Phoenix Reign

Chapter 2

Two moons had passed since the first of our thieves were taken. Since then we hadn't lost anyone else, so there was a feeling that the danger had passed. However, that was usually not the case. Alan decided to continue with our normal activities, including our annual tournament.

The tournament occurred when every thief, including the retired ones and the ones that have moved away, come to together to meet up. It's like a family reunion, but for criminals.

Each year, new young thieves officially join our ranks and receive their tattoo. The tattoos, located on the upper dominate arm, were the universal symbol of thieves. They started out at the lowest rank as a simple, basic arrow, then steadilly got more intricate as you moved up the ranks. For example, Alan had the most complicated arrow in our group, an arrow with beautiful red, brown, and green feathers and leaves sprouting out of the stem.

The tournament was also a chance for older members to rank up and prove themselves. Four rounds of competition made the tournament an event that is looked forward to every year.

The opening ceremony and the first round of competition was that evening and the entire camp was light up for the event. Everyone had to pitch in to put the finishing touches on the arena, the banquet food, and every thing in between.

I was setting up the last remaining pieces of the arena when Alan called me into the house. When I walked in, he was in the dinning room having a heated debate with three unfamiliar men. They all wore tattered peasants' clothing and had a golden phoenix necklace hanging from their necks'.

"All we are asking is for your help," one of the men pleaded.

Alan shook his head, "I told you before, we are not getting involved with your politics. We are an independent group and we would like to keep it that way."

"If you want to see Milo off the throne, you are going to have to help us," the man explained.

Alan stood his ground, "Let me say this again: We don't care about you politics. Now get out of this camp before I have to force you out," he demanded.

The three men stood from the table, "If you ever change your mind, we will be happy accept your support."

"Yeah, yeah, okay that's it. Get out." Alan repeated and the three men exited the house with disappointed looks.

Alan pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. I came up next to him, "Is everything okay?"

He sighed, "Yeah, we just had some unwanted visitors."

"Who were they?" I asked.

"Nobody important," he put his hand on my shoulder.

But I knew he was hiding something and I was going to figure out what it was. I put on a fake smile, "What did you call me for?"

"Oh yes," he handed me an yellow envelope, "Now if you could please take this to the kitchen."

"Sure thing, Alan," I took the envelope and skipped out the door.

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Later that day, people from all over the forest started streaming into base camp for the tournament. Their tents surrounded the base camp, making it two times as large.