Miriam's Dance with Rogues - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The west pier was deserted. Visibility was dim as the last rays from the setting sun had long since disappeared. The moonlight showed scraps of broken boats and discarded material lay scattered around on the dirty wooden docks. The sound of waves beating a steady cadence against the pier was the only interruption in the chilling silence. The stink of rotting wood and unknown refuse filled my nose as I walked to the center of the pier alone; the child had deserted me after finding out I was penniless. I was pretty sure the man who sent the note was Vico, my contact for entrance to the thieves guild. But still, walking down a deserted pier that even the Dhorn patrols didn't approach sent shivers of fear down my spine.

Just as I was about to give up and leave, a man stepped out of the ruins of an abandoned boat. He wasn't tall, but his muscular physique made him intimidating nonetheless. The dark clothing and twin swords strapped to his waist helped. He approached me silently with a gliding swagger, reminding me of the giant cats from my homeland when they were stalking prey. When he got close enough for me to distinguish his features, I saw that his face was heavily scarred. His hair was as black as mine, but his skin was quite tanned whereas mine was very pale. A crooked nose, and cruel eyes that were narrowed into slits as he studied me made him very memorable. Almost every instinct in my body screamed for me to run. Big man? Check. At least from a child's point of view. Black hair? Check. Big swords? Check. Scary? Double check. Odds that this was the man who sent the message? Laughably high.

"Who are you?" I asked. I was proud that my voice came out clear without showing any of the fear I felt.

He didn't answer for a long moment. "Vico. Chellah described you. Said you wanted to join the thieves guild."

It wasn't a question, but I answered anyways. "That's correct."

"You know the rules?"

"Rules?" I asked.

He grimaced. "There are lots. But basically, you don't steal from the businesses that pay us protection fees. You obey orders from guild leaders. And you keep our secrets secret."

"I can live with those." I readily agreed.

"Alright. I'll tell you the specifics if you actually join us. If you want in, you gotta prove yourself to us. There's a man by the name of Rick Cars. I want you to kill him. Do that and you're in." He said with a sneer that told me he didn't think I was up to it.

"Uh... that's it? Just a man named Rick Cars? You're not going to tell me anything else?" I asked in disbelief.

He laughed. It was a wicked sound that raised goose bumps on my arms. "He just started his little gang in our city yesterday. He has about eight men in his group. They're established in the area in front of the former whore houses. The Dhorn closed down the brothels and Rick moved his gang into that section. They're robbing people who pass through and Rick never bothered to ask the thieves guild for permission. I don't care how you kill him. You can spread your legs and try to get him to fuck you until his heart gives out. Whatever works. But you got three days. I'll meet you here again, same time in three days."

He looked me over contemptuously, his eyes lingering on my breasts. "Here." He untied a sheathed stiletto from his belt and tossed it at my feet. Then turned and began to walk away. Almost as an afterthought, he added, "Oh yeah. They've been paying off the Dhorn patrols to leave them alone. So don't expect the Dhorn to help you."

Damn. I had assumed I would need to steal something to prove myself. Getting past eight men to assassinate their leader? That was completely different. Still, it couldn't hurt to see how difficult it would be. With a sigh, I picked up the stiletto at my feet and hid it inside my bodice before moving toward the district where the brothels were located.

Continued in Chapter 12