Darkness has fallen throughout the city. Curfew was at 10pm, so at midnight the streets were completely quiet, except for a few guards hear and there patrolling. Not many people got out of line nowadays, so the patrols weren't as thorough as they were in the beginning. Ares gathered up some food supplies and blankets because it got chilly in the evening, and met Alex at the door to their safe house.
"Are you ready to get going? The guards passed by the top of the alley about 5 minutes ago, so this is the best time to head out."
"I'm so ready! It's been interesting getting all your information over the past couple of hours, but I'm itching to actually get moving!"
Ares quietly opened the door, and they both headed outside into the night. It was a full moon tonight, so they didn't have to worry about getting caught with a lamp shining as they walked.
Argos' mansion (now Hector's) wasn't that far, maybe about 2 miles, and since Ares was familiar with the guards' rounds, it was an easy to get to the exterior wall of the mansion. Getting inside the wall was going to be the tricky part.
"The guards are posted by the gates, and the there are about 5 others that patrol around the entire compound. Once one passes by this area, we have about 30 seconds until the next one is scheduled to pass by. So we need to move quickly."
Alex was so impressed by Ares tactical mind! He was always quick thinking and smart, but Alex had never seen him in this capacity. Ares finished talking and looked over at Alex, just to see him beaming at him.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ares asked with a blushing face.
"I've just never seen you like this. In charge and giving people orders. I'm just really impressed with you!" Alex liked seeing this side of him. He felt like a proud dad..brother..something.
"Haha, thanks. But the guard just passed by so we need to move!"
they quickly and quietly raced out of the brush there were hiding in, made it to the wall, Alex interlocked his fingers and Ares stepped on and was lifted up to the top of the wall. He pulled himself up and once he was steady, he extended a hand down to Alex to also pull him up. It was a smooth and easy process that was almost like muscle memory to them.
They hopped down onto the other side of the wall and quickly made for a woodshed that was about 50 yards away from the entrance to the private jail.
Once they were inside, they fashioned a few blocked of wood into seats and sat down with a perfect view out through a decent sized crack in the shed wall.
"That was way easier than expected."
"That's what happens after logging weeks of surveillance." Ares said, with a proud smile across his gentle face.
As they both settled in, Ares could feel his anxiety building. Not from the thought of the stakeout and what they might find, but from the thought that this was the first time they were sitting quietly. Alone. Together. If I'm going to say anything to Alex, tonight is probably the time to say it.