Raven had done it, something she had considered impossible, well until now that is. She had managed to break into the Treasury of the Nile. This was huge and considered stupidly suicidal to even think of doing. It was the most heavily guarded building in all of Nile. Even the Marquis’ own palace was less guarded than this and for good reason too. The Marquis can always be replaced, but the valuables in the Treasury cannot. The Treasury held everything: money, jewels, jewelry, deeds, declarations and so much more. And Raven had managed to break in, not of her own will of course. Raven always dreamt of stealing the many treasures hidden in the Treasury, but even she knew not to dare to break in. But a job is a job, and the reward was just too good to pass up.

Raven coughed on her drink as she was told what job was in store for her.

“You want me to do what? Are you fucking insane?!”

The man sitting in front of her nervously moved in his seat. He went by the name of Maxwell Sinclair, a member of the Council that help advised the Marquis. Within the Council itself, Maxwell held the most power and influence as he was close friends with the Marquis. He was a tall and very skinny man that looked like he could be snapped in two. He had a sharp angular face with piercing icy blue eyes. Rings covered literally each one of his fingers and wore lavish clothing. He wore extravagant tunics and robes of black and red. The colors of the district he controlled; the Black Rose.

“Speak louder why don’t you? I don’t think they heard you in Arnax.” Maxwell hissed but he immediately recomposed himself. “I want you to… break into the Treasury of the Nile. I’ve to my misfortune, misplaced a quite important letter that now resides in the Treasury. I need that letter back.”

Raven chuckled at the man. The higher-ups and their little letters, schemes, and plans, it made them so easy to blackmail.

“What’s the letter?”

“Pardon me?”

“What’s in the letter?”

“I do believe that someone of your status does not need to know what this letter is about,” Maxwell replied.

Raven nodded and took a sip of her ale, got up and looked down at him. “Well I appreciate the trip up here and the ale, but if I don’t know what the letter is, how can I possibly find it?” She asked as she turned around to head for the exit.

Raven felt a hand grab her from behind as well as Maxwell’s guards blocking her path.

‘Like fish in a barrel’, she thought to herself.

“Let’s not be too hasty now Raven, please sit,” Maxwell told her.

Raven sat back down as Maxwell beckoned a waiter to give her another glass of ale. Raven took a sip of the ale and made a mental note to come back here one day and pocket a few. It didn’t beat the rough alcohol that was offered at the Dog Pound of course.

“The letter is a letter of… condemnation or more precisely a letter to overthrow the Marquis.”

Raven raised a brow in fake surprise. She had suspected that the Marquis would eventually be involved in this.

“A letter to overthrow the Marquis? Why would you try to overthrow your closest friend?” Raven asked

“I feel like I don’t have to tell you this thief but before you decide to leave again I’ll tell you. Yes, the Marquis is a close friend but lately, he has become quite insufficient to lead the Nile. I fear that my poor old friend has let the absolute power of Marquis go to his head. We the Council cannot overthrow the Marquis, only aid him, and he has been neglecting our aid. This letter is for the betterment of every citizen in the Nile.” Maxwell explained.

“So I’m guessing your life is on the line. If the Marquis finds out about this letter, you’re done.”

Maxwell nodded. “Not just me, but the entire Council will be done for. The Marquis cannot simply remove a Council member from the Council without evidence and that letter will end the Council. It will bring the Nile back into an absolute monarchy that hasn’t been seen since five centuries ago.”

“I never took you for a man of the people Maxwell,” Raven noted.

Maxwell shrugged. “Now let’s get down to business.”

Raven nodded in agreement. “What are you offering me, Maxwell?”

“A full pardon of your crimes,” he replied back.

“That’s it? That’s basically nothing! I’ve evaded authorities all my life and have rarely been caught. It’s gonna cost you more than that to win me over.”

“You thugs are, all the same, wanting more after we gracefully give you so much. With a full pardon Raven, you wouldn’t have to worry every single day of having the authorities on you.”

Raven shrugged. “We’re a special breed. I may be a criminal, but I’m one of the best out there. I come with a heavy price.”

Maxwell, in the end, agreed to give Raven a large sum of gold, clearing her of crimes along with a house in Rosegarden. She also managed to get a new set of armor and weapons. She smiled to herself as she crept down the hall. The Treasury was eerily quiet. The outside was heavily guarded but the inside was empty. Did they think that the outside was impenetrable that they didn’t need any security? No that was stupid, there had to be at least some security inside the Treasury. Maybe Raven just hadn’t bumped into any security yet. Raven continued down the hall until she reached the Vault of the Treasury. Normally she would’ve had to crack the code but Maxwell was nice enough to give her the keys and code to open the Vault. The Vault door hissed and creaked as the gears and mechanisms inside the door started to work. Raven hurried into the room as the door started to close again. Raven turned around, only to be met with blades at her throat.

“Evening Raven Pearce. How good of you to join us.”

“Maxwell, I should’ve known this was a setup. The Treasury looked deserted.”

Maxwell laughed. “Of course. What did you expect? The Marquis and the Council would never decrease security. The Treasury is the lifeblood of the Nile. If anything were to be stolen, the Nile would go bankrupt.”

“I’m assuming the letter is fake, just a ruse to get me into the Treasury.”

Maxwell chuckled. He reached into his pocket and took out a letter. “I can assure you, Miss Raven, the letter is indeed real. But I could’ve always entered the Treasury and take the letter. I needed you put in jail. Your crimes have been a thorn in my side for a while. Knowing the Marquis, he has been suspecting a coup for a while. He knows about your exploits and your legendary skills and would’ve probably hired you. You were a nuisance to my plans, but no longer. Have fun in St. Marie Raven. You will never see the sun ever again.”