51 The Heist

Gerard and Sprite arrived at the steps to the upper district in Solares to meet the members of the Red Lotus and Brutus. Meticulously tended bushes and flowers lined the grey stone steps. The group stood there waiting for Gerard, all dressed in casual clothing without their weapons.

"All of us in the Red Lotus are willing to help with this, but if things go south, we're only here to recover Rose."

"I understand, and I don't blame you. Sprite's safety comes before any of yours, but if I can protect any of you if things go wrong, I will."

The group said their goodbyes, and those not part of the heist moved to the extraction point.

Gerard, Sprite, Rose, Delilah, and Brutus ascended the steps to the upper district.

"What is your purpose here?" the knight asked.

"We are here to see the world totem," Gerard said confidently.

The knight looked them over and checked their adventurer cards before nodding and letting them pass through. Once inside the castle walls, they went to the church.

Gerard, Sprite, and the others made their way towards the altar, where the world totem was displayed. The totem was tall and made of dark wood, with intricate carvings covering its surface. It glowed softly in the dim light of the church.

A priest stepped forward to greet them.

"Welcome to the administration building. May the gods and goddesses bless you on this fine day. How may I help you today?"

"We'd like to view the world totem."

"That'll be sixty-" The priest looked at Delilah closely.

"Yes?" Delilah nervously spoke.

"Is that you, Delilah?"

"Yes, Father Shane. It has been a while, and I thought I would visit the church while some companions of mine had a look at the world totem for research purposes."

"Oh, is that all? If you would give me five gold pieces, I'll guide you to the totem right now."

*From sixty down to five? Definitely a scam.*

"I wouldn't want to take up your time, Father. I can guide them."

"Okay, I'll give you temporary access." Shane grabbed Delilah's hand, whispered and a blue light transferred from his arm into Delilah's.

"Thank you."

Gerard grabbed five gold pieces and handed them to the priest before Delilah guided them towards the totem. After they walked down two hallways, Delilah stopped at a t-junction.

"If you turn right here and right at the next intersection, you'll eventually come to an old door on your left, which will take you to the upper district."

"Thank you for this."

"Remember, I can only pretend you're in the room for about an hour before people get suspicious."

"Of course, let's go!" Gerard rushed down the hall away from Delilah.

Rose, Sprite, and Brutus followed behind and kept up with Gerard's pace.

Their heavy footsteps echoed through the hall. As they walked, Gerard felt someone's eyes on them but continued. He held his breath, waiting for someone to stop them, but no one did.

Finally, they reached the exit and stepped out into the bright sunlight. Banners and unlit lanterns covered the streets in preparation for the festivities that would begin at sunset.

Near the castle, knights were training in a small area with swords, and a large knight stood over them, critiquing their stances and movements.

"That's Remus. We'll have to get into the castle without his eyes on us."

"Well, just in case my distraction doesn't work, Illusory Identity!" Brutus held his hands close to Gerard's face.

"Wow!" Sprite exclaimed.

"What?"

"You won't be able to be recognised by anyone now, and your face should create a small feeling of trust between those you meet. A travelling performer taught me this spell a few years ago. Careful, though, as it will wear off in around half an hour."

"Got it. What about Remus and the knights?"

"That's where I come in." Brutus took a revolting-looking rag from his pocket and walked out into the middle of the square.

The eyes of all the citizens of the upper district fell upon the giant, and he cupped his mouth with one hand.

"Step right up! Watch as I remove all of the grime from this rag!"

As more people crowded around him, Gerard watched the natural showmanship that came next.

"Cleansing River!" A swirl of water appeared from nowhere and rinsed the black rag until it became white.

The crowd gasped as they watched it unfold.

"But it's still wet." One man laughed at the feeble attempt at cleaning.

"Behold! Fire Element's Wind Torrent!" A gust of hot wind twisted around until the moisture evaporated from the rag.

"Well, that's pretty impressive..." The man backed off.

The crowd applauded and grew in number.

"That's not all, though! For only ten silver pieces, you can have not only the grime washed from your body but your fatigue as well!" Brutus shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Amazing. When he said he would cause a distraction, I had no idea what he planned."

The knights stopped their training and rushed to organise the disorderly crowd rushing to pay for Brutus' services.

"Rose, Sprite, let's go!" Gerard ran down the alleys towards the castle in the north.

As they approached the castle, the knights patrolled the walls and guarded the entrances.

"Wait in the nearby alley, Sprite. Rose, try to step into my shadow for as long as you can."

Sprite casually walked to the other side of the square and disappeared into an alley, and Rose sunk into the ground.

"I just have to convince them that I'm here for official reasons. Are you ready, Rose?"

"I'm ready." Rose's voice was distorted.

Gerard strode up to the guards confidently.

"I've been summoned to the castle to meet with my uncle."

"And you are?"

"Duke Harrington's nephew, Egbert Harrington. I've travelled a long way to get here, so if you don't let me in, I'll tell my uncle."

"Oh, Lord Egbert! We weren't told that you'd be arriving. Please, go inside."

"Thank you."

Gerard passed the doors into the castle, recited the directions given to him by Sprite before they began, and walked down several hallways and up a flight of stairs. Eventually, he arrived at a large door covered in runic symbols and guarded by two knights in full armour. They stood at attention, their expressions stern and unyielding. Gerard approached them, doing his best to maintain a look of ignorance.

"Rose, can you get through that?" Gerard whispered.

"I can. I've got a couple of skills that should let me pass through those enchantments."

"Let's do this, then."

As Gerard stepped closer, he watched Rose's shadow dart away from him and under the door.

"State your business," one of the knights demanded.

"Good afternoon! I seem to be lost. Do you know where my uncle is?"

"Uncle? Sorry, but only authorised personnel can come back here."

"I'm Duke Harrington's nephew."

"The explorer?" The knight's eyes lit up.

"Of course. Who else would I be?"

"I knew it!"

"Clint, we have to send him away," the other knight shook his head.

"Not yet; I want to ask him a few things, please?" Clint pleaded with his colleague.

"Fine."

"Do you have any stories of your recent adventures?" Clint asked with a fire in his eyes.

"Well, I've recently helped clear out a nest of Giant Fire Ants in the continent to the west. Did you know that female Giant Fire Ants can grow as large as a horse, and the queen can live for one hundred and fifty years?"

"What? That's terrifying! Have you really been to other continents?"

"I have. I've travelled all over the world. I've seen the ruined city of Oldergrah to the south, I've witnessed a kraken wrap itself around a ship in the ocean, and I've travelled to the cities on the floating islands in the skies."

"Those things can't all be real. You're making it up." The other knight scoffed.

"It's all true. Every last word."

Taken aback by Gerard's confidence, both knights now gaped in awe, unable to hide their interest in Gerard's fake stories.

"What else? How did you get to these floating islands?"

"There's a magical device that uses a mixture of fire magic and fast-spinning blades which can take you there."

"You flew on a magical device? What did it look like?"

"Like a giant bird made of metal!"

"Metal is too heavy to fly." The other knight dropped his sword to the ground to make a point.

"That's where the magic comes in. The blades spin so fast that it keeps the device in the air!" Gerard mimicked a plane's propellers by spinning his arms around.

"Wow..."

"What about the two of you? Have you seen anything interesting for me to add to my stories of adventure?"

"I once hunted a banshee in the northern forests! Her screams killed several of my friends, and I was left half-deaf from the experience." Clint tapped his right ear.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"No, no. It's okay. I'm married now, and I wouldn't give up my beautiful daughter for anything."

"I'm glad. I'll be sure to tell people about the brave knight who faced a banshee during my travels."

"Please mention that it was Clint."

"I will."

Gerard noticed a shadow zig-zag from beneath the door and join with his shadow.

"I've got it. Let's go." Rose whispered.

*Sprite, we've got the relic. Be ready to receive us.*

*I'll be ready.*

"Well, that was an enlightening conversation, and I thank you both for your wonderful contributions. Good day!" Gerard turned from the guards and trailed back towards the exit.

"No, thank you, Lord Harrington!" Clint yelled before Gerard closed the doors to the hallway.

As Gerard made his way out of the castle, he spotted Remus, the king's personal knight. The knight rushed down the hall and stood over Gerard menacingly.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Remus asked suspiciously.

"I was coming to see my uncle, Duke Harrington."

"Lord Harrington is looking after his son who has fallen ill. He won't be coming into the castle today."

"Oh, is that so? That explains why I haven't seen him anywhere. Well, I need to go right away to see my uncle and cousin, then!"

"Just so I know you're who you say you are, do you know what your cousin's name is?" Remus sat his hand on the hilt of his sword.

*Sprite, are you there?*

*Yes, what is it?*

"Of course I do. Why would you ask me that?" Gerard feigned anger.

*Do you or Brutus know what the name of Duke Harrington's son is?*

"Well, what's his name?"

A second passed, and Remus looked increasingly agitated.

*Cedric! Brutus said the young lord's name is Cedric.*

"My little cousin's name is Cedric."

"Okay, I'm sorry to have doubted you, Vernon. Your uncle has said much about you and your travels across the country."

*Oh, I guess I fit the description of one of the Duke's nephews, after all.*

"I believe that travel expands your views on the world. I have learned a lot during my travels."

"I'll have to ask you about them sometime when you're free. But, for now, I'll need to guide you out of the castle. I hope you understand."

"I'm looking forward to that conversation, and I do understand. It's a busy time of the year, after all."

"That it is. I spent nearly half an hour organising a crowd around an adventurer peddling his spells in the square."

*Half an hour? Shit. I've got to get moving before Brutus' spell wears off!*

"That sounds annoying. Please see me out, then."

"Follow me."

Gerard and Remus walked casually to the exit. Gerard's face flickered between his and the illusion briefly before returning to the illusion. They reached the exit, and Remus shook Gerard's hand before opening the doors.

"Thank you, Remus!"

Gerard rushed out of doors and down the streets before turning down an alley once the doors to the castle closed. While catching his breath, his face returned to normal, and he sighed.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shoulder, and he jumped forward before turning around with his fists raised. Sprite tilted her head and smiled.

"It's just me, silly."

"Oh, thank goodness."

"Where's Brutus?"

"He headed back before us."

"Oh, I wanted to thank him."

Suddenly, knights piled out of the castle and gathered their comrades until several dozen stood in the square outside the castle. At the front of them stood Remus.

"What's happening?" Gerard tried to get a better look from the alley.

"There's an imposter walking around the upper district disguised as Vernon, Duke Harrington's nephew. If you see anyone suspicious, detain them immediately!" Remus yelled at a large group of knights outside the castle.

"What? How did he find out?" Rose asked.

Gerard thought about their interaction and finally sighed.

"I think it's because I called him by his name, and he never told me. I messed up."

"Well, they don't know who we are yet. Time for the escape plan?"

"Let's do it!"

The three of them headed towards the eastern side of the wall. Once they reached it, Rose whistled like a bird, and a rope flew over the wall, landing right beside Gerard. One at a time, they climbed the rope and descended down the other side.

Jerrick and Quinne stood on the edge of the upper district, waiting for them. Gerard stepped closer to the edge and looked down at the city below. He kicked a small stone and watched it fall until he could no longer see it.

"What now?"

"We climb down. We could follow the wall back to the steps to and from the upper district, but if the knights see us, there could be trouble."

"Climbing it is, then."

"Not me." Rose sunk into the shadows and disappeared.

*I could also do that, but I might end up even more exhausted than I'd be from climbing.*

Jerrick moved first and lowered himself down the edge. Quinne followed soon after. Gerard and Sprite descended simultaneously and carefully planned their movements down to the lower district.

As they made their way back to the inn, Gerard couldn't help but feel relieved. They had done it, and they had done it together. He knew that he had made the right choice in asking for help, and he was grateful to have such an amazing team by his side.

They entered the Boar's Head inn, and the group, except for Sprite, ascended the stairs to the second floor before entering the room. Once everyone was inside, and Quinne locked the door, Rose grabbed Jerrick's interdimensional bag from around her waist.

"Here you go." Rose pulled a metallic cylinder from the bag.

"It doesn't look very special." Gerard went to grab it, and a barrier stopped his hand before searing the tips of his fingers.

"It's special, alright. It sees me as the owner right now and won't let you near it if I don't want you to."

"How did you know it would do that?"

"The shrine in the village I grew up in had a similar relic before monsters destroyed it. Before that, dozens of monsters died just trying to grab it."

"And your village?"

"Gone, now."

"I'm sorry."

"That's why I became an adventurer, so I could help prevent that from happening to others. Anyway, here." Rose sat the relic in Gerard's hand and smiled sadly.

"Thank you."

"Speaking about adventurers, I met your daughter, Jerrick."

"You met Rena?"

"While returning from a quest. I gave her a lift. She has a fire in her that nobody will be able to extinguish."

"She gets that from my wife, Scarlette. Is she doing well?"

"She's tough and might be able to beat me without my magic. She's a B-rank adventurer if you didn't know."

"I didn't. Is she-"

"The Red Talon? Yup. Ask her about the name when you see her next; I won't spoil the surprise."

"I will."

"Thank you, everyone."

"Save those nymphs, and we'll be even," Quinne replied.

"I will."

*Sprite, are you nearby?*

*Just outside, making sure nobody followed us.*

*And did they?*

*It feels like someone is watching us, but I can't see anything.*

*I felt the same thing in the church. Let's be careful.*

*I will.*

"I'll head out now. Please thank Delilah and Brutus for me if you can."

"I'll let them know."

"Bye, everyone. I hope we can all work together again soon."

"Just try to make sure it's not to commit treason again, okay?" Rose laughed.

"Of course..."

Gerard and Sprite left the Boar's Head and returned to their inn. They promptly re-equipped their adventuring gear and prepared to set off.

---

"Thank you, humans, for returning our relic." Aqua handed the relic to her kin, and they carried it to the lake's depths.

"My pleasure. I'm sorry that some of you were injured while trying to stay true to our promise."

"None of my kin died, so that can be forgiven. With the relic secured, you won't have to worry about us or those coming here anymore."

"I'm just glad I could help. Goodbye, Aqua."

"What is your name, human?"

"I am Gerard, and this is Sprite."

Sprite smiled and waved.

"Gerard and Sprite... I'll remember your names forever, humans. Before you go, I have something that may interest you."

Two nymphs dragged a large chest to the lake's shore, and when it opened, Gerard's eyes widened. Inside, hundreds of gold and silver coins bulged, and the sun reflected off them, creating a beautiful sparkle.

"Aqua?"

"We have no use for human currency. Some of the metals in the chest are over a hundred years old, though, so I hope that would not be an issue."

"And you are giving this to us?"

"Of course. You have saved us and our home."

"Thank you. I will make sure that these funds go towards something practical."

"That is of no concern to me. Do what you will with these pieces of metal."

Gerard spent time collecting all of the gold coins from the chest and counted three hundred. Within the chest, Gerard found four platinum coins as well. Between Alder's saddlebag, his pack, and Sprite's pack, they barely packed all of the coins.

"Is it okay if we leave the silver coins here?"

"I would be happy to see you both again, and I am sure my kin feel the same way. Holding onto this 'silver' is no issue."

"Then until we see each other again, Aqua."

"Goodbye, our human friends." Aqua and the other nymphs waved them goodbye.

Gerard and Sprite hopped atop Alder and rode it through the forest.

"What are we spending all of this on?" Sprite asked.

"A house!" Gerard smiled widely while Alder galloped towards the city.