A Proper Young Thief: Chapter 2: Trinkets

A Proper Young Thief

M.K.Barry

Chapter 2: Trinkets

Luc wasn't at supper.

Lord Mintas and his guest from Rawlins sat alone at the long table in the bright dining room. A large, wide window looked out into the fields, which were tinted red in the light of the setting sun. It was dark enough, however, to warrant several large candles on the table.A small cluster of them sat at one end, where Lord Mintas sat at the head of the table, with the Rawlian man to his right. Lissa didn't know who the man was, and knew better than to ask, but the way he carried himself made her think that he was a very important man. Perhaps he was even more important than Lord Mintas. Lord Mintas sat in his best finery, a red silken tunic and matching pants with gold embroidery forming looping patterns at the cuffs. A large gold chain hung around his neck, and he had a collection of rings on his hand. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the rings were old and tarnished, that the clothes were frayed, and a little too small for Lord Mintas' girth. The Rawlian man, on the other hand, was dressed in subtler finery. A Dark blue tunic with simple silver buttons, and a plain silver chain around his neck. He wore one ring, a gold signet ring. He was old, his face seemed sunken, his eyes large, and what was left of his white and wiry hair was slicked back with oil. Regardless of his age, his movements were sure. He sat straight, never slumped, and when he spoke, it was either with a playful, careless tone, or a tone of strict coolness. It made Lord Mintas' occasional stammer seem worse. When Lissa, who for the most part was hiding in the corner, was beckoned forth to pour the man a fresh goblet of wine, she was terrified of making a mistake, of spilling the wine, or dropping the fancy decanter that Lord Mintas had apparently insisted they use, along with the rest of his finest dishes, most garish dishes.

“Very nice.” the guest said as Lissa finished pouring his drink in one fluid motion. He took a long sip and nodded at Lissa, “Indeed, very nice.”

Lissa bent her knees in a half curtsey, and moved back to her corner where she could remain silent. She occupied herself by thinking of the nice meal she would have later. The leftovers.

Lord Mintas nodded while he chewed something, then swallowed loudly before raising his goblet, “Nothing compared to what you're used to in Rawlins, Lawson.”

“Granted that, but my business allows me some special privileges.”

'He's not a Lord.' Lissa thought. 'A Lord wouldn't be in any kind of business.'

“Such privileges too.” he took a deep drink of wine, “But not the Privileges you want, am I right?”

“I am not used to talking around issues, Lord Mintas.” he said, “If you have something to say to me, say it.” he was standing so still, and speaking with such a careless, cold tone that for a moment it was hard for Lissa to imagine he was as old as he was.

“You're old.” Lord Mintas said after a long pause.

“I am.” Lawson said, nodding in contented agreement. “I didn't think that was a crime. It's hardly something I can be blamed for.”

“Of course.” Lord Minras said, “And you've lived a good, long, full life. Outlived two wives, didn't you?”

Lissa saw Lawson clench his hand on his lap, which was hidden from Lord Mintas's view. 'He's lost his wife as well... how could be be so heartless?”

Lawson looked up and gave a broad smile as he forced his hand to relax, “Yes. Two wives, one to illness, and the other to childbirth. I've also outlived two children.”
“It's a sad thing when a parent outlives their offspring... But you have one left, aye?”

“I do.”

“A girl?”

“Yes. She's nearing twenty.”

“And... unwed?”

“While she is my own pride and joy, the sickness that killed her mother destroyed her beauty.”

“Her face is deformed.”

“Yes.”

“Makes her hard to marry off. Especially if you wanted to marry into a noble family.”

Lissa clutched at the decanter. It was painfully clear what he was getting at now. He wanted his son, he wanted Luc, to marry some woman from Rawlins. Some deformed woman from Rawlins!

“You're not suggesting that you want your son to marry a common woman from Rawlins.”

Lord Mintas glanced up at Lissa, then back at Lawson. Lissa was supposed to be invisible. She didn't matter.

“Well, your own little business won't bring you into any nobility.”

“No. it won't. What I'm asking is why does this matter to you? You're son hasn't met my daughter, so I doubt it's love at first sight. Even if they had met I would doubt-”

“The nature of your business puts you close to lords in Rawlins.” Lord Mintas said. “Very close. And if someone like myself, a relative nobody in terms of Kingdom politics wanted to move up-”

“Ahh. I see.” Lawson rose his goblet to his lisp and took a deep sip. “But at the same time, I have to think of my daughter's well being.”
“Of course. Well, it goes without saying that I have an interest in the continuation of your business.”

“And my daughter? If your son can't make it to a simple meal...”

“Well, he's normally more reliable than this.”

“And what of myself? As you yourself said, I'm old.” he half drank the rest of his wine and motioned for another refill from Lissa. She came forward and again concentrated on pouring the wine without spilling it. She didn't notice Lawson looking her up and down, eying the curve of the dress against her waist, or how her hair fell around her face. “What of my comfort in my old age?”

“...I'm sure something can be arranged.”

Lissa slipped into the servants quarters. Lord Mintas and Lawson had finished their dinner hours ago, and went into Lord Mintas' study to continue their discussion. Lissa had eaten leftovers, and helped clean up before going to bed. Now Her mother was in the room, unrolling the clothes that Lissa had been poking through earlier.

“How was the dinner?” She asked. She unrolled her brown dress before turning around to Lissa. She froze, and stared at her for a moment.

Lissa sighed and started to undo the lacing. “Sorry I borrowed it without asking. Theresa told me to wear something nice, and I didn't have anything that would do.”

“It.. it's fine.”

“I am sorry. Were you looking for it?”

her mother came up and put her hands in Lissa's shoulders. The years since Lissa's father had gone had been hard on her. Her once smooth face was lined with wrinkles. Her hair was white and thinning, her hands were worn and calloused. The worst thing, however, was her resignation. The way she seemed to take everything, accept everything with the same method of plunging forward.

“I was.” She said after looking over her for a few moments, “But I think it looks better on you.”

“You do?” Lissa looked down at herself, and ran her hands over the curve of her hips.

“You look a little like I did when I was younger.”

She took her hand and gently held it to Lissa's cheek, cupping her cheek and holding her face towards her, examining her.

“You're a good girl.” She said. “I'll miss you when you're gone.”
Lissa smiled and gave her mother a quick hug, “I'm not going anywhere.”

Lissa's mother frowned, and was about to say something when the door opened, and Theresa poked her head in. “Ah.” She said, eying Lissa, “You're still dressed. Good.”
Lissa gave a small sigh, and turned towards Theresa, tying up the lacing once more. “Yes, I'm still dressed. What do you need?”

“Lord Mintas's guest is spending the night here, rather than sleeping at the inn. Lord Mintas wants you to bring some wine to his room.”

“More? He had a lot at supper.”

Theresa nodded and have an irritated sigh, “well, I guess when you're as important as he is, as rich as he is, you can afford to be soused night after night.” She half left the room, then poked her head back in, “Just make sure you bring him the decanter of wine I set on the table.” She turned, and let the door close behind her.

Lissa sighed and gave her mother a firm hug. “Thank you.” she said before chasing after Theresa. She let the door swing closed behind her, and took the stairs two at a time until she was at the kitchen. It had been a long day and she wanted nothing more than to lay down and rest.

On the kitchen table was a silver platter with a single goblet, and the decanter from earlier. Lissa muttered under her breath before picking up the tray and carefully making her way out of the kitchen. It would be a lot easier to just carry the decanter up the stairs without the tray. However, presentation was important, and Lissa know that Lord Mintas, if he was trying to impress Lawson, would do so by flaunting his nice things, his prettiest dishes, the finest linens which she herself had made the guest bed with. He would flaunt his nicest trinkets in attempts of impressing him.

She pushed the door out of the kitchen, and toed her way through the hall. The candles in the hall had been snuffed, and the only light was coming from the moon outside. Lissa was glad that there was nothing on the floor, but still traced her route with her toes. The stairs made her shiver as she started to climb them. They were narrow and steep, and she often slipped on her way up, and had to clutch at the railings to keep from falling. Now, in the near dark, and with a heavy tray in her hands, she had to feel her way up. Pushing her toe against each step before moving. It was slow and tedious progress, but she made her way to the top of the stairs, went down the hall, slowing only for a moment before Luc's door to see if she could hear anything. When she couldn't, she sighed and went on to the guest room. She knocked gently at the door, and waited until she heard a muffled, “Come in.”

She opened the door and walked into the mostly darkened room, Lawson was standing by the window, looking at the view which stretched over the village and into the forest on the other side of town. The full moon cast it light onto the clouds below it, making them glow vividly, and warping the light on the darkened landscape below. Between a thin bed and the window was a nightstand, with a single candle flickering on it.

Lissa walked up to the nightstand, and set the wine down, gently shifting the candle out of the way as she did.

“I've brought you your wine, Sir,” She said. “Is there anything else?”

“Yes,” He turned around slowly, and took a moment to look her over. “You're beautiful, you know?” He smirked, and gave short little laugh. He seemed to be standing less stiffly than he had been at dinner. Perhaps he was indeed very drunk. “I'm sorry. Like I said at dinner, I'm not one to skirt issues. Can we go right at it, or do you need a drink first?”

“...I beg your pardon sir?”

“You haven't been told?” Lawson muttered under his breath, “That Lord Mintas is a tactless one, isn't he?”

“What do you mean?”

“You're mine. In return for my only living daughter... I get you.”

-M.K.Barry

Chapter 1: The Little Thiefling ...... Chapter 3: It's Called Desperation