Soft boots settled lightly on the stones making neither sound nor mark. The balcony doors would surely be locked, but that would be no problem—not anymore. He had achieved his Lock Mastery Skill last year. Now, at twelve years old he was focusing on a number of other Skills, the present most important one being Daylight Stealth Invasion. His task was to enter the fortress and retrieve an item from a predetermined location and then return said item to the master waiting in the stables. Not only was he required to succeed without getting caught, but also without anyone knowing the item was missing before he finished the task. Five strikers were assigned as regular guards at stationary posts, four were on roaming patrols, and two, Farson and Adona, were actively seeking him. The strikers were permitted to check on the artifact only once in twenty minutes, so he had to time the acquisition just right.

Rezkin had to plan the entire invasion without assistance, which was part of his Stealth Strategy and Tactics Skill. What made it even harder, though, was that in this particular exercise, he was not permitted to kill or even engage any of the guards. It was truly meant to test whether he could get in and out without anyone ever knowing he had been there.

Rezkin slipped through the balcony door and closed and locked it after him. He would not be using the same route to exit, so he made sure to leave no trace of his presence. An unlocked outer door would be a dead giveaway. He had decided on this particular entrance because it was so obvious and open. If the inhabitants had not been aware of his intent to break in, he would never have taken this route. Since they were looking for him already, they would never assume he would choose such a vulnerable entry.

Crossing the sitting room as quickly as possible, he crouched low just in case anyone glanced through the plethora of bright and open windows. Prostrating himself at the door leading to the corridor beyond, he pressed one hand and ear to the door. He watched the light that peeked through the slit at the bottom and felt for the slightest hint of a breeze. When he was sure no one was skulking on the other side of the door, he very carefully eased it open just enough to slip through. He looked up and froze, his heart beating wildly, his attention riveted on the armored guard standing stoically at attention across from him.