The Month of Hiding (August) Age 8

Week 1

When Kanrik called me to his office that morning, I had an excuse all cooked up. "Look, it wasn't my fault that the little kids had nightmares with that stuff. I mean, they asked for it! I was trying to stop, but they kept saying that I owed them, so-"

"Hanso, what are you talking about?" Kanrik asked, confused.

"Oh, so you weren't- oh." Last night I heard that the little kids woke up crying that the evil, scary sorceress was coming to get them. Sooner or later, I knew that I would get questioned. "So, um….why am I here again?"

He raised his eyebrows. "I called you here to talk about Miss Brynneth. Why else?"

"Nothing," I lied.

"Alright then," he continued. "A few months ago, you told me that you had plans for the guard to trust you, for information and the like."

"Yeah…"

"And I admit, I've seen many examples that it's proven useful. Particularly the most recent one, which your teacher informed me of: She lent you some sort of book, which you used to knock out the security. You were trapped in a Master Thief cell, I believe." I nodded. "However…"

Darn. When you hear an adult say however, it's not good.

"However, I don't see what she could truly be good for. Your actions, in which you've befriended her before, are all pardoned for straightforward reasons, but for the future…"

"Wait!" I protested. "What do you mean she couldn't really be handy?"

"Well, she is only eight," he pointed out. "I doubt that they'll say anything valuable to her."

"For now," I admitted. "But…what happens when she grows up and stuff?" He frowned, urging me to continue. "I mean, with her talent, it's obvious that she's going to be somebody one day. Who knows, maybe even Captain of the Guards." I knew that I might be stretching a bit too much, but I needed to make my reason clear. "When that point comes, I bet it'd be useful to have a thief close to her."

"That would require many years of acting…"

"Oh, it's easy," I assured him. "I could do it everyday."

"Alright, Hanso. I'll let you speak to Brynneth-"

"Brynn," I rectified.

"Yes." He sighed, looking me straight in the eye. "You're allowed to do so, then. But remember the difference between being a friend, and pretending to be one. It's a thin line…I should know. But you must give me your word that you will never, ever cross it. A thief close to a guard is a marvelous idea, influencing her every move…but a guard close to a thief- that's a different matter altogether."

His gaze sent shivers down my spine, making me gulp. "I promise."

"Good."

"Though," I said, "My influence has probably thinned out by now. I've only seen her once in like nine months…"

"Don't worry about that." He escorted me back to class, and announced to everybody, "Listen up. Hanso officially has permission to talk to the guard Miss Brynneth, and to whomever he thinks that would aid him with his little…performance. If he asks for it, I require you to assist him too. As will I." I was startled at the last part. Kanrik- help me? How? Wouldn't that make things worse?

But he left then, so I didn't have time to ask him. For the rest of the period, I sat staring at the board and wondering what I could do- and what I was supposed to do. Kanrik gave me his trust- sort of- but I didn't want to betray Brynn or use her. I liked her. I do like her. But enough to leave the Guild? I don't know.

At lunch, Razor, Julius, and Juliet clamored me with questions about her, and I did my best to reply. I shocked myself when I realized how many I could answer. I've met up with her like four to five times, but it seemed that I know loads about her life; she's good with sword-fighting, she likes books, she's not a girly-girl, she's brilliant at figuring things out…that sounds like I'm praising her, doesn't it? Well, it's true. Everyone admired something about her too.

"I didn't know she got bullied. But she still sticks up for herself, huh?" Razor complimented.

"She's a girl in the guard?" Juliet interrogated. "And she's good? And they respect her? Wow."

"I like that she's loyal," Julius said. "A no-matter-what friend."

"Sounds like somebody we know." Razor smiled at me a bit. Julius shrugged and nodded. I had a feeling he agreed with the statement, but not with Razor. A lot of the class didn't forgive him as well, which got him down.

Only Kayley didn't say anything, though she did mutter, "You shouldn't have done that."

"Done what?"

She looked at me like I was an idiot. "Be friends with her in the first place! It's dangerous."

"I can handle myself."

She shook her head. "Then good luck. But don't expect me to support it." I was about to retort, when she added, "I won't stand in the way, either. That's Kanrik's orders, I guess."

"What do you have against her, anyway?"

"Against them," she corrected. Then she stared out the window. "Some things are better left unsaid."

Week 2

We had a field trip today- the first time in months. We also had Kanrik with us. I was a little nervous on what he would do. When we split up, he stayed and told me not to talk to Brynn this time. He was going to have a word with her. That didn't sound good.

I hid near a stall. Despite his orders not to leave the lamp post (our meeting place), I needed to see what was happening. He wasn't actually going to force her to trust me, right?

"Hello, ladies," he said, walking up to them. They reached for their weapons, but he held up his hands in surrender. "I'm alone this time." No bloodthirsty criminals who'll try to kill you, he meant.

"Really?" Violet asked suspiciously. Brynn pointed her sword to him.

"Really," he confirmed, not losing his cool once. "Even thieves like a bit of fresh air once in awhile."

"Violet," Brynn said, trying to pull her away. "I think we should go."

"No!" She complained. "He's a thief, Brynn!"

"Brynn?" Kanrik inquired, as if he didn't know.

"Yes?" Her face was fearful. It reminded me of what Kayley said: If you know her name, you could do her a lot of damage.

He grinned. "Oh, so that's you." She looked confused. "Hanso's mentioned you many times," he explained. Huge understatement- she was all I would talk about at lunch last week. Kanrik had watched us a few times. I suddenly felt very guilty.

"Why would Hanso mention Brynn?" Violet queried, not very friendlily. He ignored her.

"You've got yourself a friend, Brynn," he stated, patting her shoulder. "Even if he can be a little silly at times," at this, he paused and glimpsed to my hiding place. I guess he wasn't Master Thief for nothing. He continued, "He's a good friend to have on your side."

"Who? Hanso?"

"Yes, who else would it be?" He gave her a hint of a smile before going over to me.

"Why'd you do that?" I asked him once we were out of eyeshot, a bit angrily.

"She's a girl who listens to authority- to adults," he said calmly. "Even if that adult is a crook."

"But-"

He gestured to them. "Eavesdrop if you don't believe me." I didn't want to, but I was dying to know.

That's why I overheard Violet say in a skeptical tone, "What a looney! How could he think you were friends with that thief boy?"

"I sort of am," Brynn confessed.

I gawped at Kanrik, but all he did was wink. "I just gave her a push; the rest will mostly be up to you."

Week 3

Well, nice to see that lessons will come more frequently from now on, though there's a chance that will be saying good-bye to the little kids soon. Not likely at this point, though, since all the mothers were remarking that they're being so well-behaved after we take care of them. Those pipsqueaks are slyer than they look.

Week 4

No news much- I'm bored. Still, when something does happen, it tends to be very bad. So I guess I'm grateful to be bored, if that makes sense.

A bit of a filler, but I promise there'll be more action in the next chapter! :)