Crawling across the roof of Ramon's townhouse, I peek over the eaves and spy a patrol of Order Knights and conscripts rushing through the streets of Temple, heading directly to the district border. Christina's stunt of nearly casting a magical bombardment in the middle of Deshawn City had stirred up a hornet's nest, and the Order of Impartial justice had decided to put on a show of force against House Robeur. The gendarme buzzing about like flies around the border wasn't helping matters either. The Order would be having its hands full for the next few hours at least.

Confirming that the coast is clear, I clamber down the side of the building and force open a window on the second floor, letting me slip inside without any further trouble. My feet sink into the thick, expensive rugs that carpet the room as I slam the window shut behind me. Mindful that any vanilla burglar could drop in through the same window now that the lock had been broken, I begin looking about the room for anything that I could use the block the window off.

"Money doesn't buy taste it seems." I sigh, taking in Ramon's interior decoration.

Red velvet has been draped across the ceilings and walls of the room, forming a cocoon around the massive bed right at the room's center. There's a minibar installed in one of the corners while a long table right in front by the wall is decorated by a marble pair of nude figures embracing one another. Taking a closer look at the small statue, I realize that it represents Hero Gallant and his lover, mistress, companion, whatever you want to call her.

She was some priestess of the god Pahlaver if I remember my history classes correctly. Joined early on in Hero Gallant's quest, fell in love with him, but could not get married because of Gallant's other obligations. Hero Gallant had to get hitched to a princess of the royal family to preserve the peace of the world, or so the story goes. When Hero Gallant decided to explore the Beyond, the priestess decided to accompany him and they disappeared together.

No one actually knows what happened to Hero Gallant in the Beyond, but for those that wanted to take the piss out of him, it was easy to claim that the hero's final trip into the Beyond was merely a plot to elope with the priestess. Gallant's reputation survived the rumors of course, at the end of the day, he was the one that defeated the demon king, not some riled up noble or drunk at the tavern. Still, the story endured, and it became part of the man's legend all the same.

My eyes finally settle upon a row of heavy wardrobes lined against one of the walls. Finally, something I can use.

Grabbing one of the wardrobes, I lift with my enhanced strength, careful not to damage either the wardrobe or the rugs. I came here intending to get a favor for Ramon, so I don't want to piss him off unnecessarily. Shuffling around the room like a crab, I place the wardrobe back down in front of the broken window, blocking it off entirely.

Great. That's one problem solved.

"Ramon." I whisper while leaving the bedroom, but there's no response at all. A cursory glance tells me the bathroom is empty, so I head downstairs to the ground floor of the townhouse.

Now this was territory I was familiar with. Ramon did business from his home, and both Guy and myself had visited him multiple times to trade in the stuff that we 'found' at the railyard. Unlike the gaudy bedroom, the sitting area was decorated in the style that facilitated a sit down meeting. Leather sofa and hard wood chair combo. A few plants scattered here and there for some color. Separated by a set of blinds was the kitchen, he would sometimes go inside to bring Guy and I snacks once the negotiations were done.

But the ground floor is now completely dark and silent. I had been nervous about Ramon's reaction to me breaking in, but it turned out that he was not at home all this time.

"Damn." I click my tongue in annoyance. I had wanted to ask for Ramon's help in escaping Deshawn City. Make use of some of his contacts to smuggle me out.

NEXT IN LINE? RISING PRODIGY IN HOUSE ROBEUR -

"Bah." I grumble, tossing the newspaper aside so that I don't need to look at an artist's rendition of Henrik staring at me in the face. More importantly though, the newspaper is a few days old. Either Ramon had gotten lazy in getting rid of the trash, or he had not returned home recently.

With nothing else to do, I take a seat on the sofa and pull out that wanted poster I had snatched off the wall earlier to take a closer look. With all the recent excitement, I did not even know why there was a manhunt out to kill me.

"WANTED" blares the poster unhelpfully, a portrait of my face framed between blocky script.

MAC NAIR ALSO KNOWN AS THE MIDNIGHT STABBER

"What!" I almost yell in shock. This is ridiculous. Why am I being fingered as a serial killer? And as my eyes continue to scan the poster, finally reaching the part listing my alleged crimes, horror dawns upon me.

MURDER OF CIVIL MAGE GUY NAHEL OF THE HOUSE OF ROBEUR

"Fuck. Fuck." I groan, sinking deeper into the sofa, cold sweat running down my brow.

DEAD OR ALIVE

The gendarme thinks I killed Guy. Wanted posters with my face have been pasted all over Deshawn City. House Robeur is after my blood for supposedly killing one of their people.

I'm so screwed.

I sink my head into my hands, trying to get in control of the mounting panic threatening to overwhelm me. Stay calm. I have to stay calm. Losing it will mean losing my life next. This is no different from any other battle. Assess the situation, then take action. Swallowing hard, I take a deep calming breath.

Let's take stock.

I can't count on Ramon. If he believes the rot printed on the wanted posters, he's not likely to help me. In fact, Ramon might even turn me in to the gendarme. So I had really lucked out when breaking into his home. Ramon not being in saves me the trouble of a possible confrontation. The poster also does not say of any reward for my death or capture. The gendarme must want to give House Robeur dibs on taking me out.

All this means that I don't have to worry about the Order, for the time being at least. They won't hassle me, as long as there's no money in it. Despite the recent revelations about my situation, Ramon's home remains a temporary sanctuary for me. But there's no telling when he will be back. And once that happens, I might need to become a murderer for real.

Getting back to my feet, I head back upstairs to Ramon's bedroom. I might not be able to rely on my partner in crime, but there's still some assistance Ramon could provide me. I start by pulling open the wardrobes and am greeted by a mixture of Ramon's regular clothes and various fetish wear made for women. There's even a wardrobe full of the maid uniforms he lent to me the other day. No wonder Ramon's fiancée dumped his ass. That guy must have a small army worth of sex friends if the number of fetish outfits he has lying about is any indication.

Digging deeper into the wardrobes, I manage to find a bag of gold coins which are quickly pocket. I can't return to Robeur Keep to collect my savings, so borrowing some money from Ramon is the next best alternative. Gold will always come in handy, no matter where I run of to. Among Ramon's shirts hangs a small ladies pistol, the type that he keeps hidden up one of his sleeves. I have no idea how Ramon pulls that fast draw trick of his with the gun, so I decide to ignore the weapon. Now is not the time to experiment anyway. Stick to the tried and true, namely stabbing enemies with my sword.

A fairly meagre haul, but not unexpected. Ramon's a more or less legitimate businessman, not a warrior. He wouldn't have any armor or hard hitting weapons kept around the house. I then move on to the bathroom, which contains little more than an iron bathtub, porcelain sink and a medicine cabinet.

"Jackpot." I smile, the medicine cabinet revealing its contents to me, a small cache of healing potions. Yeah, Ramon would need this stuff, wouldn't he? What with the number of holes he sticks his little brother into. While I am mildly curious as to whether Ramon's little brother would drop off the moment he stops chugging the potions, for now my need is greater than his. The healing potions are quickly fastened to my belt as I leave the bathroom.

Well, all that's left is to wait for night to fall, and hope Ramon doesn't return before then. I go to the minibar and pour myself a strong drink, downing it neat in a single gulp. The brandy burns its way down my throat and warmth blossoms in my stomach.

"Stupid." I cough, clearing my throat of the irritation, "Shouldn't have done that."

Settling against the wall, I hug my sword tightly and shut my eyes. No point worrying now.

Whatever will be, will be.