Chapter 1

Something felt off as I watched the boy walking down the corridor, glancing from side to side as if not wanting to be seen. He looked to be about thirteen years old, was dressed like a common street urchin, tall and had a thick mop of unkempt black hair. The only direction he failed to look in was behind him, where I was lurking in shadows, following him. He was likely a thief like I had once been, but clearly less skilled in the art of invisibility.

Finally, the boy came to an open doorway which led to another hallway, which then led to a private lounge containing any number of heirlooms that would feed an orphanage for weeks. I was already making plans for the scathing talk I'd have to give Roden and my men, about letting this vagabond get past them.

It was fairly early in the morning, so most of the castle was still asleep, but there should have been some guards on patrol in this area.

I knew of a secret passageway that led to the same room the urchin was headed, so I figured I'd get there before him and give him a little surprise. Still, I wondered how he seemed to know his way through my halls so well. Perhaps he'd been a servant here who was turned out. Anyway, whatever the boy was planning, he wasn't going to get away with it on my watch.

I was a full three minutes ahead of my young intruder, and so had time to take my place on the hinged side of the door so that he would not see me as he came in. I did not have my sword with me at the moment, but I drew the dagger I always kept at my side.

The kid stopped on the threshhold taking in the shelves of ornamental dishes and tournament medals. Draped over some of the furniture were expensive silk and lace doilies. Throwing caution to the wind, he rushed forward and began stuffing whatever he could into his pockets until they were bulging.

I leaned against the wall with my arms folded, waiting for the perfect moment to burst his bubble, and watching the scene with amusement.

Finally, I spoke.

"You know, you're not supposed to take more than you can sneak without it showing."

The dark-haired boy whirled around, dropping a few things that were in his hands, and balled his fists, preparing to fight. I wouldn't give him the chance.

"You- I... How- What?" he stammered, and I couldn't help but laugh, before turning stern.

I pointed my dagger at him, though not intending to use it.

"I suggest you put those things back before the maids are blamed for their absence. And then you're coming with me," I said.

"I- I swear I was going to bring them back!" he blurted.

I raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"It was my friends. They dared me to try and steal from the castle and I wanted to prove I could do it. Didn't mean no harm..." he rambled, as he began emptying his pockets onto a nearby coffee table.

I rolled my eyes. Didn't thieves these days have better excuses?

Suddenly he stopped and whirled back to me, his eyes showing wonder and fear at the same time, and he stumbled backward a moment.

"You- you're King Jaron, aren't you?"

I grinned.

"From all the stories I've heard of you, I expected you'd be more intimidating," he said.

My smile only widened and I gave a mock bow.

"I thank you. Those were the last words of many an adversary of mine."

I was suprised, but also rather relieved, that he looked me in the eyes. Most people cowered in fear, when they weren't trying to kill me.

Now I turned serious again.

Putting a guiding hand on his shoulder, I propelled him toward the door.

"So, you say you've heard stories about me, eh?"

He nodded.

"Then I suppose you know I was once a thief like you, though much more clever, I'd add."

He only nodded again.

We walked down the hallway from which he'd come for a few more moments in silence until he said, in an uncertain and slightly worried tone: "Where are we going?"

I shrugged. "That's up to you."

He looked confused.

I smiled slightly, which only seemed to make him more uncomfortable. I continued. "You see, although I was once a thief of the streets much like yourself, I am now king and must still uphold the law. But I'm giving you a choice. You seem to be in need of something better to do than take risky challenges from your friends, and I'm sure I could find any number of jobs for you to do around the palace, perhaps even throwing in a meal or two. Unless you have a family you'd like to get back to soon, in which case I could turn you over to my captain for a relatively quicker punishment and he'd have you back home by no later than tomorrow. I'm not entirely sure what penalties Roden has lined up for thieves at the moment, but I guarantee they aren't pleasant."

The boy stared down at his feet in shame.

"Look me in the eyes," I commanded.

He seemed taken aback but did as told. I raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response.

Finally, he cracked a contemptuous smirk and asked, "What did you have in mind, Your Majesty?"

"For punishment or the job?"

He shrugged. "Is there a difference?"

I grinned. "Did I mention there may be a free meal involved? Maybe even something to take home to your family, if you have any. But you must stay here a while and do what I ask."

The thief lowered his eyes again. "I ought to get home to my father," he mumbled.

I nodded. "In that case, I think we'd better continue our search for the captain."

The boy's eyes flashed up again and widened in fear. "No, I- I'll do what you ask. Father's used to my disappearing at times, and he'd give me hiding anyway if I showed back home with a soldier at my tail."

I feigned amusement, but he turned suspicious again.

"What did you have in mind, anyways?" he asked again.

I tilted my head back and tapped my chin contemplatively. "What are you good at? I can see stealing isn't one of your talents."

"I'm sorta good with horses, I suppose. Pa says I could be a trainer one day, but it don't pay well. I reckon you aready have plenty of fancy trainers, though. I also like designing things, tools, furniture, and the like, but never had much use for the skill."

I cocked my head. "So you're an inventor are you?"

He shrugged. "I probably ain't much good at it,but it sometimes fed the family."

I smiled. "I think I could find quite a few uses for you around here. I just happen to be annoyed with my current horse trainer, and I guess it couldn't hurt to give you a shot a it. As for the inventing, I you ought to speak to my friend, Tobias. He's got all kinds of ideas about those sort of things."

We had come back to the main hallway now, and found Fink walking by. I stopped him and introduced him to the other boy at my side.

"Fink, this is my new friend..." I turned to the thief, suddenly realizing he hadn't told be his name.

"Allen," he filled in.

"Allen, this is my brother, Fink. He also likes working with the horses. Fink, would you assign Allen something useful to do in the stables. See how our four-legged friends take to him. And see he's fed afterwards."

Allen shifted on his feet and looked down bashfully.

Fink cocked his head in interest.

"I guess I could show him around. The stalls always need mucking and I'm not too fond of it."

"Great! Don't go too easy on him. Report to me later. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to have a talk with Roden about the castle security." I cast a smirk at Allen, who wouldn't look at me.

I turned back to watch the two walk away, deep in conversation.

I grinned, glad that Fink finally had someone else to talk the ears off. I could see they would be good friends. I only hoped Allen would not influence my little brother in the art of theft. He got enough of that from me.