52 Plan 1 (1/2)

Thunder streaked across the sky, painting the Lord's mansion in bright light, then disappearing as the sound cracked across the air, echoing through the vast land and humbling any who might be so foolish as to think that they would be able to go against the heavens.

Daneel mused that what they were going to do was exactly as ambitious as that. The past few days had been spent dissecting, perfecting, and then putting together his plan over and over again until each of them could recite it with their eyes closed.

The downpour hadn't begun, yet, but from the ominous dark clouds above, it was obvious that they would soon be drenched. He didn't know, yet, whether it was a blessing or a curse, but as it was an element that he had not thought of before, it made him feel unprepared.

The three of them were crouched beside the eastern wall of the mansion, where its dark shadow hid them from any prying eyes. The enforcers meant to patrol it had already gone past, so all that they were waiting for was a sound that would let them know that it was time.

Once more, Daneel decided that they would go over it. He had become so obsessed with the details that the others had gotten irritated more than once, but when he said that they should repeat it, this time, they had no complaints.

”Every month, the Lord leaves to Master Harold's mansion. He is gone for a few hours, at least, and many times, he sleeps there on the Master's insistence for reasons unknown.”

Sebastian continued from where Reese had stopped to draw in a breath.

”That is our window of opportunity. I'm in charge of distracting the guards by setting fire to the house nearby, which is uninhabited at the present. They will be called on to douse the flames, giving you the chance to enter the mansion while they're distracted.”

”While my brother plays the pyromaniac, both of us will enter the mansion.”

Daneel nodded, satisfied. ”I'll handle Jezara, while you enter the main part of the house.”

Even in the darkness, he could see the way the two brothers glanced at him when he said this. They had discussed this extensively, and even though he had been adamant about the fact that he was confident of his success, they didn't believe him.

When Reese continued, his tone was fraught with worry.

”Remember, if it's too much, give the signal and run. I can exit out the back, and you will be able to escape from the front. My sleeping draught is ready. It will make the butler fall asleep, giving me a chance to search the house and find the evidence that we need to prove Lord Burrow's treachery. We will be captured, but all we will need to do to live is to ask to be presented to the Master. He will see the evidence, and have Lord Burrow killed. A different person will be chosen who will act with much more caution than his predecessor. Things will go back to the way they were in the Pit and the Refinery, and our people will prosper.”

”Or at least have enough to eat that they can survive till they're old.”

Sebastian's snarky addition was taken in stride by his brother, who had already gotten used to the man's cynical nature. A faint smile came to Daneel's lips while he nodded and said, ”Good. Now, let us resume our vigil.”

It was hard to stay still as they waited for the tell-tale sound of the gates opening. He kept fidgeting, imagining all the hundreds of ways in which things could go wrong. When the creaking noise finally reached his ears, he didn't even believe that it was real until the other two got to their feet and pressed their bodies to the wall.

They moved only when the sounds of many footsteps receded along the street. Sebastian moved to the left, and the both of them reached closer to the gate until all they would need to do to come upon it was take a few steps.

This time, the wait was shorter. It was a scream that broke the silence of the night that let them know that the fires had been lit. Slowly, they saw smoke emerging in the air above them, and the smell of wood burning reached them, too.

”Quickly, quickly! Come with me! We should put it out before it spreads to the other houses!”

A hurried shout appeared from somewhere near the gate, and once again, they creaked, signaling that they were being opened. With his heart in his mouth, Daneel ducked around the corner and saw that the coast was clear.