Brendell: Rogue Thief

by Patrick Welch

  "Do you think I was the only prisoner of that mad witch? All of Houff is under her thrall. Her people long for their freedom."

  Algorph paused, then sheathed his knife. “Then perhaps you can help us grant their wish. You've been there; tell us about her defenses."

  "You know of her demon army, of course."

  "Of course."

  I paused. What fabrication would he believe? Better yet, deter him? “She has shadow sentries placed on all her borders. No single man, let alone an army, can hope to enter and not be seen. You know what her servants can do; you saw the disaster at Kastikaan."

  He nodded. “We expected as much. That is why we have chosen to blockade Houff rather than invade it. We will starve the witch to submission."

  "Your children's children will still be stationed here if you're waiting for that to happen."

  "What do you mean?"

  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see all his men were listening intently. I couldn't have hoped for a better audience. I just hoped my tale would be as worthy. “Pipo Fess is able to obtain all the food and supplies she needs."

  "Impossible!” and seconds later Algorph's dagger was resting against my throat. “We patrol the rivers and roads. No one gets in or out without us knowing."

  I did. “That's not how she does it."

  "Magic,” one of the other guards said.

  I took a deep breath before responding. “No, much more mundane than that. There is a tunnel leading from her manor to ... somewhere. I've seen wagonloads of supplies brought in through it."

  "What?” Algorph glared at me. “Impossible! We would know of it."

  I knew I had to play this lie to the end. “Why? You have spies in Houff?"

  In the firelight, I could see a trace of doubt on his face. “No. But we've never heard of it."

  "Pipo Fess guards her secrets closely. Like all magicians."

  "Where does this tunnel lead?"

  "It begins beneath her manor. I have no idea about the end. I only helped unload the wagons."

  He laughed. “Which I'm sure you enjoyed immensely. I'm not sure I believe you, Brendell."

  "And why should I lie? After what she's done to me?” I forced righteous anger into my voice. “I want her kingdom to fall more than you do."

  Algorph stepped back, then reluctantly sheathed his dagger. “If what you say is true, Brendell..."

  "It is."

  "We will have much to reconsider. If she can get supplies as you state, our current efforts are useless."

  Time to play my last card. “Not if you find her tunnel and close it down."

  Algorph ruminated briefly. “Indeed. I'll have to talk to my superiors.” He looked toward the river. “It would have to be on this side. She surely cannot burrow under the river."

  "Not without magical assistance,” I agreed.

  "Yes,” he replied softly. “Men, get him some clean dry clothes. Then secure him. At daylight I must speak with the commander."

  "And something to eat?” I asked as Algorph started back to his tent.

  "Yes,” he said and shook his head. “Feed the prisoner as well."

  Within a few minutes I was wearing new pants and shirt courtesy of a guard close to my side. I was then manacled and secured to a log near the fire and soon was enjoying a late meal of hare stew.

  While I ate I silently congratulated myself. Algorph would indeed present my fable to his superiors, and I was sure they would act upon it. Their contingent would now be stretched to the breaking point searching for the non-existent tunnel, making it easier for food and supplies to be smuggled into Houff by land and river. More importantly, I had bought myself time to get to Mount Perjheus and back. Now all I had to do was escape from the Assassin's Guild.

  I started the following morning. “Guard,” I said after breakfast had been served and the guards had changed shifts, “could I have my old jerkin back?"

  He looked at me coldly. He had not been there earlier and thus didn't witness my performance. But he had been told enough about me. “Why? You are a thief and our prisoner. You have no right to request anything."

  "This shirt I was given, it itches and it is too large. I'm sure the man who owns it would be happy to have it back. It's of much finer material than my jerkin."

  He grunted, then picked up my clothing, which had sat all night on a nearby log. “Dry enough,” he said and shrugged. Then he started going through the pockets.

  "They did that last night."

  He merely grunted as he continued, but, finally satisfied, threw them on the ground in front of me. “Put them on."

  I held up my manacled hands. “I'm afraid I'll ruin this fine shirt trying to remove it like this."

  Another grunt. He released one of my hands so I could remove half the shirt and partially don my jerkin, then put the manacles back on my wrist and repeated the process with my other hand. “Happy now?” he asked as he stepped back.

  He couldn't know how much. Sewn inside my jerkin was the dragon clause. Without it I had no reason to go to Mount Perjheus, perhaps no way to finally save Houff. “Yes, thank you,” I replied sincerely.

  Another grunt—he was the quiet type—and he returned his attention to his breakfast.

  I reached across my left side as if scratching an itch. Actually I was searching for the pick I had hidden in a seam of my leather jerkin. I was certain it was still there as one of the guards would have reacted in triumph if he had found it. They hadn't; I did. “I'm so glad you left the Academy your freshman year, Algorph,” I whispered as I worked it loose. Only in the advanced courses were you taught how to hide picks in clothing and elsewhere.

  Then I went to work removing my manacles. The guard looked at me once, but I appeared to be merely rubbing soreness from my ankles. By the time he finished his meal, my hands and feet were free. “I have to relieve myself,” I said when he rose to take his plate back to camp.

  Another grunt as he set his utensils aside, then approached to lead me into the woods. Just as he leaned over me, I jumped up, ramming my head into his chin. He gasped and fell back, his eyes already glazing over. It took me more time than I wished for my head to clear, but there was no sign anyone had noticed. I manacled him to the log and stuffed leaves in his mouth to keep him quiet for now. Then I hurried into the woods.

  Not far into the woods, however. In daylight, this close to camp, I could stumble across a guard any second. Instead I selected a tall tree and climbed up as far as I could. Then I hid among the leaves and branches and waited.

  It wasn't long before another guard arrived, perhaps to keep his fellow company. From my perch I could see him hurriedly releasing the captive, then yelling for help. Soon nearly a dozen guards were there, and if I strained, I could overhear bits of their conversation. Then their leader arrived and that was no longer necessary.

  "He what? Who was watching him?” Even from this far, I could see his face was red with rage and I longed to have the Far Glass right now.

  Several pointed to the culprit, still seated on the log, manacles loose on his legs, trying to rub away the pain from his sore jaw. The leader ran to him and jerked him to his feet. “How did this happen? How did he pick those locks?” I couldn't hear the unfortunate's reply, but it didn't appease his superior. “Algorph will take care of you when he returns.” He threw the guard to the ground, then spun on his heels. “The rest of you, get into the woods and find him. He has to be going to the river."

  "He won't escape, captain,” one said.

  "He better not. The colonel wants to question him about this tunnel. Now get out of my sight."

  They dispersed into the woods, leaving only their leader behind. I watched him study the manacles for a moment, shake his head, then take the path back to their main camp. I remained on my perch until I could hear nothing but insects and the breeze, then I slowly climbed down. Since I was certain the other guards were following orders and searching the riverbank, I went the other way. I approached the main camp
warily, but there was no one about save the captain, and he was eating his lunch and probably trying to create an explanation about my escape that would protect him from his superiors. He was easily avoided.

  I reached the far end of the camp and was debating whether to rob a few tents when I came across something better: fresh laundry hanging on a rope. I threw a guard tunic over my jerkin and now I could pass a cursory inspection as an Assassin's Guild member.

  Their horses were tethered not far away. The mounts were well trained and ignored my approach, being more interested in eating. I untied them all, then mounted one, which took no offense. As I started my slow way south, my only regret was that I hadn't liberated another meal from the camp.

  Which I rectified later that afternoon. I had ridden for perhaps two hours and managed to put the Guild camp a good distance behind me when I came across a group of hunters hunched around a small fire. They were not happy to see me approach. “We have nothing more for you, Guildsman,” one said as soon as I reined my horse. “We've had no luck this day as you can see."

  What does he mean? I wondered. Their angry countenances furnished the answer. The Guild had been laying siege to Houff for over a year. The guards had to be fed, and they certainly wouldn't waste their talents hunting or farming. Those near the Kastikaan borders were surely supplied by that kingdom, but those this far away had to get there supplies elsewhere. I surmised immediately they were using the excuse of protection to obtain what they needed without payment.

  "You defy the will of the Guild?” I asked sternly.

  The men turned their eyes to the ground immediately. “No,” one said with heavy resignation.

  "A wise answer.” I dismounted and confidently walked to the campfire. They moved aside reluctantly as I surveyed the meal they were preparing. A hare and several small birds were roasting on a spit. Beside it, a small kettle filled with wild onions was bubbling merrily away. “I'll take these for my men and I,” I said, grabbing the spit. “Only fair payment for protecting you from Houff."

  "Houff has never troubled us,” one mumbled as I walked away with my prize.

  "Be thankful we're here to ensure they never do,” I said as I mounted my horse. “Remember: what the Guild wants, the Guild takes.” Then I rode away, their muttered curses following me like a shadow.

  Excellent, I thought as I rode through the forest, munching on my ill-gotten meal. The Guild is rapidly outstaying its welcome. That bit of information could prove helpful down the road.

  Only once did I come across any Guild guards as I made my way east. When I saw them, I rode right up to them. “Where is your leader?” I asked as they stood at attention.

  "At our camp,” one said, pointing toward the river.

  "At ease. I have important new orders for him. How far?"

  "Ten minutes perhaps. Just head south and you can't miss it."

  "Excellent. Continue.” I rode into the forest until they were out of sight, then immediately headed east. Once again their rigorous Guild training became an asset for me as my apparent rank had eliminated all suspicion. Whether that would continue, however, was something I didn't want to test, so when I camped for the evening, I burned the tunic. Two days later I was at sea, finally on my way to Mount Perjheus.

  Freeing The Dragon

  The wind tore at me like some insatiable hawk, blowing the snow so hard it scoured my skin. I shouldn't be out in a storm this fierce, should stay huddled in a cabin until it blew over. But Mount Perjheus was famous for storms that could rage unceasingly for over a week, and I had already spent several months hopping from port to port, ship to ship, just getting here.

  I tried to peer through the whiteness, find a tree or anything that might provide a bit of shelter. It was so white that I could see no shadows, nothing ahead of my outstretched hand and my frosty breath being ripped from my lips. At least I had enough sense to tie a rope from my waist to a tree next to the small cabin I was staying at. I should be able to get back to safety ... assuming I didn't freeze to death first.

  "Madnizaroc,” I added my voice to the howling wind. “Your master is here, Madnizaroc. I demand you come to me."

  No answer save the wind.

  Could she hear me? I wondered as I yelled her name again. She had to sense I was near, had to feel the pull of the contract that remained hidden within my jerkin, one she had been tricked into signing, one that made her an unwilling slave to whomever possessed it. I debated if I should reveal the contract, but the storm could easily rip it from my grasp. I yelled again, then crouched, my back to the wind, shivering and struggling to stay warm. Come to me Madnizaroc. You want to come to me. I closed my eyes and continued whispering her name, as if my force of will would cause her to appear.

  I don't know how long I crouched outside in the storm. My limbs were growing numb, my breathing becoming as labored as if I were constantly running uphill. Then, above the constant song of the wind, I heard something else. Like distant thunder, approaching from the north. As the sound grew louder, it became more distinct. Not thunder, but a roar. A roar of rage. It had to be Madnizaroc.

  I opened my eyes then, just in time to see the whiteness explode in shades of orange and yellow and red, and suddenly it was not snow falling upon me, but hot rain. I looked up to see a great gray shape hovering above me. Streams of fire emerged from it, streaking through the sky, turning the snow to steam and setting nearby trees on fire. Slowly the shape revealed itself to be a fully-grown dragon as it approached, finally landing just five feet from me. “How do you like the weather?” I greeted her.

  The great creature studied me for a moment. Then it began to change, melting and folding into itself until instead of a dragon, a woman clad in royal green stood before me. “You have treated me most cruelly, Brendell,” she said, her eyes glowing even in the whiteness. “Dragons do not tolerate cold well."

  I rose slowly and shook the snow from my coat, the stiffness from my muscles. “Sorry for the inconvenience. Come, we have to talk."

  "Free me first. Free me now. You promised."

  "When it's time. Come.” I started back to the cabin, confident she would follow. She had no choice.

  I was already out of my coat and enjoying a glass of wine when she finally entered the small cabin. “Took you long enough. Have a seat."

  "I am not your slave, Brendell,” she said coldly, remaining in the doorway.

  "Maybe you're used to living in a cave, but I'm not. Close the door and sit."

  "Of course. Master.” She did so and I offered her some wine. She accepted it, but the ice in her voice and gaze remained. “You're here to free me."

  I shivered, and not because of the cold. This close, the evilness that emanated from her was nearly palpable enough to touch. Under her constant influence, her previous master, Lord Bandikane, had been slowly transformed from a competent and fair ruler to an intolerable tyrant. If I remained in her presence too long, I was certain the same could happen to me. “Yes,” I said slowly. “I told your minion I would free you. But you must earn it."

  "How?” She tried, but couldn't keep the anticipation from her voice.

  "You have to help me free the people of Houff."

  She threw back her head and laughed. “Since when do you care about anyone save yourself, Brendell? You are a thief, after all. Thieves are notorious for lacking compassion."

  "True enough,” I replied after lingering over my wine. “Things have changed. I have changed. I am in debt to the people of Houff for saving my life."

  "And you are in debt to me for stranding me here.” She stood and began stalking the room angrily. “Nothing to hunt but rabbits and mountain goats. Living in the deepest, darkest caves because only there could I find any of the warmth of the earth. Forbidden, forbidden, to leave until the day you finally deign to journey here.” She stood and pointed at me as if I was some mad dog loose on the streets. “You owe me far more than you could ever hope to repay!"

  I finished my wine and poured more b
efore replying. “And I should have loosed you in some clime where you could have terrorized the land at your leisure."

  She shrugged. “It's what dragons do."

  "Then you should be happy. Now you can put your natural proclivity toward destruction to good use. You're going to stop a war."

  "Really?” She studied her hands as if just finishing a manicure. “A war you say? I prefer to ignore your petty human disagreements. They don't concern me."

  "I have the contract, Madnizaroc,” and I patted my vest.

  "Let me see it."

  I yawned. “No need. You know I have it. You can feel it, can't you?” Her silence was all the answer I needed. “Good.” I looked out the window. The sky was darkening rapidly. “It's getting late and I need my sleep. Return to your lair and come back here in the morning. Then we will start our journey to Houff."

  She frowned, then smiled. “Is that what you really want, Brendell?” She merely touched the neckline of her dress and it vanished instantly, to reveal a fully grown, fully formed and fully nude woman. She cradled her ample breasts and aimed them at me. “There is much more I can do for you, Brendell, then slay your enemies. As you can see,” and she ran her hands along her waist, then down her thighs, “I am a woman in every way."

  I shivered anew, and from more than fear or cold. “If your desire is to pleasure me, then do so by following my orders."

  Her eyes darkened. Seconds later, her clothing had reappeared. “You are making things more difficult than they need to be, Brendell."

  I shrugged. “That's my way, I'm afraid. See you in the morning. Good night."

  She stalked outside, slamming the door behind her. Seconds later there was a tremendous roar of unequalled rage which continued until it disappeared within the screams of the storm outside. “She doesn't like you very much, Brendell,” I whispered to myself. After tomorrow, I was certain she would like me even less.

  I was right about that. “You want me to do what?” She was quivering with anger, and I knew that without the protection of the contract she would have reverted to her dragon form and turned me into a cinder in seconds.