Queen of Thieves Box Set

by Andy Peloquin

  Ilanna's eyes widened. That is a lot of rope!

  He wound the rope around her back, adding more and more coils. The pile on the table looked endless and the strain on her shoulders increased. Finally, she could take no more. "Enough!"

  Denber narrowed his eyes. "That's not even half as much as you need, Ilanna."

  "Thank you, Denber," she snapped. "Don’t you think I know that?"

  She shrugged out from under the coils of rope. Free of the burden, she glared at the pile at her feet. "Now what?"

  Denber stroked his chin. "Well, this is the standard, all-purpose rope, but I'm sure we can come up with something a little lighter. That means thinner and weaker, too, you know?"

  Ilanna shrugged. "I don't care. I'd climb a spool of thread if it could support my weight!"

  "Fair enough." Denber nodded. "You know, I think I may have a solution." He strode from the Aerie.

  She turned to Errik and Garrill. "You haven't told anyone, right?"

  Errik rolled his eyes and Garrill shook his head. "Of course not, Ilanna. You promised to do terrible things to us if we broke silence, remember?"

  Ilanna grinned. "Just checking."

  At that moment, the doors of the Aerie swung open. "Delivery for Ilanna of House Hawk." A man entered, wearing the dark colors of House Scorpion, but with filaments of gold thread intertwined with the black trim. He clasped a bundle under one arm.

  Ilanna brightened. "From Master Gold?"

  The man nodded. "You are Ilanna, I take it?"

  "I am."

  The man placed the bundle on the table, bowed, and retreated without another word.

  Errik reached for the cloth covering. "What is it?"

  Ilanna slapped his hand. "Mine!" With deft movements, she released the leather cord holding the bundle shut and peeled back the layers of cloth.

  Garrill gasped. "Keeper's teeth!"

  Within, lay a pair of leather gloves, but of a sort Ilanna had never seen. Curved steel spikes jutted from the palms and an additional clasp hung from the wrists—for added stability, she guessed. The black glove slipped onto her right hand as if made for her. Steel banded around her knuckles and the loop around her wrist pulled tight.

  Errik narrowed his eyes. "What are those for?"

  For an answer, Ilanna strode to the wall of the Aerie and dug the spikes into a crack in the masonry. She hung from one hand. The gloves bore her weight.

  "Amazing!" Garrill studied the other glove, still tucked in the bundle. "What are these?" He held up two studded pieces of metal, which hung from leather straps.

  Ilanna unhooked herself from the wall. "I think they're for my feet." The pieces of metal rested against the sole of her boots, running the length of her forefoot, with the spikes pointed inward. "They should give me extra grip on the wall."

  Errik eyed them. "Have you ever used them before?"

  Ilanna shook her head. "No, but I'll have plenty of time to practice. I still have months to complete my Undertaking."

  Errik leapt to his feet with a grimace. "Speaking of, I have my own to be getting back to."

  Ilanna placed a hand on his shoulder. "Very well. But don't stray too far. Never know when I'll need you again." She grinned up at him.

  The apprentice Serpent nodded. "Try staying alive and not getting caught, eh?"

  Ilanna grinned and waved farewell to Errik. The youth leapt out of the way as Denber rushed into the Aerie. "I think I've found it!" He carried an armful of black rope.

  Ilanna eyed it with skepticism. The cord looked slimmer than her little finger. "And that's supposed to hold me?"

  Denber grinned and dropped his load. "Only one way to find out." With nimble grace, he leapt up the ladder to the lowest level of the Perch. "Time to test your climbing skills."

  Ilanna removed the spiked glove and seized the end of the rope. She winced at the creaking of twine.

  Denber snorted at her hesitation. "Come on, Ilanna. Now is not the time to turn chicken."

  I'll show you chicken! With a growl, Ilanna pulled herself hand over hand up the rope. Nervous tension tightened every muscle in her body. It's going to break! Her heart leapt to her throat and her stomach clenched. To her shock, the rope held.

  Denber pulled her onto the platform with a grin. "Well I'll be damned! It works."

  Excitement coursed through her, washing away fear. "So it does. Now we just have to plan the rest of the job."

  "And you'll need to build your strength."

  Ilanna narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

  "Have you ever tried to climb a hundred paces up the side of a building, Ilanna?"

  "No. But I've done the Perch a h—"

  "The Perch is easy compared to the Black Spire. When you're dozens of paces in the air, hanging by nothing but your fingertips, it's very different."

  Ilanna rolled her eyes. "Fine. Just tell me what to do."

  Denber grinned. "For the next few months, we're going to spend every moment training. Trust me when I say you're going to hate every minute of it. But it's the only way you'll survive that climb."

  Ilanna growled. "You're loving this, aren't you?"

  Denber shrugged. "It's been years since I've been able to boss you around. I can't deny that I've missed it!"

  Ilanna glared. She knew he had good intentions—he genuinely wanted to help her—but did he have to enjoy it so damned much? Denber was too busy exchanging grins with Garrill to notice her fury.

  But so be it. If it means success, I'll run all the way to Voramis and back! She nodded. "I will do what I must."

  "Good. Now get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow."

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Ilanna bit back a curse as a twig snapped beneath her heel. Errik stiffened and glared over his shoulder.

  How in the bloody hell does he move so quietly? The Serpent slipped through the dense foliage without so much as a rustle of leaves. This would be so much easier if we were on the rooftops. Years of training had taught her to read every tile, shingle, and beam. She could slip across the roofs in absolute silence. But here, in the gardens of Duke Elodon Phonnis, she felt as clumsy as a newborn foal. Her boots seemed to find every twig and leaf. Her small pack had caught on branches more times than she could count.

  Errik pressed a finger to his lips. Ilanna nodded. Yes, thank you, Errik. You don't need to keep reminding me. She tugged her hood forward to hide a furious blush.

  They could afford no mistakes, not tonight. This was no practice run. Tonight, they attempted to reach the base of the Black Spire. They crept through the gardens of the Chief Justiciar of Praamis, a man every thief knew to fear. One misstep could alert the Duke's guards. One mistake and she would find herself dancing at the end of a rope in the public square.

  She clenched her jaw. Come on, Ilanna, you can do this! She'd spent every spare moment training with Errik and Garrill, learning how to move through the shadows like a Serpent or Hound. Only now, after six months, had they deemed her ready for the attempt. I have to live up to their expectations.

  Heart thundering, she followed Errik through the gardens. Slivers of moonlight trickled through the dense foliage, revealing a mass of exotic flowers, bushes, and trees. The musty smell of damp earth filled the air. A part of her wanted to explore the gardens; they would be beautiful in the daylight. Common sense kept her moving after the dark silhouette of the Serpent.

  Nervous excitement set her heart pounding and her head spinning. She stepped with caution, testing the ground with her toes, placing her weight. Errik had threatened to call off the attempt if her actions put them in danger. She had little doubt he'd carry out the threat.

  Errik snapped out a hand, snagging her cloak and pulling her into a crouch. What is it? Breathless, pulse thundering in her ears, Ilanna searched the darkness.

  Leaves and twigs crunched beneath heavy boots. Armor and weapons clanked in a steady rhythm. Light flooded the gardens. A trio of armored guards wearing the Duke's insignia tromped
toward them, carrying alchemical lamps and torches.

  Ilanna turned her face away and retreated into her hood. Stay perfectly still. Errik and Garrill had pounded the lesson into her. Her grey cloak would blend with the shadows as long as she remained motionless. Even the slightest movement would draw the guards' attention. She drew in short, silent breaths as the Serpent had taught her.

  Errik waited until the guards clattered around a bend in the garden path and the light faded. His teeth shone white in the moonlight. "Close one."

  Ilanna nodded and mouthed, "Too close."

  Rising from his crouch, he motioned for her to follow. They flitted from shadow to shadow like wisps. The thick canopy blocked the moonlight, making it easy for them to slip through the gardens unseen. A stiff breeze rustled the trees, hiding the sounds of their passing. They reached the edge of the gardens without encountering another patrol.

  Errik stopped her just before they broke from the cover of the gardens. Hounds barked in the distance. Ilanna stiffened and gripped Errik's arm.

  The Serpent shook his head. "Chained up."

  Her shoulders relaxed and her racing pulse slowed. That could be a problem! If the dogs were let loose in the gardens, their keen sense of smell would detect her presence long before she reached the base of the Black Spire.

  Errik placed his lips close to her ear. "Hardest part, here. Crossing walkway, open space, fifteen paces wide. Have to run. Hope no one is watching. Do as I do." He poked his head from the dense foliage, glanced around, and sprinted across the clearing.

  Every muscle in Ilanna's body tensed. She gasped when the Serpent reached the shadows of the wall. Ice coursed through Ilanna's veins and her stomach churned. My turn.

  She peered from the bushes. Moonlight revealed a garden walkway cutting through manicured lawns. She studied the ground, unable to tell if the darkness hid dips or bumps. She would make the run all but blind. What choice do I have?

  Taking a deep breath, she burst from the hedge and sprinted across the clear stretch of ground. The sound of her soft-soled boots on the grass seemed as loud as a carriage rattling through Old Town Market. Her heart thundered. Almost there!

  Her foot twisted on an uneven patch of lawn. Pain lanced up her leg and she sprawled to the grass. She tried in vain to roll with the fall and landed hard on her face. The impact slammed the wind from her lungs.

  Errik broke from the cover of shadows, racing toward her and offering her a hand. "Come on, Ilanna!"

  She pulled herself upright and half-ran, half-hobbled the remaining distance. Her chest and face ached and she struggled to breathe. She all but collapsed against the black stone tower.

  Errik crouched beside her. "You hurt?"

  Ilanna shook her head. She remained hunched, fighting to catch her breath. She was glad for the darkness; it hid her shame and embarrassment.

  "Come on." Errik glanced at the sky. "Not much time left. Now or never."

  A throbbing ache spread through her upper body, but she couldn't let it stop her. Swallowing her pain, she straightened and nodded. "Let's go."

  Errik crept along the base of the Black Spire, moving deeper into the shadows of the trees surrounding the tower. Ilanna groped her way down the wall. Her fingers traced fissures in the stone. None was large enough for an anchor, but the climbing spikes would fit. It will be difficult, but possible.

  She held up a hand. "Here."

  Errik nodded and slid to a sitting position. "Good luck. Make it quick."

  Ilanna slipped the studded gloves and shoe spikes from her pack. She'd practiced with the climbing gear every day for the last two months. Master Gold had even taken time out of his day to instruct her on their use—a high honor, indeed.

  She stepped up to the wall of the Black Spire. Time to see what I can do.

  The dark tower taunted her. She could almost hear it daring her to attempt the climb. She clenched her jaw. Watch me.

  Digging the spikes into the wall, she took her first step. Master Gold's advice echoed in her mind. "Find a hold for your feet. Let your legs do the work. Your arms will tire more quickly."

  Her claws clacked on stone, but the rustling trees drowned out the sound. Higher up, the sound would carry, but there was no helping that. She climbed at a steady pace, fighting the urge to hurry. Tonight is a test, nothing more. She climbed to get a feel for the tower, its stones, and her surroundings. She would climb a few paces—no higher than the treetops.

  The descent took far longer. Unable to see where she placed her hands and feet, she had to feel with the shoe spikes until she found a solid hold. Her muscles burned by the time she jumped into the soft grass beside Errik. The fire in her arms and legs couldn't diminish the excitement coursing through her.

  I did it. She'd known she could—had spent years training for this very moment. But it felt wonderful to prove it, even if just to herself.

  "Come on, Errik. Let's get the hell out of here before the guards come back."

  * * *

  "You should have seen me Ethen!" Thrusting her spade into the soft earth of her garden, Ilanna whirled to face her friend. "I made that run three times without making a sound."

  Ethen raised an eyebrow. "Out of how many attempts?"

  Ilanna blushed. "Five."

  Ethen laughed. "Not the worst odds, you know. So you think you're ready for it?"

  "I don't have much choice. The year is almost up. Between now and nameday, I have just one more new moon."

  Ethen's eyes widened. "You mean...?"

  Ilanna nodded. "Two weeks, Ethen."

  She found it hard to believe. The Night Guild had given her a year to prepare for her Undertaking. She'd invested every moment into her training in preparation for the challenge. She had run out of time.

  Ethen grew serious. He leaned against the garden wall, his eyes taking on a faraway look. Lines of worry etched his face.

  She squeezed his arm. "You knew it was going to happen eventually."

  "I know." Ethen shook his head. "I was just hoping you'd…"

  "Change my mind?" Ilanna bolted upright, glaring. "Don't you know me better than that?"

  Ethen threw up his hands. "Easy, Ilanna. Of course, I knew you wouldn't change your mind. Still, it can't hurt to hope that the woman you…your friend decides to not choose something suicidal as her Undertaking."

  Ilanna raised an eyebrow. "You worry too much, you know that?"

  Ethen shrugged. "Girl like you around, a fellow has a lot to worry about."

  With a snort, Ilanna settled her head back into his lap. His fingers twirled a lock of her hair. Heat rushed in her veins. Something about the way he touched her felt right. With Ethen, she never had the strange, uncomfortable feeling she'd had when Werrin made advances on her.

  She let her mind drift, pondering what could happen once they became full-fledged members of the Night Guild. Perhaps we'll have time…

  Ethen spoke in a soft voice. "I've missed you, you know."

  Ilanna smiled up at him. "I've missed you, too."

  "It's been odd coming here without you. The garden started to feel…lonely. But now you're here."

  "I know I've been absent, but you can blame Denber for that. He's never pushed me that hard before. I barely managed to steal a moment of time today to—"

  "Damn it! Time!" Ethen scrambled to his feet and Ilanna's head struck the ground.

  "Ow! Frozen hell, Ethen! What's wrong?"

  "I'm late!" Panic stained his face. "Master Scorpion will kill me if I don't make it."

  Ilanna waved him away. "Go! I'll see you tomorrow?"

  Ethen vaulted over the wall without a backward glance. Ilanna snorted and turned to her viola plant. Ethen had cared for the garden in her absence. The patch of bright flowers had grown; come spring, the color and rich fragrance of violas would fill the garden. I'll have to spend more time here once my Undertaking is complete. And more time with Ethen…

  "I knew I'd find you, bitch!"

  Ilanna stiffened a
t the voice. Her blood turned to ice. No! Him, here? How? She leapt to her feet, whirling and drawing her saber in one smooth motion. "Sabat." She spoke through clenched teeth. "Get out of here, now! I won't be responsible for what I do to you."

  Sabat's scarred lip twisted up into a sneer. "With that thing? I doubt it."

  A thump sounded behind Ilanna and she spun. Two of Sabat's cronies dropped into the garden. When she turned, four more Bloodbears had joined Sabat. Fear twisted knives in her stomach. Seven to one. Impossible odds, even with her sword. Though armed with only knuckledusters and coshes, every one of the Bloodbears towered over her. Even if she stopped one or two, the rest would overwhelm her.

  She gripped her sword tighter. "What do you want, Sabat?" Sweat trickled down her spine.

  Sabat parroted her voice in a high, whiny pitch. "'What do you want, Sabat?'" His sneer turned into a snarl. "I've been looking for you for years, trying to find out where you go when you come down from the roofs. And now I've found you."

  But how? Her heart thundered. She'd kept the garden secret from all save Ethen. Her friend would never tell Sabat. No, he had to find out some other way.

  Sabat cracked his knuckles. "It's time for payback, little Hawkling. You thought I'd let you get away with what you did?"

  Ilanna's eyes widened. "That was—"

  "Five years ago, Ilanna." He spat her name like a curse. "Five years ago you humiliated me in front of my crew. You know what happened after that? Your beating was nothing compared to what they did to me. The abuse they heaped on me, all because you made me look weak!" Spittle flew; his face twisted into manic rage.

  "And you deserved every bit of it, you bastard! For everything you did to me and to all the other defenseless Foxes and Grubbers you've beaten." Ilanna edged backward, a wary eye on Sabat and his companions.

  "No one deserves that, you cunt!" Sabat flexed massive hands.

  He took a step forward, and Ilanna's heart lurched. The Bloodbear towered over her; the top of her head didn't reach his shoulder and he stood easily twice as wide as she. Only the saber in her hand kept him and his cronies at bay.