City Of Light Page 3

  The succulent bacon in front of her was a welcome distraction from her battle torn body. She filled her plate high, a little bacon, but scrambled eggs were the star for her. Molly’s scrambled eggs were her favourite breakfast food, they were better than you could imagine eggs, milk, and pepper could be.

  Within seconds, her mouth was filled with the peppery scrambled eggs and she was buttering some fresh bread Molly had just baked. Between the two, her mind was completely off the aches and pains of her body and her mood promptly lifted.

  ‘Looks like you’ve got quite the appetite this morning.’ Molly said, pouring the tea.

  Selene mumbled something about being ravenous that wasn’t quite audible with her mouth so full of food while also trying to shovel even more in.

  ‘Any plans for today, dear?’ Molly asked as she sat in awe of how much Selene was eating.

  Selene knew, no matter how long they’d lived together, Molly would always be surprised that a girl as slim as Selene, could fit so much food inside of her.

  She swallowed hard and washed it down with some tea before speaking. ‘Going to drop by Gareth’s for breakfast, after that, who knows.’

  ‘Breakfast? But you’re eating breakfast now, he’s not going to be happy that you won’t be eating with him.’

  ‘Oh don’t worry, I’ll just have to eat a second breakfast, he’ll never know.’ Selene said, smiling from ear to ear.

  Molly gave a deep chuckle and went back to eating, Selene eyed the food in the middle of the table the entire time.

  * * *

  Selene had left Molly after they’d tidied up from their scrumptious feast. Stuffed from her fill of the food, and with a hot bath under her belt, the aches and pains from the morning had reduced to a dull throb. Her mind became fixed on her journey to one of the nicer neighbourhoods of the slums, and the young man who awaited her at that destination. It had been days since she’d seen him.

  The Thieves Guild leader had sent him off northeast on business to the town of Falias, on the River Danu. She knew he would have come back late the previous night. He’d sent word ahead for her to join him for breakfast, and Selene felt giddy at the simple notion of seeing him.

  It wasn’t long before the sentry gate that provided passage from one quarter to another, lay ahead of her. The city of Eitane, besieged by enormous walls composed of natural white stone, like that of the palace. It protected Eitane from all who would wish them harm. But within, the city became divided by similar walls dividing each quarter, entry or exit only being permitted through sentry gates.

  When Selene approached the gate, she hesitated for a minute and saw that the guards were stopping all who arrived. It was rare for guards to block anyone seeking entry to the slums. City guards cared little for the goings on of the slums. Entry was never refused, even to the most wayward of travellers.

  She wondered if the guards were there because of the missing children from the day before, or if something else dire had taken place within the city walls that past night.

  Answers arrived at once when she reached the men guarding the entrance.

  ‘Two miss’n kids, you seen ‘em?’ A guard yelled, holding up a crude sketch of two young children. ‘Reward for anyone dat helps me find ‘em.’

  Now Selene could tell why the guards had bothered going beyond their usual minimal effort for two missing children. There was no uncertainty in her mind that the guard would welcome whatever information he received and collect the reward for himself.

  'Gods damn them, if they had worked this hard in the first place, the children might not be missing.' She grumbled to herself as she passed through the gate and entered the slums.

  The area of the Slums closer to the wall of the Merchant’s Quarter, was nicer than most. That was where the wealthier lived if you can use the term 'wealthy' to describe its residents. Most of the houses and apartments were constructed of sturdier materials than that of most slum dwellings. Although cleaner and more sanitary, the odour of rotten food and excrement wafted up from the lower levels, filling her nostrils with its vileness.

  She walked between the tall buildings of the main street, leading her west away from the wall, and contemplated her years in the slums. The constant begging and stealing, living in boxes or sleeping in doorways, desperate for refuge from the elements that would sooner see her dead.

  The odour that filled her nostrils was something she could never forget, would never forget, it was almost as if she could taste it at the back of her throat. Never again. When she reached the familiar worn wooden door of Gareth’s family home. Selene knocked twice on the door and waited for the face she'd dreamed about for days.

  The door opened far too slow, but a moment later, Gareth stood before her. The boy she’d known for half of her life, but never realised her true feelings for him until that past year. Even with years of friendship, when they’d at last realised how they felt for one another, everything became renewed. It was as if they’d met for the first time. The newness and excitement of it all had yet to fade, and each time Selene saw Gareth, her heart beat a little faster and she had that intense floating in the pit of her stomach she’d never experienced with anyone before. She had no words to describe how she felt, and the word Love failed to encapsulate her feelings towards him.

  ‘You planning to stand there all day glaring?’ He said.

  She snapped to attention. ‘Glaring? What are you talking about? I was waiting for you to remember your manners and invite a lady in.’ Selene said, smirking.

  ‘I think living in the merchant’s quarter has gone to your head, your Majesty.’ Gareth bowed low and waved her in, mocking a formal invitation.

  Selene stepped into the hallway, turned to him and said, ‘oh shut up and give me a kiss already.’

  Gareth slammed the door shut, lifted her up in his muscular arms, and kissed her with an intensity that showed her the days apart were as miserable for him, as they had been for her.

  ‘How’s that?’ he said.

  ‘It’ll do for now…’ she said with an intoxicated smile across her face.

  They moved through to the kitchen. A bustling command centre, filled with Gareth’s mother and sisters, all concentrating on individual tasks. Selene always envied Gareth’s family, they were so close and showed nothing but love and loyalty towards one another. Gareth never met his father as he’d left after his youngest sister had been born. This left seven-year-old Gareth to help his mother raise his sisters. Despite that, Gareth never allowed the hardships of life to get him down, he was strong and resilient, and swore to do anything to protect his family.

  Selene remembered the first time she met Gareth. Eight years old, two years fending for herself on the streets of Eitane. While stealing half rotten fruit to satisfy her growling stomach, she had been seen and chased by the merchant. Back then, she didn’t know the streets quite so well and after quickly getting turned around, she found herself at a dead end. The merchant closed in on her from the opposite end of the alleyway, and with no where to run, panic set in.

  ‘Unless you want that fat sod to send you off to the guards, you’d better give me your hand.’ Said a voice from above her.

  She moved out from the wall and looked up to see a young filthy boy atop the roof of the house she’d been standing next to. His bright green eyes stared out at her from beneath the mop of scruffy black hair as he stretched out his hand for her to grab. Selene had never seen the boy before, but his face showed only kindness and his voice reassured her, so she leapt up and grabbed for his hand, and sanctuary.

  It seemed like a lifetime ago, but nothing had changed in Gareth, he was still the kind, reassuring boy he had been eight years ago when she first met him. Much taller now, and cleaner, mostly, although she was sure that was her influence. His eyes never lost their brightness and still looked deep within her from beneath his scruffy black hair. She realised the only real change in his face was the short beard that was forming, the only thing that signalled he was no
longer a young boy, but a man.

  ‘Selene, sweetie, you look well. Come on in here and sit down.’ Gareth’s mother said with her usual jolly tone.

  Gareth’s mother Deloris was as happy as they come, rarely had Selene entered the house and not been met with a great smile and a warming hug from her. Given the tough life she’d had, raising three children by herself while trying to bring in enough money to feed and clothe them, she still kept her warm hearted nature.

  For years, Gareth had been helping with money and food, and helped with the girls whenever he could. Selene always wondered if his mother knew what he did for the money, or if she truly believed his story of working at the docks.

  Deloris set a plate and cup out on the table for Selene and brought over some extra food from the stove. Her traditional breakfast of porridge, dried fruit and sugar or honey. Selene loved the porridge almost as much as Molly’s scrambled eggs, but would never say that, she’d always tell Deloris how the porridge was her favourite breakfast food.

  ‘I’m surprised you didn’t dive into the cooking pot as usual, did you eat before you came?’ Gareth asked accusingly.

  ‘ME? I don’t know what you’re talking about, why would I have eaten before coming here. You said I’d be having breakfast with you.’ Selene said.

  ‘That’s never stopped you before. Maybe we should change your name to ‘double breakfast’, or just ‘double meal’ as you seem to eat two of every meal these days.’ He said laughing.

  Selene playfully punched him in the arm and said, ‘I’m a growing girl, I need my strength, are you trying to say I’m fat?’

  Gareth laughed again. ‘Selene, I’ve seen men with arms wider than you, eat up!’

  The two of them laughed a little, and both ate the porridge as Deloris cleaned up after the girls and sent them up to get washed and dressed. Selene ate quietly for a while, she desperately wanted to ask Gareth about his trip to Falias. With Deloris there, it was impossible to even hint that the trip might have been for anything other than the warehouse owner Gareth supposedly worked for.

  The need for privacy had clearly been written across Selene's face, for Deloris appeared to pick up on it. She soon left the room with the excuse she wanted to make sure the girls didn’t flood the bathroom with water from the tub.

  ‘So… what happened on your trip?’ She asked, the instant Deloris was out of earshot.

  ‘You're aware that we’re not supposed to talk about guild business? Vin already doesn’t like that we’re together now. If he thought I was telling you his secrets, I’d meet a quick end at the edge of his blade.’

  ‘Oh, come on, since when do you fear Vin? You’d easily best him in a fight.’

  ‘I’m not sure you understand Vin at all. You’ve been part of the guild for two years now, and you still think he’s some push over?’ Gareth said, emptying his bowl.

  Selene thought on it for a moment and realised she did think Vin was an easy target. She knew little about him, save for some rumours that floated around the city, about how he became the Thieves Guild Leader by killing his predecessor. All she knew for sure was that Vin had taken Gareth under his wing, and he quickly became Vin’s right hand, helping in all sensitive matters.

  ‘You never tell me anything about him, how am I supposed to know what he’s like?’

  ‘No one knows what he’s really like, he keeps his past private. Some say he trained with the assassins in the lands to the east before coming to Emeer and settling in Eitane. They say that’s how he rose to power so quickly. He killed everyone in his way, silently and privately, but it was obvious to those within the guild it was him. He used that fear to take leadership of the guild, even though he was much younger, and less influential than a lot of the thieves.’

  Selene looked thoughtfully at Gareth for a moment and asked, ‘so is that a no to telling me about your trip?’

  He looked at her, laughed and then moved in for a kiss, stopping short to say, ‘you’ll be the death of me, you know that, right?’ Kissed her softly and then moved away to clear the table.

  ‘I’m just inquisitive.’ She said.

  ‘Annoying, I believe is the word you were looking for.’

  FIVE

  Selene and Gareth had been wandering the streets with no specific destination in mind, but as expected they seemed to end up in the market square. The River Bán divided the capital, but split at its centre, forming a wide segment of land, rejoining before it arrived at the coast. This location became the Market Square, the central point between the four districts of the city, a place in which all were welcome and entry was never refused. It was a large area, with dozens of stores, stalls and street merchants buying and selling their wares.

  Merchants from across the Kingdom of Emeer would come to the market to trade. They could stay for anything from a few days to a few weeks, meaning no two days were ever the same.

  They had walked around the outer section of the market square and perused the various items for sale. Vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow dotted the endless stalls, and the rich sweetness of fruit filled the surrounding air. Grains and spices from across the kingdom were mixed in between, ensnaring the senses.

  A merchant cried out as they passed, ‘fabrics so fine the king himself would offer twice my prices.’

  You would want for nothing in the Square. Even rarities from the savage nations to the west where few dared trade, were found within the aisles of Emeer’s finest market. Selene wasn’t interested in the usual trinkets or clothes though, she was there for a special gift, as Gareth’s eighteenth birthday was just a few weeks away.

  ‘I imagine you’re in the market for something expensive today.’ Gareth said.

  ‘What would make you think such a thing?’ Selene asked, suspicious.

  ‘I noticed your coin purse is quite heavy, I can only assume you led us here to spend it.’

  Relief passed over Selene when she realised that he thought it to be a random shopping indulgence, and not a reconnaissance for his birthday present. She smiled at him and linked her arm through his as they continued their walk around the square.

  They had been there over an hour. Selene feigned interest in each merchant’s stall, and perused various goods as they passed, but she was already certain of what to get Gareth. Her only obstacle was persuading him to leave her long enough to order this gift. Selene knew some of their friends and fellow thieves would stalk prey around the market square. While Selene and Gareth only took from those who could afford to lose it, their friends had no such qualms.

  ‘Hey, why don’t we go see if the guys are around, we haven’t seen them in a while.’ She said, as if no hidden motives compelled her.

  ‘Oh, the twins will absolutely be around here someplace, there’s no way they’d pass up a hectic day like this.’ Gareth replied, scanning the crowd. ‘There they are, over by the pillar.’

  Selene followed as Gareth moved like fluid through the crowd to the opposite side of the square where he’d marked out the twins. She was correct, the twins clearly observed a small group of merchants deep in conversation, easy prey, she thought. She crept up to Gareth’s side and whispered in his ear.

  ‘Let’s have some fun.’

  They moved as one as only the tried and tested could. Using the crowd to conceal their approach from the twins’ line of sight, it allowed them to press themselves up against a wall that led right to the twins’ backs. Selene turned and gave Gareth a nod while removing a small dagger she had tucked into her waist. With great stealth and cunning, they crept up behind the twins and placed the daggers to their sides.

  ‘Give us your coin or we gut you.’ She said, in her most intimidating voice.

  Instinct took over, the twins spun on their heels away from their would-be attackers and without effort assumed defensive stances, daggers out.

  ‘Gods damn you Selene, I could have killed ya!’ Eric yelled.

  ‘You would have had to be a lot faster than that to kill me.’ She said
, now unable to contain the laughter.

  She knew Eric, or his sister, Marisa, would have no trouble besting her, they were some of the most skilled fighters she’d ever met.

  Alone, each was capable of great feats, but together they were unstoppable, it was as if they moved as one, a single mind sharing two bodies. Selene would never tell them that, of course, their egos were almost as big as Gareth’s, the only exception being, he never allowed others to see his superiority complex.

  None of this was helped by the fact that each of them had striking good looks. Eric was the centre of attention in every tavern they entered, ruggedly handsome, strong, athletic build, and a way of charming the ladies without so much as a word. Marisa, the opposite of the same coin, loved to use as many words as possible. She wielded her beauty and charm like a weapon. Long flowing golden hair, high cheeks bones blushed for added effect, and curves that set the eyes of even the most devoted man roaming.

  The twins embraced Selene and Gareth and exchanged pleasantries while pointing out how their marks had just moved on.

  ‘You two owe us big for this. We’d been following those two around since yesterday.’ Marisa said.

  ‘Why would you follow two merchants around for two days? Why not just break into their rooms while they were out this morning?’ Selene asked.

  ‘Those two,’ she said, pointing at the merchants that had now moved to the other side of the square, ‘are down from Silvercrest in the north. You know what merchants from there trade in, right? Precious gems and ore they mine from the Iron Mountains. They’re over loaded with coin and cargo, just waiting for two kind souls such as us to relieve them of it.’

  ‘You’re far too kind, Marisa, you know that?’ Selene said, with her most patronising voice.

  ‘Yeah, yeah, whatever. All I know, is that you owe us.’