Before leaving he rummaged through his bag and then picked out an amulet and wore it around his neck.
He entered the Bazar street using the darkness of night ti his advantage.
There wasnt a single soul. The night sky gave him cover as he moved slowly not to wake up the drunken guards.
There he spotted him, the thief. Taking a deep breath he mustered all the courage he could and went to the thief, who was still tied up.
He is made to stand, his entire body had been whipped over and over. Numerous cuts and bruises all over. The sever torture had rendered him weak and looks like he could die any moment now.
Approaching him, Mari whispered in the thief's ear,
"Hey, I will free you, but in return I have a request"
Hearing the words the thief lifted his head slowly and sized Mari up and with a grinn on his face, he said straining his voice.
"I didn't take you for one with balls, haha but seems like you have grown a pair. Mmh let me see, you're gonna have to distract the guards and then cut me loose without both of us being seen. Do you think you got what it takes."
His voice rasp from his dry throat,
Mari looked around for the guards, after ensuring none was awake, he moved nack into the darkness, and to one of the guards, and then slowly without making a sound pulled out the knife from the sleeping guards hilt.
The thief saw as he went into darkness and grunted low
"None of you have guts! Pathetic"
The thief struggled trying to loose the knot on his wrist but failed, his weakend body didn't have the strength to untie himself.
Then as he struggled a figure appeared behind him and cut the thief loose.
Surprised he looked back and saw Mari standing there behind him,
"Hahahah"
With a low sly laugh the thief said-
"Well I'll be damned, seems like the gods have given you more brains than just guts"
Once cut loose the thief faced Mari and said
"what do you want from me, mmh let me guess the priced possession of the prince itself, Mea"
The torture and humiliation had yet to strip the thief of his humor,
Expectantly Mari asked the thief
"Will you help me?"
The thief just smiled
Then they both walked to the tavern back in the slum.
On thier way the thief asked
"Why though she is taken, by the prince. What is it that got you so obsessed about her, enquiring around the Bazar and even this. Why?"
Mari simply said,
"She doesn't like that life. That's why"
The thief chuckled and in with an amused look
"And how do you know that, did you talk to her, or did a bird gave you her letter?"
Mari's voice got tense as he heard the thief's mockery and looked at him, his eyes stern.
"I saw her trying to jump of the balcony last night. I want to know why and I want to save her."
The thief stopped his chuckle,
"I see. So you want to be her knight in shining armour. Any way we need to get out of here, someone might see us. Let's go."
After walking some more, they reached the tavern they both slowly entered the worn down place
The lamps flickered, people still came and went by drinking and eating or to spend a night. The noise of the jugs clanging as the customers cheered and sang and laughed telling stories and boasting about each other. Some could be seen complaining raising their voice. While the scent of beer and roasted scrap meat filled the air. Those who made an extra buck bought meat and those who didnt, took a glass of cheap beer and beans.
To the people of the slum, this was their place of rest after a days grueling work.
They sat down not wanting to grab attention
"This place is safe, here none cares who you are. Now listen carefully I will get you inside the castle but tahst all.the rest I dont know and I dont care. But for that I need a rope about 50 to 60 yugan's long, and a syrong hook. You go get those I will prepare a plan while i take a look at my wounds"
The thief said as he strained himself with a pained groan and looked and felt around his own body examining his wounds in pain.