Botched Robbery

[Tonoc Belost]

Tonoc had been staking this place out for three days, although he had learned a lot about guard routes and habits no one told him how boring it would be. At first Tonoc had believed that the rather large house, close to the gated community limits was unguarded. That theory had been proved wrong when the same two guards came back day after day. One stood against the wall with a visible slouch, at full height he must have been two heads taller than Tonoc. With a massive mop of greasy hair and a patchwork beard and mustache Tonoc had decided to call this one Hairy. The other guard was shorter and seemingly much more solid human, about the same height as Tonoc, yet at least 50 lbs. heavier. Both had short swords which never left their sides. The guards seemed to switch shifts every 6-8 hours, one going in the house and one taking his place. Whatever was in there was valuable enough to protect 24/7. Yet even after a couple days Tonoc still wasn’t sure how he was going to get inside. The place was almost a mini fortress, all the windows were located on the second floor, and the only door he knew of was guarded 24/7, with the possibility of guard wandering inside. Most attempts at robbery would stop right there, no apparent entrance coupled with guards around the clock would end the average thieves dream before it could get started. Tonoc was different, he was determined to find a way in, and that might take days but he was willing to wait that long. Leaving his place slinking across the street he was going to try to do a walk around, there was an alley a couple buildings to the side and he wanted to see if he could get in through there. Poking his head around the side wall to have a peak into the alley he saw nothing unfamiliar. A few homeless people huddled against the walls not even bothering to look up as he strode into the ally. The buildings were rather short here, only standing about twice his height to the roof, with the aid of a barrel he could easily get up. The walls were dingy and covered in thick slimly mold. “Lets see if there are any entrances down here”

[Tonoc Belost]

Carefully sticking to the shadows, Tonoc ever so slowly continued to creep down the alley, taking care to make the least amount of noise possible. The ally had narrowed considerably light from the sun getting dimmer. Slowly pulling the cowl of his cloak over his head he continued to step heel to toe, feeling for objects that could make sound. Maneuvering around a plank he heard a sound, the hinges of an unoiled door coming from deeper into the alley. He had taken multiple twists and turns by now and he was unsure of where exactly he was in relation to the building. “We are all clear with the details right?” A gruff voice came echoing out of the back of the alley, “I don’t want anything getting messed up now that we are so close”. “uhh yes, everything is all set” came a second, much quitter voice. “Everything is taken care of; we will get it all under control.” The second man stuttered, he sounded afraid. After a quick exchange Tonoc could not make out, footsteps rapidly started to approach him. Throwing himself into the grimy wall and tossing his cloak over him he tried slow is breathing, for the most part failing. The low light conditions would be his only hope. Tonoc’s heart was beating out of his chest; he was slightly surprised the man had not heard it already. The man walked directly past Tonoc, for a few tense moments he expected the man to swing around and stab him but he continued walking. After a few minutes he sank to the floor, finally letting himself relax enough to take a deep breath. “That was way to close” he thought to himself as he made his back out of the ally. Not wanting to get caught if anyone else were to make their way out the building and had to travel through the alley.

[Tonoc Belost]

Tonoc waited, he was becoming good at this so called “game”. He had hardly reached what one would call bored when Hairy walked directly into the alley without a moment’s notice. Eyes widening a little bit he again waited, would the other shorter guard walk out? Sure enough twenty chimes later he strode directly out of the alley, seemingly to head to the nearest bar to pass the time until his next shift. Tonoc waited a few minutes to make sure he left then jumped into the steady stream of people, slipping into the alley as the stream carried him past. Making his way down the alley more quickly this time he reached the door, located about 60 yards deep into the alley. The door was sturdy and extremely thick, with a small latch and key hole, giving the door very light push seemed to do nothing. Tonoc set his ear to the door but he could hear nothing. Taking a deep breath he grabbed ahold of the latch and turned slowly, trying to make as little sound as possible. Incredibly the latch gave way and the door slid open, making a horrible noise as it did. Tonoc whipped his head around, all his senses on full alert, yet no one seemed to have heard, at least as far as he could tell. Looking into the now ajar door there was a hallway dimly light by flickering lanterns. Their light played off the walls seeming to dance up and down at random intervals. Against his better judgment Tonoc found himself crouched and slowly walking down the hall, peering into doorways, looking for anything that may be worthwhile. It would be much better for him to get something from this level and get out before he gave himself away with a rash action. An open door on the right side of his hallway caught his attention, peering in revealed an empty room with a table and a few chairs, nothing that caught his eye as being valuable. Continuing around a curve in the hallway he found himself at the bottom of a stair case, at the top he could hear the fain echo of voices, he was not alone.