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Chapter 1264  A Ruse of Thieves

The sandstorm howled louder as the sandmen vanished into its swirling embrace, taking the artifact with them. The wind began to settle, and the chaotic storm dissipated, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.

Diana\'s eyes widened in shock. "Arthur, they took it!"

Arthur\'s lips curled into a faint smile. "I let them."

"What? Why would you do that?" Her voice was a mix of confusion and frustration.

"Because I wanted to trace them," he replied, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the chaos that had just unfolded. "The artifact is infused with a tracking rune. It will lead us directly to their hideout."

Diana\'s expression softened as understanding dawned. "You planned this."

"Sometimes, the best way to catch a thief is to let them think they\'ve won," Arthur said, his smile growing. "Now we know where they are."

They made their way back to the inn, the city around them gradually returning to its usual bustle as the sandstorm\'s remnants faded away. Alaric was waiting for them, lounging in a chair in the inn\'s common room with an air of practiced nonchalance.

"That was quite the show out there," Alaric remarked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Did you manage to learn anything?"

"More than I expected," Arthur replied. "The sand thieves have the artifact now. I plan to trace it to their hideout."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Bold move. And us?"

"You and Diana should head to the library," Arthur instructed. "The Wisdom Core might hold crucial information about Deluge and Valeria. I\'ll handle the thieves."

Diana looked at him, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure? It could be dangerous."

Arthur placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I\'ll be fine. This is something I need to do alone. Besides, we can\'t afford to miss any opportunity to gather information."

Alaric nodded, his demeanor shifting to one of seriousness. "We\'ll get to the library and see what we can find. Be careful, Arthur."

Arthur smiled and gave a nod before stepping back. With a murmured incantation and a flash of light, he teleported away, leaving Diana and Alaric standing in the inn.

Diana took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Let\'s not waste any time. The sooner we get to the library, the sooner we can help him." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Alaric agreed, and the two set off towards the west, where the libraries of Hikma awaited. As they moved through the bustling streets, Diana couldn\'t shake the feeling of unease. She trusted Arthur\'s abilities, but the thought of him facing the sand thieves alone gnawed at her.

Meanwhile, Arthur materialized in a vast desert, the remnants of the sandstorm lingering in the air. He closed his eyes, focusing on the faint pulse of the tracking rune. The direction was clear, and he set off, determined to uncover the truth behind the sand thieves and their mysterious connection to the artifact.

The desert stretched out before him, an endless expanse of shifting sands and scorching heat. Arthur moved with purpose, his senses attuned to the magic of the tracking rune. Each step brought him closer to the hideout, and as he journeyed, his mind wandered to Diana and Alaric, hoping they would find the answers they sought in the Wisdom Core.

Hours passed, and the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the dunes. Finally, Arthur reached a secluded area where the sand seemed to shimmer with an unnatural glow. He knew he had arrived.

The entrance to the hideout was hidden beneath a dune, marked by faint runes that only someone attuned to magic could detect. Arthur activated the runes, revealing a hidden passage that led underground. He descended into the depths, the air growing cooler and the light dimmer with each step.

Arthur activated his invisibility runes, his form shimmering out of sight as he cautiously made his way deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels. The sand thieves moved about with a surprising amount of organization, their voices echoing softly off the earthen walls. Arthur observed them closely, noting their interactions and listening intently to their conversations.

As he moved through the tunnels, he began to piece together fragments of information about the history of Hikma and the sand thieves\' purpose. The thieves spoke in hushed tones about the oppressive rule of the Lord of Force and their desperate attempts to gather items of power to fight back. Arthur realized that these thieves were not mere criminals; they were rebels with a cause.

One young woman caught his attention in particular. She was the first to find the artifact he had used as bait. Arthur followed her through the maze of tunnels, watching her carefully. She carried herself with a determined grace, and he could see the burden of responsibility in her eyes.

The woman finally reached a secluded chamber, where she examined the artifact with a mix of curiosity and reverence. Arthur saw his chance. He activated a silence rune, ensuring their conversation would not be overheard, and stepped forward, revealing himself.

She gasped and reached for a hidden dagger, but Arthur was quicker. With a swift incantation, he used his runes to freeze her in place, preventing any movement or sound.

"Do not be alarmed," Arthur said calmly, stepping closer. "I mean you no harm. I am Arthur Netherborne, the ruler of Runera."

Her eyes widened, a flicker of recognition and something else—was it joy?—crossing her face. Arthur released her from the rune\'s grip, and she immediately dropped to her knees before him.

"Arthur Netherborne," she whispered, awe in her voice. "We have sought to contact you for so long. My name is Sahira, named after the shifting sands of this desert."

Arthur helped her to her feet, intrigued by her reaction. "Why have you been trying to contact me?"

Sahira took a deep breath, steadying herself. "We are not mere thieves. We are a resistance, fighting against the Lord of Force. He commands an army of soulless humanoid constructs, powerful and relentless. They are designed to crush any opposition, and we are struggling to hold them back."

Arthur\'s eyes narrowed. "Why steal artifacts? How does that help your cause?"

"These artifacts contain magic and power that can help us. Some are weapons, others are tools. Each one brings us a step closer to having the strength needed to challenge the Lord of Force and protect our people," Sahira explained. "We hoped to gain your attention, to seek your aid. You are renowned for your mastery of runes and your strength. We believe you could tip the balance in our favor."

Arthur\'s mind raced as he considered her words. He had come here expecting to confront simple thieves, but instead, he had found a group of desperate warriors fighting for their freedom. The situation was far more complex than he had anticipated.

"You believe I can help you," Arthur said slowly, "but how do you know you can trust me?"

Sahira met his gaze, her eyes filled with determination. "We have studied your actions, your battles, and your principles. You fight for justice and the protection of those who cannot defend themselves. We have no other hope but to appeal to you."

Arthur considered her words. If he had not spied on them and heard their conversations, he would have a hard time believing her. However, a question still lingered on his mind.

"What makes you also steal regular items, not just artifacts? How would that aid your cause? You are stealing from the common people."

"Your question has two answers. If you just allow me show you, I would be happy to," said Sahira with a fiery gaze.

"Lead the way, but remember that any suspicion movements will be met with obliteration."

"We know you better than anyone, Lord Arthur," answered Sahira with a smile as she rose. "Kind to the innocent but ruthless to your enemies. That\'s what we aspire to be."

"Is stealing considered to be kindness now?"

"Then let\'s me give you the first answer to your question as we walk to our destination," chuckled Sahira while leading him through the tunnels.

As the two of them moved about, Sahira claimed that they rarely steal anything. Everything they take through the sandstorm was merely given to them by the people. It was a ruse to aid the rebellion without raising Sourna\'s suspicions.

When Arthur asked her about his artifact, she laughed and said they knew he wasn\'t a supporter of their cause because none of the commoners have artifacts.