Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 1)

by Andy Peloquin

  With a final glare, Ilanna turned and stalked up the alley.

  Her knees trembled and her hands shook, but her heart felt light. All her rage, frustration, and sorrow, all the emotions she’d bottled up since her beating, unleashed in a glorious explosion. She had her revenge for what he’d done to her a year ago. She had nothing to fear from him. She’d proven she wasn’t afraid and, like the coward he was, he wouldn’t touch her again.

  She stepped into Old Town Market and a smile rounded her lips. She basked in the bright colors and rich scents of the marketplace. Wagons, animals, and pedestrians bustled around her. The busy street no longer pressed in on her. I feel…free.

  The familiar fragrance of flowers wafted to her. With a spring in her steps, she crossed the market and turned onto the familiar road. Her heart leapt in anticipation of spending time in her garden once more. Perhaps Ethen will be there today.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! The training dummy bled straw and Ilanna laughed aloud, triumphant.

  Four years of practice and I’m finally as good as Ethen. Well, as good as he was when he started teaching me.

  That day in the garden seemed a lifetime ago. It all did. She had only a few memories of her early years in the Night Guild, of the frightened tyro suffering under Master Velvet’s rule, and the insecure apprentice who had tried so hard to earn her place. In their place stood a confident, competent woman, apprentice of House Hawk.

  Until today. Excitement coursed through her. She’d dedicated herself to learning the skills of a master thief. It had taken three years, but the day had come. My seventeenth nameday. The day I begin my Undertaking, whatever that is.

  Denber, Prynn, and the twins had all remained silent when she questioned them regarding their Undertakings. They’d told her to be patient and wait.

  I’ve waited long enough. Only the Undertaking stood between her and a place as a Journeyman of the Night Guild. Apprehension warred with her elation. An unknown challenge lay ahead. She’d face it with her head held high. You’d be proud of me, Mama. I’m standing tall.

  Journeymen Werrin and Willem entered the Aerie, expressions somber. Werrin nodded. “It’s time, apprentice.”

  Ilanna knew them well enough to know they were struggling to hide excited grins. In the year since becoming Journeymen, they’d recovered from their ordeal in the Undertaking. She remembered how haggard her friends had looked, how little she’d seen of them. Anxiety twisted her stomach in knots. What will be required of me? What will I have to do to earn my place in the Night Guild?

  Taking a deep breath, she looped the sling around her belt and followed Werrin from House Hawk. Willem took up the rear, forming her honor guard. They led her through the empty tunnels of the Night Guild. Not a word passed between them.

  Ilanna’s heart pounded. Hard to believe it has been eight and a half years already. Eight and a half years ago, she’d walked these very tunnels, following her new master. The memory of being chosen by Master Hawk remained fresh in her mind, even after all these years. House Hawk had been her home for all those years; she almost felt sorry to leave it all behind.

  But the time had come. With each passing year, another Hawk had left her. Prynn first, summoned to his Undertaking during her fourteenth year. Werrin and Willem had left before she turned fifteen. Now it’s my turn.

  The two Journeymen Hawks stopped at the door to the Menagerie. Stepping aside, they swung open the doors and motioned for her to enter.

  “Good luck, Ilanna,” Willem whispered. Werrin placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

  Ilanna met Werrin’s eyes. His smile looked forced. I’m sorry for what I had to do, Werrin.

  After becoming a Journeyman, Werrin had professed his affections for her. While flattered, Ilanna had made it clear she had no time for romantic entanglements. Her training on the rooftops of Praamis and her third-story work kept her too busy for anything.

  A few nights later, he’d stumbled into the Aerie, reeking of alcohol and semi-coherent. He’d reminded her of his feelings and when she refused him, he tried to force himself on her. Her training with Ullard kicking in, she’d resisted his advances with force. He’d limped for a month after and he still treated her with caution.

  But all that’s behind me. After today, I’ll be on my way to becoming a proper Journeyman.

  With a nod to her friends, Ilanna strode through the massive double doors. A smile tugged at her lips as she strode toward the only obvious destination: a circle of light in the heart of the Menagerie. A wave of memories washed over her. She’d stood there, her heart in her throat, waiting to be chosen by the nameless, faceless figures surrounding her. Now, she walked toward the designated spot with confidence, her head held high.

  Three familiar figures waited in the ring of torches. All wore the orange-trimmed robes of House Fox. They squinted warily into the darkness, unsure of what to expect. Kit, the boy she’d known as Four, smiled to see her. She exchanged nods with Edgar and Rai, the tyros that had once been Five and Ten.

  A rush of joy coursed through her when Ethen entered the ring of light. With a grin, he took his place beside her. A finger’s breadth separated their arms. She wanted to slip her hand into his, but resisted the urge. His steadfastness would help to calm her racing heart.

  Another familiar figure strode through the circle of torches. Her blood turned to ice. Three years. Three years since she’d humiliated Sabat, left him bleeding in an alley, just as he had to her. She’d gotten her revenge; it had changed her. Her fear had fled, replaced by something else. Something…ruthless.

  She avoided him and he hadn’t sought her out. He’d changed, too. He walked with a slight limp in his right leg. Her sword had pierced his knee to the bone; it hadn’t healed properly. Before, he’d sneered at her, confident in his size and strength. Now, hesitation and fear flashed through the mask of insufferable arrogance. He shoved past her with a growl, bumping her shoulder. Ethen stiffened and Ilanna gripped his wrist.

  Sabat took up position behind her. His gaze burned on the back of her neck. Her fingers clasped the hilt of her hidden sword. Can’t avoid him here.

  One, the other Bloodbear apprentice, followed on Sabat’s heels. Eleven shuffled into the circle of firelight, looking frail and hunched in his threadbare Grubber clothing. Eight wore the white-trimmed cloth of House Hound. Errik, the tyro named Two, glided through the darkness like liquid shadow. Only Nine, the unclaimed tyro, remained absent. Relief flashed through Ilanna. She had no desire to see him, not like last time.

  Master Gold’s familiar voice boomed from the darkness. “Apprentices of the Night Guild. Welcome!”

  Lamps and torches flared to light, flooding the Menagerie with blinding brilliance. Ilanna gasped. The Journeymen and House Masters surrounded them. All wore ceremonial robes, each bearing the marks of their Houses. The bright-colored banners of each House hung from the walls, lending an air of solemnity to the proceedings.

  Ilanna scanned the crowd. Familiar figures in brown Hawk robes clustered at the far end of the room. Conn, Prynn, Werrin, and Willem stood beside the hulking form of Jarl. Denber towered above them all, taller than even Jarl by a handspan.

  Master Gold sat on his ornate wooden chair at the heart of the Menagerie, surrounded by Master Hawk and the respective House Masters. His voice echoed through the vaulted room. “We stand before the Watcher in the Dark, patron god of the Night Guild, and submit ourselves to his judgment.”

  In unison, the House Masters pulled back their hoods and chanted. “Here, in the sight of the Watcher and your betters, do you, apprentices of the Guild, submit to whatever fate the gods have in store for you?”

  The apprentices spoke as one. “We do.”

  Master Gold rose. “For nine years, the Night Guild has housed you, clothed you, and trained you. Now you must prove that our investment has not gone to waste. You must show us,”—he gestured around the room—“all of us, that you are worthy to take your pla
ce in the Houses of the Night Guild.”

  Ilanna’s heart thundered. This is it!

  “Step forward, apprentices.”

  Ilanna obeyed and, together, the apprentices formed a line facing Master Gold.

  “Swear before the Watcher and your companions that you will submit to an Undertaking, one worthy of earning a place in the Night Guild, and one befitting the power of our patron god. Do you swear?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and bowed. “I swear!”

  “Do you swear to devote yourselves to this Undertaking, wholly and completely, until such a time as you have proven yourselves deserving of worshipping the Watcher in the Dark through service to the Night Guild.”

  “I swear!” Ilanna’s hands trembled and sweat trickled down her back.

  “Do you swear that you, and only you, will carry out your Undertaking? That you will refuse the aid of all others, so that you alone may offer up this sacrifice to the Watcher and to the Night Guild?”

  “I swear!”

  Master Gold raised his arms high. “So let it be done!” He stepped back. He and the House Masters drew their hoods forward, hiding their faces once more. “Let it be known in all the Houses. From this day forward, the apprentices you see before you are to dedicate themselves utterly to the completion of their Undertaking. Let no man interfere with their tasks. To interfere with them is to interfere with an offering to the god who has blessed and multiplied us. Do you swear?”

  The assorted Journeymen and Masters around the room roared as one. “We swear!”

  “So let it be done!” Master Gold produced a vial from his robes and, uncorking it, stepped toward Ethen, who stood at the far end of the line of apprentices. He whispered a few words into Ethen’s ear, too low for Ilanna to hear.

  Ethen bowed. “Yes, Master Gold.”

  Dipping his thumb into the vial, Master Gold drew three vertical lines on his forehead—the sign of the Watcher. “The Watcher guide you in your path, apprentice to the House of Scorpions.”

  He stood before Ilanna. She stared into the shadows of his hood, meeting his glittering eyes.

  Leaning forward, he spoke in a whisper. “Break these oaths, you will find yourself condemned to a fate far worse than death. For you have sworn before the Watcher and the Night Guild. Do you understand, apprentice?”

  She bowed. “Yes, Master Gold.”

  He drew the sign of the Watcher on her forehead. “The Watcher guide you in your path, apprentice to the House of Hawks.”

  Master Gold moved down the line and his voice faded into the background. Ilanna’s hands trembled with excitement. Her eyes wandered over the crowd of hooded figures. Soon, very soon, she would take her place in their ranks. She had only to complete her Undertaking.

  But what is it? Master Gold hadn’t explained anything. What do I have to do?

  Master Gold finished with the last apprentice in line and returned to his place. “Go, apprentices, with the Watcher to guide you in your Undertaking. Prove yourselves worthy to join the ranks of the Night Guild, worthy to serve He Who Sees All in the Dark.”

  * * *

  Ilanna stood stiff at attention, eyes locked on the walls of the Aerie.

  Master Hawk paced with hands clasped behind his back. “Tell me, apprentice, do you understand what the Undertaking is?”

  “Not exactly, Master Hawk.”

  The House Master stopped and eyed her, scratching his scruffy chin. “Simply put, child, it is a test to prove yourself worthy of being a Journeyman in the Night Guild. You have been an apprentice for nine years, learning the Hawk ways. Now, you will demonstrate your skill.”

  “How?”

  “That, apprentice, is entirely up to you.” Master Hawk started to pace again. “Your Undertaking is meant to be a challenge, one that will take you long months of study and planning to complete. You must choose something that will push you to your limit. Only by surviving and succeeding will you prove your worth—to me and the rest of the Guild.”

  “So it has to be something difficult? Something perhaps so difficult it has never—or rarely—been accomplished before?”

  Master Hawk nodded. “Precisely. Now, I expect you will need time to consider your options and—”

  Ilanna had no need to think. She knew what she wanted. She’d known since her first day on the rooftops of Praamis. There’s nothing else for me.

  “The Black Spire.” She blushed. She’d just interrupted her House Master. Heart-pounding seconds passed and Master Hawk said not a word. He simply stared with those piercing, unnerving eyes of his.

  She didn’t back down. The old Ilanna would have cringed, but she held herself erect, meeting his eyes with confidence.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Did I hear you right, apprentice? Did you say…?”

  Ilanna nodded. “Absolutely, Master Hawk.”

  “Are you certain you do not want time to consider carefully? The Black Spire is a challenge few have dared to attempt. Those who have…” He shrugged.

  “I have given it all the thought I need to, Master.” I’ve thought about it since the day I saw it. The midnight tower had called to her. Most considered the challenge impossible, but that only made her want it all the more.

  Master Hawk’s eyes burned and his mouth pressed into a tight line. “Do you know how many Hawks have been lost over the years, girl? You would not be the first apprentice under my command to attempt the feat, but how many of them do you think survived?”

  She swallowed. “None, Master Hawk.”

  “Precisely. None have survived. Those who survived the climb and entered the tower were only seen once more…on the day of their execution in the public square.”

  Ilanna’s eyes widened.

  Master Hawk nodded. “Ponder that a moment, apprentice. Nearly a dozen of the best Hawks that have ever come through this Guild, dancing at the end of a hangman’s rope, all because they believed themselves skilled enough to challenge the Black Spire and its master. Would you join them?”

  Ilanna shook her head. “No, Master Hawk.”

  Master Hawk’s face relaxed, and the lines around his mouth and eyes smoothed. “Good. I will give you a few days to think about your Undertaking—”

  “I will not join them, Master Hawk, for I will succeed where they have failed.”

  The tension returned to Master Hawk’s face. He looked like he wanted to protest, but Ilanna didn’t give him the chance.

  “It is a decision I do not make lightly, Master Hawk. But it is my choice to make, is it not?”

  Master Hawk’s mouth twitched. “It is your choice, apprentice. That is the purpose of the Undertaking, after all.” He rubbed his jaw. “Is there nothing I can say to dissuade you from this foolhardy mission?”

  Ilanna locked eyes with him. “I have made up my mind.”

  Master Hawk threw up his hands. “To think, all the years we have invested in you, wasted!”

  His lack of faith stung, but she refused to let it show. “Perhaps things will not turn out as you expect, Master Hawk.”

  The House Master snorted. “I have stood here and had this same conversation more times than I’d like, child. Every one said the same thing and where are they now?”

  “None of them was me, Master Hawk. That, you will find, makes all the difference in the world.” The words felt hollow, but Ilanna wouldn’t let him shake her confidence. She needed every shred of belief she possessed if she was to succeed.

  Master Hawk eyed her, shaking his head. “I wish that were true, apprentice.” He sighed and his shoulders slumped. “I will provide you all the supplies you need for your Undertaking, as well as a guide to aid you.”

  “But I thought—”

  Master Hawk held up a hand. “None of your fellows may help you in your Undertaking, but they may offer counsel and guide you in preparation of the test.”

  Hope surged within Ilanna. I won’t have to do it all alone!

  “I have someone in mind to serve as your guide. Where
shall I have them meet you?”

  “I will be sitting atop the Coin Counter’s Temple.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “The preparation begins already?”

  Ilanna nodded. How many times had she sat on the flat roof of the temple, studying the massive black spire? I’ve been preparing for this for years.

  “So be it. He will join you within the hour.”

  “Thank you, Master Hawk.”

  Master Hawk nodded and turned to leave.

  “Master Hawk?”

  He whirled. “What?”

  Ilanna winced at the anger in his voice. “Might I ask a favor?”

  “What is it?”

  “May I speak to Master Gold?”

  Master Hawk raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm. An unusual request.”

  “He’s the only one who knows, isn’t he?”

  Master Hawk nodded. “The only one still able to talk, at least.” He stroked his chin. “Very well. I will make the request to the Guild Master.”

  She bowed. “Thank you, Master Hawk.”

  * * *

  Ilanna didn’t need to look up to know who her guide was. He dropped to the roof beside her and neither spoke for long minutes. The tower filled her vision, an obsidian dagger thrust into the azure belly of the sky.

  “The Black Spire, Ilanna? Really?”

  Ilanna shrugged. “Did you really expect anything else, Denber?”

  “I…I guess not.”

  Ilanna pictured herself climbing the skyscraping building, clinging to its midnight stone, being buffeted by the wind. It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. That made it all the more imperative that she defeat it.

  Denber leaned back against the slanted tile roof. “I almost went up there, you know?”

  Her jaw dropped. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Aye. I was certain I could do it.”

  “What happened?”

  “A…a friend tried. He never made it out alive. When I saw him take the morning drop in Executioner’s Square, I…I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go out, not like that.”

  Ilanna rested a hand on his arm. She could find no words to say to comfort him, but it didn’t matter. She squeezed and he gave her a weak grin.