Queen of Thieves Box Set

by Andy Peloquin

  Master Gold's voice echoed in the vaulted chamber. "Master Bloodbear has chosen Four as apprentice. Is there any to dispute the claim?" None of the seated Masters replied. "Four has been chosen to serve House Bloodbear. May the Watcher guide him in his path."

  The boy trotted toward his new House Master. Ilanna allowed her mind to wander. She had no need to pay attention to the ceremony. She and the others had only to stand still and silent. But how could she do either?

  Today, I will fly!

  That morning, Denber had come to her room.

  "Today is your tenth nameday," Denber had told her that morning. "Your year of serving with the Foxes has come to an end. Elmar speaks highly of you."

  Ilanna had blushed but held her peace.

  "Remember what I told you on your ninth nameday? I told you to work hard and your time would come. Well, your time has come. Today, after the Choosing, you get your first taste of what it truly means to be a Hawk."

  She'd wanted to throw her arms around him, but his somber expression had stopped her. Denber had changed as much as she. It was more than the stubble on his cheeks and the broadening of his shoulders. He smiled less. The lines on his face had deepened. The burden of responsibility weighed heavy on the older apprentice.

  Master Gold's voice returned her thoughts to the ceremony. Ilanna ground her teeth, shifting from foot to foot.

  Prynn elbowed her. "Be still," he hissed.

  How long is this going to take? Sweat soaked her under-tunic. The thick, hooded robes stifled her. She longed to throw off the cloak and take to the rooftops as Denber had promised. She ached for freedom.

  After what seemed an eternity, the last tyro stood before Master Gold. Ilanna eyed Master Hawk, expectant. He hadn't selected another apprentice in the last three Choosings. Her House Master made no move. According to Denber, Master Hawk wanted to keep their House small.

  House Hound claimed the final tyro.

  Master Gold stepped forward. "Give praise to the Watcher that you have been chosen. From this day forward, you are no longer tyros. You are now apprentices to the Night Guild."

  The Masters led the new apprentices from the Menagerie. Silence filled the room until the doors boomed shut behind the last departing child.

  Ilanna ripped off her hood and hurled the cloak to the floor with a curse.

  Prynn snorted. "Watcher's teeth, Ilanna! You got an army of fire ants under your cloak?"

  Ilanna laughed. "Sorry, Prynn. I'm just too excited to stand still."

  "Denber taking you up to the roofs today?"

  She nodded.

  Prynn clapped her on the shoulder. "I'll be along in a few minutes. Just have to talk to a Fox about a purse." He slipped into the crowd.

  Ilanna scanned the hooded figures, searching for one in particular. Ethen has to be here, somewhere. Her heart sank. The press of apprentices and Journeymen was too thick. She couldn't find the one small figure in a dark robe trimmed with black.

  Someone bumped into her from behind, sending her staggering. She whirled to snarl at the offending party. Her words died in her throat.

  The man who'd bumped her ducked his head. "Apologies." He grinned, revealing missing teeth.

  Ilanna gaped at the pockmarked cheeks, the crooked nose, and rust-colored beard. It-It can't be! The blood drained from her face.

  The Bloodbear seemed not to notice her sudden change, but stumbled away without a backward glance. A chill ran down her spine. She pictured him as she'd seen him last: a wooden stick in place of the wine goblet in his hand, his red-trimmed robes stained with mud and blood—her father's blood. Grien.

  She'd seen his face in nightmares, distorted into the face of a monster. They hadn't been dreams, but he was a monster. He'd beaten her father half to death and threatened to do the same to her and her mother. Because of him, her mother had died. Worst of all, the man hadn't recognized her. Why would he? To him, I was nothing. Less than nothing. Now, to see him here, laughing and celebrating in the same room as her, twisted her stomach.

  Her eyes fell on the two men who had accompanied Grien the day he'd stormed into her home and shattered her world. A fist squeezed her chest, cutting off her air. She gasped and struggled to breathe. An overwhelming urge to flee, to escape washed over her, but fear rooted her to the spot. Everything spun in dizzying circles.

  An elbow wrapped around her throat, squeezing hard and cutting off her air. She shuddered at the hot breath on her ear.

  "Hawks that fly too low get their wings clipped." Sabat's whisper made her skin crawl.

  The reek of dried sweat and garlic made her gag. Panic slammed into her, setting her legs trembling. Her hand dropped to the dagger at her back. He pressed tight against her, trapping her hand between their bodies. She kicked out, but her foot glanced off his leg.

  He laughed, a cruel, guttural sound. "I hear you're taking to the roofs today. My advice: stay up there, girlie. The streets can be dangerous for Hawks who lose their way."

  The world spun around her. She fought to draw breath, but he was too strong. Panic set her heart thundering. He's going to kill me!

  The grip on her throat loosened. Ilanna sucked in a great gasp of air and whirled, drawing her blade. Where are you? Her eyes darted wildly. He'd disappeared into the crowd of Guild members as suddenly as he'd attacked her. Damn you!

  A hand rested on her shoulder. "Come on, Ilanna."

  Teeth bared, she lashed out with the blade. I won't let you hurt me again!

  Denber leapt back, eyes blazing. "Frozen hell, apprentice! What are you doing?" Her knife hovered a handspan from his stomach.

  She lowered the blade. "Sabat," she choked out. "He…he…attacked me." She coughed, wincing at the ache in her throat.

  "Here?"

  Ilanna nodded, shuddering. She still felt his hot breath on her ear and his body pressed against hers.

  "And no one saw anything?"

  She shook her head. "He…he grabbed me and…was choking me." Anger, terror, and disgust twisted in her gut.

  "Damn it!" Denber spun and eyed the crowd. "Where is he? I'll teach the little bastard to lay a hand on my Hawks…"

  "He's gone. I-I couldn't find him."

  Denber clenched his fists. "I'll have a talk with one of his Journeymen to—"

  "No!" Ilanna grabbed his arm. "Don't! He's not going to do anything, at least not where he can get caught. He warned me to keep to the rooftops. He said, 'Hawks who fly too low get their wings clipped'."

  "Little cunt!" Fire burned in Denber's eyes. "He'd better pray to the Thirteen I never get my hands on—"

  Ilanna placed a restraining hand on his chest. "Leave it alone, Denber. It's not your fight. He's mine to deal with." If only she felt as brave as she sounded. Her knees trembled and she clutched the dagger in a death-grip. She forced a smile. She wouldn't let him see her fear. "Don't you have a promise to keep?"

  Denber raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're up for it?" He studied her through narrowed eyes.

  Ilanna nodded. "I can't think of anything better!" She forced a grin. If he sensed even slight unease or hesitation, he would contrive an excuse to delay the outing. But she needed to get out of the Night Guild. She needed to be free of stone and earth. Where better than flying across the rooftops of Praamis with only the open sky overhead? She'd dreamed of nothing else since her first day in House Hawk.

  "Fair enough." He shrugged, and a grin tugged at his lips. "I guess I don't really have a choice."

  Ilanna followed him from the Menagerie, hiding the unsteadiness of her legs. They traversed the twisting tunnels of the Night Guild in silence. Fury burned in Ilanna's chest, mixing with a twinge of fear as she replayed Sabat's words in her mind. By the time she noticed her surroundings, she stood at the doors of House Hawk.

  She turned to Denber. "Wait, didn't you promise to take me up to the rooftops?"

  Denber raised an eyebrow. "Do you trust me, Ilanna?"

  She hesitated, then nodded.

  "Then foll
ow me." With a grin, he clambered up the nearest rope ladder. Ilanna couldn’t help marveling at his lithe, graceful movements. Reaching the first platform, he cast a glance over his shoulder. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

  Curiosity burning, Ilanna hurried up the ladder. Before she reached the top, Denber raced across the platform, seized a rope, and swung through the air to land on a beam dozens of paces away. Months spent training on the Perch kicked in. Her mind flashed back to her first days in House Hawk. How weak and inexperienced I was! All this seemed so difficult, but now it's as easy as breathing.

  On her first day of training with Conn, she'd had such difficulty climbing the ladder. Now, she kept pace with Denber. She moved on instinct, her eyes scanning the surfaces for the safest route to cross. Her grip on the ropes and ladders never wavered. She placed her feet with confidence. Higher and higher, Denber led her. She'd never reached the top; he'd never permitted it. Now, she had no limits. Climbing, leaping, running, and swinging, she scaled the Perch with nimble grace.

  Then she saw it. At the pinnacle, a window stood open. Denber vaulted through without a backward glance, as if daring her to follow. Her gloved hands closed around the lip of the opening and she pulled herself onto the rooftop.

  Finding her feet, she gasped. She stood atop a tower, and the city of Praamis sprawled around them in all directions. Tiled roofs and whitewashed walls surrounded her, a sea of splendor such as she'd never imagined.

  She drank in every detail. The colorful awnings of Old Town Market stood out against the sturdy brick buildings of the Merchant's District. The elaborate spires and arches of the temples to the gods of Einan reached marble fingers into the sky. At the heart of the city, the Royal Palace lorded its grandeur over all.

  A wave of emotion washed over her. "I-It's perfect!"

  Denber rested a hand on her shoulder. "I come up here every day. Each time, it looks brand new. Just wait until you see it at sunset."

  She managed to tear her gaze away from the city and squinted at the sun. "We've got a few hours yet."

  Denber grinned. "Well then, I think there are a few things you need to see." With that, he raced across the flat rooftop and leapt into open space.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Ilanna screamed as Denber plummeted from sight. Her heart stopped and she sprinted to the spot where he'd disappeared.

  "Got you!" Denber crouched on a ledge just below roof level, wearing a cocky grin. He waved. "Come on down."

  "You bastard!" Ilanna leapt down and landed lightly on her feet. "Don't scare me like that!"

  His grin broadened. "You said you wanted to fly, didn't you? Well, now's your chance!" He levered himself over the edge, hung by his hands, and let go. He landed with a somersault and rolled to his feet.

  Ilanna eyed the long drop, hesitating. That has to be at least six paces!

  Denber motioned for her to follow. "Just do what I do and you'll be fine."

  She hung from the ledge, unable to bring herself to let go. Her leather gloves creaked with the strain. It's too far! But Denber had done it; she had to, too. Any hesitation and he'd send her back to the Aerie. She forced her fingers to release their grip. Her stomach bottomed out as she fell and she landed with a loud thud. Her knees and ankles protested at the impact. Hiding her pain, she climbed to her feet.

  Denber's face grew serious. "Tuck into that roll to cushion the impact. Land wrong and you can break something."

  Ilanna nodded. I won't let him down again. She couldn't face confinement to the Aerie, not after tasting the freedom of the rooftops.

  Ilanna's jaw dropped as Denber raced toward a nearby wall. The older boy seemed to run along the side of the wall, across the empty space, and landed on the far roof. "Your turn." He beckoned.

  Ilanna hesitated a moment, instinct screaming at her. This is insane! One wrong move and I'm dead.

  "Come on!" His grin turned mocking. "Are you a Hawk or just a chicken?"

  Her face burned at his taunt. Clenching her fists, Ilanna sprinted toward the wall and leapt. Her feet pounded against the wall and she collapsed, panting, to the far roof.

  Denber grinned down at her. "Well, damn me for a pretty princess! Looks like Prynn owes me a half-drake after all."

  "What for?"

  "I told him you'd get it right on the first try. He wasn't so sure."

  She took his proffered hand and climbed to her feet. "Remind me to thank him personally."

  Denber motioned around. "You've made it to the rooftops of Praamis and you're ready to fly. Up here, this is our world. None of the other Houses come up here. The Hawks rule the skies."

  Ilanna studied the cityscape around them. "I never dreamed it would be so beautiful!"

  Denber placed his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes. "It is. But make no mistake, Ilanna, it can be just as deadly." The furrow in his brow deepened. "One misstep, one wrong turn, and you'll take a three-story dive. There is no safety net up here. Always look before you leap. Those are the words to live by up here. Got it?"

  Ilanna nodded. "I trust you."

  Denber smiled with real warmth. For a moment, Ilanna glimpsed the boy she'd met the first day in the Aerie. Once more, he was the happy, carefree youth who'd treated her with kindness after the horrors of the Menagerie.

  "Oi, Denber!"

  Prynn's call snapped the fragile moment. Denber turned to face the apprentice Hawks racing toward him. His smile tightened and his shoulders slumped as if beneath a heavy weight. His mask of somber authority returned. Once more, he was Denber, oldest of the apprentices. Upon him rested the burden of keeping them alive.

  Prynn dropped to the roof beside them. "There you are. You been teaching Ilanna the Hawks' ways?"

  Denber nodded and extended his hand. "Pay up."

  Prynn's face fell. "Twisted damn! She did it, didn't she?"

  Denber grinned and the younger boy fished a coin from a pocket. Ilanna punched him, hard.

  "Ow!" Prynn rubbed his arm. "What was that for?"

  "For betting against me."

  Prynn's grin turned wry. "Told you, did he?" He shot a mock glare at Denber. "Traitorous bastard!"

  Bert, Werrin, and Willem leapt to the roof beside Prynn.

  "Did she make it?" Willem glanced at Ilanna with a sly smile.

  Prynn nodded. "Course she did, Lem. She's Ilanna the killer!"

  Ilanna reddened. Apparently, word of her nickname had spread. "Don't you start calling me that!" Her hand dropped to her dagger.

  "I surrender!" Prynn laughed and held up his hands. "Don't hurt me."

  Denber stepped between them. "Enough. The time for play is done. We've got a city to show her!" He turned to her. "Remember my warning and follow the others exactly. I have enough work keeping these two,"—he smacked Werrin and Willem in turn—"alive."

  Ilanna nodded. I'll show them I can handle it. She'd prove she deserved a place among the Hawks, gliding along the rooftops of Praamis. "Where's Jarl?"

  Denber gave a dismissive wave. "He has his own training to attend to." He didn't give her time to question further. "What say we take her to see the Font of Glory?"

  Werrin turned to her with an excited grin. "You'll love the Ward of Refuge with all the pretty temples. If you can keep up, that is!" With a laugh, he leapt to the next roof. Willem followed a heartbeat behind.

  Denber grabbed Prynn's arm. "Take the rear, will you? I have to chase those fools down before they break their necks, but I need you to keep an eye on her."

  Prynn nodded. "She'll be fine, Denber." He winked at Ilanna. "Off with you, mother hen."

  Grimacing, Denber took off, leaping from roof to roof in pursuit of the shouting, laughing boys. Bert waited a moment before crossing the empty space.

  Prynn motioned for her to precede him. "You're up, killer."

  With only a moment's hesitation, Ilanna ran and threw herself through the air. She landed on the far rooftop, somersaulted, and rolled to her feet. The impact sent a twinge through her bo
dy, but she could handle the pain.

  A heartbeat later, Prynn landed beside her. "You've got the hang of it now! Just try to keep up."

  She flushed at the approval in his words. Ducking her head to hide her grin, she hurried after Bert. The apprentice wobbled his way across a plank bridge spanning two roofs. He looked none too steady, and Ilanna's heart leapt to her throat every time he wobbled. She sighed in relief when he leapt to the far rooftop.

  Ilanna stepped gingerly onto the wood. The beam sagged but held firm, providing solid footing. She edged her way out over open space. Step by step, she shuffled along the plank. Her gaze dropped and she gasped. Empty air stood between her and a plunge to the cobblestone streets dozens of paces below. She had a terrifying vision of herself falling. She could feel her body shattering on the hard stones. The world gyrated about her. Her arms windmilled in wild circles as she teetered. Heart in her throat, she dropped to all fours, clutching the wooden bridge for dear life.

  "Never look down!" Prynn's voice cut through the whirling chaos in her mind. "Not until you've spent years flying across the rooftops. That's the fastest way to lose your nerve."

  Ilanna shut her eyes to stop the world from spinning. Once again, the familiar words whispered in her mind. "Head up, eyes fixed on a single point, shoulders straight, arms out." The familiar voice sent warmth rushing through her. She could see the smiling face and warm arms. She remembered the many hours spent in her garden. "Stand tall, my flower, no matter what."

  She gritted her teeth. Mama wouldn't want to see me like this. Taking slow, measured breaths, she climbed to a crouching position. She focused on the sensations in her feet: the solid feel of the wood, the slight wobble of the plank. She felt the muscles in her legs tense as she straightened. Opening her eyes, she found Denber waiting on the far side of the bridge. Her world narrowed to a single point of focus. His face filled her vision. She traced the lines of concern around his mouth and eyes, using his features to block out everything around. Extending her arms, she walked forward, one slow, measured step at a time.