Chapter Text
The brown-haired girl entered the small canteen that she used to frequent, especially when she wanted to hear about new rumors that were going around the city, mostly the latest that she had heard even among the streets of the city from villagers and merchants.
"A golden apple, something never seen, they say that it’s blessed with the power of the gods and that it’s capable of regenerating wounds, giving you inhuman strength, and besides, it’s said that it has a sweet taste similar to ambrosia."
Yeah, well, there was always some exaggeration in the stuff told by the drunks in the bars. Even so, despite the fables that are invented, she wanted to know if there was any truth in what was said. The only real thing was that with just one of those you could be rich, as it was so coveted among the other kingdoms.
“I know what that look means, I've seen thousands fail, what is going to differentiate you from the rest?” asked the owner of the place placing a glass of water in front of her, it was not the first time they had seen each other after all.
"I don't know what you're talking about Calliope, I'm just a traveler" she replied with a smile, then taking the glass with her right hand and taking a drink from its content. "But aren't you curious? You could become a millionaire if you sell juices or wines made with that fruit””
"And also a public execution if you get caught Mumei, it's not worth riskin' your life for that shit" commented a redhead with several white locks and one black one joining the conversation, receiving a beer from the boss.
"Okay, okay, I won't do anything, you don't need to worry guys"
That was what she told her friends in that bar a few days ago, but now she was in broad daylight going around the castle several times, looking for possible entrances and exits, places where she could climb, the positions of the soldiers, guard changes, who frequented in such positions, etc., it was something that she had been paying attention to for at least a week, it really seemed like an easy place to rob, besides that what she was looking for was not even inside, but in the royal gardens, and all she had to do was climb a wall of vines… which were full of thorns and would surely get her hooked or hurt her hands.
<<Maybe it's easier to go up and then down? I might get caught more easily, but at least I wouldn't get away with so many injuries... No, jumping off roofs is better left as an escape option>>
She dipped the tip of her quill into the small inkwell she had at hand and made a few more strokes on the map she had. There was a changing of the guard right at midnight, and there wasn't much light to illuminate that garden, if she managed to sneak indoors during that period and hide in some bushes, or maybe even some tree and pretend to be an owl, surprisingly that was something she was good at.
"Finally found ya’, you said you would go to the market, not to spy on the rich or something like that Mumei" a voice spoke from behind her, causing her to turn, seeing that the voice came from Baelz, or Bae for friends.
“Oh hi”
“Mumei…”
"Okay, I know you told me you didn't want me to go, but imagine what we can achieve, you've seen how things are lately in the city, everything is very tense and-"
"Don't go at night, the princess's bodyguard walks around every night to make sure no one comes in, there is a change, at eleven" Bae began to say as she sat next to her and began to give more instructions to the brown haired girl. “The bodyguard will be found hangin' out at the main gate with a group of soldiers for the merchants offering up their wares and for the fledglings, and perhaps issuing various orders to the local stewards. In broad daylight and on top of that no one would know."
Mumei tilted her head a little, raising an eyebrow, words were not needed to know what she was asking.
“Kiara told Calli, and Calli told me, we both knew you'd still try. Besides, you didn’t appear in any part of the market when you said you'd be there.” Oh, that explained how she'd found out she was here. "Mumei, I'll tell ya' the truth, I'm still not sure of the idea that you're going to do it, but at least I'll help you, take advantage of the eleven o'clock change of soldiers to sneak in the morning"
“Yes ma'am!”
"And now back home to rest, tomorrow will be a long day"
"Yes ma'am, yes!" After saying this, Mumei collected her things and did a kind of military salute with a serious face, although after a few seconds, they both laughed at what she had just done. "Thanks Bae"
"Ya' don't need to thank me, we’re family, Mumei, anything for the family" Bae finally said, and then the two of them walked home.
The next day, the two of them had gotten up early, deciding to go over the plan one more time, supposedly they were going to have the help of some of Calliope's friends, who were going to be in charge of entertaining the guards for a while longer, pretending to be merchants, trying to selling fake wares and offering to work on the castle, meanwhile, Kiara would be keeping the princess's bodyguard busy by asking her for a little sparring duel, Bae would be making sure the distractions were going well and giving Mumei a cue using a small trick with sunlight and a mirror. While all this was happening, the thief would be in charge of making her way until she could reach the famous garden and steal one of those golden apples. Finally, she would leave the way she came from and hide in the woods until things calmed down, finally coming home with a big smile on her face. It wasn't a plan they could have practiced, but Bae promised her that they were all from trust. Still, it wasn't like they could practice a robbery at one of the best-protected castles in the area.
“Very good morning, today is a splendid day, don't you think? I have some good merchandise that will surely interest you, treasures from the seas, beautiful jewels from inhospitable caves, books with enchantments from the abyss, I have everything to offer to your majesty" the blonde merchant began to speak skilfully as she quickly showed each and every object between the guards.
Thus, the plan began. The men asked for the permission that all certified merchants should have, instead, the only thing they got was more bargains for fake items offered by that blonde, suddenly being accompanied by two more girls.
At the same time that this was happening, Kiara had stopped the most recognized one of the place as the right hand of her highness, challenging her to a small duel saying as an excuse "I think I'm a little rusty", although it was really a total lie, since she was actually known to be quite a skilled knight with a sword.
Mumei, using her small telescope, could see some flashes in the distance, it was Bae's signal that everything was going as planned, now she only had to do her part. The wall of vines was not as thick as it seemed, it was just climbing, leaning on certain parts of wood where these grew, she put on leather gloves that were thicker than normal to avoid pricking himself too much, finally climbing carefully. Falling to the other side, she quickly hid in a bush, carefully looking around, there seemed to be no one around, and the tree of beautiful golden fruits was in sight.
She ran from where she was to her goal, hiding in the bushes along the way. Once she was with the tree in front of her, about to start climbing to grab one, she heard a sudden voice.
“Uuuu, and who might you be?”
There was a little silence between the brown-haired woman and the one with green hair, although in the end she only gave a small greeting.
“Oh hi”