A man covered by a dark cloak was silently stalking down a dimly lit corridor. Even stepping atop the marble floor, his steps were soundless. Further ahead he could already make out a locked vault door.

How lucky the guards didn’t believe anyone would make it this far.

The mantled man continued creeping quietly down the dark hallway, the small amount of torchlight seemingly warping around his cowled body. Upon finally reaching his destination he began carefully picking the lock, working as quickly as he could without risking a mistake.

Alas, after today I will finally have a leisurely life!

He heard that satisfying *click*, signifying his ultimate success. The door slowly creaked open, revealing the vault’s splendor. It was truly a magnificent-

“Wake up you lazy bum!”

…sight.

After having been so rudely awakened, he groggily opened his eyes. He wasn’t much of a morning person to begin with but getting woken shortly before the climax of one’s dream is especially irritating. The horizon was showered in the first rays of sunlight, tinting the sky above it a dark shade of red. Truly a dreadful sight.

“The sun isn’t even out yet! I could’ve slept for at least another twenty minutes”, he groaned.

“Oh, don’t be a baby Jeffrey! You’ll need to be in top shape for our *ahem* mission”, the fully armored man replied from atop his horse.

Jeffrey was quite certain that anyone with at least half a brain would have overheard his Partner’s fake cough. Thankfully the only person around was the wagon driver and he was as dimwitted as people get. Speaking of which…

“The wagon’s still moving!”, he said accusingly.

“And?”, answered his partner nonchalantly.

“That means we're still on the road!”, he observed. “Which means we aren’t even at our destination yet! You definitely woke me up too early.”

“Well we can’t have you being sleepy on the job. I’m sure our clients wouldn’t appreciate that. The earlier you get up, the more time you have to become fully conscious.”

“That’s precisely why you should have let me sleep longer!”, he spat. “I’m the backbone of your little plan. There’s no way you could pull it off without me. I believe someone of such importance should be allowed to sleep as long as they like.”

“Hold your horses lad! My organization not only paid for all your traveling expenses, but even gave you all the necessary tools for the operation. That cloak you’re wearing wasn’t cheap you know?” he remarked. “Not to mention that you will be compensated quite handsomely for your time.”

That remark made him quiet down. It’s true. No matter how skilled he was, he couldn’t have gotten this opportunity without a little help. That didn’t mean he couldn’t wish for a better partner. Maybe a pretty brunette, instead of a tall, brutish man.

Oh well, once this is over it will have all been worth it.

He looked out the front of the wagon. The road was sandwiched between giant fields on both sides. He could see a small city in the distance, its tallest buildings barely three stories high.

What a dump, I miss Khiziel already. It won’t matter though; I don’t care how little money we’ll get out of here; my pay is more than enough to keep me interested.

Having spent the next hour eating breakfast and ironing out the details of their plan, it was finally time to commence their operation.

This will be easier than taking candy from a baby.