Wisdom: Discovered

Two years had passed since Keith joined the guild. Though he grew taller, he was far shorter than others his age. Slowly, his chin began to round in a lean point. Plump baby cheeks began to fade, and his voice deepened as he entered his teen years. Blackavar proved an excellent teacher, and Keith used this knowledge to advance his weaponry and thieving skills. Every evening Blackavar would show the young boy how to handle a weapon until he was confident enough to practice without supervision. 
 

Once, when Aldaris was displaying his sharp shooting ability, Keith skillfully tossed a dagger where the arrow had landed, smoothly scoring the mid-section of the target. Keith was not surprised when Aldaris suggested he try the bow.
 

“Daggers are only good for short distances,” Aldaris told him. “To master the bow, you master distance.”

 Keith entered the practice room to set up his dagger throwing. A fellow thief had lent the boy a set of daggers, which he carried in a leather pouch. On the far wall a painted circle with a blue dot in the center provided the perfect target. Already, the wall was nicked from other practices.

He was not alone for long when Medallion entered the room and seated himself on a bench to watch, bracing his staff against one shoulder. He clapped when Keith hit blue on his first attempt.

“You are among the most talented I have ever seen,” he commented.

After two more hits, Keith glanced over his shoulder and grinned. Without looking, he tossed the last dagger.

“Thanks,” he answered proudly.

“I believe you're even better than Blackavar.” He held a finger to his lips. “But we won't tell.”

Keith's grin widened.

“Of course not,” he said, collecting the daggers to start over. This time he was slightly off target but close enough that the mage applauded his efforts.

“Not perfect, but well enough to rank in the finest. Before you know it, you'll be a master yourself someday.”

“You think so?” Keith asked, retrieving the weapons.

“I do.” Medallion sighed, watching the boy put them neatly in the pouch, then rose from his seat. “Let me know if you're planning to go out today.” He noted the tips of Keith's hair beginning to whiten. “Illusion isn't meant forever, and it'll soon be time to replace it.”

“Wouldn't it be great if I could do magic too? I could just snap my fingers and change it myself.”

Medallion chuckled. “Illusion's nothing more than a trick to fool the eye. Those smart enough to understand might be able to see through it. Otherwise, you can look any way you like.”

“If I had illusion, I'd disguise myself as an animal,” Keith replied, “one that no one pays any attention to. That way I'd be able to slip passed the guards.”

“Perhaps one day.” Medallion bowed his head and strode from the room.

Keith made his way from the practice room and paused at an intersection of tunnels. He was not far main chamber and smiled when he heard Aldaris boasting about a recent steal.

The proud bird! He laughed at Blackavar's nickname for the sharp-shooter.

He took the right fork, which lead him away from central foyer toward. At various points where the pavements from above dipped, Keith could hear people walking, carriage wheels and horses. It was comforting to hear, a reminder that he was never truly alone, no matter how far he strayed in the dark. As a game, he often dared himself father each time, just to see how far he could go. Sometimes Toby would join, and the two walked for miles down unused, forgotten, tunnels. Yet for now, he traveled alone, seeking new tunnels.

He found one, stepping lightly over the floor, for rainwater had dripped from the streets and created a slippery surface. As he walked, he watched his shadow roll over the walls. It grew larger, then shrunk, depending on the contours of the wall. At an intersection of tunnels, a ray of light shone from a hole in the ceiling. Keith stopped beneath it, watching his shadow slide along the floor. He turned so his shadow stood upright against the wall. Keith toyed with shadow puppets using his hands to create animals. He laughed at them dance across the wall. He created a second puppet, and then a third joined.

The boy turned around to catch the thief ducking inside another tunnel.

“Daumier!” Keith exclaimed.

“Had you fooled, didn't I?” Shadows rolled over the thief's body as he came into view. He was slightly shorter than Blackavar with years of skill shining in those hazel eyes. He brushed a hand through his sandy brown hair. “I take it I'm not the only exploring new tunnels.”

“It's not that bad.” Keith smoothed a hand over the corroded surface. Several layers of mold flaked off. “Why don't we use it?”

“Well, these tunnels go directly to another set above the ones we use now,” the thief said. “But because it was so close to ground, the town's people could hear us. That's why we had to move a level below. Blackavar's greatest fear is this place being found, so we must be careful when entering and leaving.”

“Could they, with the entrance being guarded?” Keith pondered.

“There are other ways.” Daumier ducked under a low ceiling and headed down another tunnel. “You probably came in through the main entrance.”

Keith could hear him scuffling along the interior of the narrow tunnel.

“But unless someone showed them a way they'd never find it, would they?” Keith's voice echoed off the walls, and he wondered if anyone from above could hear him now.

“Daumier?”

Something hit the ground, followed by a whimper. A strangled voice cried out before Daumier's body came flying through the air and skidded to a stop at Keith's feet.

“Daumier!” Keith cried, kneeling beside his friend.

The thief suddenly grabbed his arm and shoved him away.

“Go! Warn the others!” he choked.

“Wha—” And then Keith saw them. Street guards tromped through the tunnel, their dark outfits blending into the shadows.

“Don't let him spread the word!” one shouted. If was as if someone had opened a valve. Guards were everywhere.

“Go!” Daumier begged. “Find Blackavar!”

There was no other choice, and Keith knew it. The floor was slick, but still he ran with all his might, only to discover the way blocked by a guard at the other end. He tried to stop and skidded sideways. Not far behind, the rest of the guards closed their distance. Burly arms reached out to grab him, but because of Keith's size, he went sliding straight between the guard's legs. Without a moment's breath, the boy latched onto a ladder and began climbing to the unused tunnels above.

He could hear shouts from below and the sound of metal clanging together. Many more sounds met his ears, and he began to follow them through other rooms. Looking for a way back down, he rounded a corner and stopped.

“There's one!” Two guards came marching toward him. One lurched forward, but Keith easily sidestepped and made haste down the corridor. He looked back to see how far they were.

A loose board tripped his foot, and Keith went sprawling on his stomach. The boy grit his teeth as stinging pain surged up his arms as he forced himself up. It was not long before the guards were upon him, their heavy boots shaking the floor As the floor gave way, Keith scrambled to the side.

The two men, loaded down with weapons and heavy armor, could not avoid the quickly tilting floor. Both fell through, crashing into the main chamber below. Keith recognized the long tables where the thieves displayed their stolen goods, now a resting place for two broken bodies.

Snap! Keith had only enough time to get to his feet before another section collapsed. Fingers clawed the air for something to hold. He could feel the floor angling, and his feet began to slide.

“Blackavar!” he cried, feeling himself falling. He grasped a piece of wood barely attached, dangling him like string over the main chamber several hundred feet below.

“Keith!” Blackavar jumped on a table to avoid some of the mayhem in the room. “Keith, let go! I'll catch ye!”

“What!” The boy could feel his fingers slipping.

“Trust me!” Blackavar shouted. Guards were pouring into the chamber. “Trust me, Keith.”

There was no other option. Unable to hold himself any longer, Keith closed his eyes and let go. Wind whipped passed, not fast like he would have thought. It was a gentle breeze, reminding him of lazy days spent outdoors collecting herbs and bouquets of flowers with his mother. He could almost see her, arms outstretched to bring her son close. Her loving embrace soothed away his fears.

Keith opened his eyes, hoping to wake from a dream back at home. He looked up at Blackavar.

“Ye're all right, lad,” he said, letting the boy get over the dizzying fall before setting him down.

Blackavar hopped off the table first, then scooped Keith down with him. The room was a mass of confusion, but somehow Medallion and Aldaris had managed to join their master thief. Keith looked around at all the guards blocking the tunnels. There was nowhere to run, and no way out.

“How'd they find us?” Keith asked.

“Not sure,” Blackavar replied, “but I think we're about to find out.” As he said this, the captain of the guards entered the chamber, pulling a boy behind him.

Toby! Keith thought.

“Listen up, scum!” the captain announced. “Here's how it's gonna' be. We march from here to the streets. From there, you'll be taken by wagon, and I think you already know where you'll be headed.”

Keith heard Blackavar take a quick breath when Toby was pulled in front of the guard for everyone to see.

“Thanks to one of your own,” the captain continued, “I now get to see justice done!”

A tear burned against his cheek, and Keith narrowed his eyes as fury boiled through his veins. Toby? Why would he do this? What justice was he talking about? Questions spun through his head, each one stirring his anger.

“You make me sick!” Keith said in a hushed whisper. His eyes captured the light of each tiny candle burning from the wall, and they seemed to glow along with his anger. This can't be Toby's doing!

The captain smiled triumphantly. Above his head a chandelier began a lazy swing from side to side. As Keith's anger built, the swings increased.

“Gather all this muck together!” commanded the leader, tossing Toby to the side. “And you can tell the headmaster we've got a special addition coming his way!” He laughed, a heartless, cruel sound that erupted with Keith's temper.

“You can't do this to us!” Keith shouted.

A crack from the ceiling alarmed Blackavar, and he pulled Keith back as the chandelier broke from its chain. The captain snapped his head up in time to glimpse the underside of a falling object right before it crushed him.

Toby stared at the body, watching trickles of blood collect around the fingers. For several minutes no one moved. Then he turned and ran toward the thieves, nearly jumping into Blackavar's outstretched arms.

“I never wanted to bring them here,” Toby cried. “I didn't have a choice! He made me!”

“I know,” Blackavar soothed. “I know.”

Medallion's soft voice floated over the crowd.

“Only in death is one truly free. He can no longer control you.”

“The betrayal is on us!” a guard shouted. “The wizard has killed our people! I want his head for a trophy!” The guards rushed forward.

“Protect the women and children!” Blackavar met a guard in a blur of steal. “Aldaris, get to the pipes!”

“On it!” the thief notched one arrow after the other, severing his way toward the water room.

Suddenly, Medallion was beside Keith and Toby, herding them away from Blackavar toward the back of the room. Like a snake, he lashed out at any guards in his way, his staff arching over their heads to create a magical barrier around the three. Attacks harmlessly bounced off.

“What about Blackavar?” Keith kept glancing over his shoulder. The crowd had thickened, and he could no longer see the thief.

“He'll come!” Medallion pointed the staff at a bare wall, and a secret door suddenly opened. “Right now our main concern is getting you two to safety. Quick! Down this tunnel before the guards see it.”

“No wait! I can help!” Keith protested, but Medallion's firm grip kept him and Toby from leaving.

“See you at the other end.” The master mage waved his staff again, and the wall shut.

“Hey!” Keith was angry. He wanted to be where his friends were fighting. He could have helped. Outside the door he could hear shouting and steel clanging together, and thought he recognized Blackavar's slender blades doubling up against a sword. “I have to get back!”

“Only Medallion can open the door.” Toby tugged on his friend's sleeve. “We need to hurry. Aldaris will release the water soon. The whole room will go under!”

“I don't care!” Keith jerked his arm free. “Seemingly you don't, since you gave away our hideout.”

Tears sprang to Toby's eyes, and he backed away from Keith's accusing gaze.

“I…I didn't mean to.” He held his hands in front of him. “The captain was my father. He…He made me.”

Keith's anger cracked light under the wall, and they both looked as it grew brighter.

“Medallion's back!” Forgetting his anger, Keith tried to lift it. “It's stuck! Help, Toby!”

“Ain't we gonna' drown?” Toby shivered. “Th-the water…”

Keith spun toward him.

“Fine! You flee down the tunnel and let everyone else drown when they would've accepted you back!” The boy's spurt of fury pushed the door open wide enough for him to crawl under, leaving Toby alone.

No one had seen him yet as Keith dodged between fighting thieves and guards. A flash of light drew his attention to the room's center. Medallion held his staff out to one side, the tip of it glowing brightly to thrust the guards away from the tunnel openings. Once the tunnel was cleared, he raised it high and caused a sliding section to seal it.

He's closing off the tunnels!

One guard spat at the wizard and pulled out a crossbow. Medallion swung his staff over the man's head, stepping to one side as one of the deadly bolts shot passed his waist. Another guard took aim and prepared to launch one into the wizard's heart. Medallion turned, but jolted to a halt when he saw the crossbow. Both stood facing each other, waiting for the moment. Instead, the guard's eyes rolled to the back of his head. When his body slumped to the ground, Keith stood behind with a bloody dagger in his hand.

Medallion raised an eyebrow in confusion. Yet there was no time for explanation. Blackavar's voice rang over the shouts and stabbing metal. Turning, Keith saw the master thief wildly beckoning for him and Medallion to a side tunnel. It was the only one left open.

Medallion had to fight harder to keep them back as Keith made his way down a small flight of steps, jumping the last four steps to dash across the room. A guard crashed through a table and blocked his way. His enormous sword slashed sideways, and Keith barely ducked under it in time. The guard grit his teeth at his miss and turned to slash downwards.

Dagger met sword as Blackavar intervened, bringing his two daggers up to catch the blade before it could fall on Keith.

“Run!” Blackavar shouted as the guard lifted his sword off the daggers. For the next couple of swings Blackavar's daggers constantly blocked, occasionally countering a blow that harmlessly nicked the guard's thick armor. An unexpected punch to the stomach sent the thief careening backward onto the floor. Both his daggers were lost in the midst of feet and noise. As he scrambled to find his footing the guard brought his sword down hard. Blackavar rolled to the right, keeping his body facing the guard as he crawled backwards on his hands and feet. Another swing cut into the stone floor. This time the blade was momentarily stuck, allowing Blackavar enough time to scramble to his feet.

A chain wrapped around the thief's throat, and he found himself thrashed back and forth in an attempt to break his neck. He was held securely in front of the other guard, who at last pulled the blade free and aimed for the thief's chest, only to meet Medallion's staff halfway down. Metal sparked against jeweled wood. A bolt of electricity spiraled around the wizard's hands and up the staff. Upon contact, the sword split in two and threw the guard far across the room. Meanwhile, Blackavar was still struggling with the guard clinging to his back. His head felt light as the chain cut into his throat.

An arrow cut through the air and struck the guard's backside. He dropped instantly, allowing Blackavar to pull off the chain and breath in fresh air. He spotted Aldaris, and nodded his thanks.

“Come on!” Medallion supported him down the tunnel where Keith waited alongside Aldaris. The sharp shooter continuously shot arrows while the boy occasionally flicked a dagger at someone close by.

A rumble shook the walls, and a large crack appeared in the wall. Guards paused in confusion, but began fleeing when steaming water from the underground spring began spewing out.

“Time to go!” Aldaris helped Blackavar and led him into the tunnel. “Hurry up, Medallion!”

The Master Mage nodded and raised his staff to close the entrance to the tunnel.

Keith paused when he heard a faint gasp and turned around. Medallion's eyes were closed, and it seemed like he was concentrating. Yet when no wall came down, the boy knew something was wrong.

“Medallion?” he called. Ahead of him, the others paused.

The wizard made no response. Instead, his head slowly bowed, then slumped his knees.

“Medallion!” Keith cried, and began racing toward him.

“Keith!” Blackavar shouted as a loud crack echoed down the tunnel. A section of wall had collapsed, pummeling guards with steaming water.

Keith reached Medallion and tried to pull him up, then saw why he could not. Faintly, he was aware of guards screaming, trying to climb out and get to the tunnel. A golden aura surrounded the entrance. Medallion had placed it there to protect them, and it had cost him with an arrow in his backside.

“Go…” the wizard whispered. “The barrier,” he coughed, “won't last long.”

“Medallion!” Aldaris came running with Blackavar right behind.

“Look out!” Keith shouted as the first wave of water hit the shield. It glowed brightly, keeping the foaming liquid at bay. Yet the light was fading fast, as it was in Medallion's pain-filled eyes. Another wave crashed into it. The light flickered.

“Go!” Medallion choked. “If I can't close it, you'll be boiled alive!” He struggled to rise. Aldaris and Blackavar helped him to where he could lean against the wall.

“Don't do this.” Blackavar was shaking his head. “Don't do this to us.”

Medallion smiled faintly, his gaze finally falling to Keith. Their eyes met, and the remaining illusion disguising the boy's hair faded back to its original color.

“I'm glad to have met you, Keith,” he whispered, leaning heavily on his staff. Reaching up, he removed the gold medallion from around his neck and held it out to him. “Remember me.”

Keith held the necklace tight and watched the wizard struggle outside the tunnel where the water had risen well over the fading aura. Several bodies of guards washed against it, illuminating their bloated faces. With little strength left, he balanced himself and raised his staff to finish what he started.

At the same time the sliding wall came down, the barrier broke.

Time froze.

Keith was lost in a maze of sounds and images. Though he ran with the rest to higher ground, the image played over and over in his mind. His fingers clamped the medallion tighter, imprinting the inscription from its cool surface into his palm. He could see the wizard standing outside the tunnel, knowing that he was dying. With the tunnel safely closed off, he opened his arms to embrace the warmth of death.