Page 7 of Dishonor Among Thieves
“Lord Oderisi, yes, sir. Give me just a minute, sir.” He quickly ran to retrieve the man’s horse while I took note of his name.
“We may not have met under the most flattering of circumstances, but I am capable.” I looked around the stable to make sure we could not be overheard. “Please,” I whispered, letting the word slip softly between my lips. “I would not ask so passionately if I was not in extreme need of honest work.”
He ignored me completely, as if I were not even there.
“You and your friends,” I pressed. “What kind of work do you do? Piracy? Coastal raiding? I fear neither troll nor man. Nor monster.” I’d begun to assume the work he needed was someone trustworthy to watch his manor, maybe pose as his wife or sister to keep his butler and crofter honest while he was away on raiding adventures. There could be no one better suited to that work than me.
Lord Oderisi clenched his hands into fists, only releasing them when the boy led back a beautiful bay. He took the animal’s reins before leading her past the stable and into the quiet square. The vendor stalls were coming to life, bakers and fishmongers, tailors and other tradespeople opening carts and shops to begin the work of the day. I sniffed the air and my tummy growled, reminding me that I’d need rations before leaving this place.
He stroked his horse’s neck and looked over her hooves and mane before climbing astride her. “You’re persistent,” he said, adjusting a scabbard at his waist. “Which means you’re foolish. Dangerous. You know not what you ask, and yet you insist on something that remains impossible.”
“Where I come from, persistence is a virtue,” I implored.
“And thieving?” he asked, giving me a look. “Is that a quality of the virtuous where you’re from?”
I glared at him, wondering exactly why I felt so compelled to push for this job. He hadn’t attempted to prosecute me for the stolen eating blade. He’d come to my defense at the inn, even though he no doubt suspected I had no intention of paying for that room. He’d reacted visibly, looking uncomfortable, perhaps even insulted when I accused him of taking the upper hand in an unequal transaction.
Living as I had the last few years, I needed to be incredibly astute at understanding people. Predicting when and how their patience grew thin. Anticipating the limits of their generosity. Knowing what mattered most to them, so I might exploit those things they cared about. My entire life had been a struggle to prove my worth to those who might betray me, use me, or otherwise neglect me.
This man had a job, and I was no more than a day or two away from desperation, starvation, and many other conditions that were graver than most I’d faced in my twenty-four years in this Realm. If I admitted to myself that I’d planned to gain the trust of a wealthy man, loot his manor, and take off with whatever I could sell as quickly as I could do it, I could never have pursued the job so passionately. I was not a criminal, not deep down. I’d been driven to take what others might spare only so that I might survive. I could make a fresh start. But I never would if no one ever gave me the chance to make an honest wage.
“I am sorry, sir,” I said, lowering my chin but not my eyes. I looked into his face and nodded. “If you’ll take a chance on me, I vow to you, on the safety of my own sister, I’ll not steal from you again.”
When I mentioned my sister, he flinched, his body giving away something about his heart. He had a sibling. A family. People he loved whose needs mattered so much that he might be swayed by the smallest display of honesty from me. I was certain of it.
“Where is home?” he asked. “Where are your people from?”
I shrugged. “I was raised in a foundling home in Byrlad,” I admitted. “I don’t know who my people are or where we’re from.”
He closed his eyes, and his shoulders seemed to lower. “You mentioned a sister… Are you the eldest?” he asked, as if he already knew.
“I am,” I admitted.
He sighed and led his mare close to me. He peered down at me but then climbed down from his horse. “What is your name?” he asked.
He held a hand out to me, and I almost laughed. Any weapons I might be hiding wouldn’t be shaken loose by his gentle handshake. But if it made him feel more secure to shake my hand, I’d oblige.
“Brexia,” I said. “Brexia Eloise.” I took his hand and held it firmly, allowing him to give mine a slight shake. When his fingers closed around mine, I couldn’t help closing my eyes just momentarily. Warmth flooded my body, as if his very touch moved something within me. Handsome, powerful, and dangerous. Working for a man like this might not be the uncomplicated opportunity I hoped it would be.
“I am Neoruzzi Oderisi,” he said, holding fast to my hand.
“LordOderisi,” I corrected, watching his golden eyes trace my face, my hair, my lips.
He breathed deeply through his nose and released my hand quickly. “I prefer Neo,” he said. “First names equalize the transaction.”
I smiled in spite of myself. Neo Oderisi was a clever man. I appreciated that. He wasn’t just a pretty face with a purse full of silver.
“Are you familiar with Omrora?” he asked.
I squinted up at him, the sun beginning to shine on my face. “Never been, but it’s west of here, correct? A small shire, close to the capital?”
He nodded. “If you still need a job in a week’s time, and if you can find Omrora, then maybe I’ll consider you. Bring your sister,” he suggested. “I’ll have space for two to stay.”
Then he climbed on his horse, urged her into a trot, and rode away.
I had one week’s time to make it to Omrora and convince this lord to give me that job. There was only one small problem.
My sister was most likely already dead.
