Siege of Pailtar Read online

Hopping down from her perch, Kiana moved quickly towards the Barnyard. Luckily, the dingy bar was only one street up from the docks and she had plenty of time to get there and try discovering the secrets to the bar’s back door locks. Without doubt the door would be difficult to enter.

  Entering the back alley, Kiana studied the door. Thick oak, with a large heavy handle, the door was by no means inviting. The note had not specifically said to break into the building so Kiana tried the traditional means of gaining entry into a locked door. She knocked.

  When no one answered, she knocked louder. Again, no one came to the door. She had not expected anyone to come to the door, but it was much easier explaining herself after knocking than if caught trying to pick the locks. Now that she knew she was going to have to break into the building, she studied the locks.

  She could see the keyhole by the door handle was high quality metal and would not give if she tried to force her way into the door. Not that she would, brute power was not her style. Kiana was an artist, especially with a lock pick. Taking her tools out of her pocket, Kiana went to work.

  As she tested the tumbles of the lock, Kiana realized this was no ordinary lock. Ordinary locks had a series of several tumblers, small devices that were lifted when the correct key was entered. Most locks she saw had three maybe four tumblers. This lock had seven.

  Breaking into this door would have been difficult, if she had not been picking locks since she was three years old and barely able to say the word tumbler. Her mother spent many loving hours imparting her skills on Kiana. With deft fingers Kiana manipulated the lock. Within moments she heard the sweet sound of the lock giving way. Turning the handle she entered the back door of the bar. Inside, she found herself on a small landing platform, with a small set of stairs heading up and another heading down. Above the set of stairs that descended she noticed a small infinity symbol ‘∞.’ Down the narrow dark set of stairs she went.

  The stairwell went down, turned and went further down. Sixty-seven steps later (one never knew when knowing small seemingly trivial bits of information might come in handy) she found the basement. The basement was a dirty corridor with four doors on each side. Above the third door on the left she could see another infinity symbol carved into the door frame. The symbol was very small, hardly noticeable, but that was how the Guild worked, small deceptions towards a greater gain.

  Inside the room was a table with two chairs, one on each side of the cheap and flimsy looking table with a candle sitting on the table spreading its flicker soft light into the room. On the other side of the room, standing in the shadows was the outline of a person. Kiana could not make out the mysterious person’s face beneath the hooded grey cloak. A soft clear voice spoke from the hidden face.

  “Kiana Clairmont, only daughter of former guild member Lilliana Clairmont, wife of non-member Spencer Clairmont, potter and non-magic user. Your grades at city school were above average but not exceptional. You kept a low profile, school records show no incidents. Outside of several teachers noting a distinct level of stubbornness you were decidedly average.

  Decidedly average, that is awesome! thought Kiana. Decidedly average sounded terrible, but to a wouldbe thief, average meant blending in. Decidedly average was a high compliment in the Guild’s world. Come to think of it, decidedly probably wasn’t even a real word was it? Her grammar teachers would have preferred to call her that stubborn mule child instead. Kiana’s musings on the word were interrupted by the continuation of the stranger’s report on her history.

  “You have never been caught pickpocketing or breaking and entering, but by all accounts you have entered at least twelve residences in the last year under your mother’s supervision, and have been spotted picking pockets in the market by Guild members at least three times in the last year. The members that noticed only had complimentary things to say about your technique.”

  This last part surprised Kiana. That her mother kept the Guild informed about them breaking into houses as practice was not surprising. That Guild members had seen her picking pockets was what caught her off-guard. She had thought no one had ever noticed her. A silly thought, now that she had to admit it. It was more a childish source of pride that a realist outlook. The Guild had eyes everywhere.

  Still only three times was pretty good considering the hundreds of pockets she had slipped her hands into over the years. Her mother had trained her exceedingly well.

  “Today’s assignment was to take the purse off of the blonde woman in the burgundy dress in the market. Hand over the purse please,” said the stranger.

  Kiana pulled the small leather pouch out and placed it on the table.

  The stranger stepped out of the shadows, walked to the table and took the purse. The man felt the purse and quickly spoke “and the coins?”

  Reluctantly Kiana took the three copper coins out of her pocket and placed them on the table.

  The man inspected the coins, before placing them back on the table.

  “Tell me about the lift. Were you noticed? Describe the process.”

  “After receiving the note this morning, I headed to the market. When I saw the lady that matched the description I followed her. Once I found a pattern to her movements I went through an adjacent ally to a spot where she would likely walk. There I waited until she arrived. Using ventriloquism, I created a small diversion and walked out and lifted the purse. I then returned to the alley. I sprinted to the other end, and then slowly walked out and across the street. Not noticing any pursuit, I went through a pub to its backdoor and then down to the docks. There I opened the purse, and read the note. When I got to the back door I knocked, no one answered so I picked the lock. Upon entering the building I noted one of the Guild markers and headed down. The same marker was above this door.” Kiana’s description was brief and to the point. Her mother often had her report to her on how a lesson went.

  “What did you notice about the mark?”

  “I noticed the hidden pocket, and then when she got closer I noticed she was a man.” Kiana paused, deciding to reveal one of the things she had noticed. “You make an excellent woman by the way, if not for your Adam’s apple I wouldn’t have known you to be anything less than a fat lady trying to get a deal. I also noticed the man across the street watching you and the watcher on the roof top.”

  The stranger lifted the hood of the cloak of his head, revealing a smiling man’s face; his green eyes twinkled in amusement. “You knew the lift was a trap and yet you continued?”

  Kiana shrugged, “That was my mission. I thought about backing off, but the opportunity was there. The man across the street was distracted by the horses, and once I knew there was a watcher on the roof I changed my exit strategy accordingly. I felt it was doable.”

  The man smiled. “Indeed, it certainly was. How did you know I was the woman?”

  Kiana pointed down at the man’s feet. “Your wardrobe changed, the wig and makeup is gone, but your shoes are the same ones. Scuff mark on the inside of the left shoe where you tap it against the ground when a vendor gives you a price you don’t like.”

  “Impressive,” said the man.

  “Yes it is. Now when did you know I was here?” came another voice from the shadows of the far corner.

  Kiana squinted and looked closely at the dark shadows. She could just make out the outline of the second man. She lost a little of her cocky attitude. “Just now,” she admitted.

  The first stranger laughed. “Take your coins, go home and we'll be in contact. A good showing today, Kiana Clairmont.”

  3

  Morthon

  “YOU FAILED,” SAID KING Ganus.

  The spy shrugged, “Your Darcarion mages failed. I gave them everything they needed to succeed. Now Balthazar has the tomes. If he figures out the secrets they hold, we will never get what we want.”

  King Ganus glared at his ally. The man was a traitor to his people, willing to sacrifice thousands for his own personal gain. But, he was a dangerous man and without him Gan
us would not be able to take Balta without losing a significant portion of his armies. Something Ganus was willing to do if necessary, but it would slow his long-term goals down too much. It was better to work with this man then go it alone. Besides, once he had control of Balta he would deal with him again. Only the next time the terms will be much different. “I suppose you’re not too blame for their failure, but you did not prevent it either.”

  “I fulfilled my end of the bargain. I provided the information you needed; I even made sure no one would be there when you attacked that goofy old mage. The reason your plan failed is you have a spy in Morthon. Someone told the Stoneblood boy about your plans. If not for that meddlesome brat we would both have what we want now.”

  “Yes, I did find that piece of information very useful. I’m surprised you were able to find that out. I would think your king would have wanted it kept quiet.”

  “Oh he did,” replied the spy. “Only the inner council, trusted family, and administrators with long times of service were privy to that information.”

  “How lucky that you are held in such high esteem,” replied King Ganus with a smirk. Finding someone willing to betray his people among the most trusted people in Balta had been worth every bit of gold it would cost.

  “Yes, and if King Verbon weren’t such a stubborn idiot I would be held in even higher esteem. His lack of vision and care for the ‘common folk’ is pathetic.”

  “Don’t worry, when the time is right the world will know who you are. Of course they may be more in fear of you than holding you up in high esteem.”

  The spy shrugged his shoulders in indifference. “They’re about the same. I’ll take fear any day.”

  “Speaking of fear, you should come join me. I’m about to deal with that pesky spy issue.”

  The spy followed King Ganus down a narrow and dark corridor. The dank air filled his nostrils. The corridor opened up into a cavern. One wall of the cavern had been turned into cells. Thick metal bars went from floor to ceiling. Five cells, all momentarily empty. In the middle of the room was a man, naked except for the thick black hood over his nose and eyes. Chained to the floor and ceiling, his restraints spread his arms and legs wide, the prisoner looked like he had been there awhile.

  “I would like you to meet Plavan. He is part of a resistance group that believes I am not a suitable king and should be replaced. Isn’t that right, Plavan?” said King Ganus as he prodded the ribs of his prisoner.

  “You’re a sadistic monster, you care nothing for your people,” groaned the wounded prisoner, Plavan.

  King Ganus turned to his companion. “It’s sad what has happened. People like this fool think that being nice or caring for one’s people has anything to do with being a good ruler. Balta is to blame for this. Your kings have provided a bad example and now commoners all over the continent think they have rights. We’re going to have to put an end to this madness.”

  “Why don’t you just kill me?” said Plavan. The pain and agony was clear in his voice.

  “Because, I am going to kill you very slowly. It could take years, in fact. Once I am done torturing you I will start removing body parts. You really don’t need arms and legs to survive. But don’t worry I will keep you alive.”

  The spy watched in fascination as King Ganus tormented his victim. The man had been correct about one thing: King Ganus was sadistic.

  “Tell you what, Plavan. I’ll make you a deal,” said Ganus while he ran the tip of his knife over the man's exposed nipples, slicing into his sensitive skin. “Tell me everything about this group you are in. Tell me all about the people trying to take my kingdom from me and I will kill you quick. What would you prefer, years of torture or a quick death? It’s your choice.”

  Judging by the number of fresh wounds and scars, King Ganus had been working on the man for a few days. The spy was impressed. He would have given up everything much easier.

  “Come on, Plavan, you know I am going to find out anyways. There are others that I know of who will not resist the way you have. Save them from torture. Save your family from torture. Don’t be so selfish. The longer you resist telling me the truth the more people I will torture.”

  The spy watched Plavan flinch at the mention of his family. Obviously, King Ganus had been saving that threat for a while. His earlier torture of Plavan had been for his own enjoyment. Now he was moving on to the business of finding out what Plavan knew. The poor man had no choice but to tell King Ganus everything. No man alive would wish this kind of torture on anyone he cared for. Plavan would sell his soul to keep his family from enduring what he had. Just as he thought would happen, the spy listened as Plavan finally cracked.

  “Okay, I will tell you everything. Please just don’t hurt my family,” Plavan sobbed. His spirit had been broken, and the only hope he had left was for mercy. Not for him but for his loved ones.

  “Start talking,” said King Ganus. “How did King Verbon learn of my plan?”

  “Everet. His name is Everet.”

  Pailtar 2

  Family pride

  WHEN KIANA GOT home, her mother and father were sitting at the dinner table, from the looks on their faces they had been arguing before she got home. Spencer Clairmont was not a fan of the Guild, nor did he approve of Kiana joining the elite den of thieves However, he had agreed to support Kiana in whatever choice she made, and Kiana wanted to join the Guild.

  Spencer got up from the table, walked around and gave Kiana a hug. “I am going out to my workshop to make a pot or two; I will leave you ladies to talk business.”

  Kiana smiled, despite her father’s dislike for the Guild he was a very supportive parent, and he always laughed and thanked her whenever she returned his wallet when she practiced her lifting techniques on him.

  “Well, darling, are you going to tell me how it went?” asked her mother.

  Kiana sat down at the table, placing the three coins on the table.

  Her mother gave her a look, “Oh, you got the purse?”

  Kiana’s chin lifted in a defiant pose. “Was that not what the note said to do?”

  Her mother sighed, Kiana was a wonderful child, but she had stubborn streak a mile wide. Lilliana smiled at Kiana. “Was it a normal lift, or a setup?” she asked. The Guild had a series of tests they liked to use when testing potential applicants. Lilliana was curious to which test they had given her daughter.

  “It was a setup,” admitted Kiana.

  “Ah, I see.” Now Lilliana understood why Kiana had that look. “Honey, I thought we talked about this. That if they used a setup, the correct course of action was to back off and not do the job.”

  Kiana knew her mother was right; they had talked about that, a lot. “But, Mom, it was too easy. Even with a fake mark, there were only two passive watchers, one across the street and one on the roof. Also, the purse was in a hip pocket. One small distraction and I was in and out in seconds. I was careful, honest. I knew I could do it.”

  “Sweetie, I know you can do almost anything you set your mind to. That is not the point. The point is the same as what we discussed before; the Guild wants careful apprentices, not cocky ones. When I told you that you needed to be careful, I was being very serious.”

  Kiana lowered her head, her defiance had left her. She knew that she had ignored her mother’s warnings on purpose. She had wanted to prove she was a great thief already.

  “It’s okay, dear; it is not the end of the world. You will be fine; it just means you have to be more careful now. So was the lift your only task today?” asked Lilliana.

  Kiana shook her head, “No, inside the purse was an address and a time. I had to break in the back door of the Barnyard pub.”

  Lilliana smiled, Kiana would have had no issues with that task. She was a master locksmith already. “Are they still using a five tumbler lock? It has been a few years since I broke into the Barnyard.”

  “No, they must have upgraded. It has seven tumblers now.”

  Lilliana was impressed;
the Guild was making things more challenging for its potential members. She wondered if the more difficult tasks were standard or because Kiana was her daughter. It was likely the later.

  “After I picked the lock I went downstairs. I picked the door with the infinity symbol and went in. A man had me sit at a table and go over the lift. He was the one who dressed up as a woman to be the mark. He seemed amused, and then when he was done another man stepped out of the shadows … He wasn’t as amused,” said Kiana.

  “Let me guess, when they asked you to report on the lift, you told them everything. How you figured out all the mistakes they made. I’ll bet you told him how you knew he was a fake and where the guard and watcher were too.”

  Kiana nodded, and then lowered her head farther. She knew what her mother was about to say.

  “So you wanted to show off, let the Guild know what a great thief they were getting. Kiana Clairmont, do you hate me?”

  Kiana looked up at her mother in shock, “No, of course not. Why would you say that?”

  “Well, I know you hated having to go to normal school all these years, and you resent us living in Pailtar. You think we should move and be wealthy thieves. You know my history with the Guild and yet first opportunity you get you are making waves and bringing attention to us, stirring up old wounds. Did you do it to prove a point to me?”

  Tears filled Kiana’s eyes. She had really screwed up this time. “No, Mom, I love you and dad. I understand why you left the Guild, and I can handle that you made me go to normal school. It’s just whenever I run into a Guild member or an apprentice and they look at me like I am not worthy. I get so mad. I just wanted to show them that I am as good a thief as any of them, and they can’t look down at me.”

  Lilliana sighed, stood up and walked over to her daughter. She hugged the crying girl tight. “Honey, anyone that looks down on you is stupid. Most of the Guild members don’t like seeing you because you are a reminder that I chose to leave, that I chose a life with a simple potter over the opportunity to become the leader of the Thieves’ Guild.