Idol Heist

Kaemal’s light footsteps clicked on the marble floor as he ran down the long hallway. To his left, the full moon shone brightly through a wall of glass that touched the ceiling. Its light threw shadows off of the priceless artifacts and portraits that lined the endless stream of gold-trimmed corridors. The man snapped his head around to eye his pursuers. The faint glow of torches lagged behind him, accompanied by the sound of clinking metal. Loud shouts and panting came from guards that followed him at a hurried pace. Kaemal gave a heavy exhale and pushed forward as quickly as his feet could carry him. He sped down the extravagant hall until he came to a sharp right turn. As he rounded the corner, the young man slid on the polished stone ground, and a gold idol flew from a pouch in his jacket. His heart sank as he saw it tumble downward to the floor. With a quick reaction, he caught it in midair. Kaemal bowed his head, which was dripping with sweat. He let out a jagged sigh of relief and put his left hand on his knee to steady himself. "There he is, get the rat," a voice rang out behind him. Kaemal quickly stowed his loot back in its pouch and extended his hands. Without a word, he summoned a slick liquid that covered the floor behind him. Not going as planned, Kaemal thought as he continued down the dark corridor. Not long after, he heard a crash of metal behind him as he gave a wry smile. * * * The sun beat down on Kaemal as he stood looking up, high above the dusty street. “I don’t know about this one, Genji,” the young man said with uncertainty. In the distance, high above them, stood a building of impressive make. It had marble pillars that stretched high above the ground. Its large windows overlooked the city with a regal authority. “What is there not to know? We came all this way to make money. Clearly, everything we have been trying has not worked.” Kaemal looked from the impressive villa hundreds of feet above their heads back to his friend as he shook his head. “Come on! We need something to break our way. Who better to help us than this guy?” Genji slapped his friend’s back as if to instill some of his confidence in Kaemal. "I hate these golden buckets as much as you, but to steal from a Duke? We should stick to honest work, or at least work that won’t get us killed.” “It has been what, five months since we have come to Vaelor? Days on end to travel here? We need something big if we want to go back west, back home. Besides, I haven’t even told you the best part.” “And what is that?” Kaemal asked dryly. Kaemal looked at the pure enthusiasm in his friend’s eyes and could not help but crack a smile. Genji smiled and nodded excitedly. “There it is, you are interested! When have I ever steered you wrong?” “How long do you have?” Kaemal countered. “Come with me; there is someone I want you to meet.” Kaemal gave one final look at the looming villa as he followed his friend down the congested urban road. * * * Genji led his friend into a small hut that was made of dried mud. A tattered rug that acted as a makeshift door swayed in the wind. Inside, there was a large man with a thick beard and a bald head. He wore an apron and thick gloves as he pounded a hammer into a piece of glowing metal. “In the back,” was all the man said in his deep voice. Without a word, the two went to a back room that was furnished with a few worn chairs and a dusty table. The only light came from slits in the boarded windows high on the bare walls. When they entered, a man was already seated at the table. He was slender and dressed in a black cloth and leather outfit. To Kaemal, it almost looked like some sort of a uniform. “Ah, Faris,” Genji said with his arms wide. “How are you today?” “Genji,” the man said with a bow. “Is this our burglar?” Genji gave Kaemal a proud slap on the back. “Yes, it is. This is Kaemal.” Kaemal felt uneasy about this stranger knowing their names. He could not place it, but there was something about the man that seemed off. The man was dressed differently but had the same shaggy black hair and the same short beard as he did. If he had not known better, this Faris could have been a long-lost brother. Maybe that is the point, Kaemal thought. Wouldn’t put it past those Vaelorans to put a plant down in the streets to catch people trying to make quick coin. “Good to meet you, Kaemal,” Faris said with a nod. “Likewise,” Kaemal said cautiously. “Now, what exactly are we doing?” Faris took a swig of wine that the large man had brought in as he took out detailed building plans of a home. “This is the residence of Vaelor’s great Duke Dresden. High up in its lofty holds, there are vast riches beyond the likes of us could ever imagine.” Genji nudged Kaemal as he said, “Money they got from our people.” Kaemal looked up to Faris, “Is that true?” Faris nodded, “Dresden is a retired general of the Vaeloran royal army. Officially, wealth won on campaign goes to the crown for proper distribution to the army, but it is well known these high-ranking officials skim a bit off the top.” “More like a whole fortune off the top,” Genji added with growing anger in his voice. “So, the plan is to get and take as much as we can as quickly as possible?” Kaemal asked. “Sort of, there is one item of importance to us,” Faris said. Kaemal studied the man’s face. “What kind of item?” He asked. Faris looked up at Kaemal. He gave a smile that showed he knew of the man’s distrust of the situation. “It is a golden idol,” Faris continued. “People from your region of Umarlad have been looking for this relic for quite some time. They are willing to pay a large sum of gold for its return. We get that, and we are rich beyond our wildest dreams. Everything else is extra.” “What is the idol for?” Kaemal asked. Faris rolled his eyes. “I do not know. It has something to do with the connection to a god. They think it will bring back the magical power they need to reclaim their independence from Vaelor.” Genji whistled, “That is hopeful thinking for one item.” “The why does not matter?” Faris asked, clearly getting frustrated at all the questions. “It matters because we need a plan before we go up there,” Kaemal insisted. “A strong plan is the only way this will work.” “I have a plan. Kaemal and I will enter from the rooftop,” he stopped to point at a ceiling window over the treasure room. “If you are as good as your friend says you are at climbing, we should have no issue.” “I am,” Kaemal said defiantly. “Good,” Faris nodded. “We enter the room, take what we can, and make our way through these corridors. Then, our out is through the sewer. That is where Genji will be to make sure the way is clear.” “Then what?” Kaemal asked. “Do we just run the rest of the way out of Vaelor?” Genji cut in, “No, I have arranged for the fastest wagon I could find. The driver is an old friend who also wishes to return to Umarlad.” “I imagine there should be high security,” Kaemal said as he studied the building’s elaborate rooms and winding passageways. Faris shook his head. “In that part of the city, there is less than you would think. Some guards inside, but they are looking for people on the street. We will be in the sky. Besides, not just anyone would try to break into the house of a duke.” “Maybe there is a reason for that,” Kaemal said, still unsure. “Maybe,” Faris shrugged. “But from what I hear, you are a fairly decent sorcerer. Anyways, you boys want money? This is how you get it quickly. Kaemal, you will meet me here at midnight. If we can get to this alleyway undetected, we should have a smooth path onto the roof.” Faris handed Kaemal a small map with a location circled. With that, he and Genji shook hands with the man and were off. * * * “How long have you known this guy?” Kaemal asked as they left the small building and walked the crowded city streets. “I met him yesterday. One of the workers down at the mill told me about him. Why, what is wrong?” Genji asked. Kaemal scoffed, “Doesn’t this seem a bit strange to you? I don’t trust him. It could be a setup.” Genji shrugged, “Maybe, but we aren’t getting by on our own. At this rate, it will be years until we can return home with anything to show for it. Besides, with my silver tongue and your magic, there isn’t anything we cannot do. This kingdom has taken everything from our people; it is about time we take something back.” Kaemal was still unsure as they walked on in silence. Genji reached for his satchel, “That reminds me, here is a potion for the glass. It should work just like that job we did out west. As for me, I got a little surprise for the Duke in case things don’t go our way.” His friend flashed a stone sphere that had a thick wick protruding out from it. “Blasting powder. You are never one to shy away from making a scene,” Kaemal said with a smile. “Just be sure it is for a distraction only. We are not killers, and I do not want anyone dying on our account.” “Don’t worry, everything will go well. This time tomorrow, we will be headed home.” Genji punched Kaemal in the shoulder. Kaemal put his arm around his friend, and they both laughed as they staggered off to find a hot meal. * * * Darkness veiled the beautifully paved roads as Kaemal slunk in the shadows, dressed in all black. So far, Faris’ instructions had worked out well. There was a wall that separated the lower city from the upper neighborhoods. At this time of night, only two guards manned each minor gateway. “Common folk, particularly poor foreigners like us, are not allowed in these areas, but I paid off the guards on the lower east side,” Faris had said. After the gate, Kaemal made it to the tight alleyway where he saw Faris waiting for him. The man was leaning against the brick wall with his head bowed low. “Ready to climb?” He asked. Kaemal looked up at the wall that seemed to stretch forever into the darkness. He let out a breath and nodded to his companion. Scaling the building was more difficult than Kaemal had expected. He was given spiked gloves that clung tightly to the wall, but their destination stood hundreds of feet above them. “Keep up,” Faris called down. “You need to be moving faster.” Kaemal rolled his eyes and continued to push on. * * * At last, they made it to the roof of the Duke’s home. The two hunched low to keep from the whipping wind and any watchful eyes. As they moved, Kaemal slipped on the roof that was damp from an evening rain. “Over here,” Faris called from the edge of the glass skylight. “Do you have our way in?” Kaemal nodded, “This should do the trick.” He took out a small, old bottle that was filled with a clear, viscous fluid. He emptied it onto the glass and spread it all around. In a matter of moments, he pressed on the glass, and his hands went through it. It was as if the glass had turned into a bubble that would not pop when touched. Faris whistled, “Potion-masters will never cease to amaze me.” Kaemal looked far below to the room of countless treasures. Then, suddenly, his body froze. He was unable to move anything as he fell limp to the side. A chilling laugh rang out. “You little desert rat. You thought you could steal from one of the most powerful Vaeloran families and get away with it? I know your friend is not too bright, but I thought you would have sniffed out this trap. Serves you right for thinking any of you could outwit a Vaeloran.” Kaemal laid on his back and tried to murmur obscenities at his captor, but his mouth would not move. Some enchantment from his betrayer had a hold on him. “Shh,” he replied. “Do not be too hard on yourself. I have been doing this for a long time. We have a nice operation set up to catch you scum. One more criminal off the streets and in a work camp. Maybe working the mines of Gullrung, you can finally be useful.” The man went to bind Kaemal’s hands as he slipped on the roof. He cursed and slammed against the stone. At that moment, Kaemal realized he could start to move again. With a great effort, he sprang to his feet and readied himself for a fight. The other man squared off against him and drew out a blade. Kaemal came with lightning-fast blows that threw the man off balance. His attacker came back with a vengeance and tackled Kaemal to the ground. They rolled around, trading strikes, neither able to get an upper hand. In the skirmish, Kaemal was able to form his hands together. He shouted thundi in a commanding voice. A blue shockwave came from his hands and threw the man back. Faris slid down the side of the roof and was unable to regain his balance as he fell from the side of the building. Kaemal let out a sigh and wiped the sweat from his brow. His first instinct was to run, but he thought of the mission. He thought of succeeding and returning home. If there is any hope this whole thing was not blown, I have to try and finish this, he thought. He made his way back to the window. The man had brought a rope for them to repel down into the room, so he tied it off and made his way to the bottom. There were weapons mounted all over the walls. Rows of books filled countless bookshelves, along with several different sculptures. He walked through the aisles of grand items in wonder. Then, he saw the prize. A golden idol sat in the center of the room on a table. It was in the shape of a man who was seated with his arms crossed. If it had been lined up with any of the other artifacts, it would have seemed nothing special, but what the idol lacked in apparent value and intricate detail, it made up for it in alluring mystery. Kaemal felt a strange energy coming off of the object. It was clear that there was some magic that it possessed. The very air around it seemed to vibrate the closer he got to it. Maybe it really can bring some power back to my people, he thought as he approached it. Right before he grabbed it, a voice came from the ceiling. “Intruder!” Kaemal looked up to see Faris staring daggers at him as he went to repel himself down. The clanging of armor could be heard from down the hall. In a flash, he grabbed the idol and ran out of the room as quickly as he could. * * * A few more turns and Kaemal was nearing the sewers. Flights of stone stairs plunged him deeper into the home, as torches danced in the darkness. Another turn, and he would be at the entrance. He took a sharp left and came face to face with a tall, slender man. It was Faris. He was backed by five guards that were dressed in golden armor. Their broad shields completely blocked the way out. Faris mockingly clapped as he walked forward. “Very good, you have done a fine job. Maybe the work camps are not the best place for your talents. After we wipe your mind, you should be a valuable asset for our operation.” Just then, the villa shook from a blast upstairs. Stones shook from the ceiling, and a wave of heat flew down through the passageway. Genji, Kaemal thought. “I thought you said that you got the other one,” Faris barked as he turned to the guards. Kaemal did not hesitate. He threw out his hands, and the same slick liquid he had summoned before was thrown onto his adversaries. Faris slipped as he turned back to face Kaemal. Then, the young man flashed a smile as he ran forward and put his hands on the floor as he yelled thundi. Kaemal was thrust upward and over his adversaries, as they were all thrown down into the liquid. When he landed, Kaemal was facing the door to the sewers, where he ran through and down the dark, wet passageways to freedom. * * * The man ran down the tubes of the sewers, turning right and left through the maze. Occasionally, he would slide down the steep drops until he came to an exit that was marked with a ‘U.’ He climbed out of the sewer and found a man in a wagon drawn by two horses. There looked to be plenty of provisions stocked for the journey. Beyond him, there lay a clear road out of the city. Kaemal looked west, where he knew the open lands of his homeland stood. The task had been completed. He was free to return home with riches that would satisfy him for the rest of his life. Only one thing was missing. “Where is Genji?” Kaemal asked the man. “How am I supposed to know?” he responded anxiously. “I heard that blast. Do you think they got him?” Kaemal looked back into the sewer. He was almost sure they got him, and if they hadn’t yet, he needed help. “Come on, let us go,” the man beckoned him. “Forget your friend; we have what we need.” Without a word, Kaemal tossed the idol into the wagon and turned back to the sewers. The Duke’s home loomed high on the hill above them. “Leave if you must. I am going to get my friend.” Then, Kaemal ran back into the darkness of the sewer tunnel, back into the city to find Genji.