Invisibles

The Letter #4

Percival climbed the steps to the second floor of the Rogue Hound's estate in silence. Already past a handful of guards, he had split from the others back in the entryway. If he was caught out, this would be down to a foot race, hardly good odds against the Rogue Hound's legionnaires. Still, he was their best chance at grabbing the letter if it came down to reflexes.

On the other side of the building, Alina crept down the richly carpeted hallway. Though most of the building was lit up with lamps this hallway was dimmer than the others thanks to the subtle mists Kelebek had given Alina to release midway down. It wasn't smoke exactly, but a kind of dust that hung like fog. Alina stayed low, held her breath, and slipped past the armored guard who clanked down the passage in the opposite direction.

Kelebek found Martin on the ground floor. He was leaning against the wall in his heavy brownstone-covered armor. As most geomancers in the legions, he covered lighter metal armor in a layer of rock. He did not wear a helmet, and his east-Asian heritage made him unmistakable. She recognized him and stepped into the light just before where he stood. Martin did not startle easily. He looked up at Kelebek with a small smile.

"Dark work? What's the plan this time?" he asked in a low voice, with a mild European accent.

She raised a hand slightly in greeting. "A letter from the Rogue Hound."

"You want to steal it?" he whispered. "A good idea. One that needs a good plan."

"Alina and Percival are going ahead. We're to get them to the courtyard where Saint is waiting."

"Sounds simple enough. Should we divert the guards?"

"I think so." She smiled slightly.

He nodded to her. They left the ground floor's side hall, and began to walk toward the front of the building. Kelebek indicated the flares she had brought with her from her shop. Those would burn bright and loud, and serve as ideal distractions once one of the others had the letter. Best be ready because whichever got the letter, Alina or Percival would be in a hurry on their way out.

Percival reached the end of the second-floor hallway leading to the passage outside the Rogue Hound's study. He flattened himself against the wall and peeked around the corner. Three people stood before the doorway. Two of them were armored hound legionnaires, the other was Alina in her dusty clothes.

At first, he thought the hounds had caught her. Then he realized her hands were still free, though she held a small bottle out to the guard. The hound without a helmet wore a secured case for a letter on his hip. He had the hound's message, Percival felt certain.

Alina said, "The Rogue Hound asked for this potion to treat his letter."

"What kind of potion is it?" asked one legionnaire, a big man with sandy-colored hair.

"A potion of suggestiveness, effective on skin contact."

"Intriguing," said the blond legionnaire. "Should we see if it works?"

The other legionnaire, who wore a slitted helmet, rolled his plated shoulders. "You have an idea?"

"Girl, open the bottle." The sandy-haired legionnaire leered at her. "We'll test your potion."

Alina frowned at them. She hoped they would not recognize the scent of sedatives. She spotted Percival at the corner. She caught his eye and then nodded to the guards, but so he could see. She held her breath as she lifted the lid of the bottle and then waved it between herself and them.

The scent of soporifics floated in the hallway. The helmeted guard immediately staggered to one side. The sandy-haired one's eyes widened. He clamped his lips tight and slammed one hand on the letter case at his hip. His other hand reached for Alina. She stepped back, but his fingers closed on her wrist. She dropped the soporific and the small bottle shattered on the floor, releasing the rest of its contents. Alina could not hold her breath anymore.

Percival gulped in air, then charged past the fallen guard and went for the would-be messenger who held Alina's wrist. He hit the big legionnaire from behind and made the man stumble forward. Already drugged, the man stumbled forward, then fell to his knees. Alina swayed on her feet, staring at Percival.

"Run," he said, as he freed the letter case from the blond legionnaire's belt.

She nodded, and they took off back the way Percival had come.

Alina's head swam as they reached the top of the stairs. The soporific was having its effect. She threw an arm across Percival's shoulder and leaned on him as they descended the grand staircase. A trio of other legionnaires emerged from the hallway she had gone down initially. They pursued her and Percival as she started to drag her feet.

They hit the front door as an explosion sounded outside into the courtyard, off to Percival's left. He threw the door open and helped Alina with him as they stumbled outside. She left his side. A few steps later, she sank to the ground.

"Alina?" he turned toward her, but not as fast as Saint scooped her up on one of his stone arms. The dome of the golem's casket bobbed in a nod.

"Time to go. Right," said Percival. He sprinted for the gateway.

Saint slammed the door to the mansion with a thunderous force. Then, he bounded away on piston-like legs. Saint sensed that Kelebek and Martin had left the estate, and Percival was ahead of him. He sprang over the wall before the legionnaires had time to open the door behind him.

Saint hit the street outside with a thud that did him and Alina no harm. Percival ran over to the golem and the girl, waving the letter case in one hand. "Got it. Let's go!"

Saint bowed his head to Percival. Kelebek and Martin emerged from an alleyway where they had hidden after placing the flares. The group started toward Hajur's to deliver their prize.

And like that, the Rogue Hound's letter passed out of his hands. But to what end? None of the thieves' yet knew.