Chapter Text
:Garret's POV:
I'm standing on my usual perch, a gargoyle atop the library, as I look upon Eternal City. Its hard to believe that things look so peaceful now. And in such a short time. Less than six months ago the Graven of Orion was going to war with Baron Northcrest and his Watch. The Primal Force was ruined and caused the Gloom that made everyone so ill and caused so much death. The Thief-Taker General was picking the flesh off the bones of the people like a vulture. And Erin....God, sometimes I still shake when I think about what she went through. Basically all of Eternal City was hell on earth at the time.
But now, things are different. The Graven has disbanded and started helping the people now that their self-righteous leader has died. The Primal Force has been placed back into balance and the Gloom has ended, with a paved way for possible cures for those still sick to boot. Elias Northcrest has officially been stripped of his Baron title after a new Baron took his place and now he's working amongst the lower class citizens who he let die for the sake of progress. Old Thadeus Harlan is now more of a thief himself than a general after he was replaced by the new captain of The Watch, which has been whipped into shape to become a better group of officers by said new captain, and was promptly fired. And as for Erin, well it took a lot of searching but I finally found her. She was in Auldale making a name for herself as the Rescue Thief. Instead of just killing people for no reason she started saving people who were at risk of getting killed themselves and stole from their attackers. Usually she saved women and courtesans who were being abused, and it made her quite the icon among women. She also saved young children from neglectful orphanages or abusive parents, then stole from the orphanages and parents before sending the kids somewhere safer. I think the whole Primal thing has really made Erin mature. When I look into her eyes I don't see that feisty brat with a chip on her shoulder who thought she knew everything and did whatever she wanted without a care for the risks. Now I see a strong young woman who knows how to temper her anger and takes better caution when in dangerous situations. Of course she's still a hothead who thinks she's a better thief than me, but as long as nothing like that Primal thing happens to Erin again I'll let her keep thinking that. When I asked her why she left me the Claw after she saved herself Erin said it was my consolation prize for being a crappy knight in shining armor. I couldn't help but laugh because it was nice to hear a genuine Erin remark after so long.
It also seems like Erin lost all of her Primal energy. She can't even completely remember having the powers that she did. Me on the other hand, I still have the Primal Force in my left eye. It doesn't bother me a whole lot though. Besides the fact that the power increases my senses by tenfold its pretty cool to have another colored eye. Maybe its the vanity talking but I like how it sets me apart. Also to add to the cheer Basso got himself a new bird, a female raven he named Dusk. She's not quite like Jenivere, may she rest in peace, but Dusk does love her fence of an owner a lot and is a fast learning messenger. She doesn't even peck off his fingers which Basso is grateful for. However she did have a habit of pecking at his ears when Dusk felt like he wasn't paying enough attention to her. Its times like those I couldn't help but grin.
With all the good stuff that's happened for everyone else, you'd think that something good would happen to me. Well it doesn't. Or at least, it doesn't happen right now. What I'm about to explain next will be the most fantastic adventure I ever had that even tops the one I had six months ago. And my good thing that came to me was something that I didn't realize I needed until I finally started listening to my heart. But rather than bore you with sappy lines, let me just explain what happened. It seems like such a long time ago but the truth is it was less than two months ago when that fateful night came that would forever change my life.
:Third Person POV:
Garrett went through the secret entrance of the Clocktower to get to his roost high up where he slept and kept his precious loot hidden. The Master Thief let out an exhausted breath as he took off his hood and untied the band that kept his messy medium length hair together. He had just finished three different client jobs tonight, and each one was dumber than the last. The dumbest was the last job in which an idle rich old lady paid him a lot of coin to steal back her purebred dog that some other idle rich old lady stole to mate with her dog. Not even the high payment made that job worth it. Garrett didn't know how Basso dropped his name to them but he was too relieved to be home to think of how to get back at him. Garrett flopped onto his bed and untied his shoes and gloves, almost moaning at the relief of getting the tight leather off his body.
"Mew! Mew!" Sounded a familiar cry and Garret turned to see his little familiar, a five week old male black kitten, Aesthete walk up to him.
Not long ago Garrett found Aesthete alone outside of Siren's Nest. He seemed smaller than most kittens and Garrett figured the mother rejected her runt son. So the Master Thief took in the kitten and started caring for him. Erin just grinned the first time she saw Aesthete and said Garrett always was a soft touch for animals. Basso didn't care as long as the feline didn't raise his claws against Dusk, thinking she was a chicken dinner. In the time that Garrett had Aesthete he couldn't think of a name for him, until he noticed how the black kitten seemed to study the loot Garrett would steal and decide what was worth selling and what was worth keeping. It was then that Garrett named the runt feline Aesthete due to his appreciation for art, jewelry and other beautiful things. Aesthete even provided good distraction when Garrett was making a steal.
"Hey, Aesthete. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." Garrett said as he picked up his little kitten and sat him on his lap.
Immediately Aesthete started purring and snuggled into his owner's lower abdomen. He then looked up at Garrett's face longingly, as if to ask why he didn't take him out on his jobs like he usually does.
"Look, I know you're upset that I didn't take you out with me tonight but trust me when I say you'll be glad I didn't. Every last job was an absolute waste. First this cheapskate social climber hired to steal back his fiance's ring he lost in a game of cards, then this crazy old man hired me to steal a mannequin from a dress shop and finally an old lady hired me steal back her purebred dog from another old lady." Garrett explained.
Aesthete gave a hiss at the mention of the canine species, which made Garrett chuckle.
"I know, I know. You don't like it when I say the 'd' word. But rest assured that I won't be saying it again after tonight." Garrett assured and sat his kitten down on the bed then went to the shelf to get the bottle of milk and Aethete's bowl. He poured the dairy product into the bowl then set it on the bed before the runt.
"Mew!" Aesthete meowed in happiness then strode over to his bowl and started lapping up his dinner.
Garrett smiled at his familiar and then went to get himself a drink. He was just about to grab the bottle when his Primal Eye started reacting. The Mast Thief groaned in pain when a sudden sharp feeling went from his eye to his brain. He stumbled back a little and braced himself against the wall, gently covering his pained eye. Garrett had no idea what could be causing this pain. The last time he felt like this was when Erin's Primal energy reacted to his eye. But this was different from the Primal energy. It was as if...someone was calling out to him. Like a person. And his eye was trying to make him listen. Suddenly Aesthete stopped drinking his milk and started hissing and growling, and Garrett knew then that something was wrong. Aesthete only responded that way when there was an intruder or approaching danger. So the Master Thief hastily grabbed an arrow and held it up in defense. And then he heard a soft chuckle.
"No need for any of that, my fellow shadow. I'm not here to harm your or your little kitten." Said a deep voice with a smooth, distinctive accent. It was a male voice and he sounded experienced. Like he's been through the gates of hell and back.
"Who are you and how did you find this place?" Garrett inquired immediately. He knew better than to play coy and hold off on important questions in situations like this.
"I found this place by speaking to the Queen of Beggars. She's a very nice lady. Much nicer than this old wench I knew once. And as for who I am...Well, first tell me if you can recognize me." Said the man and he began to walk forward.
The first thing Garrett took note of was the leather boots. Despite the slight ware on them it was obvious that they were expensive. The second thing he noticed was the intruder's attire. It resembled a sort of uniform that soldiers would wear, like a general or sergeant. The third thing was a sparkling lapel pin on the left side of the man's coat. It was gold, and seemed to be the crest of a kingdom. The crest seemed to be familiar but the Master Thief couldn't say so for sure. And the fourth, but most eye catching detail of all, was the mask the man wore. It looked like a metallic version of a patched up piece of cloth. But the mask somehow seemed familiar to Garrett. And then, after a moment, it hit him. He remembered seeing that mask before on a wanted poster, when a man from Gristol was showing off the picture of a deadly assassin who he barely escaped from.
"You're the Masked Felon." Garrett stated, not asked.
"That's right. I'm not surprised you know who I am. I'm sure lots of information reaches the ears of Eternal City's legendary Master Thief. Even from an out-of-the-way place as Gristol." The Masked Felon stated as he stepped two feet closer.
"I suppose you could say that I hear lots of things....Now, the fact that you went and spoke to the Queen of Beggars just to learn my location means one of two things; You have a job for me or you want to kill me." Garrett said.
"What would you say if I told you it was the latter?" The Masked Felon asked.
"I'd ask who sent you, and that I hope you weren't expecting it to be easy just because I'm a thief." Garrett said, and to his surprise the Masked Felon let out a chuckle.
"You're very nonchalant for someone of your caliber." The Masked Felon said.
"Not really. Things like that just don't surprise me much anymore." The Master Thief replied.
"Hm. Well, I wasn't sent here to kill you Garrett. I came all the way from Gristol in hopes that you would help me. Its a matter of great importance. So important in fact that it would require you to come to Dunwall, Gristol with me." The assassin explained.
"Is that so? And just what is this important matter that would require me to go all the way to Dunwall?" Garret asked.
"Something was stolen. A document to be exact, by the former lord regent Hiram Burrows. I don't know what is in it, but since it belonged to my late Empress Jessamine I know that it must be something important." The Masked Felon explained.
"And why is the recovery of a document once owned by the late Empress of Dunwall so important to the Masked Felon?" Garrett asked.
At this the man sighed tiredly, like he wasn't relishing having to answer that question. Then he reached a calloused hand up to his face and carefully took off the mask he wore. When it was off Garrett saw the face of a very handsome man. He looked about ten or so years older than him, had medium length brunette hair, a beard and striking black eyes.
"Its important to me because I'm more than the Masked Felon, Garrett. I am also the Royal Protector of Dunwall, Corvo Attano." The man, Corvo, stated.