The Long Road to Ruin Ch. 23

But she didn't intend on returning the temple the next day. She would get what she wanted without having to trade her lovely new diamonds for it. This was just one more thing she would fleece the Dhorn of. They owed her that much for the vile acts they had perpetrated against her family and everyone she had loved so dearly. And for Father Derthur, the kind priest who had taken care of her after Vico had ravaged her body with his brutality. The very same priest who had sheltered and healed Rhys.

She would liberate the rod she sought in his name. She hoped the good Father would approve.

Slinking away, she headed into the western part of the city, to the house she had found Nicca in. She found the door to be locked and made short work of it with her picks. She let herself inside, noting that the bodies of Melania and the twins had been removed. Obviously Father Derthur had seen to that just like he said he would. It was also evident that no one else had taken up residence here. The hearth was stone cold, the room an eerie pitch black. She closed the door behind her and relocked it before making her way into the center of the room. Quickly she shed her long red gown and placed it within her haversack. The cloak, stockings, shoes and parasol joined the dress. She pulled on her black catsuit and cloak and soft soled boots, all the appropriate attire for sneaking and thieving.

Then she crawled under the table and swept back to rug to reveal the secret door beneath it. Her plan was simple, sneak her way through the tunnels until she reached the temple. Once inside she would search it as quickly and stealthily as possible until she found the rod in question. This priest would NOT deny her the chance to give the man she loved the greatest gift ever. Even if it meant he would never be hers ever again.

I will not fail. I will not fail. Those four words became the mantra she repeated over and over to herself. I. Will. Not. Fail.