by Katie Roman
“He know that?” Aleka shook her head. Essie laughed. “I like your spirit, and you’re no friend of the guards. I’ll not keep you, then. He’s upstairs taking meetings.” Essie pointed toward the stairs. “The door’ll be guarded by a big brute. His name is Charlie. He’s harmless, so don’t be alarmed when he stops and questions you, and don’t take any grief from him. Let ‘em know Essie speaks for you. The King makes time for those his thieves speak to.” She winked.
“Thank you,” Aleka said, and trotted off for the stairs.
As Essie said, a large, muscle bound, barrel-chested man stood in front of one of the doors on the second floor. He had ginger hair and a thick beard that hung down all the way from his chin to his chest, with skin so pale, it was almost translucent. His arms looked as thick as Aleka’s waist and his face was scarred on the cheeks, like someone had thrown lantern oil at him.
“Charlie?” Aleka asked as she approached him. Her voice cracked slightly on the second syllable. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Charlie?”
“Yes. And you are?” He looked Aleka over with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m here to see Marcus.”
“Because?”
“To talk to him. My business is my own. Essie said she’d speak for me.”
“How do you know Essie?”
“I met her in the Golden Road lock-up some time back.”
Charlie unfolded his arms and stepped toward Aleka. She quickly moved backwards, making sure she was out of reach of his massive hands.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he laughed. The sound sent a jolt of electricity through Aleka. She balled her fists at her sides, hating that he dared to laugh at her.
He’s trying to intimidate me, Aleka thought, breathing hard through her nose. She growled deep in her throat and stepped forward again until she stood toe to toe with Charlie. Her forehead came to his chin, so she raised up on her toes to look him in the eyes. She stared back unblinking.
“You fancy you’re a she-wolf?” He laughed again, only fueling Aleka’s anger. “Top dog in the pack, eh?”
“Much worse than that. I’m the queen bitch, Charlie,” Aleka said, unwavering, mustering all the bravado she could. Aleka knew next to nothing of the Thieves’ Guild, but she didn’t think coming off as meek would benefit her in any way. Her insides quivered with anxiety and her face grew hot at being laughed at. Still, she kept her calm as much as she could on the outside.
Charlie laughed, but this time it wasn’t a simple chuckle, it was a deep throated sound that reverberated through his body. “Queen Bitch, indeed.” He took a step back. “Let’s see if His Majesty has time for such a queen.” Charlie continued to chuckle to himself as he entered the room. The door clicked closed behind him.
Aleka huffed in frustration as she lowered herself back onto her heels. She hated being laughed at. If she was going to survive outside the Admiral’s household, she needed to be taken seriously. Anger mixed with fear. What if Marcus saw through her blustery façade? What if he did more than simply laugh at her? She came to his court because she didn’t think the Admiral would look there, but Aleka had no inkling of what sort of man waited behind the closed door. Aleka had never had to physically defend herself, and if Marcus came at her, how would she deflect him?
The door opened again and Aleka jumped. Charlie must have noticed, because he smirked. At least he didn’t laugh this time, she thought. He didn’t say anything else, rather he gave her an assessing look before heading into the main room with a smile. She stood there rocking on her heels, wondering what her next move would be. Before long, Charlie returned and entered the room again. After a few more moments passed, he emerged once more. Aleka hated the silence, wondering if this was a way to scare her or make her feel uncomfortable. It worked, though she tried her best to look aloof, even though her insides flipped around.
“His Majesty will see you now.” Charlie held the door open for her.
Aleka slipped into the room and the door closed behind her with a soft thud. A dark-haired man sat behind a small writing desk. Aleka remembered all the times she’d stood before the Admiral at his desk, and she felt like vomiting.
There was a small bed in the corner, and a lighter haired man with long legs sat upon it, his features masked in shadow. Several lamps were lit, giving the room a soft glow. Both men watched Aleka, saying nothing.
“Queen of the she-wolves, is it?” the dark-haired man at the desk said.
“Queen Bitch, I believe, is the proper title,” the man on the bed said. Neither one had even a hint of mirth in their voices as they spoke.
“Thank you, Thom. Young lady, if you wished to intimidate Charlie, it’s going to take more than bravado. But you did succeed in getting his attention. Now, your name. He said Essie spoke for you. How do you know her?”
Aleka Akoni was dead as far as anyone was concerned. She didn’t want to take any risks of the Admiral hearing her name mentioned anywhere in the city. Her thoughts went to the egret necklace around her neck. “My name is Kunegunda Lansa, Majesty,” she said impulsively.
“Like the barbarian Queen?” He quirked an eyebrow.
“Well, she is a queen, apparently,” the man, Thom, said from his position.
“And Essie?” Marcus pressed.
“I met her once in the Golden Road lock-up. She seemed a decent enough girl, though I didn’t realize she worked here.”
“She’s a better barmaid than she is a cutpurse,” Marcus said. “Well, Miss Lansa, what does an indentured servant want from the Thieves’ Guild?”
Aleka quickly covered her wrist with the bracelet, even though it was already too late. “Assistance in joining the crew of the Fearless Dawn.”
Not a muscle of the Thief King twitched. “What makes you think I even know anyone on the Dawn?”
“The Dawn docks here for supplies sometimes; with false papers and flags, sneaking in under the navy’s nose. You must be acquainted with Captain Blackstone, being in the same line of work.”
“Let’s say I occasionally share drinks with him. Why would I help you? What do you have to offer me?”
“I’ll pay you back tenfold when I get rich on the Fearless Dawn.” When Marcus laughed, Aleka’s spine stiffened and she felt her face get hot again.
“If the boys on the Dawn were getting rich,” he started, “they wouldn’t still be on the blasted ship.”
Aleka saw her only hope slipping through her fingers. The fake confidence ebbed away, leaving in its wake icy cold fear.
“Then let me work for you instead.”
“You know who hires indentured servants? People who can afford to pay for their passage to Cesernan from the Nareroc Islands. So, merchants and nobles, right? And you know who those prestigious folks bring over? Hard working folk with clean records and reputations. You’re too soft to be in the Guild. Likely never cut a purse in your life.”
“I didn’t realize there were requirements to being a criminal,” she snapped. Tears threatened to fall, but she blinked them back. Kunegunda wouldn’t cry over a setback and neither would she.
“It’s too much of a risk to take you on.”
“I can’t go back,” she said, deflating.
“Young lady, if your employer is so bad, flee the city.” Marcus’s tone softened as he spoke. Aleka looked down at her feet.
“I’ve no coin and no family in Cesernan. I left my earnings at my employer’s when I fled. My extended family is back on Nareroc.”
Marcus sighed. He looked to Thom and reached into his pocket, producing two silver nobles. He put them on the desk.
“I hate to see desperate young people suffer. Take the coin and do as you like with it. I suggest you leave Glenbard, but your life is your own.”
Aleka stepped forward tentatively. When she reached out for the coins, quick as lightning, Marcus grabbed her wrist. Aleka tried to get away as he produced a dagger from is belt.
“Stay still,” he commanded. He cut the bracelet from
her wrist. “Now you’ll more likely find employment.”
Aleka grabbed the coins and moved away from the desk. “Thank you, sir.”
“If you plan to run from whatever man holds your indentured papers, I cannot suggest enough that you flee Glenbard. You do yourself no favors by staying, but as I said, you are free to use this coin as you see fit. Take care, Queen Kunegunda.” He winked and a ghost of a smile played on his lips before disappearing.
Thom stood. “We’ll have Jim exchange one of those silvers for coppers.”
Thom led Aleka back downstairs. As they passed Charlie, he offered Aleka a deep bow. Aleka caught the smirk on his face and offered a scowl in return.
“Queen Bitch, eh?” Thom asked as they walked through the common room. People cleared out of his way like he was parting a sea.
“I didn’t want to appear weak.”
“So you’d rather appear foolish?”
Aleka snorted and drew her lips in until her mouth was a tight line. “Don’t call me foolish.”
“Then don’t act foolish.” They arrived at the counter. Essie continued her vigil, but when Thom approached she gave him her full attention. “Can you grab Jim for us, Essie?”
“Right away, Thom.” She bobbed a curtsey and moved off.
“You seem to carry some weight here,” Aleka said. Men and women who moved past bowed or curtsied to acknowledge Thom. To each one he nodded a greeting.
He shrugged. “You know, you would do well to heed Marcus’s advice. Just by looking at you, I can tell you’ve never been on the streets. You’ll make an easy mark for any of those wishing to take advantage of a lone young woman. You’ll be robbed blind, or worse.”
A rotund man came up, leaning his big belly on the counter. He smiled at Thom. “What can I help you with?”
“We need to exchange a silver noble for some coppers and ha’pennies.” Thom nudged Aleka and she set one of her silver nobles into Jim’s outstretched palm.
“Do you need anything else, Thom?”
Thom looked down at Aleka. “Do you have somewhere to stay?” She quickly looked away. “The lady needs a room and a meal. Put it on my tab and don’t tell Marcus.”
Jim tapped the side of his nose and moved off with Aleka’s silver piece.
“The coin was generous enough. I don’t need more charity.”
Thom patted her shoulder and left her without another word. Aleka watched him move through the crowd. People continued to move out of his way like he was a ship cutting through water. She watched with envy. One day, people would step aside for her, too.
~*~*~
Aleka was shown up to a room by Essie. When the barmaid lit the room’s lamp for her, she saw the room was small, with only a small hay mattress in the corner opposite the door. There was a water pitcher on a stand by the door.
“You’ll excuse me,” Essie said. “But I’m terrible with names. Your name’s Aliane? Or was it Ella?”
“Uh, Kunegunda, actually.”
Essie leaned against the door and raised an eyebrow. “As you say. It’s your business how you wish to be called. But down to business. There’s privies in the back, but if you want privacy, I can see to a bucket for you.”
“The privy is fine. Is it possible to take my meal up here?” Aleka had no desire to be around anyone anymore.
“Does the queen wish to be away from us peasants?” Essie laughed. “I tease, of course.”
“Did Charlie tell the whole tavern?” she asked miserably. Now she absolutely couldn’t go down and face all the laughter at her expense.
“Word spreads quickly, especially where royalty is involved.” Essie winked and laughed again.
Even in her dour mood, Aleka liked that her laugh came so easily. It made the world seem less dark. Aleka sat on the mattress, brought her knees to her chest, and put her forehead against them. The wool of her dress itched her face. Despair hit her like a tidal wave, and Aleka began to cry.
She heard the door close and slippered feet glided across the hard wood floor. The hay shifted as Essie sat and wrapped an arm around Aleka’s shoulders. Her hold was firm and warm.
“Charlie is a harmless fool,” Essie whispered.
“I’m the fool,” Aleka said into her knees. “I ran from my indentureship thinking I could get help here, but what did I know of the Guild? I walked in here as though I deserved something, and now I can’t go back to work or I’ll be killed.”
“Surely that’s not true! You’ll likely spend an hour in the stocks, that’s all. No servant was ever executed for simply running away.”
She took a deep breath before mumbling, “I struck my master and endangered his horses and carriage.”
“Oh.” Essie fell silent, but she continued to hold Aleka. Aleka closed her eyes and leaned into Essie’s body, pretending it was Halia there with her instead of a kind stranger.
“And you thought joining the Guild meant you’d have protection,” Essie stated matter-of-factly.
“Actually, I wanted to join the crew of the Fearless Dawn.”
Essie chuckled and smoothed Aleka’s hair like a big sister. “Now why would you want to throw in with those brigands?”
“My employer is in the royal navy,” Aleka admitted, wiping her eyes and lifting her head. “He hates Captain Blackstone, and I wanted to use that against him.”
Essie sighed. “You’ll only hurt yourself doing that.” She patted Aleka’s knee. “I’ll bring up your dinner, and then you should get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll find you honest work with a good employer.”
Aleka thought back on her work as a scullery maid, knowing it was work that would never help her bring justice to the Admiral. Essie was sweet to offer help, but Aleka didn’t run away to find honest work. She ran away to seek revenge.
She thought of her mother, saying how she’d been born under Iuhry’s sign. Aleka would not simply find employment. She’d turn the world on its head.
Chapter Fourteen
When Aleka woke, she struggled to remember why she was lying on a hay mattress on the floor. She had slept in her uniform, and her eyes were puffy and sore. She sat up, stretching, her mind puzzling through her current surroundings. Then it came back to her in a rush, and the nervous laughter that overtook her in the alley returned.
This time, Aleka allowed the giggles out. They felt unnatural, but if they kept her from crying, Aleka would let the hysterical laughter out. In the cold light of morning, Aleka took a moment to truly think about what she had done.
She’d struck a member of the nobility, a magistrate at that. Then she ran out on her indentureship, one the magistrates’ court had pushed on her. All while endangering two horses and their driver. No court in all of Cesernan would look mercifully on her. And why did she do it? Because of a word. The repetition of the word accident drove her to madness. She wanted to wound them as they wounded her, and Captain Blackstone seemed like a good place to start for raining vengeance down on House Greyhome.
That was as far as Aleka’s impulses got her. Her plan formed in an instant and she ran with it, never looking toward the end of the line. It never entered her thoughts that she’d have no help in this venture. All the stories she’d heard said the Thieves’ Guild sneered at the nobility; but after last night’s debacle, Aleka saw she was all alone in this. Marcus and Thom had offered some assistance and Essie was kind, but no one would help her contact Blackstone.
She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out the soapstone idol. She certainly couldn’t go back, so naturally she had to find a way forward. The idol warmed to her touch. It was all she had left. Aleka left everything – her coin, her mother’s favorite dress, her other idols, even her real name – were all at the Admiral’s home on Golden Road. The next course was to find work, preferably in a place Blackstone would go. Aleka decided it would be best to ask Thom for aid. He seemed more amiable than the King of Thieves. She kissed the idol and returned it to her pocket.
~*~*~
Aleka cam
e into the Angel’s common room with a churning stomach. She felt like the contents of her body would evacuate at any moment. There were few in the common room, though; by Aleka’s count it was only nine. It was nice not waking before the sun, for a change. She walked to the counter where the innkeeper, Jim, stood behind it, going over a ledger.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked as Aleka approached.
“Well enough, thank you.” Aleka looked around, trying to catch sight of Thom, hoping he might be lurking in the shadows. “The man who paid for my room and dinner, Thom, is he around?”
“Not this early. He’ll come in with His Majesty around the noontime meal.” Jim looked her over carefully. He had to know about her meeting and her embarrassing attempts to appear fearless and capable. Thankfully he didn’t say anything, or worse, laugh.
“You likely know I have very little coin to spend on breakfast, but perhaps you’ll take labor in lieu of payment?”
“Can you milk a cow?”
“No.”
“Well, I guess we don’t have to tell the cow that. Go into the stables and talk with Mayhew. He’ll show you what to do, but don’t be surprised when he yells at you. Milk our cow and I’ll see to a breakfast for you.”
Aleka nodded, and as she headed through the stable doors she heard Jim utter, “Good luck, Queen Kunegunda.”
~*~*~
For her efforts, Aleka was awarded a bowl of porridge and cream. Once she’d eaten, she settled in to wait. As predicted, just before noon Marcus swept into the Angel. Thom trailed on his heels, holding a little blonde girl’s hand.
Aleka felt a pit form in her stomach. Yesterday was a fiasco she hoped she didn’t repeat. She watched Marcus take a seat near the empty fireplace at a large chair that must have served as his throne. The girl broke away from Thom and ran for the kitchen. Thom caught Aleka’s eye as they settled in. He said a quick word to Marcus and headed to her table.
Aleka swallowed her fear and prepared to show her competence. “Master Thom,” she said with a slight nod of her head.
“Queen Kunegunda. I must admit surprise at finding you here.”