It's too simple to surrender

Basileios stiffened as he walked down the well decorated hall, grimacing as his heel scraped the ground with a scuff of his boot. His hands ran down the front of his coat, catching on the buttons and allowing his fingers to pause and toy with each one, making extra sure that they were fashioned across his torso. With a hand running through his messy hair and straightening his collar, he looked like the dignified noble he should be…

Apart from the blood staining the gold on his coat’s trim, or the gaping bullethole in his pant leg, or the way he tried to hide his limp, but utterly failed.

Oh, and of course, apart from the fact that he should still be in jail. Yes, that was important.

He had managed to slip out fairly easily the first time, and they believed him when they caught him, suspecting it to be an unchecked lock on their part. He knew he wouldn’t have a third chance, so he would make the best of his second, finding himself roaming the halls that held the offices of several Order professors and tutors. His fingers danced across the name plaques on each door, tracing the letters as he read them before moving onto the next, and the next, and the next, until-

“There you are,” He breathed, turning flush against the door as he put an ear to the thick wood. He held his breath as he listened to any indication that someone was stirring inside, leaning back after a beat to check under the door. No sounds. No light flickering that he could see. Now was it unlocked…

His hand tested the door handle, and there was a breath of sweet release when the latch clicked at the door creaked open. “Oh, Amaris, you should know better than that.” Basileios muttered under his breath as he slowly stepped into the dark office, carefully closing the door behind him and sliding the lock into place.

Amaris Rooke was an old professor of his, known for his curiously imbued magical items: anywhere from weapons to jewelry, he had it all. Basileios had taken a few classes with him, but unfortunately he had never paid too close of attention. If only he’d known that he’d be here: digging through the older man’s office for anything that may help him escape certain death.

He started with the desk, his fingers quickly picking through papers and books. He slid into the man’s chair, rolling it across the room to pick through drawers and cabinets. And finally, he found himself shifting through a small closet, lined with coats and sweaters of all types.

Nothing, nothing, and more nothing.

With a defeated sigh, Basileios rolled the chair back into the center of the room, his face scrunching as he slowly turned the chair, his gaze sweeping the office once more for anything he could have missed. He scanned the desk, the shelves, the windowsill… and suddenly, he paused in his tracks, his eye catching a glint of something tucked behind the curtain.

With a huff of air between his teeth, he fought the twinge in his knee as he pushed himself up and moved to the window. He ducked out of sight of the moonlight, tipping his chin as he glanced out the window to make sure no one was lurking beneath it, or anywhere that would make it easy to spot him. Once he deemed it safe, he turned his attention back to the object, hooking his finger on the curtain and pulling it away.

A black orb stared back at him, its surface so smooth he could see his reflection as clear as a mirror. It seemed to gleam under the moonlight, reflecting the twinkle of the stars. A silver chain spilled from its center, hanging off of the windowsill.

Basileios carefully picked it up, a curling smirk finding his lips as he stepped away from the window. He rolled the orb in his hand, running his fingers over its smooth surface before tucking it into his coat’s breast pocket. He remembered that little amulet- it was the one Amaris was most proud of. Basileios wasn't entirely sure what it did, but he knew it was the professor’s most prized possession… He would have plenty of time to figure out what it did.

A rattle of the door handle suddenly stopped him in his tracks, his heart leaping into his throat as wide eyes sought out the door. He heard a quiet curse and a fumble for keys, and quickly, he moved to press himself into the shadows of the closet. Just as he pulled the coats closed around him, he heard the door squeak open, torchlight from the hall spilling into the dark office.

Basileios waited, listening as the professor shuffled into the room, pulling off his coat and tossing it into a chair in the corner of the room. He muttered something under his breath, his hands sweeping at unopened letters on his desk. He turned away as he opened one, giving Basileios the chance he needed.

As quietly as he could, he slipped out from his hiding place and tucked close up against the wall. He held his magic close to his fingertips, just in case he had to use it, as he slowly slid down the wall towards the door. His breath held steady in his lungs, his heart threatening to give away his position with how hard it pounded against his chest.

Basileios suddenly froze, pressing himself into the shadow of the open doorway as the professor started to turn. He adjusted his glasses, holding the letter in his hand, almost as if he was ready to crumble it up and throw it out… but changed his mind last minute and turned back to his desk, reaching for a pen in his pocket.

Basileios quickly moved to the door, slipping out the small opening and spilling into the hallway. He wasted no time straightening and fighting the pain in his leg to hurry down the hall, turning the corner and pressing his back against the wall. And it was here that he finally let out his breath, leaning his head back with a breathy, quiet laugh. His hand reached for the amulet in his pocket, pulling it out again for a quick glance before placing it back.

Oh, gods above, did he hope it would be useful.