~Chapter 4- Brass's assistant ~

"What have you found?"

"The Sky Bandits have been leaving notes for each other. They strip singular words out of books in the library and leave them for each other. I'm not sure what they mean. Maybe it's some code?"

"What were the words?" Warden Opal asked from behind its desk.

"Things like. Strength. Soft. Wait. Old. Secret. Time."

"Very odd... It's best we allow them to keep leaving these messages for each other. We might glean some information from it," Opal remarked, "If you can do it subtly, maybe direct them to a history book or something geological. If they drop any location names, that'll be very useful in finding their stash."

"What about their leader?"

"Him too. If you can keep chatting with them without giving anything away, see what else you can find out," Opal stood from its desk, "I think that'll be enough for today. Thanks for your help!"

"I did have an idea."

"Go ahead."

Brass allowed himself to hunch his shoulders a bit, "At my age, navigating the library is starting to become more difficult. I manage, but some help would be nice."

"Okay. What did you have in mind?"

"Perhaps, one of the Sky Bandits could join me in the library and help me out," Brass suggested.

"I suppose that's a good idea. It'd be an opportunity to coax more info out of them. Do you have one of them in mind? Hopefully, not one of those brothers?"

"Certainly not them. I was thinking of Diva. She volunteered to help me of her own volition when she was in the library the other day."

"I'll make it so," Opal returned a rocky smile, "Next time we have you in the library, we'll have her beside you during all the women's recreational time. I understand that she's attractive by Ralosian standards. I feel that having her there during the men's recreation times could cause trouble. We'll only have her help you during the women's recreational times."

"That's a wise choice."

"Just keep a close eye on her. If anything goes awry, it'll be on you."

"Understood, Warden."

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Brass was brought into the library for his work, and Diva joined him soon after. The guards gave her the similar orders that they would've given him, albeit much more sternly. They trusted him to behave, but not her.

They finally turned Diva over to Brass' care, and they got to work.

"I'm going to sort the returned books into sections, and once I have, I want you to fly around and place them for me. Sounds good?"

"Sounds good!" Diva responded chipperly.

Books piled up on the center table, and Diva began floating about the library with the books in hand, returning them home. Brass checked off the appropriate books on the ledger, noting the ones that had taken a while to be returned.

As they went, Diva decided to challenge herself to see how many books she could carry at one time without having them slip out of her hands. Her record was fifteen by the time they had finished sorting.

"That'll do it," Brass said, placing his hands on his hips. He was pleased with how quickly that went. He pulled a specific book from the shelves, pulled up a chair, and got to reading.

Diva slowly levitated back to the ground with her arms folded, "What do we do now?"

"We're done. We don't have to do anything. Unless someone wants to check out a book..." Brass said, barely tilting his eyes from the page.

"So... we just hangout here?"

"At least until the guards decide to return us to our cells. If you want to go early, feel free to let them know."

"No, no. I'll enjoy what freedom I can get," Diva floated from the ground and began to fly to and fro in the library, trying to find an interesting book, "Do you know any good books here?"

Brass chuckled, "Plenty. What sort of stories do you like?"

"Umm... Something exciting."

"Check the adventure section... Maybe 'Beyond the Edge'," Brass paused, "...or 'The Fallen Hero.'"

"Ooh, that one sounds interesting!" Diva eagerly flew to the adventure section and skimmed through the books.

She slipped the book out of its bookshelf, sifted through the air to the center table, and sat cross-legged on it as she opened the page.

The two read in silence for the most part. Diva would make some remarks about her story but seemed engaged by it. When another inmate entered the library, Diva barely noticed them. Brass helped that inmate find a new book and signed their name in the ledger.

After some time, Diva chuckled to herself, "You're pretty funny, old timer."

Brass gave her a knowing smile, "Oh? Why is that?" He asked sarcastically.

Diva flipped the book over to him and pointed to a paragraph, "The Hero learns how to fly from birds? That's silly!"

"Makes more sense than just 'picking it up as a kid'," Brass replied, "You don't like the book?"

"I do. But the way they describe the sensation of flying is weird."

"What do you mean?"

"They keep describing it as weightless, but for me it's more like... pushing your weight through the air."

Brass shrugged, "Well, you'd know better. The author was just creating fiction."

Diva flipped the book back to herself and read on.

Brass had enjoyed simply chatting with her, but figured he'd try to see to the Warden's motives now. "I have a question for you."

"Shoot."

"I heard there were seven Sky Bandits. Where's the seventh?"

Diva rolled her eyes, "He got away when the rest of us were captured. I'm sure he's living it up now."

"You're not happy for him?"

"Of course not. He gets our whole stash to himself," Diva replied. She began to levitate off the ground, but it was unclear if she realized it herself.

Brass was tempted to press her for more information. Maybe ask, 'Do you have any idea where he might've gone?'. But he didn't want her to become suspicious. He'd have more than enough time to speak with her in the future. There was no need to rush it.

Brass shrugged and said, "I'm sure they'll catch him eventually."

Diva paused for a moment before looking up from her book, "I'm sure the Warden would like to know where he is."

Brass tried to avoid eye contact, "...I'm sure he would."

"...You can admit it. The Warden wanted you to keep an eye on us."

Brass looked up and saw her knowing gaze on him. It was calm, almost amused. She didn't seem upset by it at all.

Brass sighed, "How did you know?"

"You're not that slick, old timer. I could tell early on."

"Well, well. Now that the charade is out of the way... if I could get some information from you that'd be great. I'm sure the Warden will lessen all your sentences if you do."

"Trust me, if I had any idea where our leader was, I would've told you."

Brass set his book down, "I'm a bit surprised to see a person like you in here."

"Oh?" Diva raised an eyebrow and looked up at him.

"You seem to have a level head on your shoulders. You're intelligent. Youthful. I'm sure other Ralosians would see you as beautiful. I assume you're strong as well. I see no reason why you couldn't have led a lawful life on the outside."

"I had a rough childhood," Diva's eyes promptly returned to her story.

"How so?"

"My village and its people were caught in a fire. I was one of the few who made it out," Diva answered, her voice devoid of emotion.

"Oh... I'm sorry," Brass drew back.

"It's alright. It's in the past," She did her best not to show any sadness, but Brass could sense it under the surface. Diva chipperly asked, "What about you?"

"What about me?"

Diva set her book aside, "How did you end up here? I couldn't imagine you committing a crime."

"I wouldn't now! But I was a different man back then."

"How long have you been here?"

"Ohh..." Brass leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment, "I was incarcerated in Age 926."

Diva muttered to herself for a moment, "...47 years ago!?"

"That sounds right."

"What did you do...?"

"... I-I'd rather not talk about that, to be honest," Brass replied calmly. Better not to stir up bad memories.

"Whatever you're comfortable with."

Brass and Diva continued to relax in the library, occasionally pausing from their readings to help one of the prisoners or chat. Whenever Brass glanced at her book, he was surprised by how far she progressed. He considered that maybe she was just skimming through the pages. But she seemed too engaged to do that.

Another cell block of women entered the recreational area. Soon after, Bonnie and Michta strode into the library. Bonnie promptly began perusing the bookshelves again. Most likely looking for another message to leave behind.

Michta slid onto the table beside Diva and looked Brass in his eyes, "So you picked Diva over me! And here I thought you liked me."

Michta looked at him with seductive, piercing eyes. He could tell that she was used to getting her way.

"If you learn to fly like her, I'd request your help as well."

Michta rolled her eyes and traipsed herself along the table, "That's not fair."

Diva smirked. She addressed the other two women, "Did you hear that Razan and Lucar got into a tussle the other day? Brass told me."

Michta slid off the table and placed her hands on her hips, "I'm not surprised. Those two blockheads are always acting up. Who won anyways?"

Brass spoke up, "Neither. The Warden put them in their place."

Michta's hands dropped to her sides, "Really?"

Her eyes trailed to Diva, and the two glanced at each other for just a moment. Diva said, "Apparently, they didn't stand a chance against him. That's what Brass said, at least,"

"That doesn't seem possible. Especially not Lucar and Razan together," Michta remarked, leaning against a bookshelf.

Diva sighed, "It is what it is."

"The Warden's a jerk!" Michta pouted.

Brass laughed, "Ha, of course you'd think so. Opal is just doing his job."

A soft feminine voice sounded from the bookshelf behind Brass, "I've heard he does a little more than that."

Brass looked and saw Bonnie trifling through more books with the same disinterested look on her face. It was the first time he'd heard her speak.

"What do you mean?" Brass asked.

"I heard the Warden keeps the possessions of some criminals for itself."

Brass set his book down and turned to her, "I've never heard of that."

"It's true," Bonnie insisted, calmly pulling out another book and thumbing through the pages.

"...That doesn't sound like Opal."

"I've heard the same," Diva added, "I'd bet Opal keeps his stash in the prison. It's the most secure hiding spot."

Brass recalled the path on the way up to the Warden's quarters, There was a wing that was heavily secured. He considered it odd before, but now...

Brass spoke, "If he did have a stash... I suppose it would make sense for him to keep it there."

"Where?" Michta asked.

"In the tower leading up to his quarters," Brass answered. As soon as he did, he noticed the three women's eyes drift between each other. That same devious nature he saw in them before felt as if it was resurfacing. Brass had said too much.

"Ladies, D-don't do anything reckless. Even if Opal does have a stash, you'd never get to it."

"Of course," Diva gave Brass a simple smile, thumbing through another page of the book in her lap.

Once the women's recreational time had ended, Diva was returned to her own cell. Brass had no reason to linger and asked to return to his cell as well. Before he left, he checked for another note left underneath the table by the Sky Bandits. This time, there were two notes.

Tower

Focus