[orp] Glittering Prizes

[Wagnark]

The building looked dark from where they sat, there hadn't been any movement there today. He new there was somebody living there, the place had been to well kept for it to be empty. It was a large manor, close to the edge of town. It had a small stable, a few out buildings. Wheat fields spread out from rear of the property, engulfing a small orchard.

Perhaps the owner was out of town, or was sickly and relied on the help of workers. Either way, the fortunes of others were about to change. He grinned at his partner as he made his way into the darkness

[Saria]

Her eyes darted in every direction to make sure no one was around. The last thing they needed was to be caught, so far so good. Quietly, she followed him. Aware of every sound or flash of light. They had done this so many times before so they knew what they were doing. However; they could never prepare for what others might do. Words were never needed between the pair. A simple look or hand gesture was enough. It was like that from the beginning....

[Wagnark]

The moon was still low in the sky, a slight breeze pushed its way through the wheat fields. There were no sounds, he thought it odd, no crickets or bugs, nothing. Wagnark paid it no mind, they were there to do a job.

He slowly made his way round to the back of the manor, no lights from any of the windows. This was going to be an easy score, a slight smile crept to his lips.

[Saria]

The silence made the hairs on the back of her neck. It wasn't common to hear nothing from mother nature. Still Saria remained in step with Wagnark, a hand resting on the dagger hilt at her hip. Such jobs usually didn't require much in the way of weapons. That being said she still preferred her bow and arrows.

The manor looked to be several stories tall with many rooms. Wagnark hadn't exactly told her what they were going after but if he had she probably would of tried to talk him out of it. She valued him to much to let him do something foolish, if she knew.

Coming to a stop at the back of the manor she watched and waited in silence for the next step.

[Wagnark]

Slowly he makes his way up the steps, carefully placing each step. Wagnark crouched low by the rear door, waiting, listening. His nostrils flare as an unusual odour wafted from beneath the door, he tried the latch securing it. The door swung quietly open, he flashed a smile at Saria.

The manor was think with dust, apon his first inspection. Wagnark thought it odd, that the grounds and outbuildings were apparently in regular use, but this place seemed untouched in ages.

[Saria]

Her heart rate picked up as the door opened with little effort. It was NEVER this easy. Something was off and she knew it. Wagnark wouldn't believe her though if she protested. He smiled in her direction, which at the moment wasn't helping her resolve. Saria was better at coning people, taking things from the shadows when people were looking. Not breaking into homes.

However; her instincts were something to behold. The slightest change in her surroundings and she could react. It had taken years. Every day she would test the limits, some days were good others not so much.

Her grip tightened around the hilt of her dagger. 'I really don't like this.' she told herself. Nevertheless Saria followed Wagnark inside with tentative steps.

[Wagnark]

In the darkness, the outline of a kitchen could be seen. It had been kept in order, almost unused. Wagnark couldn't place the strange odour that filled the building, it smelled almost burnt. Making his way through the kitchen, he listened for any noise that may alert him to the presence of another.

He headed down the hall, looking for the staircase to the next floor. Wagnark had little use for most of the things he had seen. He looked back at Saria, he smiled as he noticed her hand clutching the hilt of her dagger.

[Saria]

The house smelt horrid inside. Goodness only know what could of possibly happened in this place. Wagnark was smiling at her again. A cocky one at that. It was beginning to annoy her. "What?" she mouthed, when he glanced down at her hand. 'Serves him right if something is in this place grabs him.' she thought. Of course, Saria would never let anything happen to him if something did. They were inseparable most of the time.

That wasn't the case when they first met though. In fact she had hated him. She hated most newcomers and still did. That was due to the fact she trusted no one. Yet here she was with him in a a seemingly abandoned house that smelled of death just about, looking for who knows what.

[Wagnark]

A set of stairs loomed before him, they looked old and worn. The same as much of the rest of the house, unremarkable. It looked as though somebody had used the steps recently, the dust had been disturbed. Licking his lips, Wagnark waited a few seconds before he quietly made his way up the steps. The air seemed to grow heavier with each step, his vision clouded yet he pressed on.

Wagnark looked back to Saria, his foot brushed something on the step. It seamed like a bag of bones, a quick glance told him it was a humanoid skeleton. It was dressed it what seamed like once fine clothing, it's hand clutching a now rusted long sword. Hoping his prize was still there he rushed up the steps. An blue light had caught his eye from under a door, Wagnark grinned.

[Saria]

A body void of it's flesh was the last thing, Saria, wanted to see. Nor was she willing to pass it. Wagnark was on his own until he came back down, Remaining at the bottom of the stairs she waited. With each passing second that he was out of sight the more she became unnerved. Something or someone else was in this burnt out mess, she could feel it.

A creaking floorboard from down the hallway diverted her attention from the stairs. Saria could hear Wagnark moving about up above her, she knew his footsteps. With dagger in hand, Saria, moved away from the staircase. The first room looked to be a sitting room. Again, Saria heard the creaking floorboard. Before she had a chance to check the second room Saria felt a change in the atmosphere just as she was sent flying through the air and into a dusty glass cabinet...