The month of Celebrating (December) at age 10

Week 1

Today we were sitting in the lounge area by the front of the base. It's got comfy chairs and a table, so it's perfect for our Rebellion meetings. Harry hasn't dared try anything recently. He probably realised just what a formidable foe Sam can be. Especially after today.

Harry and his gang were having a meeting on the other side of the room near the door. We weren't scared though- we had Sam. Sam could win in a fight against all of them.

The draik man came in and said

"Sam,"

"Yep?" Sam said, spinning round in his chair to see the draik man.

"There's someone at the door to see you."

"Excuse me, kids." He said to us. Dylan gave a jokey glare.

"Excuse me, kids and Dylan." Sam corrected, smiling a little. "I'll be back in a minute."

He got up.

I looked over at Sophia. She had the glint in her eye she gets when she's about to do something either very brave or very stupid.

"Let's follow him." She suggested. "It could give us a clue as to who those hooded ladies were."

Despite the fact that I wasn't too keen on the idea, I found myself and Violet creeping with Sophia down the corridor to the door.

We peeked round the edge, watching the entrance. The slippery hooded lady was there, still with the hood.

"Auntie," Sam said, leaning on the doorframe. "It's dangerous coming here!" He dropped his voice a little. "You're still a wanted criminal!"

Me, Violet and Sophia all gasped, clasped a hand over our mouth to try and disguise it once we realised what we'd done. We hoped he hadn't heard. He had.

"Girls," He said, turning to face us. "I know you're there."

We stepped into the hallway, hands behind our backs and eyes cast on the floor.

"Sorry, Sam." Sophia apologised.

"If you're going to sneak up on me, try to keep quiet." He advised with a smile.

"Who are these people?" The hooded lady asked.

"My Rebellion." Sam said.

"Really? I wasn't expecting young girls."

"Girls?" Dylan asked, coming out with Luke.

"I'm not a girl!" Luke complained, offended.

"This is your team?" The hooded lady said in disbelief to Sam. "Pathetic! You are like your mother in more ways than you let show."

Violet had her bow out from its carrier on her back and an arrow threaded up in a second. She aimed it at the hooded lady.

"No-one messes with us." She warned.

"Really?" The hooded lady laughed, and not in a nice way.

Sam kicked her.

"Listen to little lady Robin Hood," He gestured to Violet, who smiled a little at his nickname for her. "No-one messes with us."

"Men!" The hooded lady complained. "You're all the same! So weak!"

I got my sword out too, looked at Violet.

"We go partnered attack if we need to." Violet said.

"Yeah," I agreed. "We will."

The hooded lady laughed again, pulled down her hood to show us her face.

"Masila!" Sophia gasped. "I saw your picture in a book once! You're evil."

"I try." Masila said modestly, as though that was a good thing.

"What do you want here?" Violet asked angrily.

"My nephew to tell me where the Thieves' Guild's new hideout is."

"And then what?"

"I have some... Unsettled business with the leader."

"You're gonna kill him!" I said in horror.

"You catch on quick." Masila said. "Sam, there's potential in that one."

I glared.

Sam didn't tell her anything. He knows were the Thieves Guild base is, I can tell. But he won't tell her, will he?

Week 2

He hasn't told her as far as I know. Though hopefully the guild know to expect her. Why, you ask? I told them.

Well, I told a member of the guild and he promised to tell them.

We bumped into Hanso on our patrol.

Violet had whipped handcuffs out pretty quickly, but I stopped her before she could actually do anything with them.

"Brynn!" Violet complained. "It's obvious he's been stealing! He's even holding a bag of money!"

Hanso tried to sneak away when he thought I was occupied arguing with Violet, but I grabbed his arm.

"I need information." I said simply.

"Usually guards interrogate thieves after they've taken them to prison." Hanso said.

"Yes," I agreed. "But this isn't an interrogation."

"What is it then?"

"You give me information," I said. "And I let you go with an important message for Kanrik, okay?"

"Okay," Hanso agreed. "Sounds fair. What do you want to know?"

"Who's Masila?" I asked. "What did Kanrik do to her?"

Hanso tensed a little.

"She was in the guild before I signed up, before Kanrik was leader." Hanso explained. "She had a habit of using people, convincing them to trust her and making them do the dirty work but betraying them should she either lose need of them or should they get caught."

"Okay," I said.

"What's the message for Kanrik?"

"She's coming for him." I said. "Think you can manage that?"

"Yeah," Hanso said. "You can let go of my arm now."

I'd completely forgotten I was holding it! I let go and he ran, hopefully to warn Kanrik of Masila's return.

Week 3

I'm back at home with my mum again. It's Christmas tomorrow. Nothing much has happened. I'm hoping that's a good thing.

No news of Hanso. No news of Kanrik. No news of the guild. No news of Masila. But then again, no news is good news. Right?

Week 4

Having got a new pair of warm, woolly socks for Christmas to help me through the winter, I'm back at the guild.

Sam seems a little tense.

"Did you spend Christmas with your Auntie Masila?" Luke asked.

"No," Sam said. "Thank goodness. It was just me and mum."

"Is Kanrik okay?" I asked.

"I don't know." Sam said sadly, kneeling down so he could look me straight in the eye. "I'm sorry, Brynn. But I don't know."