“Ladies,” greeted them. “I have good news for you.”

“I don’t suppose it’s that Sophie’s done with the fighting pits,” Belinda said sullenly.

“Actually, it is,” Clarissa said.

Sophie and Belinda both looked up sharply.

“Really?” Belinda asked.

“Yes,” Clarissa said. “She’s had her last pit fight.”

“Then what is it you want me doing next?” Sophie asked, eyes narrowing as she looked at Clarissa.

“So cynical,” Clarissa said.

“Just say it,” Sophie said.

“You two were an excellent team,” Clarissa said. “I suspect that even now, the two of you are the only ones who know exactly how many jobs you pulled for Old Man Silva. I just want you back to doing what you do best.”

“The deal was that we help you provoke Silva,” Sophie said. “Now you want us to steal from him?”

“Of course not,” Clarissa said. “I would never put you in that position.”

“Then what?” Sophie demanded.

“It is well known that for almost a decade now, the Silva family has enjoyed the services of a pair of excellent thieves. When those same thieves start robbing the social elite, right out in public, the pressure on Silva will be considerable.”

“Are you crazy?” Belinda yelled, stepping angrily forward. The bodyguard moved towards her, but Clarissa casually waved him back.

“This will be the last task I assign you,” Clarissa said. “Naturally, stealing from Greenstone’s wealthiest will get adventurers investigating. Once they realise that the Silva family’s most capable thieves are the most likely culprits, the pressure on Silva will be immense.”

“Are you really willing to risk bringing the powers from the Island down on your own head?” Sophie asked.

“It’s hardly a risk,” Clarissa said. “What they’ll find is that after conducting a series of expertly carried out robberies, the thieves who have worked for the Silva family for years are no longer in the city. Because, having met your end of the deal, you will be far from here, as promised. With a goodly amount of money for your troubles.”

Belinda opened her mouth to snap back a response, but was silenced by a gesture from Sophie.

“Alright,” Sophie said.

Belinda wrenched her head to look at Sophie as if she’d lost her mind. Sophie gave a slight shake of the head to keep her silent.

“Excellent,” Clarissa said. “Now, your first target—”

“No,” Sophie interrupted.

“Excuse me?” Clarissa asked.

“The goal is to draw attention down on Silva,” Sophie said, “not to undertake any specific robbery. So, it doesn't matter what we take, or from who, so long as it's high profile and it's public. Belinda and I will choose the targets and the timing.”

“Choosing the targets,” Clarissa said, “means I can meet more than one objective at a time.”