The lights were off, so they entered stealthily. Prince Owen hid in the wardrobe of the room, while Mr Brandon carefully made his way to the windows and opened them mid way.
He hung his robe on a frame close to his room desk and sat on the chair. Carefully he pulled open his drawer and took out a small bag of coins and peered into it.
He stuffed his hands inside and brought out some coins them put them in, feeling satisfied he looked around and gently kept the money bag back in his drawer, closed it, went to his window and shut it.
After making sure thing were set, he climbed in to bed and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Few minutes into mid night, a click was heard and the window pushed slightly opened. A shadow followed and stepped into the room, Prince Owen's eyes flew open as he watched the intruder through the clothes in the wardrobe.
Carefully, he took the robe, skimmed through the things on the desk and opened the drawer, then took out the bag of money.
A sword pointed at the intruders back and a voice pierced through the eerie silence.
"Hands up, step away from the desk" Prince Owen said pressing the edge of his sword closer to the culprit's back.
A minute pa.s.sed and he did nothing, just stayed in place with the stolen items still in his hands.
"I said hands up and turn around" Prince Owen shouted once more.
Mr Brandon sprang up from his bed and held a knife in his hands. "You good for nothing scoundrel" he yelled.
Slowly the intruder turned around and glared at the owner of the voice.
"Finally, I have caught you" Prince Owen grinned. "You'll rot in the dungeons."
By now his sword was touching the man's chest, before he could say anything, the man threw the robe in his right hand on Prince Owen's face, distracted he took his sword and made to attack him.
Before his sword could land on the distracted prince, Ian and Ivan burst the door open and charged for him. Prince Owen threw the robe away and all three of them attacked the man.
He quickly blocked two of the swords with his sword and ducked the third. As he bent down he kicked Ian's knee and elbowed Ivan on the ribs.
The Ian fell on the affected knee, while Ivan staggered back. Prince Owen quickly blocked the window, acting as a blockage between the intruder and his exit.
As Prince Owen charged at him swinging his sword forward, he dodged the attacker and bent the Prince's hand holding the sword, punched his arm twice this disarmingly him.
The other two quickly got back up and made to attack but the intruder was a step ahead of them, he pushed the prince on them then turned towards the exit and fled.
Mr Brandon stood shaken with the knife in his hands as he watched the fight before him.
The three of them rushed towards the window but he was already gone. Ian blew a whistle sending a signal to the others outside.
Within few seconds, guards rushed out from different angles and began chasing after the intruder.
"He shouldn't be able to escape these much guards" Prince Owen said as he gazed outside.
"Sure" Ian replied. "Should we go after him as well your highness?"
"No need" he took a step back with his hand gliding along the window frame and stopped. He saw a piece of dirt with a small blue flower on it. He picked it up and brought it closer to his face to examine it.
Ian gasped as he moved closer to the Prince. "Your highness... "
"Yes, there is but one place that I have seen this flower and one house relating to this incident. It all makes sense now."
"Your highness, that flower is found in his front yard, you think the twelveth man is somewhat involved in this."
"That is a possible logical conclusion. Quick we must hurry now, head over to the house of Mr Greg, move it" he ordered and the three of them dashed out of Mr Brandon's house and on to the streets.
They got to the end of the houses of the wealthy men and he saw his guards searching everywhere.
"Your highness" one of the guards rushed up to meet Prince Owen and his men.
