Session 35 – A.. plan?
My mouth opened and closed. And opened again. "You uh.. you wanna run that by me again?"
Moira jumped up on the bed and started gesturing animatedly. "Okay! So, the town Elder has been stealing from the town treasury for years. People pay their tithe and he takes most of it for himself, when it's supposed to be used to pay for things like defense and fixing up the temple. Shit like that."
"And he's a creepy bastard, too!" Sterling piled onto her girlfriend's justifications for armed robbery.
Moira nodded rapidly, snapped her fingers, and pointed at Sterling. "Yes, exactly! So we figure, he probably keeps it in a magic vault or something. We sneak in, we liberate it, we give half of it back to the city, and use the rest to fund our adventuring." She paused to judge my reaction, and then added "So that we can help other towns?"
I could see several glaring problems with this plan strategy vague goal. "Alright, so, in no particular order:
1. We don't actually have any fucking idea where the money is, how much there is, or how well it's guarded.
2. This relies on two people who, while seemingly cool, I met all of ten minutes ago.
3. I've never stolen anything in my life.
4. I've never broken into a house in my life.
5. I like this town, and if we get caught or have to fight our way out, we're fucked.
6. Doubly so for #5 if the Elder has any connections or political friends."
"Hey!" Moira protested. "You're kinda doubling up on points there. And we are cool!" I gave her a pointed look.
7. "I don't like being interrupted."
Sterling opened her mouth, thought a moment, and then closed it.
8. "You really shouldn't have wasted time waiting for me. I'm useless."
Paz crossed her arms and got all offended. "Bullshit! You're the strongest person I know. You rescued me from a demonic prison." Of course, now she admits it. "You rescued yourself and me and a bunch of others from slavers. You saved me when my world ended. You.." Her eyes darted in the direction of the bath room and her voice cracked as tears pooled in her eyes.
I sniffed and looked away from her. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but.." I held up my hand and she sucked in a breath as my hand wavered all over the place like a politician who has been asked a question about their job.
"That's fine!" Moira stated with unearned confidence. "Paz can scout it out with her animal essences. I'm a lock whisperer. Sterling is my backup if it gets hairy. And you're the big guns that we only bring in if everything goes tits up! Paz told us some of the things you can do. You killed two wights!" She seemed exceedingly proud of the very poor plan.
I didn't have it in me to argue. "Okay. That's fair enough. I can see you've thought about this a lot, and you've clearly got my girlfriend on board. I've got your back, as best as I can." I gave her a weak smile that definitely didn't reach my eyes. Paz's worried face got even more pronounced as she watched me.
I shivered and pulled my fur cloak tighter around myself. The night was clear. Bright blue moonlight spilled across the villa sprawling in the forested valley below me, illuminating everything. Because of course it was. We couldn't have a dark and cloudy night, that would be too easy.
Paz kissed my cheek, disentangled her fingers from mine, and released my hand. "I'll be back shortly."
I whimpered and felt very exposed without her holding me close. "Be careful." She smiled at me and then she was an owl. She flew down towards the large house and I felt my heart beating harder as she moved farther away. I can do this. I can do this.
Sterling rubbed my arm reassuringly. "You gonna be okay, boss?" My throat was too tight to answer so I just nodded. "Good. Good. Moira and I are gonna circle around to the other side and wait for Paz." I nodded again and turned away to hide the panic building on my face and in my heart.
The two women moved quietly into the night and I was alone. So very alone. I pulled my sword out of the sheathe and held it at my side. It really didn't help. My heart raced as my eyes darted every which way, trying to look in all directions at once. I moved closer, trying to get a better view. I sucked in breath and held it as the closest door opened and two armored guards stepped out. They stamped their feet and pulled their cloaks tighter. Frost misted on their breath as they lit torches and slowly started walking towards the back of the house. Shit. They were walking toward Moira and Sterling.
I sheathed my sword and tossed it into a bush. I pulled off my bow and hesitated, my hand shaking with fear. I took a calming breath and let go. I have magic. I'm not helpless. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Against these guys, anyway. I pulled my hair down out of the ponytail and messily tussled it.
I took off at a gentle jog toward the armored men. "Excuse me! Good sirs!" I didn't have to fake the nervousness in my voice. They turned to face me as their hands moved to the hilts of their sheathed swords.
"Miss?" One of them stepped closer, judging my level of potential threat in one experienced glance. "What are you doing out here? This is the Elder's house. Did you have a meeting with him?"
My mind raced and my mouth suddenly felt dry. "I uh.. yes. I was making my way when I heard growling in the forest. I think there might be some kind of vicious beast on the prowl."
He nodded to his friend who drew his sword and walked off into the trees. He turned back to me and gestured toward the door. "Allow me to escort you. I'm sure the Elder will be concerned about your tardiness."
I panicked. Fuck fuck fuck. I stepped backwards with a demure curtsy. "I would prefer to retire home for the night. This has been quite enough excitement. I will call again, another day."
I turned to leave and he grabbed my wrist. "It is late and dangerous with beasts on the prowl. I must insist."
Blind panic ripped a bone-rattling scream from my throat. I pulled and pulled, but his grip remained firm. I sobbed as my legs collapsed. I was hyperventilating and couldn't breathe at the same time. I called for my magic.
Nothing answered.