Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 1)

by Andy Peloquin

  “Good.” Conn patted her shoulder and shoved her off the platform again.

  An instinctive scream burst from Ilanna’s throat, but she swallowed it as the she hit the net.

  “You’re getting the hang of it, apprentice. Now, do you want to learn how to climb like a true Hawk?”

  Ilanna nodded, biting back an angry retort.

  “Glad to see a bit of fear doesn’t hold you back. Grab the rope again, as high as you can. Now, let the rope hang along the outside of your right leg. Hook your left foot under the rope so that it runs across the top of your foot and step on it with your right foot. Slide your feet up to your chest, grasp the rope with your feet, and step up.”

  This method proved more difficult at first. The rope slipped between her feet and she slid down to the net too many times before she managed to get it.

  “Good.” Conn extended a hand and pulled her up to the platform. “Practice it over and over until you get it right. Once you do, you can climb a rope no matter how weak your arms.”

  Ilanna’s forearms, shoulders, and hands burned. Her injured finger ached, but she wouldn’t let him see the pain.

  “Now, I want you to walk to the center of the platform. Tell me what you feel, in your feet.”

  She obeyed. “Parts of the platform sag a little and other parts are sturdy.”

  “That’s because there’s a frame underneath.” He pointed to another platform overhead. “Look up and see the pattern of the frame.”

  She studied it—two thick beams running lengthwise, with numerous thinner beams supporting the width of the platform.

  “You need to learn to feel with your feet. When you’re running along the Praamian rooftops, you won’t see the frame beneath you. You’ll have to learn how to read the shape of the building, the slant of the rooftop, and the little details. Is part of the roof sagging? Are there holes? All of this will take time to learn, but you need to start thinking about it now.”

  Ilanna nodded.

  “Good to see you can keep up.”

  He led her to the edge of the platform, toward a beam that stretched from their platform to another a dozen paces away. “I don’t need to explain the balance beam to you, do I? Not after how you performed on your tests.”

  Ilanna grinned.

  “Well, off you go!”

  Her face fell. “B-But…” It’s so far! The distance between the two platforms seemed endless. She knew the net would catch her, but her instinctive fear of falling held her immobile.

  Conn rolled his eyes. “Bright Lady! I thought you, of all the apprentices, would be the first to cross. Move.” He elbowed her aside and stepped onto the beam. “Watch.”

  With sure, confident steps, he ran across the beam. Not once did he wobble or slip. It was as if he ran on solid ground.

  In that moment, Ilanna understood the older boy. Conn’s haughtiness came from his undeniable skill. He was better than the rest of the apprentices and knew it. The responsibility of training them rested heavy on his shoulders.

  Conn beckoned to her. “Your turn, apprentice.”

  Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the beam. The voice, the one she had heard during her test, came to her mind again.

  “Bend your knees a little, lift your head, shoulders back, and hold your arms out.”

  One foot in front of the other. Step, step, step. Don’t look down. Eyes fixed on a single point in the distance. Stand up straight. Don’t lose balance.

  With a shout of triumph, she stumbled onto the adjoining platform. Conn smiled, and she recognized something in his eyes: approval.

  “Very good, apprentice. Very, very good.”

  Elation swelled in Ilanna’s chest, erupting in a peal of laughter. I’m doing it! I’m flying!

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Come on, Ilanna, you can do it!”

  Ilanna kept her attention fixed on the hawk banner hanging from the Aerie wall. One moment of inattention and she would lose her balance.

  Head up, arms out, shoulders back…step, step, step. She leapt onto the far platform, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Well done!” Werrin and Willem clapped her on the back.

  “Yes, Ilanna, well done.” Denber gave her a small smile and nod.

  Ilanna glowed under the praise. “Thank you. I’ve had a good teacher.”

  “I can only take so much credit, Ilanna. For the last four months, you’ve proven Master Hawk’s decision a wise one. If only some of the others,”—Denber turned an eye on Werrin and Willem—“made as much progress in as little time.”

  Willem grinned. “You hear that, Werrin?”

  Werrin nodded with an expression of mock disappointment. “Aye, Willem. Denber thinks we’re not learning fast enough.”

  “Do you think we should show him what we’ve been working on?”

  “Nah, not yet. Have to perfect it before…” Their voices trailed off as they bounded away through the maze of the Perch.

  Denber placed a hand on her shoulder. “You have done remarkably well, Ilanna. You are, indeed, worthy to be a Hawk.”

  Ilanna smiled, her face flushed. “These hidden pockets are still a little uncomfortable. And the rocks don’t help.”

  “Leave the rocks. The weight will strengthen your muscles and teach you to adjust your balance according to your load. It’s a necessary part of the training.”

  Just then, the door to the Aerie opened and Master Hawk strode into the room. “Apprentices!” His voice boomed in the high-vaulted chamber. “Your nameday has come.”

  Werrin shouted. “Nameday!” He and Willem raced past, Prynn and Bert close on their heels. Jarl and Conn descended from the upper levels of the Perch at a more dignified pace.

  Denber shook his head. “Come on, Ilanna. We’ve got to get down there. Follow me.” He sprinted across the sturdy platform toward a hanging rope. Seizing it, he leapt, hurtled across open space, and landed on a platform a few paces away.

  He threw the rope back. “Your turn.”

  She caught it and, taking a breath, hurled herself after him. She laughed at the feeling of flying—even after months, she loved it. She followed Denber down the sliding pole and raced to take her place, panting with the thrill, at the end of the line.

  Master Hawk studied her with a curious expression. “Today is nameday, apprentice. Do you know what that means?”

  “No, Master Hawk.”

  “It means that today marks the end of your first year as an apprentice of the Night Guild.”

  A year? Hard to believe it! Her time as a tyro in the Menagerie had felt longer, and the last six months as a Hawk had flown by.

  “For a year, you have lived off our generosity. You have been given a room, food, clothing, and the training to make you a useful tool for the Guild. We have invested a great deal in you, and now you will repay our generosity. Today marks your first day of real experience on the streets of Praamis. Today, you undergo your first test as a thief of the Night Guild.”

  Ilanna swallowed the lump in her throat. “Th-Thank you, sir.”

  Master Hawk nodded. “Return to your room, remove all insignia of House Hawk, and return here. Report to Master Fox within the hour.”

  Ilanna stumbled away, her mind racing. What’s happening? Why am I supposed to remove anything marking me as a Hawk? She shed her vest and cloak, running numb fingers over the embroidered raptor one last time. Did I fail somehow? Am I not good enough?

  “Keep the dagger.” Denber stood in the doorway. “You’ll need it on the streets.”

  “What did I do?” The words burst from her. “You said I was doing good, that I—”

  Denber held up a hand. “You are, Ilanna. This is just the way things are.”

  “I-I don’t understand.”

  “As Master Hawk said, you’re an investment. We all are. Our first year of training is free. After that, we have to pay our way. For now, that means working with the Foxes.”

  “But my training—”

  “
Will continue. Every morning, you will go out with the Foxes and stay on the streets until you have met your quota. You’ll train the rest of the day, and so on, until you’ve proven that you’re ready to fly with the rest of us.”

  “How long will that be?” Her hands trembled and her stomach twisted in knots.

  Denber shook his head. “I don’t know, Ilanna. You’re good, but you’re not prepared to take to the heights of the city yet. There’s a lot to learn before you can join us.” He gripped her shoulder. “Work with them. Let the Foxes teach you what you need to know, and we’ll train you to become a Hawk. Who knows what will happen by your next nameday?”

  Ilanna searched his eyes. “You promise?”

  “I promise nothing, Ilanna. It’s up to you to prove your worth. Now go.” He removed his hand, his demeanor suddenly cool and polite. “Master Fox is expecting you.”

  Ilanna hurried to the Aerie, where she found the other apprentices gathered around—all save Conn. “Where’s Conn?”

  “He left with Master Hawk.” Willem’s eyes sparkled. “The Master said something about presenting him before the Journeymen.”

  “Why?”

  Werrin shrugged. “Don’t know, but you should have seen Conn. I’ve seen snow with more color than his face.”

  “First time I’ve ever seen him without that sneer on his lips.” Willem’s eyes darted around, as if searching for the older boy.

  “Enough.” Denber came up behind them. “Ilanna needs to go.” He ushered her toward the main door to the Aerie.

  Ilanna felt the eyes of the other apprentices on her.

  Werrin waved. “Be safe, Ilanna!”

  Willem nodded. “Come back to us.”

  “We’ll save you dinner.”

  “I’ve got a pair of pants with a hole in—Ow!” Willem glared at Werrin, rubbing his arm.

  Ilanna laughed. Werrin and Willem always knew how to cheer her up. She turned to the massive double doors of House Hawk. The darkness beyond filled her with excitement and apprehension. She would breathe open air and see life beyond these walls once more, but what faced her outside?

  Denber stopped at the doorway. “You’ll do fine, Ilanna. Just remember what you’ve learned and keep your head about you.”

  Nodding, Ilanna turned and strode down the corridor. The doors clanged shut behind her with a sense of terrible finality.

  * * *

  Two minutes out of House Hawk and Ilanna feared she’d failed already. She stood at an intersection. Where do I go? The three intersecting corridors looked identical. She had no idea how or where to find House Fox.

  The tunnels filled with the scent of dust and earth. The soft light of alchemical beamer lamps revealed symbols engraved into the tunnel walls. She ran her hands over the marks. Whatever language was carved into these walls, she couldn’t understand it.

  A harsh voice echoed down the passage. “You there! What are you doing?”

  Ilanna whirled. A dark-robed man—a Journeyman of House Serpent, judging by the green insignia on his chest—strode toward her. She cringed beneath his glare. “N-nothing.”

  His mouth pinched into a thin line. “Then why are you not in your house? Apprentices are not permitted to roam these halls unaccompanied.”

  “I-I’m trying to…” She swallowed and tried again. “I’m looking for House Fox.”

  The man’s face relaxed. “Fortune smiles on you, girl. I’m taking this one there right now.”

  A boy stepped out from behind the man and smiled. “Hello, Seven.”

  “Two!” Ilanna threw her arms around his waist. He’d grown in the last six months. Her arms clutched hard muscle and she had to look up to see her old friend’s face.

  He stiffened. “I’m called Errik now.”

  She drew back and held out her hand. “Ilanna.” They shook, and she couldn’t keep a grin from her face.

  The Journeyman glared. “Well, isn’t this touching? Now get a move on. I’ve a busy day ahead and no more time to waste on you lot. You know where to go.”

  Two reddened and hung his head. “Of course, Journeyman Rollen.”

  Muttering curses, the Journeyman strode off down the corridor. Two—no, Errik now—fell into step behind him. Ilanna had to trot to keep up.

  Errik shared stories of his training—learning to use the myriad weapons House Serpent employed in their deadly trade. In return, Ilanna described the wonders of the Perch and the joys of learning the skills to become a Hawk.

  “Well, here we are.” Journeyman Rollen lifted the knocker—a beautifully carved masterpiece shaped in the angular features of a fox. “You know how to find your way back, Errik?”

  Errik nodded. “Yes, Journeyman.”

  Without another word, the Journeyman turned and strode down the hall.

  The door swung open, and a heavy-set man with a walrus moustache stood in the opening. “Welcome to the Den, House Serpent and House Hawk.” He stepped aside and swept a bow. “The House of Foxes bids you enter.”

  Ilanna gaped at the sight before her. While the Aerie was a spacious, wide open room with a vaulted ceiling, the Den rose only a few paces above her head. A maze of stacked boxes, crates, and debris surrounded them.

  “Not what you’re used to, I take it?”

  Ilanna spun, her eyes widening. “Four!” She remembered that smile and his blue eyes. His long, blond hair had been chopped short and dyed a mousy brown.

  “It’s Kit now.”

  A moment later, Five and Ten—the other two tyros chosen by House Fox—emerged from the maze. They greeted her and Two with a nod and shared their new names: Edgar and Rai.

  No Three? Ilanna felt a flash of disappointment. She’d hoped her friend would join them. But at least Twelve isn’t here. She had no desire to run into the cruel boy…ever.

  Master Fox snapped his fingers. “Enough! Time to get down to the real reason we’re here.”

  “Of course, Master Fox.”

  Rai and Edgar fell into place beside Kit, and Ilanna followed suit.

  Master Fox tucked his thumbs into his bright orange sash and studied them. “So this is what we’ll be working with, eh? Not a bad lot, all things considered. Though the girl looks a bit runty.”

  Ilanna bristled. She had no idea what could happen if an apprentice misspoke to a House Master and no desire to find out.

  “First of all, you can each thank the Watcher in the Dark you were sent to us Foxes rather than the Grubbers. I will not speak ill of my fellow Guild members, but let me say that I would not wish for the life of a Grubber. Hear me now, the life of a Fox is not much easier. You share the streets with the Grubbers, meaning you share the same dangers.”

  He stroked his huge moustache with one hand, scratching under his chin with the other.

  “You two,”—he pointed to Errik and Ilanna—“are here to learn. The others of you, well, you’ve learned how to tell your elbows from your asses. But today is your first chance to take to the streets and prove your skills. All of you, I want you to remember this: keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open.”

  A door at the far end of the Den opened and five boys—all roughly Denber’s age—strode into the room.

  Master Fox gestured to the newcomers. “These lads are going to take you under their wing. I’ve given them simple instructions: teach you what you need to know and keep you alive. How they do that is up to them. If they have to keep you in line with their fists, so be it.”

  The boys stood at attention in a line behind Master Fox.

  “Each of you will join a different crew, serving under these lads. That way, if one of you is stupid enough to get caught, you won’t all dangle.” He mimicked a hangman’s noose. “Do you understand?”

  The apprentices’ yells echoed through the room. “Yes, Master Fox!”

  “Good. Let me warn you right now: you’re here as a favor to your Houses. House Fox has agreed to train you, but know that I will not hesitate to kick you down to a Grubber in a heartbeat. D
o you understand?”

  “Yes, Master Fox!”

  Master Fox nodded. “The fact that each of these lads has survived this long is a testament to their skill. Follow them like your life depends on it.” He turned to the older boys. “Show ’em the ropes lads. And don’t take it too easy on them.”

  “Yes, Master Fox.”

  “Dismissed!”

  One of the older boys moved toward her. “Your name?”

  “Ilanna.”

  He ignored her proffered hand. “While we are inside the Den, you address me as ‘sir’. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. I’m Elmar, captain of the Red Foxes, the best damned crew in Praamis.” His voice filled with pride.

  “I look forward to learning from the Red Foxes, sir.”

  Elmar grinned. “You’ll go far with an attitude like that.” He thrust a pair of dull grey robes into her hands. “Can’t have you out on the streets in those clothes. Too fancy.”

  Ilanna studied her clothing. She wouldn’t call her simple Hawk garments “fancy”, but one look at the grey robes and she understood. “Aren’t these a bit too…faded?”

  Elmar rolled his eyes. “That’s the point, apprentice. You’re supposed to look like just one more street urchin. Makes you all but invisible to those who matter.”

  Ilanna slipped behind a wall and, shrugging out of the Hawk clothing, donned the faded outfit.

  Elmar tsked when he saw her. “A bit of dirt on your face, muss up the hair a bit, and you’ll look like you belong on the streets.” He pointed to a spot beside the door. “Leave your clothing there. I’ll have someone send it to your House later.”

  Ilanna followed Elmar through the twisting corridors leading deep into House Fox.

  “Once we get out on the streets, we’ll travel to Red Fox turf and I’ll introduce you to the crew. From there, we’ll teach you the lay of the land and show you a few tricks. After that, it’s up to you to make your first pull. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir.” She trotted to keep up with his fast pace.

  “If you want to eat tonight, you’ll have to lift a half-drake, or the equivalent in copper bits, trinkets, and knick-knacks. It doesn’t matter how you do it—short of putting a knife in a fellow—just bring home the coin.”