Children of the Sun and Moon by P. D. Stewart
Morning came quicker than the group had hoped. It had been a long time since any of them had slept in a comfortable bed, and no one was in a hurry to wake up. Slowly the group converged on the common room. Maeve was already there, speaking with Miles. Koral and Eric scanned the room. There was a small group of people seated around a table near the fireplace. Koral studied their faces, and was certain she had seen them before. She noticed Gillock and Glavlin seated off in a corner, studying the group as well. Maeve, who was sitting at the bar, moved to follow the twins.
“You needn’t fear that group. They are my friends,” Maeve said as she a sat down next to Eric.
“I recognize most of them. We passed them in the streets on our way here,” remarked Glavlin.
“Yes, we did. They are the best thieves in Keenley, and were watching us closely. The only reason you all weren’t parted from your coins was because I gave them a signal to keep away.”
Koral looked appalled, and Gillock could not help but laugh.
“I do not see what is so amusing,” she spat.
“No,” he said, lowering his head, “you wouldn't. You don't understand how a city this large works.”
Koral quickly regretted getting so angry. “You are right. I have read about cities, and I am sure it is quite normal for ones this size to have a thriving thieves guild. This is just very overwhelming.”
It was Maeve’s turn to laugh. “Yes, cities this size do have a thieves guild, but that’s not all these people are good at.” She then did a high whistle, and her friends stood up and moved over to their table. As they were pulling up chairs, the dwarves came in the front door and moved to join them.
“What information do you have for us?” asked Gillock. The question aimed at Maeve's friends.
“There are prisoners on the Eastern ship in the harbour,” said a young girl. “We haven’t been able to get a close look, but we are positive it must be the dwarves you’re seeking.”
“They are also planning to leave within the next day,” added an old man.
“That soon,” stammered Eric. “How will we ever get them?”
Maeve smiled. “We already have things set into motion, Eric. By the end of the day we should have your dwarf friends.”
“And what will you need us to do?” asked Glavlin.
“All of us will be making the trip to the harbour, but most of you will be used for distraction purposes. We don’t have a lot of time, so if you are capable of following my lead, I will explain on the way,” responded Maeve.
Koral was about to protest, but a look from her brother stopped the words from coming forth.
“We will follow you,” stated Eric, and the others quickly agreed.
They left the inn in small groups, each going in a different direction to make sure they did not draw attention to themselves. The last group to leave consisted of Maeve, Eric, Koral and Gillock. Darly and Mekken were out scouting the area and showed up in time to join the last group. Adora, who had been keeping to herself on the other side of the common room, crept out behind them.
“You needn’t fear that group. They are my friends,” Maeve said as she a sat down next to Eric.
“I recognize most of them. We passed them in the streets on our way here,” remarked Glavlin.
“Yes, we did. They are the best thieves in Keenley, and were watching us closely. The only reason you all weren’t parted from your coins was because I gave them a signal to keep away.”
Koral looked appalled, and Gillock could not help but laugh.
“I do not see what is so amusing,” she spat.
“No,” he said, lowering his head, “you wouldn't. You don't understand how a city this large works.”
Koral quickly regretted getting so angry. “You are right. I have read about cities, and I am sure it is quite normal for ones this size to have a thriving thieves guild. This is just very overwhelming.”
It was Maeve’s turn to laugh. “Yes, cities this size do have a thieves guild, but that’s not all these people are good at.” She then did a high whistle, and her friends stood up and moved over to their table. As they were pulling up chairs, the dwarves came in the front door and moved to join them.
“What information do you have for us?” asked Gillock. The question aimed at Maeve's friends.
“There are prisoners on the Eastern ship in the harbour,” said a young girl. “We haven’t been able to get a close look, but we are positive it must be the dwarves you’re seeking.”
“They are also planning to leave within the next day,” added an old man.
“That soon,” stammered Eric. “How will we ever get them?”
Maeve smiled. “We already have things set into motion, Eric. By the end of the day we should have your dwarf friends.”
“And what will you need us to do?” asked Glavlin.
“All of us will be making the trip to the harbour, but most of you will be used for distraction purposes. We don’t have a lot of time, so if you are capable of following my lead, I will explain on the way,” responded Maeve.
Koral was about to protest, but a look from her brother stopped the words from coming forth.
“We will follow you,” stated Eric, and the others quickly agreed.
They left the inn in small groups, each going in a different direction to make sure they did not draw attention to themselves. The last group to leave consisted of Maeve, Eric, Koral and Gillock. Darly and Mekken were out scouting the area and showed up in time to join the last group. Adora, who had been keeping to herself on the other side of the common room, crept out behind them.