After what seemed like an hour in the den .Edric finally saw the end of the staircase which had a large wooden door with a latch attached.

  He slowed his pace as he slowly stepped near the door. Behind him Aeris and the others weren't too far behind.

  Cautious he planted his ears on the door and tried to hear if there were any passersby. He heard the faint rattle of cart wheels, some bickering of people and the standard noise of people in the evening.

  “Should I open it?” He asked Aeris .

  Aeris nodded in agreement, “pull your hoods deep ,cover your face properly. Once out , walk normally until we find a safe space.”

  Everyone started tugging their hood and robes down and checking the attire for anything that would stand out.

  After a brief moment, he opened the door.

  Almost immediately the orange sun light was blinding. After his eyes adjusted and once he firmly stepped out. He observed that the door had led them to some alleyway. He wasn't sure we're exactly. The building in front of him looked like a very old apartment for workers. It was made of black brick, char marks and had the smell of tobacco.

  At the exit of the alleyway , afar he could glimpse the small walls of the city. So it was safe to presume they were at the far side of the city.

  “Let’s hide somewhere,” Kael said, stretching his back with some audible cracks.

  Several moments later,

  The head guard had broke through the wall with sweat and blood. He reached the office and knew very well how they escaped. Using the stairs his employer used to escape and same with the crooks he chased after them.

  The only thing they were greeted upon reaching the alleyway was the nice light illuminating from the moon. The head garud clicked his tongue in annoyance and an expression that was a mix of humiliation and annoyance.

  “Any trace of those bastards,” he asked his men who weren't far behind.

  The archer, who now could move his limb, scanned the surrounding. He was a scavenger and hunter before this, but now matter how much he scanned and poured his remaining mana into his skills he couldn’t find a scent of them.

  “Sorry sir,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “ I didn't find any trace. It’s been too long they might have escaped somewhere far”

  “Damn shit.” the head gaurd swore intently. His subordinates watched him with tense expression not waiting for the next order. “No point wasting time. Let’s go back and meet the boss.”

  The men started slowly trotting back to main road. The posture was slumped and disappointed , with sighs going her and there along with multiple bruises that needed care.

  Just where did they go? Not too far.

  As the guards faded down the road, a pair of eyes observed from up top. It was Aeris standing on top of one of the apartments. After the potential threat faded into the intersection, she turned to her allies.

  They had taken refuge on top of this building for a short while to rest and possible attack if the guards escalated the situation any further. The building was a workshop that baked bread in masses. The smell of bread was very alluring, one of the primary reasons they chose to rest here.

  Kael had found himself in a corner next to the chimney . He laid there with his back resting on the wall. HIs muscles were aching not stop once the adrenaline worn out. The warmth of the chimney flowing through his body loosened the pain and felt almost like a sauna.

  Xantha was also near the chimney in the adjacent wall taking a short nap. Her chest rose and fell as she had gone to a deep slumber.

  As for Edric, he was not on top of the roof . Currently he was climbing up the pipes with a bag of bread in his hand. Hunger had taken him out, much more than fatigue. So he had decided to steal some bread. No not steal per se, he left some silver coins on the table and he pocketed the latest batch from the bakery.

  He stepped over the railing and firmly stepped on the roof. It felt serene and peaceful. The hustle and bustle of the day had settled, with only some chatter of the street echoed. He gazed the roof . A shot smirk grew in his face as he saw the napping girl and Kael relaxing with a neutral expression. Aeris on alert as ever sat on the railing checking out for anything.

  Aeris gaze met Edric and then at the bag of bread.

  Kael rose from the fresh scent of sweetened bread. The smell of bananas and herbs kicked him awake. “Ah, some juicy bread. I’m starving.”

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Hold your horses I’m coming.” First he brought a piece of bread near Xantha’s noise. A moment later, the girl blinked awake. With a loud yawn she stretched out and grabbed the bread involuntarily.

  Then he stretched his hand to give a pice to Kael. Kael as well stretched his hand to grab it then, a sudden pain shivered inside him. The pain from Aeris pinching his ear.

  “OWW,OWW” Kael squirmed in place as Aeris rustled his head back and forth. Aeris eyes were burning in anger. “Oi, what the hell?” She pinched even harder. “SORRY god damn it. I said sorry.”

  “You think sorry is a good excuse. All we were supposed to do was get item and resources. Then leave.” Her tone was sharp and commanding. “Now even after almost dying you. You made this mess.”

  Edric stood in place awkward with the beard in hand not knowing what to do.

  Should i say something or not… to be fair it was his fault. But…

  “Come on Aeris . Cut him some slack.” He would come to regret speaking up. As immediately Aeris flicked her head and using her free hand pinched Edric’s ear.

  He squimed in agony. Seriously, how the hell does a pinch send shivers down a person’s body. “What did I do? It was his fault. Kill him if you have to.”

  Kael looked at him with a very offended expression. “Hey, I thought we were friends. Blood brothers-”

  “it was you idea to go to this shithole”

  “Well, we needed to get rid of that stalker and get some money.”

  Edric and Kael continued to bicker but the mention of a stalker fixated in Aeris mind. Annoyed, she pinched their ears even harder to shut them up. Xantha, well, she just sat by the chimney and ate her bread while watching the scene like a theatre play.

  “Shut the hell up you both ears are going to the cattle.” she took a deep breath and released ther ears. Both of them sat quietly without any movement. “Now what is this about a stalker?” Directed at Edric.

  Edric while soothing his aching ear. “After auctioning off an item, we went to grab some lunch in those tent food courts. After eating and leaving. We noticed someone odd following us.”

  She flicked her head to Kael. “Who were they?” it made sense since his senses are better.

  “Not sure, they blended in well with the crowd. But I don’t think there from Magnus or atleast anyone we should be concerned about at this moment.”

  She raised her brows in curiosity.

  “What i mean is they weren't good. Whoever they were, there presence stook out like a sore thumb and never bothered to enter closer spaces.” He rubbed his chin carefully picking his word. “ If it were someone the governor or any real threat had sent. You would think they could at least hide there presence. I mean even Edric could feel it.”

  Edric nodded in agreement, although he wasn’t sure if he should be offended by the last statement.

  “It could have just been a petty but obsessed thief. “

  Aeris thought to herself in silence. “Their last whereabouts?”

  “Just before we entered the gambling den. After that they never bothered coming inside , so i guess they left or grew tired of waiting.” Kael said firmly.

  Aeris tapped her foot in rhythm as she thought for a moment in silence. Inorder to break the awkwardness and well ease the mood . Edric brought out some warm bread.

  “Here you go,” he patted the floor gesturing her to sit.

  After a quick gaze, she gave in . She sat down on the floor and crossed her leg. The boys eased out and sat more relaxed. Xantha came closer formign a nice warm circle between them.

  Edric took a bite, the warm bread was quite cozy. Especially with eatting with his friends, along with a nice night. “So, what do you think about the stalker guy,”

  “If he was bad at hiding his presence. I doubt the governor would have sent it. There assassins are more prideful of their stealth.” she spoke with such convention that you might think she experienced it before. “ The town is known for it’s pick pockets. Some thief might have been interested from the money you collected and fixated over it.”

  Xantha who remained quiet, spoke up, after almost finshign her bread. “ Speaking of money. How much you got.”

  Kael smirking. “Take a guess.”

  “100 gold no wait 200 gold.”

  Kael and Edric looked at each other. Than gave a short cocky laugh. Xantha looked at them confused, frowned as they tugged there hands inside there magic pouch. Then a moment later , bags and bags of gold coins was out on the floor.

  Each bag fell on the floor with jingles that only became louder and louder with each bag.

  “Make that around 600 gold,” Kael said

  “Alogn with tools, potions and other stuff.” Edric continued.

  Xantha looked at the stack with awe. Aeries was also bewildered by the stack of coins . then a thought popped up.

  “Hold up, now i know what yout thinking in your little head. And no , we didn’t steal anything, atleast most of them. Those stuff from the auction sold for a very high price.”

  “Along with some loose change stolen, i mean picked up from the brawl with just had.” Edric continued. “ Anyway besides that, we also got some items, espeicly bought with you two in mind.”

  Xantha leaned closer in excitement, Kael for some odd reason was antsy to pickout a particular set of items. With a swift motion, he presented the light armor he bought of Aeris.

  “Behold, what I bought for the fiercest woman I have ever seen.” Kael went all flamboyant with his words and gestures. He glazed through his words, complementing her in the hopes it soothes her anger. “ This enchantment thread in particular, when tired to you sabre makes it consume less mana. A rare find. Seriously, it's a prototype, i had to bribe the blacksmith with a gem and 50 gold coins.”

  He went closer to Aeris, like a dog with his puppy eyes. Xantha and Edric could only sit and hold their laughter from busting out. Aeris' expression was unreadable, it was in a typical neutral expression as she kept chewing her meal.

  Kael’s expression showed hesitation as he brought the other items , mainly the potion and gadgets. Edric quietly showed what he brought to Xantha. The umbrella which she used and enjoyed very much. Her tunic and robe he bought along with a belt with held several items.

  She held the items in hand firmly, with a soft voice she said. “Thank you.”

  “No problem–”

  *pft*

  Aeris couldnt hold it in, out of nowhere she let out an audible chuckle. Kael just stood there bewildered, he tried to recollect any moment where she laughed. Edric and Xantha burst out laughing next.

  “Oi, cut it out.” Kael words were in vein as there laughter only grew. “Hey–”

  Without warning someone patted his head, he flicked his head to see the person was Aeris.

  “That’s enough out of you.” her voice was warm. “Also thanks.” those words almost made Kael blush.

  The group just sat there silently for a moment. No one talked but it never felt awkward.

  “So what did you two do? You got any transport.” Edric asked.

  “Oh you won’t believe it.” Xanatha clasped her hands in excitement. “ We got a deal in some chukka bulls”

  Chukka bulls? What the hell is that and why do they sound familiar?

  “Where the hell did you get those in these parts ?” Kael asked with genuine curiosity.

  “A farmer had them tucked away in a corner. He didn’t look to be in any mood to sell them. But thanks to Xantha here. He sold it quickly” Aeris began to summrize the incident. Xantha shoved her hair cockily. Than she showed the items they bought with there limited funds.

  Some tools, food and well a tent like item to live in the wilderness.

  The chatted idly for a while, most were Kael commentating on his games like a sports match. From the wins and losses he made during the whole gambing den thing.

  Then it arrived two hours before midnight, the time to leave this town had arrived. After tucking away there stuff, Aeris lead the way to the bulls