Descending down the narrow, curving stone staircase and stepping into the calf high flowing water, a small amount of light coming down from the stormdrain above. The sewers, a home away from home. The guild back in Lumeer had been located in the sewers. East side of the city, near the Rat Cellar. There were only a handful of entrances without climbing in and out of a stormdrain, but they allowed the entire city to be navigated in a general sense. It wasn`t even an overly filthy way to travel, except during dry spells. The entrances in the noble district had been deliberately sealed up any number of times because of guild activity.

　　Taking a few steps but a realization a couple feet in. Had invested into sneaking, but compared to Magpie`s practiced footfalls it was just over the line of adequate, and still bordering on amateur. This wasn`t my domain. Not anymore. The sudden realization stark, hitting much harder than it had any right to. Had been playing here and there at being a Thief, but not even rising to the level of imitation when standing next to one. If we run into anyone down here, they`re dead. Going to kill the whole lot.

　　"North is that way, I think," said Magpie, pointing in the direction the water was flowing from.

　　"Yeah, but that`s northwest. Direct north is that way." Pointing off at an angle. "And our destination is more north-northeast. These sewers were probably designed to manage flooding and help with irrigation, the water is flowing away from the river to the south and east."

　　"So what does that mean?"

　　"We`re real close to the river so we`ll probably hit a dead end if we go that way."

　　"Or the tunnel turns," she replied.

　　"The water probably gets real deep." Magpie chewing on that for a moment. "If we go south a bit there`ll probably be an access tunnel and we can head to the northeast."

　　"If you think so. Lead the way."

　　"Hey Magpie, I brought matches but I didn`t anticipate anything like this so I don`t have any torches. I`m going to use my shield for light. And that`s bound to draw some attention."

　　"You`ll be fine." Magpie`s reply immediate and flippant.

　　"Let me see your knife." Tracing, my entire hand. "I need you to understand what exactly we`re doing right now. I`m going to be bait for this whole operation. You need to watch my back. If we run into any of them down here we`re not going waste time explaining, and we`re not going to apologize or ask permission. If they get too close we`re going to kill them and move on."

　　"What if they have good stuff?"

　　"Well, okay, good point. We can take some time to search them, but we`re going to be quick about it."

　　"Lead the way." Her cheshire grin the last thing to fade from sight.

　　Creaking a cracking area in front and above me, just outside my peripheral vision, causing the area in front of me to light up. Moving at a deliberate pace in the direction of the running water. Magpie a step or two behind. Felt more than anything, not seen, not heard, a second shadow.

　　Following the pipes on the top of the tunnel until some branched off to the left. An access tunnel leading to the northeast. Climbing the ladder rungs, the red glow from my knife leading. My soft, squelching footsteps overpowered by the crackling of the shield echoing throughout the tunnel. Undoubtedly drawing attention from anyone within earshot. Hopefully, temporarily, keeping things at bay as well. Quickening my pace.

　　Hitting the junction with the next tunnel, the water slightly deeper. Up the ladder and continuing northeast. Another junction. The water a bit higher - maybe an inch - up the ladder and continuing along the access tunnel.

　　A bit of light ahead, expecting another junction with a stormdrain letting in some sunlight, but instead the room containing a large cistern and a few small lightsources on the wall. The walkway continuing around the room in a semi circle to the exit on the other side. Low light coming from the path in that direction. Deactivating the shield, the sound of dripping and flowing water replacing the crackling echo. Looking back to where Magpie should be, the passage still and silent. Letting my eyes adjust.

　　A flurry of movement, a thickness in the air, and a sudden cry of pain cut off. The two figures coalescing in my vision. A man falling to the ground and Magpie withdrawing her knife from his eye socket.

　　"He started following us a little bit back." Wiping her knife on his coat and starting to search his pockets.

　　"Anything?" Walking over and reactivating the shield to add more light.

　　"Nothing really, his gear is pretty basic. A couple silver."

　　"We`re getting near." No need to elaborate near what, still probably only about halfway to where we were staying. "So I`m going to stop using this for the time being." Deactivating the shield again.

　　Turning back in the direction of the cistern, Magpie once again out of sight. Walking around the edge, but something not seeming right. Always listen to your instincts. They may not always be right, but they`re usually never trying to lie to you. Activating the shield at full brightness, the cracking flash revealing two men who`d been waiting near the exit, their hands raising to block the sudden light. My advance not slowing.

　　"You`re trespassing," said one.

　　"Only passing through. Get out of my way."

　　That comment earning a thrown knife, deflected off to the side by a pulse of the shield. The man in back retreating toward the tunnel, the one in front backing off slowly, in a defensive posture.

　　Standard guild protocol on invasions: scout out the approaching force and determine relative strength. If minor, neutralize. If more than minor, delay their approach and return to base and rally a defense. Our last major skirmish in Lumeer had been three year prior, and we`d successfully defended because of that protocol. Our counterattack then solidified our control over the entire east side. These things undoubtedly have similar rules in place.

　　Getting in close, my weapon raised, but not stabbing or swinging, instead giving the shield a pulse, pushing the man back a couple steps. His first step back finding the metal grating, his second step finding nothing but air, sending him tumbling sideways into the water. Ignoring his splashing and choosing instead to chase my fleeing target.

　　Halfway down the corridor and not making up any ground, the man all the way to the end and taking a right. Breaking off pursuit and instead taking a different path in a different direction, through a series of turns.

　　"Left."

　　Activating the shield on Magpie`s warning, the darkness from the alcove on the left erupting with two would-be assassins. The shield stopping the first one`s sword thrust, the second intercepted by Magpie, who abandoned his planned attack to dodge her upward slash, her knife barely kissing his cheek. The two squaring off for a moment, testing each other`s defenses.

　　Making a feint at my assassin, sending him back a cautious step. Aiming my ungloved hand at the one fighting Magpie, using the distraction to put a black blot on his clothing. Pulsing the shield again, forcing mine back another step and willing pieces to be removed on my drawing, leaving a Rune Trap. Activating it, freezing him in place, allowing her knife to take him in his now defenseless throat. With his friend dead, or close enough, my assassin trying to disengage. Magpie coming from the side, sticking him, and then me finishing the job.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

　　The sound of our labored breathing filling the tunnel.

　　"We`ve got to keep moving."

　　"You weren`t anywhere near him," she accused.

　　"That`s something else I`m trusting you with. C`mon, we`ve got to go."

　　"Hold up a second, this one has a decent sword."

　　Some more silver in our pockets and Mapgie taking the sword and scabbard.

　　Getting to the end of the tunnel and running into some iron bars going floor to ceiling. A locked gate. Looking over at Magpie. You didn`t bring any herbs. You didn`t bring any food. That wasn`t good planning but it wasn`t critical. But please, please don`t tell me you forget everything you learned. Please tell me you have your-

　　"I`ll open the door." Magpie pulling out a small, flat pouch. Her tools. Relief flooding my system. The girl going down on one knee, settling into the process of picking the lock. Activating the shield to light up the tunnel behind us, another blot on the ground, removing pieces for another Rune Trap.

　　"Why didn`t you bring anything other than a knife?"

　　"Huh?" Her distracted reply coming a moment later. "You`re one to talk."

　　"I`m sort of restricted. I know you`re not."

　　"I`m not set up for it right now. You said it earlier, a knife is much more useful in town. I can`t be carrying around something like that in the club."

　　"When we get back you`re going to start coming out with me."

　　A pause. "You`re not even asking, are you?"

　　"You don`t want to?"

　　"I don`t know. Ask me when we get back to town." A distinct clicking sound, the iron gate swinging open. "Let`s go."

　　Splashing northwest through another drainage tunnel, the water just past the knee. Getting to another access tunnel and heading northeast. A series of tunnels later poking our heads outside of the sewer entrance closest to our lodging, roughly four streets away. Probably going to be a final mad dash. Our previously freshly cleaned clothing now covered head to toe in muck.

　　Getting out and walking purposefully down the street, weapons drawn, faces grim. Things in their bright clothing taking one look and moving out of the way. One street, and then a loud spate of jabbering, someone in the direction of our destination pointing at us, a couple of them turning to look.

　　"Sewers."

　　Running, being chased, and then sliding back down the ladder. Wading away from the entrance. No one immediately coming in, then a ball of fire coming from the opening above, hitting the water and losing much of its power, but still exploding outward. The wave of steam only slighty warm at this distance. Then the tak tak tak of a few sets of feet on the ladder, coming down.

　　"I`ll be bait." Whispering.

　　Moving away from the entrance, but not too fast. Activating the shield to make noise, bumbling along. Magpie staying behind, laying in wait. The one in the back, the Wizard, making some gestures, speaking a phrase, and throwing another ball of fire in my direction. The environment, however, not very conducive to the attack, taking a breath and hitting the deck. Spluttering, getting back on my feet, his two friends starting to come after me. One with a crossbow firing a bolt. Bringing up the shield to block it but the projectile missing me altogether. The man starting to reload as he moved. The Wizard following them from behind.

　　Overconfidence, a slow and insidious killer. Or, in this case, very quick.

　　The Wizard suddenly finding it much more difficult to articulate his spells, Magpie`s knife reliving him of that burden. Possibly would have been luckier if he`d been wearing his pointy hat, but maybe it was still in the laundry. Shame. Turning around charging back at them.

　　The sound of his sudden urk causing the two in front to stop short and look back at their ex-friend. The one still reloading his crossbow bringing it up to block Magpie`s thrust while trying to get out another weapon. Getting stuck, but not deep, managing to draw his sword and giving a big slash causing her to back off. Almost at them. The other one putting his back to his friend, facing me, his sword and shield at the ready. Hesitating, waiting to see my move. That`s the wrong move.

　　A blot on him, turning into a Rune Trap. Not freezing this time, but a look of sickness coming over his face. Trying to retreat, his guard slackening, and backing into his friend. Magpie getting two quick stabs on the off balance friend, once in the gut and once in the face.

　　The sickly one with nowhere left to go, taking a knife in the back and then to the side of his neck. The tunnel going still. Waiting a few moments to see if any more were coming down before beginning the time honored tradition. Rifling the bodies.

　　"These guys definitely have some better stuff," said Magpie, "Oh, a new knife. Not as good as mine but definitely a decent backup. What`s that guy got?"

　　"A wand, a pretty good one, at that. Not for me, but definitely worth something. A scrollcase, too. Hopefully not junk, but we`ll see."

　　"What`s that crossbow made of?" she said.

　　"Tough to tell down here but I`ll grab it."

　　Heading back to the exit and poking our heads out again. The last group didn`t have anyone who could throw a web, they had all been wearing metallic items. Undoubtedly more of them out there. Leaving the sewers again, weapons out again, eyes peeled. One street. Nothing yet. Two streets. Our destination coming into sight. Not even chancing it, breaking out into a run. Getting to the door and then inside ready for an ambush. Waiting a moment in the entrance, seeing if anyone was in here waiting for us. Nothing. Heart rates and breathing returning to normal.

　　Walking through the titty bar and up the stairs. First room, hearing sounds inside. Opening the door and entering without even bothering to knock. From the looks of it Greene about halfway through with a hooker. At our entrance, covered in filth, the two stopping, the girl wide eyed and nervous. Greene trying to figure out what was going on.

　　"Hey Tommy, hold out your hands."

　　Clearly thinking about asking a question, but at my and Magpie`s expressions not doing so.

　　"Here`s your cut. We went through a lot of bullshit getting it to you, but don`t worry about any of that. Its payday." Thirteen gold coins.

　　Hitting up the rest of the rooms. Two similar situations. Sometimes needing to knock, sometimes not. Some people not in. And then Daniel and Serena`s room, opening the door, seeing them. And Wallace, too. Making a sandwich. Walking over to the couch and unceremoniously dumping the money.

　　"Its payday." Turning to Magpie. "Let`s get lunch."

　　"Going to wash my face first," said Magpie.

　　"You two make sure you`re back here by six." Daniel`s voice hitting us as we were almost out the door. "We`re all going to be having dinner together."

　　"Yes, sir." Trying keep the resentment out of my voice.

　　Brothel lunch. Even better than brothel breakfast. Maybe not, probably just hungrier.

　　"We need to go to the bathhouse and get this all cleaned again," said Magpie.

　　"Our underwear, too."

　　Silence at that, glowering at our half full pints. Magpie looking over at me and starting to laugh. No choice but to join in.

　　Raising my mug. "To us, we killed the fuck out of that." Clink. Drinking it down. Stretching my arms above my head. "Before we go to the bathhouse we have to make a quick stop first."

　　Back to where we`d been only a few hours ago. Back to the bank. The teller standing up at our entrance, saying something. Probably inconsequential. The woman trying to retreat but nowhere near quick enough. Reaching out with my gloved hand and freezing her in place. Her eyes moving around. Making a sound. Probably trying to call for help.

　　Giving a little push, her head hitting the stone floor, the sound of it filling the room. Getting in a couple kicks. Magpie doing the same. Kneeling down with my knife out, bringing it right up to her face.

　　"If you ever pull shit like that again I`m going to come back here and kill you real slow. Real slow. Tell what`s left of your friends what`s going to happen." Dazed, her eyes unfocused, leaking.

　　Standing up. Magpie giving her a last kick. More than a few guards coming from around the corner from the area with the vault, their weapons drawn. Backing out into the street, waving goodbye, and running off.

　　"I feel much better, let`s get these clothes cleaned."