Bonaventura! E2 "Thieves"

Tobias Flint was not a particularly educated man. He had never gotten "book learning" but knew his "good book." He did like to have a broad interpretation of those "Thou shalt not" bits. He was an otherwise good man despite these shortcomings. His men thought he was a virtuous person by comparison. Certainly not a saint, but he believed in loyalty, giving a man a fair shake and he was a man of peace. That was, until someone drew down on one of his boys, kinfolk or "was asking for it." The small gang asked about this point in particular since the caravan they had been following all day looked well-armed. Tobias told them, through a gob of chew that no, they would not shoot them in the back or slice any throats. 

"But doesn't the good book say we can defend ourselves?" Big Alf asked as he sharpened his knife against a stone.

Tobias snorted. "Of course, a man has a right to defend hisself. But shooting a man in the back ain't right."

"Not very sportsmanlike neither," Doyle added with a yawn.

"Dem straight," Tobias said firmly.

"So," Big Alf said with some consternation as he tried to connect the threads of his thoughts, "we can shoot'em if they shoot first?"

"Not unless we have to. This is going to be a quiet job." Tobias said with a save of his hands, as if he was about to perform a trick. "We is going to wait for them to stop for the night, sneak in and take what we need without anyone being the wiser."

Tobias produced a stick and began sketching in the dirt. "Big Alf is going to keep watch and give out a call if anyone goes snooping. Doyle will pinch a few of the horses while me and Lemon dig through the stock. Any questions?" As Big Alf raised a hand, Lemon cut him off with a sharp look. "Clear as mud, boss." He spit his mangled toothpick to the ground and stood.

Tobias pressed the field glasses to his eyes as he chewed on some salted ham. "They are sure in a tizzy, Lemon." 

His partner nodded, a sneer playing across his unshaven face. "They going to be chasing poor Doylie all the way into the wood. Smart as mud, boss."

Tobias nodded, allowing himself to enjoy the compliment. The plan had worked perfectly, though Doyle had almost blown the whole job by getting spotted by a gnomish man and a human. Fortunately, Doyle was just a slip of a shadow and had hidden from the keen eyes. It was a rum business not getting the fresh horses. But they had helped themselves to the stores and Lemon had found a brace of new pistols. Tobias stroked the hand of the beautiful weapon now tucked into his belt. It was an afterthought to have Big Alf trace a path away into the Wood and then double back along a used path so he couldn't be spotted. "It's going to keep them busy for sure."

They both watched the posse of horses rush off along the fake trail toward the wood. He frowned and shifted the lenses of his glasses. "Looks like a twofer are making their way off by their sweet selves."

"Should we kidnap them?" Lemon said with a gleeful smile. "Good coin in that, boss."

Tobias sniffed. "You know what the good book says about the pro-liferation of bodies."

Lemon frowned. "We pro-lifered plenty of bodies. Some even liked it."

Tobias scanned the horizon. "Your big bag of beans! No slaves."

Lemon rubbed his stubble. "But we picked up that kid last year. And those twin sisters the year before."

"They was not that fare. These are fare folk. Sure, they worth coin, but they tend to remember and hold grudges." Tobias said with sagely tone. "We are avoiding any additional law right now."

Lemon shrugged. "What are they doing?"

Tobias sniffed. "Not sure, mutton. They be talking for sure."

Lemon reached for the glasses. "I can't read them lips. Let me see." 

There was a few moments of silence as Tobias munched on a stock of grass. "Well?"

"He says he likes her forehead. She said she liked trees. He's saying something about being broke and tarry about her expedition. Something about tainted mermaids. She says she's a moved on past it." He squinted. "He seems surprised that she has not produced a party. Can't see her face...he says something about a wrong time and she's saying she's gonna live a long time."

"Looks like the boys gave up," Tobias said with a mocking click of his tongue. Horses pounded through the fields as the posse returned.

"They look like they racing down the hill now." Tobias said handing the glasses back to Tobias. "She's mighty fine. Fine as mud, boss."

"Probably a hundred years old. They live a long time, I hear." Tobias said authoritatively. "Lets get back to the boys, Lemon. I hear Big Alfi is making us a feast tonight."

"Feast as fine as mud, boss." Lemon concurred.