128 A Problem (1/2)

One day later.

Strolling through the streets that they had had to sneak through just a few days ago, Daneel, Mors and Alex looked like casual tourists who had arrived to take in the sights of the area.

While they ignored the longwinded explanations being given by the woman with silky hair and a silky voice, Daneel reflected that tourists were a lot like thieves. Both took in everything they could and imprinted them into memory, and where the former's motive ended with this act, the latter's begun.

They had already seen two or three defensive methods that neither of them had been able to glimpse on their covert scouting mission before. Each time this had happened, they had looked between each other, thinking about the fact that this was really the best way they could have gone about their task…for if they had chosen to move in on the vaults with only the information they had gathered then, they would definitely have found themselves in hot soup.

The reason behind waiting for a day was that as those with noble background, there was no way that they could act eagerly. They had to be patient, and hence, the day had passed quite enjoyably, in fact, due to the exotic dishes that kept being sent to them and the veiled invitations from men and women who sought to pleasure them in any way they might like.

Alex had had to be convinced to reject the latter. It was Mors who put his foot down and said that it was implausible for anyone with a background like theirs to succumb to such things. This had left the thief sullen, but he had settled for the food and wine, just like Daneel.

This morning, they had been invited personally by the woman for a tour, and they had obliged, already having planned to go out and finalize the minutiae of the rest of what they were going to do. The woman blathered on and on, the two men beside her constantly glancing in their direction to make sure they were entertained, or at least, not displeased, and in this way, the afternoon came and went without incident.

Towards the evening, they went to the vaults which were underground. A team of over a hundred guards was in charge of keeping them secure day and night. Knowing that they would be coming, all of the guards had had their weapons and armor polished, and the moment their contingent appeared, all of them made an impressive display of standing to attention and kneeling with their swords raised, as if they were ready to serve.

It had to be said that the three leaders were definitely apt in tempting those who might want to do business with them, especially now that they knew what was expected. Daneel counted them making at least five hidden invitations, all describing how happy they would be if they could serve in any way possible, no matter what it was.

As they had discussed before, the three of them walked out of the vaults with thoughtful looks. In silence, they were escorted back to the mansion they were staying in…and there, the others departed, leaving them alone to make their decision.

The moment he entered the room, Alex sprawled on to his chair again, and the elf sat down, looking much more unburdened now that he could see that everything was going smoothly. From the way he had acted until now, it was obvious that this was his first time being part of such a thing, but the ancient being was definitely taking it in stride, learning quickly about what he should and shouldn't do, and always looking regal and kingly, as he truly was one the princes that he was pretending to be.

”Alright. For the final step, I suggest that we—”

15 minutes had passed since they had been left alone, and Daneel had already finalized what they were going to do. He had just been about to explain it to his comrades…but a loud knock on the door suddenly interrupted him.

Feeling a faint prickle in the back of his neck that made him wonder whether something had gone wrong, he waited for Alex to get up and go to the gigantic wooden entryway of the meeting room. He threw them open with practiced grace, as if he had been born in the mansion, and furrowed his eyebrows when he saw the one standing outside.