As Blink turned a small hand grabbed hold within the large sack and pulled out the first thing it could. Before Blink could grab him, the figure was running for the dark alley between two storage houses. The figure had short scruffy hair, old pants that were dirty and torn, much the same could be said of its shirt. It was a slum child and was making off with what appeared to be the bag of coins.

‘Shit! Oi, get back here!’ Blink called but the child was already gone.

Blink knelt to inspect the hole in the sack. It wasn’t large enough for everything to fall out but just enough for small hands to pull free anything of worth. He bunched up the ends where the tear was and tried to pull them together tying them off so that nothing else would be lost. He breathed a sigh of relief that the metal box was still in there. Blink looked toward the sun and saw that it was past midday and was moving toward the west. He still had some time to retrieve the gold if he could. Blink went toward the alleyway. Before he even reached it, he caught the acrid stench of rotting fish densely laden on the air. He gagged slightly and moved inward. It was dark and rows of steel bins lined the walls. There were pools of water where fish guts and blood had pooled and mixed with whatever else lay in here. Blink found that some of the bins were empty. He placed the sack inside and moved it in behind some of the full ones. He wouldn’t be able to move as well through the city with this on his back and certainly didn’t want to risk losing anything else.

‘Please still be here when I get back,’ he said to himself doing his best to not think about what might happen to him if it wasn’t.

Blink had some idea of where the child might be. The urchins usually hung about the markets where there were enough people milling about to be unseen and easily lift a coin purse. He and Ra’Handa had done enough of that as children to know the ins and outs of it well. It was odd, he didn’t recognise the child and he knew most of them. They knew better than to steal from him or by proxy the Seven Stars. The urchins had some protection from the Magpies but little at that. They would employ the best of them that showed any promise of moving up in the ranks to full membership. The rest were left to fend for themselves.

Once Blink found his way to the Mercantile Circle, he saw the various stalls all colourful and vibrant cloth. The vendors calling and shouting over the din of people densely packed together. It was quieter now than in the mornings when the servants were out buying goods for the table but still a menagerie folk were about. The Mercantile Circle was exactly that, a large, paved circle in the centre of the city. The surrounding buildings belonged to the Merchant’s Guild, a long-standing connection of traders and salespeople. The stalls that ringed the interior of the circle were there at the permission of the guild for a commission. Standing in the centre of the circle was a great bronze statue of a woman. She was masked with a tricorn hat on her head and long hair streaming from beneath in the wind. She was dressed in a full-length coat and boots, and her bust contained beneath a high collared shirt. With one hand holding her hat against the wind she pointed south toward the sea and peninsula. Beside her was a medium sized, silky furred mutt, its muzzle pointed and carved with distinctive discolouration to the rest of its form. It sat calm and patient with eyes that followed and surveyed the area. This was Annette Bonny, the saviour of the city, the pirate queen from which it got its name.

Blink walked amongst the crowd and spoke to the vendors he knew and all he managed to get out of them was that the urchins had been through this morning already. They hadn’t seen many about as the day went on. Blink had spoken to everyone he could find, and none were able to help. Hours passed and he began to think he must accept whatever fate befell him. He slumped down by the statue wishing he didn’t have to go back. He looked at the bronze form and gave a long-drawn-out sigh. I bet no one ever dared steal from you, he thought to himself. He had heard the story countless times of her heroic sacrifice. Giving her life in return for the city’s independence.

‘I don’t suppose you and that mutt of yours could sniff out that kid? It’s the least you owe after all,’ he said to the statue. She merely pointed out to sea, unmoving, unspeaking. The eyes of the mutt seemed to regard him even from this angle. It was unnerving how it did that, a trick of the artist, or so he hoped.

‘You know she don’t talk back. That old hero it tighter lipped than clam purse. Down-right cold like a statue if you ask me,’ said Ra’Handa playfully as she strode up and stood before Blink.

‘What’re you doin here Ra?’ he said in response. He was in no mode for games or jokes.

’There’s no need for one of ya sour moods. What’d ya mean she owes you anyways,’ she said sitting down beside him. Blinks face wrinkled at the notion he had sour moods.

‘I don’t have sour moods Ra. And if I did there’d be good reason for it today,’ he said grumpily. Ra’Handa let out a gruff snorting laugh at his words that did nothing to improve his mood.

‘Well what’s our city’s hero to do with it. She’s long dead and buried,’ she said nudging he hard in the ribs. He gave her a warning look and sighed.

‘There… that stupid plaque,’ he pointed above his head. He knew the words well by now. ‘Freedom for me beyond the horizon; in return for freedom of all that gaze upon it,’ he recited.

‘Ah, still salty about those words after all these years. You know she’s point to her death out there. Out to Hangman’s Peninsula. All of us here free to choose whatever path we see fit because her,’ she said.

‘Well because of her there’s no one to say slavery is outlawed here… so how can there be freedom for all. Maybe we were better off with the laws of the countries around us.

‘Maybe… but then I’d be outta job for a start and you might never have met me. Besides I doubt she ever thought folks like Horrog would be allowed to do as they please putting people into the slave trade. Story says she just wanted Dayargain and the inland folk of Halfbreach to not burn this place to the ground. Beside… you could always run away as I said before,’ she added blithely.

‘Well not everyone here is free Ra. Running away and being hunted and killed isn’t much of a free choice now is it. After tonight I’m not likely to talk away let alone run,’ he said sullenly in response.

‘All right, all right, sour pants. Don’t go getting your undergarments all knotted up. Not when your oldest friend in the world has brought you a gift in any case,’ she said nudging him again, this time harder the first. Blink stifled an exclamation of pain from the jab.

She threw down a bag of coins in front of him, ‘Word round here is you’ve been lookin’ for this,’ Blink’s eyes widened, and he turned to face her and hugged her tightly.

‘I could kiss you, Ra!’ he said, all thoughts of their conversation washed away by a wave of relief.

She laughed and pushed him off, ‘Alright Blink… thanks for the offer but ya ain’t my type. Though a frilly dress and ladies painted face would do you wonders.’ Blink beamed at her with delight. With this he could be home in time to escape too much of a hiding from Demera. It would be nothing compared to what he would have faced had he returned without it.

‘Look it ain’t all there but hopefully it will do. The kid’s name is Puck and he’s new. Bin trying to make his way into the Maggies and saw an opportunity. I gave him a good thumpin’ and told him what would happen to him if he ever took from you or anyone else in the Seven Stars again.’

Blink opened the bag and looked through. He hoped that it wouldn’t be noticed.

‘An’ one more thing. He said he got some little statue from out of there too. He pawned it already and I couldn’t get ‘em to hand it over. I’ll break in tonight and get it back for ya.’

‘I guess that’s fine. It didn’t look that valuable anyways. Maybe I can sneak it in there later. Do you think you can stop by and give it me?’

She sighed, ‘you’re more trouble‘n you’re worth Blink. Fine. I’ll drop it off with Cookie in the kitchens and she can give it to ya. But it’ll cost ya some of her fine honey cakes in return.

The sun was setting, and Blink was long past the time he was meant to be back. He thanked Ra’Handa and set off at a run through the streets to where he left the sack. The city lamplighters were moving through with their long sticks with candles on top. There was a flickering glow across the city by the time he reached it. He took out the sack, breathing a deep sigh of relief upon seeing everything untouched.

Blink ran for the mansion and through the gates to the great ornate wooden doors of the entrance. He let himself in and shut them as quietly as he could. ‘And where do you think you’ve been!’ Demera snapped and Blink whirled around. She was sitting on the stairs that led to the upper levels. ‘I told you not to be late. An’ you walk in after dark on today of all da…ugh’ she retched as she smelt him. The rankness of the fish in the alley had clung to the sack he was holding.

‘I’m sorry Demera. It was busier than we thought at the dock,’ he lied.

‘I have no time for your lies. You were seen wandering the market with that half breed again.’

‘But…’ he stammered. Demera glared. She was in no mood for his excuses. She pointed two fingers below her eyes and cast the fingers around the entry hallway in which they stood.

‘My eyes are everywhere. You would think me kind if you knew how often I did nothing in the face of your lies.’ Kind was not a word anyone would use to describe her. ‘I punish when is needed. When not needed and I am busy you may have your fun. Today is not that day.’ Blink’s heart sank and a tingle of electricity ran through his shoulders and down his back in remembrance. He swallowed hard.

‘Take these things to Master Horrog now! He and his guests have retired to his study.’

Her voice sounded different upon mentioning his guests.

‘But don’t you normally take things …’

‘No! Today it is you.’ She grabbed him and pushed him toward the stairs glaring. She had that same presence of unease as she had in the morning.

He walked up the stairs and down the hall. Two attendings stood by a polished wooden door. They were both human and dressed in butler’s attire. One was as tall as Blink and the other a full foot shorter than he. They were mages in the employ of his master. Blink knew little of them and neither gave him any notice at the best of times. The taller of the two, Gallen, nodded and motioned for the door to let him in. The shorter, Maddock, gave him a look that hid all emotion and simply said, ‘You are late and expected,’ and waved him in.

Blink rarely met with his master and much of his dealings with him had been directed through Demera. For this Blink was grateful. In the few times he had met his master over the years it had been painful and terrifying. His master was a dwarf. He had a round face and white beard that was delicately braided and adorned with gems and golden rings and runed jewellery. His head was bald on top and beneath his bush eyebrows were a pair of piercing yellow eyes. Their colour danced between autumn red and browns and at times even resembled the glittering of gold chains draped about his neck and vestments. Those eyes measured you, your value, the trouble you might cause, and how best to use you for profit. The times that Blink had been called to his master were for him to handle various concoctions and arcane lock boxes. Blink was ordered to test whatever contraption was in the possession of Horrog. At times they would come across something sealed with arcane runes and Blink would be told to say strange words to unlock them. He never knew their meaning, and he was never given lessons in his letters to even read the runes. Sometimes there would be nothing that happened, other times, his pronunciation would be off, or they would have gotten the word of unlocking wrong and Blink would be the one to suffer for it. He had been burned, cut, exposed to gasses that choked him and left him in bed for weeks to recover. The mages would tend his wounds and he would be given a few days rest afterward as recompense if the injuries didn’t require further attention. The last time it had taken him over a month to recover. After that Cookie and Fisk had begged Demera and the master to let him work on the docks and to let his mages handle any dangerous items. Blink never knew what deal they had been forced to make for this exchange. They wouldn’t speak of it and told Blink he owed them their silence.

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Blink stepped through the doorway. Horrog was there at his desk with his bodyguard Izaak behind him. Izaak was an enormous figure wrapped in furs and leathers with a giant great axe on his back and two small ones at his side. His face was scarred and tattooed. His head and face were cleanly shaved including his eyebrow, he even lacked eye lashes. His tattoos swirled in jagged harsh points around his face. Blink had never seen it but had heard that the entirety of his body was covered in the same patterns and just as hairless. He came from the war clans of the mountains of Dar’vendous. They believed that warmth was to be earned through battle. From the moment a child was considered an adult they were shaved and sent out to the snow with nothing covering them. They had to find and kill for food and skins to cover them. If they survived, they were welcomed back, if not they were forgotten, and their belongings burned. At least that was what Fisk had told him. He had also been given many warning to avoid the towering figure of a man, as if Blink had ever needed such a warning. Izaak was a terrifying presence that sucked the space from a room no matter the size.

The entirety of the room was filled wall to wall with books and scrolls, skulls of exotic creatures, stuffed animals, mounted weapons with intricate gilding and designs, small chests and puzzle boxes, and candles or many different colours. Upon his desk were a stuffed viper and mongoose wrestling to the death, a moment in their struggle captured in time by the taxidermist. It wasn’t until he was in the room that he noticed the two other figures standing there. One was the redheaded man wearing the red tunic and blazing sun of the Dawn Isle and the other was the dark cloaked figure that had followed him. Blink stared at them in confusion. Why would they be here? They must be the guests Demera mentioned… but then why would a slaver and smuggler have anything to do with the Dawn Isles of Dayargain?

‘The pup graces us with his presence,’ the thick accent came from Horrog. ‘Show your manners to my guests,’ he said pointing toward the two figures. Blink paused a moment and bowed awkwardly. He was never asked to regard any of Horrog’s guests; no servant was, least of all a slave. To Horrog that would be like asking a hammer to bow to the blacksmith; a tool was simple used and never regarded beyond its use. ‘This is the Dawn Isles of Dayargain’s Captain Quintin Bornwald and Counsellor of Dayargain’s interests Lady Jadissa Meggin. Why in the name of the Gods would the captain of the Dawn Isles be here with Horrog of all people! Weren’t they always waylaying his ships? Blink thought to himself. Although the treaty freeing Bonny from outsider law held firm within its borders it did little to protect pirates and smugglers beyond that. Dayaragin would flex its influence and justice from time to time as warning reminder should the city forget its history.

Bornwald snorted as he looked down at Blink. The lady extended a grey and elegant hand from within the dark cloak surrounding her. Her fingernails gleamed like the night sky as if whole galaxies were held within them.

‘It is lovely to meet you.’ Her voice was honey in that it oozed thickly and sweetly from her lips. She never removed her hood and it continued to hide her face within. She must be beautiful. Blink thought. His hand trembled as it cupped hers from beneath, palms never touching, as he had seen lovers do. She giggled, not the laugh of girl but one of a woman politely rejecting the fumbling of an awkward suiter. Blink hadn’t even realised what he had done so at first. He blushed and pulled his hand away and tried not to look at her any further. You idiot. What was that even about? Have you forgotten where you are and how much trouble you’re in?

‘That is enough of the pleasantries and your games Jadissa.’ The deep and commanding voice came from Bornwald. ‘We have been waiting all day for it. Boy empty the bag and get on with it.’

Blink looked to Horrog whom nodded. Blink came forward and placed the bag on the desk. Before he could begin removing its contents Izaak stepped forward and took it. He removed the bag of coins and the various gems, jewellery, silver and gold ornaments and wares. Lastly, he placed the large metal box with the bone claws in front of Horrog.

‘Where is it?’ said Bornwald. ‘You said the boy would have it. If you have cheated us dwarf you can be sure we will hunt down every ship of yours and bring it to wreck and ground if we do not get it,’ commanded Bornwald reaching for the sword at his side. Izaak did the same placing hand on the axes by his sides. The two eyed each other, an unspoken tempest brewed between their fixed glares. Whatever had brought these unlikely peoples together was transactional and tenuous at best. Blink wondered, what does he mean? That is everything I was told to bring here… minus a few coins that they haven’t even counted. And the figurine. But no one sane person would demand that as a prize.

Blink looked to Horrog. He was eyeing Blink up and down. The golden pupils drilling into his soul searchingly. His bristled eyebrows lowering as he regarded him.

‘Was this all there was that Fisk gave you?’ he said after what felt like an eternity of his stare.

‘It was, Master Horrog,’ Blink stammered as he said it. He didn’t think anyone in the room would believe that.

‘Was there a small statuette of a woman with a raven? It wouldn’t be any larger than your hand.’ Blink felt his stomach sink. He felt as if the floor had opened just as a set giant gnashing teeth were there, ready to devour him.

‘Yes… yes there was. It fell out of the bag. It’s safe now and I can get it for you in the morning,’ he said hoping a half-truth would disguise enough of the lie.

‘You lost it!’ cried Bornwald his face a mixture of anger and shock.

‘No sir! I swear it is with one of the merchants. He picked it up whilst I was passing through. I went back to get it, but he has closed for the evening,’ he said quickly trying to string together enough of a lie to save his hide. ‘Demera saw me there,’ he added wishing he hadn’t.

‘You lied to me then’ stated Horrog. It wasn’t a question. ‘You said there was no figurine and yet now you admit to not only having it but losing it in the process,’ he said levelly eye never moving from Blink. Blink went to say something further, to apologise, to prostrate himself, anything that might spare him punishment. Before he could get the words out, he was cut off by the Lady Jadissa.

‘What a delightfully intriguing box you have there.’ She stepped forward and lightly touched it. The flaming red script immediately appeared and began to pulse and move slowly around it. ‘Beonar’s gar’vendoran. Re’tara tor formailigia wa’toln,’ the words flowed from within her cloak and seemed to hang on the air. Blink felt a warmth well up from inside him and the air grew denser as that same warmth seemed to permeate everything around him. He looked to the others and could see that they too were experiencing the same thing. ‘Beonar’s Vice. Or you might know it better as a magus lock’.

‘Who cares. What of the figurine? We cannot leave without it,’ said Bornwald.

‘The boy said he would get it for us in the morn,’ came her sweet voice again. ‘We can stay that long surely.’ She never once looked up from the box in front of her. Blink wanted to leave immediately. Bornwald begrudinglly withdrew himself and swallowed the impatient wrath within. Whatever his rank he clearly obeyed the word of this woman.

‘May I go now master? I don’t want to bother you and your guests any longer,’ he said and was already motioning to leave. Please let this be it so that I can leave these people. Ra’Handa, you had better get that stupid figurine.

‘No. I think it best you stay where you are,’ Lady Jadissa commanded. Blink stood aghast. No one ever spoke for Horrog like that. Who is this woman?

‘Lady Jadissa it is a pleasure to hear some of the old speech from you. It is rare in these parts. Do you happen to know the word of unlocking on it,’ said Horrog dripping with insincerity.

‘Hmm… Possibly. But there is more here than just the request of unlocking. It must be opened by a Kaninrite.’ At the mention of that final word both Horrog and Izaak stared at Blink.

He isn’t going to make me try, is he? And what’s a Kaninrite?

Horrog stared at Blink for some time before he spoke.

‘The boy has done this for me in the past and will do so again. Boy come here.’ Blink stood and tried to think of a reason he couldn’t. Hadn’t Fisk and Cookie gotten him to promise never to do this again.

‘Consider it your punishment for being late and your wilfulness with the truth. I’ll not let Demera harm you this evening.’ Blink wasn’t sure what he preferred. At least in this instance there was a chance he wouldn’t get hurt. But only a chance and only if this Lady Jadissa knew the word. Then again, she said a Kaninrite had to open it. He had no idea what that was, but he was sure he wasn’t one. He stepped forward and the Lady Jadissa only moved when he was directly next to her. She smelled of flowers, hyacinths he thought, it was heady and warmed him with longing. He shook of the feeling and tried not to forget himself. As she moved aside Blink caught the sight of several locks of silver hair in ringlets fall from the hood of her cloak but that was all. She took several steps back and began to trace symbols in the air with a single finger from her hand. The fingernail gleamed in star bursts as she did so. When she was done the script of runes faded slowly. ‘Can you do this?’ she asked.

‘N..no my lady. I don’t know my letters,’ he said embarrassed at having admitted so.

‘Very well, then I will have to weave them for you. You must place your hand on the box and repeat after me. Re’tara vundas.’ He felt a tingle through his spine as razor-like memories of the times Horrog had made him do this in the past. A large ball of knots in his throat threatened choking him from within. He could feel sweat beads on his forehead and the world around him became secondary to spike of emptiness in his mind. It was just himself and this dreadful void drawing him further inward. He felt as though tonight he might die. Why hadn’t I taken Ra up on her offers to help me escape and leave?

‘Go on. You can do this,’ her words cut through everything swirling in his mind. The images flashed in front of him, and he felt her words drawing him back into the room again. He felt calm settle into his body with no reason or idea that it should be there. Her voice tickled through his body and his muscles. He felt her everywhere within him, the music on her tongue massaging every fibre of his body until he could breathe again.

‘Re’tara vundas,’ he said out loud.

‘Very good. Just like that only this time with your hands on the box,’ she said coaxing him on as an elder speaks to a frightened child. He did as she asked placing his palm upon the strange box, and the flaming rings of runes glowed more brightly and began to swirl furiously about it.. Heat was all he felt, terrible heat all around him. Blink tried to take his hand off the box, but it was stuck there. He screamed and tried to pull away from it, but the box remained as if permanently adhered to the desk. The heat grew and threatened to draw all air out of the room. Whatever spell Lady Jadissa had cast could be seen now. A translucent wall separating himself from the rest of them.

‘Help me! Please!’ Horrog had moved to the far corner with Izaak in front of him. Bornwald was shielding his face with his arms and Lady Jadissa just stood there motionless.

‘Say the words! Say them now!’ she cried from the depths of the hood. Some note in her voice althoght commanding brought enough stillness to his mind. He focussed on the words he must say.

‘Re’tara vundas!’ he yelled as the intensifying heat clung to words drawing out his breath. A hot wind swirled around the room tearing at their clothes and hair. It was close to scolding as it whipped his raw skin. It didn’t work… she gave me the wrong word, he thought horrified. He looked to Lady Jadissa eyes stinging as the moisture was consumed by the heat. The careening air then caught inside Lady Jadissa’s hood and pulled it back, her silver hair whipping about her head. Her face was grey and ageless with long pointed ears each adorned with strings of moonstones and silver, her eyes a deep red colour, she was a shade elf.

I’m going to die. A dark elf. She would never have given me the right word. She probably wants to watch me burn to death,’ Blink thought to himself. Few tales of the dark elves from depths of the northern mountain caverns spoke positively of them. Terrible and ruthless, cunning, and hateful of all life above the surface of the world. That’s what he had heard, that’s what they said at least. Here was one, in glory and power before him, watching as he was about to burned from existence. All I wanted was to be free of this life and this place… this isn’t fair. It’s not fair! He screamed in his mind. The chain of runes began to move up his arm and settled into his flesh. He felt white hot pain as the skin seared with the branding of the runes.