40 Thief
1263 Words
Yvaine came in carrying a pot of tea with two cups. It was one of the beverages in the field guide that she had taken a liking to. It had a mix of flowers and herbs that could be gathered around in the shrubs by the lake.
Janus took a cup and sipped noisily. It had a bitter and flowery taste with the right hint of caffeine that jolted him awake.
"I'm a little bored now." Yvaine said. "I don't think I have a definite role in here. Do you have a job for me? Don't get me wrong, I love sitting around sipping tea and helping with disagreements and disputes, but I have half of my time free. Quilting and embroidery can only entertain me so much after a life of frequent traveling as a diplomat."
"I don't know. I'm planning to send messages of goodwill to all our nearest neighbors but the trade routes are not yet well established. Your safety is of utmost concern."
"How about in that settlement with the Earl in the south? Gaddi was it? Astrid's band isn't too busy yet, and they're not rushing to have their own land. How about we make a trade before winter comes?"
"I think that's a good idea. I'll round out Astrid's band and a few guards. Sir Arthan should come with you of course, along with a few of the stronger guards. I wouldn't want to risk you out there."
"Thank you, dear brother. You're really doing this leader thing quite well, aren't you? And to think you're still doubting yourself."
"Well, I have a lot of help."
"True, and not a lot of sleep I suppose. Your eyes look darker by the minute. Your wrist looks like it's getting limper by the day."
Janus examined his right wrist. He had been doing nothing but writing all night, and its starting to take its toll on his hand.
"You noticed?"
"Of course I have. You need to take care of yourself, might I remind you. You are a Prince and the brain of this whole operation. Anyone of us here is replaceable, well perhaps not me but certainly not you. You should keep yourself healthy, and you'd need a better house to sleep in, something that doesn't hurt your back. Come to think of it -- has Father Galvan told you about plans for working on a church?"
"Oh yes, that's what we discussed before you came in."
He told him what they talked about in the meeting with Father Galvan, as well as Master Ringo's words with him just a few days back. Yvaine nodded at every beat, Otis came by to sit with them both as he kept talking, he nuzzled in for headings and wagged his tail.
"I agree with Master Ringo and Father Galvan. The lack of a place for worship is taking its toll on the faithful, but I think it would be best if you built your own castle first."
"A castle? That's too extravagant, there's still more work to do if we are to keep up with the economy of this colony."
"Symbols are necessary Janus, and I'd like to sleep in a well-cushioned bed for once, with no threat of man or goblin coming inside my quarters."
"They wouldn't dare." Said Janus.
"Of course they wouldn't, but I'm sick and tired of having to keep daggers beside me every time I sleep, and my back is starting to ache. I'm a Princess for the Herald Almighty's sake. We need to set a higher standard for ourselves if we are to set an example to our people and to the other settlements around us."
"I suppose you're right." Said Janus.
"Of course I am." She smiled.
A party was formed the next afternoon to trade with the Earl of Gaddi to be led by Sir Arthan. Due to the council's vote, Yvaine was not allowed to go through with the expedition, as there were a lot of wild animals sighted in the path towards the south.
They brought with them fresh ore from the mountains and crates of dried fish and wine. They were to trade for animals like pigs, horses, cows, and sheep and would be sending a letter of goodwill penned by Yvaine herself.
Yvaine wrote the letter sulkily and passed it to Sir Arthan who graciously bowed before their departure.
Adduk's brick operation sped up the building of houses. Janus opted to give the first brick hall to the church while they were erecting another one.
This satisfied Father Galvan greatly. The priest praised him profusely that Janus was unnerved and flattered at the same time. Master Ringo objected to Janus in private but he assured the steward that he would be building a castle for him and his sister after the winter.
Yvaine opted to work and stay in the church to ease her boredom. She would study as an apprentice healer during the day, tending to those who are sick and injured. She still slept with daggers at night, but having surrounded by the brick walls of the church and having a dormitory shared with the other lady volunteers eased her worries.
The next morning there was a concerning report from New Gracewood. Hakkar and his band came with Kazzuk himself to relay the incident.
"Princey, there has been a robbery in the town. Around three sacks worth of dried fish and jerky had gone missing in the past three days." Kazzuk said.
"Do the guards have any clue who could have done it?"
"Not yet Princey. Although they suspect something or someone from the outside may have gotten in. Some of the stakes were upended and there were small tracks, but they looked nothing like goblinfolk's. They only stole the food that was left outside to dry, none of the items stolen were from inside the buildings.
Janus went to the scene immediately. As much as he loved the scenery in Lakeside, New Gracewood was considered the current base of production. He left Master Ringo as the leader of Lakeside and went on his way.
When he arrived at the scene. Elgar who was on guard duty came to him with evidence found in one of the stakes. It looked like an anklet inlaid with beads of several different colors. When Kazzuk inspected it, there was a hint of familiarity in his eyes.
He expressed his suspicion of Janus, and they planned for a trap.
They would open up one path for the thief to come in. They dug pit traps for the perpetrator and covered them with leaves and vines, and they purposefully left a barrel of fruits out in the open.
The guards were specifically instructed to not patrol the area, save for a lookout from the roof who would continually check on the scene.
It only took them a night to catch the culprit.
Janus can't help but laugh as he heard the screams from the creature. He had never heard curse words creatively strung in this way before, it was the kind that would make a maiden blush or a priest fall into the hell. The creature was exactly as Kazzuk suspected, and it was angry.
A crowd had formed around the pit with people yelling and screaming insults at it. Despite the creature being outnumbered one to a hundred, it's voice still echoed across the town.
"Lemme go ya halfwits and scumbags, coming into our land and taking our mountains aren't ye? Lemme outta here! Lemme ave yer food! I'm hungry! Or do ye want me to slaughter every last one of ye? Ye stinking pile of fools!"
Underneath the pit was a small bearded creature with thick arms, a thick beard, and an even thicker accent.
They had caught a dwarf, and it wasn't happy.
- Writer
