Claiming the ice Prince

by Espen Arcadia

  The man sat cross-legged on a rug, grinning up at Siku. “Good evening my fine sir! You look like someone who might be looking for a bit of fun.”

  Siku glanced around nervously, wary of how much attention the loud man’s voice might attract. Yet, not one person around them did more than look briefly at them before turning back to their business. Not one person had paid Siku very much attention, save for the few he’d seen look at him with interest. It was an odd experience, being unrecognizable, but Siku found he could easily come to enjoy it.

  “That all depends on what sort of fun you have in mind,” Siku said.

  The boisterous man gestured to the shells once again. “Nothing an attentive man like you wouldn’t enjoy. It’s only a little game. You place something on the line, money or something shiny, and I meet you with a bet of my own. Then, I take this little pearl I have here, place it under a shell and shuffle it up with the other shells. If you can manage to guess where the pearl is, you get to keep what you put up, plus what I bet. Outsmart me enough times, and you can walk away a richer man than you started.”

  Siku frowned thoughtfully, watching the strange man twiddle and juggle a small pink pearl between his fingers dexterously. Coin wasn’t something he had much of, as royalty never touched money directly, only directed where it went. Before he’d left, he’d known enough about the outside world to grab items he hoped had value and had stuffed them into his bag along with his clothes.

  Siku pulled one of the silver bracelets from his bag. “Will this do?”

  The game maker laughed pleasantly. “That will more than do. Though if you’re as attentive to my little game as you are with this crowd, I might regret taking you on as a challenger.”

  Siku grinned, crouching down carefully before the man’s table and slapped the bracelet down. If he could win a few games, he might have himself actual coin to use instead of trying to haggle over prices. If it meant not only avoiding figuring out the proper value of the items he’d taken but also having a bit of fun and winning, then he’d take the opportunity.

  “Let’s get started,” Siku told him.

  Aputi

  “You gonna buy something this time, or just pretend?”

  Aputi looked up at the suspicious shop owner, giving him a wide grin. “Aw, don’t be like that. A man’s allowed to be particular about what he’s buying.”

  The shop owner glared at him from his comfortable seat next to the shop’s display window. The owner was turned, so he wasn’t paying attention to the crowd behind him, too focused on Aputi. Which worked out marvelously, as it meant he wasn’t paying attention to the pack of scrawny children who were filching a few goods from the outer racks of the display.

  Aputi gave him a charming wink. “You don’t have to look at me like I’m going to run off with something. Not a thing in here I could just walk off with.”

  “Plenty for someone who’s got enough time and not enough money.”

  Aputi made a show of presenting himself to the shop owner. Turning his lanky body around in small circles, opening his deceptively strong arms. He had dressed lightly, not worrying about the biting winds coming out of the east so long as he stuck to the marketplace. He even went a step further, opening the flowing coat he wore, to show he had nothing stowed away inside.

  “Satisfied?”

  It was obvious there was nothing that was going to satisfy the shop owner. Aputi sighed in convincing disappointment. While he could normally count on his charms to ease the suspicion of most people, it seemed this particular man was not going to be assuaged. The shopkeeper’s assistant however, a young omega male with a shy gaze, seemed utterly charmed. Aputi shrugged his broad shoulders, unconsciously flipping a straying lock of his pale blond hair out of his bright blue eyes. It really didn’t matter how much he fought with his hair, it had a mind of its own.

  “Fine, then I’ll leave and take my money elsewhere.”

  Aputi could feel the owner’s eyes on him as he made his way out from beneath the eaves of the shop. The pack of children were already gone, having nicked everything of value they could peddle somewhere else. Aputi had agreed to be the distraction for them, so long as they paid him upfront with something he could pawn. What the kids hadn’t known, was that Aputi had slipped the item in question, a rather nice necklace, back into one of their pockets before playing distraction. He might not have gained anything of value, save the amusement of watching the fat owner glare at him and his assistant’s stare, but at least the kids and their siblings wouldn’t starve for few days.

  Humming to himself, he stepped away from the shop and down the nearby street. The markets were always busy in the evening, as everyone returned home and tried to jam in their last-minute shopping. Soon, the crowds of families would give way to a far more lively sort. The shops would close, but the places serving alcohol and live music would stay open. The markets would morph into the place for all sorts, both the reputable and the criminal, to congregate and enjoy themselves.

  Aputi’s enjoyment faded, however, as he came across an all too familiar sight. While Pukak was all smiles and charm as he sat at a small booth he more than likely didn’t have a permit for, Aputi knew too well what lay under the pleasant mask. Pukak’s gray eyes were alight with amusement as he shuffled around a trio of half-shells on the tabletop, chatting animatedly with his latest target.

  It was the target which drew Aputi’s attention. A man, not much younger than Aputi himself, crouched before the now stationary shells. His dark eyes were narrowed as he frowned in concentration. Hair even paler than Aputi’s, and as silvery as the moon over the frozen lake, fell down around the man’s face. It didn’t take more than a glance to see the poor man was in over his head.

  Sure enough, the look of concentration fell to dismay as he selected the wrong shell. Aputi watched as Pukak made the customary noises of sympathy, even as his hands greedily gathered up the goods that lay between the two men. The shell game was a classic, and Aputi could only shake his head as the silver-haired man stood up, backing away from the table hastily. It took someone very naïve to fall for the con, but Aputi would give the stranger credit for at least knowing when he was too far lost.

  Aputi made sure the man had drifted far enough away from Pukak, who was busy counting his future coin, before approaching him. The man was poking through the bag he had slung over his shoulder. The frown had returned, but the look of concentration was also tinged by worry.

  Aputi cleared his throat to get his attention. “Cleared you out?”

  Startled dark eyes turned up to him. “Uh, yes, I’m afraid he did.”

  He tried to tell himself it wasn’t any of his business if some naïve rich kid from who knew where got himself conned. There were always people like this stranger, people dressed well and thinking they knew the way of the world. As soon as they hit the markets, they entered an entirely new world, with whole new dangers they could never anticipate.

  Despite the dark-eyed man’s attempts to look unperturbed, Aputi could read the troubled expression in his eyes. It was a look Aputi had seen often, though not on someone as well dressed as this man. It was the face of one who’d been backed into a corner and wasn’t sure what they were supposed to do.

  Aputi glanced toward Pukak’s back. “I might be willing to get you your stuff back.”

  The man frowned. “And why would you do something like that? You could hardly claim to know me, nor I you.”

  Ooh, and fancy speech at that.

  “Maybe because I know a little something about getting screwed over.”

  For a moment, he thought the man might protest. A stubborn light flashed in his eyes as his mouth thinned to an almost non-existent line. As quickly as the moment came, it was gone with a defeated sigh.

  “So I was correct, he was fooling me.”

  Aputi winced. “One of the oldest tricks in the trade.”

  “I’m afraid I haven’t familiarized myself with that particular trade.”

  Ap
uti laughed, sticking his hand out. “Well, we’ll start off with a friendly introduction, I’m Aputi.”

  The man eyed his extended hand, taking it hesitantly. “And you can call me Siku.”

  For some reason, Siku’s own sentence gave him a start. His eyes widened, fingers jerking as Aputi gripped them in an attempt to give them a shake. Aputi raised a brow, but sensing Siku’s embarrassment, decided it might be better not to comment.

  “Right, well Siku, it’s nice to meet you. Now, what you fell for was an easy enough trick if you don’t know a thing about tricking or sleight of hand. All it requires is quick hands, shuffling the shells about and dumping the pearl in your lap. Once it’s in your lap, all the shells are empty, and no one has to know.”

  Siku frowned. “I should have demanded to see where the pearl was then?”

  “It would have helped, but that’s not going to help you now. All he had to do was hook you with the game and let you win enough games that you felt good. Once he had you feeling it, he took you for all you’re worth.”

  Siku shifted the bag on his shoulder uncomfortably. “Well, not everything. I decided it might be wise to cut my losses or risk losing everything.”

  Aputi snorted. “Pukak would have taken you for everything you were worth, and then robbed your mother if he could.”

  “You know this man?”

  “No need to rub it in.”

  There were those who stole and cheated because it was all they had in order to survive. Then there were those like Pukak who simply stole for the fun of it. Worse yet, Pukak was good at conning others, with the shell game being the least of his tricks. No doubt the bag Pukak carried had a score of tricks ready to go, picked based on the target he’d chosen. No doubt the greedy conman had seen Siku and smelled gullible prey.

  “I apologize, I didn’t intend to cause any offense.”

  Aputi sighed. “You don’t have to be so formal, I’m only teasing you. Yeah, I know him, a lot of us know each other around here. And I know how much of an asshole he is. You’re lucky you had the sense to stop, he’s as greedy as it gets.”

  “So I noticed,” Siku said crossly, jiggling his bag again.

  Aputi grinned. “But that’s also his weak spot.”

  “Meaning?”

  “I offered to help you, didn’t I? All you have to do is go back to him and get him to play another game with you. Doesn’t matter if it’s the shell game or not, any game will work.”

  “To what end?”

  “Get him focused on you, and you stay focused on him. You’re irritated, right? Mad that he cheated you? Good, keep it that way and don’t be afraid to hide it when you approach him. The guy is a total ass and will love that he’s gotten under your skin, and even more so that he gets to cheat you some more.”

  Siku raised a thin, pale brow. “Your entire plan is for me to get cheated again?”

  “My plan is for you to distract him while I filch his stuff.”

  “You want me to help you steal?”

  If the man had said it any louder, Aputi was sure the royal family could have heard him from the other side of the frozen lake. He was quickly beginning to regret ever offering to help the guy.

  Aputi frowned. “He cheated you, that counts as stealing, right?”

  “Technically, yes.”

  “And whatever else he’s got in his bag is probably stolen too, right? Then doesn’t it mean it’s not stealing because none of it was rightly his to begin with?”

  Siku hesitated. “That sounds suspicious.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to agree with it, despite it being illegal,” Siku admitted.

  Aputi laughed. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, Your Highness, I’ll be doing all the dirty work.”

  Siku straightened. “What did you call me?”

  Aputi waved him off. “Don’t get up in arms about it. I need a nickname for you, and if you’re going to dress nice and talk nice, then you’re getting a fancy nickname. I think it suits you.”

  A strange shadow passed over Siku’s face. “Yes, I suppose it does.”

  Aputi clapped his hands together. “Then that settles it. Now go find Pukak and lure him into another game. Make sure you don’t do it where he can put his back totally to the wall, somewhere open would be perfect. I’m good, but I’m not a magician.”

  “I will do my best.”

  “Oh, and one last thing, don’t hang around the market after it’s done. You’ll know when it’s done, after that, meet me at the café two levels up, the one with a dancing bear on the sign.”

  Siku still looked doubtful, but he nodded in agreement. Aputi shooed him off, melting into the crowd so Pukak didn’t spot him before Siku could act as bait. Aputi had tricked Pukak enough times that the man was particularly suspicious about anyone when Aputi was around. He wanted this little con to work with as minimal fuss as possible. The last thing they needed was for someone to call the guards.

  Concealed around a corner, he watched as Siku all but barreled up to Pukak. From a distance, Aputi couldn’t hear the words, but the anger in Siku’s voice was crystal clear. Creeping closer, Aputi caught the smirk on Pukak’s face as he raised his hands in a gesture of solicitude. Aputi would give the slimy jerk that much, he could be very charming and smooth when he needed to be.

  Even more impressive, however, was the way Siku followed Aputi’s direction. Anyone looking on would believe Siku was an ignorant visitor who was belligerently angry about a game of chance. As Aputi had expected, Pukak was more than willing to talk to Siku, and he’d bet the man was even trying to convince him to try his hand at another game.

  Whatever Siku said had convinced Pukak to try his hand at something else. The conman motioned for Siku to follow him away from the crowd, toward one of the many bridges that crisscrossed over one another between the platforms of the city. Aputi smirked, slipping away from the crowd and down one of the side alleys.

  His route took him down and around the taller buildings to a lesser used bridge that ran beneath the one Pukak and Siku stood on. Looking up, Aputi could see Pukak’s shoulders and head as he spoke calmly.

  “I’m sorry if I’m not being clear enough milord, sometimes I’m not the best with words.”

  Pukak’s words made Aputi roll his eyes. It was a horrible, thinly veiled attempt at flattery, and Aputi hoped Siku wasn’t foolish enough to fall for another of Pukak’s tricks. More importantly, however, was Pukak’s bag, which had been set on the railing of the bridge.

  “I appreciate your patience, but this is not a matter of understanding. You have already fooled me once, I do not wish to be fooled again with another game.”

  “Which is exactly why I want to make sure you understand the rules before we continue. I like to provide entertainment, and I wouldn’t want someone to walk away thinking I’m a cheat.”

  Aputi had to hand it to Siku, as the proud man continued laboring the point, he was doing a good job of keeping Pukak busy. Aputi didn’t have much time, however, Siku would either run out of things to say, or Pukak would tire of circling the point. Nimbly, he pushed off the building behind him, taking hold of the railing beside Pukak.

  Siku’s voice rose even higher in anger. “I do not understand why this game cannot work with me being the one to roll the dice. This reeks of another trick.”

  Pukak sighed, a sliver of annoyance in his voice. “This is just the way it’s played, milord.”

  Aputi wrapped the fingers of his free hand around the bag and gently lifted it. Moving carefully but quickly, he brought it over the edge to dangle at his side. He paused long enough to make sure no one had spotted him, seeing no one on the neglected bridge below him, and no heads peeking over from above. Satisfied with himself, he swung his body, letting go, so the momentum carried him over to the tiny bridge below. Quick as a cat, he darted down the bridge, away from the market, slinging the bag over his shoulder.

  He took his time winding his way up the stairs and
across the bridges that would lead to the meeting place. After nearly half an hour, he stepped onto the corner across from the café, spotting Siku easily.

  Siku brightened when he saw him. “Ah, there you are.”

  Aputi grinned, shoving the bag into Siku’s arms. “And there you are. You’re awfully trusting for someone who just got tricked by the way. I could have just as easily taken the bag and run.”

  Siku gave him an embarrassed smile. “Truth be told, I had already considered that. But there was no way I was going to get my things back on my own. It wouldn’t have mattered if you were the one who stole it or if he was, in the end, it would have been gone.”

  “And so you took a measured gamble and here it is, paying off.”

  Siku poked through the bag, relief stretching across his handsome features. “And it’s all still here, and then some. I only want what is mine, the rest is yours. In all fairness, you did most of the work, so I would not object if you wanted some of my things in repayment.”

  Aputi shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, there’s more than enough in there for me without adding your stuff into the mix.”

  In truth, he could have used all the money he could get. Trying to help himself and his mother was no cheap endeavor, but he wasn’t going to fleece the man more than he already had been. However, it did present an opportunity he hadn’t considered before he’d seen Siku’s surprising acting skills in action.

  “You’re a better distraction than I thought you’d be,” Aputi said.

  Siku’s dark eyes warmed. “Thank you, I was actually quite nervous, but I just let my mouth start talking and here we are.”

  “Apparently you’ve got a knack for it. Might you be interested in a little more work? I promise this person deserves it just as much as Pukak.”

  Siku hesitated, looking unsure of himself. Aputi waited patiently, letting the smell of cooking fish fill his senses, tantalizing him. If he wasn’t so eager for the next trick, and hungry to boot, he might have even been tempted to take in the sight of Siku. The naïve man was easy on the eyes, and Aputi wondered if he was as innocent as he looked in all ways.