Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
“We have a problem,” Rooster finally says.
I can’t imagine how it involves me, but I remain silent, waiting.
“There are thieves in the guild.” Rooster’s expression is that of a deeply disappointed father.
Is this a setup? “You don’t say.”
Hawk clears his throat, leaning forward in his seat. “The guild always has problems with a bit of thievery. Snatching a few trinkets here and there isn’t what we’re talking about. We’re seeing Greater Artifacts that are disappearing from guild storage or from the archives before they can be sold, only to appear on the black market a short time later. It’s been occurring for the last year or so, and we’ve only realized it within the last few months. To date, thirteen Greater and twenty-nine Lesser Artifacts have been recorded as stolen.”
I whistle, because that’s a lot of coin to drift out of the guild.
Hawk nods in agreement with my reaction. “Exactly. And it’s coming from someone—or several someones—who obviously have access to guild buildings normally off-limits to citizens.”
“We do not think it is an artificer,” Rooster adds. “They won’t be paid until the sale, so a stolen artifact cuts into their personal profit.”
“Then…a guild master?” I suggest.
“More likely one of the repeaters. Or several of the repeaters. Or even an archivist.”
“An archivist wouldn’t,” Hawk growls. “We’ve discussed this.”
Rooster focuses that pinched look on Hawk. “We are not ruling out possibilities—”
“Not an archivist,” Hawk says again, voice deadly.
“I think Hawk is right.” I decide to speak up before Hawk jumps over the guild leader’s desk to throttle him. “You know how they are. They’d rather study things than sell them. They don’t even like the holders having the artifacts instead of them.”
Rooster purses his lips, but after a moment, nods. “You are both correct. My apologies.”
At my side, Hawk relaxes into his seat again, his wife’s reputation (and that of the other archivists) secure.
“Whoever it is,” Rooster continues, “we feel they are working with some of the repeaters. Two of the repeaters have been murdered lately, their throats cut, and it seems like a warning of some sort.”
“Either that, or they’re of no further use to whoever was utilizing them to get the artifacts out.” Hawk gestures with a spread hand. “Dead people don’t talk, after all.”
They both regard me with somber expressions as if waiting for something. “Sounds frustrating, but I’m still not sure what it has to do with me.”
Hawk continues. “What we’ve told you cannot leave the room. Only the three of us know that this is being investigated. We’ve spread the word that the deaths of the two repeaters were related to robbery. Others in the guild know that there have been artifacts disappearing, but we’ve told the head archivist that he’s to tell anyone who asks that it was shoddy bookkeeping and the items were misplaced.”
“…And? How do I play into this?” I’m still not entirely certain what this has to do with me, but the more Hawk tells me of the plan, the more I suspect it’s not going to be something I like. That once again, Taurians are picking up the slack for the rest of the guild. I’m probably going to have to bust some heads on their behalf, get information from whoever I can. Something physical. That’s usually what we Taurians are brought in for.
The two exchange another look. Rooster purses his lips again before speaking. “We’re going to demote you.”
“The muck you are,” I growl, getting to my feet. A demotion is a grave insult. It means being stripped of my status and my ability to make coin on the finds assigned to my name. My sash will be removed, and I’ll be shoved into the repeater ranks until some guild master takes a chance on me…and that won’t be likely considering that they’ll wonder why I’ve been demoted.
“Lord Nostrum’s team—or rather, what was left of it after your accident—has been expelled. Their carelessness cost one man his life and ruined several valuable artifacts in the process. You have no team to return to.” Rooster looks down his nose at me. “And it’s common knowledge that you haven’t a pristine record behind you.”
I flinch at his words. Even if it’s just Lord Nostrum, I don’t like that my team has been destroyed. Some of those men were friends. Some were fools, but even fools don’t deserve to lose their lives. To make matters worse, it seems they know my dirty secret. I wasn’t aware anyone knew I’d been taking a little off the top. They’re right. The scars around my eyes itch and feel tight, and I swear I can still feel the sting of the burn from the fireball that blasted me in the face.
“The fact that we’ve expelled the others and have kept you will be a sign in your favor,” Hawk says. “You’re strong and fit and you know what you’re doing. Another master will pick you up, if only to ensure that you carry his team into passing.”