Queen of Thieves Box Set

by Andy Peloquin

  I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there.

  As it did every day, her gaze strayed to the vaulted heights of the Perch. She ached to fly free, high above the city of Praamis. Before she could do that, she had to scale the maze of ladders, ropes, and walkways.

  What's to stop me from doing it today? She glanced around. The Aerie stood empty. Prynn's out on a job with the others. I'm all alone. No one would see her attempt. No one would see her if she failed.

  Heart racing, she stepped on the first rung and lifted her foot. The ladder swayed beneath her. The ground tugged on her, refusing to release its grip on her weight. She gritted her teeth. I can do this!

  Hand over hand, she climbed. Sweat stung her eyes and rolled off her arms. Her forearms screamed and her head spun. She had a memory of her first day on the Perch, training under the watchful eye of Conn. The same nervous hesitation threatened to drag her to the earth. Now, however, she had no one to guide her, no one to hold her accountable but herself. If she failed, only she would know. But she would know.

  Slowly, the distance to the ground increased. Her legs and arms trembled with the effort of clinging to the rope. The Perch's lowest platform drew closer with every thundering heartbeat. She kept her eyes fixed on the goal. I will do this!

  Her fingers closed around solid wood and she slumped onto the platform. She gasped for air, every muscle drained. But it didn't matter that she'd only climbed a few paces. She didn't care how exhausted she felt. She'd left the ground for the first time in almost a year. Though she had a long way to go before she returned to the rooftops of Praamis, she'd taken the first step.

  Excitement drove away her fatigue. She struggled to her feet, elation driving back her trepidation and fear. She eyed the ledge in the distance. A beam no wider than three fingers spanned the distance. She'd once made the crossing with ease, but could she now?

  Only one way to find out!

  Mama's words came into her mind. She lifted her head, threw her shoulders back, and extended her arms. Fixing her eye on a single point in the distance, she stepped onto the beam.

  One foot, then another. She wobbled but caught her balance. Keep going. A third step. Her left leg trembled, her right knee sagging.

  She gritted her teeth. I won't fall. She didn't care that the net would catch her if she did. Falling now would be failure. She wouldn't fail. Just…a…few…more…steps.

  Her left foot, numb with exhaustion, twisted beneath her. She swayed and tried to catch her balance, but slipped from the beam. The net rushed toward her, sagging with her weight. Wild, maniacal laughter burst from her throat. She should feel defeat, frustration, or anger, but she felt only exhilaration. She'd fallen, but what did it matter? She'd climbed into the Perch. Weeks and months of hard work and training paid off. It didn't matter how far she still had to go, how much more work she had to do. I did it!

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Ilanna lay on the rooftop, legs dangling over the edge, eyes fixed on the blue sky. She'd pushed her body to its limits and the hard work of the last year had paid off. Save for an occasional nightmare of Sabat's leering face, no effects of her assault remained. Best of all, today was her first day of flying in more than a year.

  Prynn and Bert sat beside her, sharing a skin of watered wine. Ilanna was too excited to drink. She ached to fly free across the rooftops. After months stuck in the enclosed tunnels of the Night Guild, the open air called to her. She'd completed her tasks before the sun peeked over the horizon. Nothing would keep her from flying today. But Prynn wouldn't go without the twins.

  Hurry up, you two! If you take any longer to finish your chores, I'll—

  Willem climbed through the opening to the Aerie, panting.

  "Finally!" Ilanna leapt to her feet. "What took so long?"

  Werrin stepped out beside his twin and smacked the back of Willem's head. "The bloody fool decided it would be fun to spill the bucket we'd just used to clean the privies. And, of course, who should be walking through the tunnels but Journeyman Conn, the high and mighty. I'm surprised you've still got any skin left, Lem. Conn looked ready to flay you alive."

  Willem reddened and muttered a curse.

  Ilanna turned to Prynn. "Ready?"

  Prynn climbed to his feet, in no hurry. "Very well. Let's be off."

  Bert stowed the wine skin and stood. "Where to, boss man?"

  Prynn tugged at the sparse patch of hair on his chin. Ilanna couldn't help noticing how much he'd grown in the last year. She barely reached his shoulder. "It's been a while since we've visited the Alamastris. Let's head over there and case the place."

  Ilanna nodded, unable to hide her eagerness. Anything to get out of the Aerie!

  "Lem, Werrin, you're in the lead. Bert, you're with Ilanna." He held up a hand to forestall Ilanna's protests. "It's your first day back, Ilanna. No one doubts your skill, but we'll take no chances."

  Ilanna wanted to complain. I don't need to be coddled! Or she hadn't, before her injuries. Now, she wasn't certain how well she would do. She snapped her mouth shut.

  Prynn nodded and motioned to the twins. "Well then, let's be off."

  * * *

  Ilanna lay on the slanting rooftop overlooking the Alamastri mansion, her eyes fixed on the sky. The other Hawks can do the watching. This is more important.

  She'd always loved sunset. During her months of confinement to the tunnels, she'd wanted nothing more than to watch the sun disappear behind the horizon in a glorious flare of color. Rich hues of blue, red, and purple splashed across the heavens in a vivid panorama and a cool breeze heralded the impending dusk.

  Beside her, Willem and Prynn discussed their planned heist.

  "How long until the Season of Plenty festival in Voramis, Lem?"

  "If I remember correctly, it's the last weeks before the winter. That means we've got about a month, give or take."

  "Hmm." Prynn stroked the patch of fuzz. "Do you know anyone in the Foxes who can find out if the Alamastris have been invited to any events? Discreetly, of course."

  Willem nodded. "For a price."

  "We'll pay it."

  "I'll set it up when we get back. Should have an answer within a few days."

  "No rush." Prynn gave a dismissive wave. "These things take time."

  Their voices faded into the background. Ilanna closed her eyes, relishing the fresh evening air, the myriad scents and sounds from the city below, and the warmth of the setting sun on her face. Yes, it's good to be a Hawk once more.

  A boot nudged her side. "Come on, Ilanna. We're heading back."

  Opening her eyes, she took Werrin's proffered hand and pulled herself to her feet. "That's it? I thought we'd spend the night out here, studying the place."

  Werrin shrugged. "Prynn's orders. Besides, you don't really want to pass the night huddled in the rain and wind, do you?"

  "Better than being trapped in the Guild. I've been in those tunnels for too long!"

  "I know, I know. You'll be back out here tomorrow, though." He clapped her on the back. "And every day after that. It's good to have you back, Ilanna." His hand lingered on her shoulder and he squeezed. The gesture seemed to hold more than just friendly affection.

  Ilanna returned Werrin's gaze steadily. Something in his eyes had changed in the last few weeks. He'd grown taller—all the other Hawks had—but he'd never looked at her this way before. It felt uncomfortable yet…wonderful.

  "Let's go, you two!" Willem shoved Werrin, sending the boy stumbling. "Stop wasting our time. I'm starving!"

  Ilanna punched his shoulder, grinning. "You're always starving. And be nice to Werrin."

  Willem twisted his face into a mocking grin. "Ooh, going all gooey for Werrin, are we?"

  She punched him again, harder.

  "Ow!" He rubbed his shoulder. "Just teasing, Ilanna. No need to hurt me."

  Ilanna pushed past him, her face reddening. What was that? Why did I hit him so hard? What was it about his words that made me react like th
at? She didn't understand the emotions coursing through her. Better not to think about it.

  She turned to the four Hawks. "Race you back to the Aerie, chumps!" With that, she took off across the rooftops.

  "Ilanna, no!" Prynn's cry reached her, but Ilanna had already dropped from the lip of the roof to the plank bridge below.

  Laughter burst from her lips as she ran. She basked in the sensation of the wind across her face, her boots pounding across the rooftops. Her legs protested as she broke into a full sprint, but she ignored them. Her wrists and knees always ached—a side effect of her injuries. Can't let that stop me!

  The plank bridge shuddered behind her and she turned to see Bert dropping from the rooftop. He opened his mouth to call out, but she didn't wait. She leapt across to the next house, clambered up a rope ladder, and wobbled her way across a thin bridge.

  "Wait!" A hand seized her arm.

  Ilanna acted on instinct. She'd spent hours drilling with Ullard, learning how to break free from a restraining grip. Her elbow shot back, her shoulder driving into her assailant's stomach.

  A cry echoed across the rooftops. Ilanna's heart stopped. Bert stumbled backward and his heel struck a roof tile. Eyes wide, mouth agape, he teetered on the edge of the rooftop for a heart-wrenching second. Her gaze locked with his as she leapt toward him, reaching out to clasp his hand.

  She missed.

  His weight dragged him backward and he plunged out of sight with a scream of terror. The sound died with a horrible thump.

  Ilanna's stomach bottomed out. Panic, shock, and horror held her frozen in place. She couldn't move, couldn't think. What have I done?

  Prynn's voice snapped her from her paralysis. "Ilanna! Bert!"

  Ilanna raced to the roof's edge and stared at the street far below. A scream burst from her mouth. "Bert!"

  The Hawk lay on the cobblestones, barely moving. A halo of blood spread around his head. His arms and legs lay twisted at an awkward angle. He coughed, spraying crimson. Without thinking, Ilanna slipped down the side of the house. She had no idea how she reached the ground. She had eyes only for the broken body on the street.

  "Bert!" She threw herself to her knees beside the Hawk, seizing his hand. "I'm so sorry, Bert. I'm so sorry!"

  "I-Ila…" He coughed, a weak, wet gurgle. "Ilanna…"

  Tears streamed down her face. "Easy, Bert. Tyman will fix you up. You'll be fine, you'll see."

  His open eyes fixed on her, unmoving, unseeing. He gave her a faint smile, his skin pale against the blood staining his face. With a weak gasp, his final breath trickled from his lungs.

  "Ilanna!" Prynn knelt beside her, shouting in her ear. He sounded so far away. "What happened, Ilanna?"

  "I-I…" Her numb mind refused to form coherent words. What could she say? "He…"

  "Are you hurt?"

  Blood stained her brown clothing, her gloves, her arms. She shook her head. "It-it's…his…"

  Werrin dragged her away from the body. "Don't look, Ilanna. Don't look at it."

  She followed on numb feet, unprotesting. Sobs racked her body and a wave of sorrow crashed into her. Werrin's arms wrapped around her. She buried her head in his chest, sobbing. She couldn't look at Bert. Not after what she'd done to him.

  * * *

  "It's not your fault, Ilanna." Denber gripped her shoulders. "It could have happened to any of us."

  Ilanna met his gaze with unseeing eyes. She didn't feel his hands on her shoulders or the cuts on her arms and knees. She felt nothing but a dull ache in the pit of her stomach.

  "We all know the risk when we go up there. It's why we spend so much time training on the Perch before we take to the rooftops."

  She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

  "Go, Ilanna." Denber pushed her toward her room. "Rest. I'll deal with Master Hawk and the Journeymen. I'll tell them what you told me. Bert stumbled and fell, and you tried to catch him, right?" He scanned her face, concern in his eyes.

  "Y-Yes." She couldn't form more than that single word. Everything she'd said since Bert's death had been a lie. Every word had been like a knife to the heart. But she'd had no choice. They wouldn't understand. They can't.

  How could she explain that she'd felt Sabat's hand on her arm, his breath on her shoulder? The touch had filled her with an overwhelming terror. Memories of that horrible day had slammed into her and she'd acted without thinking.

  And Bert died because of it.

  What would Master Hawk do if she told him what had really happened? The Night Guild had proven itself short on mercy far too many times to count. She couldn't allow herself be expelled from House Hawk—or suffer a fate worse—over something so stupid. I-It was just an accident! It's not my fault!

  The words rang hollow in her mind. She knew the truth.

  * * *

  "Bertimastus." Denber gave a laugh as harsh as the agor in his cup. "What sort of stupid name is that?"

  A few chuckles arose from the apprentices. Ilanna couldn't summon the strength to smile. She stared at her cup with unseeing eyes.

  "Messy bastard, wasn't he?" Willem swallowed hard and scrubbed a hand over his eyes. "Always eating food in bed."

  "Always eating," Werrin chimed in. He coughed, drank, and coughed harder.

  Prynn snorted. "Never could arrive anywhere on time. Always made it late, with that goofy grin on his face." He buried his face in the liquor.

  All eyes turned to Ilanna. She couldn't take her eyes from the floor. The words seemed to stick in her throat. Only her fingers moved, working ceaselessly at the swirls etched into the metal cup.

  "A good lad," Jarl grunted—an eloquent statement coming from him.

  "A good Hawk." Denber raised his cup. "To Bert."

  "To Bert," the other Hawks echoed.

  Ilanna drank then, didn't stop until she emptied the cup. She welcomed the burn in her throat, the bite of alcohol in her gut. The liquor made her head spin, but no amount of agor could wash away the memories of Bert's wide-eyed expression of terror as he teetered on the edge of the roof. That didn't stop her from holding out her cup for a refill. She'd be damned if she didn't keep drinking until the pain faded.

  * * *

  "Ilanna, it's past midnight. You have to sleep."

  Ilanna ignored Prynn. Her stick clacked off the wooden practice dummy over and over. Her hands, arms, and shoulders ached, but she wouldn't stop. She couldn’t.

  "Ilanna!"

  She rounded on him, tears in her eyes. "Leave me alone, Prynn!"

  "It won't bring him back."

  "So what? Just let me be!"

  "Ilanna, you—"

  "Go away, Prynn. Leave me alone."

  The Aerie echoed the clack of wood striking wood, but Prynn slipped away in silence.

  Ilanna hacked and slashed at the practice dummy. She didn't want to stop. She didn't want to try to sleep. Sleep would evade her and she would see only Bert's face. She couldn't watch the life in his eyes slowly fade and die. Not again.

  Tears blurred her eyes, mixing with the sweat rolling down her face. Faster and faster she struck. Sabat's face leered in her vision. She fought with the memory of what he'd done to her. She could never be rid of him. She'd killed her friend because of him.

  It's your fault! She wanted to shout the words into the darkened Aerie. She wanted to spit in his face, to wrap her fingers around his throat and squeeze. She wanted to watch the light fade from his eyes, not from Bert's.

  She unleashed her rage on the dummy, but it did little to assuage the seething maelstrom in her mind. No matter what Sabat had done, he hadn't killed Bert. She'd done that. She had no one but herself to blame.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Ilanna pounded on the double doors of House Serpent. Intertwining threads of silver snaked their way around the massive viper-headed knockers. Green gems set into the serpents' eyes glowed in the dim torchlight. The stones radiated a chill menace that sent a shudder down her spine.

  The door creake
d open and an apprentice wearing green robes poked his head out. "What do you want?"

  "Ullard. Is he here?"

  He eyed her up and down. "Why?" He looked a year or two younger than her and stood a handspan shorter.

  "None of your business. That's between me and the Journeyman."

  The young Serpent raised an eyebrow. "What if I—"

  Ilanna shoved the door, hard. It swung open, knocking the apprentice off balance. She strode in without waiting for an invitation.

  She shuddered. Where the Aerie was bright and spacious, the Viper-Pit, as the Serpents called it, was a dark, gloomy place. No sunlight filtered into the Pit; the only light came from beamers and torches hanging in sconces. A pall hung over the low-ceilinged chamber. The obsidian walls wept water, filling the room with a musty, damp scent that blended with the reek of dried sweat and blood.

  She turned to the young apprentice. "Where is he?"

  The Serpent picked himself up from the ground. "Now, wait just one minute. If you think I'll—"

  Ilanna stepped toward him, her eyes burning. "Where. Is. He?"

  Gulping, the boy pointed down a side passage. "Common room. But he don't like being disturbed at his meal."

  She shrugged. "I'll risk it."

  She stalked down the corridor and burst into the Serpent common room. A handful of green-robed apprentices sat around the tables. They goggled at her, mouths hanging open. Ilanna ignored them.

  Her eyes fell on the Journeyman at the table. "Ullard, I need a sword."

  Ullard gave no indication he'd heard her, but continued spooning stew into his mouth.

  Ilanna gritted her teeth. "Journeyman Ullard. Please."

  The Serpent grunted. "A real one?" He didn't look up from his food.