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Thunder rumbled somewhere in the distance as the thief drew his dagger. Tonight was the night. Creeping along the stone floored passageway he was certain his plan would accomplish what others before him had failed to do. A sharp clatter made him stop abruptly. He waited, barely daring to breathe, hand tightening on the hilt of his dagger. Lightning struck followed by a louder crack of thunder. The rain had started. This was both a blessing and a curse. Tracks could be washed away, sounds muffled yet that part was to his disadvantage as much as it was to his liking. They could not be heard as well.

The stone stairs hadn’t noticed him as he walked silently across the cobbles his leather shoes making little to no noise. His breathing was measured and calculated as was his steps. A light in the room on the left stopped him at the landing. Waiting in the cloak of shadows he watched. Were this a person of power his position could very much be jeopardized and were it someone of servant status then perhaps an extra body would make it much more likely to be discovered. The thief considered this, were it worth it to dash by the door and count on the rain to mask his steps or should he risk another casualty?

Lightning again followed by thunder made his mind up for him as he bolted across the doorway as the thunder died down. He smiled as he turned the corner but that smile faltered as he fell into a guard. Quick reflexes and a sharp dagger insured the thief advanced. A blade through the throat was quite a grisly disposal but he must make haste so cleanliness couldn’t be brooded on. He lowered himself and wiped the guards blood from his blade onto the guard’s leather money pouch, which hung from his belt. The thief would have loved to pilfer that money but more then a king’s ransom was waiting for him were he to succeed.

Keeping his quick yet cautious pace he advanced further into the castle. What a large manor for one man, wifeless and alone with but one daughter to keep him company. The King was at least in good taste as the banners and curtains of the walls and windows were gorgeously colored. The thief could see brilliant patterns shown on each, every time the lightning struck. He stopped. He had reached the courtyard balcony.

Taking off his leather bag from around his shoulder he pulled a long length of cord. On the top of the cord was a rather large four way-fishing hook. He pulled on the hook firmly. It held. Placing the bag once more around his shoulders he steadied himself. After taking note that no sound occurred but the rain and thunder and nothing stirred in the area the thief was confident enough to proceed. With great effort and with a large swing the hook was slung up and over the balcony. The thief tugged on the cord making sure the hook was firmly against the railing. He tested it, one foot first and then the second one. Jumping silently a bit to sure himself it would hold he began his ascent up the wall.

Hand over hand and one foot at a time he scaled the wall. Hoisting his left leg over he slid from the hooked cord over the ledge. He coiled the hook up once more and stored it in his bag. He would need this again later. Standing up as he slung the back over his shoulder the thief turned a corner. Two hallways. He wondered which led to his destination. One was lit with candles and had two windows along the walls. It tapered off into a corner and looked as if it trailed down into a tower like area. He had just come from down in the courtyard, perhaps that path led there. He smiled and took the closer of the two.

Rain pummeled the stone outside. It was getting harder with more force. He kept his ears open at all times. Following the path down the stairs it was there that he noticed a door, large and heavy in size. He tugged quietly on the handle. Nothing. He raised his hand and ran it all along the door. His fingers trailed down the ridges in the wood, following the grain as his hand slid down the door. He smiled and nodded. This was his destination. He could feel it pulsating through the door. Reaching over to his bag he pulled it off his shoulder. Once on the floor he dumped the contents of an extra pair of shoes, dark clothing, a wineskin, the hooked cord and a few other odds and ends. He took the cord and slinging it over his shoulder once more kicked the door in.

Stealth wasn’t an issue now. He had come for what he had journeyed for. Entering the room through the battered doorway he strode confidently into the room, silence except for the thunder and rain. The room was empty. He nodded, expecting this. The thief walked to the north wall and tapped the stone in the shape of a circle on the floor in front of the window. The floor shuddered and slowly began to peel away. As if by magic the stone floor crumbled into a nice neat staircase.

Taking each step one at a time the thief slowly walked downward toward the bottom of the stairs, each step getting a little faster yet still keeping his feet as noiseless as possible, He could not be closer to his prize. At the bottom of the stairs he saw a small archway. The thief entered it and surveyed the room.

Below him was glass flooring and below that a beast of unimaginable magnitude, He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it. It had a large head that looked overly sized to its body. There were large eyes sunken inside that skull and it had many horns sticking out at every angle. Legs like that of a lion only instead of fur it had many layers of scales. The beast was round and heavy with wide shoulders and hindquarters. Three spikes ran down it’s back into a large point on the tip of each. Standing higher then a building the beast was orange in color with streaks of yellow and black. It looked as if it had come from the sun itself.

“You’ve made a fatal error young lad.” A voice thick with accent was speaking.

“Not many dare to break into the kings castle let alone make it to the treasury. You’ve done quite a feat there.”

The thief looked in front of him. Standing at close to seven feet tall stood a man the thief recognized instantly. The General.

“You expect me to turn back then?” The thief spat. Kneeling down to adjust his boot.

“No, no quite the contrary. I’d love for you to stay. There’s a ceremony to be had. We’d love to have you.” The General snapped his fingers and the thief instantly was bound with rope. Struggling, the thief could do nothing.

“Keeping me alive will grant you nothing. Kill me now before you regret it.”

“Threats?” The General sneered. “Why, I don’t believe you’re in the position to be making demands.” Three guards had just come running in. The General smiled and nodded toward them.

“Cronies to help at all times, Eh, ‘boss’, can’t you do anything yourself?” The thief would rather die then be held captive by this man. The General just smiled.

“The guards here will escort you to your new chambers until the ceremony tomorrow morning at dawn. You still have some time to sleep. Do rest comfortably. We wouldn’t want you to miss the execution of your King.” The General sneered again as the thief was in awe…

COMMENTS

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EternalLover
03:49 Jul 31 2009

nice! You should add a little thingy to say what the whole story is about. :)

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