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Chapter 1

Thieving. It was fun, profitable, and rarely challenging, according to Alister.

His wings folded as his scaly body dove into the entrance hole of Lithon’s Jewel: a town of outlaws and corrupt nobles. He landed and walked to the city gate, which was opened for him when he showed his ID. His friend was there waiting for him.

“Alister!” Maya cried. “You’re late.”

Maya was a human. Humans were frowned upon by most mystic beings, as they tried to become like them once upon a time. But even though Alister was a dragon, a type of mystic being, he did not mind most humans. But he would mind them if they were taking his chances at attaining money.

“Sorry,” said the green dragon. “Money and gold called, I could not resist.”

Maya laughed. “You are so greedy… and late. We were supposed to infiltrate Syl Manor thirty minutes ago.” Maya’s expression changed to one of annoyance.

“Oh. Shall we head over there then?”

“Of course not dummy, they would’ve locked the vault by a spell by now,” said Maya.

Alister knew he had failed her. She was the only one who took notice and initiated a friendship. His parents were too busy dodging the authorities of other kingdoms and for which they had been put somewhere away so the city of Lithon would not be known to the kings. As if they could spend the time looking for them, with the war and all.

In any case, they needed to move on, his little distraction had cost them more than they gained, and he was just about broke.

“Do you have a plan B,” Alister asked.

“I wish.”

“Conning that griffin over there might help,” said Alister.

The griffin stepped away as if he had overheard them, revealing a sign he had just tacked to a board.

Now hiring Thieves of great skill.

Go to the palace and allow the King to examine you.

This was quite a surprise. What could he be thinking, thought Alister. Is he not busy profiting from the war? Plundering the plunder of small villages, while the nearby kings were too busy keeping the troops in line.

“Should we apply?” asked Maya. “it will likely pay off…”

“You know me, of course, I would go. Money once again beckons.”

Before they went to the palace, they found an ally to find food scraps, then went to the sewer where they slept.

It didn’t smell nice. But Alister had gotten used to it after a year of… homelessness and fifteen years of thievery. He had started when he was two and had grown more and more adept at speaking with a silver tongue and being quick of hand.

The food scraps they had gotten were actually edible this time. Maya had found a small banquet and stole the food that they threw, which was still perfectly good to eat. Better, probably.

In any case, it was a nice blessing from above. But why would someone reward a thief? Most in the city of Lithon would, either being corrupt or lazy.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

When came morn’ they needed to wash up from the sewery the smell emanating from their bodies. Not having any soap, or, water for bathing, they needed to find another way to cover their smell and grime.

They bought some cheap perfume and some scrubby brushes and made themselves more presentable for the palace.

Lithon’s palace fell short of even being called one. It was great, but small. About the size of a small mansion. The gate was rusted and needed to be replaced. It was closed at well.

“What business do you have?” called down an elderly griffin.

“We are here to test our thievery for the king’s benefit,” said Alister.

“One moment,” said an elderly man from the guard tower across from the griffin. “Uh. I’m too old for this measly task,” he muttered.

“Oh, shut up, you grump. You always say you're too old. You are only seventy and still function, so quit your complaining.”

“Well, at least I don’t need hearing aids, Fred!”

“Well, I don't need dentures,” said the griffin.

The gate raised and as they continued bickering. But that was normal for these gatekeepers.

Alister was at a loss of where to go next. Not knowing where the test was, he and Maya kept walking and pacing ‘til a dragon rounded the corner.

“Hey, you. Come over here,” the dragon hollered. “Why are you here?”

“Sir,” said Maya. “we are here to test for the king our thievery.”

“Then young lady, you cannot go, as you are a human.”

“Excuse me,” said Maya calmly, “but I’ll be going with my friend, to help him.” She handed him a small sack of coins. “I think this might help you change your mind.”

The guard carefully took it and counted the amount. During this, Alister had been able to take a few coins and a fake digital watch, as the real ones were outrageous in expense, but a fake one could still sell for a small sum.

The guard walked them to a door and opened it.

“Don’t make any moves, now,” he said.

The two friends walked into the palace and entered the throne room.

In a low bow, Alister said “The king has called the thieves of the city. What can you do for his honor?”

The king was not on the throne. princess was second in command, due to her cunning. Her black feathers too soften her sounds of movement. “See this noble?” she said. “He has a gem on him. If you can steal it, you will have past the first of three tests.”

“Sounds easy enough,” Maya whispered, shaking

She doesn’t believe that, Alister, in thought, said. What she thinks most of what people think of her is bad…

“Go ‘round back, I will distract this dude, as you relieve him of his valuables as you relieve an apple of its flesh.”

“May you humble servant use the commode for a minute, your highness?” asked Maya.

The princess waved her off as a guard pointed to a hall. Now was the time to distract this noble dude. In all honesty, he was quite ugly.

“Hey, you!” yelled Alister, disregarding manners. “Come here.”

The ugly noble plodded over and snorted a red flame, contrasting with his black scales. “What is it, peasant?” he said gruffly.

“Oh, I just wanted to congratulate you on your ugliness. It takes years to master. You seem to have been practicing for your whole life. Is that true?”

The noble looked irritated. “Why am I ugly?”

“Then again, you aren’t that ugly. You will likely find a beautiful maiden if you haven't already,” said Alister. He saw Maya behind the ugly dude, waiting. He blinked three times, signaling to Maya.

“Well, young sir, you are such a peasant. While you say I’m ugly, I hear is rotten with greed. That is why you are–”

“What is it?” asked the young sir.

“Well,” the ugly noble sputtered. “It's just that I know you stole from me.”

“Ah yes. That was quite some time ago, was it not?”

“Harold, you are dismissed,” said the princess. “You have done well here,” she then said to Maya and Alister. “You show great potential. If you can go steal the thief’s stone from Stanly, a noble in the city of Phyre. You will have an audience with the king if you succeed.”

“Will the Majesty tell us what the Thief’s Stone is?” asked Maya. “It will not involve hurting another. Correct? There are no guard animals?”

Alister looked at Maya and shook his head. She was always cautious about robbing rich homes. Some afforded guard dogs, which the humans had been domesticating for years. Even though some were vicious, Alister knew Maya could not stand to see one hurt or tricked.

“The Thief’s stone is a lesser artifact of the Thief’s ring. It will allow the king more power. But be careful out there, the war still rages above.

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