"Ah'm afraid Ah'm not much fo' breakin' and enterin', Aan," Kira said. "Ah shall defe'uh to your exp'uh'tise in such mattuhs."

Aan replies, "Kira, go to the meeting place, find the others, and bring them back here. We'll meet here." The here I indicate is either a sheltered place near Haratai's place, or one of the corners behind the place. "I need to check a few things out before we proceed, and nothing personal, but a thief is needed for what I have in mind."

"Ah certainly hope," Kira comments, "No one asks me any questions." She returns to the meeting place.

Aan moves to building, after checking to make sure the street is empty, with the aim of scaling the wall when he sees that the walls are unnaturally smooth. He can't seem to get a good purchase on the wall to climb.

Aanparon, having seen ranchers lasso cattle before, tries to fashion his rope into a lasso. After a few fumbles with the rope, Aan thinks he has it right.

Checking the street to ensure it is clear, Aanparon moves to the building and throws his lasso. His first attempt doesn't even make it to the roof level. Quickly recoiling the roop Aanparon hurls the rope with all his might, the rope makes it to the roof but doesn't snag on the chimney. Aan recoils the rope and prepares for a third throw when he hears some noise at the front door, obviously coming from the inside.

Aan fashions the rope into a crude garrote and slides up agains tthe wall as near to the front corner as he can get. Silently he waits and sees a very tall orc pass by, quickly he jumps out and applies his garrote on the orc as he sees that there are at least three other orcs behind the first one. Aan tries to swing the tall orc to use him as a shield when he notices that the tall orc does not seem affected at all by the rope, nor can Aan budge him from his spot. From his closer vantage point Aan notices that the tall orc is made out of some sort of metal.

Aan tries to pull the metal orc backwards but quickly realizes it would be a futile effort. Pulling his hands free of the rope Aanparon staggers against the metal orc when he is struck from behind by two sharp blasts. Hurt, but still able to move, Aanparon glances to see that there are indeed three other orcs, two in robes. One chanting and one carrying the third orc. Aan quickly moves down the side of the house and sees two darts of energy fly by the corner, where Aan once stood, and inbed themselves in a house across the street before disappearing. Aan hears a voice say, "Turbet, make sure he doesn't bother us." At this time, the metallic orc begins to move again, towards the retreating Aan, the orcs eye's are alit with some inner flame as it draws his large sword.

Moving quickly, staying out of the reach of Turbet, Aan draws a dagger and moves around the corner, trying to find out who the orc is who is being carried. Aan narrowly evades beening sliced open at the waist by Turbet's swinging sword as he manages to get back to the main street. Aan's jaw drops when he finds that the main street is empty with no sign of the three orcs. Aan pulls his wits back about him as he quickly ducks under Turbet's blade and puts some distance between the two of them.

Aan tries to focus on the ground to get a clue where the other orcs went, but due to the compactness of the road, the darkness of night, and the fact that Aan has to keep out of reach of the metal orc, he isn't able to find anything out.

Aan quickly realizes that he is getting tired from dodging the orc, though the metal orc doesn't seem tired at all. Aan knows that it is only a matter of time before the metal orc connects, and if he does, Aan is a goner.

Aan, a bit slower now that he is getting winded, dodges out of the way of the orc and moves to the corner, looking down it, he doesn't see the orcs. Aan turns and heads down to the next corner, seeing the metal orc gaining rapidly on him. Aan quickly turns the corner and darts through the streets.

After several turns Aan looks behind him to see that the orc is gone. Slowly Aanparon returns to Haratai's building and waits. After about 2 minutes he sees the metal orc come around the opposite corner of Haratai's building, it appears to be heading straight for Aan.

Aan takes off again, trying to lose the metal orc. He turns corners, gasping at air, until he finally stops. Leaning up against a building, Aan winces at the pain in his lungs and legs. Without warning he doubles over and vomits on the side of the building.

Slowly, Aan collects himself and begins walking back towards the house. The stich in his side fades as he continues to walk. Finally Aan finds himself back at the house where he sees...

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