Immortal Stories: The All-Thief
by Parim on Jan.27, 2012, under Immortal Stories, Writing
How long had the man waited? He sat in the back corner of the bar with a drink gone warm. No one approached him, he seemed wrapped up in himself, a book left open and forgotten was the only other thing on the dirty table. The man looked like anyone, except he seemed frayed around the edges; brown hair, forgettable face, and jeans with t-shirt. A figure entered the bar and went directly towards him, his movements direct, his body emaciated, and covered in black.
“What can you give me that I cannot achieve myself?”, the frayed man asked as the dark one sat at his table, “I have no need of your services or power games. I have everything I need.”
The man in black just smiled, “Me? I personally don’t have anything for you but scorn. However, my associate…”
The everyman interrupts, “you mean your master?”
The smile widens, “Ah, there is no need to be rude. We may have had our differences, but you really don’t want to dismiss the gift I bear. As I said, my associate offers you a truce. No more running. You can operate without harassment, as long as you stay far away from my associate’s activities.”
He stiffens as he ponders the angles. As much as he hates to show weakness in front of the Bloodied One, his resources were low from the centuries of running. The Age of Science made it harder and harder to practice his craft without notice. The Goblin King knew this fact, although he knew the King would never forgive him, this might be the break he needed to bolster his influence and be prepared when the Dead finally came for him. Only, he didn’t trust the Bloodied One, “What sort of proof do you have that this is legitimate?”
The Bloodied One pulls back his long black hair, looking the hounded man directly in his eyes with his red-veined irises, “Look with your other eyes. I bear the King’s mark. You know from experience that he does not abide misrepresentation when you bear the seal.” A bemused expression lit his face with cruelty and humor: It was good seeing the All-Thief at such a low. The most envious one of them all, brought down lower than most mortals.
His worried eyes narrowed into glare and hate, the All-Thief was not amused, “What are his terms? I will have no more of your mockery. I may respect the King, but we both know you cannot take me in this plane.”
The smile maximized, his task was assured completion. He reached into his black coat and took out a small photo of a young boy, “He wants you to pilot this child back to him with his psyche intact. So you must suppress him and not destroy. If the child’s psyche is harmed in anyway, the King will hold you responsible and the truce is forfeit.”
“Ha. Simple. What does big G want with the boy?”
“That is not for you to know. I am to assist you…”
Cut him off, “I will not need such help.”
The smile drops to seriousness, which seems more grave coming from the thin faced man, “If you would let me finish. The child is in the care of our enemies and well protected. Your old nemesis has him.”
Finally, the frayed one’s expression turned from guarded into elation, “Heh heh. A truce and a chance to settle old scores? Your master has done me a favor. I accept. You are welcome to follow me in your own way, but I doubt I will need your sorry arts.”
The man in black keeps the grave expression, says nothing for once, gets up and leaves.
