Brendell: Rogue Thief Page 9

  She gnawed on a nail while she ruminated. “How long will this take? How many people do you need?"

  "No more than ten. Your most trustworthy. Of course I will have final say on who is selected. If they are dedicated, I can train them on the basics in less than a month.” I then swallowed heavily and my stomach grumbled as she bit into an apple while weighing her options. That was a good sign as I could soon eat something more substantial than water.

  "You're asking me to put my people and my realm in your hands. The hands of a thief!"

  "A very good thief. One whose enemies are the same as yours."

  "And how do we get rid of this ... loot?"

  Good. “There are ways. There are merchants in other realms we can contact. Don't worry; your people can go back to honest farming once the threat of Kastikaan is eliminated.” If they want to.

  She rose, disgust and resignation mingling on her face. “I'll see what I can do. Stay here and rest."

  "Before you go.” I pointed to the nearby table. “Could you hand me an apple?"

  Kastikaan

  "No, no, no. Your object is to brush up against your target, not knock him off his feet."

  The farm boy blushed, then stepped back from me. I glared at him, then at the other men and women in my “class.” True to her word, Pipo Fess had found about 20 volunteers to learn the rudiments of thievery. After three days I had pared them down to less than half. One recruit had been a farmer so old he could barely walk, another a lad so tall that he would immediately attract attention anywhere. Not a desirable attribute for successful thieves. What I now had was a group of young men and women who would have never survived the first year in the Thief's Academy.

  But I was committed to my plan and had no choice. I was still confident it would succeed, I just wasn't sure this group would succeed. “Okay,” I said with a sigh, “take your position and let's try again."

  So the morning went, me being poked and prodded like a melon at the market while my pupils developed their pickpocket skills. Several were actually successful, and those little victories were what stopped me from abandoning my plan. Finally noon arrived, as did our meals. I set a locked box in front of each of them. “Your lunches are inside. Enjoy."

  "But these are locked!” one heavy-set farm boy said.

  "So they are. Unlock them and you can eat. If you can't, then fast."

  Grumbling, they went to work. “Don't pry it,” I yelled to one woman who was wedging her pick under the lid. I walked quickly to her table. “Like this.” I took the pick from her hand and with a well-practiced movement had the box open. Then I shut it firmly and returned her tool. “Now you try.” Grunting and flicking a stray strand of hair from her eyes, she went to work.

  I had already finished my meal before the first of my students succeeded. It was Cordita. Our first meeting after my “death” was as warm as a usurer's smile, but she had become more accommodating once Fess had explained most of our plan to the class. “Good,” I said. “Would you be so kind as to help the others?"

  She nodded and within a matter of moments all my students had succeeded. That's when it struck me: whether it was because of her attitude or her association with them or just the typical fear and awe students held for professors, the group had learned faster from her than from me. It gave me an idea how to get the class to learn the necessary skills more rapidly. I waited until everyone had eaten, then called Cordita to me.

  "Yes?” I noted a trace of pride in her smile. That convinced me.

  "I want you to take the other women and help them with lock picking. Just you and them, a small group."

  She frowned. “But I can't teach that. I barely know how to do it myself."

  I smiled. “Yes, you can. Don't worry, I'll assist with the more difficult locks. But for what we need right now, your skills are more than adequate."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Absolutely.” I stood and addressed the class. “Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to try something a bit different. I want all the ladies to join Cordita in one corner. She will assist you in learning to pick locks. Theroun, you have been the most successful in stealing purses. You will help the men master that skill. Now,” and I clapped my hands, “class is back in session."

  The remainder of the afternoon I basically just watched as my students helped each other master lock picking, purse stealing, disguises and shop-lifting. Fortunate, I thought, that no one from the Thief's Academy was present: my new methodology would never have received approval. I was able to identify quickly which of my students excelled in various areas and these I put in charge of various groups. The others, rather than being jealous, actually appeared enthusiastic that I had become little more than an overseer, occasionally assisting or correcting but otherwise staying out of the way. When we broke for the evening, I felt, for the first time, that we had made progress.

  Which I happily told Fess that night. I was still ensconced within her manor on the off chance the Assassin's Guild was still lingering within Houff. “Excellent,” she said, dabbing her lips with a napkin. “When will they be ready?"

  "If they continue to progress like today, I would hope by the end of the month."

  She frowned. “We are nearing the time when Kastikaan traditionally dams the river. We are going to need everyone if we are going to be able to save any of our fields."

  I didn't need to hear that. It was now more vital than ever my troupe be successful. And I couldn't do it all. “I don't want to push them too hard."

  "My people are used to hard work. Have you any idea the difficulty of the life of a farmer?"

  Actually I did. Growing up, I had spent many hours bent over a scythe in our Mistmourning fields. That was probably one of the reasons I had chosen my profession. “Point taken. They will be ready by the end of the week.” Were I only as confident as my words.

  I made the announcement the following morning. To my surprise, my students took the news with a renewed burst of enthusiasm. Without my encouragement, they broke into their groups and began their lessons. I circulated among them, once again making observations and suggestions but for the most part remaining an onlooker. I was particularly surprised when one of my more inept students was showing little difficulty in opening a variety of locks and even a safe. “You've been working,” I said softly, standing over him.

  He looked up and blushed. “Yes. Cordita and I were up all night practicing."

  "Good.” I patted him on the shoulder. “Keep up the good work. But don't spend all your time on locks. Practice the skills you are weakest in, not strongest.” Then I walked off to congratulate Cordita on her hard work.

  The rest of the week flew by and I continued to be amazed by the rapid development of my students. If students at the Thief's Academy were as dedicated, must would graduate within a year, not four, I was sure. But then I knew firsthand that the Academy was more interested in expanding their coffers with student fees than actually graduating qualified professionals. Pipo Fess was delighted when I told her we would be leaving for Kastikaan within two days. “They are ready, then?"

  "They have to be. You told me there is a festival scheduled there within three days. That will be the ideal time to go to work. Strangers will be everywhere so we will be able to blend in the crowd."

  She stood at her study window and looked out over her realm. The streets were empty, the signs of poverty and despair everywhere. “The Houff you see before you is not the Houff I grew up in. We used to be a happy and prosperous land.” She shook her head. “I never thought thievery would be our only way to save ourselves."

  "It's temporary,” and I patted her on the shoulder. “Your people will be happy to go back to an honest,” I had to force out that word, “way of life."

  She gave me a small smile. “I can only hope."

  There was nothing I could say to reassure her. I wasn't that certain myself. “Tomorrow they have their finals. Would you like to observe?"

  She shook her head. “I've
put my realm in your hands, Gastinell. I can do nothing to change that.” Then she looked me in the eyes. “Just make sure my people return safe."

  "Of course.” I handed her a glass of wine. “To our success."

  She studied me over the lip of her glass. “To our survival."

  I wish you hadn't put it that way, I thought as we drank our wine.

  "I have good news,” I greeted my class the following morning. “Tomorrow we go to Kastikaan."

  My announcement was greeted by a stunned silence. But only for a moment. Then they all broke out in cheers and self-congratulations. I waited until the tumult died down before continuing. “Which means today you are taking your final exams. I don't expect you to pass every test, but I do expect you to excel in at least one area. From that we will determine what your assignments will be when we reach Kastikaan. Cordita, would you help me?"

  The lock boxes were passed out first and I was pleased to see the entire class succeed. Next came shoplifting. As I expected, only a few passed, but that was enough. “You can act as diversions,” I told the ones who failed. That brightened their spirits considerably. So the morning passed as we went through disguises, gambling, forgery and counterfeiting (although I suspected we would have little use for those skills soon). Finally, after a grueling morning, I stood before the class. “Now our final test, stealing purses. Theroun, you first."

  He stood and shook his head. “I don't think that's necessary."

  I frowned. “Why?"

  "Because,” and he held up my purse, “I already have it."

  The class broke out in laughter and applause, which I happily joined. “Excellent! In that case, I leave you in charge of this exercise, Theroun. Afterwards you are excused until the evening when we will go over your assignments.” With that I left them to their own devices. I still had plenty of work to do myself.

  The main streets of Kastikaan were bursting with activity when we arrived the following afternoon. Not together, of course; my little band had separated once we were within its borders. I had paired them for mutual protection and to accommodate each other's weaknesses. I was teamed with Cordita, chiefly because I wanted to be. My guise was a rich merchant, she was my concubine.

  Which she complained about unceasingly. “Why do I have to wear these ... clothes?” she asked for the hundredth time. “You said we were to be inconspicuous.” She certainly wasn't, not clad in sheer red and yellow silks that brought appreciative stares from every man and many women we passed.

  "Look around us,” I whispered in her ear. “In this crowd we are but one couple among hundreds.” Which was true enough. The festival had brought out a full regalia of attire among the attendees. Plus their finest jewels. “These are the people we want to be among. If we dressed as anything else, we would be conspicuous. Don't worry. Once we get to the city proper, we'll change into something else."

  My comments appeased her, or at least the constant jostling of the crowd distracted her enough so that she remained quiet as we walked slowly through the city. And there were enough wondrous sights to keep her preoccupied in any event. Jugglers, tumblers and musicians wandered throughout or stood on makeshift platforms to provide entertainment in hopes of a coin or two. Tents were pitched and merchants offered food and drink and oddities to passers-by. We stopped at one, where she admired the array of rings and bracelets on display. She gave me a quizzical look but I shook my head and led her away.

  "Why?” she said when we had turned a corner and were relatively alone. “I thought we were here to steal!"

  "Not fake jewels. Those baubles would earn us nothing.” I reached in my vest and showed her a jade bracelet. “This is what we're after."

  Her eyes widened. “When did you get that?"

  I laughed. “I've been picking pockets and lifting jewels since we arrived."

  She frowned, then smiled shyly. “And all I've gotten is this.” She opened her hand to reveal a small purse.

  "Good!” I patted the pelf in one pocket. “Let's see if we can find a jeweler or usurer who will help us."

  Which we did in short order. The usurer was unmoved as I told him of my misadventures at the gaming tables and my need to sell several bracelets so I could afford food and lodging. It was a story he heard countless times during the yearly festival and he only offered a pittance for their real value. I bartered a bit, telling him how much I had paid for them and their value to my wife, but in the end I accepted his offer. “I am glad to be of help,” he said as he smiled and counted out a dozen gold coins. “If I can be of further assistance, I will be here throughout the festival."

  "I'm sure my fortunes will soon change at the tables,” I said. The look on his face as I walked away told me he hoped it did not.

  Cordita had stood by me silently throughout the negotiations. Once outside, however, she erupted. “He robbed from you! Those jewels were worth easily ten times that!"

  "Of course. Which is why I rarely use usurers. But we needed money, and he wasn't likely to question how I got them. We'll arrange for more equitable exchanges later. Let's find an inn."

  That proved a bit more difficult, but an extra coin offered for a night's lodging obtained us accommodations. “Stay here,” I told Cordita once we were in our room. “I have some shopping to do.” I returned shortly and threw my parcel on the bed. “I think you'll find these more acceptable."

  "Good,” she said as she held up a plain long black skirt and simple yellow blouse. The outfit did nothing to dim her beauty but it did make her less obvious.

  "I thought those would go well with your vest. You brought it?"

  "Of course. I've had it wrapped around my waist.” The vest was important because it had inner pockets where items she lifted could be hidden. She started to remove her robes, then paused. “You are going to give me some privacy, correct?"

  "Correct.” I paused at the door. “Change your jewelry. And your hair while you're at it. Meet me in the wine shop downstairs when you're done."

  I was sipping at a plebian vintage when she joined me. She looked nothing like the woman who had walked in with me, which was all to the better. “Good. Are you ready to earn your keep?"

  She frowned. “If you mean am I ready to steal, the answer is yes."

  "Then let's go."

  She stopped me from rising. “Wait. Aren't you going to change?"

  "No. I'm going to be the distraction. I'll be more effective dressed like this. Come, there are several nearby shops that look promising."

  So we started. Since we were only robbing a few shops and staying just one day, I saw no real reason to vary our routine. I went in first, pretending to be a slightly drunk baron looking for something to appease his angry wife. Cordita would enter later, perhaps with other arriving customers, and spend most of her time admiring scarves and such. I would engage the clerks at the jewelry counter, letting my anger and voice build as one by one I denigrated their wares. Inevitably the owner would appear, inevitably I would be surrounded by guards and more clerks as I became increasingly intolerable. Finally, with the helpful assistance of the guards, I would leave without purchasing anything. But not before I had seen Cordita leave out of the corner of my eye. The sun was setting when I finally returned to our room, a bit disheveled from my treatment and performance. Cordita was waiting with a large smile on her face. “How did you do?” I asked.

  She shyly opened the scarf sitting on the bed. Inside, more than a dozen rings, bracelets and earrings glistened. “Do I pass?” she asked, then giggled.

  "Absolutely.” I hugged her, then kissed her lightly on the forehead. Or tried to. She looked up just as I bent down and suddenly I found myself kissing her on the lips. I stepped back and blushed. “I'm sorry."

  She stared at me in surprise. “Well, I'm not.” Then she laughed at my embarrassment before turning serious. “What do we do next?"

  "Supper. A change of clothes for me. Then we'll find out what the guests of the inn have to offer us."

  "Goo
d.” She began to unbutton her blouse. “I want to see what else Master Gastinell can teach me."

  Which turned out to be not near as much as she taught me.

  "Notice the rooms which have no lights? Those are the ones you want to rob."

  We were standing across the street from our inn. There were still crowds enjoying the festivities and we still could have enjoyed a profitable evening relieving them of their property. But it was important that Cordita gain experience in the more important—and profitable—field of breaking and entering.

  "Me? You're not going to come with me?"

  "Two thieves would be too much. I'll be doing other things.” I patted her hand. “Consider this your final exam."

  She frowned, but I could also see the anticipation in her eyes. “How many?"

  "As many as you wish. Just make sure the room isn't occupied with sleeping customers. You know where to put everything?"

  She nodded. Before leaving, I had removed a floorboard in our room. There was enough room below to hide a substantial amount of coin and jewels. “Where will you be?"

  "At the inn. Join me when you're finished."

  She stood and bent over me. “Wish me luck."

  "Luck.” I kissed her lightly. “Now go.” I watched her wend her way through the crowd back to our inn. No good reason to go myself as yet. The longer I lingered, the more people wouldn't remember we were together. So I leisurely finished another glass of wine, then returned myself.

  The inn was filled with revelers as well, most, I was sure, guests. I could have easily filled my pockets with the adornments they wore, but this was not the time or place. Instead I ingratiated myself with as many as I could, buying drinks with coins I had lifted earlier and telling stories and basically making myself as conspicuous and beloved as possible.