“A light finger is a thief common to picking pockets but can also be knowledgeable in the robbing of homes.” From Lord Twilners book on the common man and his turn of phrases.


The Kingdome of Alyon is a small Kingdome where most people know there place and love it or they learn to live with it. If you were to ask one of the common man he would say there was no real crime in the country or city. Everyone went about their day happy as can be and none the wiser that there was another world just below their feet or behind a closed door.

For the Kingdom of Alyon chief export was silk and it unofficial was thieves. They trained some of the best in the capital city, and if you knew where to go and who to ask you could get almost anything stole. Some times if you payed well enough you might get a mage/thief to make is so the victim did not know that they had ever had the item in the first place.

In a small Inn in the Kingdom of Alyon was a Thief, but he wasn't like the others. This thief was looking for something, and this something belonged to him and his family. Though he wasn't sure how much of that was really true. He looked to the tavern that was connected the the Inn. He looked for a man much larger then himself. The man was about seven nine and three quarters. Though most people left off the three quarters. The two men meet in a both in the far back corner of the room.

"Do you have any news?" the man with the plain face asked. The only thing that stood out on him were his bright blue eyes. As a child his mother told him it was because he was born on the high seas. He looked to the man that was quite a bit taller then him. The man motioned him to have a set. He did and with a cautions eyes looked to the man. "I have heard that there is something like what you were talking about in the kingdom." he said looking out the window to the castle. "It might come from hear say, but it might be something to look into." the Large man said. The blue eyed man nodded. "Thank you." he said as he handed the man a small pouch of gold. "you'll get the rest if its true." he said.

The man with blue eyes got up form the table and walked out of the tavern. He always hated staying in one place for to long. He was hoping to be out of this Kingdom by night fall. He looked around the castle and walked up to one of the guards. "Can I see the inside?" he asked. The guard didn't say a word. "I'll take it as a no then." he said looking for the best way in that wouldn't cause a sean.

Hanging upside down Rue slipped the last of the thin metal picks into the window. Slowly he pulled them up trying to catch the latch on the inside of the frame. A soft click was the only sign that he had gotten it open. Checking the hinges he slowly swung it open. He knew that the lord was out of his house for the night, Rue had stood holding the mans horse while he mounted up giving the servant's instructions on what to do. Not that they fallowed them fully, Rue smiled at that.

The maid and the two footmen were off at the nearest tavern drinking down a few two many as the stable boy was with his lady love of the night the scullery maid. So there was no one in the house to hear the sound of two soft feet gently landing on the inside of the window.

The room was lit from the moon outside, casting everything in a silvery light. The master’s bed was larger than most masters had it, its posts as thick as a maids waist. It was also set higher than most, Rue guessed it was so the master could have his fun with the maids quickly without the wife knowing about it.

Rue’s fingers twitched as he slowly walked around the bed, they twitched more as he came upon an ugly painting of the man’s wife. He stifled a snicker, the man thought that an ugly painting in the middle of a room planed out to impress would save his valuables. Slipping the painting aside he found the wall safe that was new in style. Carefully he worked the picks into the lock and undid it as he had the window.

“Come to big brother.” His whispered as he emptied the jewels and papers into the small sack he carried for just this purpose. It had been fur lined so nothing would clink in it as he moved about yet it was just tatty enough that it could pass for a poor man’s clothes bundled up. they safe was shut and he was out the window before the watch would notice it open.

The man with the blue eyes scaled the large building in the dead of night. He wasn't about the get caught. This wasn't the first time he had to do this. For a while he did it for the pay, when he got caught in a land a bit away's he swore this was going to be the last time. He looked to the top of the building. "Almost there." he said. This man was much of a loan wolf, he didn't care for much company, and would rather be left to himself.

When he got to the top of the building he looked down the large stain glass window. To his surprise some other thief was already in side. "Just my luck." he said softly to himself. He then gently inched out the window with his small hunting knife. He made use not to even make a scratch on the glass. He then tied the rope to one of the many chimneys. With easing himself down he keep a close eye on the man stilling the items.

When he got to the bottom of the rope he gently placed his foot on the ground and walked towards the man. "I must say." he said as he was closer to the other man. "I must say, you have to be good to get threw the lower windows or doors." he said. "I must ask you something though." he said. "What is this to you?" he asked.

Rue’s dagger was out and the bag over his shoulder when he heard the footsteps on the floor. Then the other thief spoke to him. not a wise move jacko. he thought as he slowly turned around. His golden eyes flashing as he smirked. Taking in the rope and stain glass he smiled brooder. “you know there is a better window to come through.” With that he acted like he was going to go one way then quickly, much quicker than the other thief would have expected of him he was off in the other direction and through the window he had used to get in. one never tried to get in through a stain glass window as it was the most likely to be noticed that it had been messed with. Always used the servants window if you could.

The man growled, as he ran after the other man. He wasn't going to let him get away. He followed the man as he went threw the window. Never had he felt this much anger towards a person he didn't know. He felt as though his eyes were glowing red, and his face felt hot. With no hope he lost the man in the last leg of there run. Dame it. he thought to himself as he ran back to his rope. He went back threw the window with a little glass glue placed the stain glass as it was before.

He walked to the inn empty handed once again. His heart sunk at the thought. He paid the inn keeper for another night at the in. He hung his head as he walked up the stairs. "Mother... How now am I supposed to get it back." he asked soft. He walked into the room and blew the light out. He then laid awake in the bed.

Turning back rue fallowed the man from the house, silently congratulating the man on how well he repaired the stain glass window, along his path and back to the inn. He wondered why this man had given up so easily, he could have tracked him well over the roofs if he knew them. He watched for a lit candle to enter a room, seeing one he planned what he was going to do.

The chimney was cool againted his back as he sat there in the little nook that was formed from the roof and chimney. The moon was just reaching a point where he could use the light to see what he had gotten. Taking care not to let anything drop loudly he pulled out his prizes one at a time. After separating all the one that he could sale as is and those he would have to take apart he lit the stub of a candle to see what he had gotten in the papers. Most of them were love letters to his wife, a few were IOU’s but one struck Rue as odd. It was a scrap of paper with writing on it that seemed quickly written.

“My love, “ it read. “I had to take your piece to the manor house, I fear someone is after it. Do not worry it will be returned before the kings ball this month.” The signature was of the lord of the house, he could get a pretty copper for this. It was a perfect example of his writing that someone could use to forge documents. He had gotten away pretty good this time.

The question the man had asked gnawed at him, “what is this to you?” what else would it be to him, just another heist to feed his little ones. Climbing down slowly he passed the window of the man that had tried to catch him. Maybe he should offer up the jewels for a fair price, or maybe if the man could get him another easy mark go in on the value half way.

The man with the blue eyes sat there for a bit in the silence of the night, and in the dark. He wondered what his mother would think of him becoming a thief. He long to have his old life back. His family use to be of wealth, but once there statue was stolen everything went to hell.

He looked to the window when he did he saw a shadow of a person. He had to take a double look, and when he did he sware he had seen that man before. He then looked for the locket. When he found it he put it on under his white ruffled shit. He then put his black leather vest over the shirt. He then looked to the window. He was only on the second floor, if he jumped he might be able to get the man who stole what he was going to steel. He was going to get it back.

He looked out the window and as he did he saw the man get a little was away. "Here's to nothing." he said as he jumped threw the window, he landed on his feet. A tingling sensation ran threw his whole body. He stopped for just a moment, but then followed the man. He wish he had more time to find out about him, but he couldn't risk it. He followed after him.

The sound of the window clattering alerted Rue to someone going out a window. Not looking back he acted like nothing had happened. If it was not the guy that had tried to fallow him then it was someone else, and they might not want the guard on them so they would take care of any one that might have noticed them. So it was better to keep acting normal so that he did not draw attention to himself. Rue smiled happily, as if this was his night off and he was going home to his family after working for a month at his place of work.

He had this act down rather well by now, had had been using it for a few years now, his clothes slowly becoming more and more nicer as his kiddies got better at Lightfinger work. Soon his top two would be leaving him, they had just gotten good enough at roofwalking that he felt they would live out their time well if they did not fall prey to drugs or the guard.

He slipped into a dark alley way then went up onto the roof, he had to crouch low or the few guards that walked the street would see him and call out the rest of them. But then when you had some one that might not be too familiar with the lay of the land here abouts then that was the best way to go, just don’t get caught.

After going back down onto the streets then to the roofs again a few times he slipped into the old chapel where his kiddies and him lived. The look outs had watched him come in before coming in after him. They always watched what was going on with everything here abouts. They were the younger ones, the ones that most don’t notice when they was about.

Eloi followed after the man, and found that he had a way with blending in. Eloi found it hard to keep up, and for it being night there were quite a bit of people. "wait." he said. Hoping that the man would wait, but know it was a long shot he tried to keep up. This made him think of when he first started on this adventure. It was when he was thirteen, his mother had just died, and he had nothing else. Eloi found that hunting this Legend was the only thing that would keep his mind off of his dead mother.

When Eloi found the man it was as he entered the dark ally, but to his surprise when he got there the man was gone. He felt like an dumb ass for chasing him. "Please" he said as he sat on some lumber. He felt his heart sink once more. He tried to hid his bitter disappointment. He looked around to see if he could even see the man, but he was gone.

He made his way to the chapel it had been to long since his last confession. He felt like maybe this was God trying to punish him. He walked into the small chapel and when to confess. "Father forgive me for I have sinned." he said softly. Eloi's mother was a woman of faith, and taught him that God would make thing right.

“ya was fall’ed.” The youngest of Rue’s kids told him as she walked into the room. She was maybe seven but most would have thought her five, she was small for her age. She had dirty looking hair and clothes that were barely this side of the rag bins. The fabric barely covered her skinny body but then she did that on purpose so that more would over look her or give her a copper or two.

“Describe.” One word that was all Rue needed to say to any of his kids when they reported. She laid out a perfect description of the man as she stood there not seeing the room around her but the man. He had taught all his littles the trick of perfect recall as his teacher had taught him. “and did you set a tail on him?” Rue knew the answer before he asked.

“ys’um.” Her voice was getting a bit higher in pitch he noticed off handedly when she spoke. “take a massage? We was proper an’ put up the wall’s when ya came in.” he smiled like a proud father.

“yes run him a massage, I will meet him at the dark bell tower to talk if he wishes. He is to come alone and the massager may need to show him where.” The girl nodded and then recited it back word for word to him. She would then do that with the one she got to run the message but Rue did not need to supervise that anymore. The kiddies knew what to do.
- - -
At the chapel a little hand gently pulled on Eloi’s shirt sleeve before the child that did it scampered off down the walk way so that it was far enough out of his reach. the way the child was dressed did not discern gender of the child nor did the way it moved. “pa wants ta meets ya.” The voice was quite just loud enough for Eloi to hear.

Eloi felt a small tug on his white shirt. He looked to the small hand, but before he could even look the hand was gone. He then heard a small echo of a child voice telling him to follow. At least that's what he got out of her message. Could this child be connected to the man. He wasn't sure, but something told him he should go. He stood to his feet and exited the conffetional, he then looked to the priest door. "Father I'm sorry, but I must do this." he said. To be honest Eloi wasn't even sure if "the father" was even in there.

Looking to the child once more he walked up to it. "Okay. So who is this father of yours." he said hoping she would have more information. This child looked so young to him. How could this child make it out on the streets like this. He looked around to see if maybe her parents were around, that maybe just maybe she was talking to a stranger. Something inside of him told him he should know better.

For the first time in years he was relived to finally meet up with a person. He hadn't felt that way since his mother died. Eloi looked about for a few more min. "Wait." he said softly. Something about this chapel brought back memories. Ones he didn't know he had. He tried pushing the felling aside, but for some reason something pushed him towards the front. He then pulled his gaze away. "Okay. Take me to him." Elio said.

The young child kept out of arms reach of Eloi as it smiled up at him. “ya know who’s” the child said in a sing songy voice. The child waited for him till he said to take him to Pappa Rue. Taking off running the young thing always made sure that Eloi could see it. After leading him in a direct line for a bit the child scampered behind another young child this one in a very thread bear outfit, a falling apart shawl pulled snugly around her shoulder. Her dress was enough that you could tell her gender but only barely.

“Papa Rue, the man you fallowed wishes a meeting with you at the dark bell tower, if you do not know the place I can lead you there.” Her voice was clear and precise, not what you would expect from a child this thin and dirty looking. Her eyes sparkled just daring him to say something of the sort. “do I need to show you are can you find your way there alone? He says to come alone, and do not expect that you will be able to get there safely if you get a friend to aid you.”

The dark bell tower was the thieves name for a bell tower that stood at the center of Executioners square. The bell that used to stand there no longer range but one was said to court death to go to the hanging bell tower if you were a thief. It was all that was left of the church that had once stood there. When the church burned they started using the square to kill convicts.

Eloi followed the small child. He watched as the child ran to a young girl. The young girl looked furmilare, but could it be someone he knew, or was it just a random incident. He shrugged it off and looked to the girl. It took a Minuit for the words to register. Eloi looked about the area for a moment, "I'll need you to show me." he said softly. He then realized again, the young child threats. "It's just me. Trust me it's just me." he said. Eloi forgot the last time he had someone with him. Well that's a lie, he tired to forget.

Eloi remembered starting his great adventure. He started it with his closes friend. His dear brother. There father ran out when they were just children, but Eloi always knew he had someone with his brother by his side. They had gotten into a lot of trouble growing up, there mother took most of the blame. Eloi always remembered there mother saying, "If only your father wasn't a dead beat." Eloi never understood till he was older.

This place reminded him of the brother he lost. A cold chill ran threw his whole body. With the chill the realization of being alone hit him. His whole family gone, He was all that was left. Eloi tired to push it out of his mind, and refocused on the child. "Would you mind showing me where it is?" he said.

Turning without another word she quickly scampered down the alleyway and acrossed the street. She like the younger child waited till he caught up with her before going up onto the roofs and travling that way. Still stopping to make sure that he was still fallowing her she rolled her eyes. She never would have had to run this guy all over the city if he was a proper thief, how he had almost gotten the drop on papa rue she would not understand.

Up in the clock tower Rue waited, his fingers picking at a bit of embroider in a silk handkerchief. They needed the silk to sell and if he was carful he could get the thread out to sell to. The lady that had made this had been very careful when she made it. Out on the roofs he could see his visitor coming slowly nearer to the tower, his little one barely noticeable in the pail light. She had planed her outfit well to blend in, and she moved quickly on the roofs. Maybe it was time to train her to the roof walking.

Finely she led him up into the tower its self. Rue slipped into a dark shadow to wait for the man, when he appeared Rue spoke. “No father then that please.” He slipped the holding strap on the wrist daggers loose so he could throw them if he needed to.

Eloi had a hard time keeping up with the young girl. It had been months since the last time he had been on the roof tops is with his brother. He thought back to his brother, as he tried to keep up with the child. She was really fast, and he wondered how she was able to go so fast. Eloi fell a little silly when she had to wait for him. "I'm sorry for being so slow." he said.

Eloi walked into the tower. It was an old building probably one of the oldest in the city. He took it all in. He looked to the girl and then the shadows. He wanted to move forward, but knew that he was out numbered. The suspense was killing him. He wanted to see the mans face that had got the one thing he had been looking for.

Rue smiled as waited as the man, no young man got used to the darkness inside the tower. “you can leave now little.” The young girl smiled an evil little smile at Eloi as she turned and walked out again. Rues voice could have been a woman’s voice if she had a deep voice. He pitched is just right so that even though Eloi could hear it, it was hard to tell where it truly came from.

“What is it that I took that made you fallow me? It was not your house that I lay my finger upon, had it been you would never have caught me.” He had set up traps that would have alerted him had someone who owned the house come home. It was just that Rue had never expected someone to enter the stained glass window.

“I watched you acrossed the roof you’re not used to the roof walk but you know how to get into houses.” Pulling out his dagger it flashed in the light as he cleaned his nails with it. Now that he had the time and leisure to look this man over he did. He wanted to know this man so well that if he had to he could sound out what he looked like to any guard who asked.

Eloi watched as the young girl ran off. Her smile gave him a slight chill, and it was the first time in this night that he had gotten one. Eloi wasn't use to this, he really wanted to get home, but he knew he had to do this for his family. He looked about for a moment. The dark keep him from seeing the other man.

"The small statue of Venus. It was my mothers." He said. He walked into the light. His dark hair slightly hung into his bright blue eyes, his hollow cheeks gave way to the lack of food. His shoulders were not as wide as most mens, but he was still a 1 handsome man. His dark olive skin socked up the moon light. He wore a white shirt with white ruffles, and a black vest over it his pants were a bit tight and were as black as the night. He wore a leather braclet on his left wrist, and wore a gold cross under his shirt.

"I'm not a thief I'm only looking for what is mine, and my skill I learned from a close friend." he said as he tried to look at the man. He wondered if the man would revile himself, and he knew that the man was most like wondering how he got threw the stain glass window.

“it is interesting that in one breath you claim not to be a thief but also saying that you were in that building to steal an item that you say belongs to you.” Rue smiled and let the light catch his smile and dagger. This was an art form that Rue had learned when he was but a young child. He knew how to set the stage and when to make the full reveal. Right now it was only the soft reveal. He would slowly pull this guy in on the bait and see how far that got him.

“if this small statue, which I am not saying I have, was yours why have you not shown the documentation that it belongs to you? The guards would have happily gotten it for you.” Slowly he moved so the light caught his eyes, they would gleam dangerously, the littles called them his displeased eyes. Rues eyes were a golden hue, there seemed to be no feeling in them.

Eloi watched the shadow figure close. He didn't want to let the guy know everything about him. He knew if he did that the man would have the upper hand. He looked into the dagger that was shining light into his face. "I am what I say I am." he said. Eloi wasn't a man of very many words. He tried, but usually failed.

Eloi took a step forward. "You don't understand. It was my mothers. My father gave it to her before he passed, and he stole it. We do not have papers on. For its not something you can have papers on." he said. Eloi was now getting a little annoyed. "please if you have... please just give it back. I've spent years trying to get it back." he said softly.

Rue looked Eloi over trying to catch him in a lie but every action seemed to only caroarate what he was saying. “the small stature is not in my possession, if it was I would happily turn it over because those are the hardest to sell even if it was solid gold and I hate melting down good statures.”Rue said with no emotion a bout the lose or the lack of it in his possession. “how big exactly was this statue? I could always keep an eye out for it for you.” This man was nothing like what he would have expected him to be when they first met. In fact he was so open that if Rue had not been watching for the little tells that showed up when someone was lying he would have thought this guy was bluffing. “And it is not to hard to get papers made up for it. All you really have to do is have one of those silly magistrates’ write up what it looks like and who it belongs to. A very fine thing to invest in when you have something that is worth more than you will ever make in a year. But then you do have to have the item in hands and the item not be on record already as being some ones else’s.”

Rue stepped out into the light his pale golden hair in stark contrast to his dark brown skin. It was a wonder that Eloi had not noticed the lighter hair in the shadows. Rue had worked really hard to learn the trick of hiding in the shadows even with his light hair uncovered. He was short for his age but then most guessed his age to be much lower than nineteen, some even thought he was thirteen. His height and hair were both from his father’s side, in fact there was little of his mother in him at all. Only her pale skin marred the dark black skin his father had had making it only dark brown skin.

Elio looked a bit older then he was. It keep him safe most of the time. Eloi looked at the man then with his hands held the slightly apart. "it was very small." he said softly. He knew the power that was held inside of it. He was the only one from his family to know, for when he was a young lad the magic manifested itself. "Its not worth any thing." he said keeping his nerves at bay. Eloi was fighting every urge to fight this man.

"please help me get it back. I will make it worth your wild." he said. He followed the line of light. "let me see you." he said softly. The one thing Eloi was good at was getting people on his side.