Stop thief!
Hello wonderful viewers on Minds. It’s Animeman73 again. We continue with Inessa Burnell’s #IBASwordtember challenge.
For day 24 of the challenge, the word/subject is: Versatile.
Let me show you what I came up with. Enjoy the vignette goodness.
The streets of Shadnar city were quiet, save for the occasional tread of boots from the night watch. Or the evening shenanigans of the local stray animals.
Far above on the rooftops none saw the black cloaked figure leap from rooftop to rooftop. This was what his kind called the Shadnar Sky Way. Green eyes used to moving at night looked around.
Good,no guards and I’m close to my destination. I can't wait to test my skills, the figure thought.
He scampered across the roof his footsteps not making a sound. He crossed a long pole that protruded from one of the rows of houses and leapt with all his strength.
He landed on the roof of the manor before him and grabbed the railway to the deck on the roof. “Hey who’s there?” He heard someone call.
Closing his eyes and not moving a muscle he waited. After several moments the voice he heard snapped, “Bah, nothing!”
The man slowed his breathing as he clambered over the rail, taking care to remain quiet. He looked up and saw the sky was full of clouds. My skills will be at their peak under this blanket of darkness, he thought.
Looking around he found a doorway. He pulled out a short sword from its scabbard and pressed a secret switch on the pommel.
The lockpick sprang forth from the tip of the blade. This hidden lockpick in my short sword sure makes this thing versatile. The man thought as he set to work on the door.
After a few minutes he heard the click of the lock turning, then the door opened. “Perfect.” He whispered before he tip-toed down the stairs.
He kept his ears open for any signs of noise. You may be a master thief Graham, but don’t get overconfident. The Footpad thought as he crept down the stairs.
At the bottom of the steps, he found another door. This one proved unlocked. A little too much confidence in your upper lock Lord Valshmeir. It’s not wise to put all your eggs in one basket, he thought.
The room he entered was one filled with all sorts of gaudy and exotic looking items. Graham couldn’t help but grimace at the poor taste. What was it about gaudy tasteless items and nobles? Lord Valshmeir, head of one of the largest banks in the city of Shadnar was no exception.
But Graham was not interested in any of these trinkets. He looked around remembering what the client had told him, and spotted it.
It didn’t seem like much when compared with everything else. A simple gold dagger with a single fire red ruby. Yet that ruby encrusted in the hilt glowed with mystic power.
“Well, hello there Dragon’s eye.” Graham whispered in a conversational tone.
“It seems you’ve attracted the interest of some powerful people. And I mean to deliver you to said people.”
He looked over where the dagger hung. He pulled out the special powder and began to sprinkle it over the area where the dagger was. The area began to glow with ghost white energy.
The master Thief recognized this. A shocking paralysis trap huh? Lord Valshmeir you are so predictable. I’ll give it five minutes at best.
The Master Thief’s hands moved over the surface and soon found the hidden control for the trap. He tapped the tiny protrusion beneath the dagger. And the ghost white light vanished.
Graham sighed in relief. He examined the holsters for the dagger and found they had no traps set on them. He removed the jeweled Dagger and smirked. “Fantastic.” He whispered.
Then he heard the sounds of a door opening. Uh-oh, the good Lord’s attaché have returned from a few rounds at the local tavern, time to go!
He heard several men climb the stairs. The master thief scrambled to the door and through it. He was halfway up the stairs when he heard, “To arms, to arms, the dagger’s gone!”
“Time to hoof it!” Graham squawked as he picked up the pace. “Up those stairs, stop thief!” he heard a guard shout.
But Graham knew that if he stopped, he was a dead man. He knew how ruthless Lord Valshmeir’s guards were.
He scrambled out the door and made his way to the rail. The thief sprang over the rail and slid down the roof.
Spotting the line, he needed he unfurled his sliding rope and hooked it. He swung himself into position. His rope carried him down the line to a nearby wall. Those window frame protrusions will make a great ladder.
He let go as he reached the end and grasped the protrusions. He scampered up the windows as he heard the sounds of crossbows firing. The bolts struck the walls but not him.
Soon he was on the roof as he heard the guards yell, “Call out the watch, thief!”
Graham thought, Once I get this prize to the client it’s time for me to lay low for a bit. I hear the city of Yordishan is good this time of year.