Rannie smiled sweetly at the man before her and turned her face as if what he had just told her made her blush. The truth was she hadn’t heard a word of what he’d said to her nor really anything he said the whole evening. She use to listen to them but after a time they became so predictable that she stopped. Lies, she thought surpassing a sigh. None of them ever meant any of the flattery or pretty words they spoke to her.
Not that she really cared about their attentions, it had been two years now since Belegandir had declared his love for her and they’d become lovers but the fact that all these men lied that none of them saw her more than a free whore is what bothered her. Was Belegandir the only decent man left? She thought once more trying to suppress a sigh as outwardly she appeared to be completely raptured by what the man was saying.
Slowly Rannie slipped into her hand into his pocket carefully as he leaned closer to her, obviously convinced that she would be in his bed before long. Easily she was able to take the small key off of him. Now all she had to do was wait for Belegandir, along with the wife of the man she was with to make their appearance to cause the perfect distraction so he could get the coin and other valuables locked away in the chest that the key belonged too.
As a well-practiced play, Belegandir made his appearance where she was, along with the man’s wife. Quickly things escalated and Rannie knew it was her time to make her exit. Pretending to be overcome with embarrassment, she rushed out of the room, followed soon by Belegandir. They quickly made their way towards the room that held their target. “I knew that’d dress would get him, you look absolutely stunning in it” he told her as they walked, making her actually blush slightly. “Of course you played your part well my dear,” he added.
“Thank you,” she started, using still the feigned Gondorian accent that he seemed to so much prefer on her as they entered the room. “But…is all of this really needed” she started and he sighed loudly.
“Not with that again,” he demanded as he kneeled before the rather large chest.
“I’m sorry…it’s just…it doesn’t feel right Bel-” she went on and he cut her off with a sharp look.
“Funny…the thieving Rat talking about what’s not right,” he sneered and she looked at him in shock for a moment, unable to form a single word. He stood and walked to her, clearly angry. “These rich fancy nobles and what not don’t care for you or me…they just care for themselves. We’re just giving them the same back to them. If anything is right it’s this! Now I’m growing tired of your constant objections!”
Rannie slowly nodded and even though she knew it wasn’t exactly the best time she couldn’t help but speak her next growing concern as he returned to the chest, opening it and taking out its contents. “You said this would be one of our bigger jobs…so this means we can finally settle down right? You know settle, marry, kids, and all that that people in love do.” Once again he sighed loudly.
“You want to talk about this now?” He demanded and now she gave him a sharp look.
“Well ya never wanna talk bout it at any other time,” she snapped, returning to her natural way of speaking and he scoffed loudly as a show of his disapproval.
“What have I told you about talking like gutter trash…” he snapped, looking at her furiously then after a moment he visibly calmed. “I apologize Rannie…you’re right, that’s what they do and we’ll do that if it’s what you really want. Is it what you want Rannie?” He asked her and she nodded happily. He gave her a small smile then caressed her cheek. “Then that’s what we’ll do…after one more job. I’ve never been able to do it by myself but the prize would be our biggest yet…what do you say Rannie, love? One more job and you’ll have all your heart’s desire alright?”
Rannie grinned at him brightly and eagerly nodded. “Alright one more then we’re done!” she cheered happily, giving him a quick hug before going back to the task at hand.
After a few weeks of preparation and much more of travel they were in Dale. It was a little different than what they’ve usually done but she didn’t care since it meant that they were going to finally going to actually build a life together. Rannie held on to the small chest as she crept through the darkened streets where she was supposed to meet with Belegandir.
She reached the small alley way that they were supposed to meet but it wasn’t Belegandir waiting for her but the city guard. She skidded to a halt, giving them all a charming smile. “Oh excuse me, I must have taken a wrong turn” she said and turned to leave when more of the city guard show up.
“Oh I think you’re going right where you wanted there missy” one of them spoke. “Someone told us we’d find a little rat trying to run off with something that didn’t quiet belong to her” He continued as he walked up to her and ripped the small chest out of her arms. She started to say it was hers when he cut her off. “Oh Please don’t bother, I’d know this chest even blind folded Rat.” He told her then pointed to two of the guards. “Take her away,” then turned to the remaining guards. “Find the other one!”
Rannie sat before three five men, all of them clearly weathly and/or powerful. “Did you find the other one” A man with grey hair asked the Guard that had caught her earlier. The other shook his head with a scowl.
“No, I think he used the rat as a scape goat to get away” the guard explained and all the men nodded, with grim faces.
“Well girl you’ve gotten yourself in a mess” the grey haired man stated. “This is something I can’t just ignore even though I believe it’s you’re naïvetés that’s brought you here not malice,” he started and the guard scoffed.
“Don’t let yourself be fooled by her youth, I’ve seen many of her kind. Street Rats they are, born of bad blood and nothing can be expected of them but law breaking” he sneered but the grey haired man seemed to ignore him as he sighed and shook his head.
“I am the mayor of this town, thievery of such materials as you possessed can’t go ignored. I have no choice but to punish you girl, do you understand” he asked and Rannie gave him a smirk with a nod.
“Aye, that I do” she told him cheekily, she’d seen jail before, it didn’t scare her and she knew that Belegandir would come for her. He’d find a way to free her. The guard scowled at her and muttered under his breath. The grey haired man, the mayor, shook his head.
“No girl, I’m not sure you do but it’s doesn’t matter, the punishment will be what it will be…I hear by sentence you to a year of prison. Once released you’ll be forbidden from entering Dale, if you do it’ll cost you your life…do you understand” he explained and once again Rannie said she did with the same cheekiness, confident she wouldn’t stay there long.
