\--==Official Submission==-- FROM: General Debinani Rahl RE: Chapter Twenty-Five - The Theft They boy had sat in the streets of Trinsic for days, begging for a few coin here and there, and generally being miserable in the heat. He sat behind the façade of dirty, torn rags, a mangy beard and a head of hair that could only be described as belonging to a mad prophet. And he sat. He waited. When the man finally appeared walking down the road towards him his heart leapt into his throat and stayed there. If there was a single chink in the boy's armor, this would never work. The boy made old man shambled out into the road, mumbling with a seafarer's drawl about needing some coin. The man walking towards him saw a beggar, one of many in the streets of Trinsic, and with one hand began to fish in his pouch for some coins. The banker handed the boy some coins and continued on, brushing past the grizzled beggar to do so. The boy allowed himself a smile and pocketed the key that he had deftly extracted from the man's pocket. He shambled into an alleyway and began his work. The rags were tossed aside, a breastplate donned, and a quick dip in a rain barrel and a touch of dye transformed the boy's beggar image into that of a young noble. He spent some time looking into a hand mirror, finishing up touches and generally taking three days of the streets off of his features and demeanor, and then set off to the bank. The boy entered The Bank of Trinsic with a swagger in his step and loudly asked the banker for his safe box. When the banker turned to the rack behind him, the boy...hid. A wise old man had taught him once that hiding was not the act of ducking behind a rock or under a table, but the art of making those around you simply not notice you anymore; and the boy was a master at it. As the banker looked around in confusion, the boy slowly walked into the back room of the bank, carefully maintaining his manner so as to attract no attention. Once in the confines of the storage room, he searched the rows of boxes until he found his quarry. He fitted the key and carefully cracked the box open and began sifting through its contents. After what seemed an eternity, he extracted a small wooden chest. The boy shuddered slightly upon opening the chest and revealing its contents. Before him rested five ornate rings, carefully arranged within glyphs of protection. He closed the box and placed it in his pack and escaped the bank as quietly as he had come. As he made his way down the road, the tiny magical device in his ear crackled to life, "Queen of Hearts to Jack of Diamonds," whispered the voice, "you've got a shadow." The boy's heart attempted to choke him. He quickened his pace slightly and heard the footfalls several yards behind him quicken as well. When he was close enough to his alley, he broke into a run. As he turned into the alley, he clicked his tongue to activate the crystal, "Jack of Diamonds to Ace of Spades, the package is wrapped, request immediate extraction," he whispered hoarsely into the air. A man in black, sword drawn, swept around the corner into the alley just in time to see the residual sparkles of a gate shimmer into nothingness. --- Alexander Rahl sat back in a chair in the back room of Tablenhelm's Fall and put his feet up on the table in front of him. He felt the weight of the chest in his pack, as if the weight of a million souls threatened to drag him to the ground. The room was filled with spirits today, and they all watched him, silently trying to see into his soul and test his resolve. The spirit of Kironius Mengst sat down in the chair in front of him. "You did good boy," he began. "Can't much say I like your methods, " interrupted Captain T'Panga. "But you did good nonetheless, " continued Mengst, "You got the job done, and that's the best that can be asked of anyone." Alexander looked up at the spirit across from him and scowled. "Now what?" he asked. Delayne Muerdetta sat across the room, eyes downcast as always, and she made a slashing gesture across her throat with her spiritual fingertips. "We die...this is madness," she moaned. "Yer already dead woman!" shouted Turon, "this is the only way." The shade of Alexander's grandfather looked to him, "Think you can get through this son?" he asked gently. Alexander nodded slightly and began preparing his next disguise.