Queen of the Night Guild, page 39
part #3 of Queen of Thieves Series
The man stared at them, a beatific smile on his face. “Welcome, my sweets. I know some of you are quite uncertain of what is going on, but rest assured, all of your questions will be answered in time.”
Viola’s knees trembled. Something about the grinning man in his bright red vest sent a chill down her spine.
He rubbed his stomach with a filthy hand. “You may call me Master Velvet. For the next ten years, the Night Guild will be as mother and father to you. For a short time, you, my dears, will be as my children. It’s my duty to work the useless out of you. By the time you leave these walls, you’ll be ready to join the ranks of productive Guild members.”
Ten years? A tear squeezed from Viola’s eye and a sob burst from her throat. A boy on her left snuffled and wiped snot on his shirt.
“You, my pet. Yes, you! Come up here.” He pointed at her with a crooked finger.
She didn’t want to go, but what would he do if she refused? Hands trembling, her stomach in knots, she shuffled forward.
Master Velvet wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “What’s your name, child?” Up close, he looked even more like a grinning cat. Viola expected him to pounce and gobble her up.
She broke into shaking sobs. “I want to go home to my papa!”
“Well, that sounds like a silly name for such a pretty little thing.” Master Velvet smiled his gap-toothed grin. “Tell me your name, my sweet.”
“V-Viola.”
“Look at me, Viola.” He gripped her chin and tilted her face up. Viola flinched and tried to push his hands away, but he held her fast. “Your name was Viola. No longer. You have no name.”
He turned to the rest of the children. “All of you. Forget the name your mother screamed when she birthed you. Forget the name your father spat as he beat you. The names you once knew are gone. You are all nameless. And nameless you will remain until you have proven yourselves worthy.” He glared down at Viola. “Do you understand?”
She wiped her tears and nodded. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
The chill in his voice made Viola shudder. “Yes, Master V-Velvet.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Good.” Master Velvet released her face and shoved her toward the huddled children. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced up the line. “Now, pay attention, my pretties. Forget your homes. Forget your families. You will never see them again. You belong to the Night Guild now.”
Master Velvet stopped and stared at each child in turn. The smile on his face failed to reach his cold, dark eyes.
“You represent a significant investment on the part of the Night Guild.” He stabbed a finger at the huddled mass. “Each of you has been paid for with Guild coin. Your eighth nameday has come and gone and now you belong to us. We do not take investments lightly. You will be given the skills needed to repay our investment. Those who do not…” The feline smile widened his face. “Suffice it to say, my darlings, you do not want to find out what happens to those who fail to provide a return.”
Master Velvet reached into the breast pocket of his waistcoat. “Look at this coin. A silver drake, as ordinary as each of you. But watch!”
Master Velvet waved his hands and a silk cloth replaced the coin. The children gasped in surprise and delight.
“It has become a handkerchief, fit for any gentleman in the King’s Court. Or has it?” Fire blazed, and the cloth burned away to reveal a dagger. “A steel blade, perfect for all manner of useful tasks.” The dagger danced in his fingers, reflecting the torchlight.
Viola gaped, her eyes transfixed by the flashing steel. Suddenly, the dagger vanished and the silver drake reappeared in Master Velvet’s fingers. He rolled the coin from knuckle to knuckle, flipped it in the air, and held it up for them to see.
“It must be magic!” His snaggletooth grin turned into a sneer and he drew the scarf and dagger from within his sleeves. “Wrong. There is no magic here. The magic is in your fingers, in your minds, and in your tongues. You will learn to harness this magic. You will learn the skills that will keep you alive as you serve the Night Guild.”
He stopped beside Viola and placed a hand on her shoulder. The gesture reminded her of Mama, but his eyes held the chill she’d seen in Papa’s before he handed her to Iltair.
“Get this through your head. We are not your family. We are your masters, and you will serve without hesitation. Obey, and the rewards will be great. Disobey, and the consequences will be severe. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes.” Viola’s parched throat made it difficult to croak out the words.
Master Velvet turned his gaze on the other children. “All of you, heed my warning. Look around you.” His gesture encompassed the massive room. “Take it in, for this will be your new home. You will not see the sun until you have earned the right to breathe clean air. Know this: you belong to the Night Guild, body and soul.”
The growl of Viola’s stomach sounded loud in the large room.
Master Velvet’s feline grin returned. “My poor little angels, you must all be hungry and thirsty. It is a good thing we have prepared a feast in your honor.” He released Viola’s shoulder and beckoned for the children to follow. “Come this way, my pretties. See how we reward those who heed.”
Viola followed Master Velvet to the table at the far end of the room. The smell of fresh bread wafted from cloth-covered baskets. Bowls filled with nuts and dried fruits sat next to trays heaped high with sweetmeats. Viola joined the others in a mad rush to the table. She bit into a pastry, heedless of the grime staining her hands. The sweet taste of heavy cream filled her mouth. The pastry disappeared in two bites and she reached for another.
Master Velvet stood on the other side of the table, the catlike grin on his unkempt face. “Yes, my dearies. Eat up. Plenty of sweets for the sweet.” He held out a cup. “You must be thirsty, little one.”
Viola drained the honeyed water in a single draught. A fistful of raisins and a third cream-filled pastry followed. Her stomach soon protested, yet she ate until the table stood bare.
“Come, come, my darlings.” Master Velvet wiped traces of food from the corner of one young boy’s mouth. “You must be sleepy. We have cozy beds where you can sleep the night through.”
Seizing a torch, he led them down a short hall. He opened the door and stepped into a darkened chamber. The torchlight revealed a windowless room filled with rows of bunks lining the walls.
“This, my cherubs, is where you will make your home for the immediate future. Choose your beds wisely.”
The children rushed into the room, knocking Viola to the floor. Someone stepped on her arm and she cried out.
Master Velvet didn’t bother to help her up. “Hurry, child, or all the good cots will be taken.”
Viola climbed to her feet and shuffled toward the nearest available bed, cradling her throbbing arm against her chest. Tears carved streaks through the dust on her cheeks.
Master Velvet murmured in her ear. “Before you allow those tears to stain your new blanket, my pretty, give thanks to the gods that you were sent here.” He leered at her and her stomach recoiled from his breath. He smelled like Master Umlai’s slaughterhouse on a hot day. “There are worse fates than this. That, I can promise you.”
Viola nodded and wiped her cheeks. “Y-Yes, Master Velvet.”
Master Velvet patted her head and placed a kiss on her forehead. “There’s a good girl.”
Viola suppressed a shudder. She wanted to pull away, but that would make him angry. He had the same wild look she’d seen in Papa’s eyes when he found his bottle empty.
“Now, off with you.”
Stomach twisting, Viola hurried to her bunk. A ratty, moth-eaten blanket lay in a heap at one end of the bed. The straw-tick mattress was lumpy and uneven, and the wooden frame dug into her back.
Maybe Papa will come for me in the morning and take me home. He had to. She didn’t want to spend another day in this dark place. She hated the way Master Velvet touched her and looked. I just want to go back to my sewing, mending, and gardening.
Master Velvet’s voice brought her hopes crashing to the ground. “Sleep well, my cherubs. Tomorrow, you begin a new life.”
The door shut with a clang, plunging them into darkness. The room filled with hushed sobs and whimpers. Viola shivered and pulled the ragged blanket up around her shoulders. She longed for her own bed, with her comforter that smelled like Mama. She wanted to smell the violas, lilies, and roses in her garden, feel the soft earth beneath her toes.
Mama’s words came to her. “Stand tall, my flower, no matter what. Always keep your head up.”
Tears flowed anew and she didn’t stop them. I’m trying to stand tall, Mama, but I’m scared.
When she closed her eyes, Master Velvet and his leering grin filled her world.
Chapter 2
“Please!” Papa knelt in the mud, fighting to break free. “Give me a little more time and you’ll have the gold I owe you.” Terror echoed in his voice. “My family will starve!”
A giant stood over Papa, a nightstick in his scarred hand. “You know the rules, Girard. This is the second month now. The Night Guild has to maintain a standard.”
“But, Grien—”
The truncheon struck and bright crimson sprayed from Papa’s nose. He cried out and crumpled, but the monster didn’t stop hitting. The meaty crunch of the blows assaulted her ears. The reek of urine, blood, and fear filled the air. The giant monster’s roaring laughter set the ground trembling.
Why is he doing this? A spark of anger surged. She charged the big man and beat at his legs with tiny fists. “Don’t hurt my papa!”
The door to the cell clanged open. Bright light streamed into the room, jolting Viola from her nightmares.
Master Velvet’s voice greeted her. “Wake up, my little tyros! A new day awaits.”
She rubbed eyelids puffy from crying and heavy with fatigue. How long did I sleep? Tears soaked her pillow still. Not more than an hour or two had passed.
“Get up, the lot of you.” His kind demeanor fled, replaced by harsh impatience.
Viola forced herself to stand. Why is he waking us up now?
“Last one up forgoes breakfast.”
His words galvanized the others to action. Blankets rustled and feet thumped to the floor behind her. Viola lowered her hands as her eyes adjusted to the light. Master Velvet stood in the doorway, torch in hand. He looked no more kempt than yesterday. Indeed, he wore the same clothes. His bright waistcoat contrasted with the dull colors of the windowless chamber.
“Your first day in service to the Guild begins.” Master Velvet’s dark eyes studied them, his voice cracking like a whip. He tossed a sack into the center of the room. “First order of business, get dressed.”
The sack fell open, revealing dun-colored tunics and breeks.
“The clothing you now wear is your final connection to the life that once was. No more. Shed your former lives to don the robes that mark you as apprentices of the Night Guild.”
The other children scrambled and fought for clothing, though all were identical. Someone shoved Viola backward, sending her sprawling. By the time she regained her feet, only one item of clothing remained in the satchel. She held it up—it looked twice her size.
“Give me that!” A heavy-set boy snatched the garments from her hands. “These are more your size.” He threw another set of clothing in her face.
The boy towered over her, and she shrank beneath his glare. He’ll just hurt me!
Viola swallowed her angry words and pulled the floral dress over her head, taking it off. She shuddered. Master Velvet’s eyes lingered on her for too long. Hunching to hide herself, she tugged on the breeches and tunic. A tear slipped down her cheek as she fingered the pink ribbons.
“Now, bring your clothing here.” He retrieved the sack and held it open.
The children shoved and pushed to be the first to deposit their garments into the bag. Viola hesitated, not wanting to part with her dress—she’d worked so hard on it. Master Velvet’s eyes skewered her, chilling her to the bone. She skittered forward to comply.
“And those.” He yanked at the ribbons in her hair.
Swallowing, Viola pulled the bright bows free and dropped them into the sack.
Master Velvet hefted the bag. “Say goodbye to these, my tyros. You will never see them again. The clothes you now wear are the only robes you will own until you have proven yourself worthy.”
Worthy of what? Viola wanted to ask, but feared his reaction.
“Now fall in.”
Viola stared at Master Velvet, confused.
“When I say ‘fall in’, you poxy runts, you form up in a line.” Master Velvet’s face reddened and his voice rose in pitch. “Got it?!”
Viola hurried to join the line of children.
Master Velvet bared his teeth. “I said, do you understand?”
“Yes!” Viola added her voice to the chorus.
“Yes, what?” The look in Master Velvet’s eyes threatened torment.
“Yes, Master Velvet!”
“Good.” Master Velvet stroked his scruffy chin and jerked his head toward the open door. “To the Menagerie, single file. You will each be given a number. That is your name for as long as you are under my charge.”
“Yes, Master Velvet!”
Master Velvet counted each of the children as they passed through the door, shouting each child’s number into their face.
“Seven!” He sprayed spittle.
Viola clenched her fists and waited until she’d rounded the corner to wipe her face. It will just make him angry.
Master Velvet jogged past. “Hurry it up, tyros! No dawdling.”
Viola broke into a run, trying to keep up with Master Velvet’s long-legged pace. She hadn’t slept enough and the food from last night churned in her stomach. Her heart thundered in nervous anticipation.
Master Velvet led them to the huge room where they’d eaten the night before. Lanterns and torches filled the open space with dazzling light, illuminating every corner. The wooden table stood bare. A dozen wooden pails surrounded a pair of barrels at one end of the monstrous chamber.
“Your training begins here in the Menagerie, my little tyros. Each of you, take a pail.”
Viola shuffled forward, too tired to move faster.
“Hurry it up! Your breakfast depends on your speed, tyros.”
Viola gripped a pail, but the big boy who’d taken her clothes ripped it from her hand and shoved her away. “Get your own!”
“Twelve!” Master Velvet’s voice cracked. “Not a word from you! Get in line.”
With a sneer, the heavyset boy hurried to fall in.
“Seven!” Master Velvet glared at her. “Get your pail and get in line! Or do you not want to eat today?”
He’s talking to me! I’m Seven! She stabbed a finger at Twelve. “But he—”
“One more word of excuse, Seven, and you won’t see food for a week. Is that understood?”
Viola snapped her mouth shut. Seizing a bucket, she took her place in line. Her hands trembled and anger twisted her stomach in knots.
Master Velvet clasped his hands behind his back. “Your training today is simple, tyros. These buckets in your hand are the first tools of your trade. Fill them in this barrel and bring the water to the barrel down there.” He pointed to the far end of the room. A second pair of barrels stood there, a seemingly endless distance away. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master Velvet!”
Master Velvet nodded. “Three, step forward and fill your bucket.”
The boy named Three obeyed. Filling his bucket, he staggered across the room. One by one, the children responded to Master Velvet’s barked orders.
“Spill a drop and skip your meal, tyros!”
When Viola’s turn came, she groaned at the weight. Water sloshed with every step. Smaller than the others, she struggled to keep pace.
Master Velvet walked alongside them, shouting at the top of his lungs. “The first one of you to set down their bucket will carry double on the return trip. Do not let those buckets touch the ground or by the Thirteen, you will feel my wrath.”
Every muscle in her body ached. Her lungs burned. The bucket handle cut into her hands and she couldn’t feel her fingers. Yet she refused to give in. I have to do it, no matter what! She didn’t want to find out what happened to those who failed.
“Keep up, little girl, or get out of my way!” The heavyset boy hurried past, carrying his bucket as if it weighed nothing.
Water spilled as, one by one, the other children emptied their buckets into the barrel.
“Seven, you’re falling behind!” Master Velvet stood beside her, his dark eyes and scruffy face uncomfortably close to her. “If you want anything more than a crust of stale bread to eat, you’d better pick it up!”
Viola shrank from Master Velvet’s anger. She wanted to cry, to scream, to protest that the bucket was too heavy. I won’t! Not with Master Velvet so close.
Gasping for breath, she staggered on until she reached the barrel.
Master Velvet screamed in her ear. “Now, empty it into the barrel!”
Her head barely reached the barrel’s top. Muscles quivering, Viola wrestled the bucket toward the wooden lip. When she shifted her grip, the pail emptied its contents all over her.
“Seven!” Master Velvet’s eyes blazed. “What did I tell you would happen if you spilled?”
Viola cringed. “N-No food, Master Velvet.”
“Then why in the name of the gods did you spill, tyro?”
A sob burst from her throat. “I-It was too h-heavy, Master V—”
“Excuses!” Master Velvet’s voice cracked like a whip. “Now you’ll have to start all over again.”
“B-But…”
“Did I give you leave to speak, tyro?”
Viola shook her head.
“Then do as you are commanded,” Master Velvet growled and stepped forward. “Now!”
Tears streaming, Viola hurried across the empty space. Sobs shook her shoulders. It’s not fair!
“I said run, tyro!”
Viola sprinted, ignoring the protest in her legs. Fear of Master Velvet lent wings to her feet. The rattling pail mocked her failure with every step. Reaching the barrel, she refilled her bucket. Water soaked the front of her tunic and breeches as she carried it, dripping and splashing, back across the room. Her cheeks flared. It’s not fair! Anger and frustration burned in her chest. She refused to meet Master Velvet’s eyes or glance at the other children.
