He chuckled. “While I do not believe I deserve happiness after the crimes I’ve committed, I do believe you’ve just given me the motivation to fight with all I’m worth. Now go, before Captain Wakefield changes his mind.”
Liliana nodded, then turned back to Arhyen, extending her hand. He took her small hand in his, nodding his thanks to Hamlet. He may have wished for the automaton’s death one hundred times over, and after all that he’d done, he still did, but he would not deny that he now owed Hamlet his life, if he didn’t already.
They both turned back toward Wakefield and his men, who’d parted to make an open path through the gates. Together they hurried forward, not looking back.
Epilogue
It took them three days to reach Arhyen’s uncle’s farm, and they’d remained there for five days since. Just as Wakefield had assured, no one followed them. Unfortunately, they still had worries. What had become of Ephriam? And what of Wakefield and Hamlet? Arhyen found he was even concerned for his mother. Was he leaving her behind in a city on the brink of a civil war?
He gazed out at the green fields from his seat on his uncle’s porch. Though he hadn’t seen the man in over a year, he’d graciously taken Liliana and Arhyen in until they could find passage on a ship.
As if summoned by his thoughts of her, Liliana emerged from the house, carrying two cups of tea. She handed one to him, then sat down on the bench and snuggled up by his side.
She had shared in his concerns about everyone, most of all Ephraim. They both knew the man was more than resourceful and could take care of himself, but it hurt to leave him behind.
Arhyen turned his gaze toward the noonday sun to find his uncle’s lanky form silhouetted in the light.
“You have a letter,” his uncle explained upon reaching them. His lined face impassive, he dipped his hand into the front pocket of his well-worn work shirt and pulled out an envelope. He offered it to Arhyen, then took a long drag on his pipe.
“Thank you, uncle,” he replied, taking the letter in hand.
His uncle shrugged, then meandered off, not concerned with the letter’s contents. He was only concerned with his land, his crops, and the tiny microcosm of his own life, something Arhyen envied. He never understood why his mother hadn’t chosen to remain with her brother, outside of the city where things might be tough, but were at least peaceful.
Liliana watched him expectantly as he set his teacup on the bench and opened the envelope.
After unfolding the enclosed parchment, he scanned the first few lines, then jumped to the bottom. He smiled and lifted his gaze to Liliana. “It’s from Ephraim,” he explained.
She squealed in delight as he offered her the letter. Grasping it firmly in her small hands, she began to read out loud:
“To whom it may concern,
I am alive and well, thanks for asking. After the riot at the palace, we were in for quite an interesting time. The Queen of England has been deposed, unable to remain in office after news of her crimes reached parliament. Members of the Queen’s Guard brought word that the man and woman who’d started the riot were killed, though no bodies were found. I took this to be a mistruth, as I know my friends would not go down so easily. The Captain of the Queen’s Guard, a man by the name of Wakefield, is also missing, which is likely for the best, as his ranks will soon undergo massive reform.
Amongst all of these changes, the great city of London has begun to rebuild. The Watch is currently recruiting new officers, with the most capable of new Captains at their head (I’m referring to myself). Though I’ve never approved of thieves, and can only detest them more in my role as Captain of the Watch, I must admit, I am honored to have called the two of you friends. I can only hope you will write to me once you reach Egypt. I will eagerly await accounts of your adventures, and perhaps will even keep you abreast of mine. Perhaps we’ll even meet again some day, in a new London that I’m sure you would both like to see.
Sincerely,
Ephraim Godwin.
P.S. Codename Hamlet seems to have disappeared along with Captain Wakefield and all of the automatons who took part in Hamlet’s schemes. If you hear from Hamlet, could you perhaps prompt him to turn himself in? He still has many crimes for which he must answer.”
Arhyen chuckled as Liliana finished reading the letter.
She met his gaze with a grin.
He stood and offered her a hand, pulling her up into his arms. “Are you ready to go look for that ship now?” he questioned.
She laughed as he extended his arm and twirled her like a dancer, the letter fluttering in her free hand. “Of course! Let’s pick up plenty of parchment on the way. I want to give Ephraim an account of our entire voyage!”
Grinning, he pulled her back toward him, then sealed the deal with a kiss. As he pulled away, he whispered, “I love you Liliana Breckinridge, as much as any man is capable.”
She giggled. “And I you, Arhyen Croft, as much as any automaton is capable.” She grinned mischievously. “Which only means,” she added, “that I love you far more than is humanly possible.”
The next morning, they began their search for a ship. It would take time to find passage, but Arhyen had no doubt they would make it work. They did not know when they would return, nor where life would take them in the end. All they knew, was that as long as they had life in them, they would live it.
Cursing to himself, Ephraim shifted his grip on the chisel, aiming it at the lock that sealed Arhyen’s safe. Now that his friend had left the city, he couldn’t risk the apartment being cleared out with certain valuables still inside.
Inhaling deeply, he slammed his mallet down onto the chisel, breaking the lock. Setting his tools aside, he lifted the metal hatch and peered down at the safe’s contents. The first object he noticed was a vibrant green stone, a creation of the late Victor Ashdown. He carefully lifted out the stone along with the final vial of blue medicine, then the accompanying journal containing the formulae for synthetic emotions.
Finally, he lifted out the currency stored in the bottom of the safe, wondering if it was too late to send it along to Arhyen’s uncle’s farm. Perhaps he could even deliver it himself. He’d been there once to track Arhyen down, and wouldn’t mind if Arhyen and Liliana were still there when he arrived.
He leaned back away from the safe and sighed. He could hardly afford the time for a vacation. London was in ruins. A new civil order was in the works.
He looked down at the electricity stone still in his hand, wondering what other scientific discoveries would soon come to light. He smiled. There were many mysteries still to be solved, and the great Ephraim Godwin was most certainly the man for the job.
The story continues from Ephraim’s point of view in the Flowers of Antimony Series, coming soon.
Note from the Author
I hope you enjoyed this installment in the Thief’s Apprentice Series. Please remember to leave an honest review! For News and updates, please sign up for my mailing list by following the link below:
Sara C Roethle Newsletter
Under Clock and Key (The Thief's Apprentice Book 3) Page 18