Thick as thieves

[LadyCara]

Malia took a small piece of the bread and meat and began to eat.

"I will keep that in mind." She said, giving him a smile. Living in the country, she and hunger were old friends. Sometimes crops didn't yield much and with the tariff, they had had to survive with her family on what was left.

"I have told you about me, the little there is. Now it is your turn. How did you become a thief?"

 

[Lovelickin]

He paused, staring into the dark for a moment, 'I have no idea where I am from, who my parents were or wy tey elft me. The founders brought us up, they beat many and worse..... I ran' he turned and grinned 'so it was steal or starve. I chose to survive. One day I'll go back and show them a real bully' he paused, then stood, walking and shifting his nervous tension. 'I got caught stealing bread and ended up in the stocks, it was there that Evin found me. E gave me training and a set of rules. Now I steal for him, or for the kicks.' he reached for his current prize 'this was for fun', he grinned

 

[LadyCara]

The fact that Brynolf called Evin 'E' showed Malia that they were on friendly terms, possibly good friends.

"Does Evin ask you to steal much? And have you ever got caught?" asked Malia curious.

Malia wondered if after all this she would also have little choice but to steal in order to live.

 

[Lovelickin]

' E send me for special items sometimes, he has other for the usual stuff' he grinned 'and yes I've been caught before, they came for me, but only just' he lifted his head and stepping into the light, sowing Malia the scar under his chin 'just a scratch, but it was close....'

He took a bite of bread and chewed. 'Odel got caught in the southlands last year, they cut off his hand.... And I hear they oast thieves alive in Highfell' he paused, 'It's dagrous but some of us ave no choice'

 

[LadyCara]

Malia's hand reached out and traced the scar and then she snatched her hand away, suddenly realising what she had done.

"But I can see you like the excitement, or you wouldn't do it for fun." She said indicating where he kept the gem.

Malia finished the bread and then went over to the water to wash her hands.

 

[Lovelickin]

her touch was gentle, welcome but strange. He smiled 'excitement, yes,I do like it. I guess its like a thrill you need. It makes me feel alive to risk, but I think E has plans for me, something big....' Brynolf walked to the den, and stood facing the wall, 'its dangerous, and no life to lead if you're timind.' he reached for the bag containing his weapons, all made close encounters and stealth. He'd used them more than once, and that was his biggest worry.

 

[LadyCara]

'its dangerous, and no life to lead if you're timid.'

"That I can imagine."

"Can I ask you a question?" Malia was unsure of how to proceed. "When we leave here, do you mind if I tag along for a while? Only I can't come by honest work," she indicated the mark of the Chosen, "and I think i'd rather have you teach me how to live out side the law than any other options." The only other option being living on the street and getting money in exchange for sexual favours.

 

[Lovelickin]

Brynolf smiled, 'of course' he took her hand, and smiled, 'we leave once we've slept again, they'll be extending the search and I have these' he opened the final bag, a set of priests robes and a set of old ras marked with red crosses 'do you want to be priest or leper?' he rinned

originally he was goin to switch at the city gates,now they would adapt...

 

[LadyCara]

"I guess i'd better be the leper, less chance of my being identified, the guards know my face." I told him taking the leper clothes out of his hand. I looked them over hoping that they'd been cleaned as dried puss was not my idea of fun.

"Escorting the leper to the hospital just outside the gates?" I asked. The hospital was never in the temple grounds, it put people off.

 

[Lovelickin]

he noticed Malia's relutance to hold the rags,'don't wory they're clean' he smiled 'the plan was for me to change once I was out of the temple, but we'll adapt. I have to ask you though' he paused 'would you carry it? They're more likely to search me.....' he looked at her, almost assessing her trustworthyness, but sensing an honour in her.

his scar ached from her touch,not in the way a burn would, like he wanted more, but he didn't know how to get it

 

[LadyCara]

Malia looked at him in surprise and then smiled.

"I would be honoured to carry it, if only for pay back for what they would have done to me. I also doubt a guard would touch a leper for fear of contamination. I promise you I will look after it and return it to you when you ask."

"Are there any pockets in the clothes?" she asked thinking it could get uncomfortable if she had to carry it.

 

[Lovelickin]

Brynolf grinned, 'pockets aplenty, it's our trade!' he held up the leper suit and slid his arms through several well disguised holes 'for picking' then he showed her the false seams inside the cloak,many padded to hide objects from careless searches. 'I've used this disguise before, here,an extra trick.' he reached down and gathered some moss from the floor, he chewed then coughed it out into his hand, 'while he searches - do that - they'll run a mile and let you pass, tastes bad but its harmless' he winked

 

[LadyCara]

Malia put the stone securly in a pocket and then used some of the damp dirt by the water to rub on her skin to make her look unwashed, another reason for her not to be searched.

She used a cloth to put some of the moss in, so she could hold it up to her face and out it in her mouth as and when required.

She pulled the hood forward to hide as much as she could of her features.

"Ready when you are."

 

[Lovelickin]

Brynolf readied himself, finally dressed in the priests robes he stepped to Malia, gently he lifted her chin and carefully kissed her lips 'for luck' he whispered. He paused,should he have done that He wondered , but smiled and gathered his possessions in a priests bag. He placed his punch dagers in the robes and kept a blade strapped to his arm.

Carefully he walked to the grate, checking for guards, then quietly he released the lock and stepped out to wait for Malia. 'here - if you want it' he held out a short blade for Malia

 

[LadyCara]

Malia was surprised by the kiss, but found she liked the way he was gentle with her, no pressure. Shr returned his smile and wished they were in another place and another time.

During the time they had been here, she'd gotten to know him and found he was gentle and caring for her welfare, which seemed at odds for a thief.

Brynolf offered her a blade, Malia was unsure if she should accept it or not, unsure if she could actually kill someone, but the thought or returning to the sacrificial altar decided her and she took it. Malia felt the weight of it in her hand and looked at him and smiled, "I'm not an expert, but this feels well made." she whisphered, as she hid it beneath her robe, out of sight from any curious on looker.

"Which way?" she asked.

 

[Lovelickin]

he pointed, and stepped cautiously forwards, checking the way ahead before moving. Slowly he headed towards the lower chambers, knowing of the exit to the city hidden there. It was the route taken by the whores, smuggled in to please the senior priests, and during the day saw almost no traffic. Brynolf knew two guards would be there,but they were of little immediate concern as first they must pass by the barracks.

The priests had a small force of guards - well paid but now fat from lack of action, however,they would be merciless if they found the intrudrs.

he turned to explain to Malia 'follow my lead - say nothing and keep your gods on our side' he whispered as he arranged his robes to appear more priestly.

 

[LadyCara]

'follow my lead

Malia nodded to show she understood, then stooped low and began shuffling like the leppers she had seen. Her hood was over her head and hid her features. She could see the bottom of Brynolf's priest rope and used that as her guide to know where she was going.

 

[Lovelickin]

He walked slowly, muttering under is breath. Listening at the movement of Malia and for strangers. His cowl hid his face but let him see just enough to give warning of danger. As he led Malia forwards past the barracks the voices of the guards drifted out, gaming and discussing the next patrols.

Brynolf stopped making a play of adjusting is robes and caught some of the talk '....south tomorrow....kill him and bring her......deflowered is fine...' the last comment brought laughter and Brynolf held his hand to Malia, trying to comfort her.

 

[LadyCara]

deflowered is fine...

Malia heard the remark and it sent a spike of fear through her, making her determined not to be caught. If she was going to be 'deflowered' it certainly wouldn't be by a thuggish guard.

Malia felt Brynolf's hand on her and took some comfort that at least she wasn't alone, though she couldn't wonder for how much longer she would have his protection. She wasn't foolish enough to think that he'd keep her around longer than neccessary, though the memory of his kiss still lingered on her lips and she didn't feel quite so scared at all.

She took some of the moss in her hand ready to use, in case the guards came any nearer.

 

[Lovelickin]

Brynolf stepped past the doorway,bluffing confidence. He walked round the corner straight into a burly guard. 'hello, your holiness' he smirked, Bynolf nodded and stepped left. The guard followed,blocking the passage 'going out?' he growled.

'escorting the sick to the death rooms' Brynolf assured, 'this one asn't long until she meets our dear god' the guard pushed past, placing a hand on Malia....