Lawful Good Thief

by T L Ford

  "But she came to my ship and invited me here."

  "Because I told her to. I know you might find this surprising, but I love her like my own daughter, and have, in fact, named her publicly as my heir when I die."

  "Is that the 'job' Jamil told me about?" Jason Thomas' voice grated sourly, "To be the future Guildmaster?"

  "Yes." Lord Merryweather tented his fingers in front of him.

  "Not if I can prevent it. She's my daughter. Let her go. You say you care for her, but you'd condemn her to a life of crime, underground, with the foulest of men."

  "A life with unlimited power, wealth, and an entire town to shape and build however she would dream. I assure you, I've watched her grow up, provided her with the best teachers I could find. I've made sure she has all the knowledge and skill necessary to see that she can not only survive being a Guildmaster, but can also live a long, comfortable life."

  "You taught her to be a killer."

  "I taught her to defend herself. Which is more than you've done. You abandoned her. Honestly, by what she's told me, she would have been raped and killed by now if I hadn't trained her. Your enemies killed Amy Thomas and took Angela, not mine."

  "What do you want, Thief?"

  "Oddly, the same thing you want to a point. I want her to be happy. I want her to choose her life. She'll be my heir whether or not she decides to be a Guildmaster. After I'm dead, I won't care particularly if she takes all my fortune, closes down the local den, and moves away."

  "Right."

  "Truly. In fact, I'd like her to leave with you."

  "You what?!"

  The Guildmaster was pleased to have shocked the man. "Angela can't make up her mind if she's not given a choice. But the fact remains that she doesn't want to leave with you. She wants to stay with me. Now, I can order her to your ship, but obviously, you would prefer she never return to any Guild, especially this one."

  "Obviously. What are you getting at? Make your point."

  "She needs to be allowed to make that decision entirely on her own. She can travel with you, if she's allowed to be herself. She may choose to practice or not practice as she desires. Hire a lady's maid to teach her the skills to be a lady, if you'd like. I'll even order her to cooperate because she won't want to."

  "And what do you want for this generosity? What's in it for you?"

  "As my heir, she must make a tour of a number of guildhalls."

  "No."

  "She'll do it, regardless of whether she's traveling with you or with a party of thieves I assign to accompany her. It's a political thing. Should she choose the life of a Guildmaster, she will need the appropriate contacts with people she might do business with."

  "Criminal business," Jason Thomas sneered.

  "Not always. For example, Lord Behr and I frequently trade supplies. Just last year, Lord Behr sold us all his grain overstock, as we'd lost half our fields to a flood. Guild business, that you so condescendingly consider 'criminal', actually kept food prices in our town reasonable and no one starved over the winter. The Guild is as responsible for the town as the local Lord. Lord Chambers and I work together to maintain this town."

  "And its coffers."

  Lord Merryweather shrugged, not caring if Captain Thomas believed it or not. "I profit from having a large, wealthy population. It's a mutual benefit that has made me quite rich. A fortune that your daughter is going to inherit, with or without your consent. I just want her to be happy."

  "So if I say yes, that she can visit other dens and can practice being a criminal, she will leave with me, and if I say she can't, I'll likely never see her again. That's what you mean?"

  "It is."

  "Then, it seems I have no choice."

  "It's the best choice you'll get. I actually risk more than you. Angela may decide not to return here. Oh, one other thing. It's unfair of me to ask your men to protect her in the dens - they're not skilled or knowledgeable enough. While I appreciate your sending Jamil with her at Behr, he's not qualified. Angela sent him away at the end so he wouldn't get killed."

  "So you'll send along someone to make sure she remains your slave."

  "No, I really do want her to make her own choice. But she will be accompanied by two men of my and Angela's choosing to act as her bodyguards and escort. They'll be magically geased to her to protect and obey her. She is my heir and it is a very dangerous world. After all, she not only has my enemies to watch for, but also yours."

  "I'll still try to get her to leave the Guild. I won't promise not to."

  "I know, but if she wants, you must bring her to Siedes in October, two years from now."

  "Very well." Captain Jason Thomas stood, gave a perfect gentleman's bow and left.

  Guildmaster de Merryweather leaned back in his chair and sipped at the rest of his wine, content that he'd sold the idea and sealed the deal. Everything he'd said was true, to a point. The Guild wasn't something Angela could abandon, even if she left the Merryweather Guild behind. Jamil knew that, but the Guildmaster bet Jamil did not share Guild notes with his Captain. After he sat for a while, listening to the faint murmurings of restaurant customers in the other room, he left, picking up his discreet bodyguards as he strode toward the Inn.

  The Inn was crowded, as usual, mostly populated by guildmembers, in varying stages of drunkenness. An untalented minstrel plucked at some string instrument over in a corner. Angela was waiting, an untouched mug of ale on the table in front of her. He knew it was untouched because she generally didn't drink ale. The bag of sea charts was discarded on the floor at her feet. Kent stood nearby, guarding.

  The people in the room instantly moved out of the Guildmaster's path and the general din quieted. He joined Angela at her table and she slid the ale over to him. He drank some, waved his 'carry on' gesture at their audience, and the room's conversations began anew. The audience continued to unobtrusively watch them.

  When the noise level elevated to a suitable volume, Angela asked, "Was your conversation all you expected?"

  "It was. I have another job for you to do, Lady Merryweather."

  "I've had my fill of unpleasant tasks today."

  "That's your own fault. You should have sat at the table and ate with us."

  She shrugged. "That man hates me. I represent everything he despises."

  "He certainly believes the stereotypical view of our Guild. As Guildmaster, you're going to have to learn how to communicate with people who think as he does. You're going to have to know how to get them to do what you want them to do, even if it is against their will. That can either be a fight that requires a lot of energy or persuasion that will take little effort."

  "So what is it you persuaded him to do?"

  "Take these charts to him, tell him they are a gift from me, and get him to tell you what he and I discussed and decided. And when you've calmed down again, come see me. I'll be in my chamber."

  "That sounds rather ominous."

  He smiled gently, "My dear Angela, what he'll tell you is only half the story."

  "Very well, Lord Merryweather. I humbly obey your command." She swung out of the chair, grabbed the bag of charts, and strode out. The Inn's patrons quickly parted to allow her through. Kent dutifully followed.

  The Guildmaster couldn't help but admire how stunningly graceful and magnificent his Dauphin was. She moved with the agility of a lioness, possessing the extreme confidence of one much older, and glowed with a charisma that riveted one's attention.

  * * * * *

  Angela couldn't help but wonder that if she had persuaded her father to give her the information instead of trying to force the information out of him, if she would be less upset than she was now. Her father was an obstinate, aggravating, and insulting man determined to make her something she wasn't. She had no desire whatsoever to 'learn to be a lady'. His "I'm sure you'll come to realize leaving behind the life of a criminal is the best thing for you." attitude was downright infuriating. Not to mention his slanderous remarks about the 'whores
, assassins, and thieves' she considered friends. Maddie May, the woman that had been hired to 'tell her about sex', was kind-hearted, honest, and only trying to make a living.

  And how dare the Guildmaster send her away? To that man, nonetheless! What had she done to deserve this? She needed the next two years to prepare for the mastery test at the upcoming Gathering in Siedes and to learn the job of Guildmaster. How could she possibly do that on that man's ship?

  "I'm sure there's a reason," Kent offered tentatively. He had witnessed the entire fight between Angela and her father.

  "Shut. Up."

  To her credit, she went straight back to her Master's chamber. She dismissed Kent at the door. Kevin was sitting at his table, drinking ale. "Why are you sending me away?" she demanded.

  "Ah, My Dauphin! Get yourself some wine."

  She ignored that and repeated, "Why?"

  "I want you to kill someone for me." He took a sip of his ale. "Don't look so distressed. I don't want you to do it directly. I want you to give that Class A poison to someone who will."

  Mutely, she went over to his shelf, poured herself some wine, and had a seat on his bed. One day, she'd convince him to have more than one chair in his room. All visitors were required to stand.

  "If you stay here, you're going to get tied up with town politics and not have time to get any practice done. Already, you are losing half your night to Court and a quarter to running errands. You need more time to be truly prepared for the mastery test at Siedes. I intend for you to take the book of Master Thief's Observations and study it."

  "And the best thing you can think of to give me time is to send me off with someone who abhors us and our Guild? How much of my day will I lose to 'learning to be a lady'?"

  "That's a skill, too. It won't be tested, but would be useful."

  "How? There are no ladies in our Court."

  "My Dauphin, should you ever find yourself in need of a defense, being a well-bred lady would certainly deter any accusation. Imagine if you could go from being chased across a rooftop to casually window-shopping as a lady. You'd never even be suspect. You'll also find that certain manners and behaviors will give you an edge in some negotiations."

  "So you aren't trying to get rid of me?"

  "Definitely not." He grinned and with a sinister smirk, whispered, "I could get rid of you much faster if I wanted."

  She laughed. "Maybe!"

  More seriously, he said, "Don't get over-confident. That's how you become careless and end up dead."

  "I won't. So who is it you want dead?"

  "I told your father that you are required to make a tour of some guildhalls as part of being my heir. You've already visited Behr and Loren. Anyone else of import you'll meet at Siedes. The only Guild I want you to go to specifically is Red Cliff."

  "You've told me that Guildmaster is to be avoided?"

  "I did."

  "I'll never be able to get close to him. Isn't he notoriously paranoid?"

  "Which is why you'll give the poison to his Dauphin."

  "He's geased."

  "He won't be when you get done with him."

  "Ok? You realize my father would never sail there?"

  "You'll have two years to figure out how to make him take you there."

  "No doubt using a 'well-born lady' skill will help," she said sarcastically.

  "It might. Now let's discuss some of the details of your trip."

  By the time Kevin released her to go off to bed, Angela no longer felt she was being sent away. In fact, she was quite certain she'd prefer to stay in Merryweather for entirely different reasons. The disguise of an honest and nobly run ship carrying a young lady being pampered and instructed on proper refinements was critical to her success, she realized. There would be no point in assassinating a young debutant who obviously wouldn't be ready for Siedes. It was yet another block of time in which she could grow stronger while those that might feel threatened failed to take notice. Let them think her skills were becoming rusty with disuse. Let them think she might give up on the Guild and run off with some nobleman. The other mission was too scary to contemplate. She did not sleep well.

  CHAPTER 8: Lady

  Angela chose Robbie Dale to go with her as escort. Robbie was more polished as a gentleman, dressing more fashionably and speaking more grammatically correct than the others. She thought he might represent the Guild better to her father. He also looked more like a young lady's escort than a thug. He was a capable fighter. Truthfully, his wealth came from paid assassinations. He was well-traveled and could offer good advice when visiting other guilds. He was not particularly pleased to be chosen and then to be geased, but it was the price of being in the Guild. Angela promised not to abuse the geas. Robbie promised to retaliate if she did.

  The Guildmaster chose Kent Grey. Kent was a sufficiently skilled guildmember with a knack for seeing that the Guild forms were obeyed. He was loyal to his Dauphin, even before being geased, and would make sure that Angela was treated respectfully and not diminished to the role of a mere lady of consequence. Maybe some of Angela's skill practice would improve Kent's skills. Most importantly, though, Kent was someone Angela seemed to be less formal around, maybe even might consider a friend, an ally in the anti-Guild onslaught. An ally she would desperately need.

  Angela raided the treasury and sent six crates of miscellaneous supplies over to her father's ship via Kent. None of it was actually necessary, but Angela thought a show of material wealth might be amusing. She promised to bring everything back and Kevin told her to use whatever she wished. When she finally boarded, the only personal items she brought along were a hairbrush, toothbrush, shoes, two pants, two shirts, some underwear, and her coat. Everything else was Guild-related. She did not take her mother's last dress. She left that safe in the treasury where it would be protected.

  "Do I have the same cabin?" she asked Jayden when she arrived.

  "You do. Your father is off concluding the last bit of business and should be back shortly and then we'll cast off. These are the men I was told to expect?"

  She nodded. "Robbie Dale and Kent Grey. My bodyguards, not your crew. I'll pay for their passage."

  "Oh, I don't mind doing a bit of work to keep the muscles strong," Kent piped up at Jayden's consternation. "We can bunk with the crew, too." Jayden didn't look like he had ever considered otherwise. 'Give the man a break,' Kent signed discreetly to Angela, 'We're going to be here a while.'

  "I'm sure we'll get a routine and work things out," Angela said to Jayden, while looking at Kent.

  "Well, don't go insulting your father by suggesting you pay him for passage, eh?" Jayden gestured to one of the sailors. "Evan, show these men their hammocks."

  "Aye, Sir!" Evan led Robbie and Kent off.

  "We made space in one of the holds for your crates," Jayden informed Angela.

  "Thanks. I'll go through them later."

  "That was quite a bit of gear," he said inquisitively.

  "Most of it is practice equipment." She nodded to him. "I'll be in my cabin."

  * * * * *

  "It was fun, too," Davies said. He was holding Angela's head by her hair. He spun her head around until she saw her headless body tied to a chair. "You thought you could take me," he sneered, "But you can't." He dangled the scroll of geas removing from his other hand and swatted her cheek with it. "This wouldn't have worked either." Her head swayed dizzyingly. Delighted, Davies laughed, and swung her head around and threw it into a wall. The impact mashed her forehead in, leaving a bloody smear as her head fell to the floor.

  Angela woke up, gasping, cold and clammy, thrashing her arm into the cabin wall. The bunk was simply not wide enough. She leaned against the wall until the dream faded. She pulled herself up and quietly pushed her door open. Robbie Dale was sound asleep on guard duty and she stepped over him, thinking to herself, "Scrapper."

  On deck, she went to the side and leaned on the rail, looking down at the moonlight dancing on the water. It was near midnigh
t. She nodded to the night watchmen who came over to investigate and then went back to their posts. She couldn't quite see the shoreline anymore, though she strained her eyes trying to spot it.

  "That's quite a bodyguard you've brought along," Jayden said softly, his subdued tone not disturbing the peaceful night, as he walked over to her. They'd been on the ship for a week now, and Robbie had spent almost all of that time at the rail, alternately throwing up or dry heaving.

  "He's still trying to get his sea legs. He'll be fine."

  "What if we were attacked?" he teased lightly.

  "I don't need anyone to defend me. It's more of an honor guard thing anyway."

  He pointed at the water. "Look."

  Once he pointed them out, it was easy for her to see the dolphins swimming in the ship's wake. She wondered how she hadn't noticed them before. "That's incredible."

  "We might spot a whale, too. It's the right season for it." They watched the dolphins leaping across the waves, until the beautiful creatures got distracted by something and swam off. "I love the ocean," Jayden commented. "Clean salt air, and just you and the water and the weather. With a fine crew like this one, it's an orchestrated beauty."

  "I think I like traveling by land better."

  "Don't be ornery."

  "I was. I'm sorry."

  "You might try enjoying it a bit."

  "I didn't want to come."

  "So I heard." He leaned over the side and stared into the water depths for a moment. As conversationally and lightly as possible, he commented, "Jamil tells me you are no longer geased to obey the Guildmaster. You could have said no."

  "The man just named me his heir. That makes me the future lord, you know. Hard to just say no."

  "You did to your father."

  Angela made a noncommittal sound.

  Jayden silently waited expectantly.

  "I'm more obligated to my Master. He's taken care of me all these years as well as paid for endless tutors."