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Chapter 3 - 3-Calliope

The Dreadworths are the most famous or reputable thief guild, but they're the only group of people that don't want to make Calliope commit mass homicide. She doesn't know why. Maybe because they're a group of runaway misfits like she is. Maybe the loud and rambunctious tavern makes her feel oddly at home. Despite this, Calliope is eating alone like she normally does, when Beau, a Dreadworth swordsman, snuggles up next to her. Calliope gives him a sideways glare, then crushes his foot with her own.

"Ouch, okay!" He yells and moves over, he's still too close for Calliope's liking, but she ignores it. Since she arrived at the Dreadworths, Beau has had a huge crush on Calliope. Beau is actually quite handsome with ash blond hair that the people of Roscha possess and brown eyes that remind her of a puppy. Calliope has never been interested in him and she's made it very clear to him but he's about as stubborn as a merchant whose been forced to pay his taxes.

"So Calliope, do you ever feel bad?" She cocks an eyebrow.

"About what?"

"Toran Elser, you're the one who stole those documents for him right?"

"Yes, but I don't feel bad for him. I told him what the consequences were, Toran didn't listen." Beau sips his drink slowly while staring at her pointedly.

"You're a stone cold bitch, you know that?" A wry smile tugs at her lips. She pats Beau on the shoulder before leaving the tavern. The streets are empty as she walks home, the moon completely invisible behind the thick clouds and the smell of rain fills her lungs. She passes through the town square. She cringes inwardly when she notices Toran's head still on display.

"Haven't you already proved your point, Clementine?" She says to herself. She stares at the head for a moment and her body completely goes rigid. Her ears pop again, her sixth sense flaring up. She continues on her way, walking a little faster than she normally does. Goosebumps break out all over her body. A shuffling noise behind her makes her stop dead. Calliope's hands reach for her precious ax that rests on her back.

"Come out of your hiding, cowards." Calliope's voice rings through the darkened streets. Five figures come out of shadows bearing the cloak of Sola. "What do you want from me?" A flurry of chuckles goes between them.

"Isn't it obvious? We want you." One of them says. Then, without warning, large, burly arms go to wrap around her but she jumps out of the way. Another one lunges at her. She knocks them to the ground with the handle of her ax. Calliope dodges most of them with ease, careful not to kill them. One of the smaller Sola members goes for her lower half. Before they can get at her, she pulls them by the arm and flips them over her shoulder. The largest Sola member grabs her, totally constricting all of her movement. She thrashes around to get out of their grip, but it's useless. Her ax falls to the ground with a loud clatter. One of the remaining Greenbacks shoves a cloth in her face. The faint scent of roses fills her nose and her vision slowly blurs before fading away.