The Riches of Prison

[Mel]

Mel relaxed back on her pallet, blue eyes closed her face calm, almost as if she was off in sweet slumber. The dungeon of the governor's abode was rather dingy, the ceiling did need some repairing with all of the water that dripped in and a soft carpet of mossy green mold growing in the corner. It was at the very least one of the more less desirable places to stay in the western isles.

She sighed thinking back to her soft woolen cloak that they had taken among her other possessions. Though the cloak was important with the maps she had sewn into the lining ever so carefully, above anything she needed to get it back before it was lost.

Lazily she counted the steps in her head listening to the guards outside the door waiting for the change. It had been a day since she was tossed in here and far time to be out. In the corner of her mind she thought of Roland, he had been nabbed too hadn't he? His things were ripe for her picking with him out of the way.

The young lass sighed softly hearing the change start, the guard fell asleep the day before and she supposed he would do the same. What sort of person cracked in the head would try to escape in the middle of the day? A smart one thats what, no one would expect it with the expectation of it at night.

Immediateness as she heard the steps leading to the mark and pulled a lockpick out of what seemed to be the air. She twirled it around her fingers humming softly to herself as she placed it into the lock and jiggled it around a bit knocking a few tumblers here and there astray. A familiar snore rang out a moment later and she took it as an opportunity to push open the door to her cell the rusty hinges letting out an ear bleeding shriek.

Mel jumped hearing the snores that were so smooth mere moments before fade out the guard starting to wake. She moved quickly pulling out a blade from her boot and slitting his throat with one clean sweep the man not even letting out a cry in between. They were rather reckless not checking her shoes, though she supposed they must be busy with those mine she overheard them discussing.

After a few moments of silence staring down at the body she moved dragging him into her own cell. He is rather heavy she mused staring down at the bloodstained spot where he had sat asleep before. He had had much blood for a pig

She sighed picking up her new ring of keys and starting to whistle walking down the hall and glancing in the other cells as she looked for where they had put her things

[Zerachiel]

It was a long trek, much longer then Roland felt comfortable with. They were heading from Axelaide to Seabrine, a trip that in itself was atleast a few hours by carriage. Which is how they traveled, by carriage. Roland and Mel where in separate transports, which was for the best really. He didn't think that they'd have much to say to one another, seeing as they were both arrested for very different reasons. Mel's being a stupid and greedy one, and Roland's smart and greedy.

There was a window in which he could stare from, and he took the opportunity to study the landscape. The countryside shifted quickly from one thing to another, from grasslands, to forests, he even saw a swamp. They passed through a small town on the way, nothing impressive. A few homes and a store or two, probably a tavern where everyone was getting drunk. They stopped so the soldiers could relieve themselves, but it wasn't a long break. Surely enough they were dragged away from this semblance of society soon enough.

He wasn't alone in the carriage. there were three other people with him, all soldiers naturally. Etrurian breed and design, probably would have a heart attack if Roland up and said Kraft was a drunkard, a heart attack for them and a heart attack for him when they stabbed him in the heart. Slowly they made their way to Seabrine, seemingly going all the way to the Governor's home itself just to imprison them. Suspicious, but not unexpected. Well no for Roland, he was frankly surprised that they didn't just dump Mel off in Axelaide's prison.

Seabrine eventually came in view, a town much more populated then the last, the capital of the isles and a center of trade. This is where the famous Western Market was, where you can buy ANYTHING you want. Normal market, black market, blood market, it was all here. You could probably get your hands on slaves and dead bodies if you knew who to ask. It was both a thing of beauty and disgust, but admirable in it's total freeness of market. After Etruria's occupation, it never changed. Etruria simply got a cut of the profits now, though to protect their sense of self-righteousness they made 'campaigns' to snuff out 'illegal' trading that, conveniently, never found a thing. There was people all over, the biggest city Roland has been to since Bern itself. It brought a little wicked grin to his face as he thought about it all, this wasn't his first time to the isles, but it had been so long since he's been here. If anything it was even more beautiful to a greedy man like his self then ever before.

The city would have to wait though, first he needed to deal with his incarceration. A hassle to be sure, but he brought it upon his self, at least when it was all over he could go into Seabrine in a way only a man like he can.

Their was a grunting in the air as they stopped moving, one by one the soldiers began to spill out of the carriages like were blood leaving a wounded man, spilling out until there was nothing left. One of them grabbed Roland by his arm, yanking him without a word. At least they were quiet, conversations with soldiers were never particularly stimulating.

After they entered the building, Roland and Mel were separated once more. He couldn't see what happened to her, having been taken away, but he made the educated assumption that they were taking all of her things. Roland, however, was taken elsewhere. He was confident he'd get out of this though, certain about it even. So he followed to soldier leading him to the room and went inside.

[Mel]

Mel sighed pressing up against the stone wall as she crept forward to catch a short glance of what lay beyond. She bent down pressing her knee to the floor as she edged closer, only a fool would stay in the usual line of sight. Down below no one would even think to look as their first instinct, usually they stared straight ahead foolishly expecting what ever or whomever to apear in front of them. Though, with guards one would never know what they would do unless they knew their training and personal experiences. They did seem to know different things based on each place they were from. Now that she though of it there was some use in having various companions from various places.

Originally she had planned on stripping down the place of as many valuables as possible and then leaving without the slightest glance back. Yet...maybe there was use in returning to them, after all she did have an accomplice, of sorts...it was more of an empty threat for all she had said.

Pressing her cheek to the cold stone she creeped forward blue eyes glancing around the corner. All was clear with not a sight to be seen but the dimly lit halls and a patch of mass here and there. It was rather disconcerting with so few guards about. It was either that this was all a trap, or...something else was drawing their attention away from their prisoners and patrols. Though there was little time to wonder about it, first and formost her gear.

She rose and silently moved down the hall way repeating the procedure at the next corner, and the corner after that. She had time if the guards were preoccupied, and not setting off any alerts was her goal, so caution was the best way to proceed. If it came to blows in the end she would not have any qualms of slicing another few throats. Besides, who knew what they could have on them.

[Zerachiel]

"Hey Mel, just looking around?" His voice popped up from the nearly abandoned halls like an arrow piercing through the crisp morning air, his voice cracking through the silent halls that clung to whatever sound they could get their hands on. She had been checking each corner so diligently, looking out for whatever could possibly be anywhere. He had been leaning with his back to the wall, completely dressed in his notably fanciful outfit, not standing out in this lavish and ostentatious mansion. As opposed to Mel who had the visage of a prisoner.

When she would look around each corner, she would eventually fun into him, which was the point. He was right next to the bend in the wall, and the first thing you would see in this Just a few inches away from where her head would of poked out to see whether is was safe to move on. She probably caught an eyefull of his pants with how low she was crouching. He had been waiting here for her, the caution she took before advancing making the wait ever longer. It was a bit pointless, since he could of went to the prison itself to get her, but decided against it. He wanted to see if she could get out herself, which she proved she could.

It wouldn't take more then a moments glance to realize that Roland was not exactly a prisoner here, but he hadn't explained the situation just yet. All the hints one would have is the knowing smirk on his face, as if he knew far more then he was sharing. Not a far guess when Roland was involved. "Your things being stored not far from here. I knew you'd show up eventually." He turned his head and looked down at point where the two walls met, Knowing she was behind the corner. Pushing his self from the wall, he placed a hand on his chin and looked at the mostly empty halls. "You didn't run into any trouble on the way, right? I had him clear the halls of guards, but some people just don't get the message right away." His voice was somewhat wistful as he tapped his chin lightly, thinking about it.

"Anyways, come on, I'll take you to your things. Then you're free to run away and never look back, or you can stay and I can explain what's going on."

[Mel]

Mel stared right at the flamboyant man she was itching to avoid meeting out of his cell. If he had not taken his things already he would be without a doubt. Though now that she thought of it there was a slight chance she could grab his purse before he could see it and it would be assumed the guards had taken it for themselves. She kept eye contact with his pants for a few more moments, they did look they could be worth a pretty penny. Maybe if he went off to wash up she could snatch them, he did look rather clean for a traveler and had to be bathing regularly.

The girl stood up keeping her face a blank slate, hiding the plot that was still forming so delicately in her mind. "Maybe" she replied in a monotone to his rather mocking question. Caution was never anything to laugh at and with clothes like his she doubted he would be able to accomplish any measure of it. After all, he had no skill to back up that infuriating personality...the thought of cutting out his tongue while he slept appealed greatly at that moment. It would knock him off that high horse without a doubt.

Though the thought crossed her mind that his clothes seemed pristine as always, even though having been in a prison. What happened between his capture and now she did not know yet she could only make the assumption that he never did go to a cell in the first place, for more than a few moments at the very most. One like him always had loose lips and she could expect an explanation soon enough so there was little reason to pester. She would just have to see where it would lead for now, escaping was one of the few things that she truly was good at, besides for picking pockets and drawing blood...and that...

"I killed my only trouble, it will be a while before he is found, I would say at the very least it would be dusk." She walked out from behind the corner staring up at him rather critically. If he was speaking the truth it would be useful to be led there instead of feeling about in the dark. She did not have something useless like pride to hold her back from doing what was needed to be done.

[Zerachiel]

"Oh that guard at the cells? Don't worry, no one's going to miss him." Roland stuck his hands into his pockets with a wicked grin. Ah the perks one has when you're Roland Hawkthorne, other people are you even trying? Thrusting his self forward and off of the wall, he began to strut down the hallway, assuming Mel was following as she implied she would. If she didn't? Her loss, there was very little to lose by following Roland. Well perhaps a bit of pride, and the price is very heavy for some people. Not thieves though, they'd sell their pride from some gold. Use what's useful as they say. "You shouldn't have to worry about guards unless you do something truly stupid, like break into the governor's personal chambers." Which wouldn't surprise him in the lightest if she did, she seemed the type.

The walk wasn't long, and didn't leave much room for conversation, he never even bothered looking back to see if she was following. She could of easily attempted to plant a knife in his back if she felt so inclined, of course that wouldn't be as easy of a task as he made it sound, but she was definitely welcome to try. "Your things are kept in here." He said, rapping his knuckles of the door filling the quiet hallway with a knocking noise. "There's really nothing in there worth taking besides your things. But you are welcome to look around and see if you can fill your purse. This is just where they keep the prisoner's things, and you're the only prisoner here."

"I'll be waiting here. Then I can show you the way out if you're so inclined."

[Mel]

Mel followed after the pompous lout without another word, it would simply waste them. For now there were other matters to focus on, and after that others. Though still she was relying on the belief that the mercenary would not betray her for now. It was an unsteady belief and one that worried her slightly yet she had her legs and could flee at a moments notice if in danger. Even more she could always just stab a blade between his shoulders, though it would ruin the coat she could sell for so much.

Much to her annoyance his comment about not doing anything stupid put her at some strange sort of ease that she disliked immensely heightening her guard more so than before. Glancing around at their surroundings she nearly walked right into the taller man as he stopped rather suddenly at the doorway to a room and rapped softly against it. Was it a signal of sorts? There was little to be gained to killing one thief in such a round about way that she dismissed the idea from her mind and stepped in looking about.

The dimply lit room was dingy, meager items littered about none looking of very much use at all to her wants. He had been right on that, there was little to be found in such a place though a familiar dark grey cloak caught her eye from the corner and she moved forward to inspect it. The article of clothing was hers alright, and she checked the weight as inconspicuously as possible to not let on the worth of the slip of paper inside the lining to the lass. Her things lay in a pile close by and she cautiously weighed them in her palm to make sure nothing was missing before pulling them on her person and tucking them away, it would be suspicious if she did not even check for anything to be missing.

Taking one last glance about the room she returned to the doorway a hand lightly resting on her hip and a face of stone "what are you planning" she asked bluntly having little reason to beat about the bush. Something told her that there was something to watch about what he would go do after this and it piqued her interest. If she had learned anything over the last few years it was her instincts were spot on, and something was telling her that this would be important. Anyways, as much time away from the crying child the better yet she still planned on returning to them soon enough. Besides, she had her feeble minded pirate minion to use to his fullest extent before he broke.

"I am far more inclined to see what you are planning after as it seems far more interesting than leaving quite so soon. So you can start with your explanation as the coin I wanted does not seem to be here it will lie elsewhere."

[Zerachiel]

"Planning? Me? Oh ho ho, I'm always planning something. You'll need to be more specific." He let out a somewhat self-assured laughter. He wasn't wrong in that regard, his mind always raced and came up with everything from plots and solutions. Problems to cause, and solutions to sell. He was both a skilled trouble maker and an even more trouble solver. She was right to be cautious, if it was him in this situation he'd be incredibly cautious as well, but he would have had good reason to be. He's not the most popular guy in the world, and there are plenty of people who'd just love to see his neck sliced wide open for the world to see. There would be little to gain from killing her though, she was mostly a thief, a petty one at times it even seems. That garnered enemies, but only if you're a poor one. A good thief would never allow their target to even know it was them in the first place to gather the enemies. Now the thing was, was Mel a good thief? She could be the judge of that. However, he hoped that she was, he could really use a good thief.

"There's many things going on here, but I suppose I'll start from the most obvious of them, I'm not just some random mercenary who HAPPENED to have been arrested. I chose to be arrested, because I knew I'd get out in moments. I'm a pretty important person in certain circles, circles that this Governor would be a fool to ignore. Information is a very lucrative profession, if you understand." He let out a small chuckle, dangling the basis of the truth in the air like teaser for cats. Wondering if she'd jump for it. "It can build a man from nothing, and destroy them even easier." Blackmail and bribery was his business, and business was good.

"I have a business proposal for you Mel. I lack the delicate fingers you posses." He nodded his head over, beckoning her to follow as he leaned forward off of the stone wall. "Follow me, I'll explain what I mean on the way." He was skilled with the tongue, had prowess with the blade, could even pick a lock in a pinch, but he wasn't a thief. This job needed a thief. "I have something I need you to steal, from this manor. It is only one thing, that I need more then any others, everything else belongs to you if you can manage it. If you get this thing for me, I will make it worth your while, does this sound interesting to you?"

[Mel]

Mel let out a loud grumble in her mind at the thought of what trouble this could mean. Trouble was not really a problem, it seemed to follow her about in the most unexpected places and that was the problem. Especially with her limited knowledge about Roland's antics of the past. As much doubt would enter her mind the strong feeling in her gut would not go away. Something told her to follow along with what he had planned, for now at least. Until she stuck a blade into his prominent egotistical behind, she would, if not today or even ten years from now she would get him before he lay on his deathbed or even while he was. She knew she would get him though at some time and would feel an immense sense of satisfaction when she finally did.

He had started to give an explanation, or a form of an explanation while really when one thought about it they realized it was no explanation at all. Rather it was merely the obvious with a single new detail added into the mess. If he was as he said one of great reputation among the higher circles then what sort of reputation? It could be one of either honor or abomination when put into the simplest of categories. Though in her opinion it would obviously be one of ill repute.

"Interesting enough and rather pretty too, yet until you tell me what it is exactly that you wish of me to steal it will stay pretty." Only a fool would agree to a job before knowing the exact and precise details. Though his offer in return interested her, anything was always something tempting yet anything was not simply anything was it.

[Zerachiel]

"What I want is what I love." His grin grew wide and toothy, his sharklike glee bled into his words as he spoke with a careful and practiced precision that was almost as if he knew what words he would choose before Mel even spoke. "Knowledge." He bent his head back, looking up at the ceiling that hung high in the air, at the ostentatious decorations that covered their path that grew more and more frequent and lavish the further they walk. The silence filled the air, it was almost like it's own kind of music. Mel could stab him, right here and now, but he knew she wouldn't. He was almost arrogant in how low he had his guard, almost like if he was rubbing the fact he knew she wouldn't act against him in her face.

"In this manor, there is knowledge. Knowledge that I want, that I need. Secrets and information that would rather remain secret, but it isn't in the heads of men. If it was, I would extract it myself, no it's a bit more physical then I am used to. Letters, reports, packets of information that have a great deal of worth in the right hands. Hands that I know would pay handsomely for it, that is why I need you Mel. I cannot steal it myself, I have not the nimble fingers, nor the fortune to be unwatched. The thing about being famous or infamous, everyone is always watching you." The fact he spoke openly showed that he was not afraid of anyone overhearing, that was because he was confident no one was. Or at least, no one who would... say a word.

"The governor likes to think himself a clever man, a ruler and a king among the simple people of the Western Isles. The truth is, he's none of those things, he's a puppet. A pawn who doesn't know how expendable he is. He thought he was subtle in his plan, but now I know. He's hiding this information from me, and making sure I am watched at all times. He can't openly act against me, such a rude gesture would be unthinkable. If he wants to stay in business that is." He explained, chuckling darkly as he spoke, while his voice slowly fell and becomes more serious with each word until he is speaking completely evenly, a sinister stare off into the distance.

"The item I want is watched, locked up, and I have a plan for stealing it." He let out a small, dark, chuckle. "How does this sound Mel?" Truth be entirely told, even without her he was getting that information. This was the best path however, and Roland was a man who appreciated efficiency.

[Mel]

"Knowledge is power in the eyes of the beholder" she replied testily "your love seems to be unfaithful to you in many ways." Mel sighed staring about the halls decorated in such a manner that screamed of a man trying far too hard to be seen as superior. In some of the various places she had slipped into to pick up a pretty shiny or two she had seen such things. Though the Governor must have not grown up in luxury to have gone so crazy on such worthless decorations like this, it was far more than anything she was accustomed to seeing. In a sense it was almost sickening to stare at and she averted her eyes instead staring at the back of Roland's coat intently as if counting each and every thread that was woven in to make the crimson cloth.

"Letters, reports, packets of information that have a great deal of worth in the right hands. Hands that I know would pay handsomely for it..."

She listened quietly to his long speech as they walked down the seemingly never ending hallway. He was so full of himself, it was rather bothersome to think of was it not? He thought so highly of himself above all others yet... did the Governor not think the very same of himself? What made one right and one wrong? A spark of an idea lit in her mind yet she smothered it for the moment moving quickly up beside him. "Where is it? I wish to have this finished as quickly as possible.

She had finally realized what there was to be gained in such a place, and it was not any of the far more extravagant statues that seemed to grow larger and larger the farther that they walked. "I will steal it" she announced to him suddenly fingering her knife that she had strapped to her thigh earlier for easier access. "It sounds fine enough so let us move quickly and efficiently so I can steal Zero's dinner before it gets cold."

[Mel]

She brooded as they walked wondering what her gut was trying to tell her. Gut speak was a very intricate language and one could never be too sure what it could be saying. Yet this time it seemed to be rather important as it was acting more persistent than usual, never was it a good thing. Something she did not want to come in contact with lay ahead and Roland was leading her onward directly toward it. Whether he did this with any knowledge of her or malice was no longer important. Her gut was telling her to make a hasty exit, and cleaning up would not be a bad idea either.

She hurried her walk until she was right behind him as his legs were far longer than her own and it was getting bothersome to jog to keep up with his gallant stride. "Well Roland" she mumbled drawing her knife silently and holding it steadily as she kept up "It has been nice..." Suddenly she struck stabbing at him in the back before hopping up on a nearby windowsill. "I will get going then, nice knowing you."

Not even bothering to see if she had even struck true she leaped out holding her breath all the while. Heights were not something that she relished the thought of facing, so much distance was truly troublesome, especially when making an exit. Rolling into a safe landing she moved like a shadow, staying close to the walls as she slipped out and about and over the wall escaping the godforsaken place.

Only then did the gut speak end, the lass did not spend too much time brooding about what had caused her unease, it had ended once she had left. Now she was stuck on an island with only boats as the available way of transport off of it. Where to go now? Town was the best bet, from there she could get all that she needed. Though it was a wonder who she would see there, Roland obviously not. At least for now, it would be better to avoid him, people did not seem to take attempts on their life sitting down. He would likely strike out at her if they met again.

With a soft sigh she set off cloak wrapped around her hood pulled up over her head. The sooner she left the isles the better she would feel. Something was wrong but there was no way to pinpoint exactly what, nor did she care too. Thieves would be known as cowards to most but was survival not key? Cowards seemed to survive for far longer then the ones who charged out, history was written by the survivors, not that she was very interested in writing very much of it.

After a few grumbles and whacks of her head to a tree she finally got her thoughts condensed into an understandable order. She would just go back to the city and see where to go from there, it was as simple as that. If she could simply strangle Dee on the way all the better for her.