The Winter Queen of Havenshire

Chapter 5: THE MENAGERIE

Jay looked over to Jean. They were in big trouble. This entire thing was way over their heads.

The job was simple. Break into the palace and steal several pieces of ancient artwork. Cut, grab, and go.

They'd been stealing to survive since they were orphaned at five. Thankfully, a master thief took interest in them and trained them. Jean believed the thief, their beloved old master and mover of stolen goods, was the reason they were orphans. Jay did not buy into conspiracies. That is until now.

They did the job and laid low for several days. As the entered the antiquities store, Jean felt something was wrong. Jay ignored her and pushed her forward past all old items strait to their master and fence.

"Did you get it?" the fence said. What hair he had was white and most of it was found in his beard. His face had splotches all over.

"All seven of them," Jean replied.

"Let's see what treasures you brought me."

A few were portraits of people no one knew. The rest were picturesque landscapes. The fence lightly touch each painting while he looked at them with a magnifying glass.

"So how much are we getting?" Jay asked.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing? You promised us a big payday for this job."

Jean grab her brother's arm. "I think it's time we go."

"I like you kids, I do; but in this business, there are no friends only competition. Right now, you're only worth to me is my freedom."

Jean tried to drag her brother away, but he refused to move.

"What are you talking about?"

"I got pinched two days ago. Sergeant Millard gave me an offer I dared not refused. A few skilled thieves for my freedom is good business."

"You sold us out!" Jay leapt toward the fence. He grabbed his shirt. "We were like family."

"Like and is are two different things. It's not personal. It is just business."

Sergeant Millard with several guards came out from the back. Two more guards came in from the front door. There was no escape."

"You should have left your brother behind," the fence said. "You would have escaped this fate."

"He's all I got," she replied. "You don't leave family behind. You should know that after being with us for nine years."

"Are you sure it's not been ten. It feels like ten."

"My sister's never wrong about the numbers."

"How sweet," Sergeant Millard said. "Enough chatter. Chain them!"

The guards obeyed. The twins struggled but they were outnumbered and outsized. The guards clasped the chains on their wrists and ankles.

"Are they what I am looking for?" Sergeant Millard asked.

"You said you wanted cunning, speed, and agility," the fence said. "They're the best. Even better than me. Course, I trained them."

"What do you want from us," Jay said.

"Lord Fonce wants different skill sets for this year's games and is willing to pay more, if you can survive."

Sergeant Millard grabbed four of the paintings. "It's such a shame these criminals destroyed three of these fine pieces of art."