The General and the Thief

Chapter one

News of the magician spread through the market square, and the crowd became bigger. It was as if they were hypnotized by the feats that were being performed in front of them, some even believed it was real magic; those people later met strange and unusual deaths. In the crowd the magician's partner moved undetected removing their valuables and putting them in a sack he was carrying. When he was done he whistled to the magician and then he ran back to their secret hideout.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen boys and girls but the show is now over." As he talked he reached into the pouch at his hip and pulled out a small round clay pot which he held behind his back. "I would like to thank you all for coming."

With that he smashed the clay pot onto the floor, where it released a cloud of thick yellow smoke that smelled of rotting eggs. The spell that held the crowd was broke and they began to cough and gag as tears streamed down their faces. The crooked magician used the distraction to flee the scene and by the time the cloud of toxic smoke had disappeared and the crowd found that they had been robbed the magician and his companion were long gone and all that remained was a pile of cloths that the magician had been wearing.

Altair paced the small hideout Danaus was late coming back, what happens if he had been caught. No that was impossible Danaus had his magic to rely on and was always careful. The days steal was on the floor, he kept looking at it every time he walked passed. Altair had always lived on the streets and had to steal to survive until he was adopted by Danaus at the age of twelve, with the help of Danaus magic and his light fingers they became the perfect partners in crime. He paced some more what was keeping his father. Suddenly there were two tugs on the rope followed by one short tug and two fast ones, that meant lower the rope ladder. Altair did so quickly. Danaus scrambled up the rope ladder and at the sight of Altair pulled him into a bear hug and planted a kiss on his lips. Danaus was giddy with glee.

"Altair my son, I have great news." He pulled him down so that they were sat in a natural step and took his hands in his own "and should we be successful we shall live like kings for the rest of our lives."

"What is it?" Altair asked smiling at the thought of leaving this world behind.

"We are going to steal from the king."

Altair's mouth dropped open, stealing from the king was punishable by death and he told Danaus that fact. Danaus laughed and put his hand on Altair's cheek which turned into a forceful chin grip. Danaus tilted his head from side to side then up and down. He was studying him as if he had never seen him before and this was their first meeting. "Yes, yes perfect, he mumbled under his breath "it is uncanny."

"What is?" Altair asked.

The grip loosened from his chin and returned to his cheek "You will be our way in; you will be able to get close to the king."

"I do not understand?

"Come with me and I will show you but wear this."

Danaus presented him with a cloak which he put on. Altair was puzzled when Danaus pulled up the hood and told him to keep covered and close. They headed towards the place along with everyone else it would appear, something was happening. But instead of following the crowd Danaus took an alleyway which brought them at the back of the place.

"Climb up that tree and you will see what I mean."

Altair looked up the tree was right up against the place wall there would be guards watching it."

Danaus must have seen the doubt "Do not worry you will not been seen the cloak will protect you."

So Altair did as he was asked, climbing up the tree and looking into the place grounds. There was some kind of military inspection going on. A small number of Soldiers were presented in front of the King Alexander who he recognized from drawings and market place gossip. But it wasn't Alexander who Altair was looking at; it was the man who followed. His heart stopped and felt his stomach drop. He was staring at himself as if he was looking into a mirror. The only difference was this man was richly dressed and groomed, while he was dressed in more than rags and filth. Alexander turned to his double and said something in his ear which caused them both to laugh, his double nodded and smiled.

Altair now understood what Danaus had in mind.