The Guild of Thieves RP Thread

[For the ooc thread, go here. ]

Ceris knew she could run fast... but never as fast as she was running now.

Someone had seen her. She had gotten brave, and tried to snag a few coinpurses in broad daylight- And the last one she tried for actually saw her.
She had stolen daggers, statuettes, and gold chests... And now she was being chased for a mere 6 coins?!

"You idiot... You absolute idiot...," She mumbled to herself, darting between two shops to hide a moment. The constable and his men continued by, Ceris waiting and watching.. Making sure... and finally, they were all gone.
Well. That was easy enough.
Proud of herself, she came back out from the alleyway, grinning as she tossed one of the pouches into the air. "And here I doubted myself..."

Of course, if she had been paying any attention, she would have noticed the person ahead of her that she slammed into.

Trey hadn't expected someone to steal his coinpurse in broad daylight. But when he had gotten a look at the young woman, he knew he had to intercept her. So he moved through the back alleys, travelling quickly. He came out in front of the young woman,and she ran right into him. "You know, you could have saved yourself the trouble and ASKED for money."

Daena was leaning against a shopkeepers doorway when she saw the girl Ceris go running past followed by a number of constables. She watched the chase wind it's way past her and shook her head. She knew Ceris by sight and reputation but hadn't actually caught the girl doing anything wrong and no one had been able to bring solid evidence proving her actual guilt in anything and until they did Daena would leave her alone. She wasn't going to waste her time chasing a girl would just be let free the next morning.

Turning away from the chase she wandered through the streets heading in the opposite direction. Her eyes were searching the crowd around her but her mind was on the night before. Her father had dragged her along to yet another state function just to parade her around in pretty clothes in front of a bunch of rich - and some not so rich but titled - nobles hoping to find her a "quality" match. She was tired of being led about on the marriage mart circuit but it was unavoidable she supposed. After all her father was rich and like many merhcants wanted to add a title to his wealth while many poorer nobles wanted to bring some wealth back to their titles.

Such dinners made her feel like she was swimming among sharks and she left as soon as she was able.

Out here on the streets things were simpler. It shamed her family that she'd chosen to be a constable instead of simply being a rich debutante but she loved her chosen career and wouldn't trade it for anything. Here the rules were easy and made sense. It was about survival and greed. More than once she'd let a thief slide by not for money but because they'd stolen to survive. Unlike some of her collegues she never brought in children that had stolen fruit or bread to feed their families. Those she caught stealing for greed however were a different story.

Feeling someone bump into her snapped her from her thoughts and without even being concious of it she swung the staff she carried. Bringing it in low she swiped the feet out from under the man that had bumped into her and aimed it at his throat to keep him from getting up while she checked her pockets for her coinpurse. Only when she felt it still safely tucked in her robes did she pull back the staff and help the man up.

"My apologies. One can never be too safe on these streets," she said and offered a genuinely contrite smile. "I'm Daena, one of the city constables, I hope you weren't hurt."

Andrew looked up at the women who had just swept him off his feet literally,"oh no harm done Miss Daena i should be more careful" he replyed smiling up at her and taking her hand.He silently rued his luck,of all the people to ran into a city constable all be it a very pretty one. "My name is Andrew and i was on my way to the state function" he said showing her his invation,true Andrew would not add that actually this invation was one he had stolen but hay it sure beat breaking into the place which was not his preferred option.

Standing himself back up he noted a similer invite in the constable's hand,"why i see we are both heading to the same place may i escort you" he smoothly purposed taking her hand and gently kissing it. "This sure was a fortunate slice of luck" he thought,after all no one who came with a constable would dear be considered a theif. He smiled as he listened to her reply and offered her his arm,as they walked along Andrew smiled now he had a way in the way out would have to come later.

"why i see we are both heading to the same place may i escort you" he smoothly purposed taking her hand and gently kissing it. "This sure was a fortunate slice of luck"

Daena fought the urge to rudely pull away from this overly forward man and before she could tell him she had no intention of going to the silly function he was guiding her down the street. Shaking her head she meandered along still keeping her eye on the crowd.

"I'll guide you there Andrew but I'll be leaving you at the doorsteps. I have no intention of going in and even if I did it certainly wouldn't be dressed in my work clothing. Just around the corner this way," she said and guided him to the steps of the building he needed.

Staying on the steps she waved to the gaurds at the doors who offered her smiles before she turned and disappeared back into the streets of the city. She avoided any state function she could and this one could be avoided on the basis of work.

Andrew smiled to himself,"why that is disapointing Daena i looked foward to us perhaps having a dance or two" he feinged disapointment.Once at the steps he farwelled her and entered the function,he displayed his invatation before joing the guests in the state room.

Andrew took note of all the postions the guards held,little room was left for anyone with dishonest intetnions to get in such an event as this anyone would be foolish to try and break in let alone break out. Andrew smiled as he saw the cheif target for his apperance,"ah Cheif Constable it's an honour to see you" he greeted the old man like a long time firend. In fact Andrew enjopyed his battle's with this man who he had read recently with some amusement had promised to crack down on all Guild of Theives member's which Andrew took as a challenge and a personel insult.

Taking a glass of wine Andrew purposed a grand toast to the constable,the gathering crowd around them roared with approval and the sound of 100 wine glasses being rasied drowned out the old mans reply.Andrew sipped his wine and noticed the prize he sought,an old antique watch inside the old mans pocket within his reach tempting him.Andrew smiled to himself,there was time to enjoy himself first before commencing his grand scheme.

"So tell me," Ronald said, leaning against one of the walls, watching as she had just moved out from the crowd, "Do you usually knock down any stranger who happens to step into you, or just the cute ones?"

He had been leaving one of the respected businesses in this town, one who regularly paid him a little extra to make sure nothing happened to their business. His gold purse always hung a little lower when he walked these shops. He had seen what happened to poor little constable and her stranger friend, even watched as she escorted him and was now walking back.

The man must have been some sort of stuffy upper class know it all, because Daena hadn't given him the time of day. Indeed, they seemed to exit into some nice building.

Now though, she was back on the streets, and looking like she was once again on patrol.

He smiled upon her with pure innocence, as he was, and matched her stride as they walked the streets.

"Have you heard anything lately?"

He stood before his master, the only father figure he had known his whole life. He bowed deeply in reverance of the man who had raised him and taught him all he knew of the world. He kneeled on the ground as the wizened old hands held out a headband. Joras smiled slightly. Today was the day he passed into manhood. None knew his true birthdate, but they believed him to have surpassed his eighteenth summer now. From this day forth though he would measure his years from this date. The date he became a full member of the Enlightened Fists.

For many years he had trained for this day. Learning the secrets of the Shen Tiger Claw fighting style, meditating for hours a day to learn secret truths revealed to the Shen order through their divine patron, and depriving himself of all earthly goods. Joras had known no other life but one of martial training and an ascetical lifestyle. Now the elders had decreed him ready for the final test. They spoke with one voice, channeling the spirit of the divine through them. "You have been picked child. From among the many you have been shown the mysteries of the cosmos. You will be among our greatest warriors, striving always for perfection in your style. You will know many foes, but you will always overcome adversity as long as you keep the divine in your soul. Lust not for earthly needs. Now you must prove yourself to the Order. An object of not inconsiderable power has been pilfered from this temple in the night. You will ride out using all that we have taught you and retrieve it for us and punish those who have defiled our temple. You have your quest young warrior. NOW GO!" The power of the voice rolled over him, assaulting his mind. He stood his ground as the mental energy assaulted him, leaving him drained. He stood, tying the headband around his forehead. He bowed to the collected elders and strode out of the chamber.

A day later the towers of Graiden loomed before him. He looked ahead in awe as he rode towards the city. He had never known anything but the monestary, the idea of city life was foreign to him. But it was here he had tracked the thief, and he had his task. He would enter the city, retrieve the gem and return to his monestary. There was nothing else for him in this city.

Crow easily sidestepped away from the flurry of children that ran down the street, their young voices ringing upwards into the city's aged buildings. They moved like a pack, similiar to the one she had adopted for most of her childhood. Hardly similar, she argued with herself. Her step had faltered as her gaze became sharp, trailing after the little ragmuffins and their screeching diversion. Sure enough, the unwary found themselves adoring the playful antics of the young while the quickest of the pack raided their bulging pockets.
She rolled her eyes. Regardless of the time of day, rain or shine, hungry bellies remained. Under the supposed security of the market at high noon, the rich fools and their money wandered the streets and helped contribute to their own crumbling city. The city really was lost, at least to those who made an honest living. Crow had seen the line blur for years and now she wondered if anything wasn't available for purchase. In this environment, the law sagged under the weight of corruption and frankly, she couldn't find fault in the idea.
One hand in her pant pocket curled around her latest prize and her eyes glowed in delight. An opportunistic woman, Crow had overheard a table of men talking lowly about what she deemed to be a drunken exaggeration of a tale told during long nights. Half dismissing the idea, she barely heard mention the name of a monestary that she knew for a fact existed and therein lay the mysterious little bauble. With a silver coin placed on her table, the thief quickly vanished from the tavern and was gone from her usual haunts for days.
Now she was back in her city, her home with a new and precious toy. With her shoulders hunched over and dirty grey cape, the smiling thief disappeared into the throngs of citizens that clogged the streets.

Joras pulled up short behind a large caravan at the city gates. The merchant in front of him was arguing the gate toll, trying to claim that only three of his wagons were loaded and were the only ones that should be charged tariffs. Joras waited serenely upon his weary horse. He had ridden hard for a full day, hoping to catch the thief before they entered the city proper. He had allowed the mare very little rest and so this delay was a blessing in disguise. Joras knew he would have to sell the horse once he entered the city, as the small amount of coins he had would not carry him far. He knew nothing of the city. He had no knowledge of its corruption, of the dark underbelly that was the true infrastructure. He only knew that the gem was inside and that he must retrieve it.

Several minutes later he reached the head of the line and the guardsman approached him. "Name, and nature of business in Graiden?" The man asked, eyeing Joras suspiciously. "I am Joras Tain and I seek a thief who has wronged me." The guardsman laughed at this. "Well I wish you the best of luck in that quest." He kept laughing as he collected Joras' fee and admitted him into the city.

"And why would I bother to ask?," Ceris frowned, looking him over as she clung to the pouches. "You are the one that left it so easily in my sight... so don't expect it back. Consider it.. a lesson in money management." She smirked, tucking them into her vest. "So... You felt the need to chase after me? I should warn you, I may not look like much, but I can fight, though I would much rather keep our little conversation quiet. I don't really appreciate a lot of attention, if you catch my drift..."
Her eyes took in the area, frowning as she saw the wandering crowds. Far too many people for her likings. If the man wanted to fight for his money, she would do it- but she'd do her best to end it quick. If anything, there was the canopy of the shop next to them, a quick jump onto that, then across the building rooftops- she could be back to the Guild walls in a matter of minutes.
Still, the fact that the man actually bothered to chase her- and hadn't alerted authorities yet- left her curious. "I usually hold to two options when it comes to things like this- Fight, or flight. I'm not sure what one to do with you..."

The bustle of the city streets soon began to wear on the woman's nerves. Whether her paranoia was working over time due to the shiny secret in her palm or not, Crow had had enough.
She slipped through a border gate linking the main hub of the city to another section that was slightly less busy but no less dangerous. The border gate and it's burly guard required little skill to overcome if you knew the going price of admission. Easier still if you had the correct papers and legitimate business in the area. She caught a few familiar faces, ones that had reputations in her line of work and ones who's job it was to seek them out. A cutting look, jerk of the head and two brief finger taps on a palm from a dark haired man to her left gave all the warning she needed.
Without so much as a pause, Crow calmly strode into a dimly lit tavern seconds before a wandering constable rounded the corner and came into view.
She sat down, motioned lazily for a barmaid and smiled slightly as her eyes followed the lawman through the dark glass-stained window as he passed by innocently.

Joras shook his head as he entered the city. Why had the guard at the gate found so much humor in his business here? An odd people these city dwellers were he thought to himself as he rode into the city.

His jaw dropped slightly as he cleared the gates. The city was massive! He looked in amazement at the bustle of people, hawkers crying their wares, people haggling loudly, men swearing, prostitutes selling themselves in broad daylight. Joras was shocked at the scope of it and felt the weight of his responsibility on his chest more than ever. This was not going to be as easy as he hoped. A person could disappear forever in this place and never again be seen. He sighed, looking around confused. He had no idea where to start his search. The constabulary seemed a good place, to have the authorities working with him while he conducted his own search of the city. He asked around for directions and finally, after many venomous words from the cities inhabitants, he found his way to an impressive looking building near the center of town.

Upon entering he took in the marble pillars and vaulted ceilings. This was a well funded constable organization. He approached the desk and smiled at the haggard looking man behind it. "Greetings," Joras said to the man. "I would like to report a thief on the loose within your city." The man looked up at Joras like he was insane. "A thief? In Graiden?" The man asked sarcastically, but Joras did not really know sarcasm and so continued on. "Yes, this person has stolen something valuable to the Shen monestary out in the countryside. A gem from the temple of the Divine. I am conducting my own search but would appreciate the help of your deputies." The man continued looking at Joras with confusion. "Ummm sure buddy, I'll put my best men on it." He looked like he was about to laugh. "Ah thank you, I will be staying at the Shen temple within the city. If you find anything please send someone with a message for Joras there." He turned and walked out, swearing he heard laughter following his exit but deciding he must just be hearing it from somewhere else.

After two ales, the tension had completely vanished and Crow was now idly sorting through her worn leather satchel. Normally, this practise was done alone but seeing as this part of the tavern was practically empty during this hour, exceptions could be made. Her latest claim remained hidden. That was for her eyes only.
Five rings, varying in colour and age. Two coins from two separate eastern lands that had taken far too long bartering for and ended up costing more than she had wanted to trade. One letter from a fellow thief in the guild that had humourously related her escape from the clutches of a lustful lawman. Small golden statue of a cat with such pretty emerald eyes...Crow's own eyes lingered on the glint of the statue as it drew in the flickering light of the tavern. That is until a figure cut off the light and drove her statue and herself into shadow. She scowled and looked up, one nimble hand gathering her things closer and the other moving towards one of her many hidden pockets.
"Oh, relax. You need another ale."
Harlen Fotter. Her face grimaced in recognition. One of the Guild's fancy cutthroats.
"Harlen, come to barter?," she asked mildly. He looked down at her clutches and scoffed.
"Hardly. I do, however, bring word." He leaned down on the table, thief's large hands splayed out. "You, dear, are being redmarked as we speak. Made some interesting enemies lately, have you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. Who's the tattler?"
The Guild kept spies everywhere. Surely they knew. Harlen laughed and straightened up like a snake.
"Sgt. Yoren down in the city. Says some young boy is looking for a thief who stole...a gem." With an ending emphasis on 'gem' and a knowing look, the aristocrat left the frowning woman to settle herself alone.

Joras felt his search was off to a good start. The constables were going to help and that should make it go that much faster. He figured it was probably time to meet with the members of his brotherhood in town to establish a base of operations from which he could begin combing the city. It was much bigger than he expected, but he did not let that get him down. He would find the evil thief who pilfered from the temple and make them pay. First thing he needed to do was sell his horse and replenish his cash reserves. He found a merchant who dealt in horseflesh and settled on a price he believed was more than fair and the merchant was happy to pay only half as much as he was expecting to. Joras got directions from the man to the Shen temple setting out on foot.

He walked towards the temple, his purse jangling against his belt when he heard a cry come from a nearby alley. Fearing someone was in danger he rushed into the alley, drawing up short as two men stepped out from behind a waste pile to block the exit back to the street. A woman walked towards him, smiling sinisterly.
"We'll be taking yer money now or we'll be talking yer life." She said, her tone gruff.
"Please, I want no trouble." Joras said, turning back and forth between the two groups. "I cannot allow you to take my money, I need it to provide for myself while I am in your city." He moved warily, trying to keep all three figures in his sight.
"Well in that case I guess we'll just be gutting you so you don't have to worry about providing for yourself." The woman drew a dagger, letting the sun catch the blade as she moved towards him menacingly. He heard the other two drawing longer blades behind him, possibly shortswords.
"Please... there need not be any violence." But he could sense the bloodlust in them. He knew what would happen next.

He heard one of the men behind him charge. The man came in with a hard thrust aimed at the middle of his back. Joras waited till the last moment then spun to his side, catching the man's wrist in his hand using his momentum to whip him forward into the woman, sending them both sprawling to the ground. The other man came running forward, leading with a large overhead slice. Joras easily moved past the slice to the left, tangled the man's swordarm with his right arm and disarmed him with a simple twist of his elbow. He back flipped into the air, his feet catching the man under the chin and knocking him out cold. A quick spin in midair brought him back to the ground facing the two remaining foes who had regained their feet. They looked at him warily and approached more cautiously than before, trying to work in tandem against him. The man came in with a slice aimed to decapitate him but Joras could tell it was feint to make him move into the woman's dagger thrust coming at his side. Instead of dodging to the side Joras fell to the ground in a split position, and deflected the dagger thrust with his opposite flat palm to the unsharpened top of the dagger. As the dagger thrust went wide Joras slapped his palms to the ground, lifting and pinwheeling his legs, sweeping the man off his feet. Joras rolled backwards, coming to his feet a couple of yards away from the woman with the dagger, who looked at him with hate in her eyes. Joras' eyes darted away from her to see her companion begin to rise. She sensed his inattention to her and quickly turned her dagger and threw it at him. He dodged his head to the side, beginning to move forward before the dagger was passed him, leaping into the air he caught the rising man with a flying back kick in the stomach hurtling him back against a wall, the loud crack indicating he was out cold. He landed less than a foot away from the woman who was quickly trying to draw another blade. He summoned his Divine energy, his Ki, and thrust his hand out, palm flat and straight out, snapping his blow back at the last minute to unleash his stored energy. A small crackle sounded as his palm hit her in the chest and the stored elemental lightning energy transfered into her sending her falling to the cobblestones.

He glanced around to make sure both men were still out cold and that he had not drawn undue attention. Fortunately the city had no time to be concerned about the fate of three thieves or one foreigner in a darkened alley and no one seemed to have noticed the altercation. He glanced down as the woman began to stir, the effects of his stunning palm wearing off quickly. He stripped her of weaponary. He had questions he was hoping this one would be able to answer...

Mephistophelily said:

"And why would I bother to ask?," Ceris frowned, looking him over as she clung to the pouches. "You are the one that left it so easily in my sight... so don't expect it back. Consider it.. a lesson in money management." She smirked, tucking them into her vest. "So... You felt the need to chase after me? I should warn you, I may not look like much, but I can fight, though I would much rather keep our little conversation quiet. I don't really appreciate a lot of attention, if you catch my drift..."
Her eyes took in the area, frowning as she saw the wandering crowds. Far too many people for her likings. If the man wanted to fight for his money, she would do it- but she'd do her best to end it quick. If anything, there was the canopy of the shop next to them, a quick jump onto that, then across the building rooftops- she could be back to the Guild walls in a matter of minutes.
Still, the fact that the man actually bothered to chase her- and hadn't alerted authorities yet- left her curious. "I usually hold to two options when it comes to things like this- Fight, or flight. I'm not sure what one to do with you..."

Click to expand...

Trey raised an eyebrow, then held up the purse he had snatched from her when she bumped into him. A little pickpocketing was amusing to him. Real thievery meant stealing something big, important, and without being noticed. "So then I guess I get to keep this."

"Uhn?"
Ceris glanced down, then gave a frustrated growl. "Funny. Fine, if you want yours back, have it. I'll be able to make up for it ten fold by the time you even leave the city gates." She took his out from her vest, tossing it to the ground. "To make it fair, you can even keep that one you have."
She glanced across the way, spotting a man taking down a few of the more roughneck thieves of the guild. Armed robbery wasn't exactly the best method taught... but some seemed to think it was easiest. *Easiest to lose your appendages...,* she thought, then looked back to the man before her. "If you don't mind, friend," she started, hissing the word as she stared up at him. "...I'm actually on a very important mission at the moment. You just happened to be a very... annoying... side stop." She waved a finger at him. "I'll be keeping an eye out for you, mister."
With that, she took off in a sprint towards the back alleys of the market. In her pocket, nestled between the coinpurses, was a small red vial. The purses had been swipe merely for insulation as she moved... The bottle was medicine, for her adopted father back in the guild's walls.

Trey raised an eyebrow, then shrugged, and picked up his coinpurse. He considered putting it on a chain, which would be like heckling pickpockets. He shrugged, and put the purses in his pocket, then headed for the Guild. He had to pay his membership dues. He walked at a leisurely pace, eventually ending up in front of the Guild halls. He showed his guild pass to the guards, then stepped inside, going straight for the, for lack of a better term, Accounting Office.

Her prize still intact, Ceris peeked back out from the alleyway, the man who caught her no longer in sight. Ahh... wonderful. Without him following her, she figured she could take a quick rest, heading for the tavern to grab something to cool her off, and calm her nerves.
"Ale, please."
The barkeep just looked at her, then laughed as he slid a mug to her. "Water, for a child."
*Child?! I've had 18 winters... jerk.* She scowled, snatching the mug from the bar and gulping it down as she glanced around. The place seemed far busier than usual. If she wasn't needing to get back so soon, she could have had one wonderful time with all those unguarded pockets...
She sighed, setting the cup back down and slipping from the chair. As she stepped outside, she spotted the man from earlier clearing across the grounds. Hm, so he had gotten rid of those fools from the guild. Curious about him, she wandered over, smiling. He smelled of incense- a priest? "Hello to you, sir. You seem... lost."
She may have been a thief, but unlike the group he had met earlier, she had a second side to her.

Joras glanced at the girl warily as she approached him, his recent encounter having put him in a defensive mood. He wasn't sure what her intentions were, but he had stowed his money inside his traveling robes after his discussion with the semi-concious thief in the alleyway. Apparently this city was rife with corruption. She had laughed when he threatened to go to the constables and explained to him in great detail, where the real power in the city lie. Joras had a hard time believing that humans could sink so low, as all he knew was the generousity and charity given to him at the Shen monestary. The real world was a very different place. He had gotten important information out of the lady thief though. He was told he was searching in the right area, that the one he sought was most likely a guild member or at least affiliated with the Guild of Thieves. A whole organization based around crime. Joras could hardly believe it. Faced with these revelations he realized his task would be daunting and only his faith in the Divine would see him through to the end.

The girl kept coming towards him and Joras prepared himself to flee rather than have to fight another person. She fixed him with a smile and said "Hello to you, sir. You seem... lost." He looked her over, trying to read her body language for signs of threat, but could discern nothing but sincerity in her body. "I... feel as if I've been lost since I walked into this city. Everything is so big and confusing. So much different than what I am used to." He admitted, keeping his eyes on her while also looking out for any others who might be using her as bait to lure him into a trap as before.

The tavern was thick with the smell of smoke, the noise of drunkards and the chaotic ruckus of men and women drinking themselves into a hazy bliss. No one seemed to be paying attention to the young man seated at the far corner table.

Caine lined his shot up carefully, his eyes narrowed to slits as he slowly worked the angles in his mind's eye. Pinched between his thumb and index finger was a long steel needle, almost 5 inches from tip to tip. Closing one eye he brought the needle back before flicking it foreword. The misslie sailed through the air like an angry wasp, the needle tip hitting it's mark exactly, slicing through the thin cord holding a large drunk man's coin purse in place.

"What the hell!?" The drunk man bellowed, whirling around to grab one of his drinking partners by the collar and pulling him in close. "Did you just cut my purse?"

"Blow it out your ass you old drunk, I didn't do nothing of the sort"

"Old drunk!"

The drunk man reared back and slammed his head into the other man's face, crushing his nose in a shower of red. In an instant the tavern was alive with activity, as all the pent up rage and aggression that comes from drinking and the general despair of the people that do drink, came rushing to the surface. It was only minutes before a full brawl broke out.

Caine dodged nimbly through the commotion, his quick hands darting out to snatch the coins from the fighter's purses, taking extra care to pick up the dropped bag of coins that had started it all. He loved this game, everyone was too busy fighting each other to notice you'd robbed them blind, and nobody would remember little ol' Caine while a big tavern brawl was going on.

The young thief smiled. Sometimes it was just too much fun.

"I... feel as if I've been lost since I walked into this city. Everything is so big and confusing. So much different than what I am used to."

The way his eyes were going, she thought she was talking to her father's ferret, not a man.... "I can try to help you, if you'd like. Once you know where you're going, its rather easy to figure out Gra-"
She cut short as she heard the bellows and smashing tables in the tavern behind her, glancing back and realizing the source. Caine, no doubt... Up to his tricks again. She smirked, shaking her head, then looked back to her nervous visitor.
"I apologize for that." She smiled, folding her hands in front of her. "I'm Ceris. It can get a bit... noisy around here sometimes."
She just hoped no one from the Guild spotted her- The perfect mark, right in front of her- and she was offering him help! Still, she couldn't bring herself to do anything to the guy. Taking money from a priest... She just couldn't do it. She wouldn't let anyone else do it, either.

In the state room, everyone was having a jolly good time, drinking and nattering away. Everyone put on false faces, made out they respected each other. Lewis was no exception, he had no noblemans blood in him, which meant to keep his position he had to be active: if he wasn't someones best friend, then he had better have a bit of scandalous information over them - you know illigitimate children, killed his own father before he had time to change the will, is secretly funding the guild - that kind of thing. For this, he had to keep his ear on the ground. Being only half belonging to this wealthy class, he had to keep up with all the goings on with the normal people too, so as that he can know when to up the rents on certain leases and suchlike, and to look out for new business ventures. Of course right now it wasn't all that important. He was only 25, his father looked after most of this stuff, he was in more of a trainee role. You know, more of the going out, getting lashed and coming back home at some point the next morning role.

Anyway the wine was flowing, perhaps a secret or two being revealed, all quite normal. Nobody would have thought that there was an imposter, a guild member preying on the poor unaware and unsuspecting rich folk. Lewis was entirely oblivious, though he had a lot more sense about him than half these pissed up old noblemen.

"So tell me," Ronald said, leaning against one of the walls, watching as she had just moved out from the crowd, "Do you usually knock down any stranger who happens to step into you, or just the cute ones?"

Daena laughed as Ronald appeared out of the crowd and offered the other constable a grin as she answered, "I know them all down and make sure they didn't try and snatch my coinpurse. If they didn't I apologize, if they didn I haul them in. It's quite effective. You should try it sometime."

Still smiling she turned her gaze back to the crowd around them. Something felt not quite right but she couldn't put her finger in just what it was and so she shrugged it off.

"Have you heard anything lately?"

"Not really. I haven't had much spare time beyond my patrols. My father is on one of his marriage kicks again. I swear the man will not give up trying to marry me off to some fop with a title. He needs to get over it and accept the fact that his daughter is a constable but he keeps hoping. In a few weeks he'll back off again for a few months and I'll get to have more time to speak with my contacts."

Taking a turn toward the market square she glanced up at Ronald, "What about you? Heard anything of interest recently?"

"Your father only wants what is best. I rather like it that you remain on the market though, so to speak. It adds a bit of flair to the thought of you being a constable."

He smiled, passing more than a noticing glance at her, before easing into the patrol. Two constables walking down the street, side by side, oh this was a momen to be held. For the few minutes, the marketplace actually seemed hospitable. People even lowered some prices to a more managable level, at least for the time being.

Ronald was pleased with such power. It thrilled him to no end.

"Yes, there was a jewel taken recently from some temple outside of town. Rumor has it one of the theive's here did it. So... it could be somewhere in the city. Only a rumor though. Other than that, I haven't heard much. It seems... almost peaceful here."

Indeed it was, and with a smile, and bounce in his step, he could not help but almost enjoy his walk with Daena.

"I have to go check in after a bit, but at the moment I am all yours..."