The shop the thief had scouted out was in the furthest corner of the city, where the tall grey walls cast an oppressive shadow. Although there was a valiant attempt at a garden, the only signs of life were the patches of vibrant moss that had grown over the thatched roof. They seemed to flourish despite the grim and dismal atmosphere that surrounded them.

  The door of the shop was marked with a red and white striped sign, promising both medical care and a fresh trim. Judging by the broken window patched with sun-bleached wood, business was slow.

  Her first reaction was to raise her hand to knock ?— ?it would be easier, at least — but then she knew he would not answer, not for her. Not to mention there was no knight with high morals currently watching over her.

  A stray dog that was more interested in something splattered on the ground was the only movement she saw as her eyes briefly flickered around to make sure the street was clear.

  The lock clicked open with a few deft wrist flicks, and she entered.

  Crates lined the walls, and numerous dried plants were strung from the roof. There was a strange bed in the far corner, all metal and without a blanket, perhaps for his injured clients.

  The rich scents of moist earth, leaves, and pine needles smelled so similar to home that it was almost comforting.

  'Look at you. You've only been here a day, and already you're missing the smells of home.'

  She prowled around curiously, admiring some charms and inhaling strange herbs. When that got boring, the thief went into his kitchen, and made herself a cup of tea.

  It was when Valerlanta was lounging in one of his wicker chairs and sipping a hot beverage that the home owner finally noticed the intruder.

  "Who is there?" He said as he burst in, his walking stick held aloft like a sword, and his face white with terror. When he saw who it was sitting in his chair, the stick lowered, but he backed away two extra-large steps, as if to avoid something poisonous. "You? What are you doing here?"

  "Runen! It is about time, I was starting to believe you were going to sleep all day." Valerlanta said, smiling sly as a cat, "I need your help."

  "My help? Ha! The only thing I should do for you is scream for the city guards. How did you even enter this place? That was a new lock! You had better not have ruined it."

  Runen was still in his nightwear. Valerlanta supposed she should be embarrassed, but she found herself far more uncomfortable with how thin the man was. It made her wonder if he really ate at all.

  Noticing her pitying gaze, it was him instead who cringed away with a flush and grabbed a coat from the floor to make himself at least a tad more decent.

  "I see business is not as strong as it needs to be," she said.

  "I should call the guards." Runen huffed again.

  "Call the guards? Oh Runen, you tried that once before, remember? Besides, with all these tea leaves just sitting around, do you really think that is a good idea? This is the real deal; a unique blend created especially for the king in a valley where the soil produces leaves so delicious that the entire area belongs to the crown. Although having it is quite impressive, the guards won't think so. It is extremely illegal to even possess these leaves without the king's written consent; it is on par with murdering a person."

  Of course, the laws did not stop everyone. The right buyer would overlook the legalities just to look fashionable to the guests.

  The man's eyes flicked to the tea, then back to her.

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  "What is it you need?" Runen asked.

  "Information."

  It was a known fact that Runen was a well-read man, and that was rare, even among nobles. Of course, he also realized that if she was coming to him, that meant Valerlanta had no other options. Foolishly, he saw that as an advantage and his face lit up. "Information? What sort of information?"

  "On things of dryad make."

  "That sort of information is not cheap, you know. Why should I give such valuable information to the likes of you? Just because of tea blackmail? No. I will tell them it is all yours! Even if the guards don't believe me and we are both punished, it would all be worth it if I could see you hang first."

  "So dramatic. Runen, you are making it sound like I burned down your house! Unless I am remembering wrong, it was you who sold me out for a few measly petals."

  "And then I came back home and half my things were stolen!" The man shouted. "Half my things! All gone! Right down to one shoe there and one shoe gone!"

  "Half your things for me nearly being caught," she mused, a wicked smile touching her lips. "I would say that is more than fair. Actually, it was probably better than you deserved. Your items sold for a surprisingly low price.

  "Of course they did! Who would want one shoe?"

  "Everything can be sold," she replied confidently. "But not everything should be. Some things come back to haunt you when you try."

  Runen swallowed hard, then made an act of clearing his throat. "I paid my price. I moved and rebuilt myself, and I never crossed your kind again. "

  "As you say."

  There was a long silence as Valerlanta sipped her tea. Runen tapped his foot impatiently, but the thief simply drank unbothered and let her dark gaze eat into him. Finally finishing her cup, she balanced it on the arm of the chair.

  Despite that, she made no efforts to lift the heavy silence.

  That was the tipping point for him, as she knew it would. Curiosity and desperation had control of him now.

  "What are you doing here?" he blurted. "What brings you this far north? Has some rich noble you are hunting for come this way?"

  Valerlanta reached into her bag and removed the ball.

  It was wrapped in a dirty cloth, but she could still feel the gentle hum it gave off from under her fingers. "This friend of mine here is missing its sibling, and I would really like the family to reunite."

  "And can I see this...friend?"

  "And have your greedy little gaze convince you to do something stupid? I think not. I can tell you all you need to know about it. The orb is of dryad-make, and once-upon-a-time, it was given to a king. You know the story.

  What I need from you is a clue; that is it. Just a quick nudge in the right direction, and I will be out of your path forever."

  "Why should I do that, exactly? Why would I assist someone who helped me fall into this life? Did you know I can barely afford food? Who in their right mind would run to the door for medical aid when I look half dead myself? I can't even sell those teas because everyone assumes they are fake! I spent the last of my savings on them. I am ruined!"

  "You are blaming me for all this?" She gestured to the house and shook her head in disbelief. "Ha! You were digging yourself into debt long before you crossed me. You can blame me if you want, but you are still going to help me."

  Angry tears welled in his eyes. "Why? Why would I do that?"

  "I can get you a special selection of wounded people; people who do not want word going around that they need fixing or even that they are in the area. Secret clients who pay well to remain as such, and also have the proper networks to sell that tea. You help me, and I will see that you have clients."

  His grip shifted, his jaw trembled, and eventually he slumped against the wall in resignation.

  As Runen cupped his hands around his head, the stick dropped to the ground. ???

  Abruptly, the man was looking very small and hopeless, and Valerlanta quickly tore her gaze away; looking anywhere but at him.

  "There is a door, one lined with dryad script, inside the castle underground," he spoke through his fingers. "I have never been down there, so I can not confirm the rumours, but that is all I know."

  Valerlanta sat there a moment longer, but silence did not change his words, so she rose and went for the door. As Valerlanta was only just about to step out, she gave one last look over her shoulder. "Sell me out again, and I will kill you."

  Runen said nothing in reply, he didn't even turn to see her go.

  As she walked back the way she had come, Valerlanta actually found herself feeling sorry for the greedy little man.

  'Blast. If I didn't know any better, I would say Venic is getting to me with his high-and-mighty morals.'

  And now she had to think of a way to convince that influential knight to let her sneak into a castle and steal. If only she had some sort of proof to —

  Over the wall, there was a hollow wail of a horn, indicating someone of importance approaching the gates.

  Freezing in her step, Valerlanta felt like the buildings around her were going to topple upon her.

  He was here.

  The gates would be shut since the sun was almost about to set. He couldn't enter...could he? Would they let him in?

  Suddenly, she came to a crossroads with the castle on one side, and Venic on the other.

  At the second call of the horn, Valerlanta ran.