The cold of the night accompanied the light of the countless stars, as they shined down on the otherwise still scene. Their unobstructed beauty lay for a seemingly rare change unbothered by the veil of the clouds, or the opulence of the self-important moon. They glimmered with a beauty that demanded attention, though for those that did not sleep, the chance to lull in the embrace of such a spectacle was unknowingly fleeting. Yet, for most, as they focused on their closed eyes or the distractions of being awake, they soon found themselves too close to the ground to appreciate the beauty that lay covered by the ever-thickening mist.

Three such souls made their way through the veil of water, as they advanced with speed towards the light of a great deal of candles.

"You weren't joking about an inn," Lucas said with a smile on his face, catching sight of a hanging empty barrel. He wasted little time and rushed forward through the door, the other two following at their own pace.

The inn was crowded with the rowdy spirit of men who had had too much to drink. Worn tables and long benches filled the space, as drink and food were called to be consumed. A man who seemed more of a guard stood behind a counter, as he restricted the quantity of inebriating nectar that flowed passed him, though the only restraint was the demand of payment.

"Sit there," Helene ordered to Lucas and Paulus, pointing to an empty table at the far end of the room.

"What about you?" Lucas asked.

"Drinks, food," Helene replied, leaving their side and beginning to speak to the owner.

With a nod that called Lucas to follow, Paulus led the way. He pressed past the crowds, as the sights and smells distracted him, though he fought to ignore them.

"This place is great," Lucas said, as every distraction caught his eye. He waved to the women with a smile, though was quickly drawn to the food and drink that moved just out of reach. "I can't wait to fill my belly." He slid onto the far side of the bench and drummed his hands over the scattered red of the table.

Paulus was silent on his chosen seat, right on the edge of the bench and table, as if at a moment's notice he would rush forth and depart.

"What are you going to eat?" Lucas asked.

"You should be taking this more seriously," Paulus replied.

"What do you mean?" Lucas questioned, continuing to follow each distraction that called to him.

"I mean, don't you think that it's a bit suspicious that we are here?" Paulus asked. "Don't you think it's all a little too good to be true? Don't you think we are in a situation that could put us in a worse place than the place we were?"

"So, do you think we should try and leave the city?" Lucas asked, leaning in closely. "Make a run for it, after we are given our meal? What do you think? I could pickpocket a few people before we do, you know. The inn is pretty crowded. Could make a good getaway. What do you say? We could get away from whatever it is that woman wants with us. Remember what she said? If we get caught doing whatever she wants us to do, there won't be anything we can do to get out of that cell."

Paulus opened his mouth to reply, though before he could, he was silenced by the approaching presence that shifted his fate.

"I ordered us some food and drink," Helene explained, taking a seat in front of the two. "Should be here in a moment. You both can—"

"You got us out a few moments ago," Paulus interrupted. "You got us here now. I think I can speak for both of us when I ask, what is it you want?"

"Yeah," Lucas added. "What is it you want? Not that we are not happy with you getting us out of that place, and for getting him his purse back, but it would be nice to know what's going on. Maybe we had some connection that you noticed at the King's mourning? I do have that affect. Would not be the first time."

"No, just no," Helene replied, softly shaking her head. "Let's begin by me saying, thank you. I appreciate you coming, both of you."

"Well, you did threaten to have us thrown back in a worse place than the pillory," Paulus commented, under his breath.

Helene ignored the comment, simply letting it be swallowed by the noise of the inn. "If you both do not want the pleasantries, fine. We can delve right into the thick of it."

"So, what do you need?" Paulus asked, leaning closer and keeping his words between only their ears.

"Like I said," Helene explained. "I need you for a task."

"What task?" Paulus asked.

"I will tell you about that after I decide whether or not you are both the right men for the task I have," Helene explained.

The two turned to one another with a look of confusion, unsure of what to say.

"Then why did you get us out?" Paulus finally asked.

"Wait," Lucas added, struggling to grasp the complication of what he had been told. "Yeah, why did you give that sac of coins for us? Not that I'm complaining or anything. But, why do that?"

"For once he has a point," Paulus added pointing to him with his thumb.

Helene leaned forward with a serious expression and rested there with her eyes on both men. "What he says only has merit, if you consider that the price I paid to set you free was a thing of substantial value. If, however, you see it the way I do, the way the one I serve does, then you know that the cost was at most a drop in a far larger bucket. One of such small proportions, that should we succeed with what we need doing, I can promise each of you far more."

A lull hung between them all, as the hustle of the inn tried to reach out to them, like a child that pulled on their sleeves again and again, but was cast down at every seeming opportunity, until unexpected company joined them.

With a hard thump, a woman as appealing as she was unappealing, placed filled cups of wine and water before them all, a few drops spilling onto the already stained table. "I will bring the food out in a bit," she said as she departed just as suddenly as she had appeared. "Might be a while."

A heavy sigh left Paulus when he reached for the cup in front of him and filled his mouth with as large a portion as he could.

"He knowns what to do," Lucas stated.

"What do you want to know?" Paulus asked his host.

"Let's start with you," Helene said, turning her undivided attention to Paulus. "You have a brand on your hand, do you not? Below that rag, yes?"

Paulus was silent, trying to subtly move his hand to the cover that was his rag, though such a reaction only drew his companion's eyes. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"They allow branded men into the city?" Helene asked, as she pressed softly and calmly for an answer.

"No, they don't," Paulus commented cautiously watching the walls and any shadows that lingered. "Is that what this is about?"

"No, I only want to know what I have asked," Helene replied.

"So, what, you want to know how I got into the city and close up the holes?" Paulus asked. "Keep others from finding their way in?"

"Wait, then why am I here?" Lucas asked, pointing to himself. "I don't have any brands. See," he held his hands out and showed his wiggling fingers. "Not as nice as a nobleman, but nice enough to hold a noblewoman."

"You want to get rid of the beggars?" Paulus pressed, ignoring his company. "Is that it?"

"I'm not a beggar," Lucas said, his eyes still on Helene. "In case you were confused. I mean, not that you would be." He said as he gestured down at his attire. "I just needed to make sure your pretty eyes could tell."

Paulus turned to the man, with a look that appeared strained and the last bit of his patience running short. "You done?"

"Yeah, alright," Lucas quickly replied, his voice made weak.

"You haven't answered my question," Helene said, her eyes sitting on Paulus.

"You haven't answered mine either..." Paulus replied under a muffled breath.

The small company was left in a momentary silence.

"Let's just say that your mumble was a yes and move on, alright?" Helene asked.

A slow nod followed her words.

"So, let's say you know how to get into places you aren't supposed to be, would that be an accurate statement?" Helene continued.

"I can," Paulus replied cautiously. "But—"

"But he has other skills," Lucas interrupted with excitement.

"Such as?" Helene asked with only a slight inclination of genuine suspicion seeping forward. "Escaping from the pillory in the middle of the night? The guard that was watching you told me. He seemed quite taken to you. Could only image what would have happened if I hadn't shown up."

"I already thanked you for that," Paulus replied. "As well as the—"

"They don't brand beggars," Helene interrupted firmly. "They flog them and kick them out. The only ones to get a brand are criminals, at least on the hand. They do brand some on the face, makes it harder to hide. But you have to have done something bad to get that."

"How do you know all this?" Lucas asked, his eyes going from her to Paulus.

"That's not important," Helene replied. "What is important, is that you tell me why you got it, that brand."

Paulus held her stare, seeming to wait for something that was not coming. "Why?" he finally asked.

"I have to be sure you are the right person." Helene replied.

"Right for what?" Paulus asked back, holding her stare. "What do you want to know?"

"Let me ask you a final time," Helene said crossing her arms and leaning in. "What did you do to earn that brand?"

Paulus stared at her for a moment, feeling the hungry eyes of her and the young man at his side as they waiting to see what secrets he would reveal.

"I used to work with locks," Paulus finally replied. "I used my knowledge of them to take what I needed once. The guild took notice and with them the city watch. Rest is history. I take it that is enough to keep you happy."

A long lull held the air between them.

"You know how to pick locks?" Lucas demanded, bounced his eyes back and forth between his company. "Is that how you got out of the pillory? That's awesome. Can you teach me? I think I could—"

"Good," Helene interrupted with a nod, covering her smile. "You will be perfect. Simply perfect. And you still have your skill with them? I mean, more than is needed to escape where you did?"

A pause gripped the conversation, as Paulus was hushed and seemed to be lost in his head. He grasped his drink once again and swallowed a large mouthful, before speaking. "Yeah."

"Of course, he does," Lucas said, with a slap on the table. "That is why I spend my time with him. Why else would I spend time with an old bag like him? And that's why we deserve the good stuff."

"Excellent," Helene replied.

"So, what's next?" Lucas asked in confusion. "Other than waiting for the food? Got some questions for me? Remember, you can't have him without me."

"Next, you are going to meet the one I serve," Helene explained.

"And is he going to tell us what we need to do?" Lucas asked.

"She," Helene replied with a faint smile. "She will tell you what she wants of you."

"She?" Lucas asked. "I never say no to meeting a woman. Especially one who wants my skills."

"That reminds me," Helene added. "You're a pickpocket, right?"

"You know of my reputation?" Lucas asked with the excitement of a child. "You have heard of my amazing skills?"

"No," Helene replied bluntly. "I just heard you talking about it earlier. But, it's a good thing. I think there will be a role for you in what we have planned."

"I think I have heard enough," Paulus suddenly stated, pressing his hands against the table and rising. From his treasured purse, he plucked his two green copper coins and threw them onto the table. "I am grateful to you for getting me out of that imprisonment, but I will not trade one for another. I have places I have to be."