The Journey of a Thief, Dominique Pearce (heavenly.kaos) [ebook smartphone txt] 📗

Prologue
Eruyt, Celesta Region of Ivvana
Year 291 of the New Age
It was dark, and late into night. I was on my way to a house that was recently burnt down. Most buildings that go through hardship have something of worth trapped inside, and I want it. I knew the fire was only a day ago, and the house was falling apart and clearly not safe, but a little danger never stopped me from completing a job before. Besides, if I didn’t go early, someone else would take everything before I did, and that wouldn’t be very fun.
I approached the house. It was only a standing frame now, give or take a few walls and patches of ceiling. I decided to start at the bottom and work my way up to the second floor. I tied up my long brown hair, and made my way through the gaping hole that used to be the doorway.
The first thing I noticed was the place was totally destroyed. What had once been a large two-story manse that belonged to a prominent family now lay in ruins. A painting lay crooked on the wall, too distorted with fire and soot to make out. What may have been the furniture was now only a few pieces of wood and soiled cloth surrounded in ash. I almost felt sorry for what happened to this place. It would have made a nice place to raid.
The scent of smoke was still heavy in the air, making it somewhat difficult to breathe. I turned over a few pieces of rubble and figured there wasn’t anything to take in this room. I kept looking around, I searched all the rooms on the ground floor and turned up with nothing. Drat! It would appear that everything was destroyed in the fire.
Suddenly, I heard a noise. It sounded like... crying. Yes, like a baby crying! I wondered... Is it possible someone survived the fire? I hesitated. If someone did survive, I’m pretty sure they’d be mad to find someone tried to rob their house’s ruins. But still, it’s just a baby. What’s the worst that can happen?
I followed the sound; it seemed to be coming from under the floor. I turned over some rubble until I found what looked like a latch, or a handle, coming out of the hardwood floor. It was attached to a thick, wooden door. A secret cellar! How did I miss that?
I lifted the heavy cellar lid. It (the cellar) wasn’t very deep; maybe four or five feet down, but it was about ten feet wide. I made certain that the heavy lid wouldn’t close on me, and I climbed down a small, nearby ladder into the pit. Then I looked around, and one word came into my mind: jackpot.
First I saw twin daggers, made of what looked like pure platinum. They were so beautiful and sharp, but their shape disappointed me. The were rather plain and basic, but they were military grade; quite similar to that of a palace guard’s. I picked them up; they were pretty heavy. Maybe they belonged to the man of the house.
Next to them were three silver earrings. Carved in them were the words “forever and always”, a word on each ring. They were somewhat damaged because of the fire, but if I sold them on the market, they would fetch a nice price. I put them and the daggers in my leather bag and kept looking around.
I heard a soft whimpering in the darkness. Whatever I’d heard before, it was definitely in here...somewhere. I fumbled around a while until I came across something...soft. I held it up to the light. They were gloves, made of the finest dragonskin. The glove itself was fashioned of a soft, smokey purple wing membrane, a material similar to leather. The back of the hand and fingers were coated with small, smooth, shining black scales. Never before in my life have I seen gloves of such high quality! They were in perfect condition, and if I sold them they would be worth a fortune! I stashed them away in my bag and kept searching. Who knew what else I’d find.
Then, in the corner I saw a baby. A little baby, can’t be more than a year old. The parents must’ve placed her in this fire cellar before they died. I picked up the sleeping child, and held her in my arms. The tattered cloth she was so delicately wrapped in was covered with soot. She opened her eyes; they were the most beautiful shade of green, a crystal jade, and she had some red flecks in her left eye. She looked at me with her big, beautiful green eyes, and the whimpering stopped. She smiled.
“I can’t leave her here,” I said. “She’ll die here if no one takes care of her. I’m even surprised she lasted this long with all of this smoke.”
I looked at the things I had stashed away in my leather bag. I realized they must belong to her. As her mother and father were dying, they put the things they thought were most valuable in this fire cellar. Her father’s blades, her mother’s earrings, and the most beautiful dragonskin gloves in the world. They all belong to her.
I decided what I must do. I will take this little girl in, as my daughter and apprentice. And when the time is right, I will give her these heirlooms that are rightfully hers. But what about her name?
“...I know. I will name you Kitiraanya. It means ‘thief of the shadows’ in the old language.” As I held her in my arms, she just seemed so perfect; I knew that my meeting with her had to be a sign from God. Then she started laughing and smiling at me, as if nothing was ever wrong. No. Maybe...maybe she was a gift from God. I looked into her eyes as I climbed the ladder, and began to carry her and my leather bag out of the ruined house, and back to my little home deeper in the city. Yes, a gift from God; to me, a thief by trade of all people. I would teach her all I know and protect her for as long as I live.
I love you... my sweet, sweet Kitty.


Chapter 1
Kitiraa
14 years later, in the same city...
“What?? What do you mean I have to go?” I was infuriated. How can they do this to me? Don’t they know what I’ve been through?
“ I’m sorry, Kitiraa.” the Sage replied. “We don’t have much choice but to send you. I know your reluctance to go to Aavia, but you seem to be the best one for the job.”
“I don’t care. You can find someone else to find your dragon. I may have green eyes, but you can’t force me to go anywhere, especially not Aavia! I’m a Sage too, remember! I have just as much authority as you do.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. They actually wanted me to go and fetch something for them. As if they couldn’t do it themselves.
“You may be a Sage,” Yunae interrupted. “But you are out numbered. In case you’ve forgotten, the way this council works is the highest vote decides the course of action. You have no choice but to-” I cut her off. “I don’t respond well to orders, Yunae!” I was so furious. This can’t be happening. I’m only 14. What good would come of sending me?
The room was the same one I’ve been coming to for the past 5 years. It was always the same. The Sages stood on their stone pedestals, each one marked with a symbol for which Sage stood where; Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow, Light, Spirit, Ice, Nature, and Wind. There were ten pedestals, one for each of the nine Sages, and one in the center of the circle, where the one speaking stood. This time, Yunae, Sage of Spirit, stood there.
“Kitiraa, I don’t think you understand what we’re telling you.” Pyran mused. “The council needs a threat to be neutralized, is all. This dragon is an elder wyrm now, it has been walking the lands of Aavia for nearly 1000 years. This dragon is very cunning, dangerous, and has slain many. It must be stopped. Unfortunately, because of the circumstances, none of our soldiers or guards are able to contain it. This dragon is a very formidable foe, and a danger to us all. If things were to come out of hand, I’m afraid it will have to be put down, one way or another.”
That got my attention. That behemoth! He knows I couldn’t possibly bear to see a dragon put to death! But still, he does have a good point... “Okay, what exactly do I have to do?” I asked. Pyran flashed an evil smile. Sage of Fire or no, he sure was a pain. “It’s all very simple, actually.” He began. “You go to Aavia. You may choose someone to accompany you, if you wish. All you have to do is calm the dragon, and lead it away from civilization. You will appear in these coordinates,” he pulled up a map, “And you will search for the dragon. It was last seen in the Kyr Woods, so that’s where you’ll be going. As for the rest, we leave that up to you.”
I looked around. The Sagus Council seemed to agree that I should go. And Yunae is right, the highest vote wins. Even if I were to rebel, it would serve no results. Looks like I don’t have much of a choice...
“No.” I turned around and saw Shiva. Was she protesting for me? “Pyran, really, sending her? She is powerful indeed, but I don’t believe she’s quite ready to go to Aavia alone. We protect that world. Surely you know of what kind of beasts live there. And yes, she does have green eyes, and can speak to the dragons, but there must be another one to go in her stead. I’m sorry, brother, but I cannot allow you to send this... child... into battle unguarded.”
Pyran did not seem amused. These two certainly have their history. Who’s idea was it to make these twins Sages? Pyran Sage of Fire, and Shiva Sage of Ice; it makes a perfect fit since they can’t decide on anything. They truly are opposites.
“Sorry, sister. But you know as well as I do, Kitiraa is a perfect fit for this mission. She can without harming herself or the dragon, and can then lead it into captivity for further study. No harm will come to the dragon as long as it is safely held here, in Eruyt. Then, when we are finished with study, the dragon will be released into an area of no hume population