The Arcane Extraction : A Magical Heist

Chapter 5: The Backup

The antique shop's bell chimed as two tall men, fully covered in black cloaks and hoods, entered the shop.

"Evening, Gentlemen. How can I assist you today?" asked Maurice with a welcoming smile.

In an instant, Maurice was facing two wands pointed directly at his head. "Would you cooperate with us, or do we have to put you under the Imperius Curse?" said one of the men.

"Since you put it like that," shrugged Maurice.

"Your job is very simple. Just be yourself and let us take care of our business. No one would be hurt, and we'll all be on our merry way," said the other man.

Maurice gestured toward a smoking pipe on the counter. "May I?" he asked politely.

The men nodded, and Maurice took the pipe and began to light up the already-filled tobacco.

Ashford and Marius apparated in a dead-end of a dark street. "We'll walk a short distance before reaching the shop. Eyes up and around," said Ashford, to which Marius nodded hastily. They walked, with Ashford leading and Marius following at a few arms' distance. Both men scanned the surroundings around them.

The bell of the antique shop announced Ashford's entry first.

"Welcome again, Ashford. Where is Marius?" asked Maurice.

He looked across at Maurice, smoke freshly exhaled above his head. Ashford removed his top hat and tapped the brim thrice in quick succession.

"Close by," said Ashford.

Sylvia nestled into a quiet corner by the Arno River, the soft glow of street lamps creating a tranquil ambiance as the first light of dawn tiptoed across the horizon. A demitasse of freshly brewed espresso sat delicately between her palms, its aromatic steam swirling gently in the cool, pre-dawn air.

She sat beside the river, a book in hand, her mind lost in the enchanting world woven by the author's words. The ancient stones of the embankment provided a comforting seat as she indulged in the solitude of the early morning hours.

Nearby, a late-night café stood, its warm lights spilling onto the cobbled streets. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries lingered, enticing those seeking refuge in the tranquility of the night. Sylvia occasionally glanced up from her book, taking in the occasional passerby, some lost in their own thoughts, others reveling in the hushed moments before the city fully awoke. She was reminiscing about meeting Ashford close to where she sat.

"The sunlight was reflected by the beautiful river as Sylvia walked along the bridge, her eyes scanning the crowd, and her lips curled into a smile when she found a familiar face.

'Not a bad place to meet, brother, even though you sounded worried when you called me,' Sylvia said, taking in the view of the sunlit river.

'Concerned,' Ashford corrected her.

'So why do you want me all the way here? Is it because I love coffee?' Sylvia laughed, eyeing the two cups of coffee near Ashford placed on the railing of the bridge.

Ashford smiled at her as he passed her a cup of coffee, and he sipped the other one he had for himself.

After a brief pause and a few sips, Ashford said, 'It may be nothing. But I want to be prepared.'

'Is it about the bounty on your head here?' asked Sylvia.

'Yes and No. I'm normally not concerned about the bounty hunters. But if someone wanted to provide them more incentive, then it is a cause for concern,' he said as he took a sip.

He continued, 'I made contact with Maurice and found our forger. His name is Marius, a good kid. He is in a difficult situation, and I have planned to get him out. Though I believe my contact, for the job that we are about to do, might use this opportunity. He was the one who nudged me in the direction of Maurice and Marius, and I could sense that he is going to use this opportunity.'

'To trap you?' Sylvia asked with a serious expression on her face.

'To test me,' Ashford replied with a smile.

After talking for a while in the cafe, Sylvia and Ashford got up from the chair. Ashford hugged her and few moments later, he handed her a book.

Sylvia's face filled with glee. 'You know how to make me happy' she said smiling.
'Stick close to it.' Ashford said and he disappeared in the passing crowd.

As the sky began to change from the deep blue of night to the soft palette of dawn, the pages of her book suddenly began to shimmer. Words quickly dissolved into the paper, leaving only a cryptic message, "Need you at the antique shop."

'All good, Maurice?' asked Ashford. 'Never better,' replied Maurice, to which Ashford gave a very subtle nod.

'Aah Marius. What the?' gasped Maurice upon seeing Marius enter, but his surprise turned to shock as Marius was bound in a tight rope with another third man of broad shoulders and medium height who pushed Marius to the floor with his wand drawn and aimed towards Ashford.

'Gentlemen, please join us. We got him,' said the third man with a smile. But his smile was short-lived as no one came. The third man appeared to struggle to breathe and see. He noticed the smoke freshly exhaled by Maurice.

'Aah. Not to worry. I came prepared,' the man said as he took a napkin to his mouth and breathed. 'I have backup,' he said with a new smile.

'Funny,' smirked Ashford. 'I was about to say the same thing too.'

Just as he finished the sentence, the door blasted open to reveal Sylvia. The third man turned to see her, and at that instant, he felt his wand leave his hand and saw it spin in the air to be caught by Maurice, while Ashford, clutching his wand, pointed at him.

'There are more of us,' sneered the man.

'Correction, there are no more of you,' Sylvia said. She caught Ashford's eye and gave him a nod. 'Oh Maurice. So nice to see you,' Sylvia smiled.

'Forgive me, we shall exchange pleasantries on our way,' Ashford said as he released Marius with a flick of his wand.

Ashford held Marius by his arm again as he helped him up and eyed all of them. After a few more loud cracks, the room was empty except for Ashford and the man.

'My greetings to Duncan' smiled Ashford and he turned on the spot and vanished.