Once a Thief: Prologue

Once a Thief: Prologue
----- This Can't Be Good... -----

(Written by Bampot/Six)



Olgen stepped into the darkened alleyway, checking over his shoulder for what seemed like the hundredth time. His footfalls echoed as he walked further in, cursing to himself as he stepped ankle-deep into a puddle. He pulled the collar of his coat up around his neck, trying to keep the misting rain from chilling him completely.

Olgen gave a quick shriek when in the darkness, a few meters away, a match suddenly lit.

"Geez Olgen, don't shit your trousers...jumpy are we?" The unmistakable angular face of Spurlock was illuminated by the match's flame for a split second, before just the burning ember of the end of his cigarette could be seen. The tall, bald owner of the Emporium stepped out into the dim light of the alleyway.

"Sorry..." Olgen said, running a hand over his mouth and chin. "Didn't see you there...wasn't sure anyone would show."

"I don't think this is a meeting anyone would want to miss." Spurlock said, taking a long drag on his cigarette.

Olgen was about to respond when footfalls of several others echoed on the street nearby. The two men gave each other a glance when the last member of the meeting arrived. Flanked by two humans, a small asura made his way down the alley toward Spurlock and Olgen.

"Gentlemen, I am glad you are punctual." the asura said, turning his attention to the owner of the Emporium. "Ahh Spurlock, I trust my explosives did the trick?"

Spurlock nodded and finished his last drag of his cigarette, blowing smoke upward before speaking. "Damn right it did, and good. Barrox, the Black Rose, Plopp and the kid...nothing but ashes."

"Which leaves one major competitor out of your hair, more business for your fencing and aqquirement operations. And you Olgen, I trust your first shipment will be arriving soon?"

"It will arrive at the Emporium tonight," Olgen said, his brow furrowed. "One hundred and fifty cases of counterfeit In Dejar wine. My father assures of it's delivery."

"Very well, all is going to plan. Spurlock, thanks to my explosives, you rid yourself of Barrox and his brood. Olgen, once you flood the market with the counterfeit wine with help from Spurlock and his Emporium, you will rid yourself of an up and coming competitor and be poised to be the premier winery."

Olgen once again glanced to Spurlock before looking back to the asura and his two silent human guards. "So what do you get out of all of this?"

Professor Lennk grinned, his sharp asuran teeth gleaming in the dim light.  "Once House Dejarin is ruined and weakened, I will get exactly what...make that who, I want."


[To be Continued...]