Queen of Thieves Box Set

by Andy Peloquin

  She turned and smiled sweetly. "Where can I find the privy? I'd like to get that out of the way next, if you don't mind."

  Conn snapped his mouth shut. "Down the hall, to your left."

  "Thank you." With a nod, she turned and strode down the corridor.

  The moment she rounded a corner, she set the bucket down and slumped against the wall. Her knees throbbed, her back ached, and the pain in her finger had returned. Despite the exhaustion, she couldn't keep a smile from her face.

  He could set her any task he liked and she would exceed his expectations. I will be the best apprentice House Hawk has ever seen!

  * * *

  Denber burst into the room Ilanna shared with the other apprentices. "Whatever you said or did to Conn, Ilanna, make sure it happens again."

  Ilanna glanced up from her work scrubbing the floor. "What happened?"

  A broad grin split Denber's face. "We were working in the Aerie when he said he was going to make sure you were 'doing your duties'. When he returned a few minutes later, he was one word away from an apoplectic fit."

  Ilanna smiled and straightened. "I just did what I was told." A pop sounded from her back and she groaned.

  "Oh, I doubt that very much. I saw what you did to that room…" He trailed off, shaking his head in amazement. "I can tell you that the twins never did a job that well."

  Her smile turned defiant. "He'll find I don't break so easily."

  Denber nodded. "So I can see. Master Hawk chose well, it seems."

  Ilanna blushed and ducked her head.

  "You can stop cleaning, you know?" Denber walked over and offered her his hand. "The others are all at lunch. You must be hungry."

  Ilanna dropped the scrub brush into the bucket with a splash, took his hand, and climbed to her feet. "I'd rather lie down. My whole body aches, my finger most of all."

  "You'd best be careful with that. Journeyman Tyman is not going to be pleased if you injure it again."

  "What choice do I have? I can't scrub the floor with one hand." Her whole hand throbbed, but she wouldn't show weakness. Not in front of the older boy.

  "Leave it. This room is cleaner than it has ever been." He looked around, his eyes wide. "It even smells good in here. Though once the twins take off their boots…" He pinched his nose, and she laughed.

  It felt good to be around the older boy. He had to be nearly twice her age, but she didn't mind. His easy smile, friendly manner, and frankness reminded her of Three. Her smile slipped at the thought of her friend.

  "H-Have you talked to Garley yet?"

  Denber shook his head. "Not sure when I'll get a chance. I thought I'd be able to tonight, but Conn wants me to come with him on his errand for Master Hawk."

  "You mean you're going…outside?" She whispered the word with reverence. She couldn’t remember much of the world outside the Night Guild. She hadn't entered the Aerie this morning, hadn't had time to bask in the daylight. The only sights, sounds, and smells she knew were those from her time in the Menagerie—and those were none too pleasant.

  Denber shrugged. "Yeah, so what? We go out all the time. Ah, right. I forget how new you are. The apprentices stay indoors for the first year of their training. You've only been here for what…five, six months? That means in just a few more months, you'll be going out again."

  A few more months! She clung to those words like a promise. She ached to see life outside the barren, colorless walls around her. Just a few more months.

  "So, you coming to lunch?"

  Ilanna shook her head. "Can't. Conn said I had to finish this up before I could eat." With a sigh, she knelt and picked up the scrub brush. "And I haven't even started on the mess under Willem's and Werrin's beds."

  "I'll be sure to bring you some dinner, then. Watcher knows you'll be hungry by the time you're done with that disaster."

  "Thanks, I appreciate that."

  With one last glance and smile over his shoulder, Denber strode from the room, leaving her alone with her menial labor.

  * * *

  "Ilanna?"

  "I'm awake!" She leapt from her bed, scrub brush still in hand.

  "Clearly." Prynn pried the brush from her fingers and tossed it into the bucket. He produced a sausage roll from his coat. "Here, Denber said to bring you something to eat."

  The fresh bun and spicy, rich sausage tasted wonderful. Ilanna devoured the food, her stomach growling. "Thank you," she mumbled, her mouth full.

  Prynn nodded. Just then, Werrin and Willem entered the room. Each clasped a twine-wrapped bundle.

  "Conn said to give you these." Werrin thrust his bundle into her hands.

  Stuffing the rest of the food into her mouth, Ilanna wiped her hands on her now-filthy clothes and fumbled at the knot in the twine. Pain flashed through her injured finger. She gritted her teeth, frustrated. "I can't do it!"

  "Tough work without all your fingers." Werrin cut through the twine with a small finger-knife. "There you go."

  The bundle contained a set of light grey tunic and breeches, two sets of near-black clothing, and a heavy cloak of the same dark color.

  "They're beautiful!" She ran her fingers over the clothing, marveling at the softness of the fabric.

  Werrin ran his finger along the hems of the cloak. "See this?" Brown thread had been stitched into every hem and seam. "That's how others know that you belong to House Hawk. And there's this." He showed her the insignia of a hawk embroidered in the hood of the cloak.

  Ilanna raised an eyebrow, hesitant. "For me?" The quality of the clothing was far superior to the garments Master Velvet had given them on the day of their test—the garments she wore now.

  "Of course. You were supposed to receive them last night, after being accepted to the House, but you fell asleep before we could give them to you."

  "Thank you so much!" She threw her arms around Werrin and kissed his cheek.

  "Hey, I've got something for you, too!" Willem thrust out his package, a hopeful look on his face.

  The second bundle weighed more than the first. Ilanna placed it on her bed and Werrin sliced the twine with his finger-knife. She pulled back the thick canvas and stared at the contents of the bundle, her mouth hanging open.

  A pair of black leather gloves lay within. Beside them, a sheathed knife, a length of black rope, and a small leather case no bigger than her hand. The glove slipped onto her uninjured hand as if made for her. She wiggled her fingers and marveled at the suppleness of the fabric.

  Willem grinned. "Any good third-story man—or woman—needs gloves. Protects the hands and offers extra grip."

  She slipped the little knife from its sheath, next. It was the same one she had used in the Menagerie. The dull, worn grip had been replaced with dark, brown leather, and the blade had been sharpened and oiled. "It's perfect!"

  "I overheard Master Velvet tell Conn you had a knack for the thing." Prynn smiled and produced his own knife. "When it comes to knife work, I'm the best in House Hawk."

  Werrin snorted. "Don't let Conn hear you say that, Prynn."

  Prynn scowled and sheathed his blade.

  Ilanna ran her fingers over the coiled rope. "It's so thin—it can't possibly hold my weight!"

  "You'd be surprised." Willem shoved Werrin aside and picked up the rope. "The rope is coated with some sort of alchemical glue that makes it strong."

  Werrin nodded. "Strong enough to hold even Jarl!"

  Ilanna's eyes widened. She reached for the leather case. Within lay an assortment of metal tools. "What are these?"

  "Lockpicks." Prynn lifted one and held it up. "They don't look like much, but with these, you can get into any house in Praamis."

  Willem scrunched up his face. "Though it will take some practice."

  Werrin elbowed his “twin”. "For some more than others, eh?"

  Willem glared. "Shut it!"

  Prynn rolled his eyes and shook his head.

  Ilanna clutched the dagger to her chest. She tried to speak, but a lump formed in
her throat.

  Werrin slapped her shoulder. "You're one of us now!"

  Prynn nodded. "Now you just have to learn how to use them. And trust me when I say, that's easier said than done."

  I don't care how much work it takes; I will learn! She had everything she needed for her training to become a true Hawk.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ilanna hissed, eliciting a glare from Journeyman Tyman. He squeezed her splinted finger. "The Bright Lady favors you, girl. Your finger healed much quicker than even I expected."

  Denber hovered over Ilanna's shoulder. "Are you sure?"

  "Contain yourself, Denber. I never knew you to be the mothering sort."

  Denber rolled his eyes. "Please, Journeyman, you know how dangerous our work tends to be. If Ilanna's grip fails, for even one moment, she could—"

  The Journeyman wagged his finger at Denber. "Don't even think about letting her up on that confounded construction of yours, young man. Her hand may be well enough to remove the splint, but it will be weeks before she—"

  "Weeks?" Frustration seeped into Ilanna's voice. "But I thought it would be…" Her words trailed off and she withered beneath Tyman's glare.

  "Do not interrupt your betters, child." He thrust a long, slim finger at Denber. "I'm only here out of courtesy to this young man. But if you think I'm wasting my time, I can leave."

  Ilanna hung her head. "No, Journeyman. Forgive me."

  Tyman nodded. "Good. Remember your place, girl. It is a lesson we all have to learn, some more than others." He turned to Denber. "I take it you have obtained my 'courtesy'?"

  "Of course, Journeyman." With a nod, Denber slipped from the room. He returned a few moments later with a leather satchel, which he handed to Tyman. "This will be the last Nyslian port I'll be able to filch for a few months. The wine merchant I…procured it from has fallen on hard times. I'll need a while to find a new source."

  "Then I suggest that none of you Hawks takes a three-story dive." Tyman's smile turned vicious. "I might not be so easily persuaded to attend to your needs, unless…"

  Denber threw up his hands. "Yes, I know. If it's not Nyslian port, you'll take Voramian Snowblossom wine. You know how hard that is to get, don't you?"

  "I reiterate my last statement. Avoid the three-story plunge. Nasty thing, solid ground." He chuckled.

  "Thank you, Journeyman Tyman." Denber failed to hide the annoyance in his voice.

  "As always, Denber, a pleasure doing business with you. I assume that Conn has no idea—"

  "And we'd thank you to keep it that way. You know what sort of trouble I'd be in if anyone found out I was handling special favors for you."

  Tyman shrugged. "Not my problem." He turned his attention to Ilanna. "Take it easy with that finger, girl. The bone has healed, but there will still be pain. It's also likely to break or fracture again if you do anything foolish. Understand?"

  She nodded. "Yes, Journeyman."

  "Very well. I bid you both a blessed day in the Watcher's name." He slipped the satchel into his medicine bag and strode from the room. The door clanged shut behind him.

  "Watcher's teeth!" Denber clenched his fists. "Journeymen are usually insufferable, but Tyman most of all. The arrogant, smug son of a—"

  "Thank you, Denber. For this." Ilanna held up her hand, flexing her fingers.

  He eyed her. "How is it?"

  She winced. "It hurts a bit, but I couldn't let Tyman see that or he'd never take off the splint. I should be able to—"

  "If you're about to say 'hold a rope' or 'climb a ladder', I'll stop you right there. You heard Tyman. No straining that finger for a while yet."

  Her heart sank. "But—"

  Denber raised an eyebrow. "No buts, Ilanna. Trust me when I say that this is for the best. Don't you think I know exactly what that feels like?" He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a thick scar running across the back of his upper arm. "Snapped the bone in half. Took two months to heal. More before I could use it properly. And trust me, I wanted to be up in the Perch just as much as you. Nearly broke my neck when I did. So you're going to do as I say, no arguments."

  "Fine." She made no attempt to hide her disappointment.

  "Excuse me?" Denber glared at her.

  "Yes, Denber." Ilanna folded her arms and sulked.

  "Better. Now, don't you have some chores to do?"

  Without a word, Ilanna turned her back on Denber and busied herself straightening her rumpled blankets.

  "I'm doing this for your sake, you know." Denber spoke in a quiet voice. "Do you know how hard it was to keep that bottle of wine a secret? That Nyslian stuff doesn't come cheap."

  Ilanna didn't turn. "I said thank you, Denber. Now, if you'll excuse me, this room isn't going to clean itself."

  "Well, when you're done, come to the Aerie. Even if you're not ready to fly, there are a few things you can start learning today."

  Ilanna turned, a broad smile on her face. "Like what?"

  "Finish your chores and you'll find out."

  * * *

  "I've finished!" Ilanna hurried into the Aerie.

  Conn turned with a haughty smirk. "Finished what?"

  "My chores. Cleaned the rooms. Scrubbed the privy. Swept the halls." Her finger ached from the chores, but she wasn't about to let it show. "Denber said I had things to learn today, even though I'm not ready to fly."

  Conn scratched his chin. "Is that what he said?" He cupped his hands over his mouth. "Oi, Denber. You've got an apprentice down here who wants your attention."

  Ilanna searched the network of ladders, ropes, beams, and boards, but saw no sign of Denber.

  "I'll be down in a minute," Denber called.

  She spotted him. He sprinted across a set of wide planks and, grasping a hanging rope, swung across an expanse of empty air. Ilanna gasped as he landed on a beam no wider than her forearm, half-expecting him to slip. He leapt off the side of the beam, seeming to soar for a breathless moment before his fingers closed around a metal pole. Wrapping his legs around the pole, he slid down to land with a wide grin before Ilanna.

  She stared, open-mouthed. "That was—"

  "Sloppy," Conn snapped. "Running across the beam like that—you were showing off and you know it."

  Denber shrugged. "Sure, but I pulled it off."

  "This time. But what about next time? What if you were on the rooftops of Praamis? What if it had rained earlier?"

  "Always the 'what ifs' with you, Conn."

  Conn shrugged. "It's how I've managed to stay alive this long, Denber. Use your head, not your dangly bits."

  "Now that's not fair, Conn," Denber protested. "Just because Ilanna's a—"

  "Enough," Conn snapped. The boys exchanged glares. Denber clearly chafed under Conn's command, and Conn clearly enjoyed lording his power over the younger boy. "Didn't you say you had something to teach the apprentice?"

  "Yes," Denber said through clenched teeth. "Come, Ilanna." He muttered under his breath. His lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw tightened, and he balled his fists.

  Ilanna followed him to the other side of the Aerie, beyond the towering construction of metal, wood, and rope. He strode toward a simple wooden door, one she hadn't seen before.

  "Look here." He pointed to the keyhole. "You have your lockpicks on you?"

  "They're back in the room."

  He produced his own set. "Always have them on you, at all times. You need to get used to carrying everything around. Dagger on your belt, gloves on your hands, and wear your rope." He lifted his coat to reveal the rope wrapped like a belt.

  "Why?"

  "Because they're the tools of the trade, and you need to get accustomed to carrying them on your person. You don't want them to feel out of place when you're flying around up there, do you?"

  "I guess not."

  He rolled his eyes. "Trust me when I say that anything can throw you off. Clothes too tight, boots too loose, even a different handle on your dagger. It can make the difference between soaring like
a Hawk and—"

  "Taking a three-story dive?"

  Denber grinned. "Now you got it." He unrolled the leather bundle to reveal the gleaming set of lockpicks. "Take care of these at all times and they'll get you in any door or window in Praamis. I'll have Werrin and Willem walk you through maintenance, but for now, we're going to get you working on picking locks."

  Excitement rushed through her. "Which one do we use?"

  "Well, take a look at the lock and tell me what you see."

  What? Ilanna didn't understand the question. What am I supposed to look for?

  She squinted at the door. "It looks like a lock to me."

  "And that's because you're new to this. But look here." Denber pointed to the keyhole. "Notice the shape of the lock? What sort of key would fit into that?"

  Ilanna shook her head.

  Denber rolled his eyes. "Just look at the wide opening of the keyhole. The sort of key used on this lock would be a wide one, with a unique pattern of teeth. This is called a warded lock, because it uses wards to stop the door from being easily unlocked. However, in your lock-pick set, you'll find a skeleton key."

  He drew a strange-looking key from the leather bundle and held it up.

  "Notice how the key has no teeth, save for this one notch at the tip? Well, that's because it's designed to bypass any wards and turn the locking mechanism." He handed her the key. "Give it a try."

  The key slid smoothly into the lock and when Ilanna twisted it, the lock clicked. She looked up at him with a wide grin. "I did it!"

  Denber nodded. "But remember, that's the easiest type of lock to open. Over the next few weeks, you'll learn how to deal with more complex locks. They won't all be this simple."

  He returned the skeleton key to his lock-pick set, rolled up the leather case, and slipped it into his vest. "Well, what are you waiting for? Open the door."

  Ilanna pushed and the door swung inward, the hinges creaking.