The Thief Maker (ON HOLD)

Ravens

Ravens 

Ravens! The Eyrie was full of them, especially in the grey mornings.

         The sun had just burned away the dew upon the ground when Garen was startled awake to the their grim shrieks. He wasn’t the only one up.

         Shadow.

         Garen watched as the man stood like a gravestone over the observatory and down upon the sleeping city. He watched for a while, silent and still, never moving a muscle. All the while, Shadow gazed down through the glass. Garen wondered what he was thinking, but soon found he wasn’t thinking about anything. He was waiting for someone.

         Garen blinked and Shadow was accompanied with another cloaked figure, smaller in stature. It was the Thief Maker. He had returned from his ‘work’.

         “How did it go?” asked Shadow, turning to face him.

         “Smoothly,” said the Thief Maker. “Didn’t catch a good look at me.” He pulled out a white jewel from his pocket and placed it in Shadow’s hand.

         “It’s smaller than I imagined,” said Shadow, weighing it in his palm.

         “Small or large, this is it.” The Thief Maker snagged it back and held it to the light. “The heirloom of House Elerin, the Star. When they see its display case empty, they’ll have a right fit. They’ll storm off to the Count, whining like a bunch of children. Although, on their way, they’ll have to pass through Manor Rhaenir, where I have set an exact replica in their display case.” The Thief Maker chuckled. “I wish I could see the look on Lord Elerin’s face when he sees his precious heirloom in Lord Rhaenir’s house. Ha! The Court will be buzzing about it for a week!”

         “Not to mention the angst brewed between both Houses,” said Shadow. “They already share an ancient feud, be it old or new. They’ll be killing each other before we even have to lay a finger on them.”

         “Exactly,” grinned the Thief Maker. “The plan is beginning to take shape. The end will be upon us faster than you think.”

         Garen listened as the two of them continued talking, gesturing to the city and debating parts of their plan. He was caught gazing at the ravens when he heard his name. He listened closely.

         “How many were there last night?” asked Shadow like he already knew the answer.

         “A good hundred in the Court, and fifty or so in and around the manor house. Inside, I’d guess there was twenty.” The Thief Maker stared Shadow in the eyes. “That’s double what it was a week ago when we robbed the bank, Shadow.”

         “Damn that man,” Shadow cursed. Garen knew full well whom he was damning.

         “It is not all bad,” reminded the Thief Maker. “Garen’s actions, be them rash and mindless, have worked in our favor in some way or not. The Count and his Court have been labeling him a Public Enemy. He’s all over the newspapers and the lips of the gossipers, I might add. The people have rallied under him, like we intended. The Count has taken his suspicions off us and focused completely on Garen. Yes, there are more guards and laws in iron, but the attention is off of us. There is a window. And we must continue to seize it!”

         “And what of Garen then?” asked Shadow. “We can’t let him enter into the Court now. He’ll be seen. He’ll be caught. He’ll expose us all.”

         “He will remain here until he is fit to join us,” said the Thief Maker. “He still must master the Murk, mind you and of course his initiation still must take place.”