The Stableboy's shadow (BL)

Chapter 18

Each morning, they sparred. Each morning, they learned a little more about each other's fighting style. Riley had been right taking back the shadow drop had set them back, but after two days, he was getting used to the way Percevin thought in a fight again. The boy was also becoming sharper, quicker to react. By the fourth morning, Riley had to stop giving him easy openings. Before the end of the week, he needed to be creative just to give the boy a challenge—and even then, Percevin stumbled less and less.

It had been a while since Riley had pushed his body this hard. He was used to training alone, of course, but blocking real blows took more of a toll than he remembered. The last time he'd sparred regularly was with Mis, years ago. It had been longer than he had wished to admit. Each morning left his limbs more painful and sore than the last, and he noticed their sparring sessions were growing shorter, though he fought until his stomach couldn't take it anymore. Between that and the dangerous territory ahead, it made more sense not to wear themselves out before an actual fight.

So far, they hadn't run into trouble. Most of their days were filled with strategy talks: possible ambushes plans, monsters they might encounter, battle tactics. They agreed on signals, signed or spoken, to use mid-battle—whether to retreat, go on the defensive, if Riley needed cover to cast, or if one of them needed help.

They hadn't lingered in any village for more than basic supplies. Percevin was eager to learn and train, so there were no inns, no hot baths, no luxuries—just washing themselves and their clothes in the river.

Even if he was used to this kind of life, Riley was restless. He didn't know why. Maybe it was the road—dangerous, unfamiliar—with Percevin beside him, keeping him somewhere between not fully trusting him to keep watch and needing to protect him. Maybe it was from getting back the shadow-drop and the dreams clawing their way into his mind.

Maybe he was just tired—and starting to yearn for proper soap, bedding that didn't smell of smoke and wet dirt, and shelter from the cold nights. He was usually in a warmer and more southern country this time of year.

Either way, after a week, sore, aching limbs and waking up in cold sweats, the day before his big heist, he finally pleaded with Percevin for a comfortable rest before leaving for his heist.

They both needed it.

So, that morning followed a different routine. They woke early, prepared themselves, and ate a quiet breakfast before hitting the road. Throughout their walk, Riley had given Percevin the general outline of how things would go in the coming days. He also went over the plan again and again—making sure the boy understood his part, small though it was. Percy was to fill a gap Riley had carried ever since working alone. He was going in nearly blind, and the boy keeping an eye on the guards routines would be invaluable.

During their silences, Riley noticed him frowning a few times—not the usual look of confusion or frustration. This one was unfamiliar.

And that, more than anything, put Riley on edge.

He decided to go straight to the mansion, so they left the road to cut through the woods to save a bit of time. It was exactly where Aneimis had said, sitting in the middle of the forest, far from everything but the road. It was a huge estate of pale stone, two stories tall, its wings stretching wide around a well manicured courtyard. Tall windows gleamed in the afternoon light, framed by carefully trimmed ivy that made it look part of the forest, without looking wild and unkept. A wrought-iron fence enclosed the grounds, the gravel paths within raked smooth and orderly, lantern posts standing ready to be lit at dusk. Even here, in the middle of nowhere, the place carried the polished pride of nobility.

They did a quick scope the location from the cover of the underwood. After spotting every window and door that Aneimis had selected as possible entry points, Riley was satisfied; he could picture and think more precisely about his plan.