ωнєη тнє ιмρσѕѕιвℓє кєєρѕ уσυ нσℓ∂ιηg ση

[echolight4eva]

Theon was totally unsuspecting as he brandished his whip on what he deemed to be a lazy skaa, leaving a long, bloody gash in the man's back. No remorse was held in his face as he stared down at the man, a mirthless grin on his face.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder crouched behind a pile of boulders, peering over the top and surveying the scene through narrowed eyes. He spotted Theon carelessly whipping desolate prisoners, along with four other supervisors. There was no way he'd slip by them undetected. He'd have to wait until night, when all the skaa returned to their pathetic excuse for housing and the nobles gave into their drinking and gambling habits, content that the skaa wouldn't try to escape when the mists were out.

[echolight4eva]

Soon enough, it was evening and the skaa who hadn't found any had been punished. The guards all returned to their garrison after locking the skaa in their barracks, Theon laughing at a joke another guard had told.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder made a face of disgust at the laughter, so soon after cold executions. As the sun sank toward the horizon and the mists started to form, simply melting from thin air, he crept toward the guard housing.

[echolight4eva]

Theon got out a deck of playing cards for the guards, shuffling them up expertly. "What are we playing for?" One guard offered up a small bag of coins, another a dagger with a ruby in the hilt, and another some various jewels. Theon placed a large bag of coins on the table and then dealt the cards.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder let the mists swirl around him as he made his way toward the guardhouse. He had three vials of metal flakes in his pocket, just in case, though he still didn't know what good it would do in a situation like this. He had to rely on his talents with his daggers. He paused by the door and crouched down, straining his ears for voices and wishing he was a Tineye.

[echolight4eva]

Theon blinked at his hand. It was decent, but he kept his face carefully blank as he waited for the game to start.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Now, how to get him out of there? Ryder wondered. Theon hadn't seemed afraid of the mists, which meant he would come outside if he could create a reason to. A noise, perhaps, but there was no guarantee that Theon would be the one to leave. He gritted his teeth in frustration and decided to wait a few moments longer.

[echolight4eva]

After about an hour of playing cards, at which Theon had the upper hand, he excused himself to go outside to relieve himself. He stepped outside and moved around the side of the building, though not overly cautiously; he wasn't afraid of the mists.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder smirked. It appeared fortune favored him today. Maybe he might actually succeed in getting a knife in the nobleman's back. He rose from his hiding place and silently stalked after the other man, years of being a thief lending skilled grace to his steps.

[echolight4eva]

Theon finished up and turned around just as Ryder was following him. He stopped in mute surprise, then a cruel smile twisted his face up. "Well, well. What have we here? An old rat, come back to be exterminated."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Ryder just stood calmly, knives in hand, face impassive as he stared the nobleman down. "Or a mistwraith, perhaps, come to steal your soul." He paused, expression turning thoughtful. "Well, what's left of it."

[echolight4eva]

Theon snorted mirthlessly. "You're quite funny, rat. I might have to keep you alive so that you can make jokes for me."