Dreisterne

CHAPTER 8

The tension in Dunsgoil Hill was palpable. The frenzy stirred by the wanted posters for Dreisterne had turned the city into a powder keg, with every freelancer and City Watchman practically tripping over one another in their frenzied search for the fugitives, Dresiterne. Streets buzzed with whispers, and the alleys teemed with wary glances and sharpened weapons. The promise of 1500 gold had transformed the city into a hunting ground, and Dreisterne knew their every move had to be calculated. Disguised as beggars and labourers, the group had been slipping unnoticed through the chaos, guided by Ren's meticulous planning. With patched cloaks, soot-smudged faces, and bent postures, they blended seamlessly into the city's overlooked corners, collecting the information and opportunities needed to execute Harald's audacious plan.

Keith returned from Skinner's restaurant one noon, whispering to the group in the shadows of a crumbling courtyard. "Place is busy as a beehive, it is. Skinner's got his blokes moving crates in and out all day. I managed to slip into the place by just getting into line and grabbing a crate from the pantry, and sure enough, they all came from the 'Zhongese soy sauce' pile. I've also heard whispers about how they won't be stopping for the day even after sundown."

"Very good," Harald murmured.

"It is?" Keith asked, puzzled.

"It will facilitate into our plans, trust me," Harald nodded thoughtfully. "How are things at your end, Herr Festivus?"

Nathan adjusted the hood hiding his hair. "The warehouse is probably the opposite of Skinner's restaurant. There's only one guard posted there, and from what I've seen all was quiet there. I even managed to convince him to 'take a break' with a gold piece, and I broke the padlock's insides once he left. It looks intact at a glance, but one knock would be all it takes to undo it."

Ren leaned against a wall, smiling at Nathan. "Smooth work."

Harald straightened, his expression resolute. "Then we strike tonight. Everything is in place. With the frenzy of these bounty hunters clouding their judgment, we can use the chaos to our advantage."

Nathan narrowed his eyes at Harald, exasperated. "I'll be honest, Harald. I still think this is insane. Are you sure this is going to work?"

Harald grinned, mischief shining in his eyes. "I am sure we all have noticed the Watchmen and our colleagues out there as of late. They're on a feeding frenzy right now, and I am counting on their greed to make everything work. We have sown the seeds, Nathan. Tonight, they sprout into glorious fruition."

Keith snorted, clapping Nathan on the back. "Don't worry, mate. If we go down in flames, at least Harald'll make it a spectacular one."

Nathan groaned as he smiled weakly at Keith. "There's a comforting thought."

Chuckling, Ren stepped forward. "While you gentlemen light a fire at the city's undersides, I will detain Skinner and Sandman. If all goes well, the felons will be under Watchmen custody, while we rendezvous at the hideout and watch from the sidelines as the bounty hunters help us bring the Spice business into the light."

Keith grinned. "Why, we might even score the bounty on Sandman if we played our cards right, eh?"

Ren's grim expression demanded Dreisterne's attention once more. She then said, "While I doubt I would have much problem handling Skinner, Sandman is a different kind of beast. Reports say that he's not only as slippery as an eel, but he also managed to outfight anyone who crosses his path. Some of my superiors fell to his blade, and I know for certain that I cannot apprehend Sandman alone."

Harald frowned. "Mind you, the three of us would still be catching our breaths by the time we did our part, and that's not counting worse possible outcomes like injuries. There is no guarantee that we could make it in time to lend you a hand,"