"A WHAT?"
Temari hated looking stupid in front of people, especially clients. In her four years of living as a thief, she also had encountered different requests. There was even a time when she had to dig a grave to steal an expensive jewelry that was allegedly made with fairy dust. It supposedly brings luck to the one wearing it. Temari didn't believe in it since the original owner, the one whose grave she dug, died when she accidentally slipped while going down the stairs.
But this… this mission the cloaked stranger was offering her for a huge amount of money… this was beyond her imagination.
"Can you do it?" he asked.
Temari heard the challenge in his tone. She narrowed her eyes. "Of course I can. So, what is this royal heirloom? Tell me everything I need to know."
The cloaked stranger took a few seconds before he answered, "I know nothing much about it aside from two things: It is inside the castle and you will know that it is the heirloom when you see it."
Temari frowned. "That's it? You want me to steal an heirloom but you don't even know what it looks like?"
"Yes."
No wonder he was offering her a large amount of money. "What a ridiculous request."
The cloaked stranger stiffened. "You can't do it, then?"
Temari was starting to get annoyed that he was doubting her. She moved and stood. The stranger was still so much taller than her but at least she was no longer craning her neck. "I can do it," she said with confidence and conviction.
The cloaked stranger made a movement that Temari assumed as a nod. It was hard to tell because his hood is covering his head and face. "You have two months. I will come back here after two months to collect the royal heirloom and to give you the rest of your payment."
Temari lifted her chin. "Agreed."
Without another word, her client turned his back on her and went out of the room. When the door closed, Temari grabbed the pouch of gold coins as well as the coins that spilled on the table. Her eyes were wide as she tried to count everything.
"This is too good to be true," she whispered in amazement. But then she shrugged as she put the pouch in the secret pocket inside her shirt. "Well, his mission for me is very vague. It will take a lot of work so this amount is just right."
Temari patted her shirt when she finally secured the pouch of gold coins. She was not feeling good today but now that she could feel the heaviness of the pouch, she suddenly felt good about herself. This is what money can do for a person. No wonder wealthy people in Clearbury always organize parties and festivals every chance they get. You really have an urge to dance and laugh when you have a lot of gold coins.
She was still standing in that room when the door opened. Zak entered. "What did he want you to do?" he asked straight to the point.
"Nothing I can't do. He just wants me to steal a royal heirloom and bring it to him within two months. He pays well too. He was the most generous client I had as of now."
"Of course he will pay you a lot of money. Do you know how hard it is to enter the castle?" Zak commented with a frown.
"You know me, Zak. I can climb any walls and enter the most dangerous places with no problems," Temari said confidently.
"Temari, I know you've entered mansions successfully. I know you can climb walls and enter houses without making a sound. I know that you are strong and agile. But for this mission, you have to enter the castle. No one enters the castle without permission that was never been caught. Some didn't even get out alive and some just disappeared and no one knows what happened to them."
Temari knew that. Stories like that never escapes the ears of people that frequents Blackgrove Tavern. Sharing information like those stories are necessary to keep themselves safe and alive. Still, Temari ignored the apprehension she suddenly felt about this mission.
She cleared her throat and lifted her chin to act confident. "Those thieves are not as good as me, Zak. Do you not believe in my capabilities?"
"This is not about your capabilities, Temari. This is about the castle. There are hundreds of royal guards in there. Even if they don't catch you, that place itself is dangerous. There is something in there, something that mortals like us will never understand but we could feel it. I brought you near the castle before, remember? Didn't you feel it too?" Zak argued.
Temari remembered that day. She was eighteen when Zak took her to the castle of the Kingdom of Mowsland. They went to the nearest part that commoners like them were allowed to go. Even in that distance, Temari felt goosebumps rising in her skin when she stared at the old and gigantic castle. Zak was right. There was something dark and powerful in that castle that even she could sense despite the distance. What more if she actually tried to enter its premises?
"Don't do it, Temari," Zak said in a serious tone. "No matter how much that client pays you, it will not be enough for the danger you might face to this mission."
"Zak. I know that you are just worried for me but I can do this. I already accepted the job. I don't want to turn on my words because that is one of the few things I pride myself for, especially in this business."
Zak and Temari stared at each other. The man sighed. "Fine. I will never change your mind if you have already decided. But how do you plan to get inside the castle?"
It was Temari's turn to sigh. "I don't know yet but I will find a way. I always do."