"Successful mission" I grin.

"You sure enjoy being a thief, huh?" Harleen giggles.

I give her a playful punch on the arm. "Does it count as stealing when we're retrieving stolen goods?"

"Least we got a cut" Farjoh chimes.

Everyone looks at him. "We didn't get a 'cut', this was simply our payment for the job" I state firmly.

"Dargo's right" Sprax concurs. "We're adventurers, available for hire, not bandits."

"Wait." Lariot leaps forward. "Something... something's wrong..."

"How can you tell?" Harleen walks next to him.

"I can sense it. I can hear the evil whispers." Lariot continues forward cautiously. The rest of us follow.

I spot something on the ground. I pick it up. "A tuft of fur. The softness and weight, along with the colouring, indicates this is from a deer. I see a bit of red. Must be blood." I glance at my team. "Someone been hunting here?"

"No. If it were a simple hunt, I wouldn't be so wary. The whispers are coming from the building." Lariot enters the sleeping quarters. A loud gasp grabs our attention. "You all need to see this!"

We all dash in. I almost collapse. On my bed, is blood. A lot of blood. I slowly walk over, examining it. "More tufts of fur. Soaked through completely." I look at the fur in my hand. "Someone brought a deer inside, cut into it, and covered my bed in its blood. They're sending a message." I turn to Lariot with terrified eyes. "Whoever did this... wants me dead."

"Dargo, please, don't panic." Lariot uses his calming voice. I focus on him. "You're safe. You're safe."

I whisper the words to myself. I smile. "Thank you. I needed that."

"We need a new base" Sprax declares.

I hang my head in shame. "I'm sorry..."

"Oh, don't worry, this is the third time this year! People are always trying to kill us! Lead the way, Sprax!" Harleen gets behind him, and he starts walking.

I know it's no use trying to separate myself, so I follow along, hoping I don't cause more trouble.

We spend a couple hours walking until we reach our destination. A slightly smaller area with its own 'training ring'. No building for sleeping, makeshift tents are set up instead. "Miss this one! This is really a good area to spread my wings!" Farjoh smirks, before becoming an eagle.

"We have several places around the city. When we get targeted, we move to another base. Here's our new location until we're found again." Sprax gestures Lariot and I to follow into the base proper.

I linger slightly, staring out at the city. "Someone's after me" I mumble. "This is why I don't make 'friends'." I follow the pair, contemplating what to do...

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This story is a part of my series, A Thief's Honour. Please check it out!