Prologue

20 years ago…

The thief stood in the shadows, surveying the dock. He was early, by habit arriving with enough extra time to observe the situation before he walked into it. It was a habit which had saved his life in the past, but seemed to be unnecessary tonight.

Not many people would have recognized the man standing on the dock (even earlier for their appointment than the thief himself) as his employer. That man had worn the rich robes and self-important bearing of a powerful magister. This man wore common leather breaches, a rough spun shirt, and a leather tunic over it. He stood nervously, without a staff in sight.

Also standing on the dock were two burly sailors, both armed. This was technically against the agreement the thief had with his employer, but it was the only variation to the agreement. Considering that one of the sailors held a large bag containing more coin than the thief had ever thought to see in his life - let alone, earn - he thought he could let their presence pass unmentioned.

He took another look around, then settled his prize in the crook of his elbow and walked forward, into the flickering light cast by the lanterns lighting the ship tied at the dock. His movement drew his employer's eye immediately, but the man remained standing where he was until the thief reached him.

"It is done?"

The thief nodded. "And done well. It will take a very determined investigation indeed to turn up anything that does not support the story you created. It will be believed."

His employer nodded, his full attention on the prize clasped in the thief's arms. "And… the package? There wasn't any trouble?"

"None. I replaced it with a decoy, which should buy you a bit of additional time."

He saw the shock on his employer's face, the protests rising at this unexpected detail. "Do not presume to tell me how to do my job. It is done now, and none harmed by it."

His employer leveled a glare at him, but it lacked any heat. He had hired this particular thief for a reason, after all. Finally, he nodded. "Very well."

He gestured at the sailor holding the bag of coins. The man stepped forward, handing over the payment and awkwardly accepting the prize. The thief was amused to note that their weights were practically identical. He watched as the sailor passed the prize over to his employer. The bundle was settled safely in the man's arm only after a minute examination, the thief noted with amusement. Perhaps the idea of a decoy had unsettled him. No matter, the thief had a reputation for honesty, and wouldn't jeopardize it. Finally, his employer nodded.

"Very well. I appreciate your efforts in this matter, and I rely on your discretion." That last was said with a weight almost like a threat, but the thief only grinned.

"Indeed. I'm off to Rivain. Never to be seen or heard of in these lands again, so don't worry. Even if it starts to unravel, they'll be hard pressed to discover anything without either of us around to provide support for their claims."

His employer nodded. It was what they had agreed to, after all. He turned away, starting up the gangplank to the ship. The sailors followed, and the ship immediately cast off. It had been waiting only for his presence. The thief watched long enough to see him employee come to stand at the aft rail, still clutching his prize in his arms. Before the man thought to look back at him, the thief had melted into the shadows. He had his own ship waiting, after all.

The captain of the Merlin finished the immediate duties of navigating out of the harbor - always tricky in Minrathous, and more so in the gathering dusk - before going to the aft rail to stand next to his friend and only passenger this trip. The man hadn't moved, standing there watching the city recede as the sails caught the wind and propelled them forward.

"We're on course for the free marches." He took in his passenger's possessive hold on the bundle the thief had passed him. "Business go well then, Magister Dan-"

The man whipped around with a glare.

"Do not say that name. Never mention that name again in my presence. That man is dead, and must remain so without any hint of question."

The captain bowed his head in apology and acceptance. After a moment, his passenger sighed.

"I am sorry, my friend. I have been so very afraid that something would go wrong at the last minute. I don't mean to take it out on you."

The captain chuckled. "Well, you're safely away now. No one can catch the Merlin. And I will try to remember, but I've known you by… that other name… for years now. What will you have me call you, if not that?"

His passenger was silent for a long moment, then chuckled quietly. "Do you know, I hadn't given it any thought. I've been so focused on getting away, than I didn't give much thought to the future. I will have to pick something, though. Hmm… perhaps… Malcolm. Yes. That's a good name. We'll think about another as we go."