The beggar ignores the quip. He pulls his hood back over his shoulders. He isn’t a beggar, of course—nor is he a Blackcoat. It’s been a while, but I recognize the scar across his cheek instantly. Zagar Aguirre, a low-level informant I’d used in the past. He was always pretty reliable, if a bit shady and opportunistic, but isn’t that all of us thieves.
“Well, now it’s getting interesting,” I say to Vergel. “You remember Zagar? He hooked us up last year.” That was a good score. We robbed the city treasury, only fair since they tax us Ophir at impossible rates.
“What do you have for me this time?” I ask.
“It’s a big job. Little risk,” he tells us.
This could very well be a trap, but Zagar has never given bad information before. Plus, I’m desperate for a quick, lucrative gig to pay my debts, and more than that, I’m curious. The worst combination for a criminal, I know, yet I can’t resist. “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that.”
Zagar meets my steely gaze. “No more details until we cut a deal. I tell you where and how to pull off the job, and in return, you give me a cut.”
“Define ‘cut,’” I say. Last thing I need is a risky job with little payoff. “Actually, let’s not waste anyone’s time here. I’m not interested. I don’t partake in illegal activities,” I say loudly. Never hurts to put on a show in case the authorities are lurking around. I look away from Zagar to signal I’m bored of the conversation.
Zagar throws back his head and laughs. “Oh, you don’t, do you? Cut the crap, Eban. Matter of fact, I hear you’re a wanted man after last night. You’re no longer the so-called Shadow of the Sleeve. Only a fool would mess with a Laconian gambling hall. Wonder what’s the bounty on your head. Suppose I could find out.” He gathers himself together like he’s about to walk away.
I narrow my eyes and glare at Zagar. That sounds like a threat. In fact, I’m certain it is.Crap, if even Zagar knows what went down last night, I’m in real trouble.“How about you quit playing games and get to the point? What’s the gig? Otherwise, this conversation is over.” Another clap of thunder, closer this time. The sky grows grayer by the second.
“All you’d be doing is taking something that someone else already stole. Fair game. But if you want details, like I said, first you agree to give me a cut. Twenty-five lion.”
I wave him off. “Get outta here. Take your chances on my bounty.” I look at Vergel and snort, thumbing toward the man. “Twenty-five lion. Is he serious?”
Vergel nods. “We don’t give that much to anybody.”
“Even if the job is worth a thousand leopard?”
Vergel’s eyes nearly pop out of his head. Even if we have to pay the man twenty-five lion, the remainder will cover my debts and set us up in an estate for life. Or better yet, buy a boat so I can do what I really want: get out of Lacon entirely and head to the Lashing, the last hidden colony of my people. But I maintain my poker face. I shrug. “Not worth it.”
Vergel glares at me.
“Suit yourself,” Zagar says with a raised brow. “Another thief will be interested.”
“Sure, if they can do it,” I counter. Zagar knows damn well no one else is as capable as me, or he would’ve asked them first. Last night’s failure notwithstanding, I’m still the best freelance thief in town. I guess I should have joined the Thieves’ Guild, but I hate rules and the guy who runs it is a real jerk. I prefer to work alone and on my own terms.
Zagar stares right back at me. But I know I’m right, and that Zagar knows it, too. “Most I can do is ten lion,” I tell him. And truthfully, I’d never even gone that high, but like I said, I’m desperate.
“Least I can do is twenty,” he counters.
“Then find someone who can do the job and will give you twenty.” I hope I sound confident, because I’m getting aggravated with Zagar’s outrageous demands. But I want this job, especially if it’s actually worth what Zagar claims. Ineedthis job. I think of last night’s botched hit, and all the debts I’ve accrued. Crap.
Zagar and I stare at one another. My hand remains on the hilt of my dagger.
“I suppose twenty’s a lot to ask,” Zagar relents. He spits on the ground. “What about fifteen?”
I jump on it. “Fifteen lion it is. Deal. Now, what’s the gig?”
Zagar chews on it one last time, glancing up at the menacing sky and then back at me. “Did you hear House Dominant got hit last night? Well, I heard the thieves had to stash the loot in the Sleeve when they ran into some Blackcoats.”
Vergel and I exchange a look. House Dominant isn’t far from the gambling hall we hit the night before. No wonder we ran into Blackcoats. The nobility pays off the constabulary to leave their gambling halls alone, but they do care about losing the treasures in their estates. I’m vindicated.
Zagar continues: “They’re coming back tonight to grab it. They’ll be dressed as gong farmers. The loot will be in a barrel.”
“So, this job is to steal from other thieves?” Vergel says to me. “I don’t know about this—”
“We’re on it,” I say, cutting him off and shaking hands with Zagar.
Vergel wrings his hands. “This is even riskier than stealing from the estates.”
I grin and wrap my arm around my friend’s shoulders. “No, it’s not, because he said we’re not stealing from Guild thieves, Vergel. Just from a couple of independent mercenaries like us. Blackcoats don’t care about freelance operations. This is much, much better than an estate job!”
