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The Blacke Letter; Part 3 |
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When I awoke, it was to Tyrsse shaking me awake, telling me “Chase! You’ve got to hurry! You’ll only just have time to get to Proxima Four! Up, quick, quick, go scoff your breakfast and we’ll head out together!”
I stumbled upright, yawning. “Huh? Wha?” I hit the wall. “I’m awake!” I shook my head and dashed down the tunnel toward the chamber I had entered the night before, with Tyrsse hard on my heels.
I wolfed the meager meal of dried and preserved candied fruit and Tyrsse did the same. Meat and most anything else was expensive, so most of our meals consisted of the same things. We bounded up the entrance hole, schoolbags on hand and raced down the deserted street as the sun rose, turning the polluted sky grey.
We raced full-pelt down the crowded main port, dodging and weaving people and various creatures browsing or working on the docks.
Up a flight of wooden stairs, and around a curving ramp that led upward and then back to the left, we ran along the last ramp toward the pickup dock for interplanetary travel for students. Falling off this ramp or the edge of any dock, would mean plunging into clouds and falling for whole minutes until hitting the dock or a ship docked there at the lower level Beta docking bay below.
As we raced the last stretch there, I was dismayed to see the small floating skiff, just leaving the edge of the ramp, empty. I was the only one that it ever carried, so if I wasn’t there promptly, the steersman left without me.
I continued running, hoping to get there soon enough to catch Old Jerek’s attention. As the skiff drifted farther away and we neared the edge, Tyrsse grabbed me around the middle and with a mighty heave, threw me clear of the space between the skiff and her. I landed in a heap on the skiff bottom, making the small ship quake and shudder violently. Old Jerek, the steersman, looked back, startled.
“Why, Chase, I didn’t think yew were acomin! How’d ya get across?”
I pointed and waved at Tyrsse as she ran back along the ramp to make it to her school.
“Oh, he-he.” he rasped in an old age worn voice. “Hope yew got yer work done this time. I kin always help ya with it, but my ‘ol brain’s getting foggy.”
I smiled at him and settled back in the seat. “Don’t worry, Tyrsse helped me with it.”
“Good, as long as you’ll pass that class o yourn wid flying colors, lassie.” Old Jerek winked at me. I couldn’t help being fond of the old Sirin. Sirin’s were usually mangy dog-type half human creatures, but Old Jerek was a fine specimen of a Scottish terrier looking breed. His long fur was a dusty grey color, turned with age, and often times, he would stroke the furry mustache under his large wet nose. He was usually caught up with pirating memories of when he’d been an outlaw looter years ago. Jerek had told me many riveting tales of bygone years of when he was a lone pirate, with no crew of his own, roaming the stars and looting slumbering merchant ships whenever he came across them. He never was caught, but he’d given it all up after a close call and settled down on Proxima Four where he lived and would probably die alone.
Now, I felt a twinge of sorrow for the old Sirin. He had told me once that I was one of his only friends, and I wished that I may be there when he once again took up his looting career. Of course, that was only wishful thinking. I would never get to go on such adventures like that. At least, not yet.
The academy that I had scrounged months and years for enough garnet to get into, was a renowned academy, known for it’s expertise in producing fine captains and jobbing crewmen. I was in a small class of seven, all of which being taught on a course for becoming captains. I was perhaps the most likely of any of them to become a good captain, but my permit would not be used for good. I had always been a thief, and a thief I would remain. Perhaps Jerek was partly to blame for my plans, but my spirit would never be happy until I’d tasted the victory of one successful looting.
As Old Jerek looked back at me, he thought that the blissful expression on the Markien’s napping face behind him had to be the happiest he’d ever seen any young creature in these trying times.
As the skiff bumped gently into the side of the dock, I awoke from the quick nap to help Jerek tie down and secure it. I grabbed my bag off the seat and helped the kindly old Sirin up onto the dock. “Thank ye, lass. I’ll be waitin ‘ere for yeh when yew get out a class now. I’ll just n** by the ol tavern an’ see what I kin get me fer a late brekkist. Get ye goin’ now, young Chase.”
I ran off the dock onto solid land, leaving the old pirate to his business.
As I ran down the short dock, I hoped that I wouldn’t be late. I was fiercely loyal to the school system, but since I was of very poor blood, I was rather looked down upon by the Dean and my professor, but not really by my fellow students. In fact they often admired me. Day in and day out I would overexert myself to prove to the others that I was better than they thought. Of course, they did not ridicule me when I did, but if ever I showed up late or failed at something then I’d be mocked. If I ever did something wrong, I’d be much more badly punished for it, even when there were others that had done far worse and had gotten off with a mere warning. With this in mind, I raced hard to get to the academy.
Off the dock and onto lush green grass, I tread easier and put on more speed.
Around me on dusty paths of rather scattered but very nicely built and fashioned manors and estates, bright sunlight beat down through the clouds and made the whole scene look quite merry. I ran through yards of estates and other academy buildings, paying no heed to the path on the other side or the beauty of this tropical, sun-drenched paradise. If I was already late, this would be quicker.
Taking a quick tack to the left, I dashed up a palm tree and shielded my eyes whilst looking out toward the main street. Even the main street was not crowded with buildings and shops, but what was there were fine beautiful examples of the crafter’s work. Looking beyond the main street and back against a bare open field that stretched to the end of this flat planet, I saw the Interstellar Academy, with it’s famous paved walkway and clear-cut crystal fountains. I looked up to the main tower. There, a great silver bell tolled the beginning of classes; I was late.
I leapt off the top of the palm tree and dashed headlong onto the path from in between two small shops. I did not pause once, only heading directly for the academy. Dashing over the main street fountain rather than going around it, I nearly got in trouble with some woman whom I accidentally splashed, but avoided scolding by continuing on my beeline for the school.
I burst through the doors just as the bell ceased ringing. Everything was suddenly quiet as I looked down the main hall and into the main foyer where yet another grand fountain was in the center. Everything was silent. Classes had started, and I was still in the main foyer. Quickly, quietly, I padded through it and took the entrance directly ahead. Down the wide hall, I trotted, carefully avoiding open doorways by dashing swiftly across them without notice.
Keeping on all fours, as usual, was what saved me from detection by one professor coming toward me down the hall. Before he could see me, I had dived under the lockers on one side of the hall, where they were raised slightly off the ground and hollowed out underneath. I watched as the professor’s feet went by, then stopped and stood directly before my hiding place. There was a clicking sound and then the sound of a key being turned and I groaned inwardly. This was a row of staff lockers.
I had to wait even more precious moments for this professor to finish with whatever he was gathering from his locker until I could finally continue on. I dashed out and headed for the very last entrance in the hallway. Luckily for me, the door was still open. I could hear the teacher’s voice lecturing the class already, in a sharp staccato female voice. She was strict and if I was caught sneaking in, I’d surely be suspended.
I slunk around the doorway, which was directly in line with the podium the professor stood at, and made my way up the stairs to the row where I was supposed to be seated. The classroom was set up exactly like an old world college classroom. The students sat in rows, one above the other, at one large curving desk, looking down at the teacher.
I made it into the row and behind the desk. Neither of the two students sitting in this row noticed me slinking under their chairs.
When I suddenly popped up in my seat next to a young but older than me half human half hare, the Priffin yelped in surprise and nearly fell from his seat. The noise alerted Professor Sage.
From the podium, two rows below, a rather shockingly dressed Frix (half fox) looked up and snapped sharply “Renner! What are you yelling about?!” before the hare beside me could answer though, her eyes fell upon me. Quickly, I adopted the expression of complete boredom, leaning my chin in one paw and doodling on a scrap of paper, looking the complete picture of innocence. “Chase! You’re late! How did you get in?”
I looked up, as if not totally understanding her question. “Wha-?” I stammered. “Miss, I’ve been here since the bell rang.”
“Rubbish! You weren’t there twenty seconds ago!” Miss Emily accentuated in a harsh British enunciation.
“Honest, Miss! You must’ve missed me coming in! I’ve been here.”
Other students snickered behind paws, claws and hands, knowing the professor couldn’t prove anything otherwise. I spread my arms, holding my paws out disarmingly. I grinned, half innocently, half mockingly, daring her to contradict me. Miss Emily glared the students into silence, and narrowed her eyes onto me. Without speaking to me directly, she lowered her voice in anger, saying “Fine. Everyone, pass your homework forward. I’ll speak with you after class, Chase.”
The Priffin beside me, Renner, nudged me with his elbow under the desk out of eyesight, and winked at me. “Good one, Chase.” he whispered out of the side of his mouth. “Saw ya comin up the side of the stands. Didn’t think you’d make it, so ya surprised me”
I smiled and whispered back. “I’ll always make it. I won’t ever give her the satisfaction of catchin’ me.”
“Ha! You showed her!” said the other student in our row on the other side of Renner.
I leaned back in my chair to smile at her behind Renner. The Sirin that spoke was a pretty Collie looking type.
We fell silent as the Frix student below in the next row prompted us to pass our homework forward.
The whole rest of class was spent listening to a entire five hour lecture, with one lunch break in the middle. During lunch, our class, the smallest but most respected of the academy, stuck mostly together, sitting at one lunch table together in the mess hall.
The talk of the hour was of course, Miss Emily.
“Ha! I fought fee was gonna esplode right verr in front of us!” laughed Renner through a mouthful of biscuit.
“Yeah! That was the greatest! I’d loved ta have seen the old hag try and respond to ‘you must’ve missed me comin’ in!’, Chase! That’n was a good one!” said the Frix that had collected the homework from us to pass to the professor.
“You should probably be more careful though, Chase.” said the student across the table from me. The female hawk type creature looked at me expectantly from over the rim of her huge glasses. “You’re late quite often and this time you were really late. Sooner or later, you’re going to be caught either by Miss Emily or by someone in the halls when you’re coming in.”
The group looked at her, silent as they mulled over these words. “Nah! Chase’ll never get caught! Besides, the year’s already half over! Soon we’ll be taking full fledged sailing courses outside. That’ll make it way easier for Miss Emily to ‘miss’ Chase and easier for Chase to sneak into class.” this time, a human spoke. He was one of the few in the academy because of the rarity of the odd species, but he was respected in our class.
The Flurid with large glasses sighed and agreed halfheartedly. “I guess you’re right. Just be careful. You don’t want to get expelled, Chase.”
I spun a fork thoughtfully on the table. “No…no, I don’t suppose I do…” I was thinking back over my plans. I couldn’t be expelled! I needed this course and the permit at graduation to live my dreams of being a captain. “Eh. No matter. I’ll just try and get here earlier from now on.” I promised.
“Heh. Don’t be too early,” scoffed another Priffin.
“Yeah!” finished the seventh member of our class, Renner’s brother. “Miss Emily might suspend you for being too early!”
Laughter erupted from our little table as everyone cleared away their trays and headed back to classes at the sound of the bell.
The last two hours of lecturing went by quickly; it always seemed to anyway after lunch.
As my friends and I walked away from the academy, chatting happily, I was sad to leave them, but I couldn’t keep Old Jerek waiting. I promptly bid them all a good day and left them at the large town square.
I found the old Sirin asleep in his transport boat and woke him quickly, telling him “You shouldn’t fall asleep, Jerek! You could be attacked or have your cargo stolen!”
He brushed the subject off lightly. “Relax, lassie. This ain’t like that ‘ol Port. There ain’t many vermints here ter take an old man’s little boat. Asides, I ain’t got no cargo, acceptin’ yew!”
I had to smile. “True, but don’t ever be sleeping at dock at Port. There’s so many people who wouldn’t hesitate to take everything you’ve got on you.”
“Ah, I know it. Too bad they alls can’t be more like you, Chase. You gotta good heart, lass.”
I blushed to my ear tips. “Thanks, Jerek.” I couldn’t will myself to say anymore; a kind heart I may have had, but good intentions I did not.
As he manned the tiller and steered us clear of the little dock, he asked me “So what yew planning on doin’ affer school? This is yer last year, ain’t it?
“Yiss, it is. It’s already half over too! I’m going to be a Captain! But you knew that. I might go into the exploring business! Exploring uncharted territory, delving deep into the vast unknown, you know, what most aspiring captains want before they get there own vessel. Ah, I wish I had me own fine vessel!”
“Ha-ha! Yer already soundin’ like a regaler ol sailor, lassie! What might the name o yore ship be, eh? Sumthin’ good?”
“Oh, yes! Maybe the Bloodwake! Or, or perhaps the Silencer! Yeah! I like that!” I told him, hopping up excitedly.
Jerek stroked his greying beard thoughtfully. “Aye, those names are soundin’ pretty creepy. An’ yer jus’ gonna be asplorin?” he joked.
“Of course! But a good scary name might keep all those looters and pirates away if they think it’s another great old pirate ship with a name like that!”
“Perhaps, lass, perhaps. But asplorin ships ain’t usually famous. The only way a pirate’s gonna know the name o yore ship is if’n it’s close enough to board ya. By then, ‘tis too late.”
I grinned a secretive mysterious grin. “Aye, but I don’t think we’ll be getting too many visitors.”
Jerek looked oddly at me. “Why’s that, Chase?”
Again I flashed him that secretive smile. “You’ll see, Jerek…you’ll see soon enough.”
Now that school was up, it was time for work.
Working was something I did on the side of stealing. It was more honest, and often, I did get more every day than I would get pilfering random people on the street who might not have anything more in their pocket than a handful of papers or a watch. Every duous and every septerras day of the week (second and seventh), I would have to go straight from school to the cargo bay. Here, I would help load the cargo and unload it from ships coming into port or just about to depart.
The pay was meager, but still decent enough for my liking. My boss did not usually mind if I was late; I was invaluable on this workforce. Large machinery like cranes and lifts were very large and very slow at picking up and heaving the cargo aboard ships and decks alike. To make this go much faster and get more ships in and out of port quicker, I would get on top of one box that was being hoisted over to the ship. From there, the ropes would be slashed and the box or crate that I stood upon would fall to the deck. Before going down with it though, I could easily jump from one box in the air to another. The only crates I did not let fall were the ones marked FRAGILE or LIVE CARGO. Anything else was usually food, clothes or sails.
This method saved so much time and had gotten my boss very good pay with which to pay me and his other workers. More ships a day meant more pay a day.
The job was one of the most dangerous on the Planet Port though. I could fall with any of the cargo and injure or kill myself, or any number of the crew that I was packing for could very well be a disguised pirate. I was an excellent defender, but if I were to land on the deck, surrounded by the ship’s crew, I would be helpless and most likely killed.
Three hours of that and the boss was satisfied with my work and let me go early, because of my telling him I had important things to attend to.
As I roamed the Port this day, I was dismayed at seeing it was another busy day. It always was just before a holiday. A busy day meant that most of the ships would be well manned and not many left empty or unguarded for easy access to cargo or garnet stored in the hold or captain’s quarters. The best shop to rob this day would be Joran’s Sails and Tillers. It was usually open but never got much business, but today it was closed. I would have to loot a ship. To achieve success in finding a good 7000 garnet, I would need to put forth all of my thieving and sneaking skills. I would also have to pick a good target; one that looked classy enough to have a few thousand garnet just lying about.
I looked up and down the rows of ships at bay and finally let my roving eyes rest upon the hull of the KC Leviathan. Unmanned at the moment and a huge merchant ship that matched it’s name.
Quickly, I approached it, trying also to be nonchalant. Going around to the aft end, I jumped across the empty space and landed upon the tiller. Balancing expertly, I stood and looked around the odd curve that had been cut into the boat to house the tiller. I looked up to make certain that no one had been at the wheel. If someone was at the wheel, they would have noticed it turn because of my weight on the tiller. After a few moments of zero movement, I began my ascent up the back end of the ship.
Climbing through the rail and onto the steers point, I stood and took full survey of this enormous craft. Standing at the wheel, looking down at the long deck, I couldn’t help wondering if this was anything like what I might be doing a few months from now.
I forgot that though and sank back to four paws. I slunk down the stairs and right around the corner where the captain’s quarters would be. I was thrilled at the stupidity of this crew and had to stifle a snicker of joy as the open door creaked wide open. I slithered in, belly down, and stood in the doorway, surveying the room: typical captain’s quarters. A bed, a desk, some maps, a wall of weapons, and a wardrobe up against one wall. I went immediately to the wardrobe.
Instead of going straight to the doors though, I climbed up on top of it; I knew better. From there, I reached one hooked claw down to unfasten the lock. The lock clicked open, but the advanced security knew that it had been picked, and it triggered the defense mechanism that fired a single, primitive bullet from the back of the wardrobe. I had learned that little trick the hard way. Contemplatively, I fondled my left ear, torn through the middle and nearly half of it missing. Good thing I was short.
Hopping off the top, I stood before the open door and rummaged through old maps, a few compasses and little trinkets and keepsakes until I found, buried under a few scrolls, a large brown sack of garnet. I opened the bag and estimated the amount quickly. Gleefully, I tied the bag at my sash; there was over ten thousand garnet to be had in that sack.
As I stood contemplating whether to keep the extra or seek reward from Shinara, I did not notice the other person in the room.
The tall, sleek Markien, the Captain of the KC Leviathan, had been behind the door the entire time. In fact she knew I would be here. She had watched my approach from the ship’s dock and had anticipated my first move. A little rogue like me wasn’t going for the entire ship; no, just the garnet in the captain’s cabin…foolish little kit.
The Captain was nothing like me, even though she was the same species. She looked less like a cat, what with the lack of fur, paws and a tail. She also wore fine leather and an expensive captain’s jagan and stood upright as a preference to all fours; she did lack paws, but not claws, so walking upright would be much more comfortable. Captain Vervain looked more like a human really, the only thing standing out being the fine cat ears and crafty slit eyes.
As the door slammed shut suddenly, I panicked and bolted toward the door, not realizing what noise had been made. Finding the door barred by the vicious looking captain, I backed down quickly and dashed to the back of the room, hoping for a rear exit. With one swipe of the cutlass she menaced me with, I was against the wall and silently pleading for my life.
In a harsh voice that reminded me a bit of Miss Emily, the captain demanded “Hand over the money, and I’ll turn you in instead of killing you.”
I looked her up and down appraisingly, but did not show it. The cutlass was at my throat, but it was the only weapon she had on her. I could take her, but I wasn’t willing to take the chances.
I did not respond the her request, too terrified to speak, fear etched vibrantly across my face. At first, sympathy clouded her eyes, but I did not hand over her garnet, so she threatened one more time, with bared fangs glistening brightly in the dim light from the window above me.
As I lifted my head away from the blade at my throat submissively, the Markien captain reached one hand down slowly to take the pouch of money from my own paw, never once taking her eyes from mine.
The bag slipped from my hand and I nearly lost it; I needed that to stay alive!
With a bold move, I ducked under and up, seizing the blade at it’s top in my teeth, and then back to hop up onto the windowsill above. She looked at me for a moment, eyelevel with me now, stunned. I bore her cutlass and her money bravely, silhouetted by the odd bleak light of victory from the window I stood framed in. I stood, looking at her a moment, somehow unable to move or take my eyes from her stunned face. I only stood there, watching, with a thin trickle of blood running down my forehead above one eye.
When she stepped forward, I took the sword in my mouth and slipped the bag in my sash and jumped from the window.
I was just barely able to save myself by clinging onto the edge of the dock, a hundred or so feet below. I hit hard and ended up cutting my jaw with the blade against the impact of the fall. Regardless, I ran away into the shielding crowd.
I remembered looking back up at the window at Captain Vervain, her face a mask of rage and also remembered having not been able to look away when I had been standing in the window. I would never forget her face.
“I would never forget her face!” raged Captain Vervain to her crew after relating the incident.
Enyar, the human galley cook, who was only half listening to the tale, piped up suddenly. “What do we care if yer money was stolen?! ‘Twasn’t ours!”
The rest of the crew had to agree, but the next enraged torrent of insults nearly sent them packing. “You filthy, worthless lot of half-bit crowfood! Where the Hell were all you when I was aboard the ship, stopping the little rogue from taking your shares of pay?! Spineless, half-brained excuses for a crew!!”
The crew she screamed at cowered like kittens and dared not speak up. Captain Vervain had the fiercest temper, even though she really didn’t need it on a merchant ship. Lately though, with this new crew, she was unleashing it more often, many times dealing blows with the flat of her cutlass and lashing insults left and right. This crew seemed worthy, but now she saw just how untrained they were.
Streek Vervain curled her lip in scornful disdain at the crewmen who did not answer her. The gutless worms! “All of you! Get out of my sight!” she screamed bad temperedly. “Until morning, I’d better not see a single one of you lazing about or you’re in for it! Inari! Halftail! To me!” she ordered the crew, and stalked off toward her cabin, thoroughly peeved as the two she had ordered to her followed apprehensively.
Inari was a six tailed silver Frix who wasn’t really a Frix. He had less of a fox snout and his species was considered more of a chimera sort of creature. In fact, his species really had no name. He was perhaps the only of his kind; he was probably a mutation, but no one could tell for certain, not even Inari.
Halftail, was a different story. There was no mistaking the weasel face and lanky body. The only thing that made it difficult to tell what he was, was his tail, cut in half, and the way he stood and walked. He had one wooden leg, and the rest of his body was bent and misshapen in an odd way, making him stoop and shuffle awkwardly. If the fur and skin were stripped from the weasel’s bones, one would see clearly the twisted and broken spine that made the Crea so disfigured a shape.
Inari looked at Halftail nervously before following the Captain into her quarters.
Sitting in a wide comfortable chair, Streek Vervain looked the two crew members over with a jaundiced gaze. Halftail shuffled nervously in his chair while Inari sat a few feet away, comfortable and relaxed, seemingly quite cool with the whole affair.
Then, casting away the cynical glare, their Captain spoke to them in a lighter tone. “You, Inari, and you, Halftail. You have both been with me ever since I started as a fleet officer.” so, I had been incorrect; this was not a merchant vessel, she was part of the Noctron Armada.
“You have both served me well and have not made many mistakes. Mark my words, you will be paid well for it. But not until that kit is captured. I want both of you to start searching for her tomorrow, hour before dawn. Take who you like with you, but remember, bring that thief back to me alive, and before sunset or you’re both going to regret ever having set foot on this ship! Is that understood?”
Halftail nodded dumbly while Inari looked his nails over in a bored manner.
“I said: Is that clear?!” the captain’s voice rose drastically and both Crea and fox alike responded aloud “Aye, Captain!”
“Good,” Vervain purred the word. “now, get yourselves some rest and don’t let me catch either of you still here after the break of dawn! Dismissed!”
Halftail scrabbled out of the door with Inari striding casually behind him. Down in the crew quarters, Inari tapped Haltail on the shoulder and watched amusedly as the weasel jumped nearly a foot off the ground to whirl upon the fox, startled and wide-eyed.
With a jet-smooth voice that could have halted a songbird, mid-note, Inari spoke, keeping his voice casual. “What’re you working yourself up into such a tizzy for, eh, Halftail?”
Halftail glared at him, but they were good friends. They had both served Vervain for years and had no rivalry between them. Halftail’s eyes darted back and forth as he responded. “How we suppose to find a little kitten on this huge Port? She might not even live on this dump!”
“Of course she lives here! And if she doesn’t, then we’ll ask around. If she thieves often, then many people must’ve seen her and can give us some clue as to where to start looking for her. It’s really not going to be difficult, tracking down and capturing the little rat, Halftail.”
Reassured by Inari’s tone, Halftail finally stopped chewing his broken and yellowed claws and sat down. “Why do ya think that?”
“If she lives somewhere right near this main port, then we’ve got everything set. There’s hardly any places to live, so we’ll just search every bit of every home we can find. There ain’t many, and besides Halftail, matey, I have a pretty good idea as to where the little snip goes every day. You see, I’ve seen her about the Port all day. Saw her stealing too, she’s good at it. But I don’t think she’s stealing for herself, mate. No, I think she’s bein’ forced to against her own will.” he leaned back in his hammock and closed his eyes. “Get some sleep, and don’t worry. I know where she goes every day. Every night too.”
Halftail was not entirely convinced, but he lay back in the cot on the wall just a few feet from Inari’s and drifted into fitful slumber.
That night, after telling Tyrsse where I was going and handing her a pawful of garnet, I made my way back to the alley.
Once there, I dropped down to my belly and made my way silently along the ground, prowling as if I were a real cat, stalking some sort of prey. Just as my back was completely doused by shadows, hiding my sleek white fur, some creature’s hindpaw was pressed down on the back of my neck, forcing me to stay down and making it difficult to breathe. I need not look up though to know who held me where I lay.
Shinara’s voice seemed to echo loudly in the alley as she asked me the same question as the night before. “Have you been followed?”
I tried to answer, but moving my jaw involved moving my head which I could not, and shaking my head was out of the question. Shinara knew what the answer was though, and released me so that I could sit up and face her.
“Did you bring what I asked for?” she hissed with an emotionless tone.
I nodded and handed her the bag of garnet for her to inspect. She took it, and even feeling the weight of it, she knew that there was more than 7000 in that sack. She grinned down at me and upon glancing up I regretted it.
“So, you’ve even brought extra… do I reward you for it, or do I kick you for risking more by stealing more?” she asked contemptuously and aimed a kick at me. I took it in the ribs but made no sound.
“Milady, I did not count it when I took it. I was in a hurry.” I spoke softly, knowing this piece of information was being given too late to avoid harm.
“I see,” she sneered, and slipped the pouch into a bag on her shoulder. “and why, pray tell, were you in such a hurry?”
“Miss, a captain saw me before I could count it.”
Shinara showed much more interest suddenly. With a bit more eagerness in her tone she asked me “Do you know the name of the captain?”
I shook my head.
“Then, did she see your face?”
I nodded, although I regretted doing so as a series of swift blows to the face struck me unawares as I was rewarded for my honesty.
“Dithering fool! You are not to be seen! Now you might be caught!”
I took the punishment silently. As she finished, Shinara sighed. “You did get what I asked for, and you did repay what you didn’t bring last time…” her voice suddenly hit a high crescendo. “But never show your face again to your victims! Now scat! And be here same time tomorrow! I have a special mission for you!”
The bat kicked me savagely as I retreated, and I quickly headed home in a high bad temper, not even bothering to wonder what mission she had for me.
 Wolf of Winds · Tue Oct 17, 2006 @ 02:46am · 0 Comments |
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