10-3-1105 2E

It was a dark, gloomy night. The stars were veiled by a heavy sheet of clouds that rolled across the night sky.

A cool, gentle breeze whistled through the air, rustling tree branches and leaves, and sending a ghostly sound through the night.

The city of Galladorm was all but dead, the citizens all locked away within their homes, sheltered from the chilly breeze and the ominous sky above.
Businesses across town were all locked up for the night, their doors locked and latched and their windows shuttered to.

Aside from the burning street lamps and lanterns, and specks of light from the windows of several homes, there was little sign of life in the city.

The streets were empty aside from the occasional cart or stray dog or cat. And of course the city watch, the soldiers of Galladorm, who patrolled the gloomy streets tonight, as they do every other night, be it rain, shine, or snow.

One of them passed by a burning street lamp, his red tunic, silvery chain mail armor, and steel domed helmet all shone brightly beneath the flames.
He carried in his right hand a sharp, wicked looking halberd.
He held it straight up as he walked, only allowing the bottom of the wooden shaft to tap the cobblestone street as he walked.
The low thump from the shaft accompanied by his footsteps all echoed down the deserted street. His head swiveled from left to right in constant, as he eyed over the homes he passed by, keeping vigilant for any possible trouble, whatever it might be.

Inej sat on the roof across the street from the stately home. Her cloak was tucked in tight to fend off the biting wind and stench the city seemed to carry with it wherever you went. Music drifted on the breeze and filled the night air from the small group of musicians the family had hired to entertain their guests. This is why they picked tonight, Inej and the group of thieves she was apart of. The house was full of people downstairs, no one upstairs so they would have the ability to sneak around, steal from the safe and move out. Inej had been watching the city guards patterns for the last week. She could do everyone of their shifts now if she wanted.
The last guard passed the home, they had a fifteen minute window to get in, grab what they needed and get out. Inej flashed her dagger in the moonlight twice to signal to move forward. She hopped across the building roofs and scanned the streets below as her fellow thieves entered the house through an upstairs bedroom window, one by one.
Like taking candy from a baby. A very drunk baby. Inej was the last one to slip into the house and then they were moving quickly, splitting up to go to their designated rooms to grab what was required. It would be an easy pay day for them.

On the adjacent street nearby, a soldier was walking his route.
He was rather husky, yet broad and sturdy at the same time, with a slightly rounded midsection, and a wide set of shoulders and thick arms to go with it.
He had a bushy black beard that all but shrouded his mouth.

He was armed with a short sword and a shield, his sword was sheathed and his shield strapped securely to his left arm.

As patrolled his street, a sudden urge struck him, a call of nature to be precise.
He stopped and looked both ways, ensuring no one was out and about or could see him, this included both civilians and his fellow soldiers.

Once he was sure know one would see him, he scuttled away into a nearby alley, sliding his shield off from his arm and reaching intently hit his belt and overlying tunic.

Meanwhile, back at the lush manor house, the party below continued, the homeowners and their guests all unaware of the thieves that were sneaking about the house.

Suddenly, a barking could be heard.
A chorus of barking actually.

One of the upstairs rooms had a pair of large, sleek, lean dogs, which one of the thieves it seems had disturbed, and now they were alert and barking loudly and furiously, their barking interlaced with snarls and growling.

The music downstairs slightly wavered, and several concerned voices could be heard chattering away down below. This was immediately followed by the sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs as the dogs continued to bark and growl.

Inej Dobrev

The thieves Inej was with cursed. She stepped outside the room she was in and looked down the hall. Inej frowned, narrowing her eyes. The room the dogs were barking from was one she hadn't been able to clear, so they had agreed not to enter it. Apparently someone thought it would be safe and had disturbed the dogs and now wouldn't shut-up. There was a thumb and then the barking ceased.
Her attention was drawn to the commotion on the stairs as people became alerted to the sudden stop of barking.
"Time to go," she announced and stepped back into the room, hefting a bag over her shoulder. Whoever was climbing the stairs entered the hallway and she could hear doors opening and closing, her companions were moving to slow.
The door opened and there was a series of shouting and alarm. Inej dropped her bag and removed the knives from their place around her waist in the back. As the knew people in the room advanced Inej backed up, hurrying her companions up while she bought them some time.
She only threw one of her knives in the direction of the aristocratic people who either responded by ducking or shrieking and running out of the room. The woman smirked and twirled the other knife in her hand, waiting.