Inside in an abandoned house are two figures panting heavily. Sitting down on the wooden floor, rest their backs on the wall.
"Th-that was crazy dumbass Brother," Kat said while panting.
"But I did get us out, Kat," James said to his sister.
"We-well yeah, but you didn't have to run inside a..." Blushing as she stops mid-sentence.
"A what? A whorehouse?" Snickering as he said that.
"James you idiot!" Hammering her brother's head with her fist.
"Ow ow ow! Fine! I'll stop!" Covering his head with his arms until Kat stops. "But seriously, we can't escape the city with them looking for us."
"They will be guarding the city gates, waiting to catch us. I even doubt the sewage system is left unguarded with how skilled they are."
"I wish we got back up." He sighed.
"Back up in enemy territory? Oh, please. When we hand over the intel to the other team, I'm sure they have already left the city."
"Yes, but I doubt they'll just abandon and forget about us."
"Did you remember what the higher up said? If we get caught, It's all over for us. Meaning no one will help us! Even if we did hide with the locals, I'm sure they'll place a bounty on our heads and the locals will hand us over for the prize money like showing a dog a treat to command them!"
Placing his hand on his sister's shoulder, he comforts her.
"Katherine." Hearing James spoke her name.
Katherine looks at her brother with a tired expression.
"We'll get through this, I know we will. I'm sure King Philip won't abandon us because we are just disposable pawns. But instead, we are one of the elite spy units that he entrusted. You know King Philip, he's not a heartless man. Also, do you remember, Master?"
"Of course, he gave us a special opportunity in life instead of throwing us away. How could I ever forget that?"
"Yeah, I even heard you happily giggling when you wrote in your diary." Grinning as he teases his sister.
N-no, I'm not!" Brightly blushing as she denies her brother's answer. "And why the heck do you know that!? That was ages ago!"
"You do remember we slept in a bunk bed for two years, and I was on top."
Having no energy to bicker with her brother, she sighs, contemplating on what to do next. After a few minutes of silence, James suddenly spoke.
"Hey Kat, do you think we can go back to Silfrid?"
"I don't know."
"I think the only thing we can do is just hope for the best." Standing up from where he stood, he walks to the nearest window and stands beside it. "I'll take the first watch, you go ahead and rest."
"No, let me take the first watch."
"I know how tired you are, Sis. Just let me take care of it, I'll wake you up after three hours."
"Are you sure? Both of us are exhausted, not just me."
"I know. Also, the elder brother has to protect his little sister."
"I'm not a little kid anymore!"
"To me, you still are. Just trust me, I'll make sure no one gets the drop on us."
"Fine, make sure to wake me up to change shifts." Sighing as she sat back down.
"Goodnight, Kat."
"Goodnight, James."
[The Next Morning]
Waking up from her slumber, Kat yawned and stretched herself awake. Remembering what happened yesterday, she quickly looks for James.
"James? Where the hell are you?"
After searching in and around the abandoned house for five minutes, she still couldn't find him.
"If you're hiding, this is not funny!" She nervously said in the house.
Another minute of searching, she notices the note left on the table and quickly reads it.
'Kat, if you're wondering where I am right now, don't worry. I'm going to distract those tailing behind us so that you have a better chance of escaping. I know you will be mad at me for doing this, but I hope you understand that I'm doing this for you. I want to try being a hero for you, just this one time. I hope you manage to read this and also thank you for being my little sister. I'm proud of you. Goodbye'
"Brother…" Tears, falling on her cheeks. "You giant asshole!" Quickly grabbing her cloak and vaulting out to the city.
[1 Hour Later]
Groups of soldiers with drawn swords surrounded James in a crowded market while bystanders curiously looked at the ensuing activity.
"Well, what do we have here?" Said the man passing through the group of soldiers wearing a dark blue uniform from the intelligence division. "Did we corner the rat who stole cheese? Also, where's your little rat friend anyway? I'm pretty sure you have a rat partner with you."
"My partner? Nah, she's not going to help me or the mission." As he said that, two soldiers in full armor quickly drop him on the ground, check for weapons, and cuffs his wrists.
They then hoisted him up back to his feet.
"I would have preferred to capture both of you, but they'll be happy to chop your head off as a warning to others."
"I know, I knew the risk of being captured."
"Well then, before you can say goodbye to your head, we have to soften you up!" With a quick punch to the stomach, James grunted but stubbornly remained upright.
"You have to do better than that, twinkle toes." He spits at the ground.
"Pity, we have to do it in a more, 'appropriate' venue." With a snap of his fingers, the guards followed suit, dragging James along with shackles on his wrist.
[A Few Minutes Ago]
Walking down the crowded street of the market, I've been scouting the city out for possible clues. But after an hour of searching, I still have no leads. Suddenly, groups of armed soldiers ran past me. Wondering what happened, I followed them, others having the same idea.
As I pass the corner, the soldiers previously running are now surrounding a cloaked man with swords drawn. After a few minutes of watching them getting in a scuffle a few meters away from them, they're leaving with the arrested man. Suddenly a gust of wind blew over the market, picking up dust. But the most surprising of all was the hood covering the man's face, now fluttering with the wind before settling on his back.
'Shit!' Cursing under my breath, I quickly but quietly tail them.
Following them for a few minutes, they arrive at a gate. Having no access to the other side of the wall, I search for a vantage point. With a quick search, I saw a building that was under construction that is high enough to see over the wall. Climbing the ladder of the unfinished building I crouch on the wooden platform, scanning the other side using my binoculars.
Looking through the binoculars, I saw three buildings and multiple patrol guards. If I want to rescue James, the most likely course is to infiltrate during the night. Out of nowhere, cold, sharp steel greeted my throat. Gulping, I slowly raise my hands.
"Who are you!? And why are you following them!?" An angry female voice spoke behind me.
'Damn it.' I thought to myself.
"Are you deaf!? Speak up!" Shouting right beside my ears, making me wince.
"Argh! No, I'm not!" Complaining at her.
She unwraps her arm from my neck and removes my hood.
"Master?"
"Uh, yeah, it's me, Kat. Long time no see." I slowly turn my head to see Kat behind me. "Can you take the knife away, please? It's making me pretty uncomfortable." I nervously smile.
"Oh! Sorry about that!"
With the knife away from my throat, I released the breath I held in.
"Thank God I'm alive. That was scary."
"Wait! Why are you here!?"
"Philip sent me to help you guys escape the country. But first, we have to get your brother out."
"Thank you, Master. Thank you!" She suddenly hugs me to the ground, hard.
"Uuughhh, that hurts."
"Aaah! I'm sorry!"
"Let's… just plan on getting your brother out."