Stray
A big town sits on the edge of the water. Storefronts that used to bustle with life show signs of despair in the windows and worn down, abandoned shops. People barely on the streets, and the few that are, walk quickly to their destinations in dirty clothes with their heads down. The town has an air of depression hanging over it, though the small tavern by the sea side shows the only side of life. Small chattering inside and an occasional laugh though it quickly dies out.
Cloaked in a thick, black hood a girl sat in the tavern listening in to the troubles of the town. Beneath the cloth hid her small frame but even more interestingly a set of feline appendages such as soft black ears and a rather bushy tail, both of the tips having a spot of white. She suspires, it looks like she isn’t going to get easy passage out of here stowing away anytime soon. She downs the last bit of her drink before signaling to the barkeep for another.
Two men look over the Wanted board with mild interest. Both standing at a near six feet high and with the same sharp jaw lines and that’s where the similarities end between the twins. Lucifen, cloaked with dark curls upon his head, contrasted with his cool, gray eyes, contradicting his brother, Jasper’s, features with his unruly brown hair and green eyes that match his tunic and trousers; all of earthy colors. Nothing too fun or exciting for the twins. Thief, goblin, Jynx, and a peasant likewise mundane. They sit at the bar as the sailors nearby cheer their drinks together to a safe voyage for that evening. Wishing to each other safety, and blessing the gods to their fortune. The other men in the tavern pat their backs and wish them luck.
“Disgusting humans...” she mutters under her breath. If it didn’t ruin her chances of escape she would watch this place burn to the ground gleefully. Instead she has to have hope for another way to her destination. She stands leaving one of her last few coins on the counter. Artemis is going to give her an earful for spending it on ‘useless human vices’.
A man bursts into the bar with thin, leather armor and clasping a cutlass. “The boat! It’s on fire! All hands on deck!” He yells. There’s a moment of silence before the sailors clamor quickly out of the bar. Grabbing a last chug or two before they make way to the fire. The twins who idled at the Wanted board follow along to see the commotion.
“Huh... I should really be careful what I wish for.” Rune shrugs while trailing behind the crowd of men curiously. The warm drink clouding her better judgment.
“Idiots.” She chuckles as she watches the sailors scramble to save their precious cargo.
The whole event is causing a scene of scurry to save the boat but to no avail. A woman in tatters watching the scene breaks down to her knees in despair to sob. The fiasco becomes less chaotic as men give up the fight to save the wreckage and toss their hats to the floor. Lucifen raises an eyebrow to the carnage and asks a passerby, “What was on the ship to make everyone so hopeless?” The man shakes his head, “That was the eighth this month that has gone wrong. Them damn pirates have no mercy for us poor folk.” He says in a sad angry voice.
Rune’s tail sways beneath her heavy cloak as she seems to almost glide past the whole ordeal; as if it is some normal, bright, sunny day for her. Even if the stalls run out of supplies plenty of people still have reserves that her, and Artemis, have no trouble finding. Speaking of which, if she didn’t get back before dark that would be an earful in of itself. She goes to find her only companion to get ready for their silent, nightly pillage.
The two boys look at each other, “What is there for us to do?” Lucifer questions to noone in particular. Jasper shrugs, “It’s not our place here. We mustn’t interfere.” He says grudgingly. They’ve already been banned from a few cities for digging their nose in places where it doesn’t belong. Lucifen grumbles but nods and while they head back to the tavern to take a bed for the night the embers of the boat sink down into the harbor.
As the town rests under the dark of night a white cat emerges from a window carrying a small coin bag and jumping into the arms of Rune. The two quickly head off into another alley to repeat the process. She would open the windows and keep an eye while Artemis would climb in and take what was available: food, money, and other small valuables that no one would notice till it was far too late.
The houses are mainly empty. Scraps of food and a few coins. The two boys rest in a single bed as the inn had to sell most of their luxuries to afford the rent. In the dark of night groups of boys haul about, talking nasty to the women who stand on the corners of the alleys. Trying their best, by any means, for their next coin.
Rune rolls her eyes as she crosses the street to avoid them as much as possible. The women of the night tend to hang around the rich homes but it’s too risky to be seen by the men. Artemis didn’t understand the issue which always end in heated debates after the night was through. One more building and they could go back to their own room; which is any house, or any that seem empty and human free.
The only house seemingly teeming with riches resides behind a wrought iron gate. A two story, heavily decorated abode with lavash gardening shrubbery and stone statues. Though guards patrol they are far more interested in the nightly treats that offered themselves for a nice bed and a hot meal.
Artemis meows back at Rune directing her to look at the large home. “You’re joking. We are already pushing our luck.... No but that’s not the point. If we don’t get out of here soon they are gonna realize that theif is actually us... oh fuck off you know I’m going to be the one to take the heat.” She shakes her head at the white cat. “Fine, but we are only checking the windows. We’ll strike them the night before we leave.” It is a big risk but surely any riches from there could fund their travels for quite some time.
The house is elaborately decorated inside with paintings, tapestries, and sculptures. A rotund man sleeps in his bed with lanky, nude women on either side. Snoring loudly but seemingly not a bother to the two girls that laid there with him.
Rune slides the window open to the large manor and Artemis climbs inside, a guard, who she had believed was busy cat calling some woman, rounds the corner and shines his lantern in her direction. “Oh shit....” she breathes out. She scrambles to run off before he notices but the guard already begins alerting the rest with a shrill of his whistle.
It isn’t often the guards have a good chase but often enough they’ll get an intruder try to get their greedy hands on the riches of the old man. “Get em!” One yells as the guards quickly compose themselves, pushing past the poor women, to apprehend the thief running off.
Lucifen and Jasper awake to the sounds of their whistles in the streets and quickly get their stuff on. It is far too frequent that they’ve woken to alarms or screams of some sort and have had to leave in a moment’s notice.
Dodging her way back through the extravagant garden and slipping back through the gate she reroutes with her friend in the streets. Rune sighs in relief as the guard party loses sight of them. “That was incredibly stupid. We could have been caught!” She whisper-yells at the white cat who simply ignores her.
Jasper sits on the window’s ledge watching the crazy girl below talk to her cat, “I’d say so.” He answers to the thief below. He whistles to her and tosses down a hand twined rope. The whistling of the guards growing closer.
The cat she had been speaking to simply trots off into a small crack in the wall, just big enough for him to slip into, and disappears. Rune looks back and forth between the stranger and where they had come from. “This is a bad idea...” but without much choice she climbs up the rope. Lucifen meets them at the top to help the stranger in as Jasper pulls the rope up. “Thanks I guess...” she mutters keeping her head down to obscure her features as much as possible.
It isn’t long before Lucifen has a knife drawn slightly and points it at them, “Now firstly, don’t mistake our kindness for stupidity. I don’t know what you did to get into that mess and I don’t want to know. Secondly, if you’re here to rest or hide, weapons need to be dropped. Deal?” He asks before switching the knife back into its holster and tossing the holster to the end of the bed moving his hands palm up to demonstrate his side of the deal.
Rune raises her hands up at the first sign of hostility. “Firstly, I don’t have any weapons.” She flares open her cloak showing just a plain pair of dark tight leggings and a belt loop with a few pouches. “Secondly, I didn’t ask for your help. I’m merely a bystander.” She says matter-of-factly.
Jasper adds sarcastically, “a bystander being chased by guards yelling ‘thief’?” Lucifen shrugs, “I mean we can lower the rope and let you climb back out if you so wish.” He says with a small smirk to his lips. Though he takes a seat on the single bed. Jasper still stands at the window with the whistles down below in the alley as the guards come searching through
“.....” Rune purses her lips she isn’t used to anyone even bothering with her banter. “Then why lower the rope for me to begin with?” She paces across the room, her arms cross against her chest. She needs to bring herself as close to the door as possible. “What benefit does a couple like you having taking in an ‘innocent’ girl like me?” Assuming the single small bed was for a ‘couple’.
Jasper shrugs, “Well this town doesn’t seem so keen on thief’s considering the one on the ‘Wanted’ poster had a pretty high value for a petty theft. Not sure what you stole but I don’t think a crazy cat lady would do well in a cell in this run down town. But I may have misjudged. You might do well in a cage.” He says with a smug smile. Lucifen rolls his eyes, “Let’s cut the façade. I don’t think the whole innocent girl thing is vested so don’t bother with that anymore, and for my own personal reason I’d like to know exactly what got this entire deadbeat town up in arms.” He says as he unlaces his boots yet again.
Rune scoffs, “Tch.... are you talking about the pirates? Because that has nothing to do with us- I mean me...” she turns her face, seemingly more interested in the door frame. “Other than that I guess I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” She states simply with a shrug.
Jasper quirks an eyebrow, “Oh really? Most people don’t run off if it’s a simple ‘wrong place wrong time’ fiasco.” He says purposely pushing buttons. Lucifen kicks off his boots and lays in the bed, “Well if you’re not here to steal from us then you’re fine to rest as well. I’m going to at least try to get some sleep before dawn.”
“You probably don’t even have anything worth stealing...” she mutters under her breath. “Whatever, I was perfectly fine without your help but because you both gave it so willingly, like the stupid humans you are, I will accept it, and be out before you wake.” She plops near the doorway, legs and arms crossed waiting for, what she thought were, lovers to rest for the night.
Jasper shrugs and begins to take his boots off as well. Muttering under his breath about nonhumans being obtuse. Lucifen giving a ‘tch’ to his brothers ramblings. “Go to bed already dickhead.” He says with closed eyes. Jasper lays opposite of his brother so their heads are akin to the others feet. “Whatever.” He says with a sigh
Confused and against better judgment she spoke out. “Are you two having a lover’s quarrel? Where I come from we always make sure not to go to bed angry with one another. Usually leads to a restless night.” She suggests.
Lucifen chuckles and Jasper fake gags. Still speaking with his eyes shut Lucifen replies, “I may love my brother but never that much.” Jasper grumbles something about a stake through the heart more preferable than a kiss.
Rune snorts, “I mean that can be arranged if you’d like.” She closes her eyes while resting her head back against the wall. A small nap wouldn’t hurt, she reasons to herself, Artemis can deal with it for one night.
Crack ass of dawn the boys are up and bustling as they pack their bags. Each with a knapsack and belt of tools. Not paying Rune much mind as they suit up.
Through the night she had ended up on her side and curled up. The noise, however, did wake her up. “Shit... what time is it...?” She asks herself, swaying a bit trying to stand. “Where are you two off to in such a hurry... wait...are you wanted criminals?”
The two laugh lightly and with a chuckle Jasper explains vaguely, “We aren’t criminals but rather...bounty hunters.” He says. The two finally finish packing and talk over the coins they’ve got on what to get for a meal.
“I..I uh think that’s my cue to leave...” her voice slightly shaky as she puts her hand over her stolen coin pouch. “Ha..have a good day?” She moves backwards towards the door opening it from behind as to keep an eye on the two bounty hunters.
Jasper speaks up before she gets too far, “Don’t suppose a thief like you would know what residence Lord Orford lives in?” He asks with a smirk supposing she wouldn’t know. Lucifen glares at him, “Could you not?” He asks annoyed.
“Why do you want to know?” She pauses, shutting the door. She was still wary but her curiosity won out. “There aren’t a lot of lords around these parts. The people here are too poor and stupid.”
Jasper, who got told off by his brother, replies less friendly than before, “Well it depends if you know or not.” He says with arms crossed. Lucifen rolls his eyes at his brother for the lack of smoothness or social awareness.
“I do. Doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you though.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Unless you have some sort of incentive for me.”
Jasper goes to explain more but Lucifen holds up a finger and interjects, “Ten coppers if the information is worthy. Take it or leave it.” He offers holding up a coin between his fingers.
“See... I’m not interested in that.” She pushes off the wall. “I’d rather know what you need with the bastard. You see... his home is filled with much more than that little coin. Enough for me to get the hell out of here.”
Jasper speaks this time before Lucifen can cut him off, “Oh please you can have his petty riches. We just want the man. So if you know his home how about you cough it up.” Lucifen sighs and rubs his temples.
“Hmm... let me think about it.... nah I still don’t see much of a reason to help you. Even if I had those riches there is no boat that can make it out of here.” She chuckles. “Unless you know of a way....” she asks slyly.
Jasper chuckles, “I dunno you seemed just fine running from the guards last night.” Lucifen sighs and steps in, “Once Lord Orford is gone his manor will most likely be pillaged to the town. Use your earnings to get a way out. Boat, carriage, doesn’t matter. By the look of this town any one of them would be willing to do anything for a coin.”
“So you are going to kill him.” Rune laughs, “yeah I don’t know where he lives. I only came to this town because it’s the only shipyard that goes where I’m heading.”
Jasper glares though it’s Lucifen who still speaks, “We aren’t going to kill him just trying to find our lead. From what I’ve heard, you won’t be going anywhere outside this port. Lord Orford has something to do with it but we can’t find out till we find him. So if you’ve got no information then our interests don’t align and we shall part ways. Have safe travels.” He finishes with a slight bow. Jasper tips his hat stiffly but follows suit with Lucifen to the door. Neither caring if you’re in the way, they’ve got a job to do.
Rune steps off to the side to let them through but is quick to follow them. “Are you here then to take care of that pesky problem?” She assumes that the man’s house she tried to rob last night was in fact that lord’s house they’re looking for.
Jasper shrugs, “and if we are? What is it to you?” He asks as the brothers begin descending the stairs to the main tavern where the bar is just waking up for the day. Sitting at the long table they both get a small breakfast with a couple of coppers to the bartender and head of the kitchen.
“That’s none of your business.” Rune kneels in between them. “Now I may not know exactly where he lives but I do have an idea.... I can point out the house.” Worst case these two would just cause some trouble and make things at least interesting for some time while she’s here.
Jasper scoffs, “You had no clue a minute ago but now you do? Can’t make up your mind?” He asks sarcastically, giving a smug look of amusement to ridiculing her. Lucifen adds gruffly, “We don’t have time for a goose chase kid.” He says assuming youth with height.
“I’m not a child, ass-hat. I’ve been around longer than you both have been alive combined. I’m giving you information for free. Take it or leave it.” She throws his words back at him. “Think of it as thanks for helping me out last night.” She includes to sweeten the deal.
Jasper rolls his eyes at their comment on age but sighs and asks back sarcastically, “If you’re giving information for free then why don’t you give it then?” He takes a crunch out of the hard bread-turned-toast that the bartender only had to offer the men for breakfast.
“There’s a big house behind a gate just a few blocks from here. He keeps multiple women in his bed and quite a few guards patrolling. It’s pretty much the only house around that would be fitting enough for a lord.” She makes a face remembering the disgusting site.
Jasper looks at Lucifen with a raised eyebrow, “Sound like our guy?” He asks and Lucifen sits for a moment in thought before responding, “We will have to go check it out.” He says stiffly. The taste of the food vile on his tongue but necessary really. “Would you be willing to show the way?” He asks Rune with a small glance
Rune tilts her head back and forth. “I can.... but I’d be careful about getting too close. They could be on high alert....” she warns sheepishly. She stands up and brushes her knees off. “Something may have upset them last night.” She coughs under her breath between pats of dust off her thighs.
Jasper snickers at the mention of last night’s incident, “Ah so that’s who you pissed off last night eh?” He gets up off the stool and drops a coin for a tip and adjusts the strap of his satchel. “Ready.” He proclaims to Lucifen who gets up similarly, “If you can take us as close as you can that would be helpful enough. We can take it from there.” He assures Rune.
“Shut up... it wasn’t my idea of a fun night.” She turns on her heels quickly and heads for the door. “Let’s get this done, I’ve got places to be so keep up.” She didn’t like the idea of helping anyone but she was running out of options.
Jasper shrugs and follows behind leaving Lucifen to tail in the back. Taking one last look at the wanted board that had a new poster with no picture listed of a suspicious individual who recently attempted grand theft robbery of a manor that night. He grabs the notice and folds it into his pocket for later keepings. Never know who this stranger may turn out to be.
Rune makes her way through the few small crowds only glancing back once when she turns into an alleyway. “Come on, this is a shortcut.” She calls while pushing a loose board aside at a dead end.
Jasper follows easily and Lucifen behind the two of them. Curious as to the path they’re taking. Running through allies as if they were a stray cat scurrying through a city. Most guards roaming the streets earlier had gone back to their posts and since then traded off with others that are far more laid back as the hustle and bustle didn’t ignite their nights like the others.
A few more twists and turns and she pauses before stepping out into a wide street with the gate beginning on the other side. “There ya go, although, I still think you should kill him but eh.” She half jokes with a shrug of indifference.
Jasper shrugs, “Wouldn’t be the first time nor the last.” He says nonchalantly as he watches the fence for any sign of the owner. “Will you be around in case we require your....assistance later?” He asks without looking away
“Any more ‘assistance’ from me and it’ll cost ya.” She replies while crossing her arms and leaning against a wall. “I’m usually at the tavern late in the afternoon. A few drinks could persuade me perhaps.” At least then artemis wouldn’t complain about her daily drink.
Lucifen nods in understanding and heads out from the alley. Not pausing as if he had reason to be there. Heading to the front entrance with Jasper in stow. Talking to the guard about requesting an audience with Lord Orford. The guard nods and goes inside to ask. Confirming the residence of Orford to this manor. Jasper holds an excited gleam in his eye at the confirmation.
Rune gives a small half hearted wave as she turns back to go the direction in which they came. Well things have definitely become more interesting around here. She decides it would be best to go check in with her feline companion. She is sure he has stayed nearby and has probably been watching the entire time. She sighs and ducks into another deserted alleyway to deal with the white cat’s scolding.
