Stolen Heart

Chapter one: The Great Thief Kain

There I was, clinging tightly to the castle’s beaten up wall. Below me was a sea of darkness and certain death if I were to clumsily lose my grip and fall to my unpleasant doom. Guards marched around holding their posts so no intruder would enter and endanger the lives of the royal family. Above me was the window seal which I desperately wanted to reach. It would allow me entrance into the castle.

I slowly climbed upward with each shaking hand I reached out and pulled my body forward, gripping the crumbling bricks. I advanced little by little higher up the tower.

You know how everyone warns you “don’t look down”, when you’re high up, right? Well, there’s a very good reason why they tell you that, I assure you. And I just made that mistake, I looked down. Wow…Man! Was I high up! I stared at the ground below me. The castle guards looked like ants from way up here. I imagined how I would look after I fell from this tremendous height. My beautiful face wouldn’t be quite so lovely anymore. I can’t have that.

Fright consumed me. I was terrified. The very thought of falling was unbearable. I could fell my whole body start to tremble. I had to shake the thought out of my mind. I had to concentrate on the ordeal ahead of me. I had to reach that window seal.

Why, you ask am I doing this? Why am I climbing this castle wall? Why bother, huh? Well, I’ll tell. There’s a very good reason, too, my good friend. This is a castle, as you might already know. Castle’s have princesses inside. And you know what that means?

No. No dragons guarding her. No, she is not sleeping inside waiting for true love’s first kiss. She’s not in there waiting to be rescued either. When there is a princess…there is jewels! Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, the works! I’ll steal them and then sell them. I’ll make a fortune, I tell you!

Hey, what’s that look? You look at me as if I’m some common crook. A thief, yes, but a common one, I think not. Thieves have to make a living somehow. We all can understand that, can’t we. I just make a living off someone else. Well, enough about that. Let’s get back to what I was doing before you invaded my mind. Get out of my head!

I climbed, one hand after the other. One foot before the next. I was exhausted but I had to do it. “Just keep your eyes on the prize”, I took my self. That window seal…if only it wasn’t so high up!

The moonlight glowed brightly, dancing on the castle walls. Hopping around as if moving and grooving to a fast beat.

The light cast shadows down on all. My silhouette was all that could be made out. And I hoped the guards didn’t enjoy star gazing and happen to see me.

The wind blew lightly, making my cape flow elegantly in the breeze. Locks of my bangs whipped in the air, revealing my exquisite face. The moonlight fall upon me shinning light on my eyes, making them shimmer like the rubies I so long for. What? I’m one hell of a handsome man, if I do say so myself.

My hair, cut short, was darker than night. It shone with a green tint. I tied my excellent locks back with my leather bandana. My eyes were rubies placed perfectly on my sharp, slender face. I have a lean, small built. Yes, I am a lean, mean fighting machine. I wore a white, cotton, long sleeved under shirt. On top of that I had a tunic that went half way down my thighs. It was wool and dyed green with vegetable oil. Stripped around my waist was a leather belt. On my legs I wore light weight pants and leather boots to keep my feet nice and warm. The boots were comfortable, with great endurance for long journeys. Wrapped around my shoulders was my thin blue mantle.

Now can’t you imagine how dashing I am?

Just like other men who aren’t rich boys I know archery. My skills with the bow were something to admirer. I have perfect aim. I always carry my sack of arrows striped around my shoulders and my long bow. You never know when you’ll need them.

Finally after painful torture I reached the window seal. I peeked inside. I couldn’t see anything or anyone stirring. I decided it’s best not to worry about things until after they occur. If I was caught I would deal with the problem when the time came.

I heaved myself over the stone frame and practically fell in, doing something like a cartwheel. I landed with a large thud on the hard, wooden flooring. My side smarted from landing on it. I rubbed it, hoping to soothe the pain.

I slowly got to my feet. I glanced around the room, hoping, preying no one who may be snoring away in the supposedly occupied room had heard my grand entrance. My eyes strained in the layer of darkness, trying to make out anything in its black blanket. My heart raced, beating faster and faster in my chest. The thrill of excitement spurred through my body. This is what it is like to be alive! Never knowing what will happen next. Will I get caught? Will I escape? Only God knows.

A large decorated bed caught my eye. I flinched. Could someone be there, right now, staring at me, waiting for me to make a move, a mistake, so they can call the guards and have me thrown in the dungeon or worst? I gulped.

I slowly, sly as a fox, advanced forward to get a better look. Maybe the person was still asleep dispute my loud entrance. I squinted to see through the darkness. There the bed was and what lay in it was….absolutely nothing! To my very great surprise no one was in the bed. No one was buried under those loads of soft fluffy covers, no one…I left out a long sigh of relief. I was safe, at least, for now, anyway. I hope that person doesn’t return from getting their midnight snack before I hit the road.

I took in my surroundings. The room was quite small and circle-like, not to mention pretty empty. Not much was in it. There was a small four poster bed with a carved canopy. Blue curtains were draped for privacy around it. The bed lay against the wall in the center of the room. Above it hung a breathtaking painting of Mother Mary. There was also a little wooden chair off to the side of it and a wooden cupboard.

Wait a minute! I starred at the cupboard, thinking, wondering. Most rich folks store or hide, as I like to call it, their valuable belongings in cupboards such as this. And if that is true than there should be some real treasures just waiting in there for the taking, waiting for me to get my hands on them. I’ll nab them and sell them! Treasures love to come with me. But who wouldn’t? I’m dashing, charming, handsome, strong, stout hearted, quick on my feet, and the list of likeable characteristics goes on and on.

I took a step toward the cupboard, still being weary of someone finding me. Thoughts of what was in it filled my mind. Maybe rubies or sapphires. Or better yet diamonds and gold! Gold is my best friend. Ladies can have their diamonds but gold is mind.

I slowly made my way across the room. The wooden flooring creaked under my weight. I flinched but only for a moment. My eyes drooled greedily at the cupboard. When I reached it I pulled open the doors with great care, and there, just as I thought, was a jewelry box. The box was finely decorated, as so one would think, it is in the castle after all.

I knelt down and touched the cool surface of the box. My eyes glittered with great delight. I was moments away from capturing my prey. I couldn’t take it any longer I had to open it. At long last my eyes fixed themselves upon what they desired, the many treasures in the beautiful box. Necklaces, rings, bracelets of gold with rubies and emeralds held me speechless. Their beauty was almost a match for mine. Gold pieces sat underneath the jewelry. “Just what I need,” I thought.

I pocketed though the best specimens and gently placed them in my small sack, which I then hide in my tunic. Now it’s time to scram.

I was about to leave when I heard the sound of footsteps in the distance, nearing, coming closer and closer. Fear washed over me. Was the bearer of those foot steps coming up here? Well, I wasn’t going to stick around to find out.

I dashed to the window seal. I stopped and stared at the ground below. My eyes widen. The thought of falling frightened me to the bone. I was at a tremendous height, one slip and I was done for.

I lifted myself over the window frame, hesitantly and hung from it. At these times it is best not to look down as everyone always tells you. But the truth of it is you are going to look down. It’s just a simple fact; one will do what they shouldn’t. I believe I mentioned this earlier. And yet I made that very mistake again, I looked down…again… I was even higher up than the last time. A sickening feeling gurgled in the pit of my stomach.

I shut my eyes tightly and breathed in a deep breathe, hoping it wouldn’t be my last. I had to look down to place my feet and hands as I made my descent. If I didn’t I would most diffidently fall. The truth was I didn’t really want to find out if your life flashes before your eyes before you die.

I mustered up enough courage, opened one eye and looked down. The sickening feeling continued as I slowly made my way down, very, very slowly. The closer I came to the ground the more I though, “This isn’t so bad.”

A few feet from the bottom all of a sudden a winged beast flashed by me. It’s large wings almost gave me a double whammy. I ducked, just in the nick of time, shielding my head safely.

The gallant creature preached itself on my left shoulder, strutting its chest out bolding with pride. It peeped and tweaked its small head to the side and looked at me with its large golden-brown eyes. It seemed to be trying to tell me something. But I had no time for the folly of the bird.

I shook my shoulder to get the hawk off. But to no prevail. It flipped its mighty wings, almost knocking out my eye, and sat its self back down on my shoulder. It seemed to have come to liking that exact spot.

I sighed in defeat, knowing once Brother made up his mind, he doesn’t change it. The animal peeped at me again. Then once more, this time a little louder.

“What’s the big fuss, Brother?” I asked the bird as if expecting a reply that I could understand.

Brother pecked at my shoulder and squawked. “I don’t have time for this,” I said with slight irritation in my voice. “I have to get out of here before the guards spot me.”

“Shoo, leave me be!” I flung my hand at the bird, while clinging on to the wall with the other. That made him move. The hawk flapped its wings and took flight, squawking all the while.

I continued to the bottom. With just a foot or so left I jumped down, of course landing on my feet. The bird continued to squawk louder and louder, flapping it’s wings with great furry; feathers flew in all directions.

“What?!” I questioned, sarcastically. “Do you want me to get caught? Be quiet…!” I half whispered through gritted teeth. I brushed my hands together and watched the little peddles fall off and tumble to the ground.

“Well, well, well,” I heard a cold, deep voice say. The voice was unfamiliar. “What do we have here…? A thief?”

I froze. I was caught, surrounded, drat… The lights were on me now. I turned around to the voice’s master. I ginned and held my arms folded behind my head. “What a pleasant surprise, my good sir,” I began, playing it cool. “What may I do for you this fine evening? Heh, heh,” I laughed sheepishly.

Before he could I answer I spoke again. “A thief you say? I do believe I saw one. We hurried off it that direction.” I pointed to my right. “Or maybe it was that way…” I pointed to my left. “Oh, my, it seems your presence has made me lose my senses…I wonder which way did he scurry off to…hmm….”

“You know what I’m talking about!” He yelled grabbing my shirt and lifting me upward. His slit eyes glared angrily at me though his armored helmet. His eyes were filled of malice. I could sense a deep tension between us. It hung in the air, like a boulder about to come crashing down upon you. I could sense the presence of its heavy weight before it crushed me. The animosity towards me was clear. And I assure you I felt the same way. After all he had caught me right when I was about to make my escape. “You’re the thief!” he bellowed.

I glared up at Brother fluttering around above me. I eyed him as if this was his doing. His loud squawking could have got this man’s attention and led him right to me. Or perhaps Brother had been trying to warn me of the approaching danger and I had been to stupid to heed his advice.

“I beg your pardon, sir,” I said heartbroken. “I assure you I am no thief. I was on my way after that ruffian you speak of when you, may good sir, stopped me and made me lose my way. Now thanks to you he has escaped my clutches.”

“Then what were you doing climbing up the tower leading to the Princess’s chambers?” he said though gritted teeth, eyeing me carefully.

Princess’s chambers…? The thought whirled in my mind. Well that is were the jewels should be. I could make a great tale about this. It would be about how, I, the great Kain, rescued the beautiful damsel, the princess. I would just not include this ol’ bloke in my story.

“Uh…” How to answer that…? My smooth replies had came to a halting point. The man didn’t seem to appreciate my slow reply.

He flung me against the stone wall of the tower, causing me to bang my head. The blow smarted. My head spun with dizziness. My eyes blurred, but soon returned to normal. I’ll feel that in the morning.

“Well?” he questioned. I could see his hairy unibrow though the holes in his armor helmet where his eyes were. I wish I hadn’t seen it. It wasn’t a very pretty sight.

“I uh…” I glanced around. Maybe there was someway to escape. Nope. I had to make something up. “I saw him go up to the tower!” I exclaimed, rather excitedly. “So I followed him up there. We got into a brawl. It was crazy. He was slinging punches right and left, but I managed to dodge every blow he swung at me,” I said getting really into my fib. “There we were, equally matched when he pulled out his sword. It’s blade’s reflected the moonlight, causing it to glitter majestically.

“Me, not having a weapon of my own, which would do me any good in this sort of situation, was stumped. ‘What to do?’ I thought. I had to make sure no harm came to the princess. I had to protect her with my life, being the honorable man I am.

“Right then the man lunged at me. I barely managed to dodge the hit. The speed of it was immense! He clearly was an experienced swordsman. And I am just an ordinary man with a bow and arrow.

“He came back for round two, aiming his blade for the kill. ‘Not so fast!’ I told him. And with that I kicked the monstrous man. He stumbled back, hitting the window seal. He dropped his weapon. It’s steel banged against the wooden floorings. The man fall back, reaching his hand out, trying to grab onto something, anything. He fall out the window but somehow managed to grab the window seal. He then descended down the tower on to the grounds below and made his getaway.

“I quickly followed him down the tower. But he was too fast. By the time I made it down he was out of sight.” I finished my dramatic story, pretty darn proud of it, considering I just made it up as I went along. I smiled up at the man as would a child before he was scolded.

The man eyed me suspiciously, as if daring me to say my tale was a lie, that I had made it all up. But I was no fool. No way would I admit to the truth and tell him what I was really doing on the palace grounds.

He loosened his grip on me a little. But then I heard the clanking of metal coming our way. I turned my neck to catch a glimpse of what it was.

Great…another one. I sighed internally. One of Mr. Knight’s buds was coming to join our little party. His bulky armor clanged as he walked. The man was covered from head to toe in armor just as his friend. Though he was of a rather large size he somehow managed to squeeze into his armor. He had the same expression plastered on his face. An unkind expression. An expression that made him not a fun person to be around, exactly how I felt being around him. I wanted to me miles away from these two goons. I could tell he didn’t get out much. It seemed like he hadn’t smiled in ages, his lips were snuck in a frown.

Armor Dummy Number One glared at me and smirked as if to say, “Now you’ll get it.”

I wasn’t thrilled about Armor Dummy Number Two coming. I was so close to escaping! But now I had to deal with this all over again.

“What seems to be the problem, Kent?” He asked Dummy Number One. I guess Kent’s his name. I like Armor Dummy Number One better…He crossed his arms and also smirked.

“It seems we have caught ourselves a little rat,” Kent replied.

“Ah, a thief?” Dummy Number Two asked.

“Yes.”

EEERRR! I yelled in my mind. I had just explained to him that I wasn’t the thief. How dense do you have to be to not believe a grand story such as the one I told! He much have a few screws loose up stairs.

“Well, we know what to do with thieves, don’t we, Kent?” He hammered his fist into his palm and snickered softly.

“Yes…” the other replied slowly, grinning from ear to ear. “We do.” He retightened his grip on me and pressed me harder against the wall.

I gulped. I didn’t like how this was sounding. But for as long as there is still fight in me, I , The Great Thief Kain of Lyron will never be caught! Thieves have pride too. No moron such as these two idiots is going to capture me!

Even at this time of great desperation I wondered “How did these fools become knights?” I can’t imagine that they would be promoted from a squire or even a page for that matter. What is this world coming to? Has the kingdom sunk so low and became so desperate that now riff ruff is becoming full fledge knights?

“Please good sir.” I began, “I beg you to release me. I assure you I am not this thief you speak of. I am just a ordinary man. If you don’t mine I would like to return home to my family.” Oh, I’m good. What a lie! I laughed to myself. I don’t have any family I would bother returning home to or no home to come back to. I’m a rogue, a wanderer. Everywhere is my home.

“My little one is sick. I must get home to her as soon as possible.” I went on pitifully. That got to them. They gave me a sorrow filled look and both glanced at each other, as if starting to believe me. Then refocused their stares down at their feet.

I stared at them with a great expression of sorrow. I began to fake cry. I hung my head so they couldn’t see my face. Or they would have seen the wide grin which covered it. I sniffled, just to make it sound more realistic. And I breathed heavily as one would do when they were crying and having a hard time breathing. I even allowed a tear to roll down my cheek.

The first knight released me from his clutches. My act had worked! He backed away and lifted his head. When he spoke his voice was shaky. “Scram! Get out of here. Go back to your family!” Tears swelled up in his eyes and fell down his cheeks. He wiped his running nose with his chain mail covered sleeve.

I couldn’t believe it, the man was crying! Not only that but the other knight, who I thought was basically emotionless, was also crying! I guess they do have hearts after all.

“Thank you,” I sniffed. “Thank you, kindly. I won’t forget your kindness, good sirs. I’ll pray to the heavens that you’ll be rewarded for your good hearts. Farewell gentlemen!” I ran pass the two, waving goodbye as I went. When I turned away I grinned, the widest grin a man could possibly make. My lips could stretch no farther.

When I thought I was out of the clearing I heard it, a sound I wish I had never heard, a clanking sound. My heart skipped a beat. I held my breath. I stopped moving. I turned slowly. My heart began to pound against my chest, furiously. I stared at the object on the ground. I hoped the guards didn’t see it, but I knew they did. They stared at it was well.

I had felt the object fall pass my legs, pass my feet onto the cold ground below. The object was the very thing I had tried so hard to conceal. My precise! My treasure! My diamonds, my jewels, my gold! All of it had fallen, fallen out of my tunic. My sack of treasures had left me for the cold dark grass.

I stared at the spot were my precise was. Kent also stared at it, dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe what his eyes were taking in. Who would? My act was very convincing.

The other knight picked up the bag. And…opened it. What he say made his eyes widen. He took out some of the sack’s contents. He pulled out a long pearl necklace and a few gold coins. He glared at me, enraged from anger. Angry at conceiving him. I stared back and shrugged, giving him a sheepish smile. His lips moved and formed one word, “thief.”

“Thief!” the knight yelled. That’s my cue to hit the road. I ran, with all the speed I could possibly muster. The guards put up a good chase but I was young and much faster than them and wasn’t carrying pounds and pounds of heavy armor. Within seconds I was far ahead of them.

I smirked. I had escaped the clutches of evil! I was free! Free as a bird. I could hear Brother squawking over head as he followed me. I could hear his heavy wing beats as his wings hit the air.

I glanced back. I couldn’t even see the fools anymore. I had lost them!

I rounded the corner but soon found myself on the ground. I had collided with something bigger and stronger than me. From the ground I stared up at what had knocked me down onto my butt.

It was a man. A very young, handsome man. His beauty almost rivaled that of mine. He has slightly taller than me. A little taller than the average man. He may had had a small built, but he looked powerful. One look and you could just tell. He was capable of great endurance and strength. He had dark, short hair. His eyes were amber brown. They stared down at me with question, though with much kindness. I sensed he had a gentle nature. It was hard to believe he was a warrior, a knight. I could tell he was no fool, though, and would not fall for any of my tricks.

The handsome man was very well armed. At his waist was a rapier. And he most diffidently know how to handle it to its fullest abilities. He was no doubt an expert swordsmen. He wore black chest and shoulder armor. He even had armored boots. His face shown with weariness, showing he seen many battles in spite of his young age. He much had been only a few years older than me.

I could hear the sound of Brother’s wing beats getting farther and farther away in the distance. The bird’s squawks drowned out as he flew farther away. Thanks for ditching me, Brother. Just when I needed you.

Echoes of, “Stop! Thief!” could be heard in the background.

The pretty boy glanced at me. He gave me a soft, gentle smile. He know those cries were directed towards me. But yet he did nothing.

The two guards dashed around the tower, exhausted and out of breath. “Stop..” they groaned though deep breaths. As soon as they saw the gentleman next to me they stopped and straightened up. They seemed to be a bit afraid of him. They stuttered when they spoke, “S-s-s-sir W-Wi-Will-William, sir!”

I glanced up at the man. This William fellow much had been way higher up on the food chain than these clowns or else they wouldn’t show him the least respect. Most likely he was a knight, a protector of the royal family. He much have been a lord, too.

Although the others were afraid William paid no heed to it, instead he just smiled. “What seems to be the problem, gentlemen?” he questioned in a soft spoken voice. It was hard to believe they were afraid of this guy. He seemed to be as frail and as dangerous as a woman.

“Sir,” one of the knights began, “that man there,” he pointed to me sitting on the ground, “he broke into the princess’s chambers and stole her valuable treasures!”

That made pretty boy snap. As soon as he heard the word “princess” his eyes dratted towards me. His expression became cold and stern. He seemed to be more disturbed about me entering the princess’s chambers than stealing her treasures. He much had been the Princess’s Champion, the one who protects her and guards her at all times. But then what was he doing out here…? It almost seemed as if by the mention of the princess he had became a different person. I’m guessing this is why they were afraid of him. His cold glare even frightened me.

“He did, now?” William spoke, his voice was icy. “Well, what are you waiting for? Take the vermin to the dungeon so he may join his fellow rats.” He began to walk away then stopped, but only for a single moment. He glared at me with his amber eyes. Fire seemed to flicker in their ruby depths. He then continued on his way, holding the hilt of his mighty sword.

I froze. His glare terrified me. I couldn’t move. There was something in his eyes that sucked all my strength away. Even when the guards grabbed me and forcefully brought me to my feet, I didn’t dare fight, didn’t dare run. Even when they shoved me and hauled me off to the dungeon, I didn’t try to get away. I was too afraid of that man. Something deep inside of me told me it was better to get caught then to fight him. For I would surely not live past the battle. And yet I know this would not be the last time I would meet him.

At long last something terrified me enough to give up without a struggle. At long last the Great Thief Kain of Lyron had been caught…by complete idiots…

-End Chapter One-

Yami of the Black Knights