Thief of the Night Guild

by Andy Peloquin

  Finally, Barnabus darted to the top of a shelf, well out of Donneh’s reach.

  “Don’t think I won’t come up there, Barney!” The Scorpion shook her fist at the animal.

  With a shrill cry, he swung down the levels and darted into a small house.

  “And say in there!” Journeyman Donneh turned to them. “Sorry about the little bastard.” She placed another slice of apple on the shelf. “He’s likely to calm down once he’s had his dinner. He’s a curious little thing, though, so no telling what he’ll do.”

  The nagapie poked his head out, snatched up the apple, and disappeared again. Ilanna could’ve sworn she saw the same mischievous twinkle that had gleamed in Werrin and Willem’s eyes as they planned a fresh prank to pull on Conn.

  Journeyman Donneh reached for a firestriker to light an incense burner. “Don’t mind me. Barnabus will be doing his late-night business any time. Better to cover up that smell, if you know what I mean.”

  For the first time, Ilanna noticed the unique aroma filling the room: a mixture of sweet incense smoke and wet dog layered over a foundation of acrid urine.

  Blowing out the firestriker, Journeyman Donneh pushed aside a pile of blankets and lowered herself into a rocking chair. “So, what can I do for you, Darreth? Master Scorpion didn’t give me details, just said you needed advice.”

  Darreth nodded. “We’ve run into a bit of a problem.”

  “That why you brought her here?” Journeyman Donneh jerked her head at Ilanna.

  “This is Journeyman Ilanna of House Hawk.”

  “Ilanna, eh? So you’re the one Ethen always snuck off to see.”

  Ilanna’s breath hitched at the name.

  “Shame what happened to him.” The woman shook her head. “One of my best, you know.”

  “You were his teacher?”

  “I was.” Journeyman Donneh leaned forward and patted Ilanna’s hand. “You should’ve seen the look in his eyes whenever he talked about you. Came alive, he did.”

  Ilanna pushed down the emotions welling in her chest. Guilt over Ethen’s death always followed the happy memories of the time they’d spent together.

  “If you’re that Ilanna, I’ll do whatever I can to help. For his sake.”

  Ilanna met Journeyman Donneh’s eyes and found real warmth there. “Thank you.”

  Darreth handed her the third piece of paper from Master Gold’s envelope. “What do you make of this?”

  The tiny woman’s expression grew grim, and her eyes darted to Ilanna. “Where’d you get this?”

  “Doesn’t matter. Can you understand it?”

  Darreth leaned forward. “I recognize a few of the names there. Antimony, carbon, and a few others. Most, I’ve never seen before.”

  Journeyman Donneh’s fingers drummed an arrhythmic beat on the chair’s arms. “I recognize them. Thing is, they’re a problem much bigger than whatever you’re dealing with.”

  “What do you mean?”

  The rocking chair creaked as Journeyman Donneh reached for a cloth-bound bundle on a nearby table. She unwrapped it with reverence. “This, young Hawk, is the single most dangerous thing in the Night Guild.”

  Ilanna leaned forward, curiosity burning.

  Journeyman Donneh peeled back the layers of cloth to reveal a metal-bound book. “Every word in this book is forbidden knowledge. Stolen from the Secret Keepers decades ago. If they knew I had it, they’d kill me and everyone in House Scorpion. I wouldn’t lay odds against them destroying the entire Night Guild. They’re not called Secret Keepers for nothing.”

  She opened the metal-bound cover and flipped through the stiff, yellowed pages. “Many of House Scorpion’s greatest creations are thanks to this book. And to think, this is just one among hundreds of such volumes. The scientific knowledge of thousands of years, guarded by the priests of the Mistress.”

  The Scorpion pointed to Ilanna’s parchment. “See these names? Derelana’s Lance. Kharna’s Breath.” She held up the book. “This doesn’t mention them specifically but it does refer to a few of the chemical names. If they are what I think they are, they’re incredibly potent.”

  She turned a few pages. “These chemicals, the ones for Derelana’s Lance, I’ve worked with many of them before. An old associate told me a story that’s stuck with me after all these years. Secret Keepers were transporting these chemicals up the Stannar River, and some idiot struck a spark too near the powder kegs. Next thing the priests knew, fire ate through their wooden barge like it was so much kindling. Never tried it myself—never knew the right amounts of each—but the chemistry is sound.”

  Ilanna’s pulse quickened. “You think it could melt through Odarian steel?”

  The Journeyman frowned. “Odarian steel’s tougher than Praamian steel, thanks to whatever chemicals the Secret Keepers mix into it. But the base components are the same, so it should work.”

  “What about Kharna’s Breath?”

  “That’s a curious one.” Journeyman Donneh flipped to the back of the book. After a moment of study, she waggled her head. “Looks like some sort of acid, a stronger version of what stonemasons use to smooth out granite and slate.” Her eyes widened. “With these chemicals, though, you’re looking at something strong enough to eat through steel.”

  Adrenaline coursed through Ilanna’s veins. “Can you make it?”

  Journeyman Donneh gave a violent shake of her head. “Not for all the gold in the Reckoners’ vaults! That combination of ingredients is as volatile as a drunk Bloodbear. If it comes in contact with even a single drop of moisture, BOOM!”

  Confused, Ilanna scrunched up her face. “What?”

  Donneh rolled her eyes. “I don’t have time to explain the alchemy to you, but suffice it to say that you do not want to mix an acid like this with water.” She closed the book and fixed Ilanna with a severe expression. “Now, I’ve given you what you came for. I think it’s time you tell me what you need this for.”

  Ilanna glanced at Darreth, who nodded. Ilanna explained her plan to break into Lord Auslan’s vault—leaving out the personal vendetta against Duke Phonnis. Journeymen Donneh frowned at the description of the door and vault construction.

  “Seems like you’re on the right track,” she said after a moment of contemplation. “Problem is, you’re never going to get your hands on these chemicals. Half of them don’t even exist outside the Temple of Whispers. And there’s no way you’re stealing from the Secret Keepers. You remember what was left of the last poor fools who tried it?”

  Ilanna nodded. “I do. But you managed to get away with that book, so don’t tell me it’s impossible.”

  Donneh studied the book in her lap. Silence stretched on for long moments before she met Ilanna’s gaze once more. “You sure about this? There are less painful ways to kill yourself.”

  Ilanna spoke with no hesitation. “Tell me what I need to do.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “VORAMIS?” ALLON’S EYEBROWS nearly flew off his forehead. “Are you out of your mind, Ilanna?”

  Ilanna folded her arms, face hardening. “Going to try to talk me out of it, aren’t you?”

  “Damned straight, I am!” Color suffused Allon’s face. “I’ve put up with your more harebrained schemes, but don’t expect me to—”

  “What?” Ilanna’s lip curled and her fists clenched. “You’re not putting up with anything. I’m telling you what I’m going to do because I need you to keep things on track in my absence. Not because I need your permission to do this.”

  “That came out wrong. I…” Allon sighed. “I just mean I worry that you’re going to get hurt, is all.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know how tense things are with the Bloody Hand after the last Guild meeting.”

  “I know.” Ilanna shrugged. “Doesn’t mean I have much of a choice.” She’d spent the last two days showing the sketch of the Illusionist Cleric’s lock to half the locksmiths in Praamis. “We have just over three weeks until the Labethian Tournament. Do you th
ink that’s enough time to find someone to build the lock and show us how to crack it when the best craftsmen in the city have told me it’s impossible?”

  Allon hesitated, then shook his head.

  “So, unless you have another suggestion, let’s pretend I’m capable of making my own decisions and you stop trying to tell me what I can and can’t do.” She hadn’t reached the decision lightly, but now that she had, she wouldn’t let anyone dissuade her.

  “I’m not trying to tell you what to do, Ilanna.” Allon’s shoulders slumped. “I’m just trying to help.”

  “No. You’re being a man and trying to protect me.” Ilanna’s eyes narrowed and her voice hardened. “But I don’t need your protection. I need you to tell me that you’ll keep things running while I’m gone.”

  “Take me with you.” He reached for her hand, a note of desperation in his voice. “You need someone you can trust to watch your back. At least let me do that.”

  Ilanna forced herself not to cringe from the contact. “I will have someone. I’m taking Errik.”

  Allon jerked back as if struck. “What?” His eyes narrowed. “Why him?” The “why not me?” went unsaid.

  Ilanna spoke in a low voice. “Allon, right now I need you thinking with your head, not any other part of your anatomy. You can’t let what we have get in the way of your ability to think clearly.” She crossed her arms, disgust roiling in her gut. She’d allowed him to grow too attached. Now he believed he could tell her what to do, question her actions. Just like a man! “I need my full attention on the job, as do you. Tell me now if you can’t keep your emotions out of this.”

  “I understand.” Allon looked as if she’d plunged a knife in his gut, but shook his head. “You’re doing what you need to do. I can do that, too.”

  “Good.” She gave him a smile to ease his misery. “I’m taking Errik because he has contacts that can keep me out of the Bloody Hand’s clutches. Unless you know people in Voramis?”

  He gave her a strange look, and the silence stretched on for a long moment before he shook his head.

  Her words had wounded him—she’d had to put him in his place, for his sake. Now she had to smooth his ruffled feathers. She leaned forward and looked in his eyes. “Once this job is over, we’ll have all the money in the world.” She squeezed his hand. “We can go anywhere, do anything.”

  The tightness in his face relaxed and his hurt expression softened. “I’d like that.”

  She hid a smile. Too easy. “But to get that, I have to go to Voramis. And that means I won’t be here to keep things running. I need someone who can do that for me.”

  Allon nodded, an eager light in his eyes. “I’ll do it, Ilanna. Just tell me what you need.”

  “Keep Veslund and Joost digging into Lord Auslan and scouting the place. I need a way in. If you can’t find an entrance in the sewer, I need a realistic plan for getting over the wall unseen.”

  “And Jarl?”

  “He knows his business. He’ll keep working at that tunnel. You get him anything he needs. Darreth can work with him to chart the quickest route to Lord Auslan’s vault using that map I gave him.”

  “So be it.” Allon placed his hand atop hers. “I’ll do it. You can trust me.”

  Though her skin crawled, Ilanna forced warmth into her smile. “Thank you, Allon. You have no idea how much it means to me.” She’d grown better at lying convincingly.

  He tilted his head toward her, going for a kiss. She gave a theatrical sigh and stood. “Now for the hard part. Master Gold and Master Hawk are not going to like this.”

  * * *

  “NOT A KEEPER-DAMNED chance, Ilanna!” Master Hawk slammed a fist on Master Gold’s ornate office desk. “This is one risk I will not allow you to take.”

  Ilanna winced. Allon had never stood a chance of talking her out of her plan, but Master Hawk could simply refuse her request. She couldn’t fault his desire to protect her. Allon looked at her like a frail woman to be sheltered, but Master Hawk’s instinct came from genuine concern for her wellbeing. It didn’t demean her or insinuate weakness. He simply wanted to spare her from harm, as he did all of the Journeymen under his care.

  But she couldn’t let that stop her. She had to take a different approach with the Master of House Hawk.

  “I’m taking Errik with me. He has contacts in Voramis from his Undertaking, from hunting Malak Short-Hand. And who better to keep me safe than a Serpent?”

  Master Hawk’s expression didn’t soften. “Surely there has to be another way.”

  Ilanna shook her head. “There isn’t.”

  “You are certain?” Master Gold stroked his head, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

  Master Hawk whirled on the Guild Master. “Tell me you aren’t considering this, Elliam!” His finger stabbed like a dagger. “You are supposed to be the voice of reason here.”

  Master Gold held up a defensive hand. “And if I had any other option, I’d be the first to tell her not to go. You know as well as I how icy our relationship with Voramis has grown since we refused the Bloody Hand’s offer. You think I want to send her anywhere near those Voramian bastards if I had any choice?”

  Master Hawk scowled.

  “I’ve tried everything, Master Hawk.” Ilanna poured a hint of pleading in her voice. She had to appeal to his desire to help. “I’ve visited half the locksmiths in Praamis and none of them can build it. There’s no way I can drill through Odarian steel in the few hours Lord Auslan will be away at the Labethian Tournament. If I had more time, perhaps it would be possible to find another way. If I miss this opportunity, I’d be forced to break into a house patrolled by scores of Arbitors, rather than a handful. It would be suicide!”

  That was how she appealed to Master Hawk. He cared about the gold as much as any in the Night Guild, but his resistance to her plan stemmed from his desire to keep her safe. She had to present it as the lesser evil.

  “Journeyman Donneh of House Scorpion has told me how to find her contacts among something called the Hidden Circle. Supposedly a group of rogue alchemists defying the Secret Keepers’ ban against practicing alchemy.”

  Master Hawk’s face darkened, but Ilanna drove on before he could protest.

  “Think about it. If this Hidden Circle has been practicing alchemy without the Secret Keepers finding out, surely they’re in the ideal position to help me get what I need.”

  Master Hawk opened his mouth to speak.

  “But why Voramis?” Master Gold preempted the House Master. “There is a Temple of Whispers right here in Praamis.”

  “I know, but according to Journeyman Donneh, the Secret Keepers brew the specific concoctions I’m looking for in Voramis. The Temple of Whispers there is much larger, and they provide their alchemical potions to Odaron, Malandria, and other cities that don’t have the specialized equipment.” She turned her palms up. “I don’t like it either, but I don’t have a choice!”

  Master Hawk wouldn’t give up. “Surely this lock can’t be impossible. There has to be a way in, which means Lord Auslan has the combination. An old man like him would be certain to write it down.”

  Ilanna nodded. “How do you suggest I get my hands on it? My crew hasn’t yet found a way to get into his estate, much less the mansion itself.”

  She couldn’t count on getting lucky and finding the password to the lock. The note she’d found on her last visit to the dead drop had read, “No luck on combination. Will keep looking, but consider alternatives.”

  “You haven’t even found a way in?” Master Hawk’s face turned an angry purple. “So why in the Keeper’s hairy elbows do you think traipsing off to Voramis to steal from the Watcher-damned Secret Keepers is the smart play here?”

  Ilanna didn’t back down. “Because I trust my crew to do their jobs while I’m away. I have three people looking for a way in. But that’ll take time—time we don’t have.” She held up three fingers. “Three weeks, Master Hawk. If I don’t leave for Voramis now, we’re not going to m
ake it.”

  Voramis lay a week’s ride away. Crossing the Windy Plains at this time of year would prove challenging at best. Once in Voramis, she’d have two or three days to get her hands on the Secret Keepers’ potions. Even if she rode hard, she would only reach Praamis a few days before the Labethian Tournament. She was cutting it close—too close—but she could think of no other option.

  She turned to Master Gold. “I know protocol is to send a messenger to the Bloody Hand and request permission to operate within Voramis. But it would take two weeks just to receive an answer. And do you really want to let the Bloody Hand know we are going to be alone in Voramis, just the two of us? Errik is one of House Serpent’s best, but against the entire Bloody Hand…” She let the words hang in the air.

  Master Gold’s brow furrowed. “You’re not exactly doing your case any favors, Ilanna.”

  Ilanna threw up her hands. “I know, but I can’t think of any other way to do this. I need your permission so I can get what I need to complete the job. It’s the only way I can get vengeance for Denber and Werrin!”

  Her words hit the mark with Master Hawk. Pain flashed in his eyes. He’d felt the loss of the two Journeymen. Ilanna almost hated to use his remorse against him, but she would in order to get what she wanted.

  “Please, Master Gold.” She turned to the Guild Master. “You said we need this to keep the Bloody Hand at bay.” His fear exposed him to her manipulation. “If we want the money from Lady Auslan’s sarcophagus, this is how we have to do it.”

  The two men stared at her, hesitation written in their eyes. Yet, as the silence dragged on, she saw the change come over them. Master Gold’s face showed reluctant agreement. Master Hawk’s expression changed to one of dismayed acceptance.

  “So be it.” Master Hawk spoke in a gruff tone. “I can see there’s no talking you out of this. Be safe, Ilanna.” He strode from the room, his gait as stiff as his ramrod-straight spine.

  Master Gold sighed. “I wish I could dissuade you from doing this. You’re already making an enemy of Duke Phonnis, and the Reckoners if they ever find out what you did. Now to take on both the Bloody Hand and the Secret Keepers.” He shook his head. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you had a death wish.”