Written by: AshleyLampost

The sun was golden, sinking in the sky, and Tiffanya gave a tired smile. As much as she loved her job, it was nice when a long day ended and she was finally able to retire. With a nod of greeting to the guard who was taking her place, the young female paladin hurried down the stone stairs.

Slipping through the gate, she turned around and couldn’t help but glow with pride. It was silly; after all, she wasn’t the architect, or the king. But something about seeing the grand castle and knowing that she helped keep it the way it was made her burst with pride.

It was dark by the time she reached her house, and she fumbled with the door handle while whispering under her breath to unlock the enchantment over the door. Though possessing little magic ability herself, Tiffanya knew a fair lot of people and had therefore managed to find someone willing to keep her house safe. After all, her house held everything that reminded her of her father. From his helmet mounted of the mantel, to his badges on the wall; there were also a few keepsakes from her parents on a table.

Closing the door and relocking it with a few words, she made her way into the small bedroom. Though an early time to go to bed for most, sleep was valuable to guards. Shifts were at all hours, and it was only by chance that she didn’t have any in the middle of the night. Her next was at four a.m.

After slipping on a white pair of pajamas and preparing for bed, Tiffanya sunk under the covers. There was no need to set an alarm; she was fairly well tuned to what time she had to wake up. The time had long since passed since she was able to sleep throughout the entire night. She was lucky if she managed four consecutive hours.

But for now, sleep found it’s way easily to her.

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Perched on a tree, Tawny examined the village below. So close to the castle, surely these homes belonged to nobles of some sort. I bet I’ll find treasure in these places, she thought with a grin. A sliver of a moon hung in the middle of the sky, feebly trying to give off light.

After picking out a random house and making a path to it in her head (third right, first left), Tawny crawled carefully down the tree. There was a time somewhat recently that she believed she would be able to jump from a tree and land gracefully on the ground like a cat. After all, that’s what all thieves were supposed to be able to do. But she ended up twisting her ankle and needing to go into a town to ask for some help. It had taken a while to find a healer, and by then most of the people had seen her face. Not to mention the fact that she had to spend the last little bit of money she had left on the healer.

Rubbing the toe of her black boot on the few embers left of her fire, she tossed her dark red knapsack with her bow and arrow into a bush and started down the hill. As usual, she felt a bit of guilt buried somewhere in her emerge. Over the past year, it had diminished much, but seemed unlikely to ever disappear completely. Stupid conscious, she thought before concentrating fully on the task at hand.

The thief walked down the cobblestone streets, making sure to remain close to the houses but not near enough to wake any light sleepers in the houses pressed against the street. Considering that the homes rested almost right next to the castle, Tawny was surprised at their size. From the tree she had assumed that these would be rich houses.

However, there was no sense in turning back now, so Tawny continued. A right and a left later, she found herself in front of the house she had picked out from before. It was larger than the rest, and Tawny could easily see that there was a higher chance of treasure inside it than the rest. A chill of excitement ran up her spine until she took a step forward. For in this step she could feel something pushing her away.

This house was under an enchantment.

It wasn’t a strong one. A strong one would be like a glass bubble around the house, making it so one couldn’t go any further. However, it was still top of the line; this person must have had connections. Tawny grinned in anticipation, as she closed her eyes. She relaxed slowly, imagining a black paintbrush slowly stroking back and forth, making her disappear. This, though, was not magic. It was a mind game. Slowly, she took a step forward. And another. She reached forward blindly, still in her dreamy state, and touched the wooden door. Turning the handle, she stepped quickly into the house, opening her eyes.

Who knew that crazy trick would work, the brown haired thief thought with a grin. I should bust into houses like this more often just for the fun of it.

The house certainly had an interesting theme to it. Tawny wrinkled her nose as she saw the king’s insignia hanging on the wall: an eagle flying over a sword. There was a general’s helmet on the mantel, and various artifacts around the room. Stepping slowly around the room, she passed a small table. She paused, lowering in some interest to see the pictures and such on there. The one that stuck out was in a small wooden frame. A bald man who looked to be about in his late twenties stood smiling in front of the house

Tawny was sneaking into. He was wearing the silver armor of the paladins. A woman stood next to him; she was just as happy and was probably a few years younger than her husband. There was a five year old girl in her arms who kept trying to get down and stand by herself. The girl's golden blonde hair was a tangled mess; she glared at it through narrowed green eyes, and Tawny couldn't resist a silent snicker. This must be a guard’s place, and that must be his wife and kid, she thought.

Straightening up, her eyes expertly examined the room, searching for where the money would be. The wooden floor creaked softly in protest as she walked around, but she paid it no mind. How would someone wake to something like that?

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Tiffanya’s eyes flew open. She sat up quickly, her sleepy eyes making her surroundings somewhat hazy. Blinking repeatedly to clear her vision, she tried to recall what had woken her up. Not her dream. Though she didn’t remember what it was about, she didn’t remember anything that would make her wake up.

Someone’s in the house.

The realization was terrifying. She stepped out of bed slowly, wishing she hadn’t left her uniform in the other room, along with her sword and other weapons. Doesn’t matter, I can probably take whoever it is, she decided.

Tiffanya crept out of bed and over to the door, her hand wrapped around the handle in expectation. She strained her ears, hoping to get an idea where the intruder was before springing. A soft noise came, something that would have easily been missed had she not been waiting.

The door opened and she came out of the room running. The young thief turned around, and Tiffanya had a chance to glimpse a shocked face before ramming into her. Being a trained guard came in handy. The girl did put up a fight, but it was feeble in comparison. Grabbing her sword from the table, Tiffanya held it out and pointed it at the invader's chest, panting slightly.

“What are you doing in my house?” she demanded fiercely. The thief didn’t answer, only stared back stonily with her yellowish eyes. “I said, what are you doing in my house,” she repeated, waving the sword around.

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Tawny watched sword warily, but made no move to speak. She was too busy trying to find a way to get out of here. If only she had a sword, too. Maybe she could teach this girl a lesson or two. However, nothing came to mind- only the realization that this girl was part of the king’s guard (or she had an insane natural talent when it came to fighting), and appeared to be an older version of the five year old in the picture. There didn’t appear to be a way out of this. Even if she did manage to escape, it would only be a matter of time before someone found her again.

Perhaps she could play along until the right opportunity came around. “I was planning of stripping you of everything valuable while you slept, and sneaking out during the night. I don’t see why you ask, it’s obvious what I’m doing, and it’s obvious that nothing went as planned. Are you happy now?”

“Not yet. What’s your name?” The house owner demanded, her sword held steady.

“What good would my name do you?” Tawny replied.

“I am of the Paladin Guard, and you are under arrest. I order you to tell me your name.” The Paladin announced, her green eyes flashing dangerously.

“My name is Tawny. I don’t have a home. Like most thieves, I travel and take what I can. However, once again plans seem to have gone out the window.” Tawny answered, and suddenly the sword was lowered; though it was still kept ready at the girl's side. She opened her mouth to ask another question, but was cut off. A horn was blowing, and Tawny could hear a voice yelling. It was, at the moment, distant, but quickly whoever was yelling got closer. The terrifying words made the Paladin freeze in dread.

“King Halorn has been kidnapped! I repeat: King Halorn has been kidnapped. Everyone is ordered out of their homes and to the village center immediately! Those of the Paladin Guards are to report to the castle right now!”

Noticing her shock, Tawny leapt to her feet, smoothed her short brick red dress and tight black pants from where the Paladin had wrinkled them, and hesitantly made a step towards the door. The sword rose again. “You’re going to wait here and come up to the castle with me. Try to escape, and I won’t hesitate to kill you.”

The open threat made Tawny sigh and wait as the Paladin raced back into her bedroom.

She came back with her golden colored hair smoothed and in a full set of silver armor. Tawny looked closer and noticed a long sleeved black shirt and pants below it.

She started towards the castle at a brisk walk, almost a run, with Tawny right behind her. “You picked the wrong day to get caught, my friend. At the rate things are going, I doubt you’ll get a trial for the next few years. Hope you like rats and moldy bread.”

“I simply adore them.” Tawny replied snidely. “However, I have a better idea.” Her capturer gave the beginning of a laugh of disbelief. “You’ll be sent out to find your dear King Halorn. You all will; otherwise this kingdom would fall apart. You don’t appear to have traveled much. I, on the other hand, have been around. I can guide you. In return; my freedom.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it.” The Paladin raced around a corner and arrived at the large gray castle. “We have maps, and you’d run at the first chance you got.”

“No. If there is no king, people lose order. They steal from their neighbors, they lose any self-respect. I’d be out of business. Plus, I know all the hidden places you won’t find on a map. The places you can hear gossip generally not available to those of the Paladin Guard. I’ll help you. Just give me freedom.”

“Fine with me, but you’ll need to talk to a higher ranking officer. I won’t go against orders.”

Tawny winced visibly. By now they were reaching the Castle gate. The drawbridge was down, and a few other guards were coming in from different directions. A few more were visible in the distance. Tawny paused for a second on the edge of the bridge. Where would she run? The girl would shoot her down before she got even five feet away.

The rest of the guards were inside, and their commanding officer was trying to talk to several people at once. “Tiffanya, who is that you have in your grasp?” he asked.

“A thief sir. I caught her just before the news got out,” Tiffanya replied promptly.

“Very well. Drop her in the dungeon and be quick about it.”

“You didn’t throw me any life line at all,” Tawny accused as they left the room. “Just turned me in like I was useless.”

“You are.”

“You’ll come to me for help. I know you will.” Tawny said, and Tiffanya rolled her eyes as she shoved the thief into a cell.

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“Looks like you have it all to yourself.” Tiffanya said before turning on her heels and leaving without a glance back. Tawny yelled out a few colorful words, telling Tiffanya just what she was, and where she could go; but the guard ignored her.

“… search parties in every direction. You are to search your designated area of the map and come back. Trust no one; everyone is likely to be your enemy. These civilians care not about you. Report to your squadron leader to find out where you’ll be headed.”

Along with a flow of others, Tiffanya found her way over to her squadron leader. “Sir!” she cried out above the other voices. “I’ve found a thief that claims she can help.”

He looked up and shook his head. “Too risky. You’ll be searching the outer islands to the west. Watch out for pirates. Best of luck to you,” he said before turning to another. Apparently search parties were meant to be groups of one.

“She sounded sincere!” Tiffanya insisted.

“So do most great liars. Now please excuse me. I’ve got many to attend to.” He impatiently turned back to other guards, dismissing her.

The rest of the night and early morning provisions were handed out. In that time, Tiffanya went down to the dungeon, straight to the cell of Tawny the thief. “Do you swear on your life that you will help me find the king?” she asked.

Tawny looked up at her and smiled. “I’m sorry, what was that?” she asked, feigning confusion.

“Do you swear on your life that you will help me find the king?” Tiffanya repeated.

Tawny pretended to give it a moments thought. Not the smartest, for Tiffanya could only remain calm for so long. “Yes. I swear it on my life.”

Pulling out a ring of keys, Tiffanya unlocked the door. It swung open with a creak. “Well then, let’s get going. We have a king to save.” Tawny stepped out of the cell with a smile.

“I don’t believe we’ve properly introduced ourselves. I’m Tiffanya.”

“Tawny.”

They shook hands, and started up the stairs.