Part 21 (1/2)

”We have obeyed the codes! All thieves of the guild obey-”

”Says you! Not a handful believe that any longer, Arentol. Even I have begun to doubt.”

The guildmaster was pale but spoke firmly. ”You have seen my orders, your men have been with my agents as we sought to find and take this Blackcat.”

”Oh, so? And has that rogue thief been caught and put to justice? I see no head adorning the gates of the Citadel announcing Blackcat's end!”

”Such a one as that takes time to trap.”

”You have run out of time, guildmaster!” As he spoke Gasgol was smiling inwardly. He reveled in the discomfort of the proud and ambitious master of thieves. Arentol was, after all, an oligarch and a potential rival for the heads.h.i.+p of Greyhawk. The lord mayor had himself once been a thief, albeit one less skilled than the current guildmaster. The humiliating of this man before his own, before the other oligarchs, and before the eyes of the influential folk of the city would help a.s.sure Gasgol's own continued preeminence. ”As of this moment I am hereby personally a.s.suming control of the matter.”

Arentol sat bolt upright in his high-backed chair. ”What?”

”What, Indeed. Any thief wis.h.i.+ng to carry out his trade must first clear the matter with me - or one 276.

277.

of my lieutenants. For that, of course, there will be an additional t.i.the levied against your guild. Inform your members.h.i.+p immediately.”

”What if the members deckle not to obey?”

Gasgol smiled broadly at that question. ”They will be killed.” he said simply. ”Any thief found acting outside the strict confines I have just outlined will be subject to instant execution.”

”The other guilds - a.s.sa.s.sins, beggars ...”

”Either concur or care not a bit. Arentol. After all. most have suffered loss because of your inability to find and end the career of a single rogue.”

”Bah!”

Again the lord mayor smiled. ”Perhaps you prefer that Blackcat not be caught.”

”Are you suggesting that I somehow support the depredations of a rogue thief? That110 threatens my leaders.h.i.+p and weakens-” and with that Arentol snapped his mouth shut grimly.

”Yes, that result is evident now, isn't it? Whether or not it occurred with your approval or partic.i.p.ation, we shall soon learn, shan't we?”

”Be d.a.m.ned, Gasgol!” the guildmaster said forcefully but so softly that only the lord mayor could hear. ”I am no fool to risk such an undertaking.”

”No? Perhaps the lure of such rich hauls and an underestimation of my response prodded you into being, ah. less than prudent, shall we say?”

Guildmaster Arentol sat back and stared at the lord mayor. ”So now this matter of Blackcat is out of my hands and in yours alone?” he demanded with anger evident in his tone.

”Correct,” Gasgol replied. Just as forcefully.

”Very well. I shall inform the guild Immediately, just as you have commanded.

Guildmaster and guild bow to your wishes.”

Nerof Gasgol stood. ”Of course, there could be no other way. I depart now. My men, Blonk and Jen-kin, will remain here to see that all goes as I wish. You. guildmaster, are to come with me to the Citadel until the matter is fully resolved.”

When the lord mayor, guildmaster, and various servitors had gone. Blonk and Jenkin seated themselves comfortably at the big table. ”You over there!” Blonk said to a shadowy figure hovering in the gloom. ”Bring us a flagon of good ale.” In a moment the attendant was back with a big beaker, and Jen-kin grinned. ”Out with the rest of you,” he laughed, filling his tankard with the foamy, amber fluid. ”This one stays to see that our drink doesn't run dry!”

Eyes as hard as pebbles stared into those of the mayor's two flunkies as the other thieves and var-lets left.

”Have a care how you speak to me.” The words were uttered with unmistakable warning.

”Ah, ah. Viper. We meant no harm,” Jenkin a.s.sured him. ”Blonk and I just wanted to be sure none suspected - right, Blonk?”

The square-headed Blonk nodded vigorously at his partner's words as the tall man continued to eye them both emotion lessly. Finally, after both men were visibly uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Viper spoke again.

”Watch the young one named San. He's very good. Smart, too. A loyal man of Arentol's. None of the others seem to have the stuff in them to be anything but common thieves, but be on guard anyway. If you are suspicious, use the pigeons to send word to the Citadel. Someone will take care of things after that. Understood?”

”Sure, Viper,” Jenkin said unctuousty.

”So, whaddya gonna do?” Blonk blurted out before he could stop himself.

278.

279.

CORD THE ROGUE.

The tall man leaned close and spoke softly, his flat eyes as expressionless as his hard, lined face. ”Not that it's any of your affair, but I have no intention of remaining here to observe you two b.u.mbling around,” he hissed. The man's resemblance to a venomous snake - and a serpent ready to strike, at that - was uncanny now indeed. Blonk quickly drew back a considerable measure and Jenkin seemed to shrink in his seat. ”Lord Mayor Gasgol has personally charged me with the handling of this matter, and I intend to bring Blackcat beneath my blade,” Viper spat. Without another word he turned and left so quietly and swiftly it almost seemed like magic.

”Whees.h.!.+ No wonder they call him Viper,” Jen-kin said, loudly exhaling in relief. ”I thought he was about to bite you!”

”Shut up.” his comrade replied, still shaken. ”One day that snaky b.a.s.t.a.r.d is going to catch his own, and I want to be there to see it”

”Tush. Blonk,” Jenkin said with a little laugh. ”That killer is the best in Greyhawk - probably the whole of the b.l.o.o.d.y Flanaess. He'll get the fool who calls himself Blackcat, Gasgol will take the credit, and the Thieves Guild will pay the reckoning.”

Blonk scowled at his a.s.sociate. He hated to admit it, but Jenkin was right. With Viper the a.s.sa.s.sin on his trail, Blackcat hadn't a prayer of surviving. And life would be easier for all of them when the thief was dead and their boss was in better spirits.

The one who was the object of all this, the unlicensed thief, the rogue who had come to accept the name he had been given by others, Blackcat, was quite unaware of the111 machinations of those who ruled the city of Greyhawk. He sat in a noisy tavern, ate.

played quoits, and drank. Many called him by name and stopped to chat a while with this small, dark young man. Though plainly dressed and lack- 280.

ing a fat purse, many of the women present flirted with him. too. He had a certain quality that caused them to be attracted to him.

”Gord! Let's you and I go to my place.” a bronze-haired girl called seductively over her pretty shoulder as she headed for the door.

”Not tonight, love.” Gord called back. ”You nearly wore me to a frazzle last night.

I have to sleep sometime!” There was raucous laughter at that, and the girl flounced out into the night.

”Come over to our table, Gord,” one of the patrons said when the laughter died down.

”We need another for plaques.”

Shaking his head sadly in declination, the young man smiled ruefully. ”Helga would use me up, and you three would empty my already slender purse. What's an honest man to do?”

”Let us know when you find one.” the game-players called in reply. ”I can't recall you ever losing at a game of chance!”