A Page of Deceit

Chapter One

Of course it hadn't been anyone's fault that the plan had turned out bad. They always do in the end and it was a fact that we had all accepted grimly. Then again, that was before we were being chased by ten on the King's Own. This time I didn't know what we had stolen; only that I had helped and therefore I would get the same punishment as my comrades. I ran faster. Soon I was in the front and led the other three that were with me around a corner and into a familiar alley.

It was dark, almost pitch black. The moon wasn't able to offer what little light it had to this small cramped space, which was all the better for us. I didn't need it to find what I was looking for, and the darkness would help slow down the King's Own. My finger tips brushed against the rough metal of a small circular ring. I tried to open the hatch quietly, but that was simply an impossibility at that point. The farther I pulled the lid open the louder it seemed to squeal and screech in protest.

I point a dirty finger to my lips indicating for the men following me to be quiet and ushered them down the hole. The King's Own were right behind us, their shadows looming at the beginning of the alley. Were they really that scared to follow us? It had seemed a possibility, but it was one that I wouldn't hold on to. Soon Raoul of Goldenlake would be there to put the men back in shape. I followed after the last of my men went into the hole and closed the hatch.

The lid closed down with a last unbearably loud squeal, making me clench my teeth in frustration. When it finally slammed shut I let out a breath of air that I didn't know I had been holding. In the darkness I could see six pairs of dots glued to me as they waited for me to tell them what to do next. After all I had gotten them this far. Knowing the job was almost done I went to the front of the group and led my through the under ground tunnel system that only a few select people knew.

The men behind me relaxed more as we walked farther away from where we had been. As far as I could tell we were safe until the King's Own caught us again, which reminded me; who thought of the plans? Whoever it was needed to be replaced, because this was the third time we almost got caught. I was done with having to run away.

"Ray how much farther?" I turned around at the voice of Sid. He was one of the oldest members of my group nearing forty. He was also the tallest one and the tunnel didn't do anything to help him. Sid had been forced to bend over as he walked, his graying hair sweeping in front of his face unceremoniously.

It only took me a couple of seconds to determine that we would reach the right exit in another few minutes. The tunnel system that we were in had been adapted by slavers, thieves, and the sorts. It led almost anywhere in the city of Corus, except for the palace grounds. Once one got used to the winding tunnels, and when you kept track of the exits and turns the tunnels saved you a lot of time. "I would guess at ten minutes. Can you keep up until then?" I asked him. He had a horrible cough. None of the healers had been able to heal him unfortunately and now it was something he had to live with.

"No, I will be fine." He managed to croak back to me mid cough. I left him at it. There was no point in keeping idle chit chat with him if he was just going to hack away. Instead I wandered through my own thoughts.

No one had informed me of what we were stealing. It had never occurred to me to ask. "What did you guys take?"

I heard shuffling noises behind me and then some strange whistles and clicks. Stopping in the middle of the tunnel I turned around to face slit-pupiled blue eyes gazing back at her.

"You stole the dragon!" I shrieked. The small creature seemed to be glaring at me as if I was the sole one to blame. There was a small collar around the immortals neck that didn't seem to belong there and glowed brightly as the dragon struggled to get free.

"You know dragon's claws, when pounded to ash, sell for a high price in the Market." Tanim told me with a huge grin on his face. I stared at the dragon unable to look away from the creature. I had heard rumors about the immortal and the person she lived with Daine. We were in a lot of trouble if any of those rumors were true.

"How did you manage to get her?" I asked awed by the creature.

"The collar, Master Nemphroy made it, said it would restrain her and keep her silent." Tanim shrugged his shoulders, not caring in the least as to what crime he had just committed.

I was starting to feel scared for once. This theft would have us all hung. Daine was good friends with the King and she was married to most powerful mage in Tortall. I was only positive that if she was made so would they. We wouldn't get a trial once we were caught, because we would surely get caught. It might not happen at first, but it would happen.

"Keep walking Rayne." Tuk ordered me. "We can't be staying here all day."

I watched as Tanim stuffed the dragon inside of a grain sack with a few protested whistles coming from it and then turned around. The faster I led them out of the tunnels that faster I could get away. Then again, I would never be able to get away from this life. It would always be there to bite back.