The warehouse yard was a broad rectangular space paved with uneven cobbles.
Piles of crates and barrels stood like dark islands against one wall.
In the center loomed the main bulk of the two-story warehouse its blank stone face broken by a large rolling door on the ground floor and several high shuttered windows on the second.
A single lantern burned beside that main door casting a weak sphere of light.
From his position low in the drainage outlet Momen could see a slice of the perimeter wall and part of the path where guards would walk.
He waited counting heartbeats again.
Right on schedule a guard strolled into view from his left walking along inside the wall.
He passed within ten paces of Momen's hiding place looking straight ahead at chest level not down at ground level where a drainage tunnel might be.
Momen held his breath until he passed.
Now he had maybe four minutes before that guard completed his half-circuit and returned or before his partner came from other direction whichever happened first okay time to move now find crates climb get to window do it now.
He scrambled out of the tunnel leaving grate open behind him just in case he needed quick exit though that would be obvious tell if guards saw it open damn but no time to relatch it now just go go go.
He darted across open cobbles toward nearest stack of crates which smelled strongly of salt maybe preserved hides inside good solid wood stacked three high taller than him perfect he scaled them quickly using corners for footholds feeling wood groan under weight but holding fine reached top now had view of yard could see second floor windows three of them along this side all shuttered except one middle one its shutters were closed but there was narrow gap where they didn't quite meet like maybe latch wasn't fully set yes that must be it faulty latch okay but how get up there?
The crates were against outer wall not helpful need something under window itself look look there pile of empty barrels maybe could roll one over stack them stupid noisy though think think look at architecture stone building had mortar lines rough stonework maybe climbable? But window was high fifteen feet up at least no pipes no drain chain nothing smooth stone mostly except...
There.
A vertical line of heavier stone blocks formed corner where warehouse met slightly lower adjoining shed roof maybe storage lean-to thing roof was sloped slate tiles but corner where two walls met created seam with enough purchase for fingers maybe if you were desperate enough which he obviously was yes okay plan climb corner get to roof level then traverse along roof edge to window ledge possible maybe possible better than barrels less noisy definitely yes go now while yard still empty guards gone around other side run across open space again heart hammering reach corner stone is cold rough good press body flat against it feel with fingers find tiny lip start climbing.
It wasn't climbing like going up a tree with branches.
It was more like clinging to a vertical surface by sheer force of will fingertips digging into cracks toes finding any microscopic unevenness in mortar.
He moved inch by agonizing inch muscles screaming from fatigue and old bruises sweat mixing with grime on his forehead making stone slick under hands don't slip don't look down just focus on next tiny hold next breath keep going almost there roof edge just above reach up grip slate tile pull body up legs scrambling for push finally haul himself onto slanted roof panting quietly lying flat against cool tiles for second just breathe okay good done first part now traverse along edge to window.
He crab-walked sideways keeping low staying below roofline so silhouette wouldn't break skyline if guard looked up which they probably wouldn't but no point risking it now after all that effort.
The window ledge was broad enough to stand on if you were careful.
He reached it lowered himself down until feet found purchase then turned facing building gripped edge of shutters through narrow gap yes they moved inward latch definitely not fully engaged just a simple hook barely holding okay now work metal sheet into gap above hook lever it up gently feel resistance then click soft metal sound hook lifted free now pull shutter inward slowly hinges squeaked faintly one short sharp sound that stopped his blood but no shouts no running footsteps just night silence okay pull more wider enough to slip through.
Darkness inside deeper than night outside smelled powerfully of leather oil paper dust something sharp like vinegar maybe cleaning solution for ink.
Office.
Second floor office green ledger left side main desk find it grab it get out now go inside before next patrol comes around corner any second now move Momen move.
He swung legs over sill dropped silently onto wooden floor inside room standing still letting eyes adjust again feeling enormity of task suddenly shrink to simple act find book take book leave nothing else matters just that one thing do it now find desk there against far wall big heavy thing shape emerging from gloom walk toward it hands outstretched avoid bumping into anything left side left side yes there stack ledgers different sizes colors top one brown next one black third one...green?
He touched it.
Dyed leather smooth under fingertips brass corners cold metallic yes this is it.
He pulled it from stack tucked it under arm against ribs turned back toward window rectangle of lesser dark where outside waited almost done almost finished just climb out reverse process easy now just go go quickly before-
A boot scuffed on cobbles directly below window outside.
Momen froze at windowsill ledger clutched tight listening.
Voices murmured low two voices guards meeting at corner below having chat about something probably boring shift gossip damn timing terrible wait them out they'll move soon they have to keep walking their route just wait breathe quietly don't move shadow inside room invisible okay wait.
The voices droned on for what felt like an eternity but probably wasn't even a full minute then footsteps resumed two sets walking away from each other good clear now go now climb out onto ledge pull shutter closed not fully just enough so hook rests loose again won't latch properly but looks closed from distance good enough now traverse back along roof edge lower self down corner climb down faster this time less care about stealth just need speed get to ground run across yard back to drainage tunnel before next circuit completes almost there almost free just move feet don't think just move.
The corner descent was a controlled fall. He scraped down the rough stone, his feet hitting the cobbles with a soft thud that sent fresh jolts of pain through his legs. He didn't pause. He sprinted across the open yard, the ledger a hard, rectangular weight jammed against his side.
The drainage tunnel opening was a black mouth in the weak lantern light. He dove for it, sliding back into the cold sludge feet-first this time, yanking the interior grate shut behind him with a soft clang. He didn't bother relatching it. He just started moving back down the narrow brick passage as fast as he could, sloshing through the muck, the stench filling his nose and mouth.
He reached the outer grate under the alley. He pushed it up and slid out onto the wet cobbles, pulling it mostly closed behind him. He was out. He was out with the book.
For a few seconds, he just knelt there in the alley, breathing hard, the cold night air feeling clean compared to the tunnel. He'd done it. He'd actually done it. A wild, shaky feeling bubbled up in his chest-not quite triumph, more like disbelief that a plan hadn't immediately fallen apart.
He stood up, tucking the ledger more securely under his arm. He needed to get off Tanner's Row, back to the Leaning Loom. Give Kaelen his prize. Get his papers. Start being someone else.
He took a step toward the alley's entrance.
Then his foot, numb from cold and sludge, caught on the uneven lip of the drainage grate he'd just exited. He stumbled forward, his other foot coming down hard on the slanted edge of a loose roof tile that had apparently fallen or been discarded in the alley long ago.
The tile shifted under his weight with a dry, scraping sound.
Then it tipped over the edge of the curb and dropped onto the cobblestones of the main street just beyond the alley mouth.
The noise wasn't terribly loud-a crisp *clack-crack* of terra cotta shattering. In the quiet of the industrial district at night, however, it might as well have been a bell.
Momen froze again, pressed against the alley wall.
For two heartbeats, nothing happened.
Then the world changed.
From a bracket on the warehouse wall directly above the alley entrance, a glass-housed Lumen-Stone-one he hadn't even noticed in his earlier reconnaissance-erupted into violent life. It wasn't supposed to be there; Tanner's Row used oil lamps. This was private security. The stone blazed with a harsh, white-blue light far brighter than any flame, strobing wildly as if in seizure.
*Flicker-flicker-FLICKER-*
The light pulsed three times in rapid, blinding succession.
Then, with a sharp *pop* he felt in his teeth, it died completely.
Simultaneously, from somewhere inside the warehouse yard, another similar light-likely the one by the main door-did the same thing: a violent flicker and then darkness.
The sudden absence of light was profound. The alley went pitch black. The weak glow from distant oil streetlamps seemed to recede.
And then came the shouts.
"Alarm! Yard side!" someone shouted.
Boots pounded on cobbles.
Momen didn't think. He moved.
He turned and ran deeper into the alley, away from the street, away from the warehouse. The alley was a dead end, he remembered that from scouting it earlier. It terminated in a blank stone wall belonging to the next building over.
But dead ends had never stopped him before.
He reached the wall. It was high, but not seamless. A rickety wooden staircase clung to its side, leading up to a second-floor door on the adjacent building-some kind of tenement or workshop. Without hesitation, he started climbing, taking the steps two at a time, the ledger still clamped under his arm making his balance awkward.
Below and behind him, he heard the guards reach the alley entrance.
"Here! The grate's been pried!"
"Bastard went through the drain! He's inside!"
"No, look-it's open from this side! He came out!"
Confusion bought him seconds. They thought he might still be in the yard or maybe hiding in the tunnel itself. Their shouts were overlapping now, calling to each other.
Momen reached the top of the stairs. The door was locked, obviously. He didn't need it open. He stepped onto its narrow landing and looked up. The roof edge was maybe another body-length above him. He could reach it if he jumped.
He shoved the green ledger into the waistband of his rags at his back, tightening his belt over it so it sat snug against his spine. Then he crouched slightly and leaped upward, fingers scrambling for purchase on the roof's stone coping.
He caught it, hung for a moment by his fingertips, legs kicking at empty air. With a grunt of effort, he pulled himself up, rolling onto a flat tarred roof dotted with chimney pots.
He lay there for a second on his back, staring up at the night sky, listening to chaos bloom below.
More voices joined now-not just guards. A window slammed open in the tenement next door, someone yelling about what all that damned noise was. From further down Tanner's Row, a whistle sounded-a city guard patrol had taken notice of the magical disturbance.
They would converge here quickly. Magical alarms weren't tripped by stray cats.
He had to be gone before they organized a proper search of the surrounding buildings.
He pushed himself to his feet and started moving across the rooftops. This was his oldest skill, learned on the slum rooftops where streets were too dangerous. The buildings here were packed close together, with only narrow gaps between them. Some gaps he could jump. Others required shimmying along drainpipes or edging across precarious wooden planks laid between washing lines.
He moved with instinctual caution but without panic. Panic made you loud and clumsy. His mind was strangely clear now that immediate flight was underway.
The ledger pressed against his back a constant reminder of what he'd stolen.
He could feel its brass corners digging in through cloth.
Good.
Let it dig.
That pain meant he hadn't failed yet.
Not completely anyway.
Getting caught now though that would be failure absolute obviously so don't get caught just keep moving put distance between you and that warehouse get back to main streets blend in disappear like you always do you're good at disappearing especially when people are looking for someone else someone who trips alarms and steals ledgers they'll be looking for a professional thief maybe someone with tools and dark clothes not some filthy slum rat covered in muck moving across rooftops no they'll look at street level first that buys time use it wisely now find way down not here too close need to get three maybe four blocks away then find descent route maybe another alley with cellar doors something low profile yes okay next gap coming up wider than others looks like six feet maybe seven can make it don't think just run jump.
He took three running steps and launched himself across the void.
His feet hit the opposite roof edge slipped on damp moss he windmilled arms wildly for balance teetered for one heart-stopping second then fell forward onto hands and knees on solid slate scraping palms raw but safe not falling down into gap okay good up again keep going ignore sting in hands minor problem.
Behind him lights were gathering around warehouse area now multiple lanterns bobbing like fireflies voices shouting orders.
He didn't look back.
He focused on rhythm of movement jump climb drop crawl repeat.
His body protested every motion fatigue from sickness and exertion layering into deep ache but he pushed through it focusing on simple goal get away get back give Kaelen book earn your place that's all that matters now just keep moving feet don't stop don't think about what almost happened don't think about flickering lights dying don't think about how close those boots sounded just move.
Four blocks later he found suitable descent a rain barrel overflow pipe bolted to side of chandler's shop sturdy enough to hold weight he slid down it dropping last few feet into a narrow mews that smelled of horses and hay.
He landed softly straightened adjusted ledger at his back now hidden under layers of rags mostly okay now walk don't run act normal if anyone sees you you're just lost servant or something head down shoulders slumped don't meet eyes.
He stepped out onto a side street walking with deliberate slowness away from Tanner's Row toward general direction of Leaning Loom.
His heart still hammered against ribs but breath was coming easier now distance providing thin veil of safety.
They wouldn't find him.
Not tonight.
He had book.
He'd done job.
Now he just had to deliver it and collect what he was owed.
Simple transaction.
Just another trade in city full of trades.
He kept walking into deeper night leaving behind sounds of alarm fading into general hum of sleeping city holding tight to stolen proof of his new profession.