Edric leans forward , stomps his hands on the table to intimidate him.

  “We got your crate” he said- leaned forward. “ Where’s the information”

  “Ah easy-easy. I’m a man of my word. hmm ” He reached down under his desk “ Here, this is files to find your girlie” . He threw a tarred brown file on the desk.

  Aeris grabs it and flicks through the pages. Edric goes behind her to read the content.

  There's a big title on the front page, “The piece “ Edric read aloud. Below were a mix of information as well as pictures of items/people.

  “There called the piece ” Vance starts explaining “ They're quite famous in other parts of the kingdom. Though it's relatively new here. Their gang sign is the snake and the crown. Their network is largely unknown, at least for most people. ” He chuckled with himself, half proud.

  The folder had information about people- names, age, powers and so on. Some landmarks on maps, drawing of buildings, news snippets from other cities.

  “They specialize in one thing though” He continued. Aeris and Edric look in anticipation. “Trading items in underground auction”

  “Items? What kind of items?” Edric asked

  “Anything- loot, weapons , artifacts , painting and- ” his voice lowers. “ Even people. ”

  Edric's face goes into shock .Aeris rubs her temples , trying to conjure up any plan.

  “So , they kidnaped Xantha. But why a maid and where will she be now? "asked Aeries.

  “Don’t know, few have gone missing recently. Even though most were small time mercenaries . Not a nobody. As to where she might be, you would have guessed.”

  “An Auction” Aeris said

  “Bingo, even though it's speculation and no confirmation.” Vance said.

  “So we just have to go to one of the auction buildings. And go search for her in the store room or whatever” Edirc said.

  “It won’t be that simple,” Vance replied, leaning back. “If they find out , I bet you’ll be in more trouble than now. They're quite thorough in their inventory, at least from what I heard.”

  Edric reached over and rubbed his temples. He paced back and forth - thinking of various plans. Infiltration, stealing, bribing perhaps.

  “We can just bid at the auction” Aeris interjects. Edrics stops for a moment and thinks it through. True,If they have enough money they could participate in the auction.

  “But when is the next one and how would we get in?”

  Both of them turn towards Vance, who sat there without a care in the world.

  “I heard it will take place in 5 days, in the noble district, “ he said . “ as to how you might get in, you need an invite.”

  “Invite ? Do you have one”

  “Check the last page.”

  Aeris turns the file to the last page, an envelope falls on the floor. Edric bends over and grabs it- it’s an invitation made from a particular paper, it had golden laced borders. In the center lie the symbol of the crown and snake. Although there were blood stains on the paper.

  “That’s the invite, though you might need to clean it. Well that’s your job now” Vance said. “Now , I think you have all you need. “ He gestures his hands towards the stairs, signaling them to leave his shop. His was smug as ever.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Edric wanted to pounce him for more info but he knew there was nothing more to gain from staying here. Aeris gave the file to him, he put it in his bag and both of them climbed back up the stairs .

  They opened the door out, Edric remained confused about there rescue plan.

  “So what should we do now?” He asked in a desperate voice.

  “What else?” She said “ We will clean this invitation, go to the auction and hope to bid her.”

  “Sounds easier said than done” he said “ Do we even know where the auction place is and where do we get the money”

  “What do you mean its right there” She said

  Edric confusedly checks the invitation again, was there an address he missed?.

  “Tch, puts some mana in it”

  He does as she says, he channels mana in the paper. Almost instantly faint letter start appearing from the paper. It spelled out an address of some sort. Along with the title of the venue : “The golden lotus”.

  She then flicked to a page, grabbed a piece of paper. On it was a crude drawing of the place, a fancy sketch of ball room.

  “Fancy, but what about the money”

  “That well… Not sure.” she blurted out frankly, rubbing her chin. “ You got any ideas”

  “Hmm… let's fake it” he said. Aeris frowned and looked at him in a confused expression. “Dont auction collect money after the bid. We can just sneak out with Xantha after winning the bid”

  “Hmm… reckless but better than nothing I guess” she replied as she started walking back. “As for the cleaning this thing, the innkeeper might help”

  Does she mean Lester? He could have cleaning material I guess. Though will Xantha be okay waiting for 5 days. The file said they won’t hurt their merchandise but it doesn't really help

  They walked down the dark alley, retracing their steps and headed to Lesters inn.

  *****

  The moon illuminated the quiet town, Edric and Aeris had arrived at the inn. The air in Lester's inn was thick in the scent of meat and ale but the usual liveliness was hollow. Their eyes met with Lester, he didn’t say much but they understood to wait till closing time to talk more. They sat at the counter, Lester kept a plate of meat on the counter without speaking anything.

  They quietly ate much on their meal as the inn grew quieter and quieter as the patrons left.

  “You sure it’s the Piece?” Lester’s voice was low, his knuckles gripped the edge of the bar, his other hand flipped through the folder from Vance.

  Edric nodded, sliding the bloodstained invitation across the counter. “It’s the best info we got, their holding a auction in five days”

  Lester’s Jaw tightened. “ Xantha’s just a waitress. Why would they–”

  “They don't care” Aeris cut in, her voice sharp as a blade. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her hood casting a shadow across her face. “It could be anything- looks, blood or maybe she’d got their attention. Right now she is just another coin in their pocket.”

  Lester’s gaze flicked to her, then to Edric. “And you're planning to walk into their den? With what?”

  Edric hesitated “ Vance’s gave us a name- Voyce. Some noble brat who’s attending the auciton . We can impersonate him and get in.”

  Lester snorted. “Impersonate him, you?”

  Edric bristled, “I look the part, don’t I?”

  Lester looked up and down, studied him for a moment. “Aye, you do. But just looking the part won’t help. You need to act like them, walk like them and smell like them” He gestures to his worn out clothes. “ And except your face, your about as noble as a street rat”

  Aeris pushed off the wall, her boots clicking the wooden floor. “Which is why we need your help.” Her voice was unexpectedly warm, with a hint of concern.

  “My help?”

  “You've been around nobles , merchants” she said, her tone a matter-of-fact. “You know the ins and outs of them. If we’re going to pull this off, we need resources to help”

  Lester rubbed his temples “So your asking me to fund your suicide mission”

  “ We’re asking to help find Xantha.” Edic said quietly.

  For a long moment Lester was silent. Then he straightened , his expression hardened. “ Fine, but listen to me boy. Nobles aren't just snobby rich people- they’re predators. They’ll sniff out weakness and you can bet those gang members can spot a spy from a far. If you're going to do it, you better be perfect.”

  Edric nodded. “We will be.”

  Lester grunted, then disappeared to the backrooms. He returned a moment later with a bundle of clothes- silk gloves, some shirts, pants ,a pair of boots and most importantly a mask. The auction was to be held in a masquerade ball after all.

  Lester handed the bundle of clothes to Edric. “These belonged to a regular. Left ‘em here after a drunken brawl. Should fit.”

  Edirc took the clothes, the fabric soft but unfamiliar in his hands. “What about Aeris?”

  Lester glanced at her. “She’s not a problem, nobles bring all sorts of companions to these events. I will find clothes for her tomorrow morning. Keep her close and if things go south let her do the talking.”

  Aeris smirked. “I always do”.

  Later, in his room on the third floor. Edric stood before a mirror, adjusting the collar of the jacket. The fabric clung to him like second skin, the deep emerald green bringing out the sharp angles of his face. It unsettled him, it reminded him of old memories which he hopes to forget.

  Aeris sat on the bed, leaned against the wall. “Those fit you well.”

  Edric frowned. “I look like a fraud.”

  “You are a fraud,” she said bluntly. “But so is every noble in the auction.The difference is you got a reason to be there.”

  He turned to her. “And you? What's your reason?”.

  This question has been nagging his mind for a while.

  Aeris gaze hardened. “It isn’t anything unusual. Lost my family from a local gang when I was little. Plus, I don’t know why but seeing you made me want to help find her.”

  A moment of silence was there when she finished speaking, Edric didn’t say much. He lost his family too. He could tell that it wasn’t the entire story, but it didn’t matter to him. He took off his jacket and hung it , walked and sat beside her on the bed.

  Edric hesitated. “Don’t worry, we’ll get Xantha back. ”

  Aeris met his gaze. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep”. Just like that, she got up and walked towards the door. “Sleep well, you need it” . The door closes behind her, Edric leaned back on the bed, closing his eyes in hope the journey tomorrow goes fruitfully.