushed and puffed out his chest.

“Don’t worry a thing miss.” Around the corner Rakool made a burrick distress call. The guard jumped, then stepped forward, “I’ll get rid of the stupid beast! Don’t you worry.” He looked at Penelope and smiled. Turning his head back to the corner he set a grim look on his face and ran forward.

Penelope shouted after him, “Be careful!” I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. Rakool stopped making noise and I heard him yell, “Quick! Guard! It went that way! THAT WAY!”

The guard shouted out something and I heard his hurried footsteps fade, following a non-existent beast.

I made my move. Penelope was standing a ways from the building, but I sensed her watching me. I tested the front door. It was unlocked and I stepped inside.

***