City of Thieves: Star of Destiny

Story by: Jmanchu

Edited by: Winter_Fare

"Do you worthless street scum know whose place of business you trespass!? Whom you rob...!?" hissed Aphonse the merchant. He didn't exactly cut an intimidating figure, this older man adorned with extravagant clothes and lavish jewelry. "I'll make sure you bastards pay for this!! You will regret what you have done tonight!!" The self important old buzzard's voice grated louder and louder, "No one steals from the great merchant Aphonse Ben'ari!! NO-ONE!!" he roared. In his outburst of indignant rage, spit flew out of his mouth and flecked his bejeweled beard.

The youthful yet hard-featured rogue that Aphonse threatened carried a small scar on the side of his chin. He pressed a long dagger against the throat of the angry merchant as he stared intensely back at the old fool.

"How about you shut up old man?" he said with sinister calm, "Or I'll give that skinny neck the trimming of your life, starting with that stupid looking beard you got."

He flicked the end of his blade against the merchant's gaudily styled orange beard, and smiled grimly when the old man flinched. He eyed the little gems that decorated the merchant's over-styled facial hair, and the numerous ornaments on the rest of his person. "All your jewelry, off. Now!"

Aphonse stiffened up and squeaked as the young man's blade prodded hard enough to make him bleed. He turned his gaze down and fell silent, meekly removing the jewelry from his body. He placed the baubles reluctantly on the shop counter beside him and cursed silently to himself. He didn't think to remove the gaudy trinkets that adorned his beard.

It had been mostly dark and quiet that evening, and Aphonse hadn't expected anything but an uneventful night. Should it have stayed that way, he would have quietly retrieved his precious treasure which he'd so jealously hidden since obtaining it. He had made sure no-one but himself knew of its whereabouts. Not even his most "trusted" bodyguards or servants knew, as it was for something of utmost personal importance. Yet those street urchin bastards had to come tonight, of all nights. Why, damn them!

The young cutthroat was getting impatient. He quickly pocketed the old man's jewelry, and shouted to his accomplices in the back. "Hey! You guys! Find anything good yet? Let's finish up before the city guard dogs come say hi!"

"Prince?" an irate voice called out, "how 'bout you shut up and let us do our jobs? Or better yet, ask the old fart over there where he's keeping the goods?"

They were taking their sweet time. Perhaps it was for the best, a thorough search. Prince turned back to the captive merchant.

"So... wanna tell us where you hid it?" The young man stared intently at Aphonse. Old man probably a hidden safe back there, maybe more than one.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about...!" The merchant said, his voice trembling.

He nervously eyed Prince's dagger as it danced in front of his face. The finely honed blade reflected shards of moonlight that cut through the window of the otherwise dark shop.

Aphonse wore a stony facade, but deep inside he started to panic. They didn't know, they couldn't know about... it! The rogue had murder in his eyes. Even if his stash stayed hidden, what would they do to him if they had to leave empty handed?

"I think you do know what we're talking about..." the young man said as his dagger tip rested lazily against Aphonse's chin, "And you're going to talk if you want to keep yourself in one piece."

"T--there's nothing here...!" Aphonse whispered.

"Unlikely. We have good reason to believe you have something here. Something real good, that you want nobody to find out about..."

"W--what do you know..." Aphonse stammered. His heart sank. When these cutthroats had busted in before, he'd barely had time to hide his fortune properly. Surely it was just a matter of time...

"Hey Get a load of this! Found it in a hidden safe that was open. Almost missed it too. Looks like our info was right, Prince. Check it out!".

The mouthy one was stout and short, the other tall and lean, neither seemed much used to hard labor. The two thugs struggled to carry the small chest between them.

"No!! Don't you little bastards dare put your filthy hands on―!" The merchant cut off his rant with a terrified gulp, as the dagger pricked his neck again.

"Stay," Prince commanded with a glare.

Aphonse cursed under his breath as Prince turned his back, but didn't dare move an inch. The chest was simply stuffed with beautifully ornate jewelry of renowned provenance, pieces the merchant had spent years collecting.

The robber sauntered over to where his accomplices were manhandling the goods up onto a countertop. He unhooded their lantern to get a good look inside. The gems and gold gleamed beautifully: necklaces, fine rings and intricately embroidered armlets encrusted with precious stones. Gold and silver crafted by the most skilled artisans from the four corners of the world. Aphonse could have wept.

The fat one picked up a fine gold brooch set with a clear gem. He held it up to the lantern and whistled, barely believing his eyes.

The piece stood out even among this haul. It was so masterfully and precisely crafted it couldn't have been made by the hands of mortals. The setting was a delicate tangle of living vines cradling the precious stone. The gem itself was clearer than the most transparent glass, until the moonlight struck it. Then a metallic resonance shon from within and it shimmered like liquid silver. The famous Moonstone Gem.

The thug chuckled with pure glee, "The laughing fat God of Fortune himself favors us today, boys!"

"I will bring down the wrath of all the Great Hells themselves on your heads if you dare..." Aphonse began, but he soon tailed off and bowed his head. He was more angry with himself, anyhow. He cursed his foolishness for dropping his guard and not taking proper preventative measures. He should have carried a magic charm or wand to keep himself safe, or at least a weapon, but it was pointless to worry about that now. Threats were pointless with these cretins. This situation needed a different tack.

He looked up beseechingly at his captors, "Listen... You can have anything else in my possession, I have rare goods locked in a warehouse nearby... They would fetch you a very fine price, I assure you! But spare the jewelry... please... it's sacred to me..."

"Oh...? Important is it?" Prince responded distantly. He had no interest in the dumb merchant's pleading, as he mentally tallied the staggaring value of the haul. Just the scrap value of the silver would keep them going for weeks.

"So do we just bail now, or what?" The fat young man gestured at Aphonse as they put the gemstone back in the treasure box, "Do we take up on his offer and have him show us his warehouse?"

"And leave this fortune here!?" The lanky one stared at his friend in disbelief, "Stick a bow on it, Rat, and a love note for the city guard?"

"Of course we're taking the loot, Bolt, you fucking idiot! I'm saying why not have him show us what he's got in his warehouse too!?"

Bolt scowled, his eyebrows migrating into one irate line on his forehead, "Ey? Don't you fucking take that tone with me. Ya think we have all the leisurely time to go window shoppin' all night to..."

"Ve-very rare goods!" Aphonse stammered, "Priceless artifacts, powerful magic amulets, trinkets, swords and jewels fit for kings! Definitely worth more than the measly treasure here... If you just promise to spare me and my jewelry..."

"Shut up, old man! If the shit in your warehouse is worth more money, then why would you switch them for these?" Rat sniggered as he played with the jewelry inside, letting the precious metals clink as they fell through his thick fingers, "You dumb fuck. These are worth more than meets the eye, right?"

All three of the ruthless ruffians were staring at Aphonse, obviously waiting for a response.

"Al--alright. But it's not what you think. They're a sentimental gift for a girl I love deeply... whom I dream to woo and marry... Surely you understand, what it feels like to love a woman? The lengths a lovesick man is willing to go to to earn his lady love's heart? Have pity on this pathetic love-struck old man..." Aphonse hated that he had to stoop to begging, but he swallowed his pride and anger, "I will give you anything, money, treasure... anything... You name your price... Just please leave my jewels in there... or if you insist on taking from that box... just leave me the gem at least..."

The ruffians took a silent moment to look at each other then back at the old man. Then they burst out laughing. Except for Prince who had become too focused on a random piece of jewelry found in the box to pay attention.

"Love!?" Rat scoffed, "What a load of shit!"

"This is the Aphonse De Ben'ari we're talking about, right?" Bolt tittered, "Tell me how many wives he has again? Don't you have enough already, you greedy old horndog!?" he wiped a few tears from his eyes, "I don't know whether to laugh or punch this old prick."

"Yeah! Throw a couple of ladies our way!" Rat jested as he finally started calming down.

Aphonse seethed inwardly, but ignored the rage building inside as he looked down at the ground, "I... I can do that... Anyone you desire... even my daughters... Just say it, and you may share them amongst the three of you..."

"Wait what...?" said Bolt, "This old fart serious....?" Bolt and Rat looked at each other in disbelief, then back at the old man, "Out-fucking-rageous. I've run into all sorts of bad seeds in my life, hell, I'm no saint myself... but you old man, are a special kind of twisted."

"Don't you have any pride!?" Rat could barely contain his disgust, "You're fucking with us, aren't you?"

"I'm... I'm deadly serious in my offer... I have connections all around the world, treasures beyond your wildest dreams... I am intimate with many powerful people of great influence. I am personally acquainted with the Duke of Belaris and the Royal Court Wizard, Apain'mun. I can get you anything. I'll offer you my services as the famed Merchant of East Penya. I offer it all with no cost, I offer even my daughters or any one of my wives or mistresses should you so desire."

Whether or not the pompous windbag meant any of it sincerely didn't matter, because Aphonse was certain time was on his side. All he needed was to stall the fools just a little longer. He knew that the Mentanashien city guardsmen were due for a routine pass along The Bishops Corner, in mere minutes they'd be within shouting distance.

Bolt and Rat looked at each other, then sneered at the old man

"So this... is all for a precious lady love... right?" asked Bolt

Rat picked up the precious gem, and the old man couldn't help but stare in impotent rage to see it in someone else's hand.

"Makes me want to meet this lady myself, if she's so great that this old fart would throw everything away..." Rat sneered as he played with the gem in his hand. "Think she'll marry me instead if I give her this? Maybe at least gimme a quickie? Hey. I don't like the look you've got there... old man..."

Aphonse hung his head down to hide his look of contempt, "Anything you want... just leave me the gem-- OOF!"

"Shut up you old coward!" Rat screamed as he punched Aphonse in the stomach.

A particularly unpleasant texture of nauseating pain shot through his insides as Aphonse coughed and gagged from the blow then collapsed on the ground.

He began to sob, "P--please..."

As Bolt and Rat started laughing again, Prince, who had been preoccupied with a piece of jewelry in the box the whole time, seemed to return to his senses.

"Old man... Where did you get this...?" Prince asked in that unnerving quiet tone."Where did you get this?"

Angry? Why was the young prick so damn angry? Surely he'd found everything he could have hoped for? Aphonse had trouble meeting his malevolent gaze. He carefully appraised the necklace. It was another example of masterful craftsmanship, to be sure. It carried the symbol of an eagle proudly spreading its wings, the obscure crest of an extinct noble household, but aside from that, Aphonse couldn't think of any reason that piece of jewelry was special. There were several examples, mainly gems, that originated from prominent or noble families.

In sheer value, the simple eagle crest was nothing compared to the gemstone the fat burglar was ogling. The Moonshard Gemstone, had nearly exhausted his vast network of connections to obtain. After that, he'd spent another small fortune making it into the most elegantly crafted brooch, the perfect gift for a goddess. He meant it as a declaration of love for Lady Ayla of the Gray Forest, the most beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on, not for those worthless street rats to steal. But if the measly necklace was all the man wanted...

"Then take that necklace... and I won't tell a soul, just-- ACK!" Aphonse squealed as his head was suddenly and violently whipped to the side.

"I SAID TELL ME WHERE YOU GOT THE NECKLACE!" Prince screamed with uncontrolled fury as he threw one fierce blow after the next, "FUCKING ANSWER ME!!!"

Aphonse curled up into a protective fetal position and howled as the punishing rain of blows kept coming, "Pl--please! I... I don't know what you want! Stop!! I... I get jewelry from all over...! People sell things to me all the time! If... if it was stolen, I do not know!! I don't ask, I'm sorry!!"

"Hey... Prince! Fuckin' ease up," Bolt held an arm out to stop Prince, who was hyperventilating from rage, "You'll bring the guards running if you scream like that!"

Prince stood a few steps back, fists still clenched, wild eyed. He glared like a wild beast at the whimpering merchant, almost ready to charge again.

"What the hell is this shit!?" Rat squared up to Prince and pushed his shoulder, "You dumb drunk, or something!?"

"No... I..." Prince held his head up, closed his eyes tightly, and took a deliberately slow, trembling breath, "I'm good... I'm good..."

"Sure you're good?" Rat asked as both he and Bolt crossed their arms.

"Yeah..." Prince spoke in a rough and loud whisper as he slowly regained his previous composure.

"Don't do that again," Rat glared, "Anyways, we should get the hell out of here. Guards'll be here any minute.

"So what do we do with...?" Bolt pointed at Aphonse who was still wheezing on the ground, a pathetic ball of cuts and bruises.

"Fucked if I know." Rat shrugged, "Prince! Any ideas?"

Prince stretched his neck as he pocketed the eagle necklace, voice eerily calm again. "Sure. Take him out back."

Aphose groaned, tears blurring his vision from the excruciating pain, as the thugs lifted him by the armpits. They dragged him roughly across the tiles to the strong room behind the counter, "No! Where are you taking me!? Unhand me!! No! I'll... I'll give you anything! Anything! Please spare me!"

"Here we are!" Prince spoke cheerfully as they hauled the merchant over to a large, empty chest, "In you go! Wait... one more thing."

"No! You bastards! What are you doing!?" Aphonse screamed as he was manhandled into the box.

Prince whipped his knife back out and brandished it at the old man with a wolfish laugh.

"Wait... wait wait!" the merchant squealed, "Please! Mercy! Gods...!" The merchant blubbered pathetically.

Prince ignored the terrified pleading and took a handful of Aphonse's splendid beard, painfully wrenching his head back, then went in with the knife. The old man fought desperately as the blade sawed back and forth, but he was too weak to even slow Prince down.

It was over in seconds. Satisfied, the rogue stepped back with a childish grin. In his off hand, he clutched the merchant's beard, still studded with jewelry.

"Don't worry, old man, We'll keep all your precious treasure safe with us!" Prince laughed as he securely padlocked the lid. "You get to stay safe in here and keep your crappy life! Win, win for everyone! Alright, let's go."

"You bastards!" Aphonse sobbed. He knew he had no chance of breaking that lock, but he kicked out once and immediately regretted it. Pain wracked his beaten body, followed by a wave of nausea. "You don't know whom you have crossed! You will rue the day! You will... Ugh... Bleugh!" Aphonse lost the battle to control his gizzard, and the stench in those close quarters was horrendous. "Oh, gods..."

"Ugh! The old bastard just popped in there!" Rat dry heaved.

"Want some beard gems!?" Prince held the merchant's butchered beard up to Rat's chubby chin.

"Get that shit away from me!"

"Hah! Anyways! Guys! Grab the chest and go! I think I hear the guards coming!"

"I will not ever forget your faces, you miserable cretins! I'll make you pay for this! All of you!" Aphonse cried out in fury while trapped in his cramped and stinking prison, "All of...! Oh gods... my stomach... Not again..."

~~~~~~~

It was another busy day in the ever bustling seaside city of Mentanashien.

The merchant men flaunted their wares to any and all who passed by, fishwives haggled theatrically for the best prices. Children laughed and played between the market stalls and raced down the narrow lanes without a care in the world.

Its rich heritage was visible on every street, in the beautiful stone architecture and elegant historic wooden buildings. They were a testament to the city as a center of trade, and a thriving beacon of fine art and culture for all Mentanos.

Many called Mentanashien The City of Dreams. It was a city of opportunity, for wealth and new beginnings. One of the finest cities in the world, indeed, if one took care to stay only in the sunny sides. To avoid the shadier, more isolated parts, especially the dark alleyways and slums after dark. Many an unwise traveler had found their valuables and even their lives lost to opportunistic scoundrels and vicious cutthroats in the meaner streets.

Mentanashien was a hundred conversations and arguments; a wedding party in full swing careening between every inn on the dock side; a purse cut; a throat cut; bodies drifting in the canal by dawn; knees kicked in for a purse of silver coin; the rumbling of wagons and coaches all day and all night. In fact, Mentanashien was the worst and the best of the world in microcosm, the capital city of the kingdom of Mentanos.

It was also world renowned as the Castle City of Water, for the marvelous complex of waterways and canals that carried its life blood. Ancient aqueducts, some almost as old as the kingdom itself sustained tens of thousands of citizens. The water made transporting everything from coal to cucumbers as easy as rolling down hill.

Roya, a skinny young illiterate of modest means made his coin ferrying passengers on his gondola. True, the work could be physically demanding, but he couldn't imagine living any other way. It was the people. To him, watching people going about their daily drama was worth double the coin his passengers paid him, especially this one.

She was gorgeous. Her long dark hair shone with a subtle, exotic hint of blue. Roya could almost imagine how soft it would feel if he dared reach out and touch it. Her fine purple dress hugged her lovely body and gave a generous view of her cleavage. A daring slit up the side of her dress revealed long leather boots and shapely thighs. She wore a pointed purple hat of extravagant embroidered design.

She had to be nobility or at least upper class. Roya knew it. It wasn't just her fine clothing, and jewelry, it was the grace with which she carried herself. Even her subtle scent was noble, like cedarwood and roses. Roya found himself bewitched by the delicate aroma, every bit as pleasant as she was to his eyes.

He was unable to keep his eyes off this divine beauty as he navigated along the familiar canals of Mentanashien.