Experimental Writing

Guards and Thieves // Tale One

"You're getting cocky."

"You never complained before, Captain. What's different this time?"

"Well, if someone else were to see you, who knows what would happen. You could end up in jail again."

"Ha! We both know I've gotten out before. Won't be any trouble for me to do it again."

"... What are you doing here, Rhy?"

"I thought you might have missed me --"

"Not at all."

"-- and I'm going to be leaving for a job soon... Some others from my outfit are coming with me, but you know I can't afford to trust them."

"How long will it take?"

"I don't even know if I'll make it back... I wanted to see you."

"So you sneak onto the castle grounds --"

"Maybe, if you get me locked up, I won't have to go."

"That's not funny, Rhy."

"If you get me locked up, I wouldn't have to leave you."

"Rhy --"

"I might die, Darik. Out there. Might spring some trap or get shot by some other guard --"

"If you... If you come back... You will come back."

"You don't --"

"You'll come back because if you don't, I'll... I'll arrest you."

"What?"

"I'll arrest you and take back all those gems clanking around in your bag."

"You can't prove --"

"Do you understand? If you don't come back, I'll come to you."

"... That feels... That feels like a lot, Darik."

"Do you understand, then?"

"Yeah, I'll... I'll do my best."