133 The Final Step 1 (1/2)

Using the elven spell of concealment, Daneel once again marched through the island of Larefa without a concern on his mind until he reached the border of the town, where he dispelled his magic and entered covertly, trying hard to keep out of sight of any of the guards posted around the place.

He didn't have too much difficulty, thankfully, because most of the guards had been assigned to the vault to show that there were always so many people assiduously guarding the location that they would soon make use of. Also, trusting that the newcomers were powerful enough, or particular enough to see to their own defenses, many of the security personnel around the mansion they had been given had been removed, making it even easier to enter, unseen, and startle Alex by knocking loudly on the door, then dumping the body inside before anyone could respond.

Alex had opened the door after a very brief pause, which led him to understand that the thief might have been pacing nervously, wondering whether Daneel would finish the job or mess up and make it so that they would have to leave without finishing the scam. The moment he saw the body of the mage fly past him, he was surprised, but getting over it quickly, he ran to the pretty guy and kicked him in his ribs, over and over again, until the mage grunted and almost seemed ready to wake up.

In a flash, the elf acted, casting a spell at such blinding speed that Daneel could only catch a hint of air and fire being used together. An angry swelling that appeared on his head made it obvious, though, that the ancient being had also used something like a hammer to knock him out, so with a grin, Daneel entered and closed the door behind him.

This time, it was not a dead body from which the elf could pick up traces regarding how the battle had gone. Still, he looked to Daneel, expecting some sort of an explanation, but with a shrug, Daneel just said, ”As you suggested, I caught him off guard. I bumped him on his head with a boulder, and here he is. His eyes were up in the air, either imagining you swooping down and killing him, or thinking of the woman he left behind. Either way… I just faced a bit of opposition from some charm. He just took two hits, though, and here we are!”

Cheerfully, he poured himself some tea and took a seat, purposefully avoiding the elf's eyes which were calculating and measuring Daneel, trying to ascertain whether he was telling the whole truth. Of course, what he had told was anything but what had happened, but with the system helping him to lie, there was no way that Mors could figure this out.

He made the suggestion in an all too casual tone, and even though the elf's eyes narrowed as if he had caught a hint of Daneel's true intention, he finally let it go and nodded before motioning at him to turn away. Daneel obliged, the air shifted behind him, and a few moments later, the sound of deep snoring filled the room.

Snorting with disgust, Alex picked up the body just as roughly as Daneel had carried it until now and chucked it inside one of the rooms of the mansion. He locked the door carefully, making sure that he checked five times that the lock would hold, and even after that, he told the elf to cast some sort of a warning spell so that they would be alerted if someone tried to break in.

With this task done, too, Daneel turned to both of them and said, ”Alright, it's time to move onto the final step. We can't let any more problems arise… so let's continue with the scam. Both of you know what to do, right? Mors, when will you depart?”

The elf actually frowned as he heard this, glancing at the corner of the room where the ripped off portion of his dress lay. Then, taking a few seconds and apparently telling himself that it was the last time he would have to do this, he said, ”After we reveal the true purpose behind us coming here. I do not wish to miss that, and I should have ample time to do what is needed afterward.”

Nodding, Daneel turned to the thief, who stood up in response and spoke while he walked to the door.

”Mors said those fuckers came close two or three times before scurrying away, scared to ask how much time it will take, probably. They will definitely jump at the opportunity now when I say that we're finally ready to talk.Franly, I'm interested to see how this will play out.”

A few minutes later, they were all seated inside the central mansion of the town, on chairs added in front of a marble fountain that must have been grand until their arrival. It's melted head with a testament to their power, and studying it, Daneel once again felt grateful that he had the system which had recorded that spell, too, and held it ready to be used when the need arose.

Between the chairs was a pile of ash, dumped there by Alex the moment they arrived. It was just soot he had taken out of a lamp in the mansion...but without saying a word, he convinced the three that it was all that remained of the mage.