"–up. Wake up, boy."
The voice cut through Roan's sweet dream. He abruptly sat up and looked around like a frightened cat.
He shrank back in fear at the massive monster standing in front of him.
The monster tilted its head. Roan raised his arms to protect his face from being bitten when a strangely familiar voice cut through, "Are you alright?"
Then everything came rushing back. Roan let out an "Oh" before coughing in embarrassment.
He looked away from Dove and lied through his teeth, "I'm fine... just a nightmare."
In fact, he'd had quite a nice dream. The food must've done wonders. Remembering it, Roan's stomach grumbled.
He was already hungry? He must have slept for a long time.
"Boss is looking for you," Dove said, offering him a hand.
Roan shifted in place and looked at the hand for a few seconds before accepting it.
As he stood, he asked Dove, "Is it night?"
Dove shook his head. "It's afternoon."
Afternoon? He'd fallen asleep in the afternoon? Not much time had passed. Why was he hungry?
Seeing the confusion on Roan's face, Dove nodded and clarified, "You slept for a full day."
Roan blinked. "Sorry?"
"You slept for a full day," Dove patiently repeated.
Roan stared at him in shock. He'd slept for an entire day in a new and dangerous place? Was he really that tired? Or did he just miss the bed that much?
Doesn't matter, Roan told himself, and took a few deep breaths.
Within moments, his calm had returned. He gave Dove a grateful nod.
Dove said nothing, just opened the door and waited for Roan to step out before closing it behind him.
"The captains are here. We'll plan our second attack today," Dove said.
Roan looked at him in surprise.
"We found the actual middleman. He revealed the main location," Dove added.
Roan didn't ask what happened to the middleman.
After a moment of thought, he whispered, "Do they know? About the deal?"
Dove caught on and shook his head. Roan involuntarily let out a sigh of relief. He wasn't the only one in the dark. Though, they didn't even seem to know a deal existed.
Without further conversation, they entered the common hall.
Everyone looked their way as they entered. Boss nodded at Dove and gestured for Roan to stand at her side.
Roan straightened his back and walked forward at a brisk pace, ignoring Shila's glare.
Wryly smiling, he settled by Boss's left side.
Boss cleared her throat and clasped her hands behind her back. Instantly, all attention turned to her.
She looked at the crowd and said, "We found the location of the Loan Sharks' secret base."
Gasps and murmurs of excitement rippled through the group.
Boss raised a hand, and the noise vanished. Roan couldn't help but admire it.
"We have three objectives. First, we assassinate their boss. Second, we steal all the money they've collected. Third, when they're confused and disorganized, we strike together with the thieves. Any objections?"
Slovan cleared his throat. "How will the money be split?"
Although some gave him disdainful looks, everyone was clearly interested in the answer.
"Half and half," Boss said simply.
That was fair, Roan thought—and it seemed others agreed.
A short but muscular man asked, "Where is the base? And will the attack happen now?"
That was Havin—an old enforcer of the Sharks. Roan suspected he was a spy.
"Tonight," Boss replied. "It's in the eastern outskirts, Fashili district. Beneath Butcher Shakil's shop. They use part of the old sewer system as their base."
Roan cursed under his breath. That kind of open disclosure would get them killed—if there was a spy, which he was sure there was.
"All of you are to gather your men at six bells sharp. Meet at our warehouse. Use the tunnels. We can't risk alerting them," Boss finished.
She scanned the room for objections, then said, "You're dismissed."
She turned to Robber, who had been fuming the entire time. "Robber, come with me."
Cursing under his breath, Robber followed her into the chamber.
As soon as he entered, his expression changed to barely contained excitement.
Roan looked at him in confusion—only to notice no one else seemed confused.
A realization dawned on him. Before he could dwell on it, Robber spoke.
"Is it finally time?"
Boss nodded as she sat in her chair. Shila took her usual seat on the right. A third chair now sat to her left.
Roan silently asked for permission, received a nod, and unceremoniously sat down.
Robber looked at him with suspicion and asked Boss, "Is he trustworthy?"
"We have leverage," Boss said easily.
They did. His life, Roan darkly mused and kept silent.
Robber looked relieved. Roan suspected he wouldn't have been as relieved if Boss had simply said "yes."
Robber sat in front of them and asked with a twisted smile, "What's the plan?"
"You will betray us and sell the thieves guild's location to the flesh merchants," Boss said plainly.
As expected. They were backstabbing the thieves.
Robber looked like he wanted to jump with joy.
But Boss continued, "Havin will sell our information. The flesh merchants will catch the crew sent by the thieves to assassinate their leader. That's when you go in. When they let their guard down, use Rose poison from the stock, mix it into all their food, and wait two bells before stealing the money."
Roan sat in stunned silence. If this plan succeeded, they'd get rid of two gangs in a single day.
Robber mulled it over, then grunted, "It's a fair trade."
Boss said nothing. Shila spoke instead. "Go find Dove. He has the location."
Robber nodded and quickly left.
Roan opened his mouth, then closed it. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before asking, "Is that... wise? I thought the thieves were part of the deal. Are they not?"
Boss chuckled. "They are."
"Won't the lord be angry if we betray them?" Roan asked cautiously.
Boss scoffed. "I highly doubt that. Besides, we're not betraying them."
"What do you mean? You just—" Roan began, before his eyes widened in realization.
The thieves knew. They were going to ambush the flesh merchants.
"What if they don't believe Robber?" Roan asked.
"They will. We've prepared for this for a long time," Boss replied, unconcerned.
"What if they still don't believe him?" Roan pressed.
Boss shrugged. "Then we go with the first plan and attack the Sharks."
Roan gaped. It took him a moment to collect himself. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "Won't Robber cause problems later?"
"Don't worry. He'll get what he wants," Boss said dismissively.
Roan blinked. Before he could respond, Boss stood, and Shila followed suit. He quickly rose beside them.
"Come. We have a meeting to attend," Boss said and walked out.
They followed in silence.