Hounds Will Hunt [zeis, search!]

[Kilnarak]

Late morning and the markets hummed with activity; the ebb and flow of humanity buying and selling, trading and haggling near as though their lives depended on it. In some instances, they did. The air was filled with a din of noise: laughing voices, gossip, the squalling of game and poultry on the butcher's block, merchants hawking their wares, children laughing, crying, screaming as they darted like small fish amidst the legs of adults. The people who went about their lives in the square could fall into two categories, those who moved amidst the flow unwary, and those who watched like hawks about the sidelines.

Niraan fell into the latter group, and he imagined Kenii did as well even if the boy was a bit clumsy. He leaned easily against an alley wall near to his little brother, his bright amber eyes absently scanning the crowds as the two discussed their plans for the morning. Or rather, as he explained yet again what Kenii was to do, to try to do - it wasn't that he doubted his brother had heard or understood, but rather he hoped that going over it again would increase the chance of success. Even as he hoped, he doubted - hope wasn't something to rely on, particularly when most of their previous attempts at this game had been botched. But Kenii would have to learn, eventually, one way or the other.

"Arright, again," Niraan murmured, turning his gaze back to Kenii briefly in emphasis, before returning it to the host of (mostly) unsuspecting marks arrayed before them. "'ll play distraction this time, an' y' can do th' work. Y' need to be invisible, 'nii - 'f any catch th' slightes' hint 've what yer doin', th' game's up an' we bolt." The older boy frowned slightly at the crowds, his eyes narrowing slightly as they turned upon some internal vista - reviewing the escape routes available. Their best bet would be to split up and move in opposite directions. With his slighter height, Kenii would find it easier disappearing amidst the crowds... "'f we run, y' go straight int' th' thick 've things, 'nii," he turned a piercing gaze on the boy. "'ll make for th' alleys. They're like a maze, y'know? We can meet up 'gain nearer home - y' know th' bolt-hole on th' east side? Th' storage buildin'? We'll meet there."

"An' 'f one 've us gets caught... well, we damn well ain't gonna let tha' happen, are we?" He grinned, abruptly, the expression broad and showing off a few too many teeth, and he punched Kenii lightly in the shoulder, playful. "Y' got all tha', or should I r'peat it 'gain?" He cocked his head to one side, peering down at Kenii - his brother wouldn't say 'no,' he was sure enough of that - probably not even if he did have any questions.

After a moment, Niraan's gaze twitched back across the press of bodies in the market, and he pushed himself off the wall. "'ve course, first we've got t' pick a mark, haa?" he continued, stretching languorously like a cat before taking a few steps toward the square. His eyes scanned the mob once, twice, again - he didn't want to choose to easy a victim, Kenii would learn nothing robbing the blind, and more likely than not their pockets would already be picked near clean by other scavengers. Of course, neither did he want to choose one too difficult - why hunt the wary young buck and risk being gored by its horns when easier prey is available? Finally, he gestured toward a tall dark-haired man wearing a heavy overcoat, deep pockets and broad shoulders - not unattractive, given Niraan's tastes, at least not in build. The distracted expression on his face was also attractive, but for different reasons. "Tha' one, 'nii? Prob'bly carryin' good coin, given tha' leather. An' looks like his brain 's off in th' clouds." He glanced back to his brother, dropping his hand to his hip and waiting for Kenii's answer - or rather, his assent; he simply needed to know when Kenii was ready to begin the game.

[zeis]

Kenii's dark green eyes were hungry. Not for food, for he and his brother had eaten well these past few days, but for success. For the coin that as no doubt plentiful in the Sayaie market square, and for the feeling that usually came with a successful heist. A sense of satisfaction that calmed your heightened nerves, and washed you over with a feeling of safety. He was going to ruin someones day, but they were going to make his. A fair trade in the trade district. He stood in anticipation to the side of Niraan, not leaning on the wall but resting one hand upon it and facing his brother and the street. He looked tense, hell, he felt tense. He had reason to. A week or so ago their last attempt had seen Kenii caught by their chosen mark, and beaten badly about the back and shoulders before Niraan had run interference. They had escaped before any guards had arrived, but the humiliation and pain was still fresh in the boy's mind. That wasn't going to happen to him again.

He turned his gaze on his brother as spoke, and listened intently though his expression to any strangers might have looked irritated. Really it was just the apprehension. He nodded at the instructions, going over them again in his head as Niraan outlined them. Distraction had so often been his role, but that was in the past and this was now. He could do this. He wouldn't be seen, not this time. He'd be like a ghost, silent and unseen. Despite his eagerness, he felt a little impatient at the repeat of the escape plan. He knew all of that already, and it wouldn't be necessary this time. Or at the very least he fervently hoped it wouldn't. A little of his frustration slipped through in the briskness of his nodding understanding.

"Nope, we ain't." He replied with a smirk to his brother's punch, as always a boy of few words. He pulled back slightly and lifted his hands in a mock boxing pose, tossing a few jabs at the air between them. The youth dropped back into casual posture as things once again got serious, and he turned his eyes back to the crowd. "I got it. Let's go already." He pulled his light cloak down around his shoulders, and was thankful the heat of summer hadn't set in yet. He wouldn't look out of place in this attire, for the air still held a faint spring chill, and there were many other in the crowd including the mark Niraan chose who wore clothing to guard against it. The boy studied the man in question, and tried to get a feel for how this was going to go down. His brother was right. The man looked distracted. He nodded his assent, and his eyes flicked briefly to his brother as he gestured with playful politeness for him to go first.

-------------------------------

K'huna paused in his steps to allow a horse drawn wagon of goods to pass in front of him, and turned his gaze idly out on the crowd as he waited. The city was always busy, always crowded, and the faint smell of animal manure was always at least slightly detectable in the air. He much preferred Chydyn himself, but he could understand why his brother had made the move here. There was much more of a demand for crafted metal in areas where farming and animal husbandry were more widely practiced, and here the young smith could make a good living. Maybe. He glanced down at the small cloth wrapped bundle he was holding, and carefully unwrapped the linen to reveal the dagger he had come here to collect from his brother. Its crossguards and hilt were designed to look like a simourv with outstretched neck and wings, and the stylishly curving blade like a wavering tail. It wasn't bad craftsmanship, and looked worth the diasks he had paid his brother for it. However K'huna spent a lot of time with weapons, as most riders did, and his eyes could spot minor imperfections in the blade. His brother was good, but perhaps a little impatient with his craft.

Regretting your purchase? Canph snickered quietly inside his head from his place on the guard heights. No. Was K'huna's blunt response, though he added with a small smirk a moment after. Well, maybe. This simourv looks too pretty to be you. A touch of irritation tinged their mental connection. Oh, that's funny. The red-rider wrapped the weapon back up, and slid it back into his pocket to continue his leisure path through the crowd. He had an hour or two before he was expected back at the Eyrie. Enough time for lunch and a drink or two.

[Kilnarak]

After Kenii had answered, Niraan eyed the boy a long moment - wondering if this attempt would turn out much like the last few. But Kenii would have to learn, and this was really the only way - if it ended in more bruises, that was only more incentive to do better the next time. The older boy nodded curtly and, shrugging into his own fur-lined cloak, strode away without another word, his stride casual, easy, matching that of the the rest of the crowd. He all but disappeared amidst the flow of human traffic, letting it carry him in a round-about way toward their mark - it wouldn't do to look too purposeful about it, and he hoped that Kenii was following that; a quick way to be seen as out of place.

His amber gaze glanced over stalls as he passed, and he paused briefly now and again as if examining wares before moving on. As he drew nearer the mark, his attention shifted to the man - it looked as though he was examining something, a dagger? It was an invitation, if anything was, and his eyes bright with interest - whether feigned or sincere - the blonde smoothly drew astride the taller man as he began to put the thing away.

"Ahh, that was a very fine blade, sir. May I ask where you purchased it?" he spoke now with only the slightest accent, casting aside his previous drawling street-slang as easily as one might doff a hat. His expression was friendly, interested but not too interested, and he smiled easily, not showing any teeth - not a game of intimidation and threat display, this, rather the opposite. "And such a lovely design. Was that an eagle, sir?"

[zeis]

Kenii waited a minute of two after his brother disappeared into the crowd to make his own start. The boy ducked into the fray, weaving his way in between and around people as though he had a clear destination in mind. For now it was some stalls a short distance away from where Niraan was approaching their mark, and he paused in front of the dealers wares and looked them over, unnoticed amongst the throng of people also at that booth. Merely another peruser jostling for position, except his eyes darted more frequently to check on his brother and the man they had picked out than they were actually on the goods. He'd give his brother enough time to chat him up a bit before he made his move.

----------------------------

K'huna almost ignored the voice that called out to him, sure it was meant for someone else and not him in this crowd. It was the approach that caught his attention, and he turned his head to gaze at the young man with raised eyebrows. Some fellow off the street, not too much younger than him. Certainly not anyone he recognized, as he wasn't too familiar with this city other than visits made since becoming a rider. He glanced down at the pocket in which he had stashed the dagger and back at the stranger with an expression that looked like a scowl, but was really about as friendly looking as he got. "Guess I'm glad someone thinks so." He offered off handedly, and at the second question gestured down the street back towards the direction he had come from. His brother would probably be glad for a referral. "My brother runs a smithy down that direction, called the Golden Goblet. Special order, but if you pay him what I did I'm sure he'll make you a duplicate."

His attention turned back on the stranger in question, and K'huna looked him over with a slightly different light. He was a wiry fellow, and fair with his tan skin and interestingly tattooed face. If they were tattoos, because they looked more like scars. At the second question, he paused before offering a dull chuckling laugh. "Close enough." The simourv on the hilt looked like a very regal creature, calm and well possessed of its own wits. He supposed it resembled Eceph, or perhaps one of the blacks than his own often ruffled and ill-tempered red. Next time I'll model for him. Canph offered sourly in his rider's head.

-----------------------------

Kenii caught a glimpse of the two of them engaged in conversation, and began his slow crawl toward them. He drifted casually from stall to stall, glancing over the goods with passive interest as he followed a subtle path. Though he had been chomping at the bit to get out here, now was the time for patience, and the young boy took his time in setting up the facade of a mere market-goer. He slipped a vendor a few diasks to purchase an apple, and munched on it absently as he wandered closer still. Just a few more to go now, and then he could close with them. There would be no mistakes this time. This time it would be perfect.

[Kilnarak]

Now that he was speaking to the man, Niraan did not take any measures to look for his brother. Looking to check on Kenii's progress would only draw attention to the boy, which he definitely did not need now. Instead he kept his pleasant mask turned up toward the tall man, despite the other's scowling visage. "Ah, truly? Th' Golden Goblet? I've seen the place. What did you pay for something like that?" He gestured toward the bound-up dagger, glancing down at it a moment then back up to the man - his gaze lingering maybe a touch too long as it made it's way back up to his face. He'd picked up on the hint of interest when their mark looked to him again, and intended to see how far he could play it - perhaps it would prove a better distraction.

"Truly, 'though? I thought th' place was a bar, with that name. And pricey from the sound of it. I haven't been that way in a while," he managed to sound a touch sheepish, as if this confession embarrassed him. He made a show of glancing over the man again, cocking his head to one side inquisitively. "And it is run by your brother? Does the profession run in the family?" one corner of his lips quirked up slightly in a faint smirk, his tone slightly flirtatious. "Your profession? You look very strong."

[zeis]

K'huna was a little surprised by the stranger's friendliness, but pleasantly so. Common people usually had a tendency to get out of his way, and their conversation was always clipped and uneasy. He didn't blame them. He and Canph certainly weren't the easiest of sorts to be around if you took offense easy. Canph had told him on several occasions that he always looked angry, but hell, that was just the way he looked. But here was this none too bad looking fellow chatting him up, and he found himself grateful for the conversation. Funny how bonding to a simourv, especially Canph, could make one miss civil conversation. He glanced up at the sky as he recalled the price of the dagger. It had been a while, as his brother insisted payment upfront. "One-hundred-and-twenty-five diasks." He answered finally, and shrugged. "Pricey, but cheaper than any place you'd find in Chydyn that does ornate weapons."

He blinked visibly as the man had continued speaking. He thought he saw... Did this guy just check him out? He fought an urge to laugh, not because he thought the idea ridiculous, but because that was the very last thing he had expected to happen today. The red-rider returned the others lingering look shamelessly, and took a second or two to get a better look at the fellow. Why the hell not? He was good looking, exotic, and seemed pleasant enough. He fully expected some remark from Canph on the matter, but the simourv was unusually quiet other than slight ebb of amusement. No doubt laughing at him for something. "I thought it sounded like a bar too." K'huna offered a brief barking laugh, and smirked down at the slightly shorter man. "He specializes in fine metalwork. Does a lot of luxury pieces. Why he chose it."

He chuckled quietly at his last few questions, and shook his head as a negative. "Naw, I'm no smith." K'huna confessed with a shrug of his shoulders. "Its hunting that runs in my family, Kail is just the black sheep." The red-rider grinned at this, amused at some private thought of times since past. He lifted an eyebrow, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You don't waste any time here in Sayaie, do you?" His tone was not accusatory, but amused perhaps even playful. He was not a very romantically inclined man, but he wouldn't turn down an opportunity to get to know a pretty face when it presented itself.

-------------------------

Kenii drifted across the last few stalls, and stole a glance at his objective. Niraan and the man were still there, chatting, and from the looks of it his brother had amped up the charm. The man's broad shoulders had relaxed slightly, and his slightly guarded social posture dropped. Their mark stood now with arms crossed, seeming at ease though Kenii could only see his back. Now was the moment. He took one last bite of his apple, and slipped it absently into a cloak pocket as he wandered away from the stalls into the crowd. To any observing it would have looked very much like he was simply leaving the marketplace with some destination across the square in mind, on a path that would lead him right by and behind the man in the coat's back. It would look natural, or at least he hoped to hell it would.

As his leisurely steps closed the distance between them, his nerves amped up, and if felt suddenly like his heart was beating rapidly in his throat. He was not panicking. He had tried this too many times to be afraid of it. It was simply crunch time. Do or die. He did not make eye contact with his brother as he approached, and though he was watching their mark he ducked and craned his head a bit as if trying to see past people ahead of him. Finally he was behind the man, and here his steps slowed as though he were suddenly unsure where his destination was at all. The small red-headed boy looked for all the world like someone who has suddenly realized they are going the wrong way, and must stop to reorient themselves. He glanced around fretfully at visible landmarks, and all the while his hand slipped slowly and deftly out from a slit in his cloak into one of the mans coat pockets.

He was not disappointed. His fingers soon felt the clean edge of wooden diasks kept bundled together in a money purse, and he tugged at it gently. This was the real test. The process of pulling the pouch free was painfully slow, as he had to do it subtly enough that their mark wouldn't notice the weight or movement.

[Kilnarak]

Niraan made a thoughtful noise as the man brought up the price, appreciative but distracted. Truth be told, he could care less about it - he had no need for pretty weapons. Pretty things were nice, but they broke too easily when put to use. If he had to bet on it, he was sure that pretty knife would snap in two in a real fight - if their monied mark was stupid enough to use it in one.

He continued to smile pleasantly enough, edging a touch closer and purring, smooth as silk: "I do not. Don't see the point. I should hope that isn't a problem?" He caught sight of Kenii in his peripheral vision, moving in toward their mark's pockets. He made a point not to look at the boy, instead glancing coyly up at the taller man. He leaned closer, just shy of leaning against the man, and walked his fingers up his chest, slow and deliberately. "So you are a hunter, then? Whatever do you hunt?" his voice held that same coy tone - the question something different than the words he spoke.

This game amused him - while he had positioned himself thus for a reason, to hopefully mask Kenii's actions behind his own, it wasn't entirely abhorrent. If the situation was different, if they weren't robbing him blind this way, he would have been tempted to do so a different way. Of course, that didn't matter over much at the moment. His sole concern right now was to prove a decent enough distraction until Kenii had fled, and then make his own retreat. By the time the man noticed his diasks missing, the both of them would be long gone.

[zeis]

"Not a problem for me." K'huna smirked, oblivious to the real events going on, and caught in the web of Niraan's performance. The red-rider could see now this close that the marks on the mans face were scarification, and while they were interesting he couldn't help but wonder what a ballsy strange fellow this was to do that. If he did it by himself anyway. Who was he to judge? It certainly wasn't bad looking around the man's almost catlike eyes. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other unexpectedly, causing the hand he didn't see to freeze in its path and then shortly after resume its work. He reached up and caught the mans hand as it traveled up his chest, and leaned in slightly himself to speak in a lower voice. "Any rare beast that catches my eye." He leaned back and tilted his head slightly to glance over the man again. "Some more than others."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kenii worked extra cautiously now that the man had moved, but as he wriggled the bag freer of the pocket his patience began to thin. It was almost free, almost withing his grasp. His first success ever, he just had to pull a bit more and- The bag of diasks slipped free of the mans coat, and were quickly pulled back and thrust into Kenii's pocket. His face burst into a wide grin, and he was about to make his getaway when he noticed a glitter of metal in the mans other pocket. He paused behind the man for a few seconds, before going for it. His hand delved gently into the man's other pocket, and perhaps emboldened by his previous success removed the dagger with surprising ease and quickness.

That was it. He slid the dagger, still partially wrapped in cloth, into his cloak pockets, and took a few meandering steps away, as though he had finally realized where he was. His dark green eyes shot Niraan a brief meaningful look that couldn't have lasted more then a second, and could barely suppress the smile threatening to cross his face. He'd done it. He'd actually done it! Now he just needed to get the hell out of here. He started in a deliberate path through the crowd, perhaps moving faster than a casual person would in his attempts to get away from the scene of the crime.

[Kilnarak]

Given his position now, Niraan could not look at Kenii without giving him away - thus he stopped tracking the boy's progress. He could only hope Kenii wouldn't be noticed and would be making his get-away soon. It wasn't so much that he wanted to get away - really, he was rather enjoying the game of flirtation - but he knew that the longer Kenii took, the greater the chance of failure was.

So Niraan smiled, glancing up mock-demure at the hunter, his head canting slightly to the side as he mirrored the man's slight shift in stance. He allowed his hand to be caught for the moment, flexing his fingers in the man's grip thoughtfully. "So you hunt for th' sport of it, then? Th' thrill of th' chase?" he kept his voice a low purr, silken and sweet, mock-innocent - it wasn't a guise he wore well, or at the least, it wasn't a guise he was playing at wearing well. He tapped one of his trapped fingers against the man's chest, glancing away coyly toward one of the alleyways leading away from the market, then back up at him - his gaze flicked over a retreating Kenii in it's travels, although it didn't linger in the slightest.

"Where does your hunt lead you now, haa? I'm sure a hunter must have interestin' stories to tell?" he turned a bright-eyed gaze up toward the mark, equal parts coy and sly. He shifted his stance again, this time counter the man's, brushing his hip against the tall man's - mock-idle but entirely deliberate. "Perhaps you might recount them for me? Mmmm. Somewhere more private?"

[zeis]

K'huna may not have been the most intelligent man, but the majority of the time he could catch a clue when one was tossed his way. His yellow eyes followed the fair stranger's gaze toward one of the less populated alleys, and he caught the meaning instantly. An alleyway was not an ideal place to get familiar with a partner, and he wondered if perhaps they'd end up in some inn. He may not have been easily identifiable as a rider right now, but the idea of being caught publicly with his pants possibly down gave him pause. Cultivating a good image with normal people was part of what they were trying to accomplish, necessary to it if simourv were going to remain a permanent fixture of human life. Hoping for the best, he guffawed quietly at the suggestion. "I rely more on opportunity than chase, but if its a chase you want..." He trailed off with a smirk.

How long has it been since you've chased? Canph asked with amusement in his head, and earned a slight chuckle from his rider. Don't be jealous. The amusement emanating over his connection continued, but with a wisp of hurt pride as well. K'huna released the man's hand and gave a slight gesture in the direction of the alley the man had indicated. A nonverbal instruction to lead on. "If you've got the time, I'm sure I could entertain you." He promised and quirked an eyebrow in amusement and interest as the man brushed against him.

[Kilnarak]

Niraan hesitated briefly as the mark indicated for him to lead - he had hoped it might prove the other way 'round, if the man had went on ahead he could have easily fallen behind and slipped away. This made things more difficult, but he did not hesitate more than a moment, and the tentative expression he wore could easily be misconstrued as hesitation over something else. The blonde cast a brief smirk up at the dark-haired man, before sauntering toward the alley.

"And if it is a chase I want?" he called back over his shoulder, glancing back to the man with an arched brow. "You think you could catch me, hunter?" He laughed quietly came to a halt some yards into the alley-way, an amused gleam in his eyes as he turned about and leaned an arm absently upon a nearby wall. His fingers flexed idly against the wall, tensing and relaxing as he considered his options of escape - the only outward sign of his unease. "I've plenty of time. Whatever did you have in mind?" he purred, his tone of voice mock-innocent as he watched K'huna coyly.

[zeis]

K'huna followed leisurely after Niraan, and as the man walked in front of him he took a moment to appreciate the view. Maybe Canph was right. It had been a while since he'd had any time for romance, at least since being named Wingletmaster. His life was busy, and his time always demanded by one thing or another. Maybe this would give him a way to blow off steam, whether it was a sustained thing or just a single night. At the flirting question, he looked Niraan critically from head to toe, and after a moments consideration planted his hands on his hips. "I could." He declared with confidence, and smirk. "You may be fast... but I've got tenacity."

"An afternoon in the creature's den." He answered, though inwardly he winced at the awkward sounding reply. Flirting and witticism weren't one of his strong points, but it seemed to be working. Something about him seemed to float this guys boat, and if he blew it? Unfortunate, but no huge loss. Plenty of fish in the sea, as they say. As it was he was beginning to feel a bit stupid carrying on like this A bit stupid? Canph asked sweetly in his head, pulsing with some unknown hilarity. He tried to ignore it but the Red continued. Just a bit? How about a lot stupid? Though he kept up his confident smirking expression, his eyes grew a bit distant under the consistent interruptions. What the hell are you eve- Drop the games, because you're already being played. Tell me, are you feeling a little light in the pockets?

K'huna's furrowed his brow, and his expression that barely passed for amusement faltered into pause and uncertainty. He glanced away from Niraan down at his coat pockets, and patted at them. Nothing. There was nothing in them. His eyes snapped up to Niraan with a flash of realization, and kindling anger. He'd been robbed blind. "Alright, you little bastard" He growled and took a step forward, no longer the flirtatious 'gentlemen' but now ironically some form of hunter. "Give me back my stuff, and I'll let you crawl back into whatever hole you squirmed out of."

He doesn't have it, his partner does. Canph piped up with a sickeningly helpful lilt to his voice. What? Wh- I'll make a deal with you. The red offered leisurely, still clearly enjoying the quickly ensuing chaos. I'll fetch your things... If you agree to get me one of those nice sparkling trinkets like Valenph has. The ridiculousness of this demand barely had time to set in with K'huna before Canph had an addendum. Only I want mine to be bigger and nicer. Answer quickly, he looks like he's going to run, and I feel a nap coming on... As angry as K'huna felt at Niraan and the unknown partner at this moment, it paled in comparison to the anger he felt at himself, and now at Canph for this extortion. He offered no verbal reply only a grudging assent to the smug simourv. One problem at a time.

[Kilnarak]

Niraan almost laughed at K'huna's reply, but he bit back on his amusement - it simply wasn't following the rules of the game he was playing. Instead he smirked faintly, arching a brow. "My den, sir? And I don't even know your name!" his voice was an amused croon, again playing at innocence that was rather... lacking. However, Niraan's entertainment with the scenario soon came to an abrupt halt - his smirk faltering briefly as the man began feeling at his pockets. His fingers flexed against the wall one final time, then pushed off of it as he backed down a few paces, tense - this wasn't exactly the best situation he could have hoped for.

At K'huna's growling threats, Niraan's smirk broke completely, instead a broad feral grin flashing across his lips. "Aww, an' there I thought y' wanted m' hands there. Mayb' I should've gone a bit lower?" he drawled, dropping his previous mask with ease even as he backed away another pace and tensed. He didn't know anything about the conversation playing through the man's head - and if he noticed that K'huna looked a bit distant, he chalked it up to the man being a fool - as such he intended to take credit for the theft. He felt certain he could escape, and the man would be none the wiser of Kenii's involvement.

"Y' wan' yer shit back, y' can come get it," he purred, sing-song, and then using K'huna's distraction to his advantage, he bolted quickly down the alley-way, leaping obstacles easy. He knew these streets, he knew how to get lost amidst them, and he intended to do just that. And if he couldn't manage that... well, there was always the blade tucked into the side of his boot. He wondered if it would come to that - he wasn't sure that he completely dreaded the possibility.

[zeis]

K'huna snorted at Niraan's vulgar suggestion, though moments earlier he may not have scoffed at the idea. All the useless pleasantries and smiles were gone now, and all that was left was K'huna as he was, irritable and ready to get down to business. He kept his eyes locked on Niraan, refusing to be duped by any more sleight of hand or flirting facades. For every step the other man took, he took one after him, and he was just about to lunge forward and make a grab at the pretty little thief when the man turned and bolted. Oh hell no, he was not going to let that happen.

The red-rider sprinted after him, and though the other man had a brief head start he managed to doggedly follow after. His boots thudded and scraped against the stone and dirt, and his usually orderly black curls fluttered crazily behind him. He hadn't been lying about what he'd said earlier. Niraan was fast, but K'huna had endurance to spare. He grunted as he vaulted over an obstacle that Niraan cleared easily, perhaps more use to the task than one might expect by virtue of being a rider. Still, he was at a disadvantage, he knew. He was not intimately familiar with Sayaie as his prey probably was, but as long as he didn't lose sight of the little bugger he was confident that he could run him down. As for what he was going to do when he caught him... Well, the offer of simply letting him crawl away had been turned down.

-------

Canph was pleased. Not only was he going to get what he wanted, but K'huna had been thoroughly humiliated. Once again, it had been his job to save his hapless rider, and for all the times he'd done that he certainly deserved the reward he had bargained for. The red had taken leisurely to the skies after their deal had been sealed, not an uncommon sight over Sayaie, as sweeps passed overhead and the watch changed often enough. He was in no great hurry to seal his part of the bargain. There was no need to hurry really. What was so great was that there was no effort really needed on his end to locate the second thief. Ever since sensing the pairs intentions, they two had been easily recognizable. Distinct and unique in the crowd. He couldn't help but notice them, and that was really the cherry on top. He understood what they were, and that would only make his return to K'huna all the sweeter. The red made a low warbling noise in his throat that must have been laughter, and with a slight fold of his wings dropped lower to follow the red haired boy's escape.


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Kenii was elated. He had followed Niraan's instructions completely, took the planned escape route, and now here he was headed toward their meeting spot. The small weed grown lot was empty save for an abandoned leaning wagon, and the similarly ill-used warehouse before him. No one was around. He was safe. He was unharmed. Most importantly though, he had done it! The boy wore a sunny smile, and had abandoned any guise of acting casual. He didn't walk toward the warehouse, he sauntered, hell, he strutted there. He was on top of the world, and the weight of the dagger and the diasks in his cloak felt like it had always belonged there. He was confident that this was the final blow to his lifelong bad luck, and that from this day forward things would be looking differently.

As a matter of fact, things were looking differently, weren't they? The sunlight suddenly seemed to be ebbing away as a shadow fell over the courtyard. He paused in his steps with a blink, and a look of confusion. It wasn't a cloudy day... was it? Had a cloud blocked out the sun? He lifted a precautionary hand to shade his eyes, and glanced over his shoulder. What he saw made him break his usual silence with a scream of terror, and nearly trip over his own feet in his dash for the warehouse.

A monstrous red simourv hit the ground around him with a sound like thunder, and the tremor of it caused the novice pick-pocket to loose his feet and fall stumbling to his hands and knees. Still screaming, he pushed himself to his feet and tried to dart between the giants front legs for what he perceived to be safety. A huge clawed foot quickly reached forward and blocked off his progress, and caused him to hesitate long enough for the beast to bring around the other claw and settle its torso down on the ground. Intermeshed clawed feet to his front, scaled legs thicker than most trees he'd seen as walls, and behind him what he frantically assumed as going to be his death.

Kenni wanted to put his back against something to face his attacker, but there was nothing safe to put his back against. The boy turned in this direction and that, flittering about with uncertainty, and shaking like a leaf. No where to go. Frantic and near to tears, he turned and faced the simourv, who was eying him like a cat might eye a mouse.

[Kilnarak]

Niraan ran like his life depended on running - which it may have. He didn't intend to stop to find out. He hardly slowed for anything, setting a reckless, zig-zagging path through this alley and turning abruptly at the next. He didn't glance back to place his pursuer - he would have needed to slow down to do that - but he thought he could still hear the man behind him. It surprised him a touch - while he had gained a bit of distance in his initial sprint, he hadn't expected K'huna to be able to keep up.

The thief kept up his chaotic route through the alleys, putting on a short burst of speed as he reached a relatively clear section of pathway that ended in a short wall - an unfinished addition to the city that had been left thus, and would likely remain unfinished for some time yet. He barely slowed as he closed upon it, scrambling up and then vaulting over it to resume his flight on the other side. The exertion was beginning to tire him a bit, his breathing coming heavier, but damned if he intended to stop anytime soon. Once he was sure he had lost his pursuer, then he could stop and take a breather.

His flight angled slightly toward where he had told Kenii to meet him - he wasn't heading directly there, wouldn't bring back this fool hunter to their 'den' as the man had put it, but he intended to make that place his rest-stop, once he had lost K'huna. Of course, he couldn't have known that his little brother had already been captured...