The Lieutenant's mistake

As I made my way through the dimly lit streets, I couldn’t help but think about Matilda and what I did to her. Giving her sweets wouldn’t be enough, I need to apologize sincerely to her. Before that thought, I need to settle this.

“There’s my target, he looks awfully chipper right now.”

I hid in the shadows of an alley way, in my line of sight stood Minister Bartalow. Bartalow was a minister of finance in Cymos, and while investigating the trail of the narcotics ring, I noticed something. Lately Bartalow had been enjoying extravagances he usually couldn’t, it was like he had extra disposable income. I didn’t know anything for sure, but I’ve always been one to follow a hunch. On top of that, I don’t have time to waste, Sneed is busy on his end too. The last thing I want is to end up losing to him.

As Bartalow made his way through the city streets, I followed him from the shadows. His face carried the redness of a drunk, this works in my favor. He won’t even know what hit him. As I tailed him, we eventually made it to a brothel. Bartalow made his way inside, I adjusted my dark robe and did the same. As I walked through the doorway, I saw Bartalow start reading for the back. I tried to follow, but instead found myself stopped by the bodyguard at the door.

“Sorry members only.”

“Sir you don’t understand, we’re together.”

“That’s bull and you know it.”

Damn, this guy’s persistent, I had no choice but to slip behind him and knock him out. With the guard down I walked inside, only to be shocked by the atmosphere of the establishment. The sign said open, but there were no customers inside. At least I thought that, until I heard a man’s voice.

“Come on, I had five minutes left!”

“Sorry, we have an important guest, and he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s here.”

An important guest? Of course, the establishment was bought off. The security was told to keep everyone out once Bartalow arrived. I stood pondering my next move, until I heard glass shatter behind me. I turned to see a wench staring at me, the drinks on her platter now on the floor.

“Who are you, Derrick was supposed to keep the customers out!”

Soon more of the workers appeared, some were armed. I pulled out my wallet and tossed the contents in the air. The wenches surrounded the money and began fighting over it. I used this chance to slip by and reach the room Bartalow was in. While making it to the backrooms, I began hearing a conversation.

“Not to worry, I made it look like I was drunk. All they’ll think is that the minister of finance was seen at a brothel.”

“For your sake, I hope you weren’t followed.”

The minister's voice sounded restrained, as if he had to be careful with his words. As I followed voices I reached the room where they were talking, Bartalow was sweating profusely, in front of him stood a man in a dark robe. He wore a silver mask with a falcon design on his face, and behind him stood two goons. One was short and the other tall and muscular, but what was damning was what laid on the table. There were documents, most likely pertaining to the sale of the narcotics. If I could get those documents, I would be-

“Bartalow, I thought you said you weren’t followed?”

“Y-Yes, I assure you I wasn’t. I swear on our nation, your excellency!”

Crap did he notice me? Before I could utter another thought, A spear of ice hurled toward the cabinet I hid behind. I jumped out from my cover, only to get pinned to the wall by a pillar of ice. Breathing became difficult, a few of my ribs were damaged too. Bartalow looked shocked seeing me, but that's when something strange happened. The henchmen pointed at me, that’s when I noticed my hodd was knocked off.

“There she is boss, there’s the knight who’s been after us!”

That voice, it sounds familiar-Don’t tell me! I managed to move my left arm and I pulled out my pocket knife. I aimed it at the short goon that called me out, knocking off his hood.

“No way, you gotta be kidding me…”

It was Granny Hamon, standing broad without a limp. My knife grazed her face, revealing that there was something underneath. The goon removed his mask, revealing the gaunt face of a crook. I knew that face, it was from a criminal that escaped with his partner during a caravan accident. The accident was two months ago, Granny Hamon and her husband lived her for years, so how…

“What did you do?”

“Huh?”

“Answer me! Where are the real Granny Hamon and Papi Jenkins!”

The crook smiled at me and laughed, the other goon joined him as he removed his mask too. They weren’t Cymos’ most renowned old couple, they were the Bobcat brothers. A well-known duo of thieves that were apprehended up until a few months ago. If their here, that means-

“As you guessed girly, I’m no granny. The names Rob and tat there’s Bob, as for those cute elders.”

“Hehe, we killed em’! They were so scared, telling us they had grandkids.”

I shuddered, Matilda was right, she was terrifyingly right. The people I thought they were are dead, they took their identities and began new crimes in this city. The thieves laughed at my face, but not before asking their boss something.

“Hey boss, can we have some fun with this one?”

“Yeah, I could use a punching bag.”

The two began snickering as they decided how to handle me, I shuddered realizing I had no way to fight back. They started moving towards me, I was about to scream.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

The floor began to freeze, those two looked back to see the expressionless rage of their boss.

“You revealed your identities, they can’t be used anymore. Not to mention, I didn’t order you to approach her.”

Rob and Bob froze realizing their boss was about to execute them, they kneeled onto the freezing floor trembling. As for their leader, he approached me.

“Ah, I know you. You’re Kesandra Platts, correct?”

I was taken aback, how did he know my name? More importantly, his voice, I heard this man’s voice somewhere. Before I could mentally note the information I gained, the man choked me and looked into my eyes.

“Apologies my dear actress, but the time has come for you to leave the stage.”

My skin started to feel cold, my head became foggy. He had begun to freeze my body, my temp was dropping fast. I guess this is the end-

“This is a raid, nobody moves!”

-Was what I initially thought. The man removed his hand from my neck, my body heat started to return.

“Damn! The city garrison is here, Bartalow, how many people followed you!?!”

“I’m sorry my lord I-”

“Enough, let’s retreat. I can’t afford to be discovered.”

They began running for the exit door, but not before the masked man gave me a look. His face was obscured, but I could tell it was a glare. It wasn’t until he left that I started breathing again, but that begs the question. How am I still alive? Who called the city garrison?

“Lieutenant! Are you okay, Lieutenant, please respond to me!”