The Month of Gathering (October) Age 8

Week 1

My birthday euphoria died out a little, but it was fun. The Kyrii said that we were going to have another to field trip next week, but this time with partners. I have to stay with Kayley, both to our slight irritation. We do get along now, a bit, but we are still rivals. Plus, it's going to be pretty hard to talk to B- er, to a few friends that she probably won't like while she's around. Razor's going to get Julius and Juliet- and the Kyrii master, since they need all the help they could get.

There's this big commotion at the palace. I've heard whispers in the marketplace about it being because of a guard's birthday, the best student in a class. I wonder who that is?

Week 2

"Let's rob the fruit stall," Kayley said, as we walked away from the rest of our group. Razor kept shooting me desperate looks, but all I could do was give him a reassuring smile.

"Fruit stall? I don't think that's such a good idea." After all, that's usually where Brynn usually is. I did not want to think about what would happen if Kayley found out that we were sort-of friends. "I mean, I've robbed it a lot before. Plus, it's too healthy."

"From all the calories you got from eating your cake, you need healthy stuff!"

"Hey, you ate it too!" I countered indignantly.

She shrugged. "And exercised right after. Come on!" She dragged me to the stall. To my relief, Brynn wasn't there yet. Kayley went up to the shopkeeper and gave him a cute-little-girl smile, which she did eerily well. She distracted him by talking about the weather, the Brightvale team for the Altador Cup, how Meridellians were idiots, and so on. With her hands, she pointed at the merchandise, signaling me to steal something.

I grabbed a few goods and put them in my pockets. I was just about to go when-

"You again?" I jumped and whirled around, I guess a little too over-dramatically. There stood a young guard with electric-blue eyes.

"Brynn!" I said before I could stop myself.

Behind me, Kayley mouthed, "You know her?" She didn't look very happy. Ugh, I had no time for this!

Choosing a quick escape method, I burst out laughing. Brynn stared at me, confused. "What's so funny?" I pointed behind her (away from Kayley, of course), and she turned. For a split second I felt a little ashamed, knowing that she gazed away because she thought that I could be trusted enough to stay put. I ran off, still holding the fruit.

Brynn realized what I've done fast; which was good, since she at least had a fighting chance. Wow, she was quick! I used every twist and maneuver that I could, but I still couldn't shake her off. I leapt up benches, climbed into walls, blended into crowds, and she was hot in my heels. I only outran her when Kayley appeared out of nowhere and dragged me into a nearby nook. Brynn ran past.

"Who is she?" Kayley questioned with a not-so-friendly face. I shrugged. "She must be important, for you to be lying about it," she added.

"What? No she isn't! She, er- she's the one who caught be before. Only that."

Kayley rolled her eyes. "Then why did she tell you her name? It would be silly of her to do that. You could use it to track down her family, find out where she is in the castle, sabotage her…"

"Huh? I wouldn't do that!" I exclaimed.

She glared at me. "Why not?"

"Why not? Because…because that would be mean."

"They are mean. They blame thieves for everything!"

"She's not like that."

"How do you know what she's like? I thought she 'only caught you before.'"

My mouth dried up. I couldn't think of any excuses- but I wouldn't answer her, either. She grumbled about it until she found that she couldn't get anything more from me. "Fine, don't tell. Just stay away from her." She emphasized the last part by sticking her dagger near my throat. I gulped.

I'd like to say that the rest of the time went without a hitch, but that would be wrong. Nope, my oh-so-generous nature got in the way. Again.

It was nearing sundown. We actually got a huge pile of loot, which Kayley was out storing in an abandoned house nearby. I had just enough time to do one more heist before we had to head back, and my opportunity came when a tired-looking lady Kougra came tromping down the road. There was something familiar about her, but I couldn't say what.

At first I was just going to cast her off. I mean, she looked too poor to be able to carry something really valuable to me. Then I spotted a curious, green glimmer coming from her bag.

In a few moments, a gorgeous emerald necklace was in my hands. The chain itself was silver, which would have given me a months' worth of food. The tear-drop shaped gem? It'd be definitely enough to get me promoted.

"Oh!" The lady squealed. "My necklace- where's my necklace?" She began searching for it frantically, below tables, on benches, everywhere. She even emptied out her pack, which held only a few worn clothes. She was nearly in tears. That's when I saw her eyes; and they were a familiar shade of electric-blue.

She was Brynn's mom.

I was a little shocked. I knew that some guards weren't very rich, that their parents had to save up a lot to get them trained, but I did not know that Brynn was one of them. Still, that didn't mean that I had to give up the necklace. Sure, I liked her a lot, but…my first priority was thieving. I couldn't give it up, just because of someone related to her.

The jewel and chain felt like a hundred pounds in my hands. I couldn't decide what to do. I almost wished that Kayley was back, hauling me to headquarters and telling me that I didn't owe Brynn anything.

Then I remembered earlier, when I tricked her into looking the other way. There was a look of disappointment on her face; not at me, but her. Like she blamed herself for trusting a petty crook. And, well, I didn't want it to be that way.

"Hey, lady, I think you dropped something!" I heard myself say. She glanced up, and then beamed when she saw what I was holding.

"Thank you!" She cried, grasping it tightly, as if scared it was going to fly away. I was a little reluctant to let go of it, but I eventually did.

"Who's-who's it for?" I couldn't help asking.

"My daughter," she murmured. "It's her birthday tomorrow, and I wanted to get her something special since she's been working so hard. I'm going to her party, as a surprise. I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost it." She smiled at me, which resulted into her resembling Brynn a lot when she wasn't using her disapproving glare. "Thank you, young man. You don't know what you've done. Here, have some neopoints." She got out her pursed and fished out a few coins. Well, at least I wouldn't leave empty-handed.

As soon as she was gone, Kayley leapt at me. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?"

"Do what?" I said innocently, but cursing inside. If I'd known she was watching, I might have acted a little more carefully.

"You returned the necklace! Are you MAD?"

"Look, I hate taking stuff from people who can't afford much. Just shut up about it, okay? We have enough as it is."

Kayley kept complaining, but she didn't say anything to the Kyrii, which I was grateful for. I didn't blame her for thinking I was crazy. I thought so, too. But I don't regret it.

Week 3

I know it was stupid, but…I went to Brynn's party. No, not exactly in it. But, taking a leaf out of Kayley's book, I've asked one of the more gossipy servants who didn't know me and found out where she was going to celebrate: The dining hall. Luckily, the window was near one of the places where the gardeners have neglected to tend the grass, so it was easy breaking in and crouching to watch.

Brynn gasped as she entered the room. I guess I wasn't the only one who had a surprise party, too. Unlike mine, though, her cake (which was HUGE and had green frosting on it) didn't fall on top of her.

"It's strawberry icing," an Usul explained to her. She was one of the guards who I watched in the tournament a few months back. "But we know how you hate pink. So it's got green food coloring in instead." I smirked. Brynn never really took me as a girly-girl, so it made sense.

"And that's not even your present," someone else added.

Her mother entered. Brynn's eyes were as big as saucers. "MUM!" The normally dignified girl yelled, and hugged her tightly. I was surprised her mom didn't choke. They stayed like that for a few minutes, ignoring everyone else. I had a slight lump in my throat. Brynn didn't ask for any gift; she was just content to have her mom around. It made me think about my folks, and I suddenly saw how lucky I was. Sure, I had to sleep in a hard bed, get my own food, and a whole lot of other stuff. But my parents always tried to make everything easier, and Brynn only got to see hers a few times a year.

"What are you doing here?" A voice suddenly asked. I jumped, turning to face Kayley.

"What are you doing here?" I shot back.

"I asked first."

"And I asked second."

"Fine," she snapped. "I was casing the joint, trying to find a possible way in. For next time, if we have to break inside again."

"So that's how you knew how to get into the courtyard," I thought aloud.

"Now answer my question. Or I will."

"Huh?"

Instead of replying, she pushed me away from the window and looked inside. She drew in a sharp intake of breath when she saw Brynn. "That guard- the one that you knew…."

I made a weak attempt at denying it. "I know this looks bad, but-"

"That's her mother!" She shrieked. "You gave up that necklace for her!"

"No, I didn't, I just-"

"You just what?" She put her hands on her hips. "This better be good." I opened my mouth and closed it. I couldn't think of anything good enough to satisfy her. She sighed. "That's what I thought." She threw up her hands and left, stamping her feet.

I went a bit more quietly. I was worried at what she might do, but I decided not to think about it for now. As soon as I got home, I embraced my parents. They were shocked; I wasn't usually the hugging type.

"What was that for, son?" Dad asked me.

Mom checked me over, concerned. "Is something wrong?"

I nearly laughed. "Does something always have to be wrong when I hug my parents? Nah, I just…wanna thank you guys. For everything."

They exchanged worried glances, but smiled at me. "That's alright. You go to bed now." And I did. My last thought was that I hoped that Brynn had a great birthday… and that Kayley wouldn't tell.

Week 4

So far, everything's been going fine, but I'm not sure it will last. I'm also a bit easier to scare. I nearly hit the ceiling when Razor asked for a sharpener. "Are you okay, Hanso?" He asked fearfully. "It's not meepits, is it? Or the thing you got a few months ago?"

I breathed out. "No, it's worse. I might have pushed it a little too far this time."