Corbit’s Canyon was the home city of Katrien, the Patron of Thieves. The city’s history, as well as its very name, was a story well known all throughout the world, and one all Thieves loved to tell with the utmost pride. Few attempted to deny that it was a fantastic tale, regardless of their personal view of Thieves.
Corbit Perl was a man born in Dhanen’Mar more than four hundred and fifty years past. His Birth Patron was Thieves, as was his Secondary. He survived the threat of madness this choice risked, only to be blessed with a Thieves double fortune of skill and luck. Consequently, and in only years, he became renowned the world over for being one of the best of his trade ever to live.
His most infamous heist, however, had been the very canyon itself. At the time, the land had belonged to a lord born to Harvest, and used only to keep his large herds of sheep, cattle, and goats. Hiring a few rogue mages to create a barrier spell that would not allow any without a Thieves medallion to enter, Corbit Perl claimed it all, including the lord’s prosperous herds of animals.
Quickly, it was decided that the canyon, now named after its usurper, be the new home city of Thieves. Thousands flocked there, finding it a sanctuary that the officers of the Legion of Justice could not penetrate. Within Corbit’s Canyon, all Thieves found safety, including those who journeyed to it from distant lands and countries.
Corbit Perl’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest Thieves was now secure. He was also unable to leave the canyon he’d purloined, as Justice officers observed it night and day, waiting on the chance he would emerge so they could arrest him for his crime of pilfering it. They never received their opportunity.
For fifteen years Corbit stayed within the canyon’s confines, commanding the entire Thieves network which ran through every city and town in Dhanen’Mar. And when he died, taken suddenly in his sleep while a man of only forty years, he became the new Patron of Thieves.
Many were not surprised by this, as all Patrons were at one time mortal. All chosen were also those who’d risked madness by doubling their fortune, or those who chose no Secondary at all because they were either a part of the clergy, or simply too young to have yet done so. Cristiana, the current Patron of Death, was one of the latter, having been but a girl of six when she’d been called by her predecessor. The only question left to mystery was the length of time each Patron chose to hold their station.
Some presided over their dominions for centuries, such as Zalis, the present-day Patron of Healing. Others lasted only years before calling forth their replacement. Most Patrons, however, served for several decades. Corbit himself remained the Patron of Thieves for more than a century before finally selecting his predecessor, his soul then moving on to places unknown once free of its duties. Katrien, the current Patron of Thieves, had now been in service for fifty or so years.
But no matter how many Patrons were to follow him, Corbit would never be forgotten. Not only did his infamous canyon still retain his name, it also kept to the spells he’d had placed upon it. And it was for this reason Flynn Fajen wasn’t currently worried about any Justice officers suddenly appearing to arrest him and haul him off to jail for his schemes in Tyrell the week of Ardin’s Pride.
He was presently sitting in the common room of the Thieves’ clubhouse, which was in reality a sprawling, three-story mansion. Typically this was where any meetings were held, although he was now alone, the couches and chairs surrounding him all empty as he sat quietly, pondering. The past several days had brought to him many reports and much information. And most of it was anything but pleasing.
The Tulan affair, while a stunning success in terms of having met his aims, had resulted in a colossal disaster. The tumult begun by Knoxx in an effort to provide a distraction had grown into such ferocity that some did not survive it. Four lay dead as a result of this madness, with scores more injured. Several arrests had been made, including that of Lord Beran Tulan himself for the murder of his son. Evidently, his fight with Myron had grown so savage that he’d lost complete control of himself and beaten his son to death with a chair. Flynn had not yet revealed this to Tishan, but he was expecting her arrival here at the clubhouse soon. He remained uncertain of how she might react.
Matters at the Tulan ranch had not proved the worst of the evening, however.
The riot he’d instructed the Thieves of Sekasortia to instigate upon the streets of Tyrell, meant to act as a distraction to the Justice officers and nothing more, had claimed a much higher body count. Fifteen lay dead there, and the injuries incalculable. Much of the city also now lay in ruin, burnt and looted and utterly destroyed. Consequently many of the citizens were now homeless, others without the businesses that provided their livelihoods. Flynn still did not understand how it had all gone so horribly wrong.
Mounted upon the bronze pegasus who refused to leave him, he’d yesterday flown to Sekasortia, Dhanen’Mar’s home city of Chaos, to meet with and receive a first-hand report from those who’d begun the riot in Tyrell’s streets. The Thieves had appeared as horrified as he over the unexpected extent of their success. They were also just as mystified by it. Telling Flynn how it had taken almost no effort at all to begin the street riot, they’d grown astounded at the rapidity of the spreading violence. Evidently the Thieves, and those not only from Sekasortia but all present at the time, weren’t even responsible for the majority of the looting, instead high-tailing it from Tyrell as soon as matters began to fall out of control.
Finding no cause to lay blame or punishment onto those who’d only been following his orders, Flynn left Sekasortia and started back to Corbit’s Canyon in a daze of confusion.
None of this made any sense to him. He had planned dozens if not hundreds of these sorts of capers in his twenty-seven years, and none had ever seen results as unexpected—or devastating—as this. Had the entire populace of Tyrell gone mad that night? Perhaps if this had occurred upon a Tenth-day, one of Chaos, he could believe it, but this had been a Fifteenth-day, one governed by Death. He then wondered if the body count would have proved lower had the Tulans not picked a Fifteenth-day to hold their ball.
In need of answers but uncertain of where to find them, he returned to Corbit’s Canyon in a bitter mood.
Knoxx had been waiting for him with even more unfavorable news. Evidently the Justice officers had somehow pieced together the Thieves’ involvement in inciting the riot that had lost them three of their number, as well as an additional twelve persons. Consequently, all Thieves had henceforth been banned from the city of the Arts, and any found attempting to enter there would be executed. Also, this decree did not just stand for the week of Ardin’s Pride, but for all time. Tyrell was now officially off the map so far as all Thieves in Dhanen’Mar were concerned.
Interestingly, however, none had yet seemed to finger the identities of the individuals directly responsible for the Tulan thefts. Flynn found this remarkable, as several officers at the gates had seen him, and with his brown skin he was hard to mistake. But it had been full dark at the time, and it was feasible those seeing him had been distracted by the sight of the pegasus he’d been riding.
In any case, he would need to keep his ear tuned to any talk of this, for if any warrants were issued in his name over the disappearances of the horses and diamond, items worth enough to earn him a healthy jail sentence, he would be forced to remain here in Corbit’s Canyon for a time. This would prove extremely unfortunate, for at the end of summer, now only weeks away, the biggest illegal gambling event of the year would commence. The Thieves managed the entirety of this gambling, and it brought to them a generous income. Having to miss it due to warrants would not sit well with Flynn at all, but he would have little choice in the matter. The games of the King’s Challenge took place in Aralexia, the king’s seat in Dhanen’Mar as well as the home city of Justice.
On the other hand, he further mused, such a fact might just work in his favor. As it happened, King Redger DeSiva personally found Flynn amusing, a
result of the actions that had led to his exile from Ceja. It was therefore possible the king would grant a pardon for this very reason, or simply because even he enjoyed betting upon the event soon to take place in his city.
However, it had also been rumored for some years that King DeSiva was in fact quite mad, which made Flynn hesitant to guess at any of his possible reactions. Best he just sit tight in Corbit’s Canyon until he learned one way or another if he was being sought by the law.
Tishan so far also appeared to be in the clear. Unrecognized by any of the Justice officers present at the Tulan ball, she’d simply been assumed to have left Tyrell in grief after the death of Myron, most likely returning to the mountains in the north-east where she’d claimed to have been born. Not having given her real name to the Tulans, it appeared unlikely she would ever be properly identified, especially since Thieves were no longer permitted anywhere upon Tyrell’s soil.
As for Knoxx, his involvement would likely forever remain unknown—for besides the mages Villian and Synna, none at the ball had caught so much as a glimpse of him.
Despite all of this, though, Flynn still aimed to play it safe. Upon his order, neither Tishan nor Knoxx would be leaving the canyon until the final week of the season, no different than the restriction he’d given himself. It just wasn’t worth the risk.
The eight prize racehorses they’d stolen were presently all sitting in the Corbit’s Canyon stables, brought by the Thieves of Beavihm who’d been waiting in the woods outside the Tulan estate to collect them. Since selling them to anyone in Dhanen’Mar wasn’t an option, Flynn had reached out to some contacts of his, men across the sea and dwelling in the country of Balsh, and a price had been agreed upon. In just a few days’ time, all horses would be taken to the coast where they would then be boarded and shipped to their new home, a place where Flynn knew they would be exquisitely cared for.
The diamond was a somewhat larger problem.
Besides kings themselves, there were very few who could afford it as it was. Therefore, Flynn had little choice but to break it down into numerous stones. Unfortunately, however, men who acted as gem-cutters—the ones with any proficiency, anyway—were not common, and he was still attempting to track one down. He was hoping to have the diamond cut into at least six pieces, and then placed into settings of gold and silver, by the last week of summer. It was his intention to then take the stones to Aralexia, and sell them while the city’s population was overflowing with people come to watch the King’s Challenge.
But as for now, the diamond sat in all its glory upon the mantle in Flynn’s bedchamber. He rarely gave it a second glance.
Yet another concern requiring his attention was the pegasus. It was at present being kept in the clubhouse’s stable, but beyond that Flynn had absolutely no idea what to do with the animal. Knowing he was stuck until it had saved his life no less than three times—and he remained uncertain if their escape from the Tulan ranch accounted for one, as the crossbow bolt had not been guaranteed to actually kill him—he had devised a scheme in an effort to fool the beast.
A few days earlier, he’d had one of his Thieves “attack” him with a knife in full view of the pegasus. He’d been expecting the animal to intervene with hooves and perhaps teeth, and he’d warned his feigned assaulter to be ready for such a move. The pegasus, however, had done nothing but eye the scuffle, tail swishing, before snorting in apparent disgust and swinging his head to look away.
Puzzled, Flynn had attempted the same scheme a day later, receiving identical results. This time, however, Knoxx had happened along and lent some clarity to the matter.
“He’s a pegasus, Flynn, you can’t just hope to fool him,” the mage had chortled, apparently finding great amusement in the situation. “These animals are heart-readers, the reason why they’re almost impossible to capture or deceive—a truth which still has me very curious to know how the Tulans got their hands on them in the first place.”
Flynn had then coolly asked if there was any other pertinent information he should be made aware of.
“Nothing else comes to mind,” Knoxx had shrugged back at him.
Flynn then proceeded to give him a severe ass-chewing for not sharing this tidbit earlier, an act which resulted in the mage not being seen anywhere near to the clubhouse for the following two days. Truly, Flynn loved Knoxx like a brother, but at times, the man just didn’t think.
In light of the mage’s revelation, however, Flynn now knew himself to be completely stuck with the pegasus. He’d therefore decided to embrace the situation wholeheartedly, already putting some thought into schemes that the beast’s presence might lend aid to, as well as to naming him. The pegasus was now known as Caelis.
Caelis appeared to be adapting to life here in Corbit’s Canyon well enough, although Flynn knew he must be painfully bored. He therefore made sure to take the animal into the skies for at least an hour each and every day—a chore Flynn was growing to love more and more. There really was no comparing the sensation of soaring through the sky, while having a breathtaking, bird’s-eye view of the lands below. With resignation, Flynn suspected that when the time finally came for Caelis to return home, he would by then have grown so attached to the animal that he’d be heartbroken to see him go.
But all in all, the commander of Dhanen’Mar’s Thieves Guild presently had much to occupy his mind.
Now hearing approaching footsteps, Flynn looked up from the couch where he sat alone. Moments later, Tishan and Knoxx appeared in the common room; she was wearing her typical expressionless look, whereas the mage appeared uncharacteristically preoccupied.
“Have a seat,” Flynn told them, nodding to the empty couch opposite him. He watched silently as they followed his directive, while contemplating his next words. Noting his seriousness, neither Tishan nor Knoxx spoke, waiting for him to reveal why he’d summoned them.
“You both know there were fatalities at the Tulan estate the night we pulled our heist,” he began.
They nodded. When this information had initially been revealed, both had professed the same astonishment as Flynn regarding the matter. Whether either carried any guilt over it, however, the Thieves commander had yet to determine. Actually, he was still trying to sort out if he felt culpable for this himself. Certainly the actions of him and his Thieves had set things in motion, but were they truly the sole bearers of responsibility here? They had not put weapons into those people's hands and urged them to kill each other, after all. But it was a question Flynn continued to wrestle with.
“You said four were killed at the ranch,” Knoxx now said leadingly into his silence.
Flynn looked squarely back at the mage, and then turned his gaze onto Tishan. “One of them was Myron Tulan,” he said finally, watching her. “His father has been arrested for the crime.”
Tishan’s expression remained utterly unchanged, her hazel eyes staring back at him, but Flynn knew this meant little. She was, without question, one of the most difficult people to read he’d ever encountered. Knoxx, however, could typically offer at least a fair guess as to her thoughts, and so it was to him Flynn looked now.
The mage appeared pensive.
“We really must make an effort to seek out the deeper truth of that night, Flynn,” he said. “For this simply doesn’t make sense.”
Although there were times when Knoxx didn’t use his head quite as well as he should, it was also true that he could prove incredibly clever when he needed to be. That said, the words he’d just spoken had not, in actuality, been said for Flynn, but for Tishan. It was expected that Flynn understand them, however, and so he now responded accordingly.
“I agree,” he nodded. “I’m thinking of perhaps contracting a diviner to get to the bottom of this mess. But no matter the truth, the Tulans selected a most unfavorable day to hold their ball.”
Flynn and Knoxx now exchanged the swiftest of glances as they waited for Tishan to speak. They were hoping that whatever her
response, it would give them some clue as to whether or not she was buying into the excuse they were lying before her, hoping to alleviate any guilt she might be feeling over Myron’s death. But her reply, when it came, was completely unexpected.
“I think Magic somehow had a hand in this,” she told them matter-of-factly.
Flynn blinked quickly in surprise, seeing Knoxx do the same. Tishan had, once again, thrown them both clear off course.
“What makes you say that?” Knoxx frowned, turning to her.
She paused a long moment. “I’m not certain,” she finally admitted, biting at her lower lip.
Flynn again looked to Knoxx, but this time in question. He was not Dhan’Marian himself, but he knew how sacredly they held their instincts.
“Magic is your domain, Knoxx,” he said. “Can you shed some light on this, perhaps?”
The mage sank back into the couch, exhaling loudly. “I admit, I hadn’t thought of this possibility. But it’s feasible.”
Flynn frowned. “Explain,” he said.
Knoxx’s brows rose briefly. “Well,” he began, “certainly spells exist that could have brought forth such circumstances.”
“Villian and Synna?” Flynn guessed. “Perhaps they unleashed something prior to finding the pegasi, in hopes of aiding their escape?”
“No,” Knoxx came back quickly, shaking his head. “I should have been clearer; if a mage is responsible for this, he or she is a rogue. And most assuredly wearing a Secondary of Chaos.”
“Were you aware of any other mages upon the premises?” Flynn frowned.
“No,” Knoxx shook his head again.
Tishan turned to him. “What if Magic was the Secondary? I mean, would that still give them enough power to pull off something like this?”
A quick look then passed between the two, one Flynn could not decipher. And then Knoxx was nodding quickly.
“Certainly,” he said. “So long as their Birth medallion was Chaos.” He stopped suddenly. “That Jennite was wearing a Chaos Birth medallion.”
“Jennite?” Flynn interjected, frowning in question. He then listened as the mage relayed the rather bizarre occurrence of how this Jennite had apparently helped Tishan—and, unknowingly, Knoxx—escape the clutches of a couple Justice officers.
“That is rather strange,” Flynn murmured, thinking. “But was this man’s Secondary, in fact, Magic?”
Knoxx shrugged. “It was turned inward. Could have been anything.” He paused briefly. “A combination of Chaos and Magic is extremely rare.”
“No more than Magic and Thieves,” Flynn replied pointedly.
“True,” Knoxx agreed.
“So, do we think this is likely what happened?” Tishan cut in, looking from one to the other.
Flynn took her in, and immediately realized the answer to his question of earlier—yes, Tishan was feeling guilt over Myron’s death. And she was very anxious to discover who was truly to blame—if there was anyone but themselves to blame. Flynn still wasn’t certain there was much likelihood to this theory they were now discussing.
“This is a possibility,” Knoxx was now stressing cautiously to Tishan. Clearly, he too had come to the same conclusions as Flynn.
“So, how can we discover this for certain?” she came back, her eyes narrowed slightly.
“I don’t see how we can,” Flynn replied. “None wearing Thieves can get anywhere near to Tyrell now, and I fail to see any other way of gathering clues as to this Jennite’s identity.”
Her look relayed she was not pleased by this answer.
“If what we suspect is true, there’s a chance the Justice officers will determine it and hunt the man down themselves,” he went on, hoping this would placate her.
As expected, it did not.
“Knoxx can go,” she said. “He’ll just have to take care not to reappear while within the city limits.”
To Flynn’s great surprise, the mage actually began nodding enthusiastically at this suggestion. Apparently he was very determined indeed to dispel Tishan’s guilt.
“It should not be much trouble,” Knoxx said. “Tyrell is only a four day ride. I can be there and back in a week.”
Flynn regarded the mage with slightly narrowed eyes. He was finding Knoxx’s abundant willingness rather suspicious, although he could determine no likely reason for it.
“I thought we decided to stand upon the side of caution and remain here in the canyon for the duration of the summer,” Flynn said, still staring at the mage with interest. “The officers in Tyrell will lynch you should they discover you there. You wore your Secondary displayed all week, remember, so there will likely be many in Tyrell who can identify you for what you are.”
Knoxx gave a shrug. “Of course, I will not go without your leave. But I assure you, should you allow it, I will be neither seen nor heard.”
Flynn sat back, thinking. He was almost certain there was something Knoxx was failing to tell him. He also had absolutely no idea what it might be. But for this reason, he was going to deny the request.
He then made the mistake of glancing at Tishan. Her face, gazing back at him, was stoic, waiting silently for his answer. She would not beg, or cry, or even argue, if he denied Knoxx’s leave. But the guilt she now felt would have free rein, silent and tortuous, to eat away at her for the entirety of the summer. And that, he could not let happen, not if there was even a chance Knoxx might discover something of importance.
Withholding an annoyed sigh, he turned back to the mage. “One week, Knoxx,” he said, his eyes again narrowed. “Beginning at tomorrow’s dawn, you have one week to reach Tyrell, find out anything you can regarding this Jennite, and then return here to the canyon. If you are even an hour late, I will hand you over to the law myself.”
Knoxx nodded quickly, but Flynn also thought he saw a look of relief flash across the other man’s face. Whatever the mage was up to, he apparently had to leave Corbit’s Canyon to do it—a circumstance which made Flynn very curious indeed.
Chapter 16