Alcott followed Ginger’s magic until he reached the inn. He looked from the outside, and people gave him strange glances.
“Who is that?” It was strange for them to see someone like him wearing full plate armor and carrying multiple blades.
People usually only carry a knife hidden beneath their clothes.
Alcott pushed the door open and walked inside. He stood before the counter and stared at the old man. “Scarlett, where is she staying?”
“That woman in the back is the only Scarlett staying here.” The bartender looked at the back and turned around. “I didn’t see anything.”
Alcott looked back to see a stranger. A woman with black hair, half drunk and gawking at the table.
Alcott smiled, “You’re a good one.” He patted the bartender’s back.
“Scarlett, come here,” Alcott shouted.
“I’m here,” Ginger walked down the stairs, “It took you a while.”
The bartender froze in place. Why did she get out?
“Do you know him?” The bartender gasped, glaring at Aclott.
Ginger smiled, “Of course,” She approached Alcott, “Do you need rest, or should we move?”
“Let’s go to our room.” Alcott stood and Followed Ginger.
“Where is Arad?” .
“He went out for a walk,” Ginger replied, smiling.
“I hope he won’t cause trouble.” Alcott sighed and sat on the bed, “So, I talked to John.”
“What did he say?”
“He knows the girls, but they don’t want to meet us. But he can help us gain their trust.” Alcott smiled.
“Let me guess. He has a job for us.”
“Yeah.” Alcott sighed. Lying on the bed and staring at the ceiling.
“Arad is out on a walk. Let’s hope no one starts a fight with him.” Alcott looked at Ginger with a worried face.
“You should have seen him. He was like a confused cat in a new house. He has to go around and survey the area. I’ve never seen someone so keen on exploring this dangerous city.” She smiled, her opal white fangs glowing in the faint jellyfish light.
“A walk,” Alcott looked out the window. “For a dragon, this would be a very enthusiastic walk. Marking his territory and getting to know his challengers.”
***
On the city street, Arad walked between the people. His body towered over most people, so no one really approached him. Some thieves bumped into him every now and then, but since he had everything stored in his stomach, they found nothing to seal.
Even though everyone in this city was a criminal, some seemed to have a regular life.
Shops were open, the streets were busy, and you rarely heard someone scream. Probably since most people are affiliated with a gang or a criminal organization, you can’t really cause trouble.
Arad had one thing in mind: Getting to know the streets and corners of the city. He looked around for a high place so he can perch high and survey the area.
It didn’t take Arad long for his eyes to land on something, the large city temple which towered over everything. That could be a good place, but the cavern ceiling seemed like a good option as well.
Arad turned to the left and kept walking through the streets, watching the people peddling around him. His goal was one of the pillars holding the cavern. He could get access to the ceiling from there without flying and drawing attention.
“Stop right there,” Five massive men cut Arad’s way. They wore gambeson and carried heavy bludgeoning weapons. Like maces, hammers, and clubs.
“You’re getting into the sixth street. Owned by the thieves guild, we can’t let you in until you show us your badge.” One of the men stared at Arad.
Arad blinked, staring at the man with a doubtful face.
“Owned? Here?” Arad smiled, “This is the first time I heard that word used.”
The man laughed, “You’re right, it’s strange now that I think about it.” He looked at Arad, “The thieves guild is strong, and they can claim the land without anyone speaking up.”
“Say, where do I sign up?” Arad replied with a smile. He only needed to get to the pillar. If asking this could get him through without a fuss, it’s for the better.
“Ho? You’re a large man, I doubt someone like you could sneak around doing jobs. But go ahead, It’s the large building at the end of the street.” The man smiled, handing Arad a small blue badge.
“This is yours. Steal another two from other people before you reach the guild, and they will let you in.” He patted Arad’s shoulder, “Don’t lose yours. We will kill you if you tried to get out without at least one badge.”
Arad nodded and walked through the street, he could feel the glares on him. He looked into the abandoned building, seeing several shriveled, and starving people glaring at him.
Failed thieves who lost their badges. They are stuck in the streets until they can steal.
Arad ignored their glares as he hid the badge in his stomach, safe forever. He looked at the pillar, but something kept bugging his mind. Is it okay for him to just return later and say he could do it? Is that how a dragon should do it?
^I will collect as many badges, give them to the guild and then leave.^
[That’s a bad idea. Use the guild for information, I bet they know a thing or two about the twins.]
Arad turned around, and glared into the abandoned houses, “Time to hunt,” He grabbed a door handle and pushed the door open.
He could see the old dusty kitchen with cobwebs all over the ceiling. No one walked inside for months.
Arad walked inside and explored the building, finding no one, but he managed to get to the top.
Thud! Putting his foot on the railing, Arad glared down at the streets with glowing red eyes and a smile on his face. “I can hear them, people walking around.”
One of the guild’s top thieves glared outside his window, seeing this large and buff young man standing on a tall building as if he was about to throw himself down.
“What kind of thieves does that,” The thief sighed, setting his head back. “Did he give up on life?” He looked at Arad from a distance. He blinked, and Arad disappeared.
“Where did he go?” The thief gasped. He was sure Arad was there. He stood and glared outside the window, feeling the skin on his back crawl. A thief should never lose track of someone, it’s their job to keep attention to everyone and everything around them.
You can’t steal in mid-day without knowing where are everyone around you, and in which direction they are looking. He stood and rushed into the guildmaster room, “Guild master! I saw someone with potential.”
The guild master was an old man with an eyepatch. “You saw someone?”
The thief explained what he saw, and the guildmaster sighed. “Did you have too much to drink? You’re saying he was on the tall building, did you imagine him?”
“No! I would have known if he jumped or moved, I’m telling you, he disappeared.” The thief said with an excited face.
“Don’t drink too much,” The guild master sighed, standing up. “Let’s go downstairs, I do have some work there. We got a big quest from a noble.”
The two walked downstairs, “What kind of quest?”
“Kidnapping two girls. Or should I say, returning them to their home?” The guild master smiled. “The reward is to die for.”
Thud! As they reached the lower floor, the guild door kicked open. A large muscular man walked in with a large bag over his shoulder. He bumped into one of the guards and pushed the other with his hand as he walked.
The thief gasped. ^180 no, over 190 cm.^ he couldn’t believe he couldn’t hear Arad’s footsteps. “Wait, that’s him, the one I saw.” He poked the guild master’s shoulder.
The guild master walked forward, he barely stood at 155 cm with his crooked back. “Young man, I don’t appreciate you pushing the guards like that.” He stood before Arad, cutting his way. “We here respect the best thief, and those are better than a brat like you.”
Arad stopped and glared at the old man. With a passive face, he glared down.
“You there!” The guards pulled their knives and approached Arad, “Get the fuck away from him!”
Arad turned his head, lifting his hand. “Recognize those?” He showed them two badges and two purses.
The guards froze in terror, those belonged to them. Did he snatch them earlier?
“You fucker!” One of the guards cried, swinging his knife at Arad’s back. CLANG! The knife couldn’t pierce Arad’s skin, “What?”
Arad grabbed the man from his belt, and swung him with one arm, throwing him outside. Arad looked at his palm, and he still had the pants.
“Sorry, you forgot those.” He threw the pants out and then looked at the guild master.
“I was asked to steal badges but the guys standing outside.” Arad poured the bag, and tens of badges covered the ground as screams of terror started booming in the street with people recognizing they got robbed.