12
Aether
He didn't even bother to hide the body as he led the way back to his crew's hideout. On the way there, I gathered up the courage to ask, “Jack, why have you mixed up with these folks? You know I don't like you stealing, and now...you're running a thieves guild for God's sake. What led you to behave as such? I expected more of you.” I retreated to scolding him, trying to stop thinking about what I just saw happen, searching for something familiar to withdraw to.
He stopped, and the set of his shoulders showed how my words affected him, “Why, Aether? You really want to know why? Where else did I have to go? After you stabbed me in the back, so to speak, I had nowhere, no one. Nowhere left to turn. When Puck offered me the job, I took it cuz it was better than sitting around and seeing you with Tom every thrice-damned day. Is that reason enough for you? Or does it offend your high station to be seen with the scum of society?” Without another word, he stalked off, shoulders still telling me he was angry. At himself or me, or even at the fact that what happened, happened, I don't know and probably never will. I hurried after his long strides, trying to catch up.
After a moment, he slowed down, “So, where did you learn blade work like that? Last I knew, all you could wield was a paintbrush and pen, yet earlier, you were playing with that knife like you were born with it.”
I knew he was trying to change the subject, a small way of apologizing for his outburst when it was I who should have apologized. I went along with it anyway, “Gregory taught me after you....passed on. He taught me swordplay so I could defend myself. How is it that you're alive again? I was sure you died; they burned your body and everything. I was there the whole time.”
Jack smiled a sad little smile and replied, “I was in...I suppose you could call it Purgatory. It's a long story, but I kinda started a war against Satan. He ended up winning but....he allowed me to come back to save you. I left some great friends over there. I'm still not sure what's going to happen now, though. He seemed almost eager for me to come back.”
Aether stopped and stared at me with shock, “You made a deal with the Devil? How could you, Jack? What did you give him in return for that, Jack? What did you give him?!?” The look of horror on my face must have registered, for he just shrugged off my questions and kept walking, “Look, if you don't want to associate with me, fine, I get it. I really do Aether; it wouldn't be new to me. No one wants to be around a monster. Just...go if you want. I've got some stuff I need to do anyways.”
This time when he walked away, I let him go without trying to stop him. It seems I had hurt him bad enough that even all this time couldn't heal the pain.
Once more, I felt sick to my stomach and wanted more than anything to explain what had actually happened that day by the falls. But by the time I opened my mouth to speak, he had blended into the crowd and was gone.
I fumbled in my pockets with a sigh to find the few spare coins I had and did some quick math in my head. “Just enough for a bed and some food. Then I suppose tomorrow I can start looking for some work. What can I do in a city this big? Anything I'd want, probably.” The size of the place still astounded me, bigger by far than any village I had ever imagined or dreamed of.
The number of people here was ridiculous, and my hand kept unconsciously checking my purse. As empty as it was, it was the only money I had. And without a source to supplement it, it wouldn't last long.
The Wayward Wanderer was a small, well-run inn, though it was relatively cheap. But it was clean and would have to do. Even an inn such as this stretched my funds more than I had thought it would. I sat down at the bar and waited for the innkeeper to notice me.
It didn't take long, “What will ye have lass? We got a decent mead and a nice chilled wine. Some bread and stew as well, iffin you're hungry and not just thirsty.” He looked at me expectantly, waiting for my order.
“Just some stew, please. And do you know any places around here that a girl can get a job? Kinda in need of some money.”
The man looked thoughtful and scratched his bearded chin, “Hmm. Well, I'm assuming you ain't lookin' to hook or anything like that. So no, I don't really know of anyplace. Though you can help out a little around here for a few spare coins, it won't last a long time because I'm getting a new girl in a week or so, but it's something to help you survive a while. And stew comes with a piece of bread and its three copper pieces. A room tonight will be an extra four pieces”.
I slid seven coppers across the bar and nodded my thanks, trying not to grimace with the loss of each coin. After a moment of quiet thought, I started looking around the rest of the barroom. A game was being played in the corner, and I saw the girl named Victoria playing. She was being quite friendly with the men around her but still somehow managed to keep the guy's hands off of the more intimate areas. Her hands, however, seemed content to explore every inch of every guy around her.
Every time she was excessive in her affections, it seemed that she would win a large hand to the moans and groans of everyone around her.
When she started to leave, I got up and followed her out the door, completely forgetting about my food, only to be slammed against a wall and have a knife tickle my throat the moment I stepped outside, “Why the blazes you trying to follow me? Jealous? Cuz I have Jack, and you don't? Too bad. Leave us be, girl. I don't know who you are or what you want but just leave. Got it?” And then Victoria was gone; the only trace left of her was the red line of a shallow cut left by the razor edge of the blade.
Shaken, though more with anger than fear, I went back inside to eat and think about my future in Ethron.
Jack
Victoria bounced into our room and jumped into bed with me, “I made a good chunk in the games today, baby doll. Though some of the boys were more frisky than usual, they didn't touch nothing that's too important. Those are just for you.” She winked at me before snuggling up against my back.
“And how many important places did you end up touching tonight, Victoria? You know I’d rather you run real cons and not mess with cards. Too easy to get caught. Plus,” I turned to face her and kissed her neck, “I don't like my Victoria messin' with other guys. You know better. Now shush, and let's hit the hay. I just need a warm body tonight; I'm too tired after beating people to death to sate your thirst.”
She growled un-appreciatively but wrapped her arms around me and snuggled in to go to sleep. The smell of violets was still in her hair, and I whispered softly, “Whatever you're using in your hair, keep doing it. It smells nice.”
“For you doll, I always use it,” And we both drifted off into sleep.
Pounding noises coming from the front of the house woke us up, “Open the damn door Jack, we know you're in there!!”
Victoria rolled over, her sluggishness vanishing at once when she realized what the pounding was, “Jack, wake up, rollers are here!” She looked over and realized she was alone, and I was already fully dressed and across the room.
“I already knew they'd be here; I left something on the body. Made sure they knew where I'd be and that I would go quietly so they wouldn't need to hurt anybody."
Victoria gaped, "Wait, you actually beat someone to death? I thought you were kidding!! What are we going to do without you?"
I smiled and shook my head, "I never kid about serious matters. And don't worry about me. Not even a couple of days, and then I'll break out. It's gonna be easy enough, and you'll see me soon enough. Don't make me come back to no money, Doll, alright?” And with that, I opened the door and held my hands out for the rollers to cuff me.
Even though I went willing, they were still a bit rough with me, bruises marring my sides and back from their clubs and fists. They knew who I was and would take any excuse to rough me up a bit.
Being walked down the street under the gaze of everyone was kind of humiliating, but I could be proud of my people. Everyone in my crew came out and mingled in the crowd, and at some point in my walk, our eyes would meet, and they'd give me a nod of re
spect I hadn't seen in a while.
Then they would disappear, knowing I could handle the situation, and knowing that when I got out, I'd need some funds.
The rollers, or rather, the city guards, threw me in the cell and left me there, alone to sit in the filth and hay. A boy ran up and left some things I had asked for the night before at the small barred window that was the only thing letting light in.
The cell was small and dark and stank, smelling of the vomit and feces that other prisoners had left from fear of the coming noose.
It was an easy stay for me; I'd been in gaol many times before. The main surprise was Aether coming to visit, “Jack! There you are! I heard that the guards had gotten the leader of the Mercs, and I thought that's what they called you guys last night. Are you okay, is everything alright? Is this because of...you know?” I knew she deserved better, so I had to act fast. I didn't have enough time before the guards would come to check on me. “Look, Aether, we need to talk, but first, do me a favor. I need someone to get me some food, alright? Just a loaf of bread or something, I need to break my fast, and if I don't get food soon, the smell of this place will knock me out. Can you do that for me?”
“Sure, Jack, anything. I'll be right back.”
Aether
Even though it was with the very last of my funds, I couldn't just leave Jack in there like that. So, with a small sigh, I ran to buy a honey roll from a vendor up top on the streets before returning to Jack's cell. Out of breath, I held the honey roll out to give it to him, hoping it would be enough for I didn't have money for anything else.
Except the cell door was open, and it was empty, with a small mound in the middle. Walking over, I found a small pouch and a note.
“Aether
You deserve better than some street trash, even if the street trash is the head of some other junk. So I’m leaving before you get too attached again. The pouch is mostly full of gold, with a few silvers and a ring. Do what you want with it, but it should be enough for you to get a job, a good job, one that a girl like you deserves. Get someone better than me and forget about us. Sorry about Tom. I wish things would have turned out better. Don't take this the wrong way, but I hope I don't see you again. Ever. There's been enough pain. Stay safe, and be strong.
Signed,
-Jack”
The letter fell from my hand and drifted to the floor. Tears followed soon after as I lay curled up on the ground. I don't know how long I was on that floor, but noises from above reminded me that I was sitting in a cell where there was supposed to be a prisoner.
Fumbling to my feet, I picked up the parchment and the pouch and hurried out. I could feel the bag's weight, and as soon as I was out of sight, I dropped down to look inside the pouch.
A gold coin fell into my hand, and if it was real, it was the wages of a farmer for more than half of a year. And to have a whole pouch full, even one only this size, was beyond enough to live comfortably for years. Aside from the gold, a sparkle I saw in the dark recces of the bag showed me that there were at least three sizable gems that would each sell for a good chunk of coin.
For Jack to give me that much on the drop of a hat showed that he had a whole lot more money than I had thought he had. A whole lot more than my family had ever had, and he had gotten it in less time than one would think possible. I wondered how much his crew knew he had and what he had been doing to earn it.
Still, the money did nothing to ease the pain I felt at Jack leaving again, though part of me understood. He didn't want me to be with someone he thought I didn't deserve, and for some reason, he still saw me in a light that was beyond his. “Jack, don't you know that it's I who doesn't deserve you?”
Jack
I had a few loose ends to tie up around my places, so I headed back home for what I supposed would be the last time. But before I took even one step through the door, Victoria tackled me to the ground, “Don't you EVER do that to me again, Jack! You had me worried sick that you wouldn't even make it long enough to break out! Don't you know what the rollers can do to the leaders of street gangs?”
I scoffed, “I could have broken out of that joint in a moment; it was easy. Not my first time behind bars, and you know that. But this next part is going to piss you off something fierce, and I regret it most of all. I need to leave North for a bit. I'm changing my looks and going to South Gate, setting up a small rig there. I'm changing my name as well. And as long as I’m down there, it's gonna be fine, but if I’m seen with you, it's going to raise suspicion. I already have a boy setting up a scene to make it look like I died, thrown in the sewers, and left to rot. I can't be caught with someone from my past exposing me. I'm sorry, Victoria. It's what needs to be done.”
Her face went ice cold, and her hands curled into claws at her sides, “This is about that girl that showed up, isn't it? This is all about her. The fancy girl comes in, rich stuff, knows a few tricks with a blade, and you're all over her. My poor, thieving self ain't good enough for Jack anymore, is it? Just a bed warmer til you can get a rich girl, eh? Yeah, well, get the hell out of here! I don't wanna see your smug face ever again!” She was screaming at me, tears running down her face, and it pained my heart to see, though I knew it had to be done.
I tried to talk around her sobbing, make myself understood without breaking down myself, “You can keep the house, and there's enough money stashed in our spot that you should be set. Run the Mercs how you want... but stay out of South Gate for now. Sooner or later, we all will run the whole town. Once that happens, there won't be anyone who can stop us. You already have North, and Puck is running East. We'll be set, and I will see you again, I promise, just not for now.”
She looked down at the ground, tears still freely falling, “I don't care, just get out. Go, Jack. Just go.”
I looked at her and sighed before walking out of North Gate and planning to stay gone.
Aether
The job hunt wasn't going so great, but I had gone to four different jewelers to sell the three gems. The last one offered the best price, fourteen gold pieces for the lot, and he offered fifty pieces for the ring Jack had left me. For some reason, I passed up the offer and kept the ring, slipping it onto my right hand. It was a little loose, but it would stay on until I could get it resized.
I stayed at the Wandering Wanderer the whole time, surprising the innkeeper by cashing in a gold piece for a week's stay with the cheapest food. "I guess you weren't too fancy to try your hand at hooking," He mumbled as he picked up the gold piece and disappeared with it.
Two meals a day was enough to last me a while, and I didn't want to spend too much money too fast. Draw too much attention to myself, and I'll find myself broke, mugged in an alley somewhere. The Mercs kept street crime pretty much in control, but I didn't want to risk it. Especially now that Victoria seemed to have such a vendetta against me.
One day, I wandered around and found my way into the palace courtyard, where a woman was being ushered out crying. “I didn't mean it; my daughter just needed a dress for a night; I'm sorry, please, I need this job!” Her pleas were ignored, and she was soon cast into the streets of Central and left on the road crying. I hurried up to the guards, who were now making their way back inside the palace grounds.
“Hey, uh, I see you lost a maid. And I lived in a village all my life, so mending and cleaning are second nature. Can I, I don't know, talk to the lady who needs the maid?”
One of the guards stopped and looked at me, “Look, the “Lady” you're referring to is the Princess of this city. So no, I don't think you'll get an audience with her, let alone get the job. So why don't you go on back to that village you come from and let things lie?”
A woman's voice called out, “Let me see her, Liam. She sounds like she's useful, and how many people would just walk up and ask? She's got guts, and lord knows that it would be a blessed change with all the help around here. I just might hire her.” The princess had red, curly hair and freckles. She crinkled her nose when she saw my clothes, �
��Get a better wardrobe, clean up, and be here by the 6th hour tomorrow. You'll have the job then if I think you fit for it.” Then she looked down her nose at the people around her and basically pranced back into the palace courtyard.
I nodded my thanks to the guards, who no longer even seemed to care I was there, and almost ran back to North Gate, though not to get clothes. Not yet, at least.
The sign of the pestle and mortar wasn't hard to find, and I entered the shop looking for a midwife. One was available and met with me for three silvers, “What do you need, young lass? Looking for a preventive? I don't like selling those to people your age; it just ain't right.”
I shook my head and choked back a sob. Now that I was actually here, it was so much harder to say out loud, “I...I have a baby, I think. I was pregnant but my....my old husband he...he hit me. And sometimes...he hit me in the stomach. So I....I don't know if I’m still....still with child.”
Thieves' Race Page 14
