Jayce stepped off the ship, his gaze scanning the bustling Earth Kingdom port city of Valonia. Amongst the crowd, he spotted a figure who stood out with meticulous attire and neatly combed black hair out of place in the rowdy and smelly port, speaking with the clearest accent he had ever heard.
Intrigued, Jayce approached him, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
"Welcome to Valonia, my lord," the man greeted Jayce, his head held to the side in a respectful gesture. "I am Sylas, pleased to make your acquaintance. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you."
Jayce observed Sylas with a mix of interest and confusion. "Why are you looking to the side?" he inquired, seeking an explanation.
Sylas's response was immediate and matter-of-fact. "My Lord, you reek of fish," he stated bluntly.
A tinge of sadness washed over Jayce as he realized the fate of his sense of smell when it came to fish. Pushing the thought aside, he focused on the task at hand. "Just brief me on the mission and point me to a shower and a change of clothes," Jayce requested.
Sylas, still with his head turned, covered his nose with one hand and extended an envelope to Jayce with the other. As Jayce began to read its contents, Sylas provided additional information. "The Earth Kingdom has captured someone who can identify our spy. They are holding him in the prison on the military base here in Valonia, along with the evidence of the spy's treason. Infiltrating the base will be challenging, but we have a few days to plan since they are unaware of the captive's true value."
As Jayce continued to read, absorbing the details of the mission, Sylas addressed another concern. "You don't appear to be armed, my lord. Shall I provide you with weapons?" he offered.
A mischievous smirk formed on Jayce's lips as he attempted to produce his morning star, only to find it gone. Panic surged within him as he frantically searched for the weapon, but it was nowhere to be seen.
Sylas spoke calmly, shedding light on the situation. "There are rumors in this port of a spirit known as the Shadow of Valonia, a being that claims precious items as tribute for itself," he revealed.
Jayce's curiosity deepened, echoing the rumors he had heard before boarding the ship. "Is it real?" he questioned, his tone laced with intrigue.
Sylas's response was dry and matter-of-fact. "No, sir. I believe there is simply a clever thief at work," he stated, dismissing the notion of a mystical spirit.
Jayce nodded, accepting the explanation.
Jayce's mind raced with an idea, his eyes sparkling with a newfound determination. He turned to Sylas, his voice brimming with excitement. "Sylas, I need you to spread the word that a wealthy merchant is in search of a black blade to purchase. Let it be known that he is willing to pay millions of gold coins and is waiting aboard his ship at the port."
Sylas furrowed his brow, confusion evident on his face. "Do you intend to buy back your lost blade from the thief?" he questioned, trying to make sense of Jayce's plan.
A mischievous smile danced across Jayce's lips as he clarified his intentions. "No, my friend. But I believe this thief, upon hearing of a merchant with a fortune in gold coins at the port intending to buy a blade which he just stole, will be greedy enough to attempt to steal the gold as well."
Sylas nodded, comprehension dawning upon him. He understood the strategy that Jayce was formulating.
As night fell, Jayce skillfully moored the ship with a single rope, securing their position at the pier. He ordered everyone to stand guard outside the ship, protecting the precious cargo of a million gold coins hidden within. The crew complied, their weariness palpable, but they remained vigilant.
As the hours passed, fatigue weighed heavily upon the guards, causing drowsiness to set in. Midnight arrived, and their eyes grew heavy, their defenses slipping.
Unbeknownst to them, an invisible figure silently climbed the rope, their presence undetectable. The ship gently tipped to one side as the figure made its way up, inch by inch, towards the coveted treasure. But just as the intruder entered the ship, Jayce sprang into action, apprehending him with lightning speed.
The figure, now visible, revealed itself to be a young boy, his eyes wide with fear. Jayce's grip tightened around him, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "Tell me the chant for the spell you used, or I will slit your throat," he threatened, his resolve unwavering.
Terrified and realizing he had never been caught before, the boy reluctantly shared the chant with Jayce, convinced that knowing the words did not guarantee the success of the spell. Jayce recognized the language as a variant of ancient Persian translating to;
"Make the sight of me unseen,
Make the sound I make unheard."
The boy performed a demonstration in the hopes of making an escape, fading into invisibility. But before the boy could make a run for it, Jayce swiftly caught his wrist, preventing his escape.
The boy, trembling, explained that his family of thieves had honed this secret technique for generations. Jayce's tone softened as he imparted a lesson. "Do not let greed consume you," he warned. "Take only what you truly need, or I will come for you."
In a mixture of terror and agreement, the boy nodded, his eyes filled with a newfound understanding. With that, he fled into the night, leaving Jayce alone with his thoughts and the weight of his stolen morning star, now safely back in his possession.