Den of Thieves
Chapter #1

A Rogue’s Tales: Den of Thieves

By R.A. Lancaster 2006-08/24

A distant southern tropical storm is providing the northern continent of Vesa extended warm autumn weather. After watching the blue morning sky for any signs of clouds Carr sighs deeply. Another nice day… stuck on the farm. Only the corn-field left to take down. It still needs at least another week or so to grow.

Inhaling draws in the scent of fresh stew, causing him to turn towards the aging farmhouse. I wonder if I could slip away and make it back without Ma knowing? Nah, even if I said I was just going to see Hal and Effim for the week she’d be suspicious. And if I don’t get myself killed, Ma will be mad enough to kill me. End up going could be just a set up, get me alone and out numbered. Kapigorn? Darvel and Piate? Xyscukka? Shit could be that other mountain clan too. With thoughts of those crossed more than swords with he walks to the house.

Opening the old wood door to the farmhouse Carr enters quietly.

Tending to a boiling pot Mother greets him, “how are the animals this morning?”

“Fine.” Smiling slightly at her, Carr paces about the small farmhouse. Several days have passed since replaceing a request for help. The parchment hides folded inside his shirt. To meet the mystery person he’ll need to leave within a couple days. Curiosity and idle hands want him to go. Promises made tell him to stay.

Sitting at the table with a soft sigh Carr props his head on hands gazing beyond Mother.

Hearing the sigh she studies him, “what’s up with you? You’ve been unusually quiet since returning from the city. Is there something I need to know?”

Though looking right at her, she’s not seen to him, “Not really,” in hopes of reassurance he musters a smile.

“Yah, sure,” she steps away from the pot. Gently cupping the bottom of his jaw and lifting the head to peer into the soul. “You’ve got another little job. And you don’t want to tell me about it.”

Carr nervously swallows.

Her head shakes side to side in noticeable disapproval, “it better not be a request from that King Halford. He’ll get you killed.”

Taking a deep breath Carr answers, “no, it’s not Halford.” Unsure of what to say just pulls out the folded parchment to hand her, “The day after I got back, I found this. Rolled up with a map tucked into a bush where I hide the skiff.”

She automatically queries while unfolding it, “who left it?” Sitting she reads the parchment.

“I don’t know?” Getting up Carr grabs the ladle and a couple bowls, “I was wondering that myself.” He pours up two bowls of hot stew, “I must’ve read it a dozen times.”

Setting the bowls on the table he picks up a clay pitcher to pour up two cups of water, before sitting to eat.

“It looks like female handwriting,” she notes before rereading it, looking for any hidden messages or clues.

“It’s not Violetta.” The first spoonful hot he quickly chases it with water.

“Violetta?” She looks over at him.

“You and her are the only two females I know that can write.” Carr blows across the next spoonful.

Setting the note down she inquires. “Where’s the map?”

“Ah. It’s out in the barn.” Carr points towards the mystery destination, “It’s a couple days ride northeast of Ingleside.” Pulling back the arm he retrieves the note.

She states with concern, “that’s dangerous territory. Are you sure the note was meant for you?”

He lightly laughs, “why Ma? Do you think it was meant for you?”

“I don’t do such foolish things.”

“Anymore…” he winks at her. “We’re the only two beings in this part of the woods. Maybe it’s from that ranger you met at the swamp.”

“Maybe,” she glares at him, “I don’t think you should go.”

“I know you feel that way,” he swallows another mouthful. “I’m curious to who it is and what it’s about.”

Crossing her arms, “so that’s it then, you’re gonna go and leave me all alone again.”

Rolling his eyes, “if I went, it’d be for less then two weeks.” Motioning to the stacked crates and casks taking up needed space, “you’ve got plenty of provisions.”

Waving her hand towards the fields, “what about the corn?”

“Ah Ma,” Carr gently takes her flailing hand in both of his speaking calmly, “you yourself said it needs more than a week. Besides you complain about the way I pick vegetables.”

Recalling last year, she grins. “You’re too rough. And using the sword is too wasteful.”

Carr defends the actions. “Well the animals we had, ate pretty good that fall. And part of the winter.”

Resting her other hand on top of his, “don’t you also think it could be a trap set by King Darvel?”

“I did,” he frees a hand to eat, “but why go to such elaborate trouble. When a dozen men could have been sent, anytime over the last little while.”

“Just stay here in case,” she rocks his hand.

Noticeably Carr ponders, “I should.”

Taking her hands back in a huff, “Well if your hell bent on going, I’m not gonna stop you.”

Quietly he replies, “I didn’t say I was.”

Sighing speaks her mind, “you’ll end up going and if I don’t want you to, you’ll just sneak off before daylight.” With a squinted-eye nod she knows he knows she’s right.

Seeing he has nothing to say she purposes, “help me carry in some of the vegetables from my gardens. I’ll help you pack in the morning so you won’t have to feel guilty about going.”

Surprised by her offer Carr sits back, “well I’ll promise you this than. I’ll just go and replace out who it is. If they look okay, I’ll replace out what they want. If it seems simple or dangerous, I won’t get involved. If it’s something you consider worthy, I’ll see what I can do.”

She raises a brow, “how would you know, what I consider worthy? And you’re not very stealthy.”

Offended Carr defends, “hey, I’m getting better. And I know what you’d consider worthy.”

She speaks sternly, “Yah.”

Carr replies similarly, “Yah.”

They glare seriously at each other, motionless. Feeling each beat of their hearts.

Snapping embers break the silence. Slowly smiles form on both faces, followed by a short burst of light laughter.

The next morning Carr sets out almost guilt free, in his new green, Dragon scale armor.

Ma holds the reins of the black mare, Ebony, “Carr, just promise me you’ll return in one piece.”

Wrapping his scale armored, arms around her for a hug and peck on the cheek, “I will Ma. I’ll let Violetta and Hal know what I’m up to.” Breaking the hug walks to the horse.

“You do that,” Ma holds back on what she really wants to say, don’t go.

In the saddle he tells her, “no longer then two weeks.”

“I hope so,” she hands him the reins and lightly slaps Ebony’s hind. Getting the horse moving before truly speaking her mind. Intently she watches him cross the open farmland.

Carr turns and waves before slipping into the western wooded path. Never seeing her wave back or the single tear that runs down her cheek.

Lost in his own thoughts the farm path swiftly meets the main path north to Ahn. Looking back Carr wonder’s what happened to the time.

Continuing north he enjoys nature’s colors. The forest canopy and floor are covered with turning leaves of orange, yellow and red.

For fun Carr gets Ebony to race to Ahn. Glancing back to see a trail of swirling leaves, created from Ebony’s thundering hooves.

Nearing the village, a cool breeze carries familiar voices. Racing around a bend Carr sees a very tall lean male walking with a child.

Hearing the approaching hooves, they turn. The male pulls the child to the side of the road. Planning on tearing past them Carr sees the male reach for his bow.

Knowing whom it is and not wanting to get shot Carr calls out, “hello! Hal! Hello! Effim!” Slowing Ebony’s pace to a quick trot.

“Hey! Carr!” Effim calls back.

After securing the bow back in place Hal waves once.

Approaching them Carr sees they’ve been out hunting. Successfully, noticing they’ve each a long stick, with dangling animals.

“Hey, you got new armor,” Effim points out as Carr stops beside them.

“Sure did,” Carr slides off to walk with them and show off his new gear, “I see the hunting was good.”

Checking out Carr’s new Dragon scale armor Hal likes the same thing, “Hello Carr, truly a nice suit. I like the coloring; you’d blend into the woods easily.”

Excited Effim wildly swings the stick of furry critters causing Carr to hop back uttering, “easy there.”

Proudly Effim states, “I got my first rabbit and my first ferret. See.” Flaunting their bodies in Carr’s face.

“Yeah, all to well,” Carr delicately moves the animals back to actually see them, “ah. The ferret was your first.”

Curiously Effim questions, “hey, how did you know?”

Hal knows how Carr’s figured it out but shrugs when his boy looks at him.

Pointing to the punctures Carr answers, “this here ferret has way more holes than the rabbit.”

With pride Effim notes, “I got them while they ran.”

As a proud hunting father taking his boy out for the first time Hal backs him up, “yup, they were moving. And after, just not well.”

Feeling the furs Carr comments, “I few more kills like this and you’ll be on your way to becoming a fine archer.” Turning to Hal, “and what about your three?”

“The ones he missed,” Keeping them moving Hal lets Carr know, “but what he missed was perfectly lined up for me.”

Effim claims, “hey, I got that one rabbit first.”

“Oh, yeah?” Queries Carr looking to Hal.

Hal smiles filling Carr in, “it was different. Effim was sighten’ up on it lying still in the grass. You’ve seen it. Anyways, as Effim releases his arrow, the rabbit hears the snap of the bowstring and jumps. As its long legs stretched out, the arrow pierces both legs. I figured his shot was going to miss, so I’d already fired, my arrow took out that rabbit quickly.”

Noticing the definite head wound on the critter Carr remarks, “that rabbit didn’t suffer long.”

“I wanted to go after a few more,” adds Effim, “but Pa said we have too many already.”

“Well son if you go killing them all, they’ll never be anymore.” Hal turns to Carr, “I can barter two of these.” Pointing to Effim’s kills, “that’ll be dinner for the next few days. The last one will be smoked for the winter.” Hal’s still checking out Carr’s armor, “judging by your spiffy new outfit you’ve been across the swamp. So what did you pay for the armor? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“Not at all,” with a grin Carr replies, “just a few gems and a bucket of blood and sweat.”

Raising a finger and brow Hal indicates to Effim, “boy, I think there’s a tale to be told. Knowing our young friend, it’ll carry us home.”

Looking up to the rogue Effim inquires, “that true Carr? What happened?”

Proudly Carr points out, “I became the richest person you’ll ever know. Momentarily.”

Glancing over Hal remarks, “you’ve been that to him for a few years. So, tell us about your venture.”

Carr does, starting with crossing the Great Swamp. Finding out about a plan to ransack King Halford’s treasure vaults by Lord Krang of Kapigorn. Attempting to ambush the raiding party while they rested. Encountering an evil Night-hag that stalked him in his dreams. Traveling to Hell to dispatch her accompanied by Halford’s men. Managing to keep the story as true as possible with only a few exaggerations.

Hal and Effim make a few comments about dreaming of Sonja. Hal also says the same as his mother in regards to being set up by Halford and Elija. They replace the fight with the Night-hag very entertaining. Even more Hal laughs hearing about the night of drinking in the Slaughtered Lamb.

Finishing his story with returning home to replace the note for help the next day. As well as yesterdays’ discussion with his Mother.