In Tagha, in Sotat
- - - -
The Girl:
It was a dark and gloomy day in the large market city of Tagha, but this didn't stop it from being the busy, bustling town it normally was. The city's many markets were filled with shoppers, and the main square was so filled with people that even it's side streets were overflowing. Among this mass of humanity, a thick layer of fog lay, blown in off the ocean that was the primary shipping location for the vast number of goods that were both imported and exported all over the pebbled sea.
The people in the different markets varried immensly, in the poor markets you'd be likely to find pick-pockets, students, and poor families, and among the more wealthy markets, the rich, the royal, and the successful were only to be found: guards at the door would turn away any other riff-raff.
The Market of the Rich, as it was called by all but those who could afford it, was not nearly as busy as the less expensive ones. Here the streets were broad and lit by expensive oil lamps. The wealthy were free to stroll down the rows and browse the wares that only they could afford at their leisure, their servents bustling around behind them seeing to their comfort. A few successful mages wandered from shop to shop searching for just the right ingredient to perfect their latest experiment, and of course every now and then everyone was cleared away to make room for the not uncommon royal who had come to spend the day.
A girl of about 16 stood at the bottom of the wide path that lead up to the Market of the Rich. She was very lovely, the picture of what any noble should look like, although her figure had little shape to it, and she was small in height. The girls hair was long and wild, the color a dark red, almost maroon, her eyes were a bright emerald in hue. To add to this picture, she wore loose breaches of light green, and a knee length full skirt of a light cream color, for her shirt she work a cream colored undershirt with a light green shirt over, one that had puffy sleaves, above those she wore a dark green shirt which had thin straps so as to give a pretty layered affect. Her name was Kitty. Kitty walked up to the tall marble and ivory gates and was stopped as usual by the guards. Although she appeared to be properly dressed and exceptable, something in their instincts screamed that something was wrong. She smiled her quick and easy smile, dimples showing in her cheeks and stood in a relaxed position as they did their regular inspection. After proclaiming her clear she nodded, and walked through the gates that were quickly opened for her.
"Good day, Miss Kitty," they said to her as she walked by with a nod. As soon as the gates closed, her sensative ears picked up a bit of mumbling. The guards knew to let her through, but they would never be comfortable with it.
Kitty was not a noble, she was not a wealthy mage, and she was not the sole heir to a huge estate, in fact, if the guards had known who she was, they would not have only stopped her, but closed the whole market and called the city's police force over right away, complete with as many mages as they could spare. The girl was a theif, and not just any theif, but the theif who's face could be viewed at leisure on every street corner in Sotat. The theif lord called her Shadowcat, she was like a shadow, swift and silent, with the agility of a cat. Of course, his first inclination had been to call her Dogchow, but she had argued with him for a better name. Everyone says, don't argue with the theif lord, but Kitty can, he wouldn't give her up if he had to, she was too good for his business.
She strolled nonchallontly down the market's streets, looking at wares with the same lofty indifferent expression that was on everyone else's face. Every now and then she'd pick something up and toy with it for a moment before putting it back down. Once she tried on a neckless and smiled at herself in the shop's mirror while the owner murmored compliments to her. They always did. Kitty took it off and smiled a dismissal to the shopkeeper. As soon as his back was turned she slipped her hand out and took it, making little movement. Then she moved another neckless to it's place to hide the fact that it was missing. Quickly she lost herself behind a noble's brigade of servants.
This happened many times. In a few hours, Kitty's secret pockets were full of stolen goods, and her figure appeared much fuller than it had been when she arrived. Of course, the rust colored coat that she had bought with stolen money would hide this from the gate guards as she exited. Kitty charmed her way from shop to shop, taking valuables as she went. When she rounded a corner in the street, she saw what she had really been searching for. Before her lay the largest store by far. It was shrouded by fog, but there were people around it waving curious large paper fans to clear the wares for easier viewing. A large sign over head proclaimed the store's name to be "Tejraha's Pearls," which was the largest pearl farm on this side of the Pebbled Sea. The pearls here were famous not only for their size and beauty, but for their amazing abilities in magical workings. A Tejraha pearl would produce better results than any other kind of pearl would.
Kitty grinned wryly, this was her goal. The thief lord had long since given up on small and petty crimes for her, and now she had moved on to bigger ones. Some said it was magic, her way of knowing what was valuable, her way of disappearing after a crime, some said she was just very good at her job. Kitty didn't care, she just loved being the best, it was her only way of forgetting the past. Her smile dimmed as her thoughts wandered back into the mists of times long ago. The girl had had to step on many toes on her climb to the top, but that was over with. It would have been nicer if she hadn't had to, especially not to her best friend back then, but it had been neccessary, did she still want to be a no one in a gang called the Lightnings? No! Being the top theif in the country was much better.
Slowly, the girl made her way through the noticably thicker crowd before the store. Once she was in the front she examined some smaller pearls, managing to slip them once more into the hidden pockets in her clothing. Finally she got to the largest pearls of all. She had known this one would be risky. She had been told multiple times; apparently the thief lord cares more about you when you're the Shadowcat then when you're just a gang girl from the streets. Kitty smiled her dimples into view. Then, right before the store owner, she picked up two of the largest pearls she could find, stuffed them into one of the store's special bags, grabbed two more, and stuffed them in, raised her eyebrows and smirked, and then ran, the bag in her hand.
The crowd didn't halt her at all. Kitty had a way of moving through masses of people that no one else could. Within a few seconds she had sprinted out of the many rich shoppers and was on the streets. She knew the way out. At a run, she threw her blanket over her head and shoulders, hid her bag under it, and slowed to a walk, carefully making sure that everything but her face was covered in her wrap. Hunching over, she waited for Tejraha to pass. She did, but then doubled back and spoke to her.
"Did you see a girl come running by with a big bag?" Tejraha looked harrassed. Kitty almost felt bad for her. Almost. This was her job after all.
"Yes, I think, maybe if you make it worth my while I'll tell you." Kitty took out a small clay pot and held it out as a single for the lady to toss in some coins. With a sigh Tejraha tossed a few copper disks in. Kitty made a show of bitting them, watching as the store's owner grew more and more aggrivated. Then she shrugged and pointed towards the wall. "She went out that way."
As soon as Tejraha was out of view, Kitty turned and calmly walked out the other set of gates.
- - - -
The Strangers:
The mayor's palace was thrown open that night to greet a trio of famous travelers from Emelan. Everyone knew about Dedicate Rosethorn and the young mage she had taught, Briar. Quite a few had even heard of the student's student, Evumeimei, or Evvy, as she was called. It had come as quite a shock to Evvy to be welcomed in a palace after spending her life in the slums, but Briar had assured her that this was what she must learn to expect. Being a talented mage, and traveling with people like Dedicate Rosethorn, most locals would give an arm and a leg to impress them, mostly in hopes of getting a special magic gift.
There was to be a party in their honor. All of the qualified mages were invited so that they may speak with their traveling comrads, and of course, the stuffiest nobles would all be in attendance. In the fancy suites that the three were assigned to, Briar was having a fit as they got ready.
"I don't see why I have to go. There's no point in rubbing elbows with bags like them." He complained to his teacher while he buttoned up his shirt and Rosethorn helped Evvy with a difficult hook in her dress. After finishing with his shirt he flopped down on the bed and sighed loudly. Briar knew it was of no use, but he did want to at least put up some show of reluctance.
Rosethorn looked at him cooly, eyebrow's raised, and he groaned. She had known he would be coming to the party before it had even been announced. A few minutes later they were all ready and on their way out the door. Rosethorn lead the way down the hall to the fancy ball room where the celebration would take place. When the three entered they were forced glasses of wine, and the gather crowd in all their assorted finery toasted them. The band started, and the Rosethorn was whisked away by a tall mage who she apparently knew. Evvy, headed for a chair and sat an expression of absolute boredum on her face. Briar's first move was for the full buffet table. If life as a thief had taught him anything, it was to never turn your nose up at a good meal.
Next came the ever predictable young noble in a fancy dress. She stood across from him and batted her eyes, and giggled. Her friends came over, and after about a half an hour of watching him eat spoke.
"You've been eating long enough, time to dance.
-ut, lemme finsh." Briar swallowed and then spoke again. "I don't dance, it's...
...time for you to learn." The girl interupted annoyed.
She then grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the floor. They whirled and turned for a few dances before Briar could safely hand her off to a boy who he had noticed eyeing her all evening. The noble safely in his arms, Briar could retreat back to his chair in the corner and enjoy a few more chocolates.
The evening was very predictable really, things progressed as they usually did, and the first few hours were uneventful and dull. It was nearing midnight when something of intrest happened.
At the beginning guests streamed into the ball room, then they slowed to a trickle, and stopped. Briar had assumed that everyone who was planning on attending had arrived. That was why it took him by such surprise when a girl, about his age arrived. She was beautiful, dressed in a low back shining emerald gown, the exact hue as her eyes. Curled hair was done in a fancy style that managed to make it's wild look appear intentional. Around her neck was a pearl necklace that Briar could have sworn seeing at Tejraha's Pearls ealier that day. He remembered it because he had thought how the theif lord would have loved him if he had nicked it.
Upon entering, this stranger was snatched away into the arms of a very rich noble who whirled her around the floor with his mouth open, nearly drooling. After that dance was done, and the girl attempted to leave, she was once more asked for a dance, this time by a mage Briar recognized. When this dance was done, she managed to leave the floor without any more interuptions. Walking briskly, the girl approached the buffet and selected an eclair from a pastry basket. Taking a bit she smiled, showing dimples that Briar hadn't noticed before. Then she made her way, more slowly this time, over to where he was sitting and sat a few seats down.
Briar smiled at her, and moved over to sit next to her.
"Hello, I'm Briar Moss, from Summersea in Emelan."
"Yes, I know, although you seem a bit familiar. Anyway, my name is Kitty, and I'm from around here." She reached out her hand.
Briar took it and shook it almost half heartedly. His thoughts were elsewhere, on the comment she had made about being familiar. That was something that he had thought to, and the name just rung a bell somewhere in his past. Where had he seen her before?
Her voice interupted his train of thought as she asked, "Do you dance?"
"Not really."
"Care to learn?"
Briar took her hand and led her to the dance floor. They whirled to the lively tune that the band was playing, and when the song switched to one with a slower tempo, continued dancing. Normally Briar would have left at the first opening chords of this much slower song, but something about this girl rang a bell. Kitty was a mystery, and he wanted to solve it. Besides, she was beautiful and seemed nice, what else could you want?
The evening ended too soon, and Kitty disappeared before Briar could ask her for her address, or even say good-bye. After the long evening, he was only a little disappointed, although he was annoyed that she didn't tell him good night. All the young mage really wanted was to get back to his room, and collapse on his bed. Once Evvy was calmed down enough to sleep, that was what he did. Besides, it solved the problem of any questions about Kitty that Rosethorn might ask, questions that he couldn't answer.
- - - -
Disclaimer:
Most everything in this story is original work by Tamora Pierce. I'm not making any money off this, and I'm giving her full credit.
- - - -
The Girl:
It was a dark and gloomy day in the large market city of Tagha, but this didn't stop it from being the busy, bustling town it normally was. The city's many markets were filled with shoppers, and the main square was so filled with people that even it's side streets were overflowing. Among this mass of humanity, a thick layer of fog lay, blown in off the ocean that was the primary shipping location for the vast number of goods that were both imported and exported all over the pebbled sea.
The people in the different markets varried immensly, in the poor markets you'd be likely to find pick-pockets, students, and poor families, and among the more wealthy markets, the rich, the royal, and the successful were only to be found: guards at the door would turn away any other riff-raff.
The Market of the Rich, as it was called by all but those who could afford it, was not nearly as busy as the less expensive ones. Here the streets were broad and lit by expensive oil lamps. The wealthy were free to stroll down the rows and browse the wares that only they could afford at their leisure, their servents bustling around behind them seeing to their comfort. A few successful mages wandered from shop to shop searching for just the right ingredient to perfect their latest experiment, and of course every now and then everyone was cleared away to make room for the not uncommon royal who had come to spend the day.
A girl of about 16 stood at the bottom of the wide path that lead up to the Market of the Rich. She was very lovely, the picture of what any noble should look like, although her figure had little shape to it, and she was small in height. The girls hair was long and wild, the color a dark red, almost maroon, her eyes were a bright emerald in hue. To add to this picture, she wore loose breaches of light green, and a knee length full skirt of a light cream color, for her shirt she work a cream colored undershirt with a light green shirt over, one that had puffy sleaves, above those she wore a dark green shirt which had thin straps so as to give a pretty layered affect. Her name was Kitty. Kitty walked up to the tall marble and ivory gates and was stopped as usual by the guards. Although she appeared to be properly dressed and exceptable, something in their instincts screamed that something was wrong. She smiled her quick and easy smile, dimples showing in her cheeks and stood in a relaxed position as they did their regular inspection. After proclaiming her clear she nodded, and walked through the gates that were quickly opened for her.
"Good day, Miss Kitty," they said to her as she walked by with a nod. As soon as the gates closed, her sensative ears picked up a bit of mumbling. The guards knew to let her through, but they would never be comfortable with it.
Kitty was not a noble, she was not a wealthy mage, and she was not the sole heir to a huge estate, in fact, if the guards had known who she was, they would not have only stopped her, but closed the whole market and called the city's police force over right away, complete with as many mages as they could spare. The girl was a theif, and not just any theif, but the theif who's face could be viewed at leisure on every street corner in Sotat. The theif lord called her Shadowcat, she was like a shadow, swift and silent, with the agility of a cat. Of course, his first inclination had been to call her Dogchow, but she had argued with him for a better name. Everyone says, don't argue with the theif lord, but Kitty can, he wouldn't give her up if he had to, she was too good for his business.
She strolled nonchallontly down the market's streets, looking at wares with the same lofty indifferent expression that was on everyone else's face. Every now and then she'd pick something up and toy with it for a moment before putting it back down. Once she tried on a neckless and smiled at herself in the shop's mirror while the owner murmored compliments to her. They always did. Kitty took it off and smiled a dismissal to the shopkeeper. As soon as his back was turned she slipped her hand out and took it, making little movement. Then she moved another neckless to it's place to hide the fact that it was missing. Quickly she lost herself behind a noble's brigade of servants.
This happened many times. In a few hours, Kitty's secret pockets were full of stolen goods, and her figure appeared much fuller than it had been when she arrived. Of course, the rust colored coat that she had bought with stolen money would hide this from the gate guards as she exited. Kitty charmed her way from shop to shop, taking valuables as she went. When she rounded a corner in the street, she saw what she had really been searching for. Before her lay the largest store by far. It was shrouded by fog, but there were people around it waving curious large paper fans to clear the wares for easier viewing. A large sign over head proclaimed the store's name to be "Tejraha's Pearls," which was the largest pearl farm on this side of the Pebbled Sea. The pearls here were famous not only for their size and beauty, but for their amazing abilities in magical workings. A Tejraha pearl would produce better results than any other kind of pearl would.
Kitty grinned wryly, this was her goal. The thief lord had long since given up on small and petty crimes for her, and now she had moved on to bigger ones. Some said it was magic, her way of knowing what was valuable, her way of disappearing after a crime, some said she was just very good at her job. Kitty didn't care, she just loved being the best, it was her only way of forgetting the past. Her smile dimmed as her thoughts wandered back into the mists of times long ago. The girl had had to step on many toes on her climb to the top, but that was over with. It would have been nicer if she hadn't had to, especially not to her best friend back then, but it had been neccessary, did she still want to be a no one in a gang called the Lightnings? No! Being the top theif in the country was much better.
Slowly, the girl made her way through the noticably thicker crowd before the store. Once she was in the front she examined some smaller pearls, managing to slip them once more into the hidden pockets in her clothing. Finally she got to the largest pearls of all. She had known this one would be risky. She had been told multiple times; apparently the thief lord cares more about you when you're the Shadowcat then when you're just a gang girl from the streets. Kitty smiled her dimples into view. Then, right before the store owner, she picked up two of the largest pearls she could find, stuffed them into one of the store's special bags, grabbed two more, and stuffed them in, raised her eyebrows and smirked, and then ran, the bag in her hand.
The crowd didn't halt her at all. Kitty had a way of moving through masses of people that no one else could. Within a few seconds she had sprinted out of the many rich shoppers and was on the streets. She knew the way out. At a run, she threw her blanket over her head and shoulders, hid her bag under it, and slowed to a walk, carefully making sure that everything but her face was covered in her wrap. Hunching over, she waited for Tejraha to pass. She did, but then doubled back and spoke to her.
"Did you see a girl come running by with a big bag?" Tejraha looked harrassed. Kitty almost felt bad for her. Almost. This was her job after all.
"Yes, I think, maybe if you make it worth my while I'll tell you." Kitty took out a small clay pot and held it out as a single for the lady to toss in some coins. With a sigh Tejraha tossed a few copper disks in. Kitty made a show of bitting them, watching as the store's owner grew more and more aggrivated. Then she shrugged and pointed towards the wall. "She went out that way."
As soon as Tejraha was out of view, Kitty turned and calmly walked out the other set of gates.
- - - -
The Strangers:
The mayor's palace was thrown open that night to greet a trio of famous travelers from Emelan. Everyone knew about Dedicate Rosethorn and the young mage she had taught, Briar. Quite a few had even heard of the student's student, Evumeimei, or Evvy, as she was called. It had come as quite a shock to Evvy to be welcomed in a palace after spending her life in the slums, but Briar had assured her that this was what she must learn to expect. Being a talented mage, and traveling with people like Dedicate Rosethorn, most locals would give an arm and a leg to impress them, mostly in hopes of getting a special magic gift.
There was to be a party in their honor. All of the qualified mages were invited so that they may speak with their traveling comrads, and of course, the stuffiest nobles would all be in attendance. In the fancy suites that the three were assigned to, Briar was having a fit as they got ready.
"I don't see why I have to go. There's no point in rubbing elbows with bags like them." He complained to his teacher while he buttoned up his shirt and Rosethorn helped Evvy with a difficult hook in her dress. After finishing with his shirt he flopped down on the bed and sighed loudly. Briar knew it was of no use, but he did want to at least put up some show of reluctance.
Rosethorn looked at him cooly, eyebrow's raised, and he groaned. She had known he would be coming to the party before it had even been announced. A few minutes later they were all ready and on their way out the door. Rosethorn lead the way down the hall to the fancy ball room where the celebration would take place. When the three entered they were forced glasses of wine, and the gather crowd in all their assorted finery toasted them. The band started, and the Rosethorn was whisked away by a tall mage who she apparently knew. Evvy, headed for a chair and sat an expression of absolute boredum on her face. Briar's first move was for the full buffet table. If life as a thief had taught him anything, it was to never turn your nose up at a good meal.
Next came the ever predictable young noble in a fancy dress. She stood across from him and batted her eyes, and giggled. Her friends came over, and after about a half an hour of watching him eat spoke.
"You've been eating long enough, time to dance.
-ut, lemme finsh." Briar swallowed and then spoke again. "I don't dance, it's...
...time for you to learn." The girl interupted annoyed.
She then grabbed his arm and dragged him onto the floor. They whirled and turned for a few dances before Briar could safely hand her off to a boy who he had noticed eyeing her all evening. The noble safely in his arms, Briar could retreat back to his chair in the corner and enjoy a few more chocolates.
The evening was very predictable really, things progressed as they usually did, and the first few hours were uneventful and dull. It was nearing midnight when something of intrest happened.
At the beginning guests streamed into the ball room, then they slowed to a trickle, and stopped. Briar had assumed that everyone who was planning on attending had arrived. That was why it took him by such surprise when a girl, about his age arrived. She was beautiful, dressed in a low back shining emerald gown, the exact hue as her eyes. Curled hair was done in a fancy style that managed to make it's wild look appear intentional. Around her neck was a pearl necklace that Briar could have sworn seeing at Tejraha's Pearls ealier that day. He remembered it because he had thought how the theif lord would have loved him if he had nicked it.
Upon entering, this stranger was snatched away into the arms of a very rich noble who whirled her around the floor with his mouth open, nearly drooling. After that dance was done, and the girl attempted to leave, she was once more asked for a dance, this time by a mage Briar recognized. When this dance was done, she managed to leave the floor without any more interuptions. Walking briskly, the girl approached the buffet and selected an eclair from a pastry basket. Taking a bit she smiled, showing dimples that Briar hadn't noticed before. Then she made her way, more slowly this time, over to where he was sitting and sat a few seats down.
Briar smiled at her, and moved over to sit next to her.
"Hello, I'm Briar Moss, from Summersea in Emelan."
"Yes, I know, although you seem a bit familiar. Anyway, my name is Kitty, and I'm from around here." She reached out her hand.
Briar took it and shook it almost half heartedly. His thoughts were elsewhere, on the comment she had made about being familiar. That was something that he had thought to, and the name just rung a bell somewhere in his past. Where had he seen her before?
Her voice interupted his train of thought as she asked, "Do you dance?"
"Not really."
"Care to learn?"
Briar took her hand and led her to the dance floor. They whirled to the lively tune that the band was playing, and when the song switched to one with a slower tempo, continued dancing. Normally Briar would have left at the first opening chords of this much slower song, but something about this girl rang a bell. Kitty was a mystery, and he wanted to solve it. Besides, she was beautiful and seemed nice, what else could you want?
The evening ended too soon, and Kitty disappeared before Briar could ask her for her address, or even say good-bye. After the long evening, he was only a little disappointed, although he was annoyed that she didn't tell him good night. All the young mage really wanted was to get back to his room, and collapse on his bed. Once Evvy was calmed down enough to sleep, that was what he did. Besides, it solved the problem of any questions about Kitty that Rosethorn might ask, questions that he couldn't answer.
- - - -
Disclaimer:
Most everything in this story is original work by Tamora Pierce. I'm not making any money off this, and I'm giving her full credit.