Week 2

Turning the window ever so quietly inwards he leant in feeling around for the rest of the trap mechanism. He’d disarmed it earlier in the day knowing full well that this would be the night. Having studied the building over the past couple of days he had decided that this would be his point of entry. It offered maximum protection from the shadows and made for an excellent escape route after. Suffice to say he was more than a little pleased with his progress so far. He glanced back once more to see if he’d been spotted but all appeared calm outside. With great care and anticipation he climbed inside the building, and with little effort landed neatly and quietly about 10 feet below. For a moment he sat and listened for movement. Had anyone heard him? As each minute passed his confidence grew. He felt the shadows around him swallow him up and he knew now that he was truly invisible.

Carefully he crept around the perimeter of the room, always keeping in the shadows, one eye open for the map he had come here for.

A door at the end of the room opened and a guard dressed in leather armour entered. He had a sword by his side and a torch in one hand as he paced across the great room, looking to check that everything was as it should be.

Hidden by the shadows he waited, making no sound at all. Patience was a good virtue to have in this game, and he had plenty of it. The guard soon left closing the door behind and what little light remained made it easy for him to manoeuvre his way towards the glass cabinet.

He checked it over for traps and found a wire alarm running away from it. Reaching for his toolkit he rolled out the soft leather and set to work. A simple alarm trap was no match for him but there was always a chance something could go wrong, and tonight of all nights he could do without making any embarrassing mistakes. Expertly taken care of, tied off the alarm was no longer a threat. The lock to the cabinet however beckoned next. A moment or two later and the final obstacle had been neutralised. He lifted the great glass lid to the cabinet and carefully lowered it down the other side.

Reaching for the map he was startled suddenly when a hand grabbed his shoulder from behind. In that moment 3 or four torches lit around the top of the room and Rio walked in from the recently closed door.

“Well done Alder, you did much better than last time. There’s still some way for you to go yet if you want to keep yourself and others safe, but what a start. Truly, well done”

Slightly disappointed with himself Alder composed himself and walked to meet Rio and the others. “How did you…?” Alder began. “The window was left open” Rio replied. “The guard noticed on the way round when he was completing his tour and instead of alerting you chose to remain calm and alert the guard, us, outside. Had this been for real you may have felt like you were in control of the situation right up until the point in which they had surrounded the room, blocking any chance of escape. Remember everyone, leave no clue that you have been there, no trace, nor sign of an entry. All it would ever take is a passer-by to raise the alarm. Alder, you’d done the hard work, just a little more attention to the details”.

Rio looked around at the small crowd assembled. They had all worked tirelessly to hone their skills in anticipation of this first job, working day and night to plan their route, and choreograph their movements. “The wagon waits outside to take you to Chorlen. Remember the goal, and watch each other’s backs. I will expect you all back by sunrise”

As the room emptied Rio eagerly watched them climb in to the wagon. He was excited for their return, and the tales they would tell.