The Thieves Guild ~ Ranger's Apprentice

Chapter 7

I was in the stables when Andor and Mercer came in. This was the first time I had seen him since he had returned, and I was relieved when they both came in unharmed, but I don't know what I was expecting, the ranger's only knew of Fredon and I.

"Good news, I found out what cell Fredon is being held in" Andor said as he patted down Frost lightly. He looked warily at her legs, and I smiled. No one else could ride her, let alone touch her, except me. She had a very strong kick, and even Andor, someone who was great with animals was not immune to her fury.

"So, when do we set off?" I asked as Frost nuzzled me in the chest. I looked up to see Mercer and Andor looking at each other.

"What?" I asked, hands on my hips. Mercer cleared his throat before answering.

"Raven, are you sure you're up for the job?" He looked sympathetic, but hearing him say that made it sound like he was doubting me, and I hated  when people doubted my ability. I see myself as extremely independent, and when people presume I can't do a task, that just makes it even more worth while to complete it.

"Mercer, I'm fine , I'm not some fragile flower, just waiting to break, I can look after myself!" My arms were now crossed against my chest and I saw the defeat in Mercer's eyes at my raised voice. He shrugged and shook his head.

"Okay, okay, I was just making sure, just... let me know when you're ready to leave" Mercer turned on his heels and walked back into the Sanctuary.

I turned to Andor.

"Seriously? Why does everyone think I'm not up to the job, I've been doing it for twenty  years!" I huffed and collapsed onto one of the stables hay barrels.

Andor smiled at me with his crooked grin.

"Oh come on Raven, you're a well grounded kid, but Mercer just doesn't want to see you get hurt, you matter to him"

I raised my eyebrow at him. "Well grounded kid? Andor, I'm not that young!" I shook my head. Sometimes adults  could be so annoying. Great, now I even see myself as a kid.

He was laughing at me when I left to find Mercer. Mercer was in his office, looking at more prepositions for the guild. I knocked on the door and he beckoned me inside.

"We can go tomorrow Mercer, my head is fine and so am I, I'll start making preparations" I was leaning against the door frame.

"Good, also, I realised earlier that we will need to find Midnight, Fredon will be quite angry if he thinks we have abandoned his horse" He said as he filed the papers away back into his drawer.

"Well, that's settled then, we'll go get him tomorrow" I said as I nodded before turning on my heel and making my way towards the training room. I was going to practice with my sword, I wasn't keen for another encounter with that ranger, but I'll be damned if I wasn't prepared for it.

                                                                                             * * *

"What were you doing in the forest that night when we found you?" The ranger, Fredon now knew as Gilan asked.

Fredon put his hand to his chin.

"Hmm, I believe I was flower picking, you see, I'm rather fond of daisy chains" Fredon had a far away smile on his face, and turned to the rangers.

"Do you like making daisy chains?"

Gilan put his face in his hands and groaned. This thief was being extremely  annoying.

"I thought you were going to cooperate" Gilan said through gritted teeth.

"By cooperate, you mean betray the Guild? No, I'm not into that sort of thing" The smile had left Fredon's face and he was now giving Gilan an ill look.

"But.. you've already admitted to being apart of the Thieves Guild" Gilan seemed confused by this mans logic.

"But you already knew that, after all, you had the flower, I only reveal what you already know my friend" Fredon's smile was back and the mischievous glint in his eyes was directed at Gilan.

The older ranger, Halt, pulled his chair in.

"What's your name, thief"

Fredon seemed to be pondering the question.

"Fredon" He said, there was no harm in letting them know his name, he was no one of importance and saw no reason to withhold that information.

"Fredon? And who were the others with you?" The ranger asked again. There was no malice in his voice, just a sort of silent intensity.

"I'm afraid that's not up to me to say, so, ranger, what is your name?" Fredon moved on. He already knew, but he was hoping that his lack of cooperation would send them away from frustration.

"I am Gilan, and this is Halt" The younger ranger spoke up again.

Fredon nodded then looked towards Halt.

"You know your name is rather trivial" Fredon said while shaking his head, his smile evident on his face.

"Fredon, why did you ambush us the other night?" Halt voice was stern, yet he was making no effort to raise it.

"We weren't  trying to ambush you  Halt, if that's what you wanted to know" Fredon had lost his smile now and his face was more serious.

"I thought as much, however, you will have to pay the consequences, you hurt my friend and you will pay dearly, you and your friend" Halt said as he stood up. Gilan shook his head and followed after him. Just before they exited the room Fredon piped up. He knew that Halt meant Raven, and he was hoping that she wasn't coming to rescue  him.

"Well, this was rather productive wasn't it?" The rangers left him with his own devices and once he was definite they were out of ear shot he muttered to himself.

"Don't try to be a hero Raven, god knows you'd be terrible at it" He smiled, twisting a strand of hay between his fingers. "Thieves aren't meant for heroics"