Return to Canifis

“I picked the lock,” she said softly. “I’m a thief after all-just like the rest of you.”

“Wrap the dagger up Owen,” the scarred man instructed. “I will take it with me. But you, little girl… you have proved yourself more resourceful than I had thought. You will not be harmed so long as you don’t try to run. I will return here in a day or two, and by then I expect I will have thought of a good use for you.” He advanced and fixed her with his opal-clouded eye.

Can he see me with that thing?

“What is your name, thief?”

She breathed deeply before answering, to ensure that her voice sounded strong.

It was all my parents left me with. It will not be mocked. It will not be whispered.

“It is Pia,” she said. “My name is Pia.”

Be bold, Pia. You have nothing to lose now.

Her chin jutted forward.

“And you?” she demanded.

The man laughed, slowly at first, and then with a hint of madness.

“Who am I?” he responded. “Who am I? You impersonated Kara-Meir, so surely you know her story. I have heard it spread throughout The Wilderness. About her and her friends, and their victory at Falador. Who do you think I must be then? Who else in all this world would have such cause to hate her that he would spare you in case you might be useful? Who has lost both hands to that wretched she-devil in single- combat?”

He leaned in closer, his foul-smelling breath disgusting her.

“You tell me who I am.”

The man was hissing now, spitting into her face.

Pia closed her eyes in sudden panic.

Of course, she thought. How could I not know?

“You are Sulla,” she said.

And this time, her voice did not sound so confident.

“Can we trust Sulla?” Velko asked his fellow outlaws.

“Not much choice, is there?” came the answer.

It was two hours since Sulla had left them and the men all looked tired. Pia was tied to the wooden ladder that led up to the gambrel. She was aware of the increasingly hostile looks the men gave her. She said nothing in an attempt to avoid provoking them.

She knew that she would have no other opportunity to escape. There were fifteen outlaws in all, armed with dirks, axes and swords. Even if she could free herself from her bonds, there was always someone watching. None dared to risk the anger of their leader-and the creature he commanded.

The shadows had darkened inside the barn. The only light came from a single lamp that was set well away from the dry hay. Outside, the sky was still overcast and the gloom was increasing.

After a time, resignation gave way to quiet desperation.

My only chance is to knock over the lamp, then escape in the darkness.

Unnoticed by her captors, she strained at the rope about her wrists, hoping that the old flax fibres would soon give.

My brother is out there-he needs me.

Finally, one of her captors spoke, putting a voice to the fears of his friends.

“What worries me is that we’re all wanted in Varrock,” Owen said.

“If we’re caught we’ll hang,” added another. “We lived in The Wilderness for a reason, and that’s ‘cause we have bounties on our heads. Every one of us.”

The flax rope gave way with a sudden snap. Pia took her opportunity and dived for the lamp.

“Get her!” Velko shouted.

A man moved to bar her way, but she ducked between his legs, her arm extended, knocking the lamp over. Someone closed the door to the barn. At the same time the lamp smashed.

The room went dark. She felt the man’s hands seize her legs. Pia kicked viciously, but the man held her tightly.

“Help me subdue her!” the outlaw roared.

Velko, she thought.

Someone nearby drew a sword.

Who would risk a blade in the darkness?

“Open the door to let in some light!” Velko cried, his hand around Pia’s throat.

A sword swung near the door. A man sighed as he fell.

“What’s happening?” someone shouted.

“I’ve heard enough,” a new voice, a woman’s voice, said. “I know you are all outlaws and murderers.” The calm coldness of the words brought no reply. “If you surrender now you will live to face trial in Varrock.”

Who is this? No one can fight if they can’t see.

“You speak boldly for a lone girl,” Owen said in the darkness.

Pia heard the outlaws ready their weapons.

Another sound came from the darkness, this time from the right of the barn. It was the sound of a sword tip puncturing leather armour. Pia imagined the blade severing internal organs and cracking the man’s spine.

She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes as the man screamed. The sound ended with a gurgle, followed by that of a sword being pulled from the body.

Shhhhhk.

“Rush her,” Velko shouted.

I must help her. She is my best chance to escape Sulla.

“There are fifteen of them,” she yelled as Velko squeezed her throat.

“You shut up!” he roared. She choked and thrashed, preventing him from cutting off her breath entirely. But he was stronger than she, and if he found a better grip…

“Only twelve now,” the newcomer said from the left of the barn. Somehow, she had moved through the line of men, who clamoured with confusion.

She is like a ghost.

Thinking they had located her now, the thieves turned and charged, and the sound of full battle erupted.

The outlaws, fighting in the darkness, stabbed at the air and confused each other, while the assailant herself fought silently, the only noise being her blade as it parried and stabbed.

“My arm!” A man cried.

Shhhhhk.

Another screamed as he was disembowelled.

A third yelled as he hacked at a shape in the darkness, striking the wood of the beams. Pia heard the solid thud of his axe as it found a body.

“You’ve killed your friend,” the woman said. “And you have lost your weapon.”

“No! No!”

Shhhhhk.

Then came a lull in the fighting, and no one dared speak, lest they be found by this ruthless assailant. The sound of men panting in fear filled the darkness.

Finally, the silence was ended by the woman’s voice.

“Surrender. Please. You will be taken to Varrock as prisoners.”

“That would mean our deaths,” someone replied.

“Then you leave me no alternative.” The voice came from a different place again, though there had been no trace of movement.

What magic does she possess?

“We’ll take our chances with you,” Velko shouted, “rather than with the hangman.”

“So be it.” The woman’s voice was followed by the sound of someone scrambling up the ladder to the loft, followed by a moan of desperation from several feet above the combatants.