Paul Collins - Swords Of Quentaris

'That is a very interesting concept,' the master thief said. He inspected his fingernails and, having found something to his disliking, nicked at it with a dirk. 'Since it was in Gangi's possession, it belonged to him. And since we pledged a bid and there were no other takers, I feel the item belongs to us.'

There were cries of vehement agreement.

While this exchange was taking place, Rad's mind raced. One door. No windows. The rafters high above offered some hope, but with no ladder he would never reach them. Seven thieves.

No chance of escape. But he had a trick up his sleeve.

He swallowed saliva. 'The fence never paid me for the map. Nor did I seek recompense. I wanted it solely to join the Thieves' Guild. Gangi—'

Several thieves began disputing Rad's words at once. It took the master thief several seconds to restore order by repeatedly thumping the haft of his dirk on the table. 'Let the boy have his say!'

His thin scabrous lips curved in a quick smile. 'I find him amusing.'

Rad tried to compose himself. There was no good reason why he should try stalling, for his predicament was all but hopeless. Still, he clung to some hope that the master thief might have pity on him.

'You were saying?' the man prompted.

'I told Gangi of my hopes to join your ranks, myself being guildless.' Rad faltered when several thieves cursed beneath their breath. 'He said he

would do his best and present the map to you as a token of my ability to steal.'

'You stole without the consent of the Thieves'

Guild?' the master thief said. 'That in itself is a serious crime against the Guild.'

'I seized an opportunity that gave no chance to seek permission, honoured thief,' Rad grovelled in a quavering voice.

And yet you ran from my colleagues when they sought its whereabouts?'

'I was not to know who was on the premises, nor who killed Gangi —' Rad began.

'Why, you little rat!' Le'ard snapped. 'You did him in!'

It would have turned ugly then but again the master thief demanded order. This time he rose from his chair and cursed loudly at the others for silence. When at last he had commanded every-one's attention, he went to Rad and hefted him up on to the table top.

'My men would string you up by your feet and bleed the life out of you till you divulged the map's whereabouts.'

The master thief circled the table as Rad stood

beneath the flickering lights of the chandelier.

The other thieves fanned out as though knowing what to expect next.

'I myself,' the master thief continued solemnly,

'am averse to wanton bloodshed. Therefore I will ask you a series of questions. Every time you lie, someone will deal you a blow. My first question is this: if we didn't kill Gangi, and you say you didn't, then who did?'

'I —' Rad flinched knowing what was to come. 'How should I know?'

A fist slammed into his thigh, instantly corking it. Pain flared up his leg and Rad flailed his arms to keep his balance.

' I ask the questions, street urchin,' the master thief continued. 'I have already summoned the person I feel responsible for Gangi's death.' He stopped in front of Rad. 'The only question I need really ask you is this — and please consider it carefully before answering — where is the map now?'

Rad's mind froze. Tulcia had the map. She was a keen scrapper, but against the likes of the Thieves' Guild she wouldn't have a chance.

Another fist slammed into his thigh. This time he toppled from the table but quick hands caught him and pushed him back up. He reached out for the chandelier to steady himself.

Candle wax spilled and scorched his scalp. He clenched his teeth at the pain.

'I forgot to tell you,' the master thief said casually. 'You have ten seconds with which to carefully consider the question. I shall ask again: where is the map?'

'The stables!' Rad cried. 'It's in the stables.'

The master thief shook his head as one of his minions went to strike Rad in the thigh. 'It might well be,' he said almost to himself. 'My men are searching them as we speak.' He waggled a finger at Rad. 'I should have been more precise with my question. 'Exactly where is the map right now?'

Rad sniffed back his tears. It wouldn't matter what he told them. They would soon find out that he was lying. And if he told the truth, they would simply kill Tulcia as well, and anyone who sought to help her, like Stanas, or Arna.

Suddenly a commotion downstairs made the master thief pause. 'I believe Vindon Nibhelline

has arrived.' He signed for Le'ard to fetch him upstairs, but before the thief could move, the door burst open.

Vindon had arrived, all right, but he was not alone. He had brought half his clan with him.

The thieves drew their shortswords and daggers as more frenzied shouts erupted from the vestibule. The thieves' house was alive with scurrying figures. Somewhere a thief bell rang stridently.

Vindon rushed into the room and his men surged behind him. No-one dared make the first move. At such close quarters a bloodbath would ensue. Vastly outnumbered, the Nibhellines were clearly not here for serious trouble. It only took Rad a second to realise just why Vindon was here.

And it wasn't because the Thieves' Guild had summoned him — the Nibhellines virtually ruled Quentaris, even if the Thieves' Guild refused to acknowledge the fact.

Seizing the moment, Rad closed his eyes against the dripping candle wax, bent his knees and sprang, hooking his feet around the wrought-iron frame of the chandelier.

The room pitched with uncertain light as the candles spluttered and spat. One fell and a thief cursed. Rad had no time to think about the confusion down in the room. More deftly than he could expect, he pulled himself through the chandelier and squeezed past the thick chains that held it.

'After him!' someone cried.

Rad kicked at more candles. The light shimmered then died. Someone panicked and attacked an opponent who retaliated immediately. Clashing swords obliterated further talk.

Hand over hand, Rad pulled himself up the ceiling chain until he passed a sizeable rafter.

With some effort he swung the chandelier left, then right. Gaining a little momentum he finally let go and clutched at the wooden beam. His leg throbbed but the after-effects of the herb pack dulled the pain.

He crawled along the joist. There was a dull thud beside him and a wicked blade jutted from a beam a hand's width from his face. He scrabbled faster. Behind him someone was mounting the chandelier. Agile and experienced, his pursuer

climbed the chain and ran along the joist with the confidence of a rat.

Below, the clashing of swords intensified. It seemed reinforcements for both parties had arrived. Rad squeezed through a narrow structure. He wriggled through the tiniest spaces, praying feverishly that his pursuer might get stuck.

Rad crab-crawled sideways through a wall cavity. Cobwebs cloaked him like a veil, but whatever venomous spiders they housed, nothing could be worse than what he was escaping.

Finally he saw moonlight ahead. A skylight!

The battle dimmed as he left one section of the thieves' house and emerged over the threshold of another room. He stood quickly. The joist crossing beneath the skylight was barely wide enough to cross, but if he doubted his balanc-ing ability, his pursuer's appearance made up his mind.

'Gotcha!' a gravelly voice crowed.

Rad was yanked backwards. He cried out as his feet trod air. He stared helplessly at Le'ard, whose face twisted with sadistic delight.

'Could let you drop, urchin.' His grip on Rad's collar loosened and Rad dropped several inches.

'The map. Where is it?'

'I'm falling!' Rad gasped. 'Help me!'

Le'ard's eyes sparkled. 'The map!' he snarled.