//Edit 29/11/2021: Spelling mistakes fixed + text formatting + changed some dialogues + removed the shrek reference because I found it weird//

Well... what a day !

First I lost my home and all my stuff, then I was chased by a group of bad and drunk guys, I found a white weird looking house, I tried to play a super cool game, I found myself in a desert where it was already the day, I arrived in a village build just next to a precipice, and I met a nice thief who, for the first time in my life, understood me well !

To be honest, none of this would have happened if those drunk guys weren't there to destroy my house...

CRUNCH !

I was finishing my red delicious apple, chewing carefully the interior parts of the fruits after eating the sides.

The more I ate, the more the apple became skinnier and skinnier, only the upper part and the bottom part were still red, the middle was so tight that it was difficult to crunch it with my teeth and I noticed a few apple seeds in the heart of the fruit.

"..."

Therion, who was my new friend now, was just watching the landscapes, his arms were crossed and his back against the rocky wall.

He must be again in his thoughts, but I thought he must care about me. Despite he was a criminal, he showed some mercy when I was in the need.

However, I was just wondering: was he helping me just because he was a kind thief ? Or was there any other particular reason ?

Right now, he was observing me eating this apple I loved so much, alongside with the ravine, and I was sure he wanted me to be safe.

Indeed, I noticed that adults usually wanted kids to be safe, like this woman in a red dress who lived next to the tavern, or the crowd from earlier wondering where's were my parents while I was defending Therion.

Is that because we are smaller, weaker, younger, and not as smart as adults ?

Maybe...

Even though I sometimes met adults much dumber than me...

Anyway, I also had another question in my head: why did everyone in this city, even Therion, were dressed with Middle Age clothing instead with today's clothes ?

Really, this place was so weird and old: I had never saw a single car, not even a bicycle.

There was not a single plane in the sky, no roads for cars, no crosswalks, no traffic lights, no streetlights. I didn't see anybody using a cell phone despite they were so many to use these things while walking. The houses were very different and smaller, and there were no TV antennas on their roofs as well.

And this tavern I went earlier... It was really the kind of place we should see in a FarWest town, even if no one was dressed like a cowboy nowadays.

Indeed, Therion appearance was slightly familiar to cowboy's appearance: even if he didn't have a hat, he had a poncho, a scarf he used for hiding his mouth, and a pair of leather boots.

I also wondered if he was also hiding a gun inside his poncho, like all typical cowboys...

Furthermore, there was no commercial center, no hotels, no restaurants, and even no estates agencies. You know, the place where we could buy a house in advance ?

But I remembered there was a place with an iron armour, all carried by proud and brave knights I heard once.

Since then, I started to believe there were knights in the city...

But that was impossible !... There were also no knights nowadays, and they only existed in fairy tale's books.

Though, I had the feeling to also be in a fairy tale book... But how could knights and cowboys live during the same period ?!

"..."

Therion was still pressed against the wall, waiting with patience that I finish my apple.

I remembered the things he stole today: an axe, a grape that he called "healing grape", and two apples, including one he had already eaten.

He said he was supposed to eat it for dinner before changing his decision and giving it to me, but I thought it was weird to eat the same meal the morning and the evening.

When I was going to eat the last part of my apple, I wanted to ask him a question about it.

« Hey, Therion»

«Mmmmh ?»

«Do... do you like apples ?», I asked him, waiting his answer with patience.

He just breathed a bit, before telling me some words.

«Let's just say...It's the meal that I have more the habit to snack. », he told me calmly.

He didn't really answer my question, but I'm sure he liked apples too.

Me, I thought this fruit was one of the easiest meals to steal, because they were sold outside unlike breads.

So, I was glad that he shared my interest towards apples, and I wanted more to tell him my opinion.

«Well... I love apples ! They're so good and I heard we could find them everywhere, even with different colors !», I said happily, showing him my own excitement about these red fruits.

«You're not wrong. It is right the sweet and juicy taste can cheer myself up. And then, I heard somewhere they could be yellow or green, and there are so many ways to cook them», he responded wisely, as he looked pretty interested by the subject.

«!!!... I can't believe it ! It is true ?!», I asked him, feeling excited.

«Yeah. But sadly, I'm not used to cook stuff, and neither watching people baking for so long. You know, I got more time to steal meals instead of baking them.», he answered while taking off his shroud again the apple core on his right hand.

Well, I guess he wasn't wrong, but I really wanted to know how to cook them.

I was sure they would be very delicious !

After finishing my apple, I looked one more time the deep ravine behind the village, but I wasn't scared anymore while being with Therion.

On the contrary, my eyes were fixed on the mountain, on the desert behind it, as well as beyond the desert.

It was a wonderful landscape, bathed by the sun, and I was so amazed by the beauty of the scene....

«It's beautiful...», I was so surprised that I couldn't stop watching.

Therion also watched quietly, but he looked to be used watching such a view.

I believed he must know so far about that place, and about that country which I still didn't know what it was.

I heard once they were countries who are exiled of the world, and lived with their own culture: maybe I was in one of these countries...

I wanted to know more about it.

«Therion... Let me ask you something please. »

«...I'm listening to you»

«I don't know what is this country where we are. Can you tell me more about it ?», I asked him, my eyes now fixed at him.

He just slowly laughed a bit; I must had asked him a stupid question.

I guess he knew I was lost in this place I barely know.

«You don't seem to be really informed, don't you ?», he looked at me, with a small smile on his face, before continuing. «You are in a land called Orsterra.»

Orsterra ? I had never heard of that country before...

«Where it is located ? In America ? », I asked him curiously, but still confused about this unknown country.

«?... What's America ?», he asked curiously, as he became slightly confused.

"!!!..."

I was so surprised: he didn't know what was America, despite everyone in the world knew this very famous country !...

Was I actually in a country where the civilisation is separated from the rest of the world ?! But how ?!

I don't think it's could be easy to explain for me, I might keep my mouth shut.

«Huhh... Nothing ! It's just a country I imagined !», I responded him nervously, feeling pretty embarrassed.

«Nah, it's ok. You have a good imagination, after all.», he said, reassuring me while patting my hair.

"..."

I felt surprised by his gest, but I enjoyed it a lot.

It's right my hair were so fluffy !

Therion didn't seem to be deranged of my question as he spoke.

«I don't know more about this land: I haven't visited the whole country, so I didn't know every places. But to be precise about your question, the land is divided in 8 regions.»

"Eight regions ?...", I became so curious.

He pointed his finger towards the mountain.

«You are in a region called Cliftlands, a rocky area.»

He walked a few steps forward, without being scared to fall.

Hepointed his finger at the left.

«In this way, after a long march, you can go in the region called Riverlands », he then turned the position of his finger at the right. «And if you go there, you'll be in a region called Woodlands»

They were so many new names I barely knew, I have already heard of Cliftlands, but none of the two other regions.

After, I just noticed something: the name of the region I was actually, Cliftlands, is a fusion between «Clift» and «Land», plus there was a cliff just a front of me !

That's means there were rivers in Riverland and woods in Woodland ! These coincidences are so funny !

Thankfully, Therion didn't seem annoyed by all those questions: despite he was mostly calm, I was sure it was a pleasure for him to answer them !

He looked at me with interested eyes, and I was pretty sure he had a question for me.

«Tell me, little one..."

"?!..."

"You don't really seem to know so much about this country. It's just like it was an unknown place for ya. Where did you come from ?», he asked me, a bit concerned.

"!!!..."

I was a bit surprised by his question, and I didn't really know what to answer.

In reality, I knew exactly what to say, but the problem is that if I told him that I came from a city which was so far away from that Orsterra country... that I moved from place to place in a quick moment... I was pretty sure that he won't take me seriously at still and think that I invented that !

Though, I have to know that he was the first person I could really trust... the first I was admired, and also the one that I could tell my secrets...

Right now, I was already starting to consider him like a brother for me... which was better than thinking he was just a friend...

Yeah, I was so afraid he could let me down if he thought I was talking to him total nonsense !

I finally made a friend but I don't want to lose him already !...

As he started to wait my answer, I finally managed to speak to him as I felt pretty bad.

« I...errr... I'm sorry... but I can't remember... I just know my parents are dead... and that I lived in a city where I had to stole to live... »

I know it's so bad to lie to another people, especially at friends... but I had no choice.

I really regret to tell him lies instead of telling him the truth, and who knows he might discover one day I was lying to me, and he wouldn't trust me anymore...

However, it wasn't like I totally lied: my parents were unfortunately gone and I lived outside by stealing people. Indeed, it was still hard from me to remember those moments of loneliness.

"..."

As I felt pretty sad, I felt a hand on my shoulder which reassured me a bit.

« Nah, it's not a real problem. Sorry for being a bit curious...», he told me quietly.

It was incredible: despite he looked serious and cold, his voice was quiet and it made me feel better...

« N-no !... It's ok. »

I noticed he wasn't pressed against the wall anymore, that it was like he was going to move.

He adjusted his purple scarf while saying.

« Let's move. Ok ? »

« Ok. » I nodded.

I wasn't hungry anymore, so we could continue to climb the stairs, leading to an upper part of the town again.

As we both escalated the wooden path, side by side, Therion looked at me as he spoke.

«Since you were looking for some clothes when you arrived in Bolderfall, the city you talked about can't be so far away. You must had lived your life in a lost city localized in the Cliftlands.», he said while climbing the stairs.

"I guess so..."

He was clever enough to deduce I lived in a city located in the region I was actually.

By the way, I just remembered about this rumour of the «Phantom of the Cliftlands», and I still didn't know if Therion was really this ghost or if it was another else.

If not, there must be someone else as good as him for stealing at people.

Now, I wanted to know more about this subject, so I asked him curiously while watching at him with wide eyes?

«Therion ?... Before I entered in the city, I just heard a rumour by the two bandanas men who were at the tavern earlier... They talked about a Phantom of the Cliftlands who steal at wealthy people... I was just wondering... if it was you ?»

As we are almost arrived at the end of the stairs, he stopped in his tracks, and took a small breath before answering me.

«Maybe. After all, some people are afraid of me, and I can tell you I'm so discreet that we can consider me like a ghost.», he told me normally, as he looked pretty serious.

I don't think he liked this question: maybe he also remembered how hard has been his life, at always stealing to people and being invisible at their eyes, just like me. ..

Anyway, he was definitely this phantom everyone was talking about, even if he didn't really admit it.

As he seemed a bit upset, I just wanted to reassure him.

«You know what ?... I don't think you are really a ghost... because I can see you. », I said, while putting a smile on my face for showing him how much I liked him.

"..."

He looked at me with a small smile on his face, as he seemed to have enjoyed my compliment.

Despite he was a talented and discreet thief, I was starting to wonder if that rumour was really true, if he wasn't the phantom they were all talking about...

«Well, the manor is just right a front of us.», told me Therion while showing me the direction.

He showed me the direction as I started to notice a few hences at the end of the stairs, the top of a tree, but especially the manor which looked so big.

There were tall walls covered of bricks preventing us to see better, as we could only notice the upper part of the castle which was still impressive to see.

The sky was also turned into a light blue: it must have been a few hours since I left the desert while being naked...

It's seemed that Therion still wanted to steal this treasure, despite that bar man's advices. However, I made the decision to help him stealing it without being caught.

Really, I was so interested about this famous treasure that I expected it to be something wonderful, like a golden coffer, with many golden coins, and maybe a few gemstones, like rubies or diamonds !

«Err... Are you really sure you want to steal this treasure ?», I asked Therion again, still a bit worried.

He looked at me, while putting his right hand on the hence, before answering me.

«Yes. All the rumours I heard about it give me even more interest for this treasure too. Indeed, House Ravus is known to be a wealthy family throughout the region, so there must be something interesting. Actually, I already start to imagine myself holding it between my hands...», he responded, while being a bit cocky.

He was so interested by this mysterious treasure, but I didn't expect he was more arrogant than I thought.

But wasn't like the two others thieves from earlier: they looked so noisy and so indiscreet to steal it, while Therion looked much more experimented than them. Though, that doesn't prevent me to be a bit scared that he could get caught.

He looked at me, crouched down at my level and ruffled my dark brown hair while reassuring me.

«No worry. I am just going to investigate the place first, before making my plan... I'm not the kind of person to dive headfirst when it talks of stealing, you know...»

I sighted and I was right: he was really smarter than the two bandana guys.

It was right that we needed to first check around the place for knowing what is the best way to steal this treasure safely.

It's must be necessary to make a strategical plan before going straight.

Then, he spoke again to me while adopting a pretty serious look.

« And you, Travis ? You know very well how much it is so risky to rob this treasure... I just want to you that we won't be playing around. Indeed, I can't guarantee that I will manage to defend you properly if there is any problem..."

"!..."

"So... Are you really sure you really want to jump in this adventure ? There will be no turning back. »

He was very serious about this: he knew how much the danger was.

I understood also how dangerous it was to try to steal this treasure, but Therion, him, looked so determined to do such a thing.

It was possible that he could get caught, but that's why I want to help him to make this robbery without getting captured by the security.

And also... I was so curious about the mystery of this treasure: why robbers wanted to take it so much ?

"..."

Despite my hesitation, something else motivated me a bit when Therion talked about an adventure.

I was used to read stories of adventures at the library, and they were always so fun and awesome to read despite sometimes, in the books, the actions done by the hero were too dangerous to redo in real life!

But since I read them, I wanted to live adventure by myself, by traveling through the worlds, discovering things, and doing a lot of cool things like some games !

Each time we talk about adventures, there would be always so many mysteries, so many actions and this is so exciting ! Indeed it wasn't a simple adventure: we were talking about Treasure hunt !

I might not have done one before, but I heard it was pretty fun to do.

However, I just have to remember that it won't be so simple and I have to obey at Therion, who seems to know more about that.

Finally, I told him my decision as I felt pensive.

« You know... I never stopped to follow you since I met you because you were just like me.... You helped me by paying my water and I helped you when you were abused by the big man...", I calmly raised my head and looked at him seriously. "And it's not tomorrow that I'll give up on you ! So yes, I want to steal this treasure with you ! »

Yeah... If I wanted to gain his trust, I need to show him how serious I was.

"..."

Therion just looked at me with his green eyes, pretty aware of my choice as he still looked at me while being unsure.

He sighed as he patted my head again before continuing.

« I guess I couldn't do nothing to change your mind... Alright, but you have to follow my orders if we want to succeed. Ok ? »

« Ok ! », I nodded.

« Follow me. », he ordered me as I executed, while he stood up.

...

We finally reach the end of the stairs, while I walked right behind Therion who observed the whole place.

« So... this is the Ravus manor... », he muttered.

"Wow..."

I was so impressed at the look of the manor as I watched from behind Therion's legs: it was like as big as a castle from those knight's stories, but it was so different.

It looked more closer of a residence than a castle: the walls were covered of ivy which climbed until the top. On the wall, I noticed some spikes that must prevent intruders to enter by passing over the walls.

But the whole manor behind the walls was so enormous, there was a giant tower in the middle which must reach 50 meters high. I couldn't clearly see because of the walls how much windows there were, but I could deduce that there must be at least 4 floors, which mean so many rooms to visit.

Of course, I was wondering a lot about where could be located the treasure.;. and how it would look like.

Would it be a treasure with gold, coins and everything ? Like those found and buried by pirates from adventure books.

I'm not sure... And I don't believe life was exactly like in the books, but I wanted to know.

As I saw a pair of trees at my left, Therion make me sign to follow him by speaking softly.

I wasn't distracted anymore thanks to him, so I came back to my senses and we both ran discreetly while stomping on the grass.

I followed Therion who was sneaking while walking to be more furtive, so I did the same. I wasn't too hard for me thanks to my small size.

Then, Therion walked on a shrubbery covered by many blue and purple flowers. He slowly advanced right behind a bush, as I followed him and thankfully, the bush was large enough to hide us.

"..."

Both of us made sure to stay extremely quiet. I was used to stay silent when I would steal from merchants before, and so was Therion.

In our hiding place, we were observing carefully the whole scene: there were 3 others grassy areas, which one at our right with also a shrubbery covert of flowers, and the two others a front of us were different and they both had instead a flowerpot supported by a pedestal.

There was an intersection of roads covered by dark woods, the vertical road was leading to the entrance of the manor, and the horizontal one to the stairs where me and Therion came from.

The place was bathed by the sun and in the intersection, we could spot a flower shape.

I'm sure the owner must like flowers a lot !...

Hey... There are people here !...

"..."

I spotted first a man wearing a helmet, a mail armour and a sword: he must be a soldier guarding the entrance !

He really reminded me of a knights, as I was sure there were knights living in that city !

But he wasn't alone: a man dressed in white was located in the intersection but he didn't have a helmet.

Next to the entrance, two others soldiers were talking to a weird looking guy dressed in red and with a white feather on his head, who seemed to be embarrassed for some reason.

"Grrrr..."

I also noticed a few dogs, next to the first soldier, who were all sitting on the ground but they looked still menacing.

« Why this guy in the middle is not wearing a helmet ? », I whispered to Therion.

« He's the guard Captain: of all the men, he is the one who has the role of commander. He leads them at the position they must be and he wears light clothes because he must be more skilled in battle than the other soldiers. », he responded while also whispering.

I could say that Therion already knew a lot of things about this place.

Indeed, it's right this captain looked pretty serious compared to the others soldiers.

I guessed there must be the people guarding the place, and that the owner pay them to not let any intruder...

CLOMP ! CLOMP ! CLOMP !

Suddenly, I heard loud and rhythmic footprints, and we noticed on the right to see a patrol of 5 soldiers !

They were still wearing red and grey suits, their helmet lighted by the sun, and walked in rhythm.

The first of the group just stopped in the intersection, right a front of the captain, while the 4 others were assembled in 2 rows.
CLOMP ! CLOMP ! CLOMP !

Seriously... isn't there too many people to guard this place and protect a treasure ?

It wasn't like I was too scared to do a robbery inside the manor with so many guards... but wouldn't they be more useful somewhere else ? A little like policemen who wandered in small groups when the city was too wide ?

Really, it looked like they were ready to go to war, and even Therion found that weird.

« Look what we have here. If I didn't know better, I'd say they were overcompensating for something. »

« It look like they are doing a parade... », I mumbled.

Despite the large number of soldiers, no one had seen us behind the bush yet. It's just like our hair were part of the plants... we were like ninjas !

CLOMP ! CLOMP !

After one minute at watching the spectacle, we observed the commander verifying if the troops behaved well...

CLOMP ! CLOMP ! CLOMP !

"!!!..."

Suddenly, we heard more loud footprints and I saw another group of 5 soldiers from the left, still led by a single soldier.

CLOMP ! CLOMP ! CLOMP !

Like the other ground, they were all walking at the same pace like they were reflections in a mirror...

"..."

Is that me or this soldier looked less concentrated than the others ?

CLOMP ! CLOMP !

The commander watched them arriving, as they stopped all together, but the leader soldier looked less rhythmic than the 4 others. It looked like he was hobbling...

« Change posts ! », ordered the commander at the new group

Suddenly, the commander quickly approached next to him, and he looked furious.

« You there ! »

« Yes sir ! », responded the soldier.

« Stop dragging your feet ! Walk with purpose ! »

"!!!...

He must also have noticed something was wrong with this soldier.

Right after, the latter stepped back, aware of his weird behaviour.

« Yes sir ! », he answered nervously.

« We're getting paid a fortune for this job ! Do it with pride ! », ordered the serious commander again.

Poor soldier...

That mustn't be easy at all for these men to all move at the same time...

After the soldier nodded, the captain watched the other patrol and stepped back.

Then, the leader of the group of the right made a movement of the hand for making them move.

CLOMP ! CLOMP ! CLOMP !

The first patrol stepped back towards our direction and fitted together in a single row.
CLOMP ! CLOMP ! CLOMP !

The second group moved to the right, where they could pass after the first group moved, and walked in the right direction. The first group fitted together again in 2 rows, with still a leader soldier, and walked to the left.

« It's like an army. Just what kind of place is this ? », said Therion, curious about this small spectacle.

It was right there were too much soldiers for a single treasure, but I remembered the captain said they were paid for a fortune.

"Grrr..."

One of the dogs growled when the solder next to them just told them an order.

Then, the black hounds moved behind them and examined their surroundings, before coming back next to their trainer.

"Grrr..."

They looked well trained and so menacing: I hope their smell isn't enough to detect me and Therion's presence.

« Those guards dogs look vicious... », said Therion.

Yeah... It was exactly what I thought!

I was trying to find a solution to past all these people.

"Hey... What if we enter in the manor during the night ?... Everyone will be asleep !...", I whispered to Therion.

"I don't think so... Haven't you heard about the night watchmen ?!..."

"Ah !... No !..."

« And that's not all... The walls are lined with wire. », Therion added as he looked serious.

I just looked on the wall that a very long metallic wire lighted by the sun covered the tops of the walls.

« Is that dangerous ?! », I asked him, a bit worried.

« Yeah. One false move and it'll sound an alarm, no doubt. Trying to scale the walls would be more trouble than it's worth.»

"..."

Damn... the person who lived in the manor truly placed traps everywhere...*

Therion was right: this robbery would be much harder to do than I expected, as we couldn't even find a way to enter this manor...

I whispered to Therion again.

«Also... are there any cameras ?!»

«What's cameras ?!», he looked a bit confused.

«!!!... Uhh... nothing !», I whispered to him, feeling so embarrassed.

I heard him sighing, a bit annoyed by that story of cameras.

Really, I needed to watch my mouth, or Therion will take me for an idiot.

It was right there were any cameras in this weird city closed of the rest of the world !

«Mmmmhhh, it's could be suicide if we tried to climb the walls», he said.

« So... How do we do that ? », I whispered to him.

« Let's see... »

Therion looked aware of the security put in place to keep this treasure safe: I was sure it must mean a lot for his owner.

The barman was also right: it was so risky to steal this treasure. Between he guards, the dogs and the alarm... there was not a single opening, not a single secret path to directly enter in.

I guess there was no choice but to pass through the gate, but it was definitely guarded...

"..."

I just heard someone keeping talking and begging something at the guards at the gate, and Therion also noticed it.

« Hm, what's this now ? », he asked, becoming attentive to the voices.

The gate was pretty beautiful: the fence was adorned with a yellow color, and it was surrounded by one lamp post at each side.

We both started to become interested by a mysterious red man who was complaining at two guards.

« What part of « no visitors allowed » do you not understand ? », asked one of the annoyed guards.

« The Ravuses have more important matters to attend to than entertaining riffraff like yourself. », said the other one.

Well, I guess we are not the only ones who want to enter inside...

It was right the red man looked pretty suspicious, but he didn't look someone bad...

He insisted again.

« It won't take long, I swear ! I'm merely a merchant looking to... »

« A merchant, you say ? Prove it. », suddenly interrupted a guard while crossing the arms.

« Prove what ?! I came to show the lady of the house some of the finest fabrics in the realm ! », explained desperately the red merchant to them while showing a few tissues rolls.

It seemed those guards didn't want to believe this unlucky merchant despite his proofs.

Also... there was a lady who lived in this manor...

« And we're supposed to just take you at your word ? », responded cockily the second guard to the merchant.

The first soldier decided to stand up in the merchant's way, preventing him to pass.

« If you can't show us proof, you can show yourself out. », he affirmed firmly

He then pushed the merchant with his hand, making him stepping back !

« !!!...But I... »

The red guy didn't finish, as he looked quite desperate, and finally gave up while the two soldiers were both standing at the door.

The poor guy...

I don't think he would deserve to be thrown out away like this...

Even if I found that weird that he wanted to sell his products at the lady's manor, I felt quite bad for him.

The merchant then backed away, and muttered to himself.

« Fine, I'll leave. I swear, the nerve of these hoity-toity types. »

He finally leftthe place and went to the stairs leading at the middle part of the city.

Really, these guards were soharsh with him, even if they were just doing their jobs.

However, they didn't even try to arrest him while they were suspecting him...

Then, I just had an idea in mind.

« Are you thinking what I am thinking ? », I asked Therion.

« Yep. Never thought the front door would be the easiest way in. Time to get my hands on some « proof ». », he answered me with determination.

« Wait... What do you mean by proof ?! », I asked him curiously, a bit confused.

He chuckled a but before he explained while whispering.

« That would be too stupid to break into the manor, so I believe we have a better chance to penetrate in the manor if we pass for merchants... Though, not even them can't enter in like we can enter in a windmill. If we want more chance again to pass, we have to find something which could allow us to pass the gate with authorization. Do you understand ? »

« ...ok !... I see !... », I shushed to him.

Even if I was a bit unsure, I trusted Therion's plan.

« Ok. Now let's go ! »

« Uh-uh ! », I nodded.

Therion left the hideout, without of course being noticed by the guards, and went to the right while running sneakily, as I followed him closely.

We both went towards the stairs leading to the middle part of the city, and we made our way down the stairs, until we reached the neighbourhood and we went to the right.

We walked in a pathway leading to a large yellow house when we heard something like a conversation.

"..."

We looked at the left, and we spotted the red merchant who was talking with another else.

This another person looked like him... but he was yellow instead: he must be a merchant too.

"..."

They were both discussing in a bottom part of the pathway: some stairs permitted to lead at this spot, and a few goods like wooden boxes were also present.

I made sure the merchants weren't noticing me when I approached to the hences to overhear them, alongside with Therion who still looked patient.

« Well. If it isn't our merchant friend. » , he muttered.

«The yellow man is dressed like him... », I added, finding these two suspicious as I guessed. « Who is he ?... His brother ?»

« There's a decent chance... »

We keep observing the 2 merchants speaking to each other.

There was the red one, with blond hair and who was carrying a white bag behind his back. And the other has black hair, a blue bag and was dressed in yellow, or more like a golden color.

As I could easily recognize them thanks to their differences, they both had a white t-shirt hidden by their respective color, a hat with a white feather, a black pants and a pair of brown leather shoes.

Honestly, I find their uniform ridiculous even if they were pretty charming.

The sun was shining on their sides as the red merchant told as his buddy.

«Those bloody Ravuses ! Don't they know some of us actually have to work for a living ?», he complained.

I was a bit surprised when he used the word «bloody», but I continued to listen

«Turned away at the gate ? Join the club.», said the yellow merchant.

It seemed like he was aware that his friend has been kicked out from the manor. Though, I was just wondering about what kind of club if was talking about...

«You too ? But why ?»

«They're doing it to everyone. Rumor has it they're guarding some great treasure inside.»

"..."

It looks like the yellow merchant must be well informed about this mysterious treasure...

«But I am not after the treasure ! I just wanted to show the lady of the house my wares. Then they told me I needed «proof» ! As if this sack of silk dresses isn't proof enough !», exclaimed the mad red merchant, upset because he wasn't able to sell some clothes to this lady Ravus.

«Indeed. You'll need a letter of introduction to get inside.», said the yellow seller.

A letter ?! Why did a small letter could be necessary to enter the manor ?!

Wait... could it be the key to open the gate ?! The proof Therion was talking about ?!...

The yellow merchant must know so far about how we could pass the gate. I looked at Therion who seemed to be also concerned by this letter.

«A letter of what ?», asked the red trader.

«House Ravus only does business with the most esteemed merchants and traders», responded his buddy.

As I was pretty curious, I was wondering for a while about why people would often say «House Ravus» instead of the «Ravus family».

Maybe this was how we call families in this city...

Anyway, we continued to listen.

«So how can I get one of these letters ?», the red merchant demanded again.

He checked if no one else was around us, but he didn't notice us.

Thankfully Therion and I were so discreet !

The yellow merchant answered.

«It's not easy, that's for sure. First, you'll have to make a name for yourself here in the town. Once you've proven yourself a reliable trading partner, then, and only then, will the Ravuses write you a letter.»

Oh...

Do we have to become a merchant and to have a name in this city ?! That's sounds difficult...

The yellow merchant continued to explain.

«That said, you could count the number of people who've earned one on one hand», added the yellow trader.

Impressed by the details, the red merchant just backed a few steps.

«Well, that sounds like an awful lot of work. Are you sure there's no other way ?»

The yellow merchant just shook his head negatively for a no...

I believed the red merchant was right: it must be too long and difficult to become a famous partner of the Ravus family !...

Yeah, I really want inside that manor with Therion right now !...

"..."

Therion just backed away from the hences after listening to them, as I was pretty curious.

«Is having that letter is really the only way ?», I asked him.

He just moved the head to say «yes», before saying some words.

«I can think of at least one»

That's right: it's could be worse if there were no ways to enter in this manor, but we both know how to. I think we did great by following this funny red merchant !

The problem is that we still had to be noticed by the lady of the house and become great merchant, and that worried me a bit.

«Hey Therion... How could we do to become famouses sellers ? We might need a lot of time for being noticed by the lady Ravus. Don't you think ?», I asked Therion curiously, with my wide blue worried eyes.

Maybe it could take a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years !...

And also... what we could sell at customers ?! Food ?! Clothes ?!

Where could we get such things right now ?!

As harvesting lost money coins from the streets wasn't already easy !

«Hu hu...», Therion just smirked quietly, making me concerned, before he added.«Who said we'll becoming merchants ?»

«Uhh ?...»

«We just need this letter to pass the gate... so we have to steal this letter. »

"!!!..."

I was a bit surprised by his answer, but I think Therion was right: why do we need to become merchants if we can just steal a simple letter ?

Really, why bother doing the hardest ways we you can use the simple way ?!

«Hey... That's not a bad idea ! You are too good Therion !», I smiled at him, finding his idea nice in the end !

He smiled me back, as I have still a question in my mind

Hoping I wouldn't bother him too much with all those questions, I asked again.

«But have you an idea of who can we steal to obtain this letter ?»

«Not for the moment. It's clear that those guys didn't have the letter in question, it would be useless to steal them. We will find someone else who might have this thing, like another merchant. Follow me.»

«Ok.», I said, while following him in direction of the house.

Then we turned to the left by taking the stairs, as I saw the two merchants coming from the right, who were both discussing about affairs and anything else.

"I swear if my tissue was made with a better quality, perhaps I could have been more convincing to them !..."

While walking, I watched Therion who seemed to have his head in the clouds.

"..."

"?..."

The yellow merchant responded.

"No, no, my friend !... The Ravuses aren't an easy house to convince !... And even if you were selling a robe of the Flame, I don't think they would..."

BUMP !!

"Ouch !"

"!!!..."

Suddenly, Therion accidentally bumped the 2 merchants and made the yellow merchant fall on the ground at my surprise !

Therion then stopped and helped him getting up.

«Oh. My apologies. I haven't seen you.», he apologized calmly.

«Nah ! It's ok... I have forgotten there were stairs there. », forgave the yellow merchant happily while he was getting up on his feet.

«What a nice fellow...», muttered the red one.

The 2 merchants left away and took the stairs from where we came from.

Therion just continued to walk, and I still managed to follow him.

I think that was pretty kind for him to say sorry to the 2 merchants after bumping them. He wasn't like the big bad guy from an hour ago who has been aggressive towards him.

Though, I just found weird that Therion was a bit dreamy. I know he is sometimes in his thoughts, but still.

«Are you alright Therion ?», I asked him, wanting to know if he was okay.

«I'm good, don't worry.», he answered me calmly when he pointed his finger towards the two merchants. «But them...I think they will soon starting to go around the city to find this.»

He took something of his shroud and showed them to me.

"!!!..."

It was an earring and a few weird stones with different colors !

Did he just stole them from the guys ?!

Confused, I whispered to him.

«But I thought it could be useless to...»

«I just said it would be useless to steal them for having the letter. But that doesn't stop me to rob their goods.», he also whispered calmly, before hiding the stolen things on his poncho.

We could say that he was so experimented to steal both of them in an instant, without they notice !

I couldn't believe there was someone who would be so much better than me at stealing things ! It wasn't like we meet this kind of people everyday...

However... maybe that is a crazy thought but... I started to be admired by him. I knew stealing was bad, but he was still kinda cool to do such things without people notice !

"..."

As we continued to walk next to the house where I have stolen the clothes, Therion suddenly stopped in his tracks. What's wrong ?!

«Just out of curiosity, how long do you plan on following us ?», Therion spoke in a loud enough voice.

"?!!..."

Wait... Were there people actually spying on us ?!

Then, two familiar persons appeared from behind the houses: the two bandana guys !

«...So you noticed.», said the man with the red bandana, who remained calm with a smile.

Therion just turned back while they approached us.

«Hey ! You're the two bandana guys from the tavern !...», I decided to speak to them.

«Well... It isn't the thirsty brat from earlier... I told you to go back with your mommy !», the yellow bandana guy told me while laughing at me alongside with his red buddy.

"..."

Really, I didn't like these guys...

I started to be angry towards them when Therion spoke to them.

«For thieves, you aren't very discreet.»

Yeah, it was true that they weren't so discreet with their coloured bandanas !

«You're keener than most, friend», said the yellow guy at Therion.

«As are we. We can tell you and your little friend have come for the Ravus fortune.», added the red one.

"!!!..."

So, they already knew we both want to steal this treasure... I was sure they must have heard us when Therion was speaking to the barman about that manor...

To tell the truth, I was afraid by the idea they would denounce us to the guards and steal the treasure at our place... It would be easy for them to snitch us and make us arrested...

If that happened, it would be really the first time I will go to prison !

As I felt suspicious towards them, the yellow thief spoke again.

«If the army surroundin' the manor is any indication, it's more than worth the trouble.»

I guess these must know a little about the security of the manor... But what does these guys want, at the end ?

"..."

Therion just thought a bit before speaking to them.

«And have you «seen» this treasure ?»

Therion looked so calm while questioning them despite these guys seemed bad...

The red guy just laughed.

«We don't need to see it ! Just look at what they've got guardin' it !»

«Guards, dogs, traps, you name it, they got it.», continued his yellow buddy.

For once, I think they were pretty right. It sounds impossible to steal that treasure, as I've also seen all the traps set with Therion. It would have been even worse if there were cameras...

I watched at Therion who also looked annoyed by those guys, but he didn't seem scared at all.

«And you came all this way to warn me ? How thoughtful.», he just ironically granted them.

The red guy just sighed, annoyed by his reaction.

«Look. We've got a proposal for you...», he approached a bit.

?... A proposal ?

«And I've got an answer: no.», Therion answered quickly as he turned his back to them.

The red guy just turned at his buddy, as they were taking us for a pair of fools, and even though if I didn't say anything.

Then they approached a few meters of us, as I backed away a bit next to Therion, trying to not show any fear as I found them annoying as well.

«Just hear us out, mate. We can help each other. » the red thief insisted again.

«My partner here's been inside. He's seen the traps they've set up close. Hells, he walked straight into one and set off an alarm ! », added the yellow thief playfully.

"!!!..."

Did I just hear right ?... Did they really went inside this manor despite all the traps ?... Did they really know about how the castle looked like ?...

Or they were just lying for fun ?

The red suddenly looked worried and quickly talked to his friend.

« Sh-Shut up ! You said you wouldn't tell anyone about that ! »

Really, they looked so suspicious...

The red thief turned to Therion and asked him.

« Anyway, I got you just fine and we're here now... So what do you say ? It won't be easy to carry all that treasure on your own. We're offering you a helping hand.», he asked him.

"..."

I wasn't expecting that...

I knew it's could difficult to carry all the treasure at two, and these guys seem aware that there won't be any turning back.

But I was so distrustful towards these thieves.

« Why should we trust you ?! », I shouted at them, feeling suspicious.

« Shut up kiddo ! Just let the adults talk. », told me the yellow bandana guy, uninterested to speak with me.

"..."

Really, I hate when they keep treating me like a kid, even if I was one !

As I felt quite angry towards thel, Therion just continued to refuse.

« No thanks. I've already got two hands and this companion. That's enough for me. », he said while tapping nicely my head.

"!!!..."

'Did he just call me... his companion ?!...'

I was very touched that he called me « companion », and that made me really happy !... I didn't expect that he would consider me as one !

However, I was still feeling angry towards these two weird guys.

"..."

I saw the yellow bandana guy who started to be very angry angry towards Therion...

He just approached towards him and grabbed his collar !

"..."

"H-hey !...", I shouted angrily to the yellow guy.

« So you think you're too good for us, is that it ?!... », menaced the yellow thief who looked so mad !

As I became so worried, I noticed Therion who still looked calm despite the situation and responded coldly.

« I'm a thief, not a nanny. »

The red bandana guy looked as furious as his buddy was.

« !!!... », the red bandana guy approached as well and looked as furious as his buddy when he shouted. « You're an ungrateful bastard, that's what you are ! »

"!!!..."

Seriously, I really wanted to kick those guys right in their face, despite I looked weaker than them !

They even dare to insult my friend of "bastard" ! What a bad word !

But I just watched at Therion, who just looked more bothered than in troubles.

« Listen, I don't have time to entertain you downs. I have places to be. »

He just dropped the guy's hand from the collar, and backed up by turning at their back again !

"..."

But suddenly, the yellow guy quickly ran towards Therion, ready to punch him !

"!!!..."

« You're not going anywhere... »

He tried to grab his shoulder, but in a fraction of seconds, Therion avoided his hand and

SBUNCH !!!!

"!!!..."

He kicked him in the stomach !

« Urgh ! »

The yellow thief shrieked in pain, and fell on the ground a few meters further !

As the other guy looked scared, Therion ordered them menacingly.

« Get out of my sigh. »

Right now, I was overtaken by the events.

I couldn't believe that Therion was unbelievably strong for a thief !

"..."

I didn't say anything, but I won't lie that I was a bit shocked by how he punched him, even if they were bad guys.

The red thief just crouched down at his buddy and shook his body

« Are you with me, mate ? Speak to me ! », he yelled at this friend desperately, while he was agonizing.

"..."

The yellow guy finally nodded in pain and stood up slowly on his feet, helped by his friend.

Despite they were bad and arrogant, one of them was really worried about him. I understood he must care about him, and they must know each other since several years.

But of course, that doesn't prevent me to hate them...

« Mate... ? », muttered Therion.

"?..."

I just looked at Therion, who was again lost in his thoughts after hearing the word «mate». He observed carefully the bandana thief helping his comrade.

What was he dreaming about ? Is he often lost in his thoughts ?

As I observed the yellow guy slowly recovering, Therion just advanced from a few steps and gave them a mean look.

"!!!..."

The two bandana men were frightened and finally fled in the direction where they came from.

"..."

I was relieved they're finally gone, and I was sure these guys needed a nanny for themselves !

I looked around: no one else was there to witness this scene except me and Therion, who looked to come back to reality.

I was sure it was really a bad idea to team up with those bandana men: they could betray use and we could get caught thanks to them.

Thankfully Therion also noticed those guys weren't trustworthy, as he was really so smart.

"..."

Meanwhile, I was surprised to see how Therion has punched that guy.

Indeed, I never expected he was stronger than he looked. His reflexes were so quick that I didn't saw it coming !

«Let's move ok ?», he told me, as I followed him closely.

We started to take down the stairs leading to the lower Bolderfall, right next to the cliff.

While going down, I felt less scared with Therion's presence, but I don't want him to slow down just for me. I was big enough to walk by myself !

"..."

Actually, there was something I needed to know about Therion which made me concerned.

So, I looked up at him.

«Uhhh... Therion ?»

«Mmmmh ?... What's wrong ?», he looked at me.

"N-nothing bad... It's just that sometimes, I find you... a bit...", I tried to speak, but I felt hesitant as I muttered. "How to say it..."

"A little off ?...", he guessed as he added. "Just speak if you want to."

"!!!... Well... it's true that you look a bit dreamy... So, I was just wondering... if you don't mind, of course ... that you tell me what were you thinking about ?», I asked him quietly, waiting for his reaction.

I just didn't want to annoy him too much about that. That wasn't the kind of thing we could ask to people...

"..." Therion just took a simple breath, as he looked aware of my remark when he answered calmly. «I was just thinking at the old times...»

Feeling well curious, I looked up at him while we were walking slowly.

Therion just continued.

«When I have understood those thieves were mates, I couldn't stop thinking about Darius.»

"?... Darius ?", I asked curiously.

That's true that he wasn't alone when he was stealing things when he was little...

«My friend. », he answered me, as he felt so pensive while telling me his story. « We meet each other 10 years ago in the same prison cell and we escaped together. We were both thieves: together, we had stolen so many things together and being enemies of the law for years. Both of us were getting the other back and we had a good relationship together : he was also... my partner. »

"..."

Now, I was more concerned about the word « partner ».

I might not know very well this Darius, but I was sure that he truly cared about him.

Indeed, I heard somewhere that being a partner with someone didn't only mean working with him. It was also a close friend, someone with whom we team up together to accomplish something awesome, like a dream, someone inseparable, with whom we eat, we sleep, we travel, we speak, we laugh....

It was something like a mate: I quickly remembered about those bandana thieves. Even if they were so bad with us, one of them was worried when

Therion punched him: they were partners. Also, they even were the same clothes like 2 brothers...

"..."

As it was my turn to be a bit lost in my thoughts, a question came in mind... Something I wanted so badly to ask at Therion...

So, as we reached the bottom part of the city, I felt well hesitant and a bit nervous while asking him this, but I really wanted to know.

« So, Therion... I just would like to ask... Are we... partners ? »

"!!!..."

We just finished to go down the stairs as Therion just stopped, and hesitated a bit before answering me calmly.

«You know... we just met today, and it's the time we team up together... Without lying, I believe it would be too soon to be "partners"... But let's say... we're just comrades. Right ? »,

"!!!..."

Did he just call me... his comrade ?!...

"T-thank you !...", I felt so excited as he gave me a simple smile.

"You're welcome... I'm not used to socialize with people, nowadays..."

I felt so proud right now !

Therion really cared about me as much as I cared about him, and even if we just met today !

I really enjoyed the idea we were already friends !... I wanted to continue to help as much as I could and to follow him whatever he goes !

And I swear I'll do all my possible to be useful for him !

"..."

As we both arrived in the lower part of the town, we both heard some voices talking about something.

"!..."

So, we both stopped and eavesdropped at the conversation from far.

« When you've been in the business as long as I have, the Ravuses will be begging you for a visit ! »

It was the voice of an old charismatic man.

We became concerned by this conversation after hearing « Ravuses »...

Therion made me sign to follow him, so we approached next to a house of the woman with a red dress.

We observed at the two persons who were discussing, as we quickly recognized one of them: it was the red goofy merchant !

He looked still positive while speaking... Hasn't he noticed that he missed some of the stuff Therion has stolen just a few minutes earlier ?!

Gees... He was such a pro at stealing things to people, so good that they wouldn't notice him stealing things directly...

Though, perhaps he simply didn't notice because he was a merchant, and so, he was carrying a lot of stuff !...

"..."

We noticed that the man with whom he spoke with wasn't strangely his yellow buddy: it was someone else.

An old man with white mid long hair and a mustache. He was wearing a black costume and a black hat with a white feather.

"Another merchant...", I muttered to Therion.

"There are a lot of them in the Cliftlands...", he whispered to me.

Indeed, this one looked more experienced than the 2 others.

He continued to talk at the younger merchant.

« It's all about experience ! Ahahaha ! », he just laughed proudly, making the red merchant kinda jealous.

As they haven't still noticed us, I whispered at Therion.

« This old merchant must be so experienced... »

« Lucky for us, his « experience » hasn't taught him when to keep his mouth shut. », he told me firmly.

"?!... How do you know he could have the letter ?"

"Well, haven't you well listened ? He said he was a partner of House Ravus since a long time... So, he must obviously possess it !..."

"!!!..."

'Ah yeah !... That's true !...'

So, this old merchant must have the right to enter inside the manor !...

Also, it's true that it wasn't very discreet at all, for this man, to say out loud that he's a partner of the Ravus family.

A partner... just like how Therion had a partner once...

Anyway, I think that Therion was very clever and I quickly understood his plan.

"So... We have to steal his letter, right ?", I asked him.

Therion whispered to me.

« You're fast learner », nodded Therion to me as he whispered. « However, they are two and I have already bumped this guy to steal his goods. The old one must make sure that his letter is protected any theft, so it won't be as easy as my precedent thefts. We need to make a distraction. »

«A distraction ?...»

«Yeah... If we want more chance to steal that letter without being noticed, we need to find a way to draw their attention while I rob our target... If you want to be useful, it's a good opportunity for you to prove yourself. »

«!!!...»

He was right... If we don't make the merchant look away while we steal them, they would call us and alert the guards.

Of course, I wanted to help Therion to get that letter... I was just feeling nervous. I might have already stolen stuff a lot of times, but it was truly the first time I teamed up with another thief. Indeed, I've never took such risks while robbing stuff...

Finally, I took a breath.

'Okay, okay, okay... Um...'

I started to imagine how to make a distraction: I had to make sure these guys became less suspicious and focused.

So, I was thinking for a moment while observing the 2 merchants...

'...'

'...'

'...'

'!!!...'

«I have an idea !... »

I just whispered to Therion's ear as he agreed.

« Mmmmh. Maybe this could work »

~1 minute later~

The two merchants were located next to the house with the armor, still talking together about business and merchant's things.

«We also need to take our products' quality into account !... We're talking about a lady from a reputed house, you know !»

«But my tissues have the greatest quality possible ! Do you know how far I went to put my hands on it ?!... »

«Excuse me, sir...», I spoke to the old merchant.

«?!...»

I was now standing a front of the 2 merchants, watching at them attentively with my hands behind my back.

As they were pretty confused in the first place, they both just looked concerned of what I wanted to tell them.

«... My family just moved in the city and I don't know it very well. Could you explain to me what is that place with the armor ? », I asked them with the kindest voice I could ever pull off, pointing towards the location while watching them with an innocent look.

They both watched at me with a grin.

« Aww... what a nice and charming kid ! », said the old merchant as he added. « It's not every day that we meet one with such lovely manners ! »

I chuckled a bit.

« Thanks !... I just wanna know more about the city ! »

«...»

I saw Therion who started to slowly approach behind them as the old merchant explained to me gently.

« Well, let me explain to ya : this is a place called armoury, a storage place for weapons and other war equipment. »

« Ohhh... What kind of weapons ?! »

« Well, we can buy so much sorts of iron weapons: swords, daggers, axes, spears... But let me know you they aren't toys for children, ok ? »,

I nodded, understanding his advice while and Therion just took a letter from his black coat, without they noticed !

I even saw him smiling a bit when he finally got the letter !

As he quickly left the place, the 2 merchants were still watching at me when the red one asked.

« Is that all you needed to know, little one ? »

« No, it's all. Thank you very much. Now I have to go: my mother must be waiting for me. »

« Ok. Goodbye ! And be careful to strangers ! », saluted the old merchant.

« Bye !... »

I waved at them with a happy smile when they continued to walk together.

They still haven't noticed it yet !

While chuckling a bit, I ran towards the stairs where I found Therion with his back against the wall, and the white letter in his hand.

« We made it, together !», I happily told him.

« Good work. Told you it would be useful to draw their attention. »

«He he !... Thanks !...», I answered while scratching the back of my head.

I felt so proud that I couldn't stop to smile !

Really, I've never been so proud to have stolen something to someone ! Each time, before, I would always feel so nervous and scared while doing so ! But now, with Therion, it was different !

Indeed, these 2 merchants were so naïve !

«You're welcolme. », told me Therion as he added with a smile. «It's right the innocence of a cute little child like you could create good distraction. »

« ?!!!... Am I really... so cute like that ?! », I asked him, as I blushed.

« Let's say... if you weren't discreet at all, all people would call you cute. », he said calmly while hiding the letter on his shroud.

«!!!... »

My cheeks turned even pinker !

In fact, that was really the first time that someone called me « cute » !

Was Therion just telling me that for just having fun ?!

But even the 2 merchants found me "adorable" !...

Well, it wasn't like I disliked a lot being called like this.... It's just that when I lived in the streets, no one had called me cute because I was like invisible at their eyes.

Finally, Therion sighed with a smile and told me.

« It was a pleasure to make business with these guys. Now let's pay a visit to Ravus Manor. »

« Ok ! », I nodded happily, impatient to get this treasure.

We started to climb at the stairs as I watched at the cliff, but much more fearless than before.

'Finally... My first true robbery...'

Instead, I just had a determined look on this beautiful landscape illuminated by the sun. I was ready to make this adventure with Therion whom I find so cool.

Really, he was so good at stealing things at people while being so silent !... And honestly, I admired how such a good thief he was while being so calm !

Plus, he really started to appreciate me, and I was sure that he considered me like his partner.

If we continue to steal things together and work in team like we did earlier, I'm sure that we will become the best friends forever !

And now, I just finally became his accomplice after stealing this letter and I'm ready to help him wherever he goes !

So... I am officially a criminal.

~

A/N: I'm so proud ! My book finally reached the 300 reads ! I didn't really expected the success of this book could get so far, but I am extremely grateful to all of you !

The relationship between Travis and Therion just increased and they are now about to become partners if that continue ! I could admit that I watched again the cutscenes of Therion's story to use their dialogues to follow the story, but I also add some fillers with my own words.

I just did my best to make this story fun and adorable. However, because the game isn't out yet, it's difficult to find pictures of fanarts so I have to choose an emblem representing the Cliftlands region.

I hope you all enjoyed this fun chapter !

Just vote and leave a comment if you liked it. See you next time for the next chapter !