“Well… we really did just waltz into Gravecourt, huh?” said Ray, scratching the back of his head.

  He stared out the window at the Emerald Tower reaching for the sky. It pierced through the pale clouds with ease. The sight was like a lighthouse by the sea, guiding sailors away from danger, but the two knew better.

  “It’s a bit concerning that it’s just the two of us, though,” he added. “Should we have tried to get Ethan?”

  Tucker looked around the safe house in the slums of Gravecourt. He held onto the unopened letter Charles had given him, focusing on the words on the surface with a hint of conflict.

  “Commander?”

  Tucker glanced up, shoving the letter into his leather pouch. “I hear you.”

  “You’ve been distracted since Charles gave you that letter. If you’re worried about it, then just open it.”

  “Worried wouldn’t be the word I would use to describe what I feel.” Tucker let out a slow, drawn-out breath. “It’s a letter from my half-brother. Someone who is nothing more than a stranger to me.”

  “Damn, that’s a pretty cold way to put it.” Ray lowered the curtain he was holding to peek at the Emerald Tower. “Though it surprises me that these bastards make a massive tower in every city they go to.”

  Tucker looked around the safe house. It was a simple building with wooden log walls and glass windows. They were currently on the second floor, where soundproofing was carefully prepared with artifacts. There were various records kept in place and organized by the other Watchmen. A series of maps sprawled out on the table, and right now, the two needed to review whatever relevant information they could find.

  “They fully mapped the sewers, and luckily, we also have a breaching point,” Ray said, placing a stone flag to mark the spot on the underground map. “If we wanted to repeat what we did in Alexandria, then we would have the perfect opportunity.”

  “That wouldn’t work,” Tucker countered. “If you think about it, we also need to check what’s at the top of the tower. There’s only so much we can find in the basement, and from what the reports say, it seems like the city guards investigated it because of a doping incident.”

  “But how recent was it? Those freaks could have stored something down there again if it had been a while.”

  “A few days after the war started.”

  Ray leaned over the table, resting his palms on the old timber. “That means it’s only been a few months since the city guards raided the Emerald Tower’s basement.”

  Tucker nodded, bringing a layout of the tower onto the table. “Whoever came here before us was damn good at their job. They investigated nearly all key points of interest. From the castle, barracks, and guilds to the mage towers themselves.”

  “Shit…” Ray scanned the maps with awe. “That explains the crazy amount of costumes in the other rooms.”

  “According to the details in the debriefing document, a Nightfall Ranger was stationed here before the war started,” Tucker said with amazement.

  “A ranger? Why were they here?”

  “That’s classified, so we wouldn’t know the details. These safe houses mainly store information about the city, but nothing about who previously used it besides rank,” Tucker replied in a quiet voice. “But honestly, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the level of detail they put into their work. If I could, I would shake that man’s hand.”

  He smiled at the handiwork of one of their comrades. “You can really tell they cared about the Order and had firm beliefs about what they were doing.”

  “Yeah… It’s beyond well supplied.” Ray glanced at the shelves lining the wall, focusing on the well-labeled tomes and equipment. “From head to toe, we have everything we could need.”

  “There’s even a plan of approach for how they infiltrated the Emerald Tower.”

  “Wait, what?”

  Ray shook his head in disbelief. His eyes widened as he walked around the oak table in wide strides. Soon, he stood side by side with Tucker, reading the method that the ranger used.

  His jaw nearly dropped. “This was done by one man?”

  “It was, and their level of espionage is unbelievable,” Tucker replied. “Thankfully, this location is only accessible to Watchmen with their spirit essence registered in the Order. But if the Empire ever discovered it… I don’t even want to think about what they would do.”

  “I mean… yeah, but this is completely bullshit,” Ray said. “The level of acting you need to pull it off isn’t something anyone can just do.”

  “Good thing we’re not just anyone then.”

  Ray slowly frowned as the corners of his lips trembled. “You aren’t seriously thinking about using this, are you?”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, I can list off a dozen reasons why,” said Ray, holding out his hand. He lifted one finger, tapping it with his other hand as he spoke. “One: it’s crazy. Two: the person who pulled it off was a master of disguise. And three, the most important fact of all—I can’t act!”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “We’ve done worse than insane,” Tucker said. “And the ranger left all his disguises behind. Everything we need is right here.”

  “Okay, but that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t act,” Ray shot back, crossing his arms. “I don’t want to be the reason this falls apart.”

  “We’re a team,” Tucker replied. “I wouldn’t blame you if things go south. Just be yourself, and I’ll fill in the gaps.”

  Ray focused on Tucker with a disapproving gaze. “Why does it feel like you’ve done this before?”

  “It comes with age.”

  Ray frowned. “I swear I’m older than you.”

  “Just forget it, and focus on the layout of the tower.”

  “Wait, what about you?”

  “I’ve already memorized it,” Tucker said.

  .

  .

  .

  Tucker ran his fingers through the bright blonde wig he wore. Desperately trying to ignore the itchiness that came with it. The sensation was unbearable. He had never worn one before, but the heat and moisture caused a type of discomfort he had never experienced before.

  Right now, the two were wearing simple disguises. Tucker had a white long-sleeved shirt with the cuffs rolled back to his elbows under a dark, multi-pocketed utility vest. While Ray had a light blue, long-sleeved work jacket that had stains and holes. Both of them wore long, wide-legged, and baggy trousers that cinched at the ankles. Their pants matched the respective uniform colors, combined with black footwear to give it a more professional look.

  The only other difference between the two was that Tucker had both of their leather pouches strapped to his utility belt, while Ray just had simple tools.

  Tucker pulled on his black protective gloves. “You ready?”

  “Hell no,” Ray replied, clicking his tongue. “But it’s not like we have much of a choice, anyway.”

  “That’s the spirit, now grab that ladder,” Tucker said.

  Ray took a deep breath while closing his eyes. He let the cool breeze and warm sunlight hit his face before quietly accepting his fate. They were a few meters away from the entrance of the Emerald Tower, and honestly, he had his doubts about the plan. But it was probably better than scaling the tower at night.

  With nothing but his hopes and dreams, Ray grabbed the other end of the twelve-foot wooden ladder and followed Tucker into the lion’s den. There were two guards at the gate, in full sets of iron armor with spears in hand. Their gazes were sharp with hostility, scanning their bodies for the slightest flaw.

  They had read the notes left behind by the Nightfall Ranger and updated them accordingly with their new disguise for future Watchmen. Tucker would be known as Leon and Ray as Paul. Now, all they had to do was play their parts and get into the tower without causing a scene.

  “Halt!” the guard said. “What brings you to the gates of the Emerald Tower?”

  “Building maintenance,” Tucker said, tapping on the badge pinned to his vest. “We were sent by Gravecourt’s builders guild to check a leak on the upper floors of the tower.”

  The guard narrowed his black eyes. “You’re not the usual builder that comes here.”

  “Which one?” Tucker asked. “Are you referring to Fred? Fred H. Putty?”

  “That’s the one.” The guard nodded with a slight grin. “Never heard from him since the war started. Is he doing alright?”

  Tucker forced a strained smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I can’t say; I haven’t heard from him since he got drafted.”

  The guards glanced at each other with a trace of unease mixed with sadness.

  “You know? Even though I wasn’t that close to him, it feels a lot emptier at the guild nowadays,” Tucker said.

  “You don’t need to tell us that,” the guard replied. “We had quite a few friends who got drafted as well.”

  Tucker’s eyes slowly widened. “Does that mean you’ve sent letters as well? Have any of them sent replies?”

  A tired breath escaped the man’s lips as he shook his head. “I’m afraid not; we haven’t heard a word. Not even a whisper.”

  “It really is a shitty world we live in, huh?” Ray added. “I just hope I don’t get drafted before my son gets born.”

  “Oh wow, you have a kid coming?” the guard asked.

  Ray nodded. “Should be any month now.”

  “Congratulations, that’s amazing news,” one guard said.

  “I have a little one of my own,” another added. “Have you decided on a name?”

  “No, the missus is the one that gets to choose that,” Ray said with a smile. “We had a huge argument over it way back, and that is something I never want to go through again.”

  “Well, you know what they say; a happy wife is a happy life,” Tucker added with a light nudge to the guard.

  All of them wholeheartedly laughed for a moment, but a silence soon took hold. Tucker stared at the guards and then at Ray. The ones protecting the gate were far more relaxed now compared to before. And now they just needed to pass this checkpoint and somehow reach the top of the tower.

  “Hey, wait… your clothes,” a young guard stared at Ray’s clothes, causing him to flinch. “Aren’t they a bit familiar?”

  Ray lifted his free arm and stared at the holes. “Ah… yeah, they should be. They’re hand-me-downs from Fred.”

  “Couldn’t you have afforded new ones?”

  The smile on Ray’s face slowly dropped. “No… I know it’s a bit shameful, but I’m trying to save money just in case something happens to me.”

  “Come on, Paul, don’t say that,” Tucker cut in. He quickly lowered his head. “Sorry about that, but you know with how things are… It’s a bit complicated.”

  “No need to apologize; I get it,” the guard said weakly. “I’m… sorry for bringing it up. That was impolite of me.”

  “Don’t sweat it,” Ray said, pointing his thumb to Tucker. “I wouldn’t be out here if it weren’t for Leon dragging me out here.”

  “Now that I think of it, why are you out here? Most of the builders took the time off to spend with their families.”

  “We’re just trying to earn a little bit more money for our families,” Tucker said. “We have a lot of commissions to handle today, and even though I would love to chat, we still have to put food on the table.”

  The guard nodded with a smile. “Our apologies for taking so much of your time. We just have to inspect your equipment before we let you in.”

  “Yeah, no worries,” Tucker held out his free arm while holding the ladder with his other. “I have tools in the pouches strapped to my belt, but in my inner chest pocket, there should be a piece of chalk.“

  “Sorry, I just have to check.” The guard reached into Tucker’s vest and pulled out the chalk before putting it back. He nodded. “Just need to check the belt now—”

  “Wait, where’s your identification?” the other guard asked.

  “Fucking hell…” Ray swallowed his saliva while subtly clenching the ladder. “I swear I brought it with me.”

  The guard tending to Tucker slightly frowned. He walked over to Ray and inspected his equipment. “It doesn’t seem like there’s anything else out of the ordinary.”

  “Paul, how could you forget?” Tucker asked, looking back in embarrassment. “Our schedule would be completely messed up if we had to go back to your home now.”

  “I-I didn’t mean to. I was just in a rush because I didn’t get much sleep last night,” Ray replied. “Leon, I swear to Solas that I brought it. Hand on the Bible, may God strike—”

  “Alright, alright,” the guard said, clapping his hands. “Just don’t forget it next time. We’ll let it slide.”

  Ray let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, it means a lot.”

  “Sorry for being such a hardass,” the other guard said.

  “No, you’re just doing your job,” Tucker said. “We get it, so there’s no hard feeling. You guys take care, alright?”

  “Same to you.”

  The guards nodded as the gate creaked open. Tucker and Ray both waved to the guards before they entered, and with soft steps, the first part of their plan had begun.