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

by Andy Peloquin

  “Within a few hand spans.”

  She hid a grin. Maybe he will be able to solve my problem! “That’s not bad. So, how is it done?”

  He frowned. “Just like that, eh? It’s not exactly easy, you know.”

  Ilanna shrugged. “Well? Or is it too hard for you?”

  Ethen glared at her. “Watch and learn, you dunce.” He picked up a rock and placed it in a cleared patch of earth. “Stand by the rock.”

  She complied and he knelt by her shadow’s head to mark a line in the dirt.

  “That is the tip of your shadow, which is exactly…” He paced it off. “Three paces. Now, we take your measurement. How tall are you?”

  Ilanna narrowed her eyes.

  “I’m not doing this to make fun, Ilanna. I’m trying to figure out the problem like you asked.”

  Ilanna rolled her eyes. “Fifteen handspans, more or less.”

  Ethen nodded. “Fifteen handspans, means roughly two paces.” He knelt and scratched the numerals for ‘two’ and ‘three’ into the dirt. “Now, help me count out the number of paces from the base of the tree to the tip of its shadow.”

  With a grin, Ilanna joined him at the base of the tree. She paced the distance, keenly aware of his proximity.

  “I got fifteen.”

  Ethen rolled his eyes. “Your legs are too short to be counted as proper paces. I counted twelve, so twelve it will be.”

  Ignoring Ilanna’s glare, he knelt and scratched in the dirt. “So, if your shadow measured three paces and you are only two paces in height and the tree’s shadow is twelve paces long, that means…” He tapped his chin for a moment and turned to her with a triumphant smile. “Nine. The tree is nine paces tall.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “And you’re sure that’s accurate?”

  “As close as I can get it.” He shrugged. “The arithmetic we employ in House Scorpion uses much smaller measurements. When you’re making potions, you work in grains and drams. But I think that’s a reasonably accurate calculation.”

  Ilanna’s mind raced. “So, if I wanted to measure something, this is how I’d do it?”

  Ethen nodded, his eyes widening. “Did you…?” His face fell. “You just tricked me into figuring out some problem for you, didn’t you?”

  Ilanna grinned. “Of course, I did. Like I said, my mind is years ahead of yours.”

  His brow creased in an expression of mock anger. “Why you sneaky little—!”

  Ilanna held up a finger. “Choose your words carefully, young Scorpion. I’m known to have a nasty temper.”

  Ethen chuckled. “Don’t I know it!”

  She punched him, hard.

  “What was that for?”

  She glared. “For saying I have a temper!”

  “You’re just proving my point, you know?”

  She tried to punch his arm again, but he caught her hand. She made no move to pull it free. Instead, she stood there, staring up at him. The years had changed the way he looked at her and she liked how it made her feel.

  “Thank you, Ethen.” Her words came out soft and low. Her eyes traced his strong jaw, angular cheekbones, and dark eyes.

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “For this. For teaching me the sling. For being my friend. For everything.”

  “Of course, Ilanna. When you go through the kind of things we have…” He shrugged and let the words die.

  Her eyes locked with his. She wanted to speak, but dared not break the fragile silence. His hand felt so warm around hers. Heat rushed through her veins. Her heart hammered a staccato beat and her breath quickened. Instinct screamed at her to step closer.

  Ethen swallowed. The moment snapped. He dropped her hand as if burned and he turned away, flushing.

  “What’s wrong, Ethen?”

  “N-nothing, Ilanna.” He spoke in a tight voice.

  Something’s wrong, but what? If she pushed him for an answer, he would clam up. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Tell me.”

  “I’m fine.” He refused to meet her eyes.

  Disappointment filled her. “I-I have to go.” She stepped back, and it seemed a chasm opened between them. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Will you…?”

  “No, not for a few weeks. I’ve got my…my Undertaking.”

  “Well then, I guess I’ll be off.”

  Ethen whirled around. He seized her hands and locked eyes with her, his gaze intense. “You’re going to do something foolhardy and suicidal, aren’t you?”

  Ilanna’s eyes widened. “I-I…” She couldn’t deny it. He knows me too well.

  “Promise me you’ll be careful, Ilanna. I couldn’t bear to…” He broke off and swallowed hard. “I couldn’t bear it if you got hurt.”

  “I’ll be fine, Ethen. My Undertaking is dangerous, but no more so than anything else I’ve done in the last few years. The life of a Hawk is always filled with danger.”

  He studied her, his gaze boring into her. “Promise me, Ilanna.”

  She nodded. “I promise.”

  His shoulders relaxed, and the tension in his face drained away—replaced a moment later by the light-hearted grin she found so appealing. “Good.” Releasing her hand, he leapt over the wall without a backward glance or a word of farewell.

  Ilanna stood there, staring in open-mouthed confusion. What in the twisted hell was that all about? They’d been so close, but he’d changed from one moment to the next. What did I do?

  Try as she might, she couldn’t puzzle it out. She pushed the thought aside. I have things to do and no time to worry about anything else. She’d have plenty of time to sort out Ethen’s confusing actions after she completed her Undertaking.

  * * *

  “And you’re sure this will work, Ilanna?” Denber eyed her with a dubious expression.

  Ilanna shrugged. “Ethen seemed pretty confident in his answer. Though it wasn’t the most accurate method, he said it should get pretty close.”

  Ilanna and Denber sat together on the roof of the Coin Counter’s temple, studying the Black Spire.

  “I guess it’s the best we’ve got right now.” He scratched his beard. “But how do you propose we measure it?”

  “That’s the challenge.” She held up a finger. “First things first, we have to see how far the shadow stretches.”

  “That’s why we’re up here, you know. If we can measure the tower’s shadow at the first hour after noon, we’ll stand a better chance of getting an accurate measurement.”

  Denber nodded. “Fair enough. But how are we going to get that measurement? No one can get close enough to the base of the tower while the sun is up.”

  Ilanna thumbed her lip, pondering the problem. “What if we mark the spot where the tower’s shadow ends, then we have Errik or Garrill count the paces after dark? I’ll take the measurement of myself at the same time and use that to figure it out. Unless you have a better idea?”

  Denber thought for a moment and shrugged. “I guess that’s as good as it’s going to get.”

  “Now to let Errik and Garrill know the plan.”

  * * *

  Ilanna crouched in the shadows of the building that served as the marking point for the shadow’s end. Her eyes darted through the gloomy streets, searching for any sign of Errik or Garrill. They should be back by now.

  She turned to Denber. “Why aren’t they back yet?”

  He shrugged. “They’ll be here.”

  Torches flickered atop the stone wall that surrounded Duke Phonnis’ mansion. The enclosure rose at least a dozen paces into the night sky. The sound of clanking armor and weapons reached her, setting her on edge. Garrill and Errik had their secret ways to enter the gardens, but she couldn’t help worrying for them.

  “They should have returned by now. They’re taking too long!”

  “Patience, Ilanna. This is not something you want to rush.”

  Minutes ticked by in breathless, heart-pounding silence. A chill breeze sent a shiver down her spine and she pulled her cloak tighter. Mus
ic and laughter drifted over the wall—the Duke held some form of revelry. They’d chosen tonight because the guards would be consumed by the party and less focused on the gardens.

  “There!”

  Ilanna followed Denber’s pointing finger and relief washed over her. Two dark shapes hugged the wall, moving in total silence. At Denber’s whistle, Errik and Garrill stopped, turned, and slowly started to pace the distance from the wall to their hiding place. As they neared, the sound of their muttered counting reached her. Errik arrived first, with Garrill a few steps behind.

  Excitement set Ilanna’s heart racing. “Got it?”

  The Hound and Serpent nodded.

  “Then let’s get back to the Aerie and figure it out!”

  * * *

  “So, we’re looking at about two hundred paces in height, if you got the count right.”

  Errik and Garrill glared at Denber, who answered with a sardonic grin.

  Ilanna whistled. “Two hundred paces. That won’t be an easy climb.”

  Denber rolled his eyes. “Oh, and here I thought the things most people consider ‘impossible’ are usually so simple!”

  Ilanna punched him, but it had no effect.

  “So if you can make it to the top—and that’s a big ‘if’, mind you—you need enough rope to get back down in a hurry. Just in case you set off an alarm inside or you get spotted.” Denber poked her bicep. “Think you can handle the weight?”

  Ilanna glared at him. “What do you think?”

  “I think two hundred paces’ worth of rope is a lot more than you think it is.”

  “There’s only one way to find out.”

  Denber hurried from the room. He returned a few minutes later, a massive bundle in his arms. He dumped it onto the table with a grunt. “Here you go. Time to test your strength.”

  Ilanna’s eyes widened. That is a lot of rope!

  He wound the rope around her back, adding more and more coils. The pile on the table looked endless and the strain on her shoulders increased. Finally, she could take no more. “Enough!”

  Denber narrowed his eyes. “That’s not even half as much as you need, Ilanna.”

  “Thank you, Denber,” she snapped. “Don’t you think I know that?”

  She shrugged out from under the coils of rope. Free of the burden, she glared at the pile at her feet. “Now what?”

  Denber stroked his chin. “Well, this is the standard, all-purpose rope, but I’m sure we can come up with something a little lighter. That means thinner and weaker, too, you know?”

  Ilanna shrugged. “I don’t care. I’d climb a spool of threat if it could support my weight!”

  “Fair enough.” Denber nodded. “You know, I think I may have a solution.” He strode from the Aerie.

  She turned to Errik and Garrill. “You haven’t told anyone, right?”

  Errik rolled his eyes and Garrill shook his head. “Of course not, Ilanna. You promised to do terrible things to us if we broke silence, remember?”

  Ilanna grinned. “Just checking.”

  At that moment, the doors of the Aerie swung open. “Delivery for Ilanna of House Hawk.” A man entered, wearing the dark colors of House Scorpion, but with filaments of gold thread intertwined with the black trim. He clasped a bundle under one arm.

  Ilanna brightened. “From Master Gold?”

  The man nodded. “You are Ilanna, I take it?”

  “I am.”

  The man placed the bundle on the table, bowed, and retreated without another word.

  Errik reached for the cloth covering. “What is it?”

  Ilanna slapped his hand. “Mine!” With deft movements, she released the leather cord holding the bundle shut and peeled back the layers of cloth.

  Garrill gasped. “Keeper’s teeth!”

  Within, lay a pair of leather gloves, but of a sort Ilanna had never seen. Curved steel spikes jutted from the palms and an additional clasp hung from the wrists—for added stability, she guessed. The black glove slipped onto her right hand as if made for her. Steel banded around her knuckles and the loop around her wrist pulled tight.

  Errik narrowed his eyes. “What are those for?”

  For an answer, Ilanna strode to the wall of the Aerie and dug the spikes into a crack in the masonry. She hung from one hand. The gloves bore her weight.

  “Amazing!” Garrill studied the other glove, still tucked in the bundle. “What are these?” He held up two studded pieces of metal, which hung from leather straps.

  Ilanna unhooked herself from the wall. “I think they’re for my feet.” The pieces of metal rested against the sole of her boots, running the length of her forefoot, with the spikes pointed inward. “They should give me extra grip on the wall.”

  Errik eyed them. “Have you ever used them before?”

  Ilanna shook her head. “No, but I’ll have plenty of time to practice. I still have months to complete my Undertaking.”

  Errik leapt to his feet with a grimace. “Speaking of, I have my own to be getting back to.”

  Ilanna placed a hand on his shoulder. “Very well. But don’t stray too far. Never know when I’ll need you again.” She grinned up at him.

  The apprentice Serpent nodded. “Try staying alive and not getting caught, eh?”

  Ilanna grinned and waved farewell to Errik. The youth leapt out of the way as Denber rushed into the Aerie. “I think I’ve found it!” He carried an armful of black rope.

  Ilanna eyed it with skepticism. The cord looked slimmer than her little finger. “And that’s supposed to hold me?”

  Denber grinned and dropped his load. “Only one way to find out.” With nimble grace, he leapt up the ladder to the lowest level of the Perch. “Time to test your climbing skills.”

  Ilanna removed the spiked glove and seized the end of the rope. She winced at the creaking of twine.

  Denber snorted at her hesitation. “Come on, Ilanna. Now is not the time to turn chicken.”

  I’ll show you chicken! With a growl, Ilanna pulled herself hand over hand up the rope. Nervous tension tightened every muscle in her body. It’s going to break! Her heart leapt to her throat and her stomach clenched. To her shock, the rope held.

  Denber pulled her onto the platform with a grin. “Well I’ll be damned! It works.”

  Excitement coursed through her, washing away fear. “So it does. Now we just have to plan the rest of the job.”

  “And you’ll need to build your strength.”

  Ilanna narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?”

  “Have you ever tried to climb a hundred paces up the side of a building, Ilanna?”

  “No. But I’ve done the Perch a h—”

  “The Perch is easy compared to the Black Spire. When you’re dozens of paces in the air, hanging by nothing but your fingertips, it’s very different.”

  Ilanna rolled her eyes. “Fine. Just tell me what to do.”

  Denber grinned. “For the next few months, we’re going to spend every moment training. Trust me when I say you’re going to hate every minute of it. But it’s the only way you’ll survive that climb.”

  Ilanna growled. “You’re loving this, aren’t you?”

  Denber shrugged. “It’s been years since I’ve been able to boss you around. I can’t deny that I’ve missed it!”

  Ilanna glared. She knew he had good intentions—he genuinely wanted to help her—but did he have to enjoy it so damned much? Denber was too busy exchanging grins with Garrill to notice her fury.

  But so be it. If it means success, I’ll run all the way to Voramis and back! She nodded. “I will do what I must.”

  “Good. Now get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Ilanna bit back a curse as a twig snapped beneath her heel. Errik stiffened and glared over his shoulder.

  How in the bloody hell does he move so quietly? The Serpent slipped through the dense foliage without so much as a rustle of leaves. This would be so much easier if we
were on the rooftops. Years of training had taught her to read every tile, shingle, and beam. She could slip across the roofs in absolute silence. But here, in the gardens of Duke Elodon Phonnis, she felt as clumsy as a newborn foal. Her boots seemed to find every twig and leaf. Her small pack had caught on branches more times than she could count.

  Errik pressed a finger to his lips. Ilanna nodded. Yes, thank you, Errik. You don’t need to keep reminding me. She tugged her hood forward to hide a furious blush.

  They could afford no mistakes, not tonight. This was no practice run. Tonight, they attempted to reach the base of the Black Spire. They crept through the gardens of the Chief Justiciar of Praamis, a man every thief knew to fear. One misstep could alert the Duke’s guards. One mistake and she would find herself dancing at the end of a rope in the public square.

  She clenched her jaw. Come on, Ilanna, you can do this! She’d spent every spare moment training with Errik and Garrill, learning how to move through the shadows like a Serpent or Hound. Only now, after six months, had they deemed her ready for the attempt. I have to live up to their expectations.

  Heart thundering, she followed Errik through the gardens. Slivers of moonlight trickled through the dense foliage, revealing a mass of exotic flowers, bushes, and trees. The musty smell of damp earth filled the air. A part of her wanted to explore the gardens; they would be beautiful in the daylight. Common sense kept her moving after the dark silhouette of the Serpent.

  Nervous excitement set her heart pounding and her head spinning. She stepped with caution, testing the ground with her toes, placing her weight. Errik had threatened to call off the attempt if her actions put them in danger. She had little doubt he’d carry out the threat.

  Errik snapped out a hand, snagging her cloak and pulling her into a crouch. What is it? Breathless, pulse thundering in her ears, Ilanna searched the darkness.

  Leaves and twigs crunched beneath heavy boots. Armor and weapons clanked in a steady rhythm. Light flooded the gardens. A trio of armored guards wearing the Duke’s insignia tromped toward them, carrying alchemical lamps and torches.

  Ilanna turned her face away and retreated into her hood. Stay perfectly still. Errik and Garrill had pounded the lesson into her. Her grey cloak would blend with the shadows as long as she remained motionless. Even the slightest movement would draw the guards’ attention. She drew in short, silent breaths as the Serpent had taught her.