Den of Thieves
Chapter #23

Slipping back into the bathhouse Carr thinks about the choices at hand. I’m sure I can slip into the sitting area unseen. But there probably isn’t much that way. Or there would be a guard stationed there. I could take out the guard but I don’t know if other men are near. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Remembering the potion of invisibility wonders if that could get him past. The idea of walking around naked and unarmed doesn’t appeal to Carr.

He looks back into the guild’s treasury room. I still don’t know why there is such a heavy door back there. It’s way too much for what is stored here.

Deciding it can’t hurt to take one more check of the passage leaves the bath, quietly closing the concealed door behind. Also closing and latching the wooden door to start a second check of the passage with a little more care.

Taking much longer to reach the intersection Carr tries feeling stone. At the intersection he pauses to mentally debate whether to search the north tunnels or not. Taking out the canteen for a drink he leans against the south wall.

“Click.”

Hearing the strange sound emanate from the masonry Carr turns to the wall. Feeling where the shoulder was, finds a loose brick. Pressing on it a second click is heard along with metal sliding slightly against stone.

Searching the rest of the wall with his fingers finds an exposed edge, that wasn’t there moments ago. Running the fingers to the left the edge narrows to being flush with the stonework. Back to the right the edge is sticking out as wide as the pinky.

Pulling on the exposed stonework opens an excellently, camouflaged door.

Before entering he feels the inside walls. Built like the outer tunnel the secret passage is narrower and shorter, only as high as the door.

Leaving the bow, quiver and backpack he crawls inside. Breaking through many cobwebs along the way. The passage isn’t very long and stops at the backside of another concealed door.

Searching for the door release Carr can’t find one. Sure, that it’s in the stonework pulls out a thin pick.

Inserting the pick into the gap at the top of the door slides it right connecting with something metallic. Applying pressure to the tool the metallic object slides up into the stonework making a double click.

Putting the pick away can hear some faint noise from the other side. Getting an ear in as best as possible hears someone snoring.

“Is that Marten or Glar’s room?”

Pushing the concealed door open enough to peek into a nicely furnished bedchamber. A torch beside a door on the opposite wall illuminates the room. To the left, the posts of a sturdy wooden bed with one snoring occupant.

Above the secret door sits a table with three stools spaced out around it. Carr stealthily crawls under the table to get a better look.

Draped over the end of the bed a suit of leather armor worn by the henchmen. The floor has several woven rugs strewn about. Past the head of the bed against the rounded wall stands a tall simple armoire. Beside the main door a wooden stand displaying a long-padded leather coat covered in steel rings. Leaning against the stand a sheathed broadsword. Far to his right a large plain bureau.

Looking out from under the table Carr sees the rumbling face of the second henchman, “well this isn’t the room I’m after. But this must mean Marten’s and Glar’s room can’t be far.”

Quietly Carr moves one of the stools to the side.

Coming out from under the table Carr creeps over to the chamber door.

Using the man’s snoring as sound cover, he slides back the door latch and opens the door.

Quickly checking outside the door Carr glances left and right seeing nothing but flickering torches.

He takes a better look into a large egg-shaped space, bigger than the room in. Three other doors can be seen. To the left is a large passage, but he can only see a few paces down it.

The first door across the way is a shinny silver, with a detailed built-in lock. High and central on the door a small barred window, covered by an inner metal panel.

Seeming so odd to the young rogue it causes his head to tilt. That’s a pretty fancy prison door, I wonder who’s in there? Maybe it’s the Owlbear.

Several paces to the west a door like the one he’s holding onto. Centered between them a grandly carved stone door, framed in with detailed stone pillars.

A knowing grin crosses his face. That has to be Marten’s room. It’s way too extravagant for Glar. Looking back at the silver door. That’s probably Glar’s room than. I wonder where Vis the Owlbear is?

Planning his next move touches the hall walls. Feeling how smooth they are, the sound of hard leather soled boots can be heard.

Unsure of the direction the sound is coming from and where they’re going Carr slips back in the chamber, quietly latching the door.

Sure, enough the boots near the chambers. Watching the henchman sleeping Carr thinks about the shape and position of this chamber and to where Marten’s chamber is.

While listening to the approaching footsteps he ponders. If I missed this secret entrance. I wonder if there’s one to Marten’s. He would want an escape route from his room. I know I would. Carr tries to replay the search of the dark passages. Did I even check the section of wall where it intersected?

The footsteps scuff to a stop outside the door. Carr’s heart skips a beat and holds his breath. Looking down at the bottom of the door a shadow of a person blocks light coming in.

The sentry makes a routine glance about before turning. The footsteps begin to move away, allowing Carr to breathe again.

Turning to return to the secret passage he pauses to observe the sleeping man. One less guard to worry about would be nice.

Thinking about it for a second Carr decides to merely hinder the man. Removing a long strap from the henchman’s armor.

Taking the strap Carr carefully ties one end to the bed frame and the other loops around the man’s ankle. Before leaving takes the man’s broad-sword, club and boots.

Slipping back into the secret passage Carr closes it up and crawls out, leaving the man’s weapons and boots inside the passage. Back in the dark tunnel he closes the second door before feeling for his gear.

Down to the first intersection sets his stuff aside and searches the wall. In exactly the same place he finds a moveable stone. Pushing it in it clicks twice releasing the concealed door.

Crouching ready to crawl in Carr pulls open the door. Unseen a trip wire is attached to the door. As it pulls tight, it fires a loaded crossbow. Shooting off a poisoned tipped dart. Luckily for him the dart skips off his left arm covering and into the dark tunnel.

Hearing the crossbow fire and feeling the dart connect he checks the arm covering. Breathing a sigh of relief for not being shot.

The firing crossbow has alerted the person sleeping in the next chamber. Marten wakes unsure of what was heard and listens intently.

Crawling part way in Carr finds a wooden frame with the crossbow secured to it. As the frame is heavy it takes several attempts to pick it up and back. However, each time its set down the frame makes a minor noise.

Hearing the noise Marten slides the bedding off. Placing a set of Elven glasses on allowing him to see in the dark.

Locating a magical dark purple robe Marten slides it on.

Picking up a loaded crossbow Marten kneels beside the bed leaning against the mattress. Aiming his crossbow’s poison tipped dart at a tall armoire.

Getting the wooden frame out, Carr places it out of the way in the dead-end tunnel. If that’s Marten’s room he must have heard the crossbow release. Standing a bit sweaty he decides to wait a few minutes.

Certain someone is in the secret passage Marten wonders if maybe the dart hit its mark and the poison has done the job. Marten gets up and moves around the bed towards the tall cabinet.

Stealthily Carr crawls back in reaching the hidden door at the other end. Feeling the door for its release Carr surmises that it must be like the other.

Wanting to know if there is something still living in the secret passage Marten eases over to the cabinet listening.

Locating the long thin pick Carr gently slides it into the top gap of the secret door. Making a slight sound as it touches the steel latch.

Unheard by Marten, curiosity gets the best of him as he pulls the heavy cabinet away from the wall.

The sound of wood scrapping on stone stops Carr. Wondering what’s going on he carefully steps back.

Positioning himself to one side of the secret door, Marten keeps the crossbow at the ready while locating a loose brick. Pressing the stone in it clicks twice, the door moves forward.

Being no light in Marten’s chambers, no real light shows around the secret door. Carr knows from the sound the door is open, contemplating between scurrying out of the passage, or tumbling in to the unknown.

Crossbow pointed at the secret door Marten uses his foot to open it. Swinging opens the small stone door it comes to rest against the tall cabinet.

Waiting a mere second Carr tumbles into the room colliding with the door.

Startled Marten hastily fires the crossbow. The bolt skips off the back of Carr’s body armor. Only hearing the crossbow fire Carr rolls again at Marten getting into the room.

Aided by the cloak Marten retreats noiselessly behind the bed to reload and retrieve a short-sword. Finding out the intruder is Carr is disappointing.

The only light in the room comes from the bottom of the chamber’s main door. Making the space easier to see than the passage. Feeling about with one hand Carr stands drawing a throwing dagger with the other.

The click of the crossbow being set gives Marten’s position away. Carr looks that way seeing the dark silhouette of a head. Thinking he’s being aimed at Carr tumbles towards the silhouette.

Misjudging Carr rolls into a short marble pillar with a granite bust on top. The pillar topples over. The pillar and bust fall to the floor smashing into pieces. A big piece smacks Carr’s left pinky.

Witnessing the event and finding it amusing Marten can tell how well Carr can see in the dark.

A gradual pain builds in Carr’s swelling pinky. Jumping to his feet Carr takes the pain.

Placing a bolt in the crossbow Marten aims at Carr’s head speaking, “I wondered if refuge was really all you sought.”

Guessing at Marten’s position Carr whips the dagger. The dagger sails across the bed diving into and splitting one of the bed’s tall posts. Protected by the bedpost Marten notices the dagger is chest high.

Marten’s eyes go wide at the accuracy, “your intent is serious. Are you acting on a contract as an assassin?”

Drawing the long-sword Carr goes with the accusation, “yes, I was sent by Darvel. I never stole any treasure. It was all a rouse to get in close to you.”

Marten fires the crossbow; Carr inadvertently moves aside merely trying to get closer. The crossbow bolt whizzes past Carr’s ear.

Dropping the crossbow on the bed Marten quickly draws his short-sword to keep the young rogue at bay.

Hearing the bolt bounce off the far wall Carr was about to rush over but the sound of the sword being drawn slows him.

Wondering how much Carr can see Marten speaks again, “I can pay you twice what they are,” he steps to the right.

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on G𝘰𝘰gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.