The Warlock smiled as he pulled out a rather large sack, throwing it on the table inbetween himself and Marxus. "What we can offer you is protection and payment. After all, you wouldn't want your empire to fall so easily, now would you?" The thinly disguised threat struck the other man, making him narrow his eyes. This imbecile had dared to threaten his hard work, giving the man an ultimatum. The payment struck Marxus's fancy. It seemed like a good sized amount in the very least, something he could use to his advantage. Having Warlocks with him instead of against him could garner more from the magical community as well. Magic items always sold quite well in the underground.
Leaning back, Marxus smirked. "How much we got in there?" As he was making his deal, Esther snuck through the different rooms, constantly alert for anything that might possibly trick her. Each room was filled with different items, maps, jewelry, and even some things that held a really dangerous aura. Nothing useful could be found. The apprentice nearly growled in frustration. However, she knew that men like him never held important items in obvious places. Almost always important information was kept somewhere safe where the papers wouldn't be found so easily by thieves like herself.
Hearing a woman grumbling, most likely a guard, Esther ducked into the nearest open room, careful not to disturb anything. Turning, she examined her new hiding spot. It was a small room, but it was filled with maps that were written on. Files that seemed of some importance were scattered hastily on a desk, surely more stuffed into envelopes and drawers. Jackpot. Spotting a bag sitting innocently on the corner of a chair, she grabbed it before starting to shove whatever seemed important into it. She cared little if the papers were crumpled, only continuing to shove whatever she could until the bag could fit no more. Taking a deep breath, she slung the bag around her shoulder. Now it was time to get out.
"There is twenty thousand gold pieces in that one bag, sir." The warlock leaned forward, holding a hand out. "Now... Do we have a deal?" The other man seemed to think over his answer before gripping the Warlock's outstretched hand and shaking it. Smiling, the magical man leaned back. "Good, now, I think you have a bit of a visitor waiting for you. I'll help you take care of it, as an act of sealing our deal-so to say." With that the warlock got up and headed out the door toward the magical signature.
The whole job had been going well... almost too well. Esther couldn't help but feel paranoid as she worked her way back to the open window. If she could leave the house, she would be able to run back to Sparrow and Alexi home free. However, an ominous feeling grew as she finally found the window she was going to dash toward. She was so close! Just a few more feet and... Bam! A tanned hand slammed the window shut. Dark eyes gleamed as a small smirk sent shivers down Esther's spine. "I know you're here, little apprentice... I won't hurt you, I can promise you that. Why are you here all alone? Did your master abandon you?" The warlock took a step forward, his dark robes shifting menacingly. "Now, why would someone leave such a useful student? Here, I'll help you find a new master... One that can teach you much more powerful magic than your old master could."
Esther knew from the man's whole speech that he was a warlock. If the scary looking appearance wasn't enough, it was the way he seemed to try and lure her into his grasp. Well, he wasn't going to get her that easily. Quick as a whip, she dashed away, trying to find some other sort of place to escape. A bolt of lightning sparked near her feet, making the young girl yelp. "Now, now, let's be reasonable. There's no need to run away!" Esther took a sharp turn, scanning for some type of exit, any type of exit really. Others were wondering what the hell the warlock was shooting at, as different guards and underlings started to cause a commotion. Good. She could use that.
The apprentice dug her small stone out of her pocket and clutched it for dear life. "Impedivisum!" She yelped as another bolt got way too close for comfort. Smoke poured into the room, seemingly coming from everywhere. People started panicking, bumping into one another as the Warlock tried to get back to the girl without hurting the people under his deal. With the confusion taking the warlock's focus off of the young girl, she pushed through a back door, not even bothering to close it as she ran away from the godforsaken house. She gripped the bag close to her, not stopping as she swerved through people and ducked into turns. The girl deliberately took a confusing way back to Sparrow, not daring to look behind her in fear of seeing the dark eyes and lightning bolts. With a slam, she rushed into the café, her invisibility spell now gone. The girl struggled to get a good breath in, looking around as if she were prey boxed into a corner. She just needed to get the damn bag to Sparrow, then she could tell Alexi about the warlock.