Firebrand

Chapter 219: Thief Catcher

Chapter 219: Thief Catcher

Thief Catcher

Unlike previous times, Martel did not feel the same concoction of emotions as he headed out to meet the Night Knives for another task. His heart and mind felt heavy, given the circumstances. Maybe he could tell the Night Knives that he would not do further work after today; then he would say to Jasper that they simply had not offered him any new tasks. It would not solve the fact that the acolyte knew about him, but at least Martel would not have to undertake more of this work and pay Jasper for the privilege.

He reached the humble headquarters of the Night Knives. Despite his low mood, he could not help but laugh as Marcus opened the door. The grim warrior was dressed like a dockworker or day-labourer, wearing practical clothes of leather and linen. He wore no weapons except for the dagger that always sat in his belt, of the same make as what Flora had. Compared to his typical armour and surcoat, he looked a far cry from his usual intimidating self.

Seeing Martel's response, Marcus snorted and let him enter. As for Flora, she wore a dress made from wool, sensible for the season, and dyed in bright colours. Along with some jewellery, a heavy purse, and a bundle of keys hanging by her belt, she looked like the wife of a well-to-do merchant or sought-after craftsman.

"How do you like our disguises?"

"Better than what you usually wear," Martel replied. "Is this the plan?"

Flora grabbed the purse by her waist and shook it. "I got a nice bag of iron bits. Jingles just like coins, looks heavy too. I'll parade my wealth outside The River Pearl. Lady Pearl, not to be confused with her establishment, has made her guards patrol heavily outside for the last few days, hopefully starving our thief so that they seize the opportunity I present."

"Marcus and me, we're the lookouts?"

She nodded. "Since our quarry can't run south, into the tavern, they got three escape routes. East or west along the main road, or north into one of the alleys. You and Marcus will take position west and north, covering those roads. I'll watch east and send a signal if I don't manage to capture them in the act. Then it will be up to you."

"Alright. Let's get going." Moments after, the trio left the insula.

***

This was so dull. Martel sat on a crate, waiting as nothing happened. By his estimate, an hour had passed at least. The only thing he had done since their arrival was occasionally getting up and moving elsewhere, just to make it less obvious that he surveilled The River Pearl. The cold weather did little to improve his opinion of this task. They had been promised two silvers for undertaking it, four if they caught their prey. Martel wondered how many bells they would have to wait until they had earned their two birds.

Martel glanced towards Flora across the street, talking merrily with some of the women of the Pearl. She also moved around, in and out of the big tavern or up and down the street, whatever she could find an excuse for. At times, Martel lost sight of her, usually when a cart rumbled past him or such, but he kept his eyes open for the signal. Even if Martel had little faith it would come.

Frustrations about his predicament back at the Lyceum also seeped in to blend with his current annoyance. His mind kept returning to considerations of how he might get Jasper to back off. As long as he paid him, presumably he was out of danger, but what happened when Martel ran out of money? Should he keep working for the Night Knives solely to ensure Jasper stayed happy? A dreadful prospect, but perhaps necessary, and it made Martel doubt his earlier thought to wind down his cooperation with the mercenaries.

One of the cobblestones from the street shot straight up into the air. Martel stared, as did everyone else, especially those nearby hurrying to avoid being hit once it started to fall down again. The signal!

Martel leapt to his feet, staring in every direction. He could not see Flora, as another cart moved past him. Nor could he see any sign of someone running to escape with ill-gotten gains. He looked towards Marcus, exchanging glances; the man shook his head. No sign of the thief there either.

Where could they have gone? Nobody had moved past Martel to escape into the alley behind him, he felt certain of that. Unless their quarry had gotten past Marcus, that meant the thief would have moved east along the main road, but Martel had seen no movement other than the cart.

Suspicions arising in him, Martel ran to reach the wagon and look into its load. It was empty. No place for anyone to hide.

Chasing his only other idea, Martel bent down to glance between its wheels. Underneath the cart, crawling on the ground, a boy perhaps aged nine or ten looked out to lock eyes with Martel.

Dextrously, the boy scrambled to the other side of the wagon. Running around to give chase, Martel refrained from using magic; other people were nearby and might get caught in his spell. But the thief would no doubt make for an alley to become lost in the winding little streets, which could afford Martel the opportunity he needed.

As long as he could keep up. Despite his young age and what appeared to be little more than skin and bone for legs, the boy ran faster than an Imperial courier.

He also had the advantage of knowing the area, making quick turns where Martel lost time as he tried to do it as swiftly. In a few moments, it would be too late.

Praying that nobody else would appear suddenly, or at least they would not get hurt if so, Martel sent a blast of wind forward when he had a direct line to the boy.

The gust pushed the boy straight onto the ground, slamming his little body against the dirt. The sight made Martel feel guilty; he had not intended to use quite so much of his spellpower, but fear that the thief would escape had made him use too much rather than too little.

"I'm a mage, boy! No use in running. But if you stop and come with me, I won't hurt you more. I promise." The novice hoped that Flora had told him the truth about Lady Pearl wanting to recruit rather than harm the little thief, lest she made a liar of Martel.

The boy got on his feet slowly, turning around to face his pursuer. "You won't hurt me again?" His body relaxed a little.

Martel quickly closed the distance between them. "I won't." He placed one hand on the boy's shoulder. "Come with me."

Without warning, the thief kicked his foot into Martel's groin. As the mage sank to his knees in pain, his prey bolted.

That little – Martel was going to kill him. If he could just focus long enough to cast another spell. Taking deep breaths, Martel relented from using fire to burn the boy into a crisp and sent another blast of wind against his target.

This time, the boy willingly allowed himself to fall forward, letting his feet and hands touch the ground. As the wind passed over him, he leapt back up and started running again, though he had time to look behind him and make a rude gesture at Martel.

As he turned his head forward again, he found a wall of earth blocking the alley. Behind it stood Flora. "That's close enough, kid. Stay out of kicking distance." She looked behind him at Martel, slowly getting back on his feet. "Come on. Let's get paid."