Hidden secrets

[*Darkrob]

The city had been dark for several hours. Most folks had long since made their way to bed. Those who were about this time of night were mainly guards, shadowy types or bored adventurers looking for a place to get another drink.

Near the City court was no different than anywhere else. It was dark and few souls wandered about. A lone guard stood watch near the entrance to the City Court and kept a slightly unfocussed eye on his surroundings.

Behind him, near a barrel of refuse, rested a soiled sack. It had an unpleasant odor that kept the curious at bay. Nothing good can come from sticking your hand into a bag like thatÂ… unless you expected something different.

Unbeknownst to the guard, the bag silently opened and a shadowy, almost completely invisible hand reached inside. Slowly an oiled scroll tube was removed and absorbed into the darkness of the night. The sack was left empty and the guardÂ’s night was uneventful.

About thirty minutes later a figure materialized in a very dark room under the Hive. It was fortified and hidden better than most rogue lairs. A lamp was lit and hung from the ceiling. For a decrepit hideout it was fairly well furnished and stocked. It was a comfortable refuge below the city streets. Phoenix removed his gloves and hood and lit a smoke. This was his “official” hideout… and here he was comfortable. Few souls could reach him here and those who could… were very trusted.

He poured himself a drink and opened the scroll tube. Out slid two rolled up parchments and a small brass box. He carefully rolled the two parchments out and examined them. One was a rough layout of ancient tunnel systems. There were markings here and there that noted collapses, pitfalls and other blockages. A simple red “X” marked a spot deep in the maze. He took a draw off his smoke and looked at the other.

The second page showed a fairly detailed map of a building. It showed markings for “places of alarm” and “paths of sentries”. It also had its own red “X” marked deep inside the structure. Beside the “X” were a few marks that denoted the brass box. The map was of the City Court building and the “X” was their records vault.

Inside the brass box was a solid piece of Wax in the shape of a very ornate key. Along side it was also several wax shapes that were “buttons” and were marked as such. He carefully placed the pages back into the case along with the brass box. He then locked these in his safe and rested in his comfortable chair.

Step one completeÂ… that was the easy part. NowÂ… it gets much harderÂ…

[*Darkrob]

It wasnÂ’t a long walk from the lower ward to the Hive but Bill took his time anyhow. Things had changed within the hierarchy of the Anarchists and he now found himself having to look over his shoulder a bit more. With the virtual collapse of his two sister cellsÂ… he was on his own. Shark and Dove, the two most singular influential Anarchists in the city, had been forced into hidingÂ… and that shone the spotlight directly on Phoenix. His cell had, in effect, become one of the most powerful and influential but it had come at great cost. Not that the attention bothered Phoenix, he made his name and reputation by using his imageÂ… but the threat level had increased greatly.

Reunification was top priority nowÂ… and this just might be one way to do it.

He made sure the package he carried was well protected until he reached home. Inside was a perfect duplicate of the key and buttons that had been given him in wax. They had been made of the same materials and every single imperfection had been recreated.

He would now have to find a couple more allies for this taskÂ… quiet and stealthy alliesÂ… ones who knew to keep their mouths shut.

He puts word throughout Anarchist channels that he needed expert volunteers with the required skills for a dangerous task. Stealthy, silent, quick thinking and able to act under great stress.

Phoenix is not a wealthy man and he makes sure to let those interested knowÂ… reward is not guaranteed. This is an action of warÂ… not bounty.