Proverbs 6:30
He could feel Pearl’s eyes on him as they stood at the edge of the castle. It was clear that they were there by choice, but the morality of it all would remain in question whether they addressed it or not. Men could be seen toiling through patches of stone or sifting through chests in every corner. It was also the opportunity of a lifetime and others would take advantage if they did not. If Aegon waited any longer to say something his General may bore a hole in his head with that stare.
“What is it...have I got something on my face?” The Dragon half grinned while he adjusted the cuffs of his armor. He knew why he continued to look at him like he did. His leading officer chuckled at the question.
“Aren’t you the funny one. You know why I’m staring. I’m waiting to know if you found it.”
The Vault. It was the biggest topic of their planning and their biggest failure so far. The Fort had plenty of things to send back to Dragonstone but there was one thing everyone wanted to see the inside of.
“I have an idea, but I haven’t checked it yet. Follow me,” Aegon said.
Both men walked in silence for a while as they climbed each set of stairs or ladders higher into the castle. This was the last resort for the King in attempt to find where the Vault may be. Once they reached the highest point of the center tower, Aegon looked at Pearl.
“You know, I read a verse somewhere in a very old book. The verse was labeled Proverbs 6:30…” While speaking he withdrew the pickaxe he had slung over his back, swinging it at intervals at the stone beneath him. “This verse I found to be interesting…” Another swing and more stone chipped away in huge chunks. “It said, Men do not despise a thief,” another hefty swing, and something began to show beyond the stone, “if he steals to satisfy himself…” Obsidian. There was obsidian behind the layer of stone. Aegon looked at it for a moment and then back to Pearl. “When he’s hungry.”
Once he finally finished reciting the verse, neither man could help but smile. Both of them began to break through the obsidian until they could get through a hole big enough to reach the contents within. What they were met with was a massive Vault, completely encased in the blackened stone. The euphoric feeling that followed would have been a lot more compelling if the next discovery wasn’t so crushing.
“Aegon...most of these are empty…” They both began tearing through the chests, shaking their heads and cursing under their breath. Soon there were other members within Argus making their way toward the commotion. It seemed their reactions showed a lot of disappointment as well. The frustration balling up in the pit of his stomach felt like a swift punch.
“It doesn’t matter. Take it all and move on. We’ve taken everything else.” Pearl nodded and continued to pack what he could find.
The groans of irritation were audible throughout the Vault and everywhere he walked on his way out. It did not take long for people to be aware that one of the richest cities proved to be without significant reward. Aegon returned to the question of morality and whether it was all or the wrong reasons. What defines hunger? The need to have more? Or was it the simple fact that this only fed their want to serve a justice of their own definition? ‘Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry..’ he thought. Hungry. He watched as all of the people present continued to go through every container they could find in the Fort. Hungry. He could see no other tangible definition than what he saw before him. It never satisfied a physical need for anything that was taken...it satisfied the need for continuity.
Aegon stood with several men, watching dozens of carts being pushed out of the city back to their respective cities. He turned left to see Pearl, Bowmen, Iwas, and Ron. On his right, he looked at Mag, Opyc, Hip, Mop, Adder, Baron...and one of the new recruits they called Doc. It was a motley crew but it was strength incarnate. Strength not from one focus of any specialty, but strength through their resolve and determination beneath a vast array of skills. There was no obstacle they could not overcome.
“It was a pleasure, my friends.” Aegon said as he extended a hand, one at a time, to each man there within Argus. The largest heist in the history of their time had just been conducted, but it was not without a feeling of failure. Perhaps there was more. Perhaps it was all gone forever.
No matter the case...it was done.
