The Magicians' Guild

senses.'

Dannyl shrugged. 'If you put it that way, how can I refuse?'

'We'll begin early, I think. You'll want to have those reward notices printed and sent out as soon as possible.'

'Agh.' Dannyl grimaced. 'Not another early morning.'

Chapter 5 The Reward

'Cery?'

Lifting his head from the table, Cery blinked his eyes. It was morning, he guessed, though it was always hard to tell when you were underground. Straightening, he looked over to the bed. The candle had burned low and its light didn't reach far, but he could just make out the glimmer of Sonea's eyes.

'I'm awake,' he said, stretching to loosen his stiff shoulders. Lifting the candle from the table, Cery carried it over to the bed. Sonea lay with her arms pillowing her head, staring up at the low ceiling. Seeing her, he felt a strange, compelling uneasiness. He could remember feeling that way two years ago, just before she had stopped meeting the gang. After she had disappeared, he had realized too late that he had known all along that she was going to leave them one day.

'Good morning,' he said.

She managed a smile, but it didn't chase away the haunted look in her eyes. 'Who was that boy in the square - the one who died?'

He sat down on the end of the bed and sighed.

'His name was Arrel, I think. Didn't really know him. The son of a woman who used to work at the Dancing Slippers, I think.'

She nodded slowly. For a long time she was silent, then her brows knitted together.

'Have you seen Jonna and Ranel since yesterday?'

He shook his head. 'No.'

'I miss them.' She laughed suddenly. 'Never thought I would so much, really. You know,' she turned on her side and looked at him directly, 'I miss them more than my mother. Isn't that strange?'

'They've looked after you most of your life,' Cery reminded her. 'And your mother has been dead a long time.'

She nodded. 'I sometimes see her in dreams, but when I wake up I can't remember what she looked like. I can remember the house where we lived, though. It was amazing.'

'Your house?' He hadn't heard this before.

She shook her head. 'Mother and father were servants for one of the Families, but they were thrown out when father was accused of stealing something.'

Cery smiled. 'Did he?'

'Probably.' She yawned. 'Jonna blames him for everything I do that she thinks is wrong or bad. She doesn't approve of theft, even if it's from someone rich and mean.'

'Where is your da now?'

She shrugged. 'He left when mother died. Came back once when I was six. Gave Jonna a bit of money, then left again.'

Cery picked some of the run wax off the candle. 'The Thieves killed my da when they found out he was cheating them.'

Her eyes widened. 'Oh, that's awful! I knew he was dead, but you never told me that.'

He shrugged. 'It's not smart to let people know your da was a squimp. He took stupid risks and got caught. That's what Ma says, anyway. He taught me lots of stuff, though.'

'The Thieves' Road.'

He nodded.

'We've been using it, haven't we?'

He nodded again.

She grinned. 'So it's true then? You are a Thieves' man.'

'Nah,' he replied, looking away. 'My da showed me the Road.'

'So, you've got permission?'

He shrugged. 'Yes and no.'

Sonea frowned but said no more.

Looking down at the candle, Cery thought back to a day, three years before, when he had slipped into the passages to escape a guard who had taken offense at having his pockets explored. A shadow had appeared in the darkness, taken Cery by the collar and dragged him to a room off the tunnel and locked him in. Despite all Cery's lock-picking skills, he hadn't been able to free himself. Several hours later, the door had opened and he had been dazzled by a lamp burning so bright he could only make out the silhouette of the man holding it.

'Who're you?' the stranger had demanded. 'What's your name?'

'Ceryni,' he had squeaked.

There had been a pause, and then the light came closer.

'So you are,' the stranger had remarked, amusement in his tone. 'A familiar little rodent, too. Ah, I've got you tagged, now. Torrin's son. Hmm, you know the price for using the Road without the Thieves say-so?'

Terrified, Cery had nodded his head.

'Well then, little Ceryni. You be in a lot of rub, you know, but I think I can give you a bit of space. Don't use the Road regular-like - but if you have to, use it. If anyone asks, tell 'em Ravi said you could. But remember, you owe me. If I ask you for something, you'll give it to me. If you give me boot, you don't get to use any road again. We right?'

Cery had nodded again, too frightened to speak.

The stranger had chuckled. 'Good. Now get yourself gone.' The light had disappeared and Cery had been hauled by unseen hands to the nearest exit from the Road and tossed outside.

Since then, he had rarely set foot on the Thieves' Road. The few times he had returned to the maze, he had been surprised to find his memory of its ways hadn't faded. He had occasionally passed other travellers, but they had never stopped or questioned him.

In the last few days, however, he had flouted the Thieves' rule far more than he was comfortable with. If someone confronted him, he would have to trust that Ravi's name still held some influence. However, he was not about to tell Sonea that. It would frighten her too much.

Looking down at her, he felt that strange uneasiness again.

He had always hoped she would come back one day, but had never believed it. She was different. Special. He'd always known she would get out of the slums one day.

She was special, but in a way he could not have guessed. She had magic! But she also had very bad timing. Why couldn't she have discovered it while making a cup of raka, or polishing shoes? Why do it in front of the Magicians' Guild?

She had, however, and now he must do all he could to keep her from them. At least that left them plenty of time together. Even if that did mean risking his understanding with Ravi, it was worth it. But he hated seeing her looking so worried ...

'Don't worry. So long as the magicians are snooping in the tunnels the Thieves won't pay any mind to -'

'Shhh!' she interrupted, lifting a hand to silence him.

He stared at her as she climbed off the bed and walked into the center of the room. Turning full circle, she