2

When we enter the tunnels, I am extra careful to make sure that there is no way that anybody would be able to find the entrance behind us. There is too much at stake for them to follow us. If we are to get caught then everything will be over. I will end up imprisoned and then possibly killed for the theft and Hunt could end up there along with me since I know that he will not let me go on my own. 

Instead, I make sure that we are not being followed as we take off down the tunnels. There is very little light down here and plenty of moisture so we cannot move too quickly or stealthily without getting hurt. Still, we make our way along the tunnel at a decent pace and keep moving until we reach the end of the tunnel on the outskirts of a small town. 

The town, I believe, is called Leonas. Named after our esteemed King, or so they say. It is a small town that often caters to the King's knights and sometimes even the royal family as they head off to just about anywhere. It is the last place that the King's men would look for me since it is right under their noses. And, it is the best place to get information. I consider this to be the closest thing that we have to a safe have.

Since we are running though, we circle around the town and head in from the opposite direction. I would not want anybody mentioning the fact that we looked like we had just run into town from the castle. That might be just a little suspicious. We are going to want to find some type of work so that we can gather information and, in general, stay alive. That sounds like a fantastic idea right about now. 

"What is your plan?" Hunt asks as we continue our walk into the town. 

I look over at him. It is hard to ignore the fact that he is absolutely gorgeous. He might be my best friend but he is quite something to look at. He has sandy blonde hair, bright blue eyes and is built like a knight. Not much more that anybody could ask for when it comes to his looks. Sadly, he just is not my type or else we could have had a lot of fun recently. Still, as my best friend he does deserve some type of answers.

"I do not have one past staying alive. Right now, that is all that matters. If you would like to help me with that then you are more than welcome to." I tell him with just a smidge of sarcasm.

He shoots me a dirty look but does not say anything as we pass by a couple of guards on the outskirts of town. The guards both nod at us as we continue on our way in. The entrance from the other end looks as if it is being blocked. We made the correct choice in circling around when we decided to stop in here.

"Well, I kinda figured that. But, what is the next step? I really do not want to be on the run forever." Hunt hisses to me.

"You do not have to be. I do. You can go back to our normal life if you want. There is no shame in it. I made my own bed." I point out helpfully.

He sighs and shoots me a glare. I know that I am not always the easiest person to be friends with but by now he should know that. It is not like he has  not had plenty of time to get to know me in our past. We have been together for as long as I can remember. He is the only reason that I am still alive at this point. He has always been my voice of reason.

He is also the reason that we joined the Thieve's Guild recently. He knew that with us stealing just enough to survive we would eventually get caught. If we were to join the Guild though, they would protect us. They would help us thrive and we would not have to constantly try avoiding their attention in the streets. If you can't beat them, join them right?

That sounds all good and stuff as long as you do not get thrown to the wolves. If I had never accepted that last job in the first place then we would not be in this mess. We would still be out there living our lives like normal while some other sad person tried to steal from the King. They would not have been as successful as I was though.

Speaking of, I had to stash the crown in the tunnels before we left them. There is no way that I could keep that hidden forever. Somebody would have eventually found it. Hopefully, nobody happens upon the tunnels and goes inside just to pry loose a stone and find the crown hidden inside. Just seems like too much of a coincidence to be found that way. I hope.

"You know that I would never leave you alone. No matter what. We are always in this together. So, what is the plan?" He reiterates with more intent this time.

"For now, I am going to get a job at that tavern there. I can listen to all of the rumors and learn everything possible before heading back to the Guild. I would not want Raoul to think the he got the upper hand so when I go back I am going to be ready." I say.

Hunt flinches at the casual mention of the fact that Raoul seems to have it out for me. He is the leader of the Thieve's Guild and ever since we joined it has seemed as if he wants me gone. Not just out either, but gone. Completely. I will just have to add him to the list that seems to be getting longer and longer lately.