She had, it seemed, not misunderstood his reputation for daring. 'And what is the final test?' the girl smiled. 'The most important tool in the thieves' repertoire is distraction, either planned or improvised. 'You turned on the street when you heard the owl call,' he replied. 'I didn't see you go past me,' she gasped. The Master was waiting for her there, in the dark. The burglar slipped down the sheer wall, dashed across the shadowy courtyard, and within a few minutes was back at her room in the run-down tavern. I didn't have in mind an escape route, but this will have to do.' Like you said, my skill at planning is only adequate. 'I thought you might want a willing accomplice on some great act of thievery which would go down in history. 'Clearly I was fooled by your reputation,' she shrugged, and opened a window. The Master did not answer: he only frowned. 'Something that would make your name known forever?' 'Haven't you ever wanted to steal that which can't be stolen?' the girl asked. That's a personality trait which is incurable, and will lead you to an early grave.' You are past stealing for your livelihood, now you steal for the pleasure of it, for the challenge. Your planning is adequate, but I can help you with that. The Master of Stealth looked at the little girl burglar. 'I picked all your locks, I slipped past all your wards … You designed them, you know how difficult that was for someone without training. 'Teach me,' the girl replied, a little grin finding its way unconsciously on her face. 'Now that your ambition has been thwarted, what will you do? Flee? Perhaps retire?' I've taken soul gems from the Mages Guild, I've robbed the treasury of the most secure fortress, I cheated the Archbishop of Julianos … I even pickpocketed the Emperor Pelagius at his coronation. You didn't just come in through an unlocked door.' The question I have is, why? You know who I am, I assume. 'I would have to say that you're not robbing me. 'Since nothing I have is missing,' the man smiled, glancing at the gold on the table. 'That's a stupid question,' the girl replied, frowning. 'What are you doing here?' the man with the candle asked, stepping from the shadows. The look of surprise slipped from her face, and she took on a blank expression as she put the gold back on the table.

She was young, rather dirty, wearing ragged black clothes that were surely quite smart and expensive weeks ago when she had stolen them from one of the city's best tailors. The candle was lit, and the thief was standing there, blinking, caught.

Veil of crows mods