"Not there,” she said quickly. Too quickly. As I suspected, she hadn't been asleep at all. “Take me to the stables, then you can go back for Filiia."
"The stables? Not your inn?"
She laughed bitterly. “After what I went through tonight, I will never work for them again!"
"Still. Shouldn't we return to the inn? Get your belongings?"
"There's nothing there I need. Just do as I say."
"If you wish.” Her request didn't surprise me; she wanted to leave Riazan City as quickly as possible. Once again, standard Academy procedure. I pretended to scratch a nagging itch as I made my way through the nearly empty streets. Not that I expected her to be paying attention, but in the event she was, I didn't want her to suspect I was really swapping the jewel she had stolen with the one I had brought with me. So on through the city streets to the stables.
"Help me out,” she said when I stopped the wagon.
"My pleasure.” Once again I offered my hand; once again she stumbled against me. Once again she possessed a jewel.
"Thank you,” she said and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Now hurry and retrieve Filiia."
"Of course. And thank you."
She frowned. “For what? Oh. I hope you met Master Phrine."
"I'm afraid the guards would not let me."
"Maybe when you pick up Filiia then. Good night."
I nodded and watched her enter the stable, where I suspected a horse was already saddled and waiting for her. I was whistling cheerfully as I started back to the Phrine manor. Chances were she would not look at the jewel until she was well on her journey. Even then she might not know the gems had been switched as the library had been dark and she wouldn't have seen the real one clearly during the theft. But her employer would. Sorry, Marna, I thought, but it had to be done. Nothing personal.
I completed my obligations as a driver and the following afternoon left Riazan City. But not before I had a package sent to Janizen Phrine. It contained a most valuable jewel and a note signed, “Compliments of a friend."
Houff
This was one time I would have used the services of the Guild Archives. They provide—for a substantial fee—detailed information on contracts put out on the rich and famous. Floor plans, staffs, habits, descriptions of various treasures, warnings on traps and other dangers; all helpful information when breaking into a castle or manor. Or the offices of the Chancellor of Vrallik.
I've had some unusual contracts over the years, albeit most were thrust upon me because of my apprentice status. Stealing a 10-foot tall statue. Robbing a baron of his peace of mind. Unwittingly obtaining a demon for a magician. Once again, like so often during my apprenticeship, I was here under the orders of the Guild.
After leaving Riazan City, I had traveled overland to Klaahorn. I had planned to interfere with another contract, but since Klaahorn held a Guild office, I decided for appearance's sake that I should make one. Unfortunately, the secretary had been delighted to see me.
"You've arrived at a most propitious time, Brendell,” and he greeted me with an eager handshake. “A most unique contract has come our way and you are just the person to fulfill it."
"And why is that?” I asked, trying to keep frustration from my voice. I had only intended to maintain my guise as a Guild member in full standing, not do real work for them.
He smiled as he opened a desk drawer. “No false modesty, please. Your reputation for achieving the—unusual—precedes you. Yes, I think you are just the man for this assignment. Read this,” and he handed me a stack of papers.
I glanced through the contract. Everything was official, every “i” dotted and all that. “But why?” I had to ask when I returned the pile to his desk.
"That is never our concern, Brendell. You know that."
Which was true. Greed was the common motive, but not always. Revenge, jealousy; selfish reasons all. “It's only an official seal. Surely it would be just as easy to counterfeit one."
"It's not what the client wishes. He wants this within the week, and Vrallik is a three-day's ride from here. The Guild is counting on you, Brendell. Do not fail us."
Do not fail us. Those words echoed inside me as I left. The nerve of the Guild to engage me after what they had done! Yet perhaps this secretary didn't know ... or care, for that matter. And I was still nominally a member of the Guild, so I had at least to pretend to follow orders.
Still, the assignment bordered on the insane. Three days to Vrallik, three days back. Which left me one day to complete this assignment. No time to plan, no time to research the Guild archives. Ridiculous.
But if I was to maintain my charade so I could complete my real objective, I had to cooperate. The seal must have symbolic meaning, I decided as I rode swiftly albeit reluctantly toward Vrallik. Perhaps political importance, like the time I had stolen back a scepter for a rightful monarch.
So I was exhausted and angry when I finally entered the village. And then I became confused. Vrallik was small, just a few shops and what had to be the city offices resting at the end of the one road leading in and out. Now I wished I could have consulted the Guild archives more than ever. It had to be a farming community, I decided, under the rule of royalty living elsewhere. Travelers had to be few and far between, so staying at the local inn was out of the question since there was none. Instead I continued through the hamlet and into the forest beyond before leaving the single path and riding into the woods.
While I ate I considered my options. I could think of no plausible reason to visit the city offices during the day. Their primary purpose was surely tax assessment, so my arrival would only arouse suspicion. I would have to enter at night, with absolutely no idea where I might find what I was seeking. Then back to my horse and a rapid ride through the darkness. Not a pleasant prospect and I immediately considered forgoing this assignment.
But that would only cause more difficulties. Sooner or later the Guild would suspect me. Best that day be put off as long as possible. “We're going to learn just how good a thief you are, Brendell,” I whispered. With nothing else to do but wait until dark, I made my mount and myself comfortable and took a well-earned nap.
Judging by the moon, it had to be nearing midnight when I finally woke and roused myself into action. I left my horse where it was as I was in easy walking distance from my destination. If the village were that quiet during the day, it could only be more so at night, and having a mount tied to a hitching post would only arouse curiosity if for some reason anyone passed through. Besides, it was a good night for a walk, cool and slightly damp and I was actually feeling refreshed and eager when I neared the building.
The snapping of a twig, soft yet as ominous as a thunderclap, changed that. Almost by habit I had been approaching quietly. I stopped immediately at the sound and held my breath. Perhaps it was nothing, a small animal or even my imagination. I waited several more minutes until I was finally ready to attribute it to natural forest noise when I heard something else; the shuffling of dried leaves.
No doubt now, there were guards out there. But why? Surely there was nothing within that building to warrant the hiring of night guards. Unless...
The only possible answer froze me in my tracks. But they wouldn't do that, I tried to tell myself. The Guild wouldn't betray me like I was betraying them. Then the rustling grew louder, forcing me to crouch down in the undergrowth. The rustling turned into footsteps, muted but unmistakable. And coming my way.
Now I could even hear their conversations, whispered but clear in the still night air. “He should be here by now,” one heavy male voice said. “Perhaps he's afraid."
"He'll come,” said another. “For the honor of his Guild."
That caused the first man to laugh. “I hope I find him first. I don't like thieves much. Their Guild is an affront to all that is holy."
"But they do provide us employment, don't they?"
Another chuckle. “The world will welcome one less thief."
I could
imagine him drawing his knife and pretending to slash his throat. Rather, my throat. It caused my real throat to swallow bile. No question now; I had been betrayed. Also no question that there were more than just these two members of the Assassin's Guild—they could be no one else—assigned to this detail. Others were surely searching the woods and sooner or later would find my mount. They would find me soon enough as well.
Unless I found them first. This will never work, I warned myself as I backed away slowly. I can't escape them anyway, I argued back. This is my only chance. They'll kill you as soon as they see you. You've heard them, my inner voice said. They don't know who I am, what I look like, my other half replied. And on and on the arguments rang inside my head as I waited for the guards to reach a reasonable distance away. Long enough. “Chapper,” I yelled suddenly, standing up and clapping my hands. “Come here, girl. Chapper, get over here now!” And I waded noisily through the underbrush.
The command rang out almost immediately. “Halt this instant! Step forward with your hands in the air."
"Who is that? How do I do that?” I yelled back.
"Do what?” There was puzzlement in the voice.
"Stop and then step forward. I can't very well halt and walk at the same time. And have you seen my dog?"
"No sass from you or I'll kill you where you stand.” In the moonlight I could see two figures coming my way. I waited until they were close enough to see me. “I said put your hands in the air."
"You also said I had to step forward. But I decided to obey your command to halt instead. It seemed more reasonable. Have you seen a dog?"
"No questions from you.” The men were roughly the same height. One held a bow, the other a sword. “Who are you and what are you doing here?"
"I am called Gazwenth. As I have said repeatedly, I am looking for my dog. Now who are you?"
The bowman cocked his weapon. “None of your concern, peasant. Why would you be looking for your dog this time of night in these woods?"
I forced a shy smile, although I doubted they could see my sincerity in the darkness. “Chapper is my sheepdog. She gets out on occasion. For some reason she always comes here when she does. Maybe she was whelped here; it remains a mystery."
"Perhaps she's searching for romance,” the swordsman said and they both laughed.
"Chapper is of high moral character,” I replied stiffly. “You must be confusing her with city dogs."
"Get over here. Now!” the bowman said, waving his weapon.
I obeyed, making sure to nearly fall several times until I reached them. “You haven't seen Chapper?"
"Shut up.” The one with the sword sheathed his weapon and roughly searched me. “Nothing,” he said after a moment. “No weapons, nothing."
That wasn't true, but I had them well hidden. A casual search in the middle of a woods on a dark night would never uncover the set of lock picks and other tools I wore. “Why are you here?” I asked, trying to sound innocent and curious. “Are you with the assessors?"
"What do you mean?” the man with the bow asked roughly.
I decided to push my luck. I decided to assume these men were on temporary assignment, that affairs of government operated here much like in Mistmourning. “After the tax assessments, the Assassin's Guild always sends guards until the money is sent to the lord. Are you Assassin's Guild?"
The swordsman shook his head in disgust. “None of your concern. Now get out of here."
"Of course, your lord.” I bowed and started backing up. “If you find my dog, please don't kill her."
They laughed as I turned and started walking away. I was just starting to regain control of my racing heart when I heard a new voice yell out. “Stop him, stop him now!"
Considering the dark and the distance, I didn't know if it was a good shot or bad, but seconds later an arrow whizzed by my ear and buried itself into the tree next to me. But that wasn't what made me freeze.
I stood still as I heard more footsteps, then the new voice raised in anger. “What are you doing? Why are you letting him leave?"
"He's Chapper. He's the local village idiot,” the voice of the bowman rang out. “Out here looking for his dog."
"You're the village idiots! That's Brendell!"
I turned reluctantly to see three men hurrying my way. “Greetings, Algorph. It's been too many years.” I had met Algorph several times in the past, first when he was a student in the class I was forced to teach at the Thief's Academy. I had admittedly treated him cruelly and he had yet to forgive or forget.
"So it has.” There was no warmth in his voice, however, or in the smile he wore as he walked up to me, his sword drawn. He tousled my hair roughly as he stared in my eyes.
He wasn't doing that as a long-delayed greeting. “You're wasting your time. I don't keep my picks there anymore."
He grunted. “But you have them somewhere. Perhaps I'll strip you of all your clothes and then try again."
The other men were watching us silently. The way they stood suggested they were confused, angry and also alarmed. I returned my attention to Algorph. “Why are you doing this, Algorph? I have done nothing."
He smirked. “Nothing now. And nothing ever again. The noose is waiting for you, Brendell."
Yes, thanks to my Guild. But I couldn't let him know I suspected what was happening here, so I maintained my innocence. “And why is that? As I said, I haven't done anything. I was merely walking through these woods."
"Under Guild contract to steal from that building. We know that, Brendell."
I'm sure you do. “Then you also know I haven't stolen anything. And, obviously, I won't. So you can let me go. As one Guild member to another."
"You're no longer an honored member of the Thief's Guild or any Guild.” He made a slashing motion across his throat. “You have no more rights than the ants I step on."
No longer a Guild member. That statement filled my veins with ice. After all the years and work I had put into the Guild, now I found I had been discarded as casually as dishwater. Then the despair I felt was totally replaced by rage. “Let me go, Algorph. I helped you and your Guild in the past. Or have you forgotten the Scepter of Zenora?” That had been one of my first contracts, one, like this, that was underwritten by treachery. But I had managed to save both a legitimate monarchy and the honor of the Assassin's Guild.
He stepped back. “The Assassin's Guild has short memories. It is the only way we can effectively do business. But I have not forgotten what you did to me. Have you?"
No, I hadn't. During my forced stay at the Thief's Academy, I had treated the pupils in my class quite harshly, especially Algorph. “I had hoped I had atoned for that by now."
"I will make that determination. Where's your horse?"
"Back in those woods,” I pointed in the general direction of my camp.
"We'll find it later. You don't need it anymore. Take this man.” He shoved me forward and I almost fell for real before being seized by the two guards.
They held me tighter than necessary as they marched me through the woods, clearly upset with my trick on them and their leader's anger. “I knew I should have run you through as soon as I saw you,” one whispered as we made our way to the wide lawn surrounding the administrative building.
"I suspect Algorph wishes that honor for himself,” I muttered.
"It would be an honor to clean his blade afterward,” the other said.
I decided that conversing with them would continue to be unpleasant, so I kept silent as we walked to the front of the building, then to the flagpole. “Lash him to that,” Algorph said.
His men complied eagerly and I was soon trussed as tightly as a fat woman in a corset three sizes too small. “Now what?” one asked as they all gathered to admire the knots.
"Leave him until morning. He isn't going anywhere.” Algorph looked up at the sky. “Perhaps it will rain."
"I'll stand first guard,” the bowman said.
Algorph studied me again. “No need. Not if
you tied the knots right.” He pulled on one and it held securely.
The bowman remained unappeased. “But he's a thief! What if he escapes? What if he has magical help?"
"Brendell doesn't believe in using magic.” Algorph looked at me one more time. “Neither do I. Come, let's go to the fire and relax. He can't escape. Besides, we still have men patrolling the woods and the road. Where could he possibly go?"
They couldn't or wouldn't argue with their superior, so they walked away laughing and congratulating each other. I waited until they disappeared around the building before I straightened my back as best I could. Now, by exhaling and tightening my stomach, I could gain a bit of slackness in the ropes. They had tied my hands together, a mistake. I was able to reach the ring on my left hand and undo the stone in the center. Beneath was a pointed bit of metal. Those of a darker nature would put poison on the tip and use it as a weapon, but it was also sharp enough to cut through, albeit slowly, the rope around my wrists. Even if there had been a guard posted, I could have accomplished that much. Algorph had made it even easier. Once my hands were free, it was a relatively simple matter to release myself. Then I took my picks, opened the door to the building and went inside to wait.
I was relaxing in the administrative offices when I finally heard footsteps. “Where are you, Brendell?” I heard the familiar voice whisper.
"Room on your left,” I replied. “Try to be quiet, and no light."
I heard a grunt, then a soft thud, as Algorph bumped into some furniture. After much longer then necessary he found me.
"You would have been an incompetent thief,” I greeted him.
"That is your fault,” he grunted as he found a seat.
"I never wanted to be Professor Grimmire's teaching assistant. But you are correct. Quite an elaborate plan just to talk to me. What if I hadn't escaped those ropes?"
"Then you wouldn't be as good a thief as we think you are. In the morning we would have given you over to the magistrate. This realm treats thieves most harshly."
Brendell: Rogue Thief Page 5
