Chapter 3
To Catch a Thief
Soundlessly the window opened and the cool night air slowly drifted in sending a shiver and a chill down his spine and his hands gathered the cloak about his shoulders. Tossing his bag out the window, he saw that it had missed the new Juniper bushes and landed in the shadows of the old tree. Through the branches, Shea could make out the fullness of the moon that shone in the clear open blackness of the night sky. The tree was the tallest in Shady Vale and had been there long before any Inn was thought of.
Shea pulled the window shut and pushed the shutters closed. Standing, he turned to look over his bedroom for the last time. From childhood to middle age, this had always been his room. There was happiness attached to his memories of this room, this is where he and his wife shared their lives, this is where Shannon was born. The four walls gave him solitude, security and seen him through his darkest hours. He pondered a moment wondering if he was to ever see this room again. But for this mission he was sending himself on, he was not sure if he would ever return.
He remembered the last time he had fled with Flick from this room after seeing the Skull bearer lurking about the grounds in the middle of the night. He and his brother knew that both the strangers that they had met were speaking the truth and sent them running into the darkness to escape the terror of which they were forewarned.
Now quietly and slowly, Shea would depart in secrecy to protect those that he loved. By Keeping Flick from knowing about his plan to leave, he turned to walk to the door. Grasping the door handle and giving it a turn, he slowly opened it silently. Going into the hallway, he stood there for a moment and sadly looked over the empty room. Shutting the door quietly, he began his journey as he headed for the back door and out into the darkness of the night.
XXX
Panamon Creel took a long draw from his pipe that was clenched in-between his teeth as he flipped and shuffled the stack of cards with one hand. Masterfully his fingers smoothly folded them neatly into a pile and set them in front of himself. Taking the top card, he flicked it over to his guests at the small table giving each one a card until he had dealt out the correct amount. Taking the five cards he dealt himself and using his pike that was attached to the limb of his other arm, he turned them over and his brow tightened in thought. Carefully he considered them and his jaw set in resolution as he lifted his gaze to his fellow game players. Weariness and amusement crossed his expression while he watched them considering their own strategy of game.
The betting soon began as the four Leah guards put their coins in the center of the table. Panamon Creel placed his cards face down upon the table and fingered the stacks of coins he had won on previous hands played and added his coins, but upped the bet. The Leah guards looked at each other and then over to the dealer suspiciously wondering if he was just bluffing or he had another winning hand. Each one sized up their own cards again and tried to predict their own outcome. They carefully fingered their cards nervously as the dealer watched them intently. As each one exchanged one or two cards in the hopes of landing a higher score, they kept their eyes expressionless when they added those new cards to their hand. The dealer requested none. Beads of sweat began to form on their brows as their nerves began to wavier. Each one matched the dealer's coins in the center of the table and added an additional coin, upping the bet.
The cool cockiness and confidence of the dealer's expression gave them no comfort in predicting his next move. "Well, my fine fellows, so you think you have a better hand?" he said smoothly. "I'll match your coins," he paused for a few seconds and with a winning smile, he added. "I'll raise the bet another ten pence!"
"Ten pence!" shouted the Leah guards to his left. "I don't have another ten pence!"
"It's ten pence or withdraw your hand!" commented Panamon Creel arrogantly as he lifted his brow to the guard.
The Leah guard scowled angrily at the dealer and stood up facing him. "All that I have worthy enough of ten pence is my sword!"
"Well enough, sit yourself down and add it to the pile, my fine fellow. I'll take it to match the bet."
The other three guards stared at the one handed dealer and his pike that was attached to the limb of his arm and then over to the guardsmen as he added his sword upon the table.
Not wanting to lose their swords, they folded their cards and called the dealer.
The door opened and a servant with a tray meander in. He immediately approached Panamon Creel and whispered something into his ear and set tankards of ale upon the table. The dealer smiled and placed his pipe upon the table. Confidently he took his entire stack of coins and placed them into the middle of the pile and the Leah guard's temper burst.
"You know I have not a thing left to call your bet!" he shouted.
"Then you withdraw?"
Slamming his cards upon the table he stood showing two high cards and the other three simple lower cards, claiming defeat.
Panamon Creel stood up and moved the pile of coins over in front of him and took the sword in his only hand. "Thank you, my good men," he said with coolness in his voice. "Our little game has ended and it seems I have a visitor."
"Show us your cards, gambler!" echoed the Leah guards together.
"That my friends will cost you a stack of coins!"
"You're bluffing! You've not got a winning hand, and you know it?" the swordless guard demanded incredulously.
Panamon Creel raised the sword he held in his hand in front of him as a warning. "That is how the game is played. You have all withdrawn your hands, then I claim victory. Follow the servant to the door, my good fellows. Perhaps we will play next week and I'll give you a chance to win back your loses."
The guards knew that their king held Panamon Creel in great respect for his skills with a sword and they dare not challenge him.
Pulling their friend away abruptly from the one handed man, they followed the servant from the room and Shea walked in after them.
Seeing their disgruntle faces, Shea knew Panamon Creel all too well and knew that his talents had increased the coins in his pockets.
"Are these the last of King Mention's guards that you have lighten their pockets!" said Shea jesting.
"Shea Ohmsford!" shouted Panamon Creel. "How long has it been since we have last crossed paths?"
"Too, long my friend," commented Shea as he reached out his hand to shake it.
"If you've come to see the king, than I would hate to disappoint you in telling you that he is not here."
"Where has he gone, now? Hunting or keeping counsel in the South lands?"
"Your right on the later, dear Shea. It seems his wife keeps him busy these days with her father's affairs in building the new republic," Panamon Creel informed him.
"Yes, I have heard much about that and I say good for them!" Shea commented and giving his friend his immediate opinion on the matter. "Having a united front among men will only increase the security if ever a need should arise." Pausing a moment, Shea then began to tell him what really brought him to Leah. "It is not King Mention that I was hoping to see, but you."
"Then this must be very important for you to travel here to speak with me."
"Yes, Panamon, it is very important to me!" added Shea.
"Then come, my friend. There is fresh ale on the table and a pouch of strong tobacco for our pipes."
All through the rest of the night the two friends sat drinking their ale, laughing and smoking. It wasn't until they had their fill, when Shea began to tell him of his plan to enter Paranor to awaken the Druid.
"You've lost you sense of mind, Shea!" demanded Panamon Creel.
"We both know the evil that has lived and breathed upon our lands and not just in our life span, but age old. As far as we know it, there could still be evilness about, even though the evil lord has been destroyed," said Shea. "This curse is real, my friend and it is directed at all the descendants of Jerle Shannara, my father!"
Panamon Creel raised his brow incredulously at his closest friend. "That is what I am talking about! One just does not walk into Paranor and summons a Druid because you think you have a cruse upon you!" He sat up straight in his chair and stared at his friend to make sure his words were sinking in. "There are magic's in the keep of the Druids, terrible magic's and traps. The keep is enormous in size all with secret doors to gain entrance. Have you seen it, Shea, it is forbidding!"
"Yes, Panamon, I've seen it! I've been within the Druid's keep. I know its size and some of its secrets. But no less, my friend, I must at least try or forever bear the burden that my family will suffer. Allanon knows everything and sees everything. If there is any hope for the house of Shannara, it rests with him. The old Druid keeps his secrets well and this one he will not continue to keep from me."
Panamon Creel studied his friend intently and knew by his words that he meant everything he was saying whether he agreed with them or not. Shea was going to Paranor with or without him. "All right, Shea, I can take you to Paranor. I do know the land well as I lived years in the northlands. But getting into the keep will be another story. I hope you have a plan for that!"
"I think a thief can find the way if the desire rest upon his own heart," commented Shea with a mirthful grin upon his face.
"Do you now, Shea? Surely you may know me better than my own self and I intend to keep myself intact, my friend."
"As do I," Shea added.
"Then tomorrow, my friend, we will leave for the northland," said Panamon Creel and he emptied his tankard upon the table
When he stood to escort his friend to a guestroom, Shea reached over to the table to the cards still folded faced down. He lifted them into this hand and examined them. There was only a mixture of simple cards and either of them matched the other. Surely one of the poorest hands that he had ever seen.
Panamon Creel slowly turned around when he noticed that Shea was not directly behind him and saw what kept his interest. Shea's eyes lifted from the cards giving him a knowing look. His friend's face flashed a brightly lighthearted smile and laughed as he told him. "It's all in the presentation, Shea. If you believe in your mind you hold the highest cards, you will win and never falter!"
Shacking him head at him, Shea tossed the cards upon the table and stood to join him. The both walked out of the room to find a comfortable bed to sleep.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
A/N: Shea now believes with Panamon Creel's help, that getting to Paranor and the Druid's keep will finally happen. He is determined to wake the Druid Allanon, but what will Flick do when he realizes that his brother is missing without saying anything to him?
Jakarta: Thank you so much for your review. I really appreciate you stopping by and reading my story. I have just begun reading the Terry Brooks series and just loving it! They are awesome books! I also love writing FF stories…… I hope you come back and continue reading and find out what I have planned for this story….
ShireElf: Yes, those sites are really busy and you know I love writing on The Lord of the Rings of course, but not so much Harry Potter…..yikes!
After reading The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara and now almost finishing up reading The Wishsong of Shannara, I couldn't help but to think after reading Terry Brooks summary of Shea and Flick's life afterwards. I just loved those characters so much!
Anyway, the story is slowly piecing itself together…..I just wish I had more time to write as this year I am so swamped with everything. But you know me, ShireElf, I'll not give it up until I have finished it!
To Catch a Thief
Soundlessly the window opened and the cool night air slowly drifted in sending a shiver and a chill down his spine and his hands gathered the cloak about his shoulders. Tossing his bag out the window, he saw that it had missed the new Juniper bushes and landed in the shadows of the old tree. Through the branches, Shea could make out the fullness of the moon that shone in the clear open blackness of the night sky. The tree was the tallest in Shady Vale and had been there long before any Inn was thought of.
Shea pulled the window shut and pushed the shutters closed. Standing, he turned to look over his bedroom for the last time. From childhood to middle age, this had always been his room. There was happiness attached to his memories of this room, this is where he and his wife shared their lives, this is where Shannon was born. The four walls gave him solitude, security and seen him through his darkest hours. He pondered a moment wondering if he was to ever see this room again. But for this mission he was sending himself on, he was not sure if he would ever return.
He remembered the last time he had fled with Flick from this room after seeing the Skull bearer lurking about the grounds in the middle of the night. He and his brother knew that both the strangers that they had met were speaking the truth and sent them running into the darkness to escape the terror of which they were forewarned.
Now quietly and slowly, Shea would depart in secrecy to protect those that he loved. By Keeping Flick from knowing about his plan to leave, he turned to walk to the door. Grasping the door handle and giving it a turn, he slowly opened it silently. Going into the hallway, he stood there for a moment and sadly looked over the empty room. Shutting the door quietly, he began his journey as he headed for the back door and out into the darkness of the night.
XXX
Panamon Creel took a long draw from his pipe that was clenched in-between his teeth as he flipped and shuffled the stack of cards with one hand. Masterfully his fingers smoothly folded them neatly into a pile and set them in front of himself. Taking the top card, he flicked it over to his guests at the small table giving each one a card until he had dealt out the correct amount. Taking the five cards he dealt himself and using his pike that was attached to the limb of his other arm, he turned them over and his brow tightened in thought. Carefully he considered them and his jaw set in resolution as he lifted his gaze to his fellow game players. Weariness and amusement crossed his expression while he watched them considering their own strategy of game.
The betting soon began as the four Leah guards put their coins in the center of the table. Panamon Creel placed his cards face down upon the table and fingered the stacks of coins he had won on previous hands played and added his coins, but upped the bet. The Leah guards looked at each other and then over to the dealer suspiciously wondering if he was just bluffing or he had another winning hand. Each one sized up their own cards again and tried to predict their own outcome. They carefully fingered their cards nervously as the dealer watched them intently. As each one exchanged one or two cards in the hopes of landing a higher score, they kept their eyes expressionless when they added those new cards to their hand. The dealer requested none. Beads of sweat began to form on their brows as their nerves began to wavier. Each one matched the dealer's coins in the center of the table and added an additional coin, upping the bet.
The cool cockiness and confidence of the dealer's expression gave them no comfort in predicting his next move. "Well, my fine fellows, so you think you have a better hand?" he said smoothly. "I'll match your coins," he paused for a few seconds and with a winning smile, he added. "I'll raise the bet another ten pence!"
"Ten pence!" shouted the Leah guards to his left. "I don't have another ten pence!"
"It's ten pence or withdraw your hand!" commented Panamon Creel arrogantly as he lifted his brow to the guard.
The Leah guard scowled angrily at the dealer and stood up facing him. "All that I have worthy enough of ten pence is my sword!"
"Well enough, sit yourself down and add it to the pile, my fine fellow. I'll take it to match the bet."
The other three guards stared at the one handed dealer and his pike that was attached to the limb of his arm and then over to the guardsmen as he added his sword upon the table.
Not wanting to lose their swords, they folded their cards and called the dealer.
The door opened and a servant with a tray meander in. He immediately approached Panamon Creel and whispered something into his ear and set tankards of ale upon the table. The dealer smiled and placed his pipe upon the table. Confidently he took his entire stack of coins and placed them into the middle of the pile and the Leah guard's temper burst.
"You know I have not a thing left to call your bet!" he shouted.
"Then you withdraw?"
Slamming his cards upon the table he stood showing two high cards and the other three simple lower cards, claiming defeat.
Panamon Creel stood up and moved the pile of coins over in front of him and took the sword in his only hand. "Thank you, my good men," he said with coolness in his voice. "Our little game has ended and it seems I have a visitor."
"Show us your cards, gambler!" echoed the Leah guards together.
"That my friends will cost you a stack of coins!"
"You're bluffing! You've not got a winning hand, and you know it?" the swordless guard demanded incredulously.
Panamon Creel raised the sword he held in his hand in front of him as a warning. "That is how the game is played. You have all withdrawn your hands, then I claim victory. Follow the servant to the door, my good fellows. Perhaps we will play next week and I'll give you a chance to win back your loses."
The guards knew that their king held Panamon Creel in great respect for his skills with a sword and they dare not challenge him.
Pulling their friend away abruptly from the one handed man, they followed the servant from the room and Shea walked in after them.
Seeing their disgruntle faces, Shea knew Panamon Creel all too well and knew that his talents had increased the coins in his pockets.
"Are these the last of King Mention's guards that you have lighten their pockets!" said Shea jesting.
"Shea Ohmsford!" shouted Panamon Creel. "How long has it been since we have last crossed paths?"
"Too, long my friend," commented Shea as he reached out his hand to shake it.
"If you've come to see the king, than I would hate to disappoint you in telling you that he is not here."
"Where has he gone, now? Hunting or keeping counsel in the South lands?"
"Your right on the later, dear Shea. It seems his wife keeps him busy these days with her father's affairs in building the new republic," Panamon Creel informed him.
"Yes, I have heard much about that and I say good for them!" Shea commented and giving his friend his immediate opinion on the matter. "Having a united front among men will only increase the security if ever a need should arise." Pausing a moment, Shea then began to tell him what really brought him to Leah. "It is not King Mention that I was hoping to see, but you."
"Then this must be very important for you to travel here to speak with me."
"Yes, Panamon, it is very important to me!" added Shea.
"Then come, my friend. There is fresh ale on the table and a pouch of strong tobacco for our pipes."
All through the rest of the night the two friends sat drinking their ale, laughing and smoking. It wasn't until they had their fill, when Shea began to tell him of his plan to enter Paranor to awaken the Druid.
"You've lost you sense of mind, Shea!" demanded Panamon Creel.
"We both know the evil that has lived and breathed upon our lands and not just in our life span, but age old. As far as we know it, there could still be evilness about, even though the evil lord has been destroyed," said Shea. "This curse is real, my friend and it is directed at all the descendants of Jerle Shannara, my father!"
Panamon Creel raised his brow incredulously at his closest friend. "That is what I am talking about! One just does not walk into Paranor and summons a Druid because you think you have a cruse upon you!" He sat up straight in his chair and stared at his friend to make sure his words were sinking in. "There are magic's in the keep of the Druids, terrible magic's and traps. The keep is enormous in size all with secret doors to gain entrance. Have you seen it, Shea, it is forbidding!"
"Yes, Panamon, I've seen it! I've been within the Druid's keep. I know its size and some of its secrets. But no less, my friend, I must at least try or forever bear the burden that my family will suffer. Allanon knows everything and sees everything. If there is any hope for the house of Shannara, it rests with him. The old Druid keeps his secrets well and this one he will not continue to keep from me."
Panamon Creel studied his friend intently and knew by his words that he meant everything he was saying whether he agreed with them or not. Shea was going to Paranor with or without him. "All right, Shea, I can take you to Paranor. I do know the land well as I lived years in the northlands. But getting into the keep will be another story. I hope you have a plan for that!"
"I think a thief can find the way if the desire rest upon his own heart," commented Shea with a mirthful grin upon his face.
"Do you now, Shea? Surely you may know me better than my own self and I intend to keep myself intact, my friend."
"As do I," Shea added.
"Then tomorrow, my friend, we will leave for the northland," said Panamon Creel and he emptied his tankard upon the table
When he stood to escort his friend to a guestroom, Shea reached over to the table to the cards still folded faced down. He lifted them into this hand and examined them. There was only a mixture of simple cards and either of them matched the other. Surely one of the poorest hands that he had ever seen.
Panamon Creel slowly turned around when he noticed that Shea was not directly behind him and saw what kept his interest. Shea's eyes lifted from the cards giving him a knowing look. His friend's face flashed a brightly lighthearted smile and laughed as he told him. "It's all in the presentation, Shea. If you believe in your mind you hold the highest cards, you will win and never falter!"
Shacking him head at him, Shea tossed the cards upon the table and stood to join him. The both walked out of the room to find a comfortable bed to sleep.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
A/N: Shea now believes with Panamon Creel's help, that getting to Paranor and the Druid's keep will finally happen. He is determined to wake the Druid Allanon, but what will Flick do when he realizes that his brother is missing without saying anything to him?
Jakarta: Thank you so much for your review. I really appreciate you stopping by and reading my story. I have just begun reading the Terry Brooks series and just loving it! They are awesome books! I also love writing FF stories…… I hope you come back and continue reading and find out what I have planned for this story….
ShireElf: Yes, those sites are really busy and you know I love writing on The Lord of the Rings of course, but not so much Harry Potter…..yikes!
After reading The Sword of Shannara, The Elfstones of Shannara and now almost finishing up reading The Wishsong of Shannara, I couldn't help but to think after reading Terry Brooks summary of Shea and Flick's life afterwards. I just loved those characters so much!
Anyway, the story is slowly piecing itself together…..I just wish I had more time to write as this year I am so swamped with everything. But you know me, ShireElf, I'll not give it up until I have finished it!