Chapter 219: Thief Catcher
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Chapter 219: Thief Catcher
Thief Catcher
Unlike previous times, Martel did not feel the same concoction of emotions as he headed out to meet the Night Knives for another task. His heart and mind felt heavy, given the circumstances. Maybe he could tell the Night Knives that he would not do further work after today; then he would say to Jasper that they simply had not offered him any new tasks. It would not solve the fact that the acolyte knew about him, but at least Martel would not have to undertake more of this work and pay Jasper for the privilege.
He reached the humble headquarters of the Night Knives. Despite his low mood, he could not help but laugh as Marcus opened the door. The grim warrior was dressed like a dockworker or day-labourer, wearing practical clothes of leather and linen. He wore no weapons except for the dagger that always sat in his belt, of the same make as what Flora had. Compared to his typical armour and surcoat, he looked a far cry from his usual intimidating self.
Seeing Martel's response, Marcus snorted and let him enter. As for Flora, she wore a dress made from wool, sensible for the season, and dyed in bright colours. Along with some jewellery, a heavy purse, and a bundle of keys hanging by her belt, she looked like the wife of a well-to-do merchant or sought-after craftsman.
"How do you like our disguises?"
"Better than what you usually wear," Martel replied. "Is this the plan?"
Flora grabbed the purse by her waist and shook it. "I got a nice bag of iron bits. Jingles just like coins, looks heavy too. I'll parade my wealth outside The River Pearl. Lady Pearl, not to be confused with her establishment, has made her guards patrol heavily outside for the last few days, hopefully starving our thief so that they seize the opportunity I present."L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
"Marcus and me, we're the lookouts?"
She nodded. "Since our quarry can't run south, into the tavern, they got three escape routes. East or west along the main road, or north into one of the alleys. You and Marcus will take position west and north, covering those roads. I'll watch east and send a signal if I don't manage to capture them in the act. Then it will be up to you."
"Alright. Let's get going." Moments after, the trio left the insula.
He also had the advantage of knowing the area, making quick turns where Martel lost time as he tried to do it as swiftly. In a few moments, it would be too late.
Praying that nobody else would appear suddenly, or at least they would not get hurt if so, Martel sent a blast of wind forward when he had a direct line to the boy.
The gust pushed the boy straight onto the ground, slamming his little body against the dirt. The sight made Martel feel guilty; he had not intended to use quite so much of his spellpower, but fear that the thief would escape had made him use too much rather than too little.
"I'm a mage, boy! No use in running. But if you stop and come with me, I won't hurt you more. I promise." The novice hoped that Flora had told him the truth about Lady Pearl wanting to recruit rather than harm the little thief, lest she made a liar of Martel.
The boy got on his feet slowly, turning around to face his pursuer. "You won't hurt me again?" His body relaxed a little.
Martel quickly closed the distance between them. "I won't." He placed one hand on the boy's shoulder. "Come with me."
Without warning, the thief kicked his foot into Martel's groin. As the mage sank to his knees in pain, his prey bolted.
That little – Martel was going to kill him. If he could just focus long enough to cast another spell. Taking deep breaths, Martel relented from using fire to burn the boy into a crisp and sent another blast of wind against his target.
This time, the boy willingly allowed himself to fall forward, letting his feet and hands touch the ground. As the wind passed over him, he leapt back up and started running again, though he had time to look behind him and make a rude gesture at Martel.
As he turned his head forward again, he found a wall of earth blocking the alley. Behind it stood Flora. "That's close enough, kid. Stay out of kicking distance." She looked behind him at Martel, slowly getting back on his feet. "Come on. Let's get paid."
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Chapter 219: Thief Catcher
Thief Catcher
Unlike previous times, Martel did not feel the same concoction of emotions as he headed out to meet the Night Knives for another task. His heart and mind felt heavy, given the circumstances. Maybe he could tell the Night Knives that he would not do further work after today; then he would say to Jasper that they simply had not offered him any new tasks. It would not solve the fact that the acolyte knew about him, but at least Martel would not have to undertake more of this work and pay Jasper for the privilege.
He reached the humble headquarters of the Night Knives. Despite his low mood, he could not help but laugh as Marcus opened the door. The grim warrior was dressed like a dockworker or day-labourer, wearing practical clothes of leather and linen. He wore no weapons except for the dagger that always sat in his belt, of the same make as what Flora had. Compared to his typical armour and surcoat, he looked a far cry from his usual intimidating self.
Seeing Martel's response, Marcus snorted and let him enter. As for Flora, she wore a dress made from wool, sensible for the season, and dyed in bright colours. Along with some jewellery, a heavy purse, and a bundle of keys hanging by her belt, she looked like the wife of a well-to-do merchant or sought-after craftsman.
"How do you like our disguises?"
"Better than what you usually wear," Martel replied. "Is this the plan?"
Flora grabbed the purse by her waist and shook it. "I got a nice bag of iron bits. Jingles just like coins, looks heavy too. I'll parade my wealth outside The River Pearl. Lady Pearl, not to be confused with her establishment, has made her guards patrol heavily outside for the last few days, hopefully starving our thief so that they seize the opportunity I present."L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
"Marcus and me, we're the lookouts?"
She nodded. "Since our quarry can't run south, into the tavern, they got three escape routes. East or west along the main road, or north into one of the alleys. You and Marcus will take position west and north, covering those roads. I'll watch east and send a signal if I don't manage to capture them in the act. Then it will be up to you."
"Alright. Let's get going." Moments after, the trio left the insula.
He also had the advantage of knowing the area, making quick turns where Martel lost time as he tried to do it as swiftly. In a few moments, it would be too late.
Praying that nobody else would appear suddenly, or at least they would not get hurt if so, Martel sent a blast of wind forward when he had a direct line to the boy.
The gust pushed the boy straight onto the ground, slamming his little body against the dirt. The sight made Martel feel guilty; he had not intended to use quite so much of his spellpower, but fear that the thief would escape had made him use too much rather than too little.
"I'm a mage, boy! No use in running. But if you stop and come with me, I won't hurt you more. I promise." The novice hoped that Flora had told him the truth about Lady Pearl wanting to recruit rather than harm the little thief, lest she made a liar of Martel.
The boy got on his feet slowly, turning around to face his pursuer. "You won't hurt me again?" His body relaxed a little.
Martel quickly closed the distance between them. "I won't." He placed one hand on the boy's shoulder. "Come with me."
Without warning, the thief kicked his foot into Martel's groin. As the mage sank to his knees in pain, his prey bolted.
That little – Martel was going to kill him. If he could just focus long enough to cast another spell. Taking deep breaths, Martel relented from using fire to burn the boy into a crisp and sent another blast of wind against his target.
This time, the boy willingly allowed himself to fall forward, letting his feet and hands touch the ground. As the wind passed over him, he leapt back up and started running again, though he had time to look behind him and make a rude gesture at Martel.
As he turned his head forward again, he found a wall of earth blocking the alley. Behind it stood Flora. "That's close enough, kid. Stay out of kicking distance." She looked behind him at Martel, slowly getting back on his feet. "Come on. Let's get paid."
Chapter 219: Thief CatcherThief CatcherUnlike previous times, Martel did not feel the same concoction of emotions as he headed out to meet the Night Knives for another task. His heart and mind felt heavy, given the circumstances. Maybe he could tell the Night Knives that he would not do further work after today; then he would say to Jasper that they simply had not offered him any new tasks. It would not solve the fact that the acolyte knew about him, but at least Martel would not have to undertake more of this work and pay Jasper for the privilege.He reached the humble headquarters of the Night Knives. Despite his low mood, he could not help but laugh as Marcus opened the door. The grim warrior was dressed like a dockworker or day-labourer, wearing practical clothes of leather and linen. He wore no weapons except for the dagger that always sat in his belt, of the same make as what Flora had. Compared to his typical armour and surcoat, he looked a far cry from his usual intimidating self.Seeing Martel's response, Marcus snorted and let him enter. As for Flora, she wore a dress made from wool, sensible for the season, and dyed in bright colours. Along with some jewellery, a heavy purse, and a bundle of keys hanging by her belt, she looked like the wife of a well-to-do merchant or sought-after craftsman."How do you like our disguises?""Better than what you usually wear," Martel replied. "Is this the plan?"Flora grabbed the purse by her waist and shook it. "I got a nice bag of iron bits. Jingles just like coins, looks heavy too. I'll parade my wealth outside The River Pearl. Lady Pearl, not to be confused with her establishment, has made her guards patrol heavily outside for the last few days, hopefully starving our thief so that they seize the opportunity I present."L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Nvl--B1n."Marcus and me, we're the lookouts?"She nodded. "Since our quarry can't run south, into the tavern, they got three escape routes. East or west along the main road, or north into one of the alleys. You and Marcus will take position west and north, covering those roads. I'll watch east and send a signal if I don't manage to capture them in the act. Then it will be up to you.""Alright. Let's get going." Moments after, the trio left the insula.He also had the advantage of knowing the area, making quick turns where Martel lost time as he tried to do it as swiftly. In a few moments, it would be too late.Praying that nobody else would appear suddenly, or at least they would not get hurt if so, Martel sent a blast of wind forward when he had a direct line to the boy.The gust pushed the boy straight onto the ground, slamming his little body against the dirt. The sight made Martel feel guilty; he had not intended to use quite so much of his spellpower, but fear that the thief would escape had made him use too much rather than too little."I'm a mage, boy! No use in running. But if you stop and come with me, I won't hurt you more. I promise." The novice hoped that Flora had told him the truth about Lady Pearl wanting to recruit rather than harm the little thief, lest she made a liar of Martel.The boy got on his feet slowly, turning around to face his pursuer. "You won't hurt me again?" His body relaxed a little.Martel quickly closed the distance between them. "I won't." He placed one hand on the boy's shoulder. "Come with me."Without warning, the thief kicked his foot into Martel's groin. As the mage sank to his knees in pain, his prey bolted.That little Martel was going to kill him. If he could just focus long enough to cast another spell. Taking deep breaths, Martel relented from using fire to burn the boy into a crisp and sent another blast of wind against his target.This time, the boy willingly allowed himself to fall forward, letting his feet and hands touch the ground. As the wind passed over him, he leapt back up and started running again, though he had time to look behind him and make a rude gesture at Martel.As he turned his head forward again, he found a wall of earth blocking the alley. Behind it stood Flora. "That's close enough, kid. Stay out of kicking distance." She looked behind him at Martel, slowly getting back on his feet. "Come on. Let's get paid."
