Viren sat quietly at Lord Evenbone’s dining table while the Tigers discussed (argued) how to best discover the location of the thieves’ hideout. It had been three days since they arrived in Emreld and two since they had started gathering intel. So far, they had discovered information on the thieves’ fighting abilities (little to none), motives (money, obviously), and favorite strategies. But nothing on potential hideouts or frequently visited spots, which is what they really needed in order to shut down the operation.

  So, this morning, rather than heading out to the city like usual, the Tigers had stayed at the Lord’s manor to discuss a plan. They had been cooped up in the dining room since breakfast, and all the Tigers (except for Viren, Rickson, and Brack) were on their feet and in varying levels of frustration.

  “I’m sorry, Tysonn, but catching a thief in the act won’t work,” Bray, a more outspoken member of the Tigers, said. Several others started to protest, but he barreled on before they could say anything. “We need to infiltrate their ranks somehow.” Tysonn shook his head.

  “Catching a thief would work,” Tysonn insisted. “All we have to do is set a bait! We catch one on our terms.” Those were the two main strategies on the table. Of course, there were problems with both of them—and the mercenaries knew it.

  ‘Trying to catch a thief would only bag us one of them,’ Viren thought. ‘Chances are, the rest would hear about it and escape. And trying to infiltrate the ring might have worked if we were a bit quieter about our arrival; as it is now, they’d be too suspicious to consider any new members.’

  Viren looked at Rickson, who was also quiet. He caught Viren’s eye and gave him a half smile. Brack sat at the head of the long table, not speaking but still involved in the conversation. He was listening to both plans carefully, his face puckered in thought.

  “It’s too risky,” Tysonn said. Viren tuned back into the conversation. “They know we’re here. I know how thieves think, and all they’ll see is an opportunity to get rid of one of the mercenaries hunting them.”

  Bray clenched his teeth and crossed his arms, but didn’t argue back. He knew Tysonn was right. The plan would accomplish nothing.

  Viren raised his eyes to the ceiling, trying to think. They needed most or all of the thieves in one place at one time, especially the fae who had started it all. And thieves were slippery; they had to surprise them. He closed his eyes and tapped his fingers against his leg.

  ‘Ok, imagine you’re a criminal. A thief. You find a target, steal stuff, and run away. Um. Ok, if I were a thief I’d be super careful while on a job. My senses would be on extra high alert. And if I managed to get caught, I would already have a perfect escape route figured out. Once I leave the house, or mansion or whatever, I’m home free—wait.’

  An idea began to bloom in Viren’s head.

  “Would a thief—” Viren paused when everyone in the room stopped talking and looked at him. Taking a deep breath, he pressed on. “Would a thief expect anyone to tail them back to their hideout? Like, would they have lookouts or traps or anything like that?” The room was silent in thought.

  “…No,” Tysonn said finally. “But only because tailing a thief is nearly impossible. Even if they don’t realize anyone is following them.” Viren thought for a moment.

  “I think I could do it,” he said. Drew snorted and tried to pass it off as a cough. Viren rolled his eyes. He didn’t have Tysonn’s knowledge about how thieves thought and worked and whatnot, but what he did have was years of experience when it came to sneaking around and losing a tail. He could manage following a thief.

  “Viren.” Rickson’s voice held a hint of amusement, but also something else. He didn’t not believe Viren could do it. “Tysonn knows what he’s talking about. You really think you could manage?” Viren nodded. Tysonn shook his head and crossed his arms.

  “If he could,” Carla started— “And I’m not saying he can!” she said, lifting her arms in surrender when Tysonn glared at her. “If he could though, we could just have him follow a thief to their headquarters. Our job would be leagues easier!”

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  “Here’s what we do,” Brack said before Tysonn could object again. The Tigers all straightened, standing at attention. “We’ll have Viren trail Tysonn through the city. If he’s successful, and Tysonn doesn’t catch him, we’ll talk about a plan. If not, we’ll have to figure something else out.” The mercenaries all voiced their hearty agreement.

  “Sounds good, sir,” Drew said. “It’ll be nice, having a bit of entertainment.”

  “We really don’t have time for something like this,” Brack grumbled to Viren and Tysonn. “So, it had better be good.” Viren nodded.

  “It will be. Sir.”

  …

  Viren, Rickson, and the fifteen other mercenaries who had elected to come stood under the shade of the oak tree where they had set up base the past few days. Tysonn had left to scout out his ‘escape’ route. Of course, a real thief would spend days planning an escape, but Rickson had assured Viren that Tysonn was more than capable.

  In fact, Viren was starting to suspect Tysonn didn’t have the most… squeaky clean background. Which would explain how he knew so much about Opeali thieves. But Viren wasn’t going to start asking questions, especially with his own not-quite-legal past.

  Before long, Tysonn came jogging up to the courtyard. “Finished,” he said. There was a spark of excitement in his eyes, and he practically radiated confidence. Viren’s competitive spirit kicked in, and he grinned in anticipation.

  “Alright,” Rickson said. “Ready?” Both Tysonn and Viren nodded. “Alright. Tysonn gets a… minute head start.” Viren folded his arms, and Tysonn jogged off, moving at a pace that was quick but not fast.

  “Hey, kid,” Drew said behind Viren.

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t lose. I’ve got money on you.” Viren laughed. Finally, Rickson counted off a minute, and Viren took off, moving at a slightly faster pace than Tysonn had been. As he rounded the street corner, he slowed, searching the crowds for his friend.

  ‘Got you.’

  Tysonn was slipping down the street, subtly scanning the people behind him, trying to spot Viren. Once Viren was sure he wouldn’t lose him, he slipped to the side of the street, where he could hide in the afternoon shadows cast by the buildings. His magic was less affective, as he was constantly moving, but it still did a good job of hiding him.

  Tysonn continued down the main road for another few paces before taking a hard right down a narrow road that was far less busy. Viren followed, crouching in the shadows whenever Tysonn glanced over his shoulder. They soon came to the end of the narrow road, which led into the heart of the busy marketplace. Viren grimaced and doubled his focus on Tysonn. If he lost him here, it was doubtful he would be able to find him again.

  Tysonn wove around people and stalls, never stopping. In the rush of the crowds and his desperation not to lose him, Viren was a little less careful about keeping his distance and making sure he wasn’t spotted.

  This backfired when Tysonn abruptly wheeled around, going back the way he came. With a stifled gasp and no time to think, Viren vaulted over the nearest table and ducked behind it. Not five seconds later he heard Tysonn’s quick, sure footsteps. When they had passed, Viren stood and turned to the flabbergasted stall owner.

  “Um… Sorry.” Seeing that the shop sold some kind of spicy meat wrapped in bread, Viren quickly bought two to make up for the disruption and went back to following Tysonn, stuffing the food in his jacket pocket as he went.

  This time Viren was more careful, and Tysonn soon exited the market and ducked into an alley. Pausing to think—it would be hard to keep from being spotted in such narrow confines—Viren decided the best course of action would be to continue following from the rooftops. He scrambled rather ungracefully up the wall and, rather than trailing behind Tysonn, walked alongside him. Several times Tysonn checked behind him, and every time he did Viren couldn’t help grinning from above.

  When Tysonn reached the end of the alley, he stopped and turned around, checking for Viren once again. When he saw no one, he smirked, loosened his shoulders, and set off at a slightly slower pace.

  Luckily, when he turned back onto the main road, he didn’t cross the street, so Viren was able to follow without trying to find his way down from the roof. A few times he had to jump a gap between buildings, but that was easily done. After a few blocks, Tysonn entered a run-down looking building. Viren was able to enter through a spot where the roof had caved in.

  Slipping in silently—no use getting caught this far in—Viren was careful to stick to the shadows. He found a relatively sturdy spot to crouch in the rafters. The building was empty, except for a few piles of junk, and dust motes danced in the beams of sunlight filtering in through several holes in the roof.

  Tysonn stood in the center of the building with his arms crossed. He turned slowly, then sighed. After a few beats of silence, Viren concluded that he could reveal himself and found a broken piece of wood about the size of his fist. After aiming, he chucked it at Tysonn.

  “Wha—?!” Tysonn ducked, and Viren’s projectile clattered harmlessly onto the floor. Tysonn turned fast, squinting as he peered into the rafters. Viren waved so Tysonn could see him. When he spotted Viren, Tysonn’s face fell in disappointment. He groaned.

  Viren grinned and jumped down from the rafters, landing in a crouch. He stood, ignoring the way the long fall had jarred him. Remembering the food in his pockets, he carefully pulled them out, thankful they hadn’t gotten too smushed.

  “Want a snack?”

  but, it won't complete the entire story. Which means there will be a book two! yay! My original goal of finishing Book 1 by the end of this year still stands. Thank you for all your support!! See you next chapter!