Brendell: Rogue Thief

by Patrick Welch

  "Janizen Phrine."

  "Spell it."

  I did so, then watched silently as he turned the pages of the vast ledger. “Here we are,” he said after several minutes of turning pages. Then he looked at me with a distinct lack of trust. “I suppose I should write this down.” He took a quill and wrote an address on a scrap of parchment. “That will be three copper coins."

  "Three...” I bit off the rest of my comment. I could have obtained that information from a merchant or innkeeper for free, but it was too late for that. I handed him payment and he gave me the parchment. “Thank you."

  "Don't lose that,” he said as I started to leave. His tone told me he fully expected me to do just that.

  "I won't. Could you direct me to any lodgings?"

  "The signposts outside should suffice.” His attention had already returned to his ledger.

  "Of course,” I mumbled and hurried out. From now on, I decided, I would have no dealings with the Riazan government. It could prove too expensive.

  But the clerk had been helpful and so were the signposts. Still it was a long walk before I reached the area reserved for inns. They lined both sides of the broad street, brick and wood and gaily-painted to attract travelers. I made my way down the street until, near the end, I saw one showing obvious signs of disrepair. Their prices would be more reasonable, I decided and walked inside.

  I began to reconsider immediately. What little furniture was in the lobby was seriously worn, the floors dirty, and I could only hope that the shadow that darted into a corner was a mouse. And it smelled. This was not going to be a pleasant stay, I thought. But I expected to be a guest of Janizen Phrine on the morrow, so I forced a smile and made my way to the desk.

  It took several minutes of knocking on the desk before a tired and surprised clerk came from the back. He studied my ragged appearance and frowned. “What?” he asked with the warmth of an icicle.

  "This is an inn, yes? I would like a room."

  He looked at me like I had left my senses in my other pants. “A room?"

  "Yes. For the night."

  "For the night? We usually don't..."

  His reply was interrupted by a woman's voice coming from upstairs. Seconds later, two women appeared from a hallway. Their attire revealed much more than what a lady normally offered in public, and I finally realized that I had not stumbled into an inn, but a brothel. “I'm sorry,” I apologized quickly. “You are quite right. I do not want a room."

  The women must have heard me because they broke out in laughter. “You don't even want to visit for an hour?” the shorter asked, her hand fluttering over her ample cleavage.

  The brunette leered at me. “You look young enough.” Then she whispered loudly to her friend, “Maybe there's something wrong with his equipment."

  "My ‘equipment’ is operating fine,” I said coldly.

  "You don't have time for any other engagements,” the clerk interrupted. “You two are to be at Master Phrine's residence within the hour. Marna, you've never been to one of these, so do what Filiia tells you."

  The taller woman nodded and the two women headed out.

  I followed a few steps behind. Phrine? My original plan had been to approach the merchant as a merchant myself, but now there might be a more direct way. “Hold, ladies, if you will,” I said once we were outside.

  The shorter, Filiia, turned to me a bit upset. “You. What do you want now? There are other women inside who will service you. We are already commissioned."

  "Of course.” I smiled at each. “I had hoped to meet Master Phrine, a matter of grave importance. Perhaps if you would let me accompany you, you could help me in that regard."

  Filiia shook her head. “Our job is not to be chaperons."

  "I will make my own introductions. I will make it worth your time.” I opened my purse and counted out three gold coins. “For your assistance."

  Marna looked at the money, then at me. “We're already making more than that."

  "Six, then,” and I counted out more coins. “And you won't have to share with anyone."

  "And what excuse do we use for you?” Filiia asked. Still she took the coins. “Phrine obtains his males from other proprietors."

  "You're going by coach, correct?"

  Marna laughed. “Of course. It's much too far to walk!"

  "I'm your driver."

  Filiia frowned. “I doubt Master Phrine would allow you into his estate that way. Servants remain outside."

  "That's my problem. Agreed?"

  Since they had already taken my money, they already had. We boarded a carriage waiting for us at a nearby stable and we were on our way. “You'll have to direct me,” I said from my seat in the front.

  "Straight east, through the town and beyond. You can't miss it.” Then Filiia sat back and relaxed, enjoying this unexpected boon. I could only assume they would have had to drive themselves. With a flick of the reins we were off.

  She was right; it was impossible to miss the manor of Phrine. A stone wall topped by metal spikes stretched from the boundaries of his property to the gate and beyond. Several guards patrolled the front, swords unsheathed. This was a man who took his privacy seriously. I rode up to the gates and was immediately intercepted by an armed guard. “Your business?” he asked harshly.

  I pointed to the women in the back. “Guests of Master Phrine."

  He suppressed a chuckle. “Ladies, come with me. You, drive this carriage to the back and wait. They will take care of your there.” He helped the giggling pair out of the carriage and up the broad walk to the front door. I followed the path around the right to the rear, where other horses and carriages were waiting. Then I got out and joined the men, other drivers presumably, standing under a large tree. “This is it?” I asked when I arrived.

  One shrugged. “What would you expect?” He was holding a goblet, which I strongly suspected held water.

  I nodded as I casually looked around. Phrine clearly “took care” of his guests, but the hired help were another matter. There were several guards watching us, but they were standing near the entrance to the manor. It was apparent that as long as we kept our distance we would be ignored. “I've never been to one of these,” I said, the first words of truth I had spoken in several hours. “How long will this last?"

  He half smiled. “Master Phrine is known for his hospitality. We could be here until the roosters call."

  That was fine with me. As the night went on, the guards would become less observant. I took a cup of water—the only amenity we were afforded—and found a comfortable tree to lean against.

  So the evening went. Other carriages arrived, other servants joined our band. Being one of the few strangers, I was left to my own devices while the others engaged in conversations and several games of chance. The guards, unfortunately, remained at their posts. After a few hours, I decided it was time to get them away from it.

  So I wandered over to the group playing cards. Many had brought their own wine, knowing full well that Phrine would provide none. By now, quite a few, both players and onlookers, were well under its influence. I stayed on the periphery, just observing. After about a dozen hands, I knew who my unwitting assistant would be, so I made my way around to the far right, where a particularly large and drunk man was losing consistently. I managed to get behind him just in time to watch him lose another hand. He took a hearty and angry swig of wine before throwing in more coins for the next hand.

  I crouched behind him, watching the game. He drew the worst kind of hand, one good enough to play but almost certain to lose. He played anyway, tossing in his coins foolishly as the others steadily dropped out until only one player remained. As I expected from the deal, he lost. “Damn the gods,” he said as he threw down the cards and watched his coins being collected by the winner.

  "That had nothing to do with the gods,” I whispered.

  He turned and for the first time noticed me. “What do you mean?” he asked with a heavy tongue.

  "I'm
pretty certain that man cheated you. It looked to me like he dealt off the bottom."

  "He what?!” Then he jumped to his feet and pointed his finger at the winner. “Tamrath, you are cheating!” Almost immediately a knife was in his hand.

  The other gamblers were standing within seconds. I ignored the righteous yells of innocence from the accused as I hurriedly backed away. This shouldn't take long, I thought as I scurried around the ring of yelling men.

  I was right. The guards were immediately drawn to the uproar, which had now degenerated into pushing and shoving. They had all they could do to prevent a fatal duel, which gave me just enough time to slink unnoticed into the manor. The conversations and clang of cutlery told me the kitchen was to the left. I went to the right. Not that it mattered. I soon found there were people everywhere and trying to avoid them would have aroused suspicion as well as been nearly impossible. Fortunately I was not dressed in the livery of a driver, so both the servants and the guests just assumed I was just another visitor, even if not as well-dressed as most. I even managed to liberate a glass of mead from a passing servant and made my way around the outskirts of the horde, nodding greetings when required but avoiding all conversation.

  Eventually I made my way to the second floor. Here the trickle of visitors slowed, although didn't stop altogether. The mien of several men leaving side rooms convinced me that the women were working here. I made a leisurely stroll down the hall, searching for the library. According to the contract, that was where Phrine kept his most valuable possessions, including the gem that was to be stolen.

  The double doors were a dead giveaway. I leaned against one door, appearing as if I was just resting. Actually I was listening, but I heard nothing moving within. I turned the handle lightly but it was locked. Now convinced, I pulled a pick from my vest pocket and within seconds had the door open. I ducked into the room and locked the door behind me.

  The room was unlit and curtains covered the windows. It took me a moment to adjust to the darkness. The bookcase at the far left wall, the contract had said, the gem hidden inside the fourth book from the corner on the third shelf. I reached the left wall soon enough and understood why that would be an effective hiding place. The entire wall was lined with shelves, which were in turn filled with books. Without such specific instructions, it would take hours to go through every tome.

  This should be simple, I thought. I had an inexpensive gem hidden in an inside pocket. I planned to replace the real gem with it. After an appropriate wait, I would return the real gem to the merchant. And another licit contract would have been foiled. Like I said, simple. You'd think I'd learn.

  I had almost reached the proper tome when I heard a soft click. Someone was opening the door. Cursing softly, I ducked down and crawled along the wall to the massive desk in the center of the room and hid beneath.

  Was it a guard? I wondered as I heard the door close softly. No, it couldn't be a guard, I realized. They wouldn't be that concerned about making noise. I watched from my hiding place as a shadowy figure walked to the left wall, then down the bookshelves. It paused at the very end and reached up to remove a book. Then the figure turned and opened the curtains slightly to allow some light into the room.

  And I recognized the thief. I watched as Marna removed the jewel, dropped it in her ample cleavage, then returned the book to the shelf before leaving. I cursed silently as I heard the door close and lock once again. In one way I admired her; a prostitute was the perfect disguise for her, one that would be nearly impossible for me to use. Nor would I want to. But now she had the gem, and she would surely be leaving the city in the morning. Which meant I had to obtain it tonight.

  But I couldn't do it here. I waited several moments before venturing from the library. From there it was a leisurely stroll down the hall and the stairs to the floor below. The crowd was thinning noticeably, so I casually left with some of the guests, then ambled to the back where the carriages awaited.

  I was almost immediately greeted by a very large, very angry man. “You. You're the one!” and he waved his fist before my nose.

  I put a fingertip on his knuckles and moved his hand aside. I recognized him, the losing gambler. “The one what?"

  "You told me Tamrath was cheating."

  "I did? Cheating at what?"

  He remained unappeased. By the swelling under his left eye, he must have paid for his actions. “Cards. You were sitting behind me and said Tamrath was dealing from the bottom of the deck!"

  I scratched my chin. “I don't recall saying any such thing. Was he?"

  "You're going to pay,” and he grabbed the front of my vest.

  "Enough of that, now,” and a guard approached us. “You,” he pointed at my accuser, “you have already caused enough trouble this evening. Back to your carriage."

  The man reluctantly released me, gave me a withering stare, then stalked away. The guard now turned his full attention on me. “Where have you been? I haven't seen you around the fire."

  "I went for a walk. Use the outhouse. I knew I would be here until early morning so I found a quiet place to take a nap."

  "Who are you with?"

  "A pair of entertainers. Women."

  He pointed. “You just came from the front of the manor."

  "I took a walk. Nice place your master has here."

  He took out his knife and admired the blade briefly. “You were supposed to stay here with the other drivers."

  I forced an apologetic smile. “This is my first time here. I don't know all the rules yet."

  "Here's the first. Raise your hands."

  I complied and he did a rapid but expert search. But he found only what I wanted him to find, so after a moment he grunted and shoved me toward the other waiting drivers. A few, surely acquaintances of the man I had befriended, gave me withering glares, but the guards were now more alert so they wouldn't trouble me here. Still I avoided them as I found a place to sit and plan.

  I was fortunate I had watched Marna steal the jewel, not fortunate that she had the jewel. So how was I to stop her? I was only given a few minutes to think and plan when I heard a commotion, then a woman's voice call out, “Where's my driver?” I looked up to see Marna standing among a group of appreciative men.

  "Right here, my lady,” I called back and stood. The other drivers made way reluctantly as I approached. “How may I serve you?” I asked when I reached her.

  "We're leaving now. Get our carriage."

  "It's this way. Come,” and we started toward the rear where the conveyances waited. “Where is Filiia?” I asked as we walked.

  "She's staying until morning,” Marna said sharply. “You can come back for her later."

  "As you wish, my lady.” I suppressed a smile as I helped her into our coach, then took my position behind the reins. Of course she would want to leave as soon as she had stolen the gem. Just the way it was taught in Acquisition 101 at the Academy. Now I was going to discover just how thoroughly she had learned her lessons.

  We started down the long brick road leading to the front of the manor and beyond. “You've had a successful night?” I asked cheerfully.

  "I'm tired. Please don't talk, just drive."

  "Of course,” I said, pretending to be properly chastised. A few guards approached but were only giving us a cursory glance. Which wouldn't do at all.

  We were nearing the gate when, from somewhere, a voice rang out. “Robbery! Robbery! We've been robbed!"

  The lounging guards snapped immediately to attention. “What was that? Who said that?” one of the nearest to us asked his companion.

  "I don't know,” the other said, drawing his sword. Then he looked at us. “You. Stop. Now!"

  "Of course,” I said, immediately reining in the team. I smiled as he approached. “Is something wrong?"

  "There's been a robbery. Get down here."

  "If you wish.” I disembarked, then approached Marna. “It seems these gentlemen wish to question us,” I said and offered my hand.
r />   "This is ridiculous. I've been working all night,” she said coldly, ignoring my offer of assistance.

  "Get out of the wagon,” the guard said and pointed his sword at her.

  "Fine,” and she yawned expansively. She took my hand and climbed out. Her foot caught the bottom step and she stumbled against me. “Sorry. I'm very tired."

  "Quite all right,” I said. Which it was, as she had just passed the stolen jewel on to me. I turned my attention to the guards. “Could we hurry this along? The lady needs to return to her home."

  "We will send you on your way as quickly as possible. Now stand still."

  "What are you looking for?” I asked as one of the guards began searching me.

  "Whatever was stolen,” he said, one hand diving through my empty pockets.

  You won't find it there, I thought as I endured the search. Marna had done just what I hoped she would: hide the stolen item if the theft is discovered. I happened to be the most logical place. If they found the jewel, I would be accused, not her. But she didn't want it found, either, and she had hidden it well. After a few more moments, they let me go and concentrated on her.

  The guards must have enjoyed searching Marna more because their efforts were much more thorough. She tolerated it stoically and after another few minutes they stepped back. “You may leave,” one guard said crisply.

  "Thank you,” I said and nodded. I helped her back into the carriage and then once again we were on our way. I looked back as we neared the gates. The guards were busy searching all the other guests, angering most, inconveniencing all. And they still had no idea what they were looking for, or who had given the warning.

  Which just happened to be me. Ventriloquism had been one of my electives at the Academy, but it was a talent I hadn't used for years. Fortunate I was that it was night and no one had been watching me for I was certain I had moved my lips.

  I maintained a leisurely pace as we returned to Riazan City. Marna was asleep, or at least pretending to be, so I said nothing until we arrived in the city. “Wake up, my lady,” I said. “We'll be at your inn soon."