City Of Light

by Darren Deegan

  They ventured forth through the foul smelling water of the sewer and ended up beneath the exit they would take to the least guarded part of the quarter. The trip itself was short, a mere ten minutes due to their extensive experience of entering the Upper Quarter unnoticed, but this time they would need to wait for almost an hour before they could emerge. Selene looked around at her friends and accomplices in what would truly be their most ambitious robbery yet.

  There were three newer boys she didn’t know, but had seen once or twice around the guild, Robert, a tall handsome boy who had been her friend for a few years, and his boyfriend, Tom, who never left his side.

  The nine thieves had settled in as best they could, an hour could seem like an eternity sitting in an enclosed space filled with waste and excrement. Selene wondered if the boys were regretting their ingenious plan. Gareth didn’t seem too bothered to Selene, but when she looked at Eric, he was stuffing pieces of torn cloth into each nostril and looking none too pleased.

  ‘Something wrong Eric? Are you not enjoying our accommodation?’ Selene teased.

  ‘Stuff it, Selene,’ he began, ‘or maybe you’d like me to dunk your head in this nice stream we’ve got in front of us.’

  ‘You could try, but I think you’d have trouble doing it while I’m holding your head under water.’ Gareth snarled at Eric.

  The two boys stared each other down for a few moments before breaking into quiet laughter. The teasing and mock threats were par for the course when you’ve been friends as long as they had, and it was always a good way of relieving the tension a little, especially on stressful jobs like the one they were about to undertake.

  Selene enjoyed seeing Gareth laugh, he didn’t do it enough anymore, being Vin’s right hand the past year had made him more serious, and she thought it seemed like the weight of the world was sometimes on his shoulders. She had wanted to talk to him about his activities with Vin, not what he was doing, because that never got her any answers, but just that he was sure this was what he really wanted.

  A conversation for another time.

  ‘I think we should be good to leave now. Eric, go check through the sewer grate.’ Gareth said, the rest of the thieves getting up and preparing themselves.

  Eric boosted himself up to the sewer grate at the top of the wall and peered through for a moment before looking back, ‘one guard on the far wall, but he’s keeping watch with his back to us.’

  Gareth nodded in acknowledgement and signalled the rest of the group to follow Eric up through the grate. As they silently pulled themselves up and out through the open grate, Selene noticed Eric keeping watch on the guard, throwing dagger ready, just in case. Violence was always Selene’s last resort, she didn’t agree with hurting people, but she had to admit to herself that it felt a lot better having a few hungry fighters on her side, should the worst happen.

  With the nine thieves hidden behind an adjacent house, out of sight of any guards, they all prepared themselves for the thrill of the hunt.

  ‘Okay, you all know the plan. No more than an hour, this score will keep us going long enough, don’t get greedy. Split up into your teams, and meet back here, we all leave together.’ Gareth said with an air of authority.

  The thieves split up into the predetermined teams, the twins together of course, along with Gareth. Then Robert and Tom, with Selene, and the three boys that Selene still couldn’t remember the names of.

  They hoped to hit three homes each within the hour, but the number was not as important as the timing. Too long and they would meet the parade on the return trip, the area would then be swarming with city guards, and even if they avoided those guards, once the parade was over, residents would return home. The thieves could not remain undetected during the day in the upper quarter, they would stand out like a sore thumb.

  * * *

  ‘Selene,’ Robert started, almost whispering as they stepped through the newly opened ground-floor window of the third house along their route. ‘Why is it you and Gareth never end up in a team together when we split off like this?’

  She looked across at Robert as she pilfered through the drawers of a rather lovely oak writing desk. ‘Gareth thinks he’d become far too distracted if we were alone in a big empty house like this,’ she said, with a cheeky grin splashed across her face. ‘Besides, I have way more fun with you two, than him. Gareth gets far too serious when we’re out on jobs.’

  ‘Are you trying to say Tom and I don’t take our work serious enough?’ Robert said from across the room.

  Tom and Selene both looked across to him and couldn’t help but expel a short laugh, as Robert had his most serious face on, while sporting a very fetching fringe lampshade upon his head. These were the parts Selene loved about working with the boys. They were thieves of great skill and cunning, but they knew when to have fun to relieve a little tension, and when they needed to be professional and steadfast in their work.

  ‘Come on, lets move upstairs,’ Selene said. ‘The jewellery will be up there, well anything they’re not wearing to impress his Majesty, that is.’

  The three thieves made short work of the stairs, taking them two at a time, even the servants appeared to have been allowed leave to observe the king’s parade. When they reached the upper floor of the mansion, as there was no other way to describe this home, Selene couldn’t help but be taken aback by the sheer opulence of the hallway that lay in front of her.

  A rich, royal blue coloured carpet ran the length of the hallway, held down at either end by polished brass pins, in the shape of lion’s heads. Every six feet on either side, hung beautiful paintings in gold frames, each a portrait of what she could only imagine were of the family now away at the parade. Several small tables dotted the hallway, each holding a vase made of the finest porcelain, the rims lined with gold leaf that accented the green stems of the beautiful flowers held within.

  ‘Gods above, if I lived here, I’d never bother leaving. What the hell does the palace look like if the lower nobles live like this?’ Tom blurted out.

  ‘We’ll never know, and don’t go getting any ideas into your head either, we’re not eyeing up the palace next.’ Robert said, nudging Tom forward along the hallway.

  Selene giggled a little to herself and followed them along the hallway, making her way into the room opposite the one Tom and Robert had entered. A four poster bed took up the centre of this room, not the master bedroom, but for a girl about Selene’s age, judging by the dress that was placed upon a mannequin in the far right corner.

  Every trimming and furnishing was the finest Selene had ever seen. Rich pinks and purples were woven through everything, including the dress that Selene was gently caressing. She had never seen herself as the type to wear such things, but now it was in front of her, she dreamed of a life that would be filled with occasions requiring her to wear such finery.

  Gareth instantly came to mind, and she allowed herself a few moments to day dream of that life. A life of the finer things where her and Gareth attended great parties and events together. She would eat carefully prepared delicacies, drink the finest wine, and laugh and dance with her beloved, without a care in the world. Not that Selene didn’t enjoy her life, or even spent a lot of time dreaming of better things, it was just nice for a moment to imagine something she could never have. Her dreaming was short lived however, footsteps outside the bedroom door caught her attention. She swung around as Robert burst into the room.

  ‘Does this make my breasts look bigger?’ He mused, wearing a fine blood red corset. He’d clearly ransacked the closet of the master bedroom.

  ‘Oh, absolutely, you should keep it, I think Tom would appreciate it.’ She said, finally moving through the room looking for anything of value.

  ‘Found anything yet?’ Tom asked, entering the room behind Robert. ‘We’ve got quite the haul from that bedroom, I think the lady of the house was saving her best jewellery for the parties tonight. And if these aren’t her best, we definitely need to come back to grab wha
t she’s wearing.’

  Selene walked across the room to the dresser where she spotted a reasonable sized jewellery box. Like the room, the box was a fine wood, painted cream, with accents of purple all around it. Selene thought she might take the box along with its contents if she hadn’t almost filled her bags from the previous two homes.

  Her eyes lit up as she opened the box. Necklaces, rings, bracelets, all gold and silver, studded with some of the most awe-inspiring stones she’d ever seen. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and even diamonds were encrusted in everything. She mused that this girl’s jewellery box may be worth more than the house.

  ‘Nice find. These people can definitely afford to be relieved of their possessions. It’s almost sickening that one family has so much, when half the city is struggling to feed their families.’ Robert said, eyeing up the jewels as Selene emptied them into a small leather pouch.

  ‘I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not sure I can carry anything else. Call it a day?’ Selene said, fastening the leather pouch at her waist.

  Tom peered out of the large bay window in the room and turned back to them. ‘I think we’re probably pushing the hour now anyway, we should make a run for it. I don’t want your boy giving us shit for being late.’

  Laughing at Tom’s comment, Selene and Robert turned and made a dash for the hallway without waiting for Tom.

  TEN

  ‘Oh, come on, we can afford a quick peak. The parade won’t make it near the sewer entrance before we can run back.’ Selene said, scaling the wall of a building, moving towards the roof.

  ‘If Gareth wants to rip us a new one when we get back, you’re taking all the blame, lady,’ Tom said, moving in behind Robert who was already making his way up after Selene.

  ‘Stop being such a moan, Tom, like Selene would ever let Gareth take it out on us.’ Robert said in a strained tone. It was clear his bags were the heaviest of the three.

  The rooftop wasn’t large, but it was attached to a taller building, that allowed the three to lean against a wall, providing a respite, and cover from watchful eyes below. A larger building cast a long shadow across the small rooftop, with the unusual heat from the Autumn sun, the ever watchful thieves were glad for the reprieve.

  It would be moments before the parade came into view. Selene was sure they could stay for only a few short minutes before they would need to race across the rooftops to the rendezvous with Gareth and the others. Still, it was a rare opportunity for them to enjoy the parade from such hospitable surroundings, she did not want to waste it.

  Flames flew high above the revellers as the first of the parade’s entertainers approached the street the thieves viewed from. There were a dozen men and women juggling at the head of the parade. A variety of objects being thrown between the jugglers, most of which, Selene noticed, appeared to be on fire. She gazed down from the rooftop, in awe of the skill and bravery that these people possessed. Throwing knives from one person to another, was one thing, but doing it while the handle was alight, that was a whole other level, she thought.

  ‘I bet your boy would give those knife throwers a run for their money, eh?’ Robert said, nudging Selene.

  ‘Most certainly. The only problem, is that those guys might look like pin cushions after Gareth finished throwing the knives.’

  Robert and Tom both laughed aloud, followed by a cheeky smile from Selene. Gareth had learnt his combat skills, including how to dead shot a knife throw, from an assassin. The same assassin that now ran the Thieves Guild of Eitane. Selene didn’t think Vin would have approved of, nor trained Gareth to use those skills for the amusement of the city’s nobles.

  Thinking of Gareth, she wondered if he was already back at the sewer entrance waiting for them, if they were late, he would be mad at her, even if it were short lived. As she contemplated leaving the roof to run for the rendezvous, the parade reached its mid point, and she at last spotted the head of the king’s Guard.

  * * *

  The ever deafening crowd continued to cheer as they made their way through the streets of the upper quarter. Thyle thought he’d never see the end of the blasted parade. He had better things to be doing than prancing through the city streets on his horse in the deadening heat. The gravity of the occasion required his full royal dress uniform, but as he was also leading the king’s protection detail, at least half armour was necessary too. The layers of cloth and mail armour made him uncomfortable and sticky, only adding to his frustration.

  ‘Commander.’ A young solider said, as he approached Thyle’s side.

  ‘What is it, Corporal?’

  ‘His majesty would like you to fall back and speak with him.’

  Thyle had been at the head of the protection detail, to allow him a full view of any threat, no matter how unlikely. He didn’t like the idea of falling back to the king’s carriage, but he wasn’t about to refuse a request from the king, at least not in view of so many people. The Commander and the king had been friendly for years, and while he may be a little disobedient in private, he had more respect for the king and his position to do it before so many. He pulled on the right rein and moved his horse around behind the detail and took up a position next to the king.

  ‘Your majesty?’ He said, with a slight bow of his head.

  ‘I know you hate to be away from your self designated post, Thyle, but do keep me company for a while. It’s entirely boring, sitting here by myself, waving constantly. There’ll be no swordplay for a week, if I have to wave for another hour.’

  Thyle laughed under his breath and looked at the king. ‘You could have called the parade off, you know. Saved us all the bother. I mean, who celebrates their thirtieth birthday, anyway.’

  The king gave Thyle a stern look of disapproval, but only for a moment, before breaking into laughter himself. ‘You know, you’re right. I should have listened to you weeks ago. I thought the parade might lift the spirits of the people, for I knew it would do little for my own.’

  He wasn’t sure what to say, so he nodded in response to the king’s statement. The conversation was short lived however, for being ever watchful, Thyle spotted three figures on a rooftop ahead, along the parade route. He could see one of them clearly, a young girl, no older than sixteen or seventeen. There was something about her, something that held his gaze for a few moments.

  ‘Corporal,’ he called out, his eyes never leaving the girl’s. ‘Send a few guards to that building up ahead. There are people on top of it, and they look far too out of place for my liking.’

  ‘At once, Commander.’

  * * *

  Selene almost didn’t notice the three city guards circling around the side of the building. If not for the reaction of the disgusted nobles, at the audacity of guards coming within feet of them, she may not have. The glare from the soldier next to the king, had kept her gaze. She assumed him to be a leader of some description, judging by his position close to the king’s carriage, but she had never seen him before. He had been staring at Selene with those piercing eyes for mere moments, but something about him had kept her attention, for far too long.

  ‘Time to make a wonderful, but quick exit, boys.’ She said to the others.

  ‘But the king’s only just got to our street, there’s time.’ Robert said.

  ‘Well if you’d like to explain that to the guards, who are currently making their way over to us, be my guest. I, however, will be far from here.’

  Tom ran to the edge of the roof and looked around the two sides facing the parade route.

  ‘I don’t see any guards,’ he said, turning back to where Selene had been standing.

  She was already climbing to the taller rooftop adjacent to the building they were on. Selene had wasted no time, even if Tom couldn’t see the guards, she knew they were coming. With her feet planted firm on the new roof, she spun around and gestured for the boys to throw the overloaded bags up to her.

  ‘I hope you’re right about this. I wanted to enjoy a little more of the parade, S
elene.’ Robert said, sounding slightly grumpy, but hauling the last bag to her, anyway.

  ‘Hurry. Up on the roof. Now.’ Selene shouted.

  ‘Well aren’t you the bossy one?’ Tom said, sarcastic as ever.

  Selene pointed to something behind the boys. They turned, almost in unison to see a gloved hand come over the roof, to match the one that was already gripping tight to the edge.

  ‘Shit,’ they both exclaimed, clambering for the roof above them.

  Selene laughed a little as she stretched a hand down to help Robert up. Tom had always been the better climber, she knew he would take care of himself. With the three of them safe on the roof, they took a moment to glance behind again, as two guards were getting to their feet, having just come over the edge of the roof. The third guard was somewhere else down below because the others were breaking into a sprint towards the thieves.

  Tom didn’t wait around, he grabbed his heavy bag and almost leapt to the far side of the roof, continuing to run without checking behind for the others, he just yelled back. ‘Last one to the sewers buys drinks.’

  Selene whirled around, hooking Robert’s arm and brought them both into a hurried pace towards Tom. The over encumbered bags seemed like a terrible idea to them as the ran and jumped from rooftop to rooftop. For a moment, Selene contemplated leaving the bag behind to gain speed, but just for a moment, as she remembered some precious items they’d taken from the nobles’ mansions.

  Rooftop to rooftop, they flew at a pace far greater than would have seemed possible, given the weight burdened upon their shoulders. Each time Selene risked a momentary glance back, she was confronted with the realisation that her pursuers were far nimbler, and faster than the average slum guard. It was during one of these glances she noticed Robert was slipping too far behind at his pace, they wouldn’t make it back to the sewer entrance, given the fact that they had to throw the guards off their trail fist.