{NOVELETTE} A Heist To Remember - Part 01

The thief jumped the fence, landing in some ornamentally decorated hedges, shadows ever following.

Alphonse moved most carefully the sound of the wind the only thing he could hear. Even though gardens like these were often well maintained, a stray branch was all it took. It was always good to be safe, safe meant staying alive; something that has unfortunately become a commodity these days.

Alphonse sniffed the night air, the cool spring air. He smelled the hedges around him, pleasantly scented. Blasted nobles even their gardens smelled better than him – well until he took a bath in their washroom.

He smiled at that prospect. This was going to be his biggest job yet. ‘A heist to remember’ said Theo, his guildmaster. It involved stealing from one of the most powerful alchemists in Arcanadel. A council member – Alderman Gile. However, remembering his guildmaster put a tamper on his desire to perform his signature, his calling card as it were. A thief had to have one according to Alphonse. It displayed style and authenticity. Without that who would even know a heist was performed? What would be the point?

He was still contemplating the risk of taking a bath in Alderman Gile’s manor as he approached, and swiftly leapt, over a small wall. The small wall marked the end of the garden and the beginning of the manor proper. From here on out Alphonse would have to be on the lookout for any prying eyes. His shadows aided him as always.

Alphonse remembered a time when a thief didn’t have to work nearly as hard as today. Days when plundering lords of their riches was as simple as winning a game of cards; days now gone. Meanwhile, his guild had become infamous the past couple of months – and the powerful were becoming wary. Just as Theo wanted.

Alphonse personally didn’t mind the challenge, he actually reveled in it. He sprinted towards some bushes. The art of theft was starting to become dull. He took cover in the bushes, on the lookout for guards. An honest man had to embrace his revelries. He saw some shapes passing through windows, blessedly moving away from him. And Alphonse loved what he did. He sprinted towards a large tree and climbed it, fast and silent like a cat.

Alphonse climbed a huge tree branch and crouched atop it. He waited, checking for any kind of movement. He took a step jumping onto a different tree. He hit the trunk of the tree and embraced it like an old friend, while gaining footing on some branches. He hated when he had to resort to climbing trees, it was so strenuous to be elegant when scaling these things. He hastily climbed and jumped off the tree. Grabbing one of the stone window ledges, perching himself and waiting, listening.

Still perched, he reached with one hand into his pouch and grabbed a small flask. That Tems had better gotten the blasted mixture right this time. He popped the cap with his teeth, splashing the liquid at the window above. Alphonse then waited for the substance to do its job, melt the window, he knew it was done when clear drops started dripping from above.

Alphonse hoisted himself up and inside the manor, shadows following.

He looked at the small shimmering pool of liquid glass on the fine carpet. Satisfactory work by Tems this time around, the glass liquefied entirely. Say what you will about the fellow, but alchemy was blasted hard work and Tems came through more often than not. King bless that man, guild would not be the same without him. Alphonse remarked to himself.

Alphonse turned and surveyed the room, the moonlight from outside doing little to help illuminate the darkness. As he scanned the room his pupils fixated on anything remotely shiny. He moved towards the nearby dresser, swiftly pocketing some coins before opening the top drawer and finding a bag of gold, amongst some fancy looking papers. Huh, it seems King has blessed me tonight. He grabbed the bag, placing it in his pack along with the snatched papers. Alphonse couldn’t read, but Theo might need them; who knew what information they held.

He moved towards the table in the middle of the room, the sound of creaking wood kept him on the edge as he slowly approached the table. The briefing told him that this room was a guest bedroom, and Alderman Gile was not hosting any guests tonight. Nonetheless, the study below was probably occupied. So Alphonse moved quietly. He debated whether to drink a silencing potion but decided against it. He would most likely need it at a more pressing time.

After Alphonse pocketed some more loot, he turned and pressed an ear to the door. Once he was certain no one was in the hall he exited the guestroom.

Now to find the informant.