01- Jack of Thieves

by Ben Hale

  ***

  The memory disintegrated in an explosion of magic, and Jack was sent skidding across the floor. The Guildmaster was launched into the remains of his desk, his back smashing into the wood. The triumph on the Guildmaster's face made it clear he'd seen everything.

  Rage and shame flooded Jack's body, and he fought to rise. To his dismay his limbs refused to respond. His legs moved like wood and his arms would not hold him. Then he realized that most of the thieves were on their feet. The Guildmaster rose to join them.

  “A pity. You could have been so useful.” Then he smiled, his dark eyes glittering. “Cast him to the Rayth cats. After what I witnessed I think it's fitting he dies by one.”

  The guards tied Jack's limbs and dragged him down the stairs. His strength returned by the time they reached the bottom of the castle and he began to struggle, fighting his bonds. One of the guards struck him on the side of his head.

  “You heard the Guildmaster,” he said.

  “He's not the Guildmaster,” Jack snapped. “His name is—”

  Another blow split his lip. “We don't want to hear your lies.”

  They dragged him to the end of the eastern corridor and opened the door. The room beyond was empty except a large grate on the floor and a ladder hanging on the wall. The guards stepped to the grate in the floor and swung it open. The darkness below was absolute, as was the silence coming from the cats he knew to be present. Without a word they tossed him in.

  Chapter 40: Rayths

  He managed to twist and get his feet beneath him but landed hard. Grunting as pain lanced through his body, he rose to his feet in time to watch the grate shut. The fading footsteps of the guards signaled he was alone. He probed the darkness with his senses, searching for the deadly cats he knew were present. His heart beat against his ribs as he spotted a flicker of movement.

  The cat was large, larger than Shadero had been. It stalked toward him on silent feet. Jack slowly rotated to it and raised his bound hands, readying himself for the impending fight. Then he spotted the second.

  Smaller than the first, the female came from the opposite side, her jaws opening to bare her teeth. Jack retreated, putting a wall to his back. The rayth cats preferred to pounce on unsuspecting prey, and the only thing holding them in check was caution.

  Their hides were spotted with green, brown, and streaks of black. Their paws were large and covered with additional fur, allowing them to hunt their prey in near silence. The male's jaws opened as it advanced toward Jack, and its eyes reflected the dim light.

  “I'm not your prey,” Jack said quietly.

  For the first time since Shadero's death he wished he still had his druid magic. His ability to communicate with animals had been mostly absorbed in the joining with the panther. The cat's sacrifice had permanently enhanced his faculties, but it had taken any remaining shred of his magic.

  A low snarl reverberated from the male, echoing off the walls of the chamber as the cat came to a halt. Its shoulder dipped low, its hind legs tensing. Frustration filled Jack as he watched the cat prepare to pounce. Bound and without a weapon he would not survive, and he hated to let the Guildmaster triumph in this way.

  The male lunged for his side, knocking him to the floor and digging his claws into Jack's chest. He fought to breathe as the cat put its weight on him, and stared up into the cat’s jaws. Instead of fear it was fury that lanced across his frame. Then the teeth went for throat.

  And stopped.

  The great cat sniffed and the jaws closed. Then it leaned down and smelled him again. The whiskers rubbed across Jack's face and one of the teeth brushed across his eyelid. Jack held his breath, sensing the cat's confusion. Abruptly the cat withdrew and its great head swiveled to its mate. She approached and leaned down to smell him. Her growl was not unfriendly, but sounded equally as confused.

  Jack raised his hands but the male released a snarl that lifted the hair on his head. “I think I'll stay right here,” he said quietly.

  The two cats prowled around him, sniffing and probing as if searching to identify what he was. Abruptly Jack realized they might sense the touch of Shadero. The lingering presence of druid magic had marked him as a predator, and the rayth cats viewed him as one of their own kind.

  Jack shifted to the side, drawing another growl from the male. He kept moving, and put his back was against the wall. The cat lowered his great head to look into his eyes and Jack held its gaze.

  “Free me. And I free you.”

  He didn't know if the cat understood, so he raised his bound hands. For a moment he expected the beast to bite his fingers off, but then it lowered its head and caught the rope in its teeth. It gnawed on it, inadvertently digging into Jack's flesh as he sought to break the bindings. Jack winced but held still until the rope snapped.

  With great care he unwound the rope and rose to his feet. The male settled onto its haunches but the female approached to smell the wound in Jack’s hand. She released what sounded like a cough of disapproval and her head swiveled to her mate. Jack almost laughed as he snarled and prowled away.

  “It wasn't his fault,” Jack offered.

  She ignored him and leaned down to lick the wound. The raspy tongue took the skin off his flesh, causing him to gasp and pull the hand away.

  “It's the sentiment that counts,” he said.

  The cat settled back on her haunches and regarded him. Then he realized she was waiting. He grinned and picked up the rope. Tying the broken strands together he tossed them toward the grate above. On his third try he got it to loop over, and worked it until he had both ends. Then he began to climb.

  He reached the floor above and grasped the stone. Intended only to contain the cats, the grate was unlocked and he managed to swing it open. Listening for signs of movement, he eased himself free and crept to the door. He put his ear to it and heard the faint murmur of voices down the hall.

  He reached for the handle and then hesitated. A smile formed on his face as he returned to the open grate. In the pool of light at the bottom of the room he made out the two cats looking up at him.

  “If I let you out, will you behave?”

  The snarled in unison and Jack grinned in response.

  “I was hoping you would say that.”

  He stepped to the side of the room and caught up the ladder. Returning to the pit, he lowered it at an angle that would allow the rayth cats to climb out. The female leapt out first, and rubbed against Jack's side in gratitude. When the male stepped out he began to pace, unable to contain his impatience.

  Jack stepped to the door and caught the handle. “Try not to kill them,” Jack said. “They don't really know what they are doing.”

  He turned the knob and yanked it open, and the cats surged through the opening. Screams and shouts erupted from the hall. Savoring the sounds of chaos, he followed the trail of wreckage. He passed two downed guards, pleased to see them still breathing. He reached Ember Hall and found thieves fighting to subdue the cats. The snarls and shrieks from the cats were as terrifying as they were amusing, and Jack could not stop laughing as he followed the carnage.

  A table shattered as the male cat plowed through it, chasing down a pair of thieves attempting to scale a pillar. He swatted one to the ground and leapt, catching the foot of the second in his jaws. The man screamed as he was yanked to the floor but the cat stopped short of killing him. Tossing the man like a drowned rat, he bounded after another one.

  The female dodged explosive bolts from a thief on a balcony above. She snarled and leapt the twenty feet to alight next to the woman, who panicked and tried to flee. The cat bounded after and knocked her sprawling before ripping the crossbow from her hands and crushing it. Then her powerful legs carried her to other prey.

  Unperturbed by the destruction, Ursana strode to Jack and smiled. “They deserved some time to play, don't you think?”

  Jack watched the female take down a dwarf attempting to cast a spell. She pulled his helmet off and the metal bent in
her jaws, causing the dwarf to retreat in haste. Jack grinned and spoke in an aside to Ursana.

  “They've been cooped up for too long,” he said, and then turned to her. “When did you get in?”

  Ursana shrugged. “When the thieves turned on the Guildmaster we used the bridge. We reached his office in time to see you dragged out. The others stayed while I came to free you.”

  “I had some help of my own,” Jack said.

  “I can see that,” Ursana said wryly. “But it won't last for long.”

  Jack couldn't disagree. The cats were too agile for the thieves, but eventually they would tire of their game. Then they would attempt to escape the fortress or begin to kill. With a sigh of regret Jack turned toward the Guildmaster's office.

  “What's your plan?” Ursana asked.

  “Stop the Guildmaster. Save the Guild.”

  “How detailed.”

  Jack glanced over and caught her smile. “Once I get the Guildmaster out, find every orb in his office and smash them all. Then find Beauty, Gordon, and Lorelia and meet me at the Machine.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “What do you intend to do?”

  “Use it against him,” Jack said.

  “Be careful, Jack,” she said. “He's not a normal target.”

  Jack smirked at her tone. “Worried about me?”

  Her lips twitched and she turned away. “Just try to stay alive, will you?”

  “I intend to.”

  She nodded and slipped away. Taking a different path, Jack worked his way up into the fortress. The sounds of the chaos in Ember Hall gradually faded until he could only make out sporadic shouts. Several times he ducked into an alcove as thieves, guards, and slaves rushed by.

  Jack reached the top of the castle and ascended the steps toward the Guildmaster's office. The guards started at his appearance and leapt to engage him. He twisted, allowing a sword to fall past him. Then he caught the man's tunic and launched him down the steps. The man’s cry of surprise turned into a pained grunt as he tumbled over the stone.

  More cautious, the second man raised a hand crossbow and fired, but Jack drifted to the side and darted close. As the man sought to retreat Jack caught the crossbow and swung it about, firing at the man's foot. The bolt pierced his boot, biting into the floor beneath. He bellowed and went down, allowing Jack to stride past him.

  “He'll kill you for this,” the guard roared, his face red and twisted with pain.

  “I'm counting on it,” Jack said.

  He pulled the crossbow from his hands and then relieved him of his dagger. Then he pulled the door open and stepped into the Guildmaster's office. The Guildmaster sat at his desk, alone, his expression fixed on Jack with admiration on his features.

  “What did you do with my cats?” he asked.

  “You mean my cats?” Jack asked.

  In the distance a muffled shriek echoed, followed by someone crying out. The sounds caused Jack to grin and step forward, raising his crossbow.

  “You really are the best of the thieves,” Orn said, and shook his head. “I can honestly say I hate to kill you. It will take decades for me to find one of matching skill to do what I need.”

  “If you even can.”

  The Guildmaster laughed and drew his sword. “Perhaps,” he said. Then the humor faded from his eyes and the dark malice returned. “Goodbye, Jack. I'm sorry to say you will not enjoy your death.”

  “Come and get me,” Jack said. Then he darted for the second door in room, the one that led to the top of the Machine.

  Chapter 41: Jack of Thieves

  Jack raced toward the door and fired a frost bolt. Ice burst across the wood, freezing it solid and allowing Jack to shatter through it. Caught off guard by Jack's direction, the Guildmaster reached the door just as Jack turned back and fired an explosive bolt at the floor. It detonated in a burst of fire and smoke, sending the man flying back into his office.

  Jack darted to the spiral staircase at the center of the room. He sprinted down the steps to find himself inside the Machine on a high catwalk. Silent, the great gears, wheels, and pulleys were steeped in shadow. Jack passed them by to reach the door set in the surface of the Machine. He slid the door open and stepped out of the highest door of the Machine.

  Like a slumbering dragon, the Machine lay still. Fires were unlit, allowing Jack to see the charred walls on either side of the climbing surface. He looked down at the three hundred foot drop, his gaze drawn to the thousands of traps built into the fifth level. Although the mechanical traps were linked to the movements of the Machine, the spider nests and poison were still lethal.

  “You should have joined me, Jack!”

  He turned back to see the Guildmaster stepping onto the catwalk. His black hair was in disarray and burns charred his clothing. The streaks of ash on the fine material caused Jack to sniff in disapproval.

  “You should get that cleaned.”

  As the Guildmaster sprinted forward Jack slammed the door into his face. Then he dropped off the alcove and fell, catching a handhold below him. Quick and cautious, he descended ten feet before he heard a faint clicking. He sped up, wanting to be off the pattern of traps on the fifth level before the Machine came to life.

  He paused to pull an exploding bolt from his crossbow and jam it beneath an obviously safe handhold. Then he continued, ignoring the crash as the door came apart above him. The Guildmaster burst into view and looked down.

  “Do you take me for a fool?” he shouted. “I can just activate the Machine and let it kill you!”

  Jack leaned back from the wall and looked up. “And deprive yourself of the pleasure? I didn't realize you were so afraid of the Machine.”

  The condescension in his voice caused the Guildmaster to sneer and drop from the alcove. His greater strength and speed gave him an edge on the ground, but up here the talents were largely negated. Forced to be cautious, the man struggled to keep up with Jack.

  “Getting old, Orn?” Jack called. “Would you care for a breather?”

  He snarled at Jack and caught the handhold Jack had rigged. It detonated at his side, smashing him outward. His other hand kept him from plummeting to his death but he came out of the smoke with burns visible through his tattered tunic.

  “You should be more careful,” Jack called, his mock sincerity echoing across the chamber.

  Jack reached the junction to the fourth level and crossed it—and the Machine began to move. From deep behind the wall the gears began to turn. The Guildmaster froze as the whole wall shifted to the side, and a spiked trap nearly took his head.

  Fires exploded to life on the two sides of the Machine, and the five sections began to turn. As it came to life Jack grinned. Ursana had apparently managed to break Thalidon from his memory lapse.

  Jack slipped past the abundance of traps as they cleaved the air, and managed to miss disturbing a spider the size of his head. Noting its location, he veered away from it and continued to descend.

  A massive axe burst from the wall and swung like a pendulum. Jack leapt to the shaft and swung with it, releasing when his momentum would carry him past an acid trap to a safe area. He caught the grip and dropped lower, easing himself past a pair of hammers ready to crush his body to a pulp. When he reached the third level he paused and looked up.

  The Guildmaster had managed to reach the fourth level before the entire machine came to life, but now he was trapped. A circular section of the wall glowed red hot and began to rotate, turning the handholds away from him and casting heat on his frame. A sheen of sweat covered his face as he struggled to pursue Jack.

  “Need a hand?” Jack asked.

  The man glared at him. Then he wrapped his hand in a piece of his tattered clothing and grabbed the metal handhold when it cooled. As it turned to ice beneath his grip he held on, allowing the wall to spin him closer to Jack.

  “You may be clever,” he growled. “But not clever enough. The lower you go the easier I can kill you.”

  Catching sight of a mo
vement in his peripheral vision, Jack smiled. “You are correct—if I came alone.”

  The Guildmaster frowned, and then looked over his shoulder to the spectator balconies. Ursana raised a crossbow and aimed it for the Guildmaster.

  “Dodge this, Orn.”

  Her bolt streaked toward the man and sank into the Machine surface next to his face. Seeing the rune on the bolt, the Guildmaster's eyes widened and he let go. As he fell the bolt exploded into a cloud of green mist.

  The man avoided the sleep magic by mere inches, and caught a grip lower down. With perfect balance he leapt to a large handhold and used it to jump down. Jack just had time to draw his blade before the man landed next to him.

  “Your arrogance will get you killed,” the Guildmaster snapped.

  “It’s what keeps me alive,” Jack replied.

  The man growled and slipped a knife free before driving it toward Jack's gut. Jack stepped back, placing a foot on the flat of a blade in order to keep himself upright. Then he struck, swinging his dagger toward the Guildmaster's wrist and forcing him to retreat.

  Jack pressed the advantage and risked losing his grip in order to swing closer to him. A blade cut into the gap but Jack kicked it, snapping it near its base and sending the blade sliding past Orn's leg.

  At the last moment the man lifted his foot. Then he leapt close and slid his knife across Jack's calf. Jack sucked in his breath at the lancing pain but managed to activate a fire trap close to the man's hand. The flames licked the air at his cheek, compelling him to release and catch another hold.

  For several furious moments they battled on the surface of the Machine. Jack's agility carried him above and below, using the handholds and traps to stay out of reach. The Guildmaster's speed and strength allowed him to keep up, but the crossbow bolts continued to come at him whenever there was space. Dodging and blocking, he snarled in helpless rage.

  Jack and Orn turned to the Machine, with each using the traps as weapons against the other. Fire and ice scored the Machine and their limbs, while blades cut into their flesh. At every turn Jack sought to mock the man, goading him with verbal strikes until the Guildmaster's rage caused his hands to tremble.