Vault of Silence (The Hidden Wizard Book 2)

by Vaughan W. Smith

  Lara heard a noise and walked over to investigate. She saw Vincent arriving back at the house. He looked exhausted after a long day.

  "What's all this?" he said.

  "I'm trying to teach Alrion how not to be a lumbering beast," Lara said.

  "That may take a while," Vincent said.

  "I would agree, but you might be surprised," Alrion seemed to be taking the gentle ribbing in good spirits.

  "I must admit, he's at least trying," Lara said.

  "Good to hear. Where's your mother?" Vincent said.

  "She's doing some investigating," Alrion said.

  "Casing the place for guards, traps and entry points more specifically," Lara said.

  "She must be pretty serious about this heist. I wonder why, after all this time," Vincent said.

  "Is it really true that the two of you tried to steal this jewel back in the day?" Alrion said.

  "It's all true. It's the main reason why we left Brangtur. It was only a matter of time before they figured out who it was. We were so close. I didn't realise she was still thinking about it, all these years later. But that's a story for another time," Vincent said.

  "How are the swords going?" Alrion said.

  "Very well. I should be able to finish them tomorrow, if everything goes to plan. I'm pretty excited. They have surpassed all my expectations."

  "And my dagger?" Lara said.

  "I think I can get there, but only if I can finish the others first."

  "Just don't forget. You know he's going to need someone watching his back," Lara said pointing at Alrion.

  "Oh, I know, don't you worry. Let me prepare something to eat, you two keep training." Vincent left them and entered the kitchen. Lara could hear a lot of banging pots and pans around. He eventually emerged with dinner, as promised. It smelled better than it looked.

  After they all finished up a simple meal of meat, bread, and potatoes Celes entered the house.

  "I've done as much as I can do. We are definitely going in tonight," she said.

  "Hungry? We saved you some," Vincent said, pointing to a plate of food.

  "Starving. You haven't cooked for me for a while," Celes said with delight.

  "Trying to win my way back into the good books," Vincent said, giving her a cheeky grin. Celes gave him a wry smile.

  "Keep trying, but good start," she said.

  "And we've been busy too. I've taught Alrion how to not barge around like a drunken bull.” Lara gave Alrion an approving look and he smiled back.

  "Good, that will come in handy. This is going to be a tough one. But we are in luck. They seem to be understaffed. A lot fewer guards than my previous attempt. Maybe there's a lot less interest in the diamond," Celes said.

  "So, we can actually pull this off?" Alrion said.

  "Of course, one way or another. Where's the monk?" she said looking around.

  "Not sure, I haven't seen him today," Alrion said.

  "He will return, when he's ready," Vincent said.

  "He’d better do it soon. Since we are taking this jewel, we need to be leaving town as soon as possible," Celes said.

  "I'm sure he will be here," Alrion said.

  "If you say so. Now, everyone make your final preparations. We should leave as soon as possible. It's going to be a long night," Celes said. Alrion adjusted his clothing to have a cloak with a hood covering his face. Lara did the same, but also had to select which tools she would be taking, expertly stashing them away.

  "Don't wait up," Celes said to Vincent, giving him a quick kiss.

  "You know I will. Take care," he said to all of them. Alrion and Lara said their farewells and followed Celes out into the cold night air.

  "Shouldn't we be discussing the plan?" Alrion said.

  "No, we are keeping this simple. Do as I say exactly and everything will go smoothly," Celes said.

  "She's right," Lara said.

  "Alright, I can do that." Alrion let Lara and his mother take the lead, and fell in behind them. Celes directed them back to the Market District.

  "How do you feel?" Nervous?" Lara said.

  "No. Well, maybe a little. But just because I have no experience as a thief. My magic is a little..."

  "Over the top?"

  "That's fair. Which will be quite helpful if we get caught."

  "Which we won't. Right Celes?"

  "Right. Just so long as you follow my instructions." Celes didn't bother turning to face them, her eyes were locked into gazing into the distance.

  Lara was excited. She hadn't been on a heist for a long time, especially one with another thief. It had been a long string of solo efforts. She realised how much she had missed it. The joint excitement of sharing the risk and reward with others.

  "I'll have to convince Alrion to do more of these," she thought to herself. That would be fun.

  "Keep up," Celes said, increasing her speed. Lara understood the approach. It would take them a long time to enter the building quietly and unseen, so the sooner they reached their destination the better.

  She spent some time studying Celes as they went. There was an ease to the way she moved, which obviously came from a lot of experience. But Lara sensed something else. A nervous energy too.

  "This has to be huge for her. She's going back for this diamond, so many years later. And with her son in tow too. I better do well in this trial," she thought.

  "We're here," Celes said and stopped. They were in a dark alley in the middle of the Market District. Alrion and Lara paused and looked around.

  "There," Celes said pointing to a grate for drainage. Alrion knelt down and lifted it, carefully dragged it away.

  "I hate this part of stealing stuff," Lara said as she peered into the hole.

  "It's the best way in, and nobody wants to guard it," Celes said.

  "Is this ladies first?" Alrion said.

  "No, this is the exception," Celes said and Alrion prepared to climb down. Lara went next. They were in a completely dark tunnel.

  "Seems deserted. Is it safe to light our path?" Alrion said.

  "Yes," Celes said. Alrion lit the way with a small flame dancing above his palm. As the flickering light bounced around the tunnel they could see what it really was.

  "This doesn't look like any ordinary tunnel." Lara subconsciously checked her tools.

  "No, this is actually a secret exit. It's the escape tunnel for the mansion we are entering."

  "Won't they be expecting that?" Alrion said.

  "No, there's only one key. Or so Wilhelm thinks." Celes pulled a tiny intricate key from her pocket.

  "How did you get that?" Lara said.

  "Vincent made it for me many years ago. But I never used it."

  "And you kept it all this time?" Alrion said.

  "It was a keepsake from the old days. But now, it's an opportunity. Let's keep moving," Celes said. Alrion walked ahead, lighting the way. The tunnel was old, and grimy. As they walked it became less damp and smelled different. The pungent odour was replaced by something different. Alrion moved his hand slightly as they walked, to better illuminate the area. Lara used that opportunity to study the walls, but didn't see anything of note. The tunnel just kept going and going. Finally, she saw something different in the distance.

  "I think we're coming up to something," Lara said. As they approached she could see it more clearly. A massive iron door. Incredibly thick with lots of reinforcement. The lock was a large square protrusion with a tiny keyhole.

  "Just as I would expect," Celes said.

  "There's no breaking through that. Lucky there's a keyhole on the outside," Lara said.

  "Turns out that while Wilhelm’s definitely paranoid, he's not an idiot. Here goes," Celes said, walking forward and inserting the key into the lock. She turned the key slowly, a bead of sweat appearing on her brow.

  "It seems to be moving," Lara thought, observing Celes. Then she heard a loud click.

  8

  Diamonds are forever

  Celes stepped
back and pushed the door hard. At first it didn't give, but then began to give way. It creaked like it had never been opened, and revealed a store room of sorts.

  "It looks like we are in. Extinguish the light please," Celes said. Alrion let the flame disappear and waited for additional instructions.

  "Where to?" Lara said.

  "Alrion, stay in this room and guard our exit. Lara and I will retrieve the diamond and meet you back here," Celes said.

  "Sure, take care," Alrion said. Celes went ahead, noting the state of the room as they passed through. Just crates and other storage, and it didn't look used recently.

  "We won't keep you waiting too long," Lara said and she followed Celes through the room.

  Celes kept up a quick pace, but maintained her stealthy movement. She had never been in this part of the mansion, so she was using her intuition to guide her. Once they left the storeroom she paused and felt for the direction of the wind. There was a slight draft coming from the right, so she decided to start there. Lara stayed close behind and didn't say anything.

  "What a relief she's a professional. This will make things simpler," Celes thought. At the end of the corridor they came to a stone staircase.

  "Half a flight of stairs at a time, wait for my signal before following," Celes whispered. Lara nodded, her eyes clear and focused. Celes lightly dashed up the stairs, pausing at the turn and scanning ahead. When it was clear she signalled Lara, and continued. They continued this ritual a few times until Celes noticed that they were emerging into a habited area.

  "Kitchen," she thought to herself. Another area she wasn't particularly familiar with, but she knew it was located near the rear of the mansion. She crept carefully to the nearest corridor and peered through. Again, she had the choice of left or right.

  "Left," she whispered to Lara. It was a pure gut decision, but she didn't have time for any other. The corridor was well-lit, so Celes moved with caution. She expected quite a few guards but wasn't sure where they would be posted. It seemed unlikely to have them congregated around the kitchen, but she wouldn't put it past Wilhelm. He was incredibly protective and could easily have randomly reallocated patrols.

  Celes passed a doorway and stopped. She stepped back and looked again. She recognised it.

  "This way," she said to Lara. The two of them entered the room. It was a connecting room, filled with coats and boots.

  "Utility room for the guards. We're going to come across some soon," Celes whispered.

  "I'm ready," Lara said.

  "No kills."

  "Of course."

  "Good, now keep close." Celes crept through the room, noting the changes that had happened. But the ugly painting of Wilhelm's father preparing for a hunt was still there. She would never forget it.

  Celes finally spotted a guard. He was tall and thin, lounging against the wall. She almost didn't spot him, his dark black clothing blending into the shadows. Celes tapped Lara and pointed at the guard then at a doorway behind him. Lara understood and stood at the ready. Celes crept into the hallway and dashed past where the guard was posted. If her memory was right, she would be able to weave through another room and take him by surprise.

  The first room had an open door, so she snuck in. It was a dining room.

  "Was this here before?" Celes thought. It had been a long time, but she didn't recognise it. But she pressed on anyway. She stepped around chairs left out, and cursed at one that she almost tripped over. But she kept her composure and could see the silhouette of the guard from the light of a faraway torch. She retrieved a dagger from her belt, and readied it. Her heart beat faster and faster. Her instincts were still good, but it had been a long time.

  Gradually she crept forward, readying her weapon. She wouldn't need to inflict any damage, just take the guard by surprise then tie him up in the dining room. That would be enough. She practised the manoeuvre in her mind then reached out to put the dagger up against his throat.

  But the guard seemed to anticipate her movement. He moved towards her and grabbed the dagger before she could alter her stance. She grabbed another and tried again, but he saw that coming and held her other hand. There they stood, face to face, hands interlocked.

  "The monk?" Celes said in disbelief. What was he doing there?

  "Celes?" Certan said. He was in shock. He didn't even notice Lara behind him, kicking his legs out from under him.

  "Wait!" Celes whispered with force, before Lara could land a knockout blow. Lara paused, confused. Celes pointed to the dining room and dragged Certan over with her.

  "What's going on?" Lara said.

  "This is the monk."

  "Certan?" Lara said.

  "Yes. I got a job, I didn't expect this. It was part of my plan to start on a new path."

  "Yes, yes very good. Just stay here and come with us when we leave. How many other guards are there?" Celes said.

  "At least five. But I'm new so that won't tell me anything. That's why I'm here, away from the valuables," he said.

  "Fine. Just act normal and don't leave this spot," Celes said.

  "As you wish," Certan said, and walked back to where he was previously posted.

  "There's always something," Celes whispered to Lara.

  "Always," Lara whispered back. Celes pointed to a far doorway and made her way over. Lara followed close behind.

  Celes noticed two other guards as they wound through the main floor but decided to avoid them. Running into Certan had been a sign, she had decided. And they didn't have time to disable all the guards. If only they could avoid detection on their way in, they could manage anything on the way out.

  The entry to the main hall was visible, but Celes paused before rushing over. She didn't want to trip over any traps or security. Her quick look around during the day had only spotted guards, not anything special. But she knew how tricky Wilhelm was, there was bound to be something.

  "Stay close," she whispered to Lara and began her approach. Creeping softly along and sticking to the shadows, she made good progress. She could see a guard walking around the main hall, and timed herself so that she would arrive at the entry while he was on the other end of the room. She entered the main hall and swiftly ducked down to hide behind a table. Lara joined her immediately.

  "So far so good, but I've got a feeling there's going to be some traps. Tread carefully," Celes said.

  "Got it," Lara said. Celes snuck over to the end of the table and peered around the corner. The guard was just passing and wouldn't see her. She darted out and took cover behind another table, leaving space for Lara to join her. Before making another move she scanned the room again. She could not see any other guards.

  "That's odd, I was sure he would keep more here," Celes thought. But she didn't share that with Lara, there was no need to worry her unnecessarily. Satisfied that there were no obvious threats, Celes waited for the guard and used his patrol route to move closer. They repeated this two more times to be almost within reach of the Pure Diamond.

  "I'll get the diamond, if something happens you leave and take Certan and Alrion with you," Celes said.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes, I can handle this. And if for some reason I can't, for me it's only a delay. You cannot afford a delay."

  "If you insist," Lara said.

  "Good. Here goes," Celes said and made her move. She crouch ran with steps as light as a feather, ducking under the rope and appearing right next to the Pure Diamond. She remained low to the ground though, in case she had to hide quickly. Celes slowly rose and examined the glass housing.

  "Doesn't appear to be any traps. That is a concern, but I can't back out now," she thought. With her left hand, she gently lifted the glass housing, and with her right she reached for the diamond. She grabbed it without incident and replaced the glass housing.

  "Done," she thought to herself.

  "Once a thief, always a thief." A man's voice rang out from the gallery above. Lamps were quickly lit around the room, illuminating it within secon
ds.

  Celes stood, not trying to hide herself. "Stay down," she whispered to Lara and deliberately dropped the diamond.

  "Don't think you can try anything. And that's just a dummy. Well, a beautiful dummy. Good enough to fool you and everyone else." Wilhelm showed off another diamond in his hand, then tucked it back into his coat. He started to descend from the gallery. He was flanked by at least twenty guards.

  "What game are you playing?" Celes said, acting confident. She wasn't sure how she had been tricked so easily.

  "I never forget a face. Especially one that got away. I did never find out your real name though. Which is a shame. But I guess you can tell me now, Shadow Fox," Wilhelm said. Lara drew in a startled breath.

  "So, you're still obsessed after all these years," Celes said.

  "I could say the same to you."

  "What tipped you off?" Celes said. She was pretty sure she knew, but wanted to give him a moment to gloat. That may provide her an opportunity.

  "I saw you here today. You were discreet and fast, but I remembered you. Even after all these years. And I knew that you would be impatient, so I just had to wait. I'm not even sure how you made it in, but it doesn't matter. All I had to do was wait for you to take the bait. And here you are." Wilhelm was standing right in front of her now. He looked about the same. He was a gnarly old man before, and he still was now. He just looked like he had shrunk a little and walked with more difficulty.

  "For now." She would find an opening, some way or other.

  "Oh, you aren't getting away this time. No, all exits are sealed and you are surrounded. There's no way to get out," Wilhelm said.

  Celes looked around, sizing up the guards. They didn't look that tough, and only a few had crossbows. There was always a chance. But before she could put a plan into action, she saw some movement out of the corner of her eye.

  Lara darted from nowhere and had a knife to Wilhelm's throat. "We'll be leaving thanks. Call off your dogs," Lara said.

  Wilhelm was visibly shaken, but recovered quickly. "Why would I do that?"