Author

Briefing

You were contacted by a woman named Angela who said she had a business proposition for you. She asked you to come with her, and, knowing better, you did. She led you to a shady part of town and into a back alley where a dark figure was waiting.

Garrett? the shady fellow asked.
Yes, it's me. What do you want? you replied.
I see you've met my girlfriend, Angela. I am Isaac, master thief. And I have a proposition for you. I intend to break into Lord Kauer's estate and steal his prized fork and spoon.
You dragged me all the way out here because you want me to steal some guy's silverware?!? you asked furiously.
You don't understand, Garrett, Angela interrupted. Lord Kauer's fork and spoon are prized rarities: simply put, they're gigantic. Who eats with large silverware? They have to be worth millions!!
Hmm, maybe you're right, you replied thoughtfully. Just where is this Lord Kauer's mansion? And what's the plan?
It's in the north part of town, he quipped. Now here's what we'll do: Lord Kauer's going to have a party tonight. Angela will go in dressed as a party guest. She'll be our inside contact. I'll sneak in from the roof, and you sneak in from the basement. We'll all meet in Lord Kauer's kitchen at midnight. Then, Angela will blow open the safe with a magical spell-
She's a sorceress?
Of course!! Isaac said. How else would we pull off this stunt? I can't even pick a lock!
I thought you said you were a master thief.
Ummm...I am. Really. Let's get going. And with that, the three of you headed off toward Lord Kauer's mansion.
. . .
This place is a castle! you said in amazement, gazing at the shear massiveness of the mansion. I wonder why I hadn't tried breaking into this place sooner.
Probably because the security's extra tight. Alright, I'll start to climb up the wall, and you look for a way into the basement.
Right.
And you were about to do just that had a voice not called out from behind you: And just what are you taffers doing? It was the City Watch.
Crap, said Isaac.
. . .
The prison cart was annoyingly bumpy. And the ride was annoyingly long: lots of time to think about why you would want to steal a giant fork and spoon. And to make things worse, the company was annoyingly talkative.
Okay, okay, so I'm not really a great thief. I just took credit for a lot of stuff other thieves did. Ow!! I swear, they hit every bump, just to make us mad.
YOU'RE making me mad!! Would you just shut up!!" you shouted. "I'm trying to think. There must be a way out of here. And when I find it, I'm going to leave you rotting in your jail cell. Hmm...maybe if I-
Your words were cut off as the cart came to an abrupt stop and the door flew open.
Here we are, taffer boys!! And lady. Hurry up, it's time to get out! the guard shouted as he ushered you out.
You looked up at the prison. So much moss grew on the sides, that it seemed to be holding up the blocks themselves. But that's not what caught your eye. You'd seen this place before, in a book somewhere. Isn't this Apocalypse Prison, a voice said from in front of you. This place is so old I'm surprised it hasn't collapsed already. I'm the warden of this place. Welcome to your new home.
. . .
And so you sit. A while ago, a young man came by, chanted a couple of spells, and made some pretty lights, so you've been watching those for the last couple of hours. I wonder what those are there for, anyway, you say, thinking out loud. Something for the guards to look at? Hmmm, speaking of guards, they should've given brought you your supper a few hours ago. Where are they? Maybe this is your chance to escape.