Shadowmage

concerned that there may not be much left for yourself, after you have shared out the profits among everyone you gather to help you — those silks will need a lot of manpower, and any fence is likely to charge a large commission on such a sizeable haul.'

'I thought about that. If I am generous on the first job, recruitment for my second will not be so hard.'

'But your next volunteers may become greedy.'

'I'll always be up front about payment. Everyone will know where they stand.'

'That is well. I think you are beginning to understand, Lucius, that when working alongside those who thieve and swindle for a living, the only guarantee one has is mutual self-interest.'

Lucius became aware that Magnus was eyeing him closely, and he shifted under this gaze uncomfortably, becoming acutely aware that the hard wooden chair he had taken was beginning to numb his backside.

'I like you,' Magnus said at last. 'I have been taken in by nobles who promise the earth in the past, and the less said about my romantic attachments to women, the better. But I know thieves, Lucius. I have grown able to spot, very quickly, those who were born to the life, and those who merely pretend. And I see in you the makings of a great thief.'

The praise was completely unexpected. 'Well… thank you.'

'No need for thanks, Lucius, you got here on your own strengths. All learned from your time in the Anclas Territories, were they?'

'Mostly,' Lucius said, evasively, but Magnus seemed to either not notice or not care.

'Caradoc recognises your talent too, though he finds it shameful to admit you saved his life.'

'Any one of us would have done the same.'

'Maybe. You must remember that, despite us all belonging to the Night Hands, some here really are rogues of the highest order. But you will learn that truth soon enough,' Magnus said, then suddenly changed the subject. 'What did you make of Loredo and his woman during our summit?'

Lucius paused, marshalling his thoughts. 'Very capable and very deadly. That woman, Jewel, in particular gave me the shivers.'

'A natural killer. Of all the assassins in Turnitia, she probably commands the highest fees. She is very good at what she does.'

'But I don't think they can be trusted.'

Magnus raised an eyebrow. 'You think, perhaps, I was wrong to call the summit and make the deal?'

'Hardly matters what I think, guildmaster,' Lucius said, hoping his use of Magnus' title was respectful enough.

'Of course what you think matters. You are one of the Hands, you have a stake in what we do here, that decision affected you directly,' Magnus said, then he gave Lucius a sly look. 'Of course, your opinion may not always count for much, but I would still hear it.'

'The summit was important, as it forced both sides to put their cards on the table. And, if nothing else, it has created at least a couple of days of peace.'

'True,' Magnus nodded. 'Anything else?'

When Lucius frowned in thought, Magnus prompted him.

'Why, for example, would I risk inviting them here, into our own guildhouse?'

'A show of trust, as you said,' Lucius began, then a flash of inspiration took him. 'And to get both Loredo and his woman close — you wanted to watch them, see how they would take the proposals.'

'Very good, Lucius,' Magnus said. 'Loredo I knew before, but the years can change a man. Jewel, I know only by reputation, and most of the tales told of her are likely exaggerated. Or maybe not. I like to know who I am dealing with. And you are right — they cannot be trusted.'

'So, what have we gained?'

'Well, time, as you said. Even a moment of peace is infinitely preferable to the immediate onset of war. There are those, of course, who think a good, bloody war would straighten the city out and set things right, but we cannot guarantee we would be on the winning side, can we? At least, not yet.'

Thinking Magnus' words over, Lucius looked up at the guildmaster.

'While I appreciate the trust, why are you telling me this?' he asked.

Magnus sat up straight, abandoning his leisurely posture to clasp his hands together as he leaned over the desk.

'Several reasons,' he began. 'I meant what I said about liking you. It's an instinct. You are going to do well for us here, Lucius, if you work hard and do not cheat us.'

'I wouldn't — ' Lucius began, but Magnus waved his objection away.

'It occurs to every thief at some time. A few coins here, a few valuables there, before anything reaches our fences. Just… just be warned that we have our own methods for discovering and tracking down those who embezzle from us. However, the one point of real contention between the Hands and the Guild are the docks and outlying merchant quarter. The Five Markets are what attract citizen and visitor both, but the money all flows from the ships and wagons of the merchants. Not having both the docks and the merchant quarter in the possession of either guild makes lasting peace between us impossible.'

'You think they will try moving against us so soon,' Lucius asked, thinking of his own operation about to go into action.

'Probably not,' Magnus said. 'It is probably just me worrying too much about every little thing the Hands get up to. But promise me this, Lucius. If you get the merest hint that the Guild are getting ready to hit us, the slightest suspicion that everything is not quite right when you make your raid, pull out. Don't risk the lives of the men who volunteer to go with you. They may escape only with their skins that evening rather than the goods they hoped for, but that is good enough if danger threatens. Do you understand?'

'Of course.'

'I'm serious, Lucius. Whether it is this week, next month or next year, the Guild will be coming for us. I don't want any of us caught in the firing line when they do.'

CHAPTER 10

Lucius cast a wry glance up at Kerberos as the blue-grey giant leered down upon the docks. He had heard the sphere called Thief's Friend, on account of the twilight it cast during the late hours, creating shadows throughout the city in which a rogue could readily hide. Only rarely did it dip completely below the horizon and so shroud the world in the pitch black of night. He ruefully thought he might have liked such a night, with darkness completely clothing both himself and his allies as they surrounded their target.

The Allantian Voyager was berthed just a few dozen yards ahead of him, its three masts rising into the faintly star-speckled sky. With its hull heavily reinforced to withstand the battering it would face on its travels across the churning sea, it was a squat and unlovely vessel, but one eminently suited to the journeys it would face. Typical of Allantian designs, the Voyager was the largest ship in the harbour, with others from Vosburg and the Sarcre Islands much smaller by comparison, designed to ride the huge waves they would face rather than plough a course through the maelstrom. Such ships would inevitably be smashed to splinters within a year or two, having encountered one natural disaster too many. It was said the best Allantian ships could last for more than a century of continuous travel.

A small flash of light made Lucius look upwards to the cliffs rising behind him. He nodded to himself, knowing the wagon party was now ready. Having commandeered a massive crane, they now awaited the haul of silk to be loaded onto its platform, which they would then raise and transfer onto the wagon they had acquired. From there, the silk would be taken to one of the Hands' affiliated fences to be sold; job done.

The light flashed again as one of the thieves high above lifted his cloak slightly to reveal the hooded lantern he held close to his body, then dropped it, his signal complete. The first part of their task was done. Now they had to wait for the other thieves to board the Voyager and make off with its goods before their turn in the heavy lifting began.

In all, Lucius had managed to raise a score of thieves to join him in his expedition, most signing on at the last minute. Quickly briefing them on the plan, and noticing some of the older thieves suppressing smiles as they watched him draw out positions on the many different maps he had prepared, Lucius had led them to the docks and delegated positions. He was, at least, gratified to see Ambrose with them, a familiar face on his first planned