[Mkguild] Kendrick's Quandry

[C. Matthias]

Okay, here's a short tale from my pen.  I'm not 
quite in order, but it'll be a while before I 
finished the second story in this cycle.

Metamor Keep: Kendrick's Quandry
By Charles Matthias

January 28, 708 CR

         The snow drifts were two feet high 
against the stone wall of his family home, and 
now as the hour drew near to dawn side of 
midnight, it started snowing again.  Kendrick 
hiked his coat up over his slender and smooth 
head, and then bent over to brush the snow from 
the step.  By morning nobody would be able to 
tell he’d come in this way, providing he didn’t 
track snow all over the carpets.
         The pangolin thief, heir to the Urseil 
clothiers, one of the more prominent merchant 
families in Metamor, was reminded once again why 
he was eager to stop being a thief.  His body was 
naturally alert at night, but it was also 
ill-equipped to handle the frigid winter nights 
that Metamor was cursed with.  Thrice cursed 
Metamor his cousins in Ellcaran had 
said.  Quadruple cursed!  Why couldn’t it have 
been some place far to the south where the 
winters were mild and the summers so warm all 
days were spent in shaded leisure?
         Kendrick brushed the last of the snow 
from the step next to the side door, and then 
rubbed his scarf over his paws to dry them.  He 
slipped off his boots and winced as he set his 
scaly feet on the cold stone step.  Holding his 
boots in one paw, he gingerly lifted the latch 
with the other, forcing himself to slowly ease 
inside where it was warmer.  His long toe claws 
met a thick skin strewn across the servant’s 
washroom floor.  Father had just recovered enough 
of their losses from last winter’s assault to 
hire a second to keep house, and she’d insisted 
they place skins by all the entrances to absorb 
the winter snow, and Kendrick felt immeasurably grateful to her.
         Once inside, the pangolin drew the door 
closed and pulled his coat back down across his 
shoulders.  His narrow but long ears perked up, 
listening to the quiet creak of the house with 
some relief.  The air was cool, but much warmer 
than outside.  Somewhere above him he heard the 
new girl, Esther, snoring.  He smiled.  It was 
good to be home.  He’d already given those rats a 
piece of his mind for making him go out on a 
night like this, but at least he had something wonderful to come home to.
         He returned his boots to their place in 
the small closet off the foyer, then quietly 
walked across the main room to his hiding spot 
beneath the couch before the stairs.  He crawled 
under the couch and gingerly pressed the loose 
board until it came up.  His tools went inside, 
the board back into place, and he began to crawl back out.
         “What are you doing, Kendrick?”
         He topped, claws nearly jabbing into the 
wood. “Sofie?” He asked, wondering where his 
sister had come from and what she’d seen him doing.
         The pangolin scooted back out from under 
the couch and nearly sat on his tail as he rolled 
over.  Standing at the foot of the stairs dressed 
in a warm nightgown with a curious smile on her 
freckled face was his ten year old sister 
Sofie.  “What are you doing up?” He asked in a 
harsh whisper.  He felt a sinking in his 
stomach.  It wasn’t the Watch that had found him; it was worse.
         Sofie grinned, shaking her head and 
curly hair back and forth. “What are you doing up, Kendrick?”
         Kendrick took a deep breath and lowered 
his eyes. “I was... I was...” What does one say 
to one’s little sister when they’ve caught you 
putting your thief tools away?  He just didn’t 
have the heart to lie to her, but how could he 
say the truth? “Oh, Sofie, what did you see me doing?”
         Sofie grinned, and came down the final 
step, eyes wide with mischief. “I saw my older 
brother sneaking into the house and put a little 
satchel under the couch.  I bet Mother and Father don’t know about it.”
         Kendrick froze.  Just the thought of 
what Father and Mother would say if they knew 
what he did for the rats made him want to curl up 
into a ball and roll away. “No, you can’t tell 
them.  Please, Sofie.  You have to keep this 
secret.  Please!” His whispers were almost whines 
as he crouched lower, his tail wrapping up between his legs.
         His little sister’s eyes narrowed and 
she twisted back and forth as if pondering. 
“Well... you have to tell me what you were up to.”
         That made his blood run cold. “No.” He 
shook his head. “No, Sofie.  You don’t want to know.”
         “Yes, I do!”
         Kendrick took a deep breath, and crossed 
over to his sister.  Standing on the steps, she 
looked down at him with that confidence of 
victory only a ten year old is capable of.  He 
put his paw on her hand and tugged gently. 
“Please, Sofie.  Trust me.  It is too dangerous 
for you to know.  I’ll do anything else you ask 
me, but don’t ask me this.” He’d already have to 
move his tools, as Sofie would certainly find them the first chance she got.
         “But you’ll protect me, Kendrick,” Sofie replied winsomely.
         Every tone and every glance from his 
little sister made him cringe.  But on this he 
had to be firm. “Not just to you, Sofie.  But to 
Barrick and Brigitt and Emma and Mother and 
Father.  To all of us.  I can’t tell you, Sofie, 
and you can’t try to find out.  Promise me that, 
Sofie.  Please.  I’ll do anything else, but not 
that.  Promise me you won’t tell anyone or ask about it again, okay?”
         Sofie sighed, her smile fading from her 
face like the snowflakes on his boots. “Okay, I 
promise.  But you have to buy me whatever I want.”
         Kendrick cringed but nodded 
gratefully.  He had some saved up, but he’d need 
to hope Sofie had inexpensive tastes if he was 
going to have any chance of keeping her quiet for 
as long as it would take for her to lose 
interest. “Thank you, Sofie.  I promise I’ll buy 
you whatever you want.  Within reason.  And it 
can’t be anything Mother or Father say you can’t have.”
         “Oh fine!” Sofie pouted, but immediately 
smiled and kissed him on top of his bald head. “I 
love you, Kendrick!  I won’t tell anyone.”
         He breathed a sigh of relief and hugged 
her gently lest his jagged spines prick her. “I 
love you too, Sofie.  Now get back to bed before 
Mother or Father wake.  We’ll both be in trouble then!”
         She lingered a moment longer before 
returning up the stairs.  Kendrick wasted no time 
retrieving his thieving tools before slipping 
quietly upstairs to his room with Barrick and 
Brigitt.  Barrick the bear snored loudly as his 
massive bulk made the bed groan.  Kendrick crept 
along the floor, taking care that his digging 
claws didn’t catch in either the carpeting or 
wooden planks.  He stuffed his tools beneath his 
lumpy pillow, shivered down to his linens, and 
then climbed beneath his heavy quilts.
         All the while he prayed fervently to Eli 
for the one thing he’d long sought — guidance.

------------

         Sofie was true to her word.  All the 
next day she said nothing to anyone nor gave any 
hint that she knew a dark secret.
         Kendrick had little time to appreciate 
it as Father took him on several errands about 
town.  Falkirk Urseil did have a business to 
maintain, and as the eldest son, it was 
Kendrick’s job to learn the trade.  They visited 
three of the Keep’s tailors to interest them in 
some cloth samples Father had shipped in on the 
last caravan from Ellcaran.  Bright colours and 
soft textures that spoke of strange foreign lands 
to appeal to the exotic tastes of the wealthier 
Keepers, plus the freshest wool for more common 
tastes, as well as a medley of items in between.
         And after spending most of the day 
hawking then haggling, Falkirk Urseil took his 
eldest son to the site where the Nuns were 
building their convent.  Father was pleased to 
show them several thick woolen garments that he 
hoped to donate to them for new habits better 
suited to the wintry Metamor weather.  Kendrick 
liked watching the sisters clear away the rubble 
from the site they’d managed to purchase — Father 
had also donated a small sum to help cover the 
cost of the lots — while they sang their psalms 
of praise to Eli and Yahshua.  While Father 
showed their wares, Kendrick used his digging 
claws as they were meant and helped the sisters 
dislodge heavier stones and supports imbedded in 
the frozen ground.  They had all either become as 
young girls or animals, but even those beastly 
like him were still impressed by what the pangolin could do.
         But listening to them sing their prayers 
and toil away against horrendous odds gave him 
something he had been lacking.  When they 
finished, he asked his father if he might visit 
some friends before returning home.  Falkirk gave 
him leave, and so Kendrick dashed through the 
town, hoping that his newfound courage would 
last.  He practically skipped past a pair of the 
Watch as he navigated the busy streets toward the 
castle at the northern end of the city.
         Metamor Keep had always captured his 
imagination from the moment he’d first seen it 
almost eight years ago.  Its combination of 
brooding, squat towers and noble, almost elvish 
spires, never failed to impress.  He’d always 
hoped to climb that tallest of towers and gaze 
from the belfry across the vast expanse of 
Metamor, but he knew his little legs would never 
manage so momentous a climb.  Not that they were letting anyone up there still!
         But today he would go in a different 
direction.  As soon as he was within Metamor’s 
walls, he found a staircase leading down into the 
cellars.  From there, it was easy to find the 
right hallway.  A boisterous voice echoed along 
those darkened corridors, followed by much 
laughter and a fair amount of chittering and 
squeaking.  Kendrick recognized Sir Saulius’s 
voice immediately, and he paused to listen in.
         “‘Tis a foul business, but ‘twas 
necessary for the Keep.  ‘Twill be days yet ere I 
get the stink from Armivest’s hooves!” He laughed, as did the others.
         “You’d think the Lutins would have 
figured out by now not to come raiding into the 
valley.” That was Elliot.  The one with the red 
patch on his shoulder from where one of Pascal’s 
concoctions had gone awry. “It’s been a while 
since I’ve heard about anybody dying on one of these patrols.”
         “Oh, ‘tis still a danger,” Saulius 
replied in a quieter voice. “‘Tis always a danger 
setting out into the wild lands up north.  But 
aye, the Lutins hath not ventured as often into 
our lands as they were wont to a year past.”
         He heard Julian chuckle. “Before you 
continue, Sir Erick, I believe we have a visitor 
who might also like to hear of your exploits!”
         Kendrick, abashed that he was so easily 
detected, came around the corner and found four 
rats sitting around a table laid with cheese, 
bread, and wine.  Goldmark was nearest him, and 
sprawled in taur-form on a rug.  The others sat 
on stools, tails resting on that same rug.  All 
of them smiled at his approach. “Sorry about 
eavesdropping.  I just didn’t want to disturb you.”
         “Nonsense,” Julian crowed, beckoning him 
with a wave. “We have a fourth chair for Hector, 
but he’s topside selling some of his sculptures.”
         “He canst have mine,” Saulius announced, 
rising form his seat.  The brown-furred rat 
smoothed his tabard and smiled, revealing pointy 
incisors. “I wilt be leaving for Glen Avery 
tomorrow, and I must confer with my fellow 
knights who wilt be joining me.  ‘Tis time to 
build my long lost squire his stables.  I wilt 
return soon to tell thee of it, of the Lady 
Kimberly, and of his fine children.”
         The rats all rose and hugged Sir Saulius 
as dear friends before letting the knight excuse 
himself.  Kendrick clasped paws with him as he 
passed, then took the knight’s seat.  The others 
all watched him, especially Julian with his red 
eyes.  Kendrick waited until the knight, who was 
singing to himself, was out of earshot. “My 
little sister caught me returning last night.”
         Goldmark’s ears lifted in 
alarm.  Elliot’s jaw hung agape.  Only Julian 
seemed unmoved by the news. “And what did she see?” the white furred rat asked.
         “She saw me come inside and hide 
something beneath the floorboards.  She didn’t 
see what, I made her promise not to tell 
anyone.  I had to promise to buy her whatever she 
wanted in return.  But I didn’t tell her what I 
was doing and I wouldn’t even when she asked.” He 
swallowed as the rat’s digested the news. “It’s 
gotten too risky for me to go thieving 
anymore.  I want to help out however I can, but 
if anyone else were to find out what we do... 
we’re all going to be in the dungeons.  And my 
family will be shamed!” Kendrick failed to keep 
the quiver out of his voice nor the tremble from his paws.
         Elliot frowned as he turned his gaze on 
Julian. “It might be for the best.  We’ve almost 
got enough to start a legitimate business.”
         “We’re not there yet,” Julian said with 
a hard unsympathetic edge to his voice. “And 
don’t forget that you’re helping your family, 
Kendrick.  Which one saw you, Sofie or Emma?”
         “Sofie.” Kendrick replied.  He swallowed 
a lump in his throat. “The older one.”
         Julian pondered that 
thoughtfully.  Goldmark and Elliot looked to him, 
both of them unsure. “She’s the mischievous one, right?  Sofie?”
         Kendrick nodded. “Well, she is ten years old.”
         “Just old enough,” Julian said with a sudden smile.
         Goldmark narrowed his eyes. “What are you thinking, Julian?”
         The white rat’s smile grew wider. “I was 
no more than six when I picked my first lock.  I 
think Sofie is old enough to join our little 
band.  I think she’ll take quite nicely to being a thief like her big brother.”
         The suggestion was like a knife through 
his heart. “No!  Please, Julian!  Please don’t do 
this to her!  She’s sweet and innocent 
still.  Please don’t make her a thief!”  He 
wanted to, but couldn’t add, ‘Like you did to me’.
         “I don’t make anyone a thief,” Julian 
replied with purest sincerity. “And I won’t make 
her.  But if she takes to it as you did, then she 
can help our venture and your family.  You can 
show her what she needs to know, Kendrick, and 
train her.  If she doesn’t want to do it or she 
isn’t very good, then we’ll find something else for her to do.”
         Kendrick shook in anguish and wished the 
rug and stones beneath his feet would open up and 
swallow him.  His claws bit into the wooden seat 
as he held on to keep himself from falling to his 
knees and begging. “Please, Julian, no.  Don’t 
ask me to do this to my little sister.”
         “Are you sure we’d even need her?” 
Goldmark asked, clearly disturbed by the 
notion.  His long tail lashed back and forth and 
thumped the rug.  “Even if she did take to it, by 
the time she’s ready we’ll be out of the thieving business.”
         But Julian appeared obstinate. “And if 
we are not as fortunate as we hope?  We may need 
more thieves before our business is 
secure.  Eager young ones like Sofie are key to 
that.  Nobody will suspect the children of the 
city’s merchant class.  And haven’t I been right about that?”
         “Yes, you have,” Elliot admitted even as 
he shook his head. “But don’t you think making 
two thieves from the same family is 
risky?  Besides, Kendrick’s done more than enough 
and risked his neck many times.  We owe him something too.”
         Kendrick nodded and tried to stammer 
thanks to Elliot, but his eyes were still fixed 
on Julian. “I’ll do even more thieving if it means you won’t ask Sofie too.”
         Julian took a deep breath and in 
somewhat softer tones asked, “Do you promise this?”
         The pangolin hastily nodded. “Yes, 
yes!  I promise I’ll steal whatever you ask if 
you just leave Sofie alone.”  He didn’t have any 
idea how he’d do it now that his hiding spot was 
known.  Who might also see him return from an outing?
         The rat slapped his legs with his paws 
and smiled. “Very good!  I accept your promise, 
Kendrick.  But I think instead of more thieving I 
want you to help us open the markets.  Meet 
people, bargain.  For starters, you will need to 
convince your father to ship his cloth with 
us.  Not yet, but when I tell you, you need to 
mention this possibility to him and convince him 
that it is the right course of action.”
         Kendrick trembled still, but the initial 
agony was past. “But my family has used its own 
men to move wares for some time now.  Father won’t want to fire them.”
         Julian waved his paws, red eyes 
piercing. “I have a few ideas on how to make 
matters equitable for all.  I will tell you what 
to say when the time comes.  But for now, did you bring your tools?”
         Kendrick nodded and fished the small 
satchel from the pocket inside vest. “Sofie knows 
where I hide these.  I’ve kept them on me all day 
today so I could give them to you.”
         “Good.  Leave them with us.  We’ll keep 
them safe until you need them again.” The white 
rat locked eyes with the pangolin. “And you 
will.  You are a thief, Kendrick.  Just like 
us.  One day you won’t have to steal anymore, but 
until then you are a thief.  Remember that.”
         Oh Eli, forgive me! “Aye, I’m a 
thief.  I won’t forget.” Kendrick looked over the 
three rats and sighed.  He couldn’t bring himself 
to hate them at all.  In fact, Elliot reached 
over and wrapped and arm over his shoulder and then hugged him close.
         “Now hurry off back to your family,” 
Elliot said after letting him go. “You are very lucky to have one.”
         “Thank you,” Kendrick replied with a 
little warmth.  His fears allayed he managed to 
stop trembling and started to almost smile.
         “And let us know what Sofie wants,” 
Julian said as he stood to embrace his fellow 
thief. “We’ll see what we can do to help you out there.”
         “I’m not going to steal money to buy her 
something!” Kendrick objected; the very notion 
felt wrong.  He’d never stolen anything for 
himself before.  It had always been from those 
who’d charged exorbitant prices and stolen money 
from Metamor.  It was a thin line, but still a line.
         The white rat laughed. “I wasn’t 
suggesting that.  You just make sure to let us 
know what she wants, Kendrick.  We’ll find a way 
together that doesn’t involve stealing, since you 
find it so repugnant.” His red eyes narrowed. 
“I’ll let you know when next you’ll go out in a 
few days.  And where we’ve put your tools.  Now 
go, my friend.  Cheer up.  With luck, in a few 
months all of this will be behind us forever.”
         Kendrick nodded, and then he and Julian 
hugged briefly.  Kendrick stumbled from his seat, 
hugged Goldmark who also wished him well, and 
then took a few halting steps down the 
hall.  Julian’s voice arrested him. “You still have your tools in your paws.”
         “Oh!” Kendrick gazed down his slender 
snout at the grey flesh of his paws and the long 
digging claws to discover the brown satchel was 
still nestled between his palms.  He set it on 
the table, and Elliot deftly slipped it into his 
tunic.  He smiled to the trio of rats, and then 
walked as relaxed as he could manage back out of the cellars.
         When he reached the surface and managed 
to crawl out of the Keep, the pangolin found a 
nice little corner hidden behind a snow bank and 
both cried and laughed.  Sofie was safe, that was 
what mattered.  He had to keep stealing, but at least Sofie was safe.
         When Kendrick had his emotions under 
control, he brushed the snow off his clothes and 
resumed the walk back home.  How he longed for 
the success of the rat’s plans.  It was the only 
way he could ever not be a thief.
         The grey evening sky over Metamor 
brooded, promising only more snow.  He couldn’t 
tell if that were answer or prophecy.  Kendrick 
pulled his coat more firmly over his shoulders, 
hunched low, tail brushing the stone, and rushed home.

----------

End of "Landing in a New Age"

May He bless you and keep you in His grace and love,

Charles Matthias


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