This isn't exactly what I had planned to write, but I like where it is going.
Chapter 9 Missing
The next few days Reven laid low, waiting to see what had come of recent events. He decided to send his take through the guild to his home, he didn't want to be caught with it if they did suspect him. Relieved of that worry he relaxed some more, though he kept his guard up. He had known of more than one thief who had been caught by getting too full of themselves, some better than he considered himself to be.
One night as Reven took the high road, he saw a figure that moved much better than most of the people he had seen. The boy, it must be the boy. He was a little confused, if he had been Chosen, why would he be taking up his old profession.
Reven followed carefully, keeping out of sight. He smiled slightly, as he watched. The boy didn't have his experience, but he moved well, it was a shame that his talent would be wasted on the Heralds. The boy could have gone far.
He watched as the boy made his way towards exiles gate, his path was much straighter than one that Reven would have taken. Overconfidence, he thought to himself, it wasn't a fatal error, if it was caught in time. Well, it's not my problem now, he thought. Finally he came to a particular house. Reven knew this was it by the attitude of the small body he was watching so carefully.
He watched as the boy threw the meat over the fence at the dogs, pacing his throws to allow the dogs to each get some of the meat. Smart boy he thought. Now he really wished he had been able to train the boy. He had potential, Reven sighed, he knew it was bad when he started repeating himself.
The boy entered through the attic, and Reven waited for a long moment, before following. He heard a slight scuff and followed the sound to a door leading to the upper floor of the house. He grinned slightly at the chorus of snores that wafted through the open door. He stopped a moment and listened, it was hard to hear the boy over the noise these people made, he sighed and peeked into the hall, then lowered himself to the floor.
He felt his way by instinct to where he thought the master of the house would be, but the room was empty. He frowned and backtracked to the other room. Ah, this was it. He stood outside the door and listened as the boy terrified the old man, he frowned. What was the point of this exercise?
Missing girls, he thought. Why would he be asking about something like that? This was something he had to think about, if the boy was actively searching for something, this information might be worth something. He didn't need money, but he did like to know what was going on.
As the boy was forcing the old man to drink his potion, Reven withdrew and silently made his way back towards the attic. He knew the boy wouldn't be leaving that way, he was too short. Reven could take his time and think. He looked up and jumped, grabbing the edge and pulling himself up into the attic. Soon he was on his way out, back to the high road.
Reven walked the streets of Haven, he had left word for his contact but the man hadn't gotten back to him yet. It gave him time to think. He knew the man would find him easily when he was ready to talk. This place looks interesting, he thought to himself.
It was a tea shop. A place that sold various teas and small treats, it had some outdoor tables as well. He inhaled, catching the scent of a tea he remembered from his time in the Empire. That one was a particular favorite of his. Grinning, he walked in and ordered a pot and some pastries to go with it.
He had just poured himself a cup and was bringing it up to his lips when he caught the conversation at the next table.
"You know someone has been grabbing littles from Haven for the slavers" he heard the man say.
Reven froze, slavers. That was something he had tried not to think of for years. He still remembered the raid that killed his parents and the horrors that followed before his master had freed him from it. Pure chance had him walking through the slavers market and his light hair had caught the man's attention.
He had been looking for a likely boy to train and had bought Reven and another, Ferin he believed the name had been. The other boy had proven too clumsy to be a good thief and master Gherick had found a place for him.
Reven himself had proven to be just what the man had been looking for. He had been his apprentice for years, his burning desire to succeed had made him one of the best, but it had almost been for nothing. His sister had died before he could free her, though he had freed the child she had given birth to.
The boy was one of the few things that made his life worth living now. Though he had the potential, Reven was determined to keep him from the thieves life. He wanted something better for him.
The thought of slavers made his blood burn, it was irrational, but he could kill them all. Scum, not worthing of breathing free air themselves.
Now he wondered if the point of the boys activities were finding these slavers. If it was, perhaps he could watch and get his own shot in. A taste of blood. He sipped his tea and listened to the gossip carefully. I need an inside source in the palace. There was only one person he knew there, maybe this time he would be hiring his old patron. He smiled at the irony.
That evening Reven was getting ready for bed when someone knocked at his door. He opened it to the sight of his contacts face. "Come in" he welcomed the man. He waved to the pile of pastries in the side table.
The man grabbed one of the pastries and took a bite, while he waited to hear what Reven wanted. He almost choked when he heard the request. "You what?" he gasped out as he got his breath back.
"I'd like to talk to Lord Jerrin and maybe hire him" he said, watching the other man with a slightly amused look.
"Whatever for?" he asked.
"Information and perhaps access to the palace" he said picking up a pastry himself.
"No way, you don't want to go there, the security is too tight" the man said, aghast at the sheer gall.
"I've been in the palace of the Wolf throne, I'm sure this one has less security than that one" he said taking a bite. He looked up, almost laughing at the look on the other mans face.
"I don't know about that, but it's your head. I'll pass the information on, it'll cost you though" he said, shaking his head.
"I already knew that" he said, nudging the bag towards the other man.
He opened it and spilled the coins on his hand, then nodded "This will do it."
Reven nodded and let the other man out. "Thank you" he said quietly to the other mans back.
