Under the cover of darkness, Viki and her brother, Tom, approached the house of an independent herbalist who supplied medicines to the less fortunate. Unlike the alchemy guild, which had ties to the notorious pirate, known asOne-Eyed Shark, Edward Samson, this herbalist operated outside their influence—a fortunate circumstance that allowed Viki to act against the wishes of her boss.

Silently, the siblings made their way towards a window, their footsteps barely audible on the empty street. Viki retrieved a knife from her pocket, preparing to skillfully open the window without making a sound. She exerted just enough pressure, mindful of the delicate task at hand. However, the first window resisted her efforts. Undeterred, she moved on to the next, then the next, but each proved equally stubborn.

"Fuck," she muttered under her breath as the final window proved impenetrable.

"Let's try the door," Tom suggested.

"Do you have the tools?" Viki inquired.

"Of course," he replied confidently.

Tom scanned their surroundings to ensure no one was nearby. Satisfied that the street was deserted, he approached the entrance, with Viki following closely. In the darkness of the night, he leaned over to locate the keyhole. Armed with a couple of modified sewing needles—a rare find due to their tendency to break during the bending process—he skillfully manipulated them into the lock.

Viki kept a vigilant watch, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement or approaching danger. The silence remained undisturbed, confirming that their covert operation remained undetected. Then, a soft click resonated, indicating that the lock had yielded to Tom's expertise.

"I've got it," he whispered, gently pushing the door open to peer inside. "Nobody there."

"I'll go in; you keep watch," Viki instructed him.

Tom stepped aside, creating a path for Viki, and she cautiously entered the dimly lit main room. Her eyes adjusted to the faint outlines of the objects within. Taking slow, deliberate steps, she tested the wooden floor for any telltale creaks but was relieved by its silent response.

Viki possessed more patience than her brother, a quality that served her well in their thieving endeavors. Though her opportunities had been limited, thanks to Nathan's reluctance to approve such jobs, she had honed her skills when given the chance.

Finally reaching the counter, she extended her hands to feel its presence before confirming its location visually. With this newfound reference point, she carefully maneuvered herself behind it, preparing to explore the space further.

What she found behind the counter was a bustling collection of herbs suspended from the ceiling, strewn across the floor, and crammed onto the shelves of an enormous rack. As Viki rummaged through the verdant chaos, her movements stirred a subtle rustling but failed to raise any alarm. Every sound she made was met with intense listening, her senses attuned to any sign of unwanted attention.

Amidst the dried plants and jars, her searching fingers encountered something different—a book. It was a weighty tome, it's cover adorned with supple leather and its spine embossed with elegant lettering. Tracing the unfamiliar characters with her fingertips, Viki could not discern the title, as she had never learned to read.

This book represented the sole purpose of their perilous undertaking, and so, with the utmost care, she retrieved it and embarked on her quiet retreat from the house. Leaning in close to Tom, she whispered, "Take this," passing the precious volume into his waiting hands.

Though he silently complied, Tom halted her departure by seizing her arm as she turned to go back.

"You're going back?" he queried, surprise etched on his face.

"We need more!" she replied with determination.

Tom sighed but released his grip, allowing her to vanish once more into the murky depths of the room. She navigated the shadows, her eyes scanning the shelves in search of additional treasures. However, despite her thorough exploration, it appeared that the pilfered book was the sole literary offering within reach. Even a meticulous second inspection yielded nothing else of value.

Left with no alternative, Viki resolved to explore the other rooms. The herbalist was likely slumbering in the back, and while the prospect filled her with trepidation, she felt compelled to press on. She located the door after a brief pause and proceeded to open it with painstaking caution. Fearful of any noise that might rouse the sleeping occupant, she exerted utmost care in her movements. The handle creaked only faintly as it descended to its lowest position.

Peering through the narrow gap between the door and frame, Viki strained to discern the room's contents, but the darkness obscured her vision. Left with no other choice, she steeled herself and ventured inside. A window adorned the opposite wall, its pale glow casting faint illumination over the slumbering figure lying on the bed below. The fact that he had remained undisturbed during her previous attempts to enter through the windows hinted at his deep sleep, yet she remained cautious, wary of even the slightest disturbance.

Bathed in the soft glow of starlight, Viki discerned the dim contours of the room. Adjacent to the slumbering man's bed stood a bedside cabinet, adorned with a lone candlestick and what appeared to be another book. A towering wardrobe loomed to her left, its grand size suggesting it held even more literary treasures.

She embarked on the most challenging task, tiptoeing toward the sleeping figure and deftly retrieving the coveted prize. With measured steps, she then advanced toward the wardrobe, aiming to open it with utmost care. A disconcerting creak emanated from the hinges, causing Viki to freeze, her gaze darting nervously over her shoulder. To her relief, the man remained undisturbed, prompting her to cautiously widen the wardrobe door, allowing her hand to slip inside and explore its contents.

Slowly and methodically, she traversed each shelf, encountering mostly garments. Yet, nestled at the top, concealed from casual view, lay the objects of her desire—more books. One by one, she plucked them from their hiding place, creating a stack on the floor. There were five volumes in total, each substantial in size, their covers a uniform hue. Unable to ascertain their titles, she decided to take them all, heedless of closing the wardrobe behind her. Sneaking out of the room, she stealthily retraced her steps to reunite with her brother.

"Let's go," she whispered to him.

Tom handed her the book they had acquired earlier, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Take it. I'll secure the door and lock it."

Nodding in acknowledgment, Viki accepted the book, tucked it safely away, and ventured outside onto the deserted street. Tom meticulously locked the door behind them, ensuring their heist would go undetected. With the night cloaking their movements, the siblings dissolved into the city's shrouded embrace, vanishing like phantoms into the darkness.