He was dead. Lethilian’s most infamous Thief King was no more, brought to justice by a fire that had burned so strong it had lasted almost two whole days. Five and half buildings had succumbed to its anger and over a dozen souls. All that remained of the Dancer was ash, debris and a part of the stone hearth. 

Upon the street, laying a freshly cut bunch of winter flowers was his sister - tears streaming down her small, innocent face. Her life had not proven worthy of her in its ten years. She deserved fat better than what had been given and part of it was his fault. Kole saw it now. He had wanted so bad to offer her a life free of danger and hunger. He had managed to secure a spot in Porter’s school for the poor, managed to encourage her love of art and even secured a place in Sera’s dependable heart. Yet, he had failed to give her what every ten year old truly needs. A family.

Hannah stepped back from where she had placed the flowers. They were not the only bunch that lined the street. He supposed not all were for him. It had been the King’s funeral recently and many Lethilians had shown their grief at the loss by cutting flowers outside the city walls.

Sera was waiting for Hannah a few paces away. Her arms had been wrapped around her torso, but she opened them to embrace Hannah. She stroked the wild-haired child’s locks, her nose visibly red even from where Kole sat, hidden from view. Chase was next to him, both to watch him and guard him.

“I thought last time was hard,” Kole breathed, breaking the silence. Chase said nothing. “I don’t know which one feels worse.”

“You can take comfort in knowing that its not forever,” Chase squeezed Kole’s shoulder. “I know I did and you should too. Think about what our goal is and what we stand to gain.”

Kole nodded, watching as Sera and Hannah walked away from the Dancer side-by side. A part of him wept with them even though there was no reason to and yet, another part of him rejoiced to see Sera reacting so mournfully. He had thought he had ruined everything between them. “Redemption.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of revenge,” Chase growled.

Kole turned from the two most important women in his life, to look at his friend. “I will kill him, when it is time. But not before we have a little fun.”

“We can’t be stupid about this, Kole. We have to be smart. There are advantages to being dead.”

Kole grinned. “I do believe they called me a shadow in one of those songs.”

Chase answered with a smirk of his own. “Is it strange that I feel somewhat excited? Even with that roach involved, we are still free.”

It was true. They had lived too long with threats and consequences over their heads. For the first time, they could be wild again. With no identities and no one looking for them, they were free to do what they wished, as long as they remained undetected.

“We will take care of Shogan when the time is right,” Kole said, standing.

“Good, I refuse to work for the man when this is all sorted out. His deal is unreasonable.”

“It was the best I could make under the circumstances. Once I hold more power, we will see who makes the rules.”

They began their slow climb to the ground. After that, they would walk the short distance to Shogan’s closest hideout, the den they had assigned as a safety house for Kole and Chase. It was a block or two away from the Quivering Lips and had a basement with a door to a sewage tunnel that led straight to the brothel. Luckily, the tunnel was not flooded nor stunk too much.

“You good?” Chase asked when they reached the ground.

Kole nodded. He had escaped the fire with a few bruises and cuts but nothing serious. He coughed still, but was sure that would fade with time. He was also unable to lie on his side. Padima assumed it was some sort of damage to his lung, he was certain it was a bruised rib.

“You know,” Kole said, grinning widely. “Shogan said we should stay indoors for a few months. Wait for the dust to settle and all that.”

“Balls, I can’t image that lasting but a few days,” Chase shook his head. When he looked at Kole his eyes widened. “You are scheming.”

“I have a plan.”

Chase growled, running his hands through his head, “Kole–”

“You probably not going to like it.”

“I know I won’t!”

“I can always go by myself.”

“Go? Where?”

“To the docks, but I totally understand if you think it too risky.”

“What would you need at the docks? That’s Dethal’s territory. Kole have you lost your mind.”

“We would only be there for the time it would take to set off.”

Chase’s jaw dropped. “You’re thinking of calling in that debt aren’t you?”

“You can bet your worth on it. He don’t know who I am.”

“He could figure it out.”

“And he would still not say a word.” Kole waited, watching Chase silently weigh out the risks and almost non-existent pros to the idea.

Finally, Chase exhaled, shaking his head. “This is a very stupid plan.”