He woke as usual with the rising of the sun and started warming up. Will ran through the kicks and jabs of hand to hand fighting, flowing seamlessly from one to the next in a deadly dance. After finishing, he washed and pulled on his clothes and his favorite boots. He had had them made specially and they made no noise as he walked down stairs. The tavern known as the Raven was the palace for the Tricksters Court, and home to the Sly One. Down in the main room, some of his band was getting ready to meet the caravan with Will. "Morning, Majesty" mumbled a few sleepy voices as he entered. Most of his foke were not morning people, preferring to do their work under the cover of night. Will's ears picked up the tread of soft feet coming around the back of the tall chair that he used as his throne. Slipping his hand to his side, and removing a thin blade he waited for the person who was going through such a great effort to be silent. He suddenly recognized the sent of aloe mixed with lavender coming from the hiding person, and called softly "Morning Gabrielle." She came gliding out from behind him, "Darn you!" her pretty face showing her frustration, "How did you know it was me?!? I was being so quiet this time!" Will just smiled, and let her pout as she sauntered down to her place at the table.
As he stood, silence fell across the room. All faces turned towards him, waiting for their assignments. After he had given everyone their instructions, they finished getting ready. The thieves rapped long bits of cloth around their heads, leaving only their eyes visible and saddling up their horses along with one team pulling a cart. Will mounting his black mare named shadow, led the way out of town. As they reached the appointed spot, the band disappeared silently into the forest on either side of the road, tying their horses a way back, and creeping up to hide in the undergrowth, waiting.
The sounds of many hooves and wagon wheels reached their ears. Will checked all of his blades, and balanced himself on the balls of his feet, waiting for the merchants to draw nearer. As the head of the caravan drew level with him, Will launched himself at the man's big horse, dragging him off. The others attacked, some grabbing the reigns of the horses, while others tackled the drivers, and pulling them over to the side of the road tying them to the sturdy trees on the side of the road. A few were roughed up; if they caused too much trouble, but none were killed those were the orders from the King.
The first vehicle in the caravan was a coach with a single passenger. The thieves looked to Will questioning, the driver had been taken care of, but what was to be done with the young lady sitting inside? Will glanced inside, noting the finely adorned interior and searched the girls face. She had high cheek bones, blue eyes, and a stubborn chin. All framed by masses of brown hair so dark it almost looked black. Sensing his gaze, the young woman turned to look at Will. Her penetrating glare took in every thing, from his covered face down to his well worn leather boots. "Who are you and what do you want?" She asked in clipped tones. Will stared not knowing what to make of her. He smiled under his mask, amused at this sprightly young merchant's daughter. There was no way she was a noble, what kind of father would let his well bred daughter out on a country road without any guards or supervision? Even a baron would have more care than that. "Well..?" She prompted. Will turned away, not bothering to answer her questions and called Jon and Evan over to him. "Evan, I want you to stay here, and make sure this one doesn't get into any trouble, but don't touch her." He said, nodding towards the young girl. Evan nodded turned to stand in front of the carriage door. Jon followed Will as he walked around to the back of the carriage, and helping unload the trunks off of the back.
All down the line, the thieves were unloading carts, and finding anything that might be of value, although they would leave enough for the merchants to not be completely ruined. Jon and Will started into the trunks going through the caravan leader's personal trunk, and starting to hand down finely worked leather caring cases, that had to be the young girls. In a swirl of silk, the merchant's daughter came around the back followed by a harried looking Evan. "Don't you dare touch those." She said her steely eyes flashing. "And why would I do that?" Will responded, amazed by her audacity. "Because," She stated, "those cases are mine, and I don't want you poking through them." His green eyes dancing, he turned to Jon and Evan trying to keep the laughter out of his voice, "Well lads, I do believe we can afford to leave these ones to the lady." Grinning, he and Jon hefted the trunks back on to the carriage. Gesturing for Evan and the girl to follow, he walked around to the door of the carriage, and with an elaborate bow he helped her back inside, leaving Evan to once again guard the door. After the little incident with the spunky young woman, the rest of the raid went smoothly. When they were done, they untied the caravan, and sent them on their way, not much worse for the morning's events. After they had loaded up their cart with all the goods, so kindly given by the caravan, they started back to the Raven where they would divide up their goods.
