Young Writers Society

"I believe it is!" Vendetta pulled their purse strap over their head. "Let's have fun and steal a sword blade!"

"Yes, let's." A gleam came into Valeri's eyes.

The siblings walked out of the building and called an Uber. Eventually one arrived, being driven by a friendly minotaur. He made small talk with them while trying to keep his horns from getting stuck in the car's ceiling every time he made a turn.

(53 words)

Eventually, the uber pulled up to Kensworthy's home, dropping them off with a final wave and smile.

The home, well estate was a better word, was clearly a party scene. Classical music blared from the open windows, and people constantly poured in through the doors. "Alright, Valeri. I hope you remember enough etiquette to get through this one party."

"Heh. I'll try to avoid insulting any fancy people like I did last time." Valeri adjusted their necklace, then strolled inside with their sibling, acting like they completely belonged.

The room was grandiose and lit by a chandelier that threw sparkles of light everywhere. There were two staircases curving up along the far wall to a balcony that wrapped around the top of the room. Midway on the staircases was a platform that looked like the perfect place for a speech.

People wearing dresses and suits milled around the room, carrying hors d'oeuvres and champagne in delicate glasses. Valeri accepted a deviled egg from a servant.

"So, where do you think this legendary blade is?"

(115 words)

"If I remember Kensworthy correctly, he had a trophy room that he would show anyone who asked to see it." Vendetta frowned, carefully dodging a dancing pair. "But he keeps it locked and the key around his neck."

"Right. So where's--"

Suddenly, there was the clinking of a champagne glass, and Valeri looked up to see Kensworthy on the platform. He grinned slimily at all of his guests, then launched into a speech about how honored he was to have everyone here, and how awesome his party was, right? and blah blah blah.

"Ugh, this guy sucks," Valeri whispered to Vendetta. But there was, without a doubt, the sparkle of something hanging around his neck.

(77 words)

"Always has, but there's the key." Vendetta narrowed their eyes at him. "How are we going to get it?"

Kensworthy stepped down from his speech balcony and joined the crowd, making small talk with the patrons and kissing hands.

“As much as it disgusts me to kiss up to someone like him, I have a feeling that a bit of flattery would do the trick.” Valeri paused a moment. “We’ve dyed our hair, so he probably won’t recognize us now, right?”

(42 words)

"It's been a few years too. We probably look older." Vendetta stretched their fingers. "Let's do this, then." They approached Kensworthy, a bright smile on their face. "Mr. Lagunar! What an amazing party."

Kensworthy grinned. "Thank you, thank you! And who may you two ladies be?"

"Avid fans of yours, Mr. Lagunar!" Valeri tried to paste a winning smile on their face, though she suspected it looked awfully like she'd accidentally swallowed a fly.

"Ah, fans! I always love to meet my fans." Kensworthy's grin got even larger.

"Likewise! We've wanted to meet you for ages." Valeri attempted another smile. "And we'd also love to see your famous trophy room, if you'd be so kind as to give us a tour?"

(75 words)

Kensworthy grinned. "Oh! You two are the first ones to ask. I'm more than happy to show you."

Vendetta cheered. "Amazing! It would be such an honour to view your collection."

Valeri nodded, and the two of them followed Kensworthy as he started walking towards the side of the room. But suddenly, he paused, and announced, "I will be giving a tour of my fabulous trophy room in just a moment! Would anyone else like to join and view the wonders of my collection?"

Valeri exchanged a panicked glance with Vendetta. A crowd would complicate things...

(65 words)

Vendetta leaned in to whisper to Valeri. "If we can distract the crowd, we might be able to steal the blade in the chaos."

A sea of people rose their hands, all of them clamouring to take a tour.

“Chaos? Good idea.”

Kensworthy eagerly lead the crowd through a doorway in the side of the room. After a couple of minutes of walking through gilded hallways, the bustling crowd arrived in front of a pair of carved double doors.

(40 words)

The doors opened to a massive gallery with giant marble tiles and bright fluorescent lights. Swords, battle-axes, shields, and other medieval weapons decorated the walls, some suits of armour displayed in big class compartments.

"Welcome to my collection! Most of the artefacts you see date back to B.C.E."