"So what do you got for me?" Adrian asked.
"I got this letter addressed to Randall Waller informing him of a package being delivered to his warehouse. Now, if this Waller fellow is somewhat smart, he wouldn't leave an incriminating letter so he would use different words. So even if this is an ordinary letter, we at least have another lead. I say we check Waller family warehouse because we might find your sister there." Rowan explained.
"That would make sense. It's outta the way, but close enough to the city. It worth a look. I know you're a merc but I still feel bad asking you to stick your neck out because we would be spotted immediately."
"It'a fine Adrian. Call it my good deed for the decade. I say go tomorrow early morning. I will infiltrate the warehouse. But, I'll need my gear."
"Sounds good. Lily shall retrieve it. I don't know if you were spotted or not at the Waller estate, but if you were, I'd rather make sure that no one sees you coming to or from the house. I hope it's okay of you stay the night.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes. I insist. Don't worry about your gear. Lily may not be stealth master, she is good at blending in with the city."
"Alright then. Lily, I'll be counting on you. Stay safe out there." Rowan said. Lily stared at him for a second but it wasn't the glare or look of disdain like when she first met him.
"Leave it to me, Rowan."
Rowan handed her the keys to his room and after a quick wardrobe change, she was off. Adrian was staring at the ground.
"You're anxious" Rowan said.
"How can you tell?" Adrian asked looking up from the ground.
"Your leg is bouncing. It typically is a sign of anxiousness."
"I see. Well, i'm just restless. I want to find my sister as soon as possible and I feel like we're so close! And as much as I want to barge into the warehouse, I don't wanna carelessly ruin the progress we or you've made."
"If you wanted to barge in, I wouldn't disagree. I can't imagine what it like to have a sibling kidnapped and having their whereabouts unknown."
"Any siblings?"
"Nah, only child. Are you really close to your sister?"
"Yeah, when our mother passed, father would be working so it would just be me and her at home. Father plans to give us the business when he retires. I don't know if I can run the business without her."
Rowan sat up and placed a hand on Adrian eyes filled with a stalwart determination.
"Adrian, whatever happens when I storm the warehouse, I promise you that I will get your sister back."
Adrian nodded and got up from the sofa heading to bed. After thirty or so minutes, while Rowan was drinking tea in the living room, the front door opened showing Lily holding a thick backpack.
"Goddess, what do you carry in this thing?" Lily asked dropping the backpack in front of Rowan.
"My tools." Rowan simply replied opening the backpack.
"Where's the Young Master?"
"He went to bed. I think he's had enough anxiety for one night."
Lily watched Rowan open a box of pistol ammunition seeing it only half full. She watched as the young man took the bullets and began sliding into the mags that were now placed on the table.
"So, what your gripe?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"You seem to have a disdain for mercs. So I was gonna ask."
"Why does it matter?"
"Because..."Rowan trailed off sitting up and staring into Lily's eyes.
"I want you to accompany me to the warehouse. Going solo is nice and all but it'd be better to have someone watch my back. You have a certain air about yourself. Something that gives off that you can handle yourself. But, if I were to bring you to the warehouse, I need to know if you'll have my back and not a blade."
Lily was quiet as she gazed at Rowan before sighing.
"It was before I worked for the Scientas. My previous employer was another noble. Kind-hearted and benevolent to the peasants living on his land. The other nobles didn't like that so they hired mercs they broke into his home and murdered him alongside his five year old daughter and six year old son. I was sent on a trip to collect something for the old master. I don't even remember what it was. But it was too late when I returned. Everything burning. Dead bodies of the peasants laid strewn about. Even after I learned of the nobles involvement. I could do nothing about it. But I learned the old master's wife was still alive. She had been used and then sold into slavery. When I found her, she was mentally broken. But when I brought up what happened on that night, she screamed and cried about they slowly killed the old master and his children laughing and boasting. She begged me to kill her and so I did. I wandered into this town three years ago and saw the merc guild. I went inside and the message was clear. Men and Women that revel in despicable acts as long as it nets them pay. They truly have no limits and that's what makes them scum."
Lily looked up from the ground she was staring at seeing Rowan intently staring at her.
"So yeah that why. My opinion has slightly changed of you but you're still a merc."
"You have every right to feel that way. Thank you for telling me. That couldn't have been easy to tell."
"It's nothing really. I just really hope I'm wrong about you."
"Well you'll find out tomorrow. Can I count on you to join me tomorrow?"
"Yes. Let us join forces tomorrow."
...
Next day rolled around as Adrian awoke to no one which made him uneasy since Lily would always wake him. He put his robe and house slippers on and went downstairs seeing a note on the coffee table. Adrian picked up the note reading it.
"Went to the warehouse. Hope to bring good findings back."
A large warehouse stood just on the outskirts of town. The front gate was open bring cargo in and out via carriages. In the treeline above the warehouse two figures were surveying the perimeter. One was prone and the other was crouched.
"Well front is obviously locked up tight. Frontal assault would work but more risk factor. Back side seems equally guarded and lead to the same result." Rowan said aloud.
"Agreed, we also don't know what will happen once the warehouse knows they're under attack. They might do something rash." Lily agreed.
"I'm with ya on that. Last thing we wanna do is potentially jeopardize Adrian's sister. Here, take the binos and see if you see any entry points worth considering I wanna double-check my gear." Rowan said handing Lily the binoculars.
"You check that instruments very frequently." Lily said grabbing the binoculars.
"Gotta make sure the gun is in order. Last thing I need is a jam during a fight."
"I see. Well, perhaps you should put some time to practice and study the sword."
"Maybe. If I don't find someone who can make ammo for me soon, I'll definitely need to rely on the sword."
Lily scanned the perimeter her eyes locking on a side entrance.
"Hey think I got something. Look for the door on the side of the building. Between the front and back entrances." Lily said handing Rowan back the binos. Rowan looked in the area Lily described and saw the side door.
"Could be an emergency exit. You have any skills in picking locks?"
"Nope. All my skills are in being a maid and my blades."
"Right. Well, let's wait and see if anything changes. Security seems especially tight at this hour. You take first watch." Rowan said as he leaned against his backpack and pulled his hood over his head.
Time went by as the two exchanged watch with the hours going by until about late afternoon.
"Rowan, security seems to have lessened largely. Guessing the warehouse workers are done for the day."
"Got it. Mission is a go."
Rowan then placed a hook on the cliffside they were currently on.
"What are you doing?"
"You're about to find out why your wearing that belt."
Rowan clipped his belt to the cord attached to the hook and stood near the edge of the cliffside. He motioned for Lily to come forth as he clipped Lily's belt to the cord. Turning his back towards the warehouse he leapt off. Lily dashed forward in shock as she watched Rowan disappear from view. When she peeked from the top she saw Rowan who was currently rappelling down the cliff. Once he was fully down, he motioned for her to climb down. Lily followed Rowan's actions before taking a deep breath her hands still shaking then jumping. After she decided to slowly walk downward until she felt hands grab her guiding her to the ground. Rowan took her clip off the cord as he placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"You okay?"
"Yeah just was unpleasant. Thank you for helping me down."
"Ah you didn't need my help. Come on, let's go." Rowan said as he lightly fist bumped her shoulder before pulling his gun out and taking point.