David Wise - Tales of Ravenloft

I decided to risk a light, for the lock would have been impossible to defeat without one. Thus, I withdrew a small object the size of a brandy flask from my belt and placed it near the lock. I slid open a panel on it, triggering a tiny spark, and allowed the minuscule lantern a moment to ignite. There was only enough oil in the small lamp to provide fuel for a few minutes, but with luck that would be all that I needed.

The work was slow, for the lock was an excellent one. In the process of picking it, however, I noticed and disarmed no fewer than three traps that had been set on the thing. Whatever was in this case had to be worth a great deal to merit such special attention. Finally, as the last of the oil in the lamp began to give out, I released the latch with a click that was entirely too loud for my taste. Then I opened the doors.

Inside I found exactly what I had hoped for. More than a dozen splendidly crafted bits of jewelry were displayed inside the case. The smallest was an ornate platinum ring that must have been worth twice the annual income of any man in Hazlan. The largest was a torque set with gleaming diamonds, whose value I could not imagine. More importantly, they each had the aura of magic about them. I cannot say how I knew this to be the case, but I did. As I lifted them gently from their resting places and dropped them into my small velvet sack, I could sense it.

As I have said, each of the treasures that I removed from the cabinet was magnificent. One by one, I claimed them, and in my heart, I felt the weight of gold in my safe growing and growing. If I wanted to, I could retire from thieving and live the rest of my days on the profit that I would realize from the sale of these items. To do so, however, would have been as great a crime as the theft of these treasures, for it would deprive the world of my talents.

When the twelfth item was secured, I snuffed the sputtering lamp and turned to go. Again, I waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Then, as I stood there, I noticed something that I had not seen before. At first, I thought that it was simply an afterimage that remained with my eye from the glow of the lamp and the gleam of the wizard's valuables. Then, as my night vision sharpened, I saw that it was really there. Carefully, I crept over to examine it closer.

The item was a small disc, perhaps two inches across. It consisted of a polished crystal lens set in a silver frame that was etched with mysterious glyphs. The latter glowed ever so faintly blue in the darkness. I estimated its worth at a few hundred gold coins, as much for the delicate silver chain on which it hung as for the crystal itself. I almost decided to leave it behind, for there seemed no point in adding so minor an object to my collection. Something about the lens impressed me, however, so I scooped it up and started for the window.

As I slid the stained glass open again, I started to drop the crystal amulet into my velvet sack. Then, I decided that it was probably too fragile to store there, and I slipped it around my neck. I made certain that it hung inside my shirt so that the glow, minor though it was, would not give me away, and slipped quietly out of the tower.

My journey south to the main road and then west into Toyalis was uneventful. Certainly, the city watch was standing at the gates to search travelers as they always do, but I am Julio, and they never saw me pass by their posts. As the first rays of the sun began to brighten the distant horizon, I drew the door to my home shut behind me and raised a glass of brandy to the success of my little venture.

October 2nd From the Journal of Julio, Master Thief of Hazlan

A most curious thing has happened.

I was on my way to the guild halls with my newly acquired treasures when a cold rain began to fall. As I was unprepared for such a change in the weather, I hurriedly ducked into the Red Robin. The prospect of a warm mug of cider by the inn's fire seemed far more pleasant to me than lingering in the embrace of a frigid autumn shower.

The place was not full, but neither was it deserted. The rain had driven in more than a few new patrons, so Andreas the barkeep was more than a little busy filling new orders. I caught his attention, dropped a coin onto the bar, and drifted back into a corner with a mug of steaming cider.

I had only just tasted my drink when I felt a sensation of warmth from the pendant I had liberated from Hazlik's tower. This quickly increased until I feared that it might burn me, so I slipped my hand inside my tunic and drew out the crystal. The glow of the thing, which had been no brighter than that of a firefly before, was as great as a candle now. Slender traces of energy, looking much like small forks of lightning, ran around the silver frame and the runes on the crystal.

Just then, the door swung open and a pair of burly men walked in. They wore the utilitarian armor of the town watch and carried the great hammers of those socalled public servants. As these two cast their eyes over the Red Robin's patrons, everyone in the room fell silent. I whispered a silent wish that they might be looking for someone else, but I knew this was folly.

As the last whispers in the place faded, a third man stepped through the door, between the two warriors, and into the light of the hearth. An almost audible shudder of contempt swept through the crowd, for this was none other than Kagliara, the sadistic captain of the watch. I did not have to think long to realize what business might have brought him out of his decadent office and into the streets.

"Julio!" he bellowed. "I want Julio!"

Sitting there with the glowing pendant around my neck, it was impossible for me to avoid his notice. Our paths had crossed before, and he knew my face as well as I knew his own twisted countenance. Resigning myself to the fate that was mine, I stood up. Why couldn't he be looking for that vulgar Cordova?

"Well?" roared Kagliara. "Where is he?"

I was about to speak, when the truth dawned on me. Somehow, he could not see me. Clearly, some magic was at work. My mind flashed at once to the crystal. I looked down at the hand holding it, but apart from the azure discharges of the pendant, it looked quite normal. I was not invisible. . or was I? For all his talents, the great Julio is no wizard. I had never been invisible before and had no idea if I would be able to see myself when under the effects of such an enchantment. I decided to stay still and see what happened.

Andreas was the first to respond to Kagliara. He spoke in a hesitant voice that was hard to hear over the crackle of the fire, but his words were clear enough. "He was here only a moment ago. You could not have missed him by more than a few seconds!"

"Did anyone see him leave?" demanded the watch captain. No one responded, drawing a frustrated curse from Kagliara. He looked around the room once more, clearly oblivious to my presence. "The man who brings Julio to me will be well rewarded!" he hissed, turning to leave. With a powerful stride, he burst through the door and out into the rainy night. The brace of warriors spun crisply about and followed him out into the rain.

I let out my breath, which I suddenly realized I had been holding, and sat down again. I needed time to consider what this turn of events might mean. For instance, how long did I have before this magic wore thin and I was visible again? I did not know. One thing that I was certain of, however, was that I did not want to be in so public a place when it happened. I daresay that half a dozen of the Red Robin's patrons would have eagerly handed me over to Kagliara had they but been given the chance.

I darted into the night, welcomed by a crash of autumn lightning, and made my way back to my room. The wonders of this magical treasure threaten to overwhelm me, and I must consider how best to use this newfound power.