Opening night of Ardin’s Pride—there was no other celebration like it anywhere in Dhanen’Mar. Flynn Fajen’s Birth medallion displayed neither Arts nor Commerce, but, as a rule, this week’s festival would prove very lucrative for him and his chosen companions; for all three, whether by Birth or Choice, were governed by the Patron of Thieves.
“I believe it is safe to say the Legion has noted our arrival,” Flynn remarked in a low, amused tone. He and his companions, just arrived from their home city and base of operations, Corbit’s Canyon, were presently strolling down one of Tyrell’s main laneways. Although it was very nearly dawn the streets were far from deserted, with many die-hard revelers still going strong.
“Well, our collective presence is hardly subtle,” Knoxx Alvik replied genially.
Flynn grinned. There was no doubt the local Justice officers had been anticipating their presence here, and indeed the three made for a memorable group. Flynn, a native of the country of Ceja, had brown skin, blue eyes, and a reputation which preceded him—even before his actions had earned him an exile from Ceja and won him the command of the entire Thieves network here in Dhanen’Mar.
His male companion, Knoxx Alvik, was also rather notorious in his own right. Born to Magic, Knoxx had defied the rules of his kind by refusing to choose either Justice, Healing, Harmony, Magic, or Destiny as his Secondary. Instead, he’d chosen Thieves, earning himself much scorn from his fellow mages as well as his own exile from their Isle, Venaris Sheea. The combination of his Patrons—Magic and Thieves—made him extremely proficient in his chosen occupation.
Their trio was completed by the presence of Tishan Ravare. Tishan did not like drawing attention to herself in any form, and while her skills as a thief did not often threaten this, her appearance did. Her hair was long, curly and golden, her eyes hazel, and her face one that would make even queens weep with envy. Born to Thieves, her Choice Patron remained a mystery, always turned inward and hidden from curious eyes.
“They can’t arrest what they can’t catch,” she said now, her gaze subtly scanning the street before them.
“And they can’t catch what they can’t see,” Knoxx added, smiling into the face of a passing Justice officer.
The act that had seen Flynn’s exile from his native country of Ceja had impressed the Thieves of Dhanen’Mar so much that they’d voted him their commander, a position he’d now held these past four years. As such, his presence was always expected at the country’s numerous yearly events and the law tended to watch him carefully. Of course, and despite all of their efforts, the officers had never yet managed to outright catch him at anything.
Besides Knoxx and Tishan, Flynn was aware of a multitude of other Thieves now present in Tyrell. Many were also from their Patron’s home city of Corbit’s Canyon, others from the networks of Dhanen’Mar’s other fourteen large cities, and some merely wayfarers who made their way along the roads. Many of these Thieves would be apprehended and charged this week. Many others would not. But all would provide distraction to the Justice officers, allowing Flynn and his chosen cohorts more freedom to pull off their own heist. And this year, it was going to be an especially fruitful one.
“I’m hungry,” Knoxx announced then, looking about.
“I could eat,” Flynn nodded. “Tishan?”
She shrugged.
The nearest tavern was an establishment named The Rejoicing Rooster, and Flynn led the way toward it with a determined stride. He was aware of, but did not acknowledge, the stares of the Justice officers following his every move. He would not be surprised if a few of them actually followed his party right into the tavern. But, by this time, he was well accustomed to his own notoriety.
They nearly bumped into two young women and a man who were leaving the tavern just as they were entering. Not surprisingly, Knoxx hurriedly swept aside with a flourish and held the door while graciously gesturing the women through.
“My ladies,” the mage said to them with a wide smile.
The taller of the two women humored him with an amused grin as she swept past. “Kind sir,” she returned with a nod.
Knoxx’s grin widened as he clearly took this as encouragement. The females in their home city of Corbit’s Canyon all knew better, but this poor girl clearly had no idea what she was in for, Flynn thought.
“I would be most pleased if you were to remember my kindness, should the fates be so generous as to favor us with another chance encounter. Perhaps later this evening?” Knoxx called to the woman’s retreating back.
Flynn and Tishan exchanged a look, both rolling their eyes.
The tall young woman had now paused and turned back. It was clear Knoxx’s invitation had caught her interest, but her expression made it difficult to determine the nature of the response she was now forming.
“If the fates truly wished to be generous,” she replied, now staring Knoxx full in the eye, “they would surely offer me a suitor who is not a chosen thief.”
Knoxx’s Secondary medallion was rarely if ever concealed, displayed proudly almost as a sign of honor, and clearly this woman had taken note of it. Her apparent prejudice toward Thieves was not uncommon, a fact of life they all lived with, but it was obvious Knoxx had not been expecting such a barbed response now.
“I see the lady keeps to a rather narrow world view,” he replied in a cool tone.
The women’s male companion now stepped past Knoxx, giving the mage a brief pat on the shoulder as he sauntered by while wearing a rueful grin. “Don’t take it personally, friend, for that one has specific tastes. I should know, I’ve been trying to bend them now seven years running.”
Knoxx shrugged. “The other is more to my liking anyway.”
The man laughed. “At your own risk, then. She’s a Savannon diviner.”
Although a native Cejan, Flynn was well aware of the Savannon line here in Dhanen’Mar, and he turned his eyes to the woman now in question. She was petite, with glorious black hair and lots of curves. She was also now turned and staring back at him with slightly narrowed eyes. He hoped she wasn’t picking up on any of his imminent plans here in Tyrell, for since he had not paid for her services, anything that came to her would be free game to report to the Legion of Justice.
Thankfully, she simply turned and started away.
“Come along, Reavis,” her voice carried back. “I do believe it unwise to become mixed up with that lot.”
“You should be so lucky!” Knoxx hollered after her, adding a crude hand gesture.
“Serves you right,” Flynn said, shoving the mage through the doorway before him. Tishan brought up the rear, muttering under her breath. Even a hint of prejudice against Thieves tended to ignite her temper as nothing else did.
Flynn settled his party into a booth where they would have the privacy to speak freely. Although far from deserted, the tavern wasn’t nearly as busy as it must have been even a few short hours earlier. The celebration in Tyrell the week of Ardin’s Pride never fully stopped.
They waited until their breakfasts had arrived before addressing their business.
Flynn removed a hand-drawn, detailed map of Tyrell from his sleeve and laid it down upon the table.
“The Tulan ranch lies here,” he said, indicating an X on the map just outside the city. “On the last night of the festival, the Tulans are planning a grand ball, and have spared no expense upon it. Performers from the opening troupe have been hired as entertainment, as well as mages for a fire- show.”
“Mages,” Knoxx repeated sourly. “I suppose they will fall under the shadow of my responsibility.”
Flynn nodded. “The sight of your Birth medallion should also keep any suspicions from arising over your presence, if you are even seen, that is. Just be certain to keep your Secondary well hidden.”
“That should work well enough, so long as the other mages take no notice of me. I am rather infamous among my own kind, you know. Not for seven hundred years has one born to Magic chosen Thieve
s.”
Flynn looked at him. “I believe the last was Sury Nye, born nine hundred twenty-two in the country of Gaitlin. Died nine hundred forty-eight in the country of Jennen. Most renowned heist: The jewels of Swythe Island, taken in nine hundred thirty-nine and still hidden to this day.”
“No one favors a smart ass, Flynn,” Knoxx said.
Tishan chortled. “Have you any idea how much coin I’ve made from watching fools wager upon his Thieves’ knowledge? He’s never wrong.”
“I thought we were plotting here,” the mage scowled.
“Very well, then, let’s plot,” Flynn returned. “But as for you staying clear from the sight of any of your fellow mages, I’m certain that’s one thing you can handle,” he said pointedly.
“What of me?” Tishan asked, pushing the fruit salad around on her plate. The woman ate like a bird.
“You,” Flynn went on, turning to her, “are soon to strike up an acquaintance with Lord Tulan’s eldest son, Myron. He has recently lost his wife during childbirth, and rumor has it that he already has a roving eye out and about for her replacement.”
“He has not already secured accompaniment to the ball?”
Flynn grinned at her. “You ask that as though it would matter.”
She didn’t reply.
“Although,” he went on, “he may show some suspicion at the sight of your Birth medallion.” Because Thieves was her birth sign, she would not be able to conceal this information as she did her Secondary. But this did not appear to be vexing.
“That will not be a problem,” she returned to him without pause.
He was curious, but didn’t ask. “Invitation to the Tulan ball is coveted and exclusive. Only half of Tyrell’s high society has been requested, along with a slew of lords and ladies from other cities about Dhanen’Mar, here now for the festival.”
“Clearly the Tulans are using this as an opportunity to show off their wealth,” Knoxx observed.
“Indeed,” Flynn agreed, “while giving us the perfect opportunity to humiliate them on a truly grand scale.” He smiled.
Lord Beron Tulan had had the extreme lack of foresight to personally offend Flynn, as well as his entire network of Thieves, at last year’s Ardin’s Pride celebration. The year since had seen the Thieves plotting their retaliation for this act.
Flynn’s Choice medallion boasted Revenge.
“Who’s handling the distraction?” Tishan asked, spearing a piece of watermelon with her fork.
“Those from Sekasortia will take the streets of Tyrell,” he answered, referring to the branch of the Thieves network based in the home city of Chaos. “I figure they’ll be the most effective, being highly familiar with the environment they’ll be trying to create. For certain, this will be one closing night not soon forgotten.” His smile widened.
“And upon the road?” Tishan pressed.
Flynn nodded. “On the night of the Tulan ball, I’m expecting some Justice officers to be in attendance for security purposes.”
“The nobles must be kept safe,” Tishan said with mocking concern. Her intolerance for the highborn was well known to her companions.
“In any case,” he went on, “we’ll have to figure on their pursuit once we’ve made off with what we’ve come for. I’ve requested those from Beavihm to aid us there,” Flynn told them, referring this time to the Thieves based in the Travelers home city. “We’re still in the planning stages of how to best work it, and I’ll need to know exactly how many officers we’ll be up against.”
Knoxx shrugged. “We have time.”
Flynn nodded again. “True, and while I’m seeing to these strategies, I want you two on your own assignments immediately. Tishan, seek out Myron Tulan and do whatever you must to gain his invitation to the ball. Knoxx, you need to start nosing about to discover which mages will be present, and what their strengths are. Should we find ourselves in trouble, I want to know what to expect.”
“Spy and intrigue against my fellow mages?” Knoxx said. “I can do that.”
“Good. Tishan?”
“I will secure my invitation before the sun has set this night,” she stated.
Flynn grinned. “Excellent. Then let’s get to work.”
Tishan left the tavern first, while no doubt silently plotting out her task of the day. Almost without exception she favored working alone, her exact methods therefore remaining a mystery to Flynn, but so long as the job was accomplished—as it always was—he was satisfied. During the occasional tasks that did require her to have a partner, Knoxx was without fail her choice. The two laughed and fought like siblings, likely encouraged by the fact that Tishan was one of the only women in all of Dhanen’Mar the mage respected enough not to proposition. Flynn suspected Knoxx knew things about Tishan no one else did, but this was not a confidence he would attempt to infiltrate.
The mage, lean as he was, ate enough for three men before getting to his feet and leaving Flynn alone in the tavern. Once he had vanished out the door, Flynn turned to the map he’d drawn, considering. The Thieves from Beavihm, those he would position upon the road leading to the Tulan ranch, were going to be instrumental in seeing that he made it out successfully with his prize, although he was as yet uncertain how best to use them. But an idea was beginning to take shape in his mind.
He chuckled quietly to himself at imaging Lord Beran Tulan’s forthcoming humiliation. His attempt of a year ago to have all Thieves banned from Tyrell during the week of the Ardin’s Pride had not been accepted by the city council, but it had kicked up a mighty ruckus, nearly bringing all of Tyrell to a clash as each side prepared to protest either for or against the proposition. Especially after Flynn had presented himself to Lord Tulan in an attempt to smooth matters, only to be publicly denounced as a “useless and shameful stain upon the rest of humanity” as well as having all his Thieves named “sneaks and honorless wastrels who should’ve all been drowned at birth.”
The last had been a particularly pointed barb, for all knew the infamous Thieves credo of Honor Only Among Thieves.
Naming them all honorless wastrels had indeed been a serious mistake, for every thief in Dhanen’Mar had taken it as a personal insult and accordingly vowed revenge. The fact that their current commander wore a Revenge Choice medallion only seemed to validate their own wisdom in voting him their leader four years earlier. The hundreds of Thieves now in Tyrell were eagerly awaiting the smallest of instructions from Flynn so that they might have a hand in the imminent vengeance to be taken upon Lord Tulan. For all wanted to have a part.
And there would be jobs for all, Flynn knew. Infiltrating the Tulan ranch would be the least challenging step; actually acquiring their objective, and then successfully making off with it, would be one of his greatest obstacles. But, considering his past successes, Flynn figured it could be managed so long as his planning was sound. Timing would also play a great part, although he had little doubt that both Katrien and Rizea, the Patrons of Thieves and Revenge, would be generous in their blessings that night.
Flynn then debated picking up a few good luck charms, primarily for morale. Although Ceja was not a country as superstitious as Dhanen’Mar, it was not so strictly against such beliefs either, as were the Jennite lands; Ceja’s practices rather tended to lie somewhere between the two extremes. But he had adapted to life quickly here in Dhanen’Mar, and figured a bit of extra luck certainly couldn’t hurt, as well as boost the confidence of his fellow Thieves. Maybe he could even manage to locate an eagle feather – the luckiest of all fortunes.
He paid the barmaid for their breakfasts and made his way out into the streets of Tyrell. Immediately he noted the presence of three loitering Justice officers, men clearly awaiting his reappearance. The others, he quickly determined, had most assuredly gone after Tishan and Knoxx.
Flynn briefly amused himself at imagining the ways in which Knoxx was no doubt using the situation to annoy and confuse the officers, for his mage-power
was the ability to turn invisible. A gift which made such mischief almost effortlessly easy, as well as being a talent incredibly useful for a thief.
Flynn smiled and waved at the officers, and then hurriedly lost himself in the early-morning crowd. He was not known as the sneakiest man in all of Dhanen’Mar without good reason.
Chapter 5