Shadow of the Avatar

Chapter 2 -- A Question of Flawed Strategy

I always had money. I rarely keep even a copper of what I steal. It is the danger, the risk, and the challenge that I crave. I know some day it will be the end of me, but at least I will have lived. 

--Grahm Tuffala

It took over a bell cycle to make their way back to the guild. Packs of Dagger thieves roamed the streets harassing anyone who looked like a Brethren member. She feared they might already be too late to help their comrades. As they moved furtively from alley to alley, Wren's mind flitted back to what Grahm had proposed. A romantic liaison--me? Even as she focused on the guild's upcoming battle, she began to see it as a way out. He and she had been with the guild entirely too long. They could cut their attachments to mistress Desiray and strike out on their own.

She'd always been proud to be a part of the Brethren. Mistress Desiray had aspired to make it different than other guilds, by design their prey were Corwin's predators. Cinnibar, the wizard whose jem she stole had a nasty reputation for kidnapping street people and doing magical experiments on them. He deserved to be stolen from.

Justification--it used to be so easy to explain away her stealing. She needed to eat. Then the guild adopted her. The mistress explained their thefts as balancing things out, making the wealthy less so and the poor more rich. That appealed to a homeless girl with a magical talent for climbing and a knack for foiling wards; especially the idea of being part of a family. She guessed the mistress was an orphan like herself because she had a soft spot for parentless children. She'd covertly channeled guild funds into at least three way-houses for street children that Wren knew of. On top of that, she adopted people into her fold.

Wren's mentor Sireth, Grahm and herself; they all lived in the streets at one time. Desiray gave them a home. That alone had kept her tied to the guild for many summers. Benefiting the poor made Wren's calling easier on her conscience.

By many standards, she was wealthy now and the guild had lost touch with many of its altruistic ideals. With Desiray gone all the time, things had deteriorated to the point the Brethren resembled any other guild in any of a dozen big cities. She once thought she might spearhead a movement to get back to benefiting the unfortunate. However, the death of her mentor, Sireth, who led the guild in Desiray's absences, killed any thoughts she might have had about improving things. Desiray destroyed any hopes of a benevolent resurgence when she hired out-of-towners to carry on in Sireth's stead.

It had been the Dagger guild who killed Sireth. Now, they were back to do what they failed to do the first time.

Crush the Brethren.

They stopped in an alley across from the Guild. Its pitted granite walls extended two stories above the surrounding buildings. They saw no one manning the crenellated roof or lookout platforms. The only guardians were the stone gargoyles mortared into the corners of the building.

As they climbed the steps, she noticed other empty sentry posts as well. They stopped. The chirping of bugs and barking dogs sounded loud in the ominous silence.

"Don't like this," Grahm whispered.

She nodded and pulled his loose breeches higher on her waist. The only clothing available to her had come from his wardrobe. A wharf sack would have fit as well. She pulled at the tunic to stop the itch. The fabric was nothing she wanted against her breasts, especially after the recent burns. At least his spare weapons were serviceable.

Dirk readied, he opened the door.

Together, they stepped into the dark lobby. The air smelled of cinnamon incense and tallow. The marble floors looked recently swept. No one occupied the greeter's alcove or tribute stalls. It didn't look to Wren as if anything were secured against attack.