Chapter 21
They did little beyond watch the place, which was irritating. It was still day, though. Hopefully they'd move to steal the book tonight.
Feeling wrong with his uniform hidden under a coat, Einari suppressed the irritation. It was bad enough Irnskyl was less than welcoming to Society guards, when all they did was see justice done. King Hjarg didn't want anything to threaten his dominance over his people, no matter what conditions they had to live in.
At least Kodgreid seemed peaceful, although such appearances were often deceptive. There were enough people in the streets that he and his men could watch the pair without being easily spotted.
The library across the square was the target, from what he'd been told. He didn't know who'd sent the message, yet considering how it’d arrived they must be highly placed in the Society. How they'd learnt the pair planned to rob the library was equally mysterious. He probably didn't need to know, but it irritated nonetheless.
They matched the descriptions of Thjorn and Augni, and seemed vaguely familiar from Culvik. Was their fighter nearby? Probably unnecessary for scouting, even a hindrance. These were the ones he wanted, though. Primarily Thjorn.
A glyphpunk, he'd allegedly caused trouble for the Idstil authorities in his youth, although had been quiet in recent winters. That seemed unlikely. He'd probably become better at hiding. So far Einari seemed to have been lucky in gaining information on him. That wouldn't last, so he couldn't risk him escaping again.
Given relations with the local authorities they'd have an easier time if they caught them in the act, rather than nabbing them off the streets. They'd watch, and grab them when they broke into the place. If they could do it quietly they'd get them out of the country without anyone knowing. If they couldn't, they'd send someone for the local guards and sort it out later.
That would require diplomacy. And could get awkward if the Irnskylian authorities learnt the pair had stolen arvinim. He'd claim to be after them for the incident in Culvik.
The pair rose, and Einari took pains to remain casual, checking his men did likewise. They were experienced, and had worked with him for a few winters, but none were familiar with this kind of activity. They didn't look out of place, although he imagined they felt as uncomfortable as he did. They were spread out, so should be able to handle most moves. And if the pair ran he'd order an immediate attack.
Their prey sauntered along the street towards their lodgings. A study of the place had found it too exposed to risk snatching them in the day, although he hadn't dismissed a night-time extraction. Their rooms overlooked the rear courtyard, so they could be gotten out and into a cart without trouble. The main concern was that any struggle would be heard through the walls, and the guard house was only a street away.
He'd have expected them to avoid the guards, taking one of the cheaper inns nearer the walls. Maybe they wanted to be nearer the target. Or maybe they were being clever: he'd have been inclined to check the cheaper inns for thieves before he went to the more expensive places. Fortunately he'd watched the library instead.
An animated discussion broke out between the pair, too far ahead for Einari to hear.
A quick check confirmed his men were discreet, and spaced out enough to handle their prey's movements. The crowds grew thicker, so he occasionally lost sight of them. A series of hand signals with his men made sure someone had them at all times.
They were in view when they split up. Augni took a left hand street at an intersection while Thjorn turned right. Einari’s men knew to follow Thjorn, but he didn't like this, and signalled Hedvir to follow Augni.
There'd been nothing between them as they split, no words, nor hesitation in their steps. It had been too smooth. Still, if they'd been trying to avoid suspicion they'd have made it less clean, so they likely didn't know they were being followed. He hoped.
This started to wear on his nerves. He had his target in his sights, yet had to play at this charade due to politics. He should grab the thief and march him past the guard house.
Thjorn increased his pace, leaving them little choice but to do likewise while trying not to draw attention. Einari had to weave quickly around some slow pedestrians, which could draw suspicion. Yet the target didn't glance back. At all.
For someone who should suspect he was being hunted it was odd. Especially given everything Einari had heard said Thjorn was intelligent. Something was wrong.
Thjorn didn't even turn back as he broke into a run.
Abandoning the pretence Einari followed. He ripped his coat off as he went, determined to show his colours.
The crowds cleared ahead, and Thjorn made little attempt to lose them, running straight rather than down side streets or alleys. Until a pair of local guards came into view ahead. Thjorn took the next turn.
The new street had new obstacles, with pedestrians taking moments to react to the armed men charging at them. There were more collisions, along with a swell of irritation as he lost Thjorn. Seeing a flash of movement ahead, he pushed through, leaving protestations in his wake.
Clearing the worst of the crowds, he saw Thjorn stumble but keep his feet. Whatever it had been had slowed him, and they were closing in.
Thjorn gave up the chase as a handful of guards came into view ahead. They were still a fair way away, and a few alleys lay before them, but Thjorn slowed with his hands up. Einari's hand landed on his shoulder.
Einari spun him, sure there’d be a different face grinning back. It was the one he'd expected. While not grinning, he didn't appear distraught, as though this were a common occurrence. Maybe he thought he could talk his way out of it. Was that arrogance, or had he prepared something?
They waited for the locals, who slowed their approach and eyed them warily. His men remained at ease, ready in case Thjorn tried anything, while posing no threat to the locals.
One of his men went sprawling as a figure exploded from an alleyway. Thjorn growled something and started to struggle as Einari recognised Augni. The thief had no weapon drawn, but charged directly at Einari, probably intending to make him to release his grip on Thjorn. Their best chance, maybe, but in vain.
Tightening his grip, Einari yanked Thjorn around to use as a shield, twisting his arm behind his back. Augni changed course to charge Hulf, slamming him off his feet and sending him stumbling into onlookers.
Augni spun at Eifid, who closed from the side with a drawn sword. Einari nearly snarled at the bared steel. Thjorn chose that moment to try twisting free. He tried kicking Eifid. Einari didn't let him, pulling his kick up short as he yanked the thief off his feet and to the ground.
Augni held Eifid at bay, but was trapped. The guards arrived, leaving him no escape.
'Eifid,' said Einari, and the man put up his sword, raising his hands. Einari turned to the local guards. 'These men are thieves. We're taking them into custody.'
'You've no authority here,' said a guard approaching from the other side.
'We tracked them from a theft in Culvik,' said Einari. 'They were casing the library.'
'You should have come to us before following anyone.'
Despite the obvious hostility, Einari had to try rational argument. 'They spotted us before we had a chance, so we had to apprehend them.'
'Causing a disturbance?'
'Rather than let thieves escape? Yes.'
'We'll take them,' said the guard. 'You can put your case forward when the time comes.'
Einari kept his face calm, which took some effort. The situation didn't leave him many options. 'I'd also like to question them.'
The guard's face hardened. 'The Society has no power inside our borders. Politics may mean they'll be turned over to you, but you don't get to question them while they're in my custody.'
He placed his hand on Thjorn's shoulders, and Einari relinquished the prisoner. Thjorn squared his shoulders slightly, and glared at his accomplice. Upset the rescue had failed?
The guards started to escort them away when the spokesman stopp
ed, spotting something inside Thjorn's coat. He had one of his men hold the prisoner, and pulled something out.
Einari circled to see what it was. A flag. Not a design he was familiar with.
'This is the royal crest of Irnskyl,' said the guard. 'Possession of this is illegal. Where did you get it?'
'I'm a close personal friend of the royal family,' said Thjorn.
The guard tensed. 'Take them in.' He turned to Einari. 'He'll be charged with theft here. You can forget getting him.'
Fuming, Einari knew there'd be little he could do. This had become political. Still, he'd been assigned to bring them to justice, and he had. In a way. The Society would alert him if he was needed to do any more.