After collecting his reward of capital, Rowan was now back at Adrian's house.
"Okay Adrian, what's our next move?" Rowan asked.
"While you were collecting the reward, I devised that the only way we might be able to find any proof is in the Wallers Family Estate." Adrian said.
"Where's that at? I don't recall seeing any houses that'd be estate worthy."
"You won't find any." The Wallers live outside the city walls in a magical barrier neighborhood. Those places are all estates and there's only five of them. And to make things harder, the barrier only allows entry to those the family grant access to or those who possess a special family rune to grant access.
"Can we disable the magical barrier?"
"Not likely, the barrier rune is placed in the center of the five houses. Also, disabling the barrier will alert the Golden Guards to the neighborhood."
"Golden guards some elite guardsmen?"
"Correct. You only will see them in the bazaar. Armor made of golden dragonskin that'll stop the most heavy blade and enchanted to withstand powerful magic."
"Okay then, can we perhaps copy the rune?"
"Perhaps but it might be too risky. The runes can be on any part of the body and if we knocked someone out that might raise suspicion. Wait, that's it!"
"What's up, Adrian?"
"I have a plan!"
....
Nightfall was high in the sky as a man surrounding by six guards followed him away from the city. The man wore illustrious clothes and jewels with slick back gray hair and a well trimmed mustache. Looked to be in his early fifties. The man reached the neighborhood and was about to cross the barrier.
"WALLER!!!"
The Waller turned back to see a furious Adrian and his maid trying to stop him.
"Young Master! Cease this at once!"
"You fucking bastard! You tried to have me killed!"
As Adrian approached the guards formed a wall in front of the Waller and he chuckled.
"Adrian, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked mockingly.
"You know what I'm here for! Your little plan didn't work! To think, you'd go so far to kill me for my father's company."
"You were attacked? That's a shame, truly."
"Of course, act like you don't know! Pompous asshat! You'll never get the company and I will find my sister! You hear me, Randall Waller?!"
"Are you done? Because if that's all then please leave me be. Have a goodnight Adrian."
Randall turned back around with his guards eyeing Adrian before they crossed into the barrier. Adrian turned around with his maid in tow.
"Never seen you get that angry, Young Master."
"You won't I rarely get angry. Luckily he doesn't know that."
As Randall Waller entered his house, his guards took positions around the house. From the adjacent house Rowan suddenly became visible making him chuckle.
"Heh, neat stuff right there."
Rowan deftly made his way around the Waller estate taking his thermal scope to survey the perimeter looking for a good entry point. Rowan settled on the balcony being his entry point. Sneaking towards the estate he sat in wait until one of the two guards guarding the back door left. Rowan then swiftly threw a rock near the guard making him turn to where the odd sound came from. Rowan moved up and wrapped his arm around the guard's neck getting him into a headlock as he kicked the back of his leg dropping the guard to one knee. The guard thrashed about trying to break free but soon fell limp unconscious. Rowan then dumped the guard's body behind some nearby shrubbery and then used some of the artistic designs of the house to climb up to the balcony. Rowan then checked the room to make sure he was clear before entering. The man checked balcony door and saw it was unlocked. Rowan slowly opened the door and snuck inside from there he heard the sound of subtle water splashing. He looked over and saw a closed door with the light on. Seeing a shadow in front of the door, Rowan's eyes widened they darted around the room. The door opened shining light into the dimly lit room as a woman wearing a bath towel walked in not noticing Rowan who pressed himself up against the wall where the door swings open. He watched as the woman entered a closet across the room as he pushed the bathroom door away and snuck to the door leading out of the bedroom. Rowan found himself in a lavish corridor as he quickly walked down the hallway and briefly inspected the doors he passed entering the quiet ones and avoiding ones that were producing noise. He eventually found the staircase and heard footsteps from below getting louder. Rowan quickly turned back towards the hallway and heard guards talking across the hallway. Rowan quickly bolted to the nearest room and quietly closed the door keeping his ear to the door as footsteps passed the door followed by two sets of footsteps. Rowan exhaled until he heard something behind him. Rowan's eyes darted to the noise where he saw a female elven woman sitting up in her bed staring right at him. Rowan slowly turned towards the girl and stared her down. He slowly stood up as he slightly raised his hands in a non-provocative gesture. Seeing the elven woman not buying Rowan dashed forward as she tried to scream for help. Rowan already anticipating this was able to cover her mouth only letting a tiny yelp pop out. The girl thrashed about trying push Rowan off her but to no avail as Rowan raised his finger to his mouth ordering her to quiet down. Eventually the girl tired herself out and stopped trying to call for help. There was a brief silence.
"Are you done?" Rowan quietly asked.
The girl nodded tears in her eyes.
"Alright. I'll take my hand off your mouth, are you gonna stay quiet?"
The girl nodded once again. Rowan nodded and slowly removed his hand from the girl's mouth.
"I'm sorry. I'm not here to hurt you and I didn't want to frighten you." Rowan said with emphatic tone as he wiped the girl's tears.
"Would you mind if I ask you a question or two miss?"
The girl stayed quiet before slowly nodding.
"Do you know if Randall Waller has a study? And if he does, where I can find it?"
"He does. Go down the staircase and it'll be the first room on your left." The girl meekly spoke.
"Thank you very much miss. I'll be taking my leave now. Try to have a good night and once again sorry for disturbing your slumber."
Rowan slowly turned towards the door and took a quick listen to make sure no one was near the door.
"Wait. What's your name mister?"
Rowan looked back at the girl who was now staring intently at him.
"Let's make a deal. I'll tell you my name and you tell me yours? Sound fair?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I'm Keener."
"I'm Lin."
"Well, been a pleasure, Lin. Perhaps we will meet again. Farewell."
Rowan slowly opened and closed the door leaving Lin by herself as she stared at the door. Rowan snuck downstairs seeing two guards conversing with their backs turned to him. Rowan looked left seeing the door and walked in. Rowan then busted his flashlight out and began searching the luxurious study. He inspected the bookshelf looking for anything looking recently pulled before turning his attention to the nearby desk. Shining his flashlight Rowan saw an unfinished letter.
"Those useless mercs failed to do a simple job! This is getting ridiculous, if the father doesn't budge, then we kill his precious good and mail their contents to his doorstep. I will-"
The letter stops there as Rowan assumed no couriers would be awake at this hour and that Randall will finish this letter tomorrow. Rowan began to search the other papers on the desk finding nothing but financial reports and nothing of interest. Rowan checked the desk drawers and found a bunch of old letters finding an interesting one that caught his eye.
"Mr. Waller, we've sent you this letter to inform you that the package has been successfully delivered to your warehouse. Please come by to confirm that the package is correct and inform us of what our next order is."
Rowan nodded to himself and decided to take the letter placing it in his bag before scouring the room and taking some nearby coins left on the desk. Rowan went back to the door and inspected the door once again listening for voices and noises. Silence was outside so he quietly opened the door and saw the guards were gone. Rowan began to look for a good exit and decided on a first floor window. He also took any coins he could find as he reached the window and peeked to make sure no one was near it. Rowan opened the window and climbed out as a guard turned the corner.
"Who are you?!"
Rowan quickly smashed the guard's head against the wall of house delivering hard forearm strikes until the guard fell unconscious as Rowan bolted from the house as he heard voices turn into a commotion behind him.
.....
Adrian and Lily sat quiet in the house until a knock at the door made Adrian and Lily shoot up. Lily walked in front of Adrian and approached the door pulling a stiletto blade from under her frilled skirt. Lily opened the door seeing Rowan. Lily immediately opened the door fully and pulled Rowan in.
"Ah you made it! Tell me, you got any proof?"
"Nothing concrete. Guy made sure his letter didn't directly involve his doings but I got a location. Do you know where The Waller warehouse is? "
"Yeah, Why?"
"Well that's where the next operation is."