Andreas wished he knew what was doing. Some reckless corner of his spirit had somehow seized control of his body and mind, and brought him back here. Now he was cold, it was dark, and he was almost at the end of his wits with this stupid "treasure" that he was lugging around with him.

It had been quite easy to get hold of. Andreas was not a particularly subtle man, but this occasion had shone out as one of his better moments. He had waited, hidden in the shadows of the city, watching the home of his target. When, finally, the young man had appeared, clutching a satchel which contained Andreas' prize, Andreas had slipped in with him, on route, following slowly. Soon, the crowds thinned out, as the target headed towards the part of town that was less frequented by the kind of people you'd want to meet and more by the sorts that you wouldn’t want to stumble into in a dark alleyway (which seemed like most places around here). Finally, when it was just the two men left, Andreas pounced.

Swinging the shaft of his battleaxe up and round, Andreas half-winced as it connected with the base of the man's skull, making a sick thudding sound. Instantly, his target crumpled to the floor, still breathing, but as conscious as a sack of potatoes. Dragging the dead weight into a small side alley, Andreas sighed, wiped the sweat from his brow, and carefully relieved the target of his satchel. He had then disappeared into the darkness, with no-one to be a witness to his crime.

Now, however, he was hidden down another alley, hoping that the pounding footsteps he had heard were not those of his target's business partner, who, by now, would have realised that his accomplice was not arriving. If Andreas could have afforded to make a sound, he would have sighed. What was he doing? He should still be in Cascadia, hunting for a ship, not doing petty jobs for that guild he had discovered. He was a pirate, one of the Lords of the open seas! Bound to no man, he sailed where he wanted, when he wanted. Except now, without a ship, and probably chased by the men he had just robbed, he was no more that pirate lord than the treasure he held in his arms.

The footsteps grew slowly louder, then disappeared round a corner, and Andreas let out a sigh of relief. Even if it had been one of those men, they hadn’t seen him. But, where would he go now? He was thoroughly lost. Still, looking about, there was no-one around, and he could make his escape. Perfect.

(OOC: Preferably a drow/evil-aligned character, to act as either the "target" who has been robbed, or his accomplice, coming to find Andreas, and recover the stolen goods please =D)

As silent as he could, the being of darkness was looking around. He had wish to have his half-brother around, he would have taken care of the business. Gavriel who liked so much to inflicted pain. Naitbas was not the fighter but he did not really cared either. Mind over matter, that's how it was for him. Though this time, it mattered what had been stolen.

Some artifact from the mansion, how so this intruder was alive as he entered and so well when he left? Someone working against him in his own house? The vampire would have to deal with it later."Perhaps you should hand over what you stole from me, thief."The voice was echoing in the ally, nothing to be seen in the pure darkness of Balefire.

Everything was making things simple. He knew this town since the tiefling was a brat which was around four hundred years ago. The darkness, he was also used to it. As beeing of darkness it was easy to use it."You should be grateful that i came alone, and i'm feeling in good mood so i won't harm you."He had sent a message out to the mansion, so yes it would not Naitbas harming the man, but someone else if he was coming soon enough.

Andreas cursed mentally as he heard the dark voice, emanating from the very black that permeated every stone and every gap in the city of Balefire. He looked around, trying to act calm, but his heart began to beat faster and faster, as his mind raced, trying to work out what he should do. Nothing instantly leapt out at him from the darkness, and so his mind twitched, conjuring up ever more dark and terrible creatures that could be waiting for him.

A grin flashed across his face, tugging at the corners of his mouth. He had faced danger before, far worse than this, and still lived to tell the tale. So.

"Twas not I that stole yer precious cargo, ser," he began, casting about to search for any glimmer of movement that could reveal where his assailant was hidden. "Twas another dishonourable man, now unconscious in some god-forsaken spot in this god-forsaken city." He prayed fiercely that his lie would pay off in some small fashion, at least revealing who or what it was stalked him in the darkness.

"I be removing it from his custody, and returning it t' yours." A deep breath, "Now, pray reveal yerself, that I may hand it back to ye, personally, as a true gentleman to another."

Now it was simply to wait, and hope that no others would arrive.

(OOC: sorry it's taken me so long to reply! I've been moving into a new university, so I've had a busy few days, and I've only just got my internet sorted)

"No."Said simply the dark voice, but by it's mysterious location, it was clear that the man was moving to observe the thief."A gentlemen would never dare to steal, thus making yourself the right to be called like anyone of you type: a criminal. But so far, i wont kill you or anything, just let the artifact on the ground and be on your way."

There was no way he could be acting gentlemanly towards someone such as this. If Gavriel would get here he would have his little fun but, where in the world was he? The idea of seeing no suffering or blood spilled tonight made him a little pissed but Naitbas easily held himself."If you do not wish to cooperate, i may have to call for some help and then, it will be too late to beg for mercy and forgiveness.I warned you..."