Sage of Hope and Ruin (The Veil of Elpis #1)

Chapter 1

Today was a day like any other. There was no reason to rise in the morning, nor any hope for tomorrow when night fell. I pulled my dress on and examined my weary face in the dirty mirror, wondering if happiness had ever gleamed in my ashen eyes.

The man I’d loved most bequeathed to me suffering and left me behind in the dust, stealing away my chance at life.

Five paces worth of space; that’s all my home could fit. Grabbing my bag from the tattered mattress, I slung it over my shoulder and fussed with the door’s broken lock before finally throwing it open and stepping outside.

Ikaria was a beautiful city—if you lived near the center. Here on the outskirts, mud-mired water stained the wooden shacks resting precariously on the edge of waterways.

Most people who lived here rose before the sun had fully ascended the sky, traveling in groups to the city’s sprawling farms. Deeply tanned and aged beyond their years, they looked no more eager to greet a new day than I did.

Stepping onto the rickety wooden bridges spanning the channels, I followed my usual path to the central market square. Smiling insincerely at everyone I passed, I gathered my thick curls into a bun and rehearsed today’s lines in my head.

With every step, the rickety walkways gave way to solid stone bridges, the waters cleared, and the buildings grew in height and width. Lanterns strung over the channels glimmered on the water’s surface, like beacons guiding me home.

Market square was filled with fools looking to spend their coin. Colored awnings flapped in the wind over merchant stalls, peddling anything you could imagine. Finding the empty stall covered by a bright blue canopy, I dropped my bag and spread out my wares.

Exotic youth serums, carefully bottled in pretty glass jars. In truth, they were nothing more than a concoction of cheap ingredients I could cobble together in a couple of nights.

But people feared few things more than age, and with the right words and smile, they would buy anything to halt its advance.

Flipping my sign to begin the day, I leaned against the stall and cracked open my coffer. This gig had paid dividends, but it wasn’t enough.

Nothing would ever be enough. Every cent I earned fell into another’s hands, leaving me with scraps. Flipping my coffer closed, I leaned on the stall and prepared for another long day.

Those with wealth were seldom early to rise. The sun crested the sky before people began flooding the market. My eyes swept over the crowds, searching for those in silken dresses decorated with golden jewelry. Those who could afford to splurge on vanity.

A clean-shaven man in an expensive doublet sauntered over and glanced over the jars before meeting my eyes. “Still running this scam?”

I quickly eyed his collar and found a crest hidden beneath it: a chalice overflowing with golden water. A Guild member.

“Taking care of oneself is no scam,” I answered with a smile.

Unamused, he pressed his palms against the stall. “Pack up for the day. She’s got another job for you.”

A Guild member would only articulate ‘she’ for one woman.

“Pack up?” Gulping, I stood straight. “I already set up shop, and-”

“The lady’s word is law, Aethra.” His eyes darkened. “Come with me.”

Shoulders slumping, I swept my jars back into my satchel and flipped my sign back over. Grabbing my bag, I jogged to catch up with the Guild member who’d already turned and walked away.

“Do you know what she wants?” I asked.

“No,” he answered shortly.

Friendly fellow. Falling into silence, I walked behind him, noting how he led me deeper into the nobles’ district. Grand manors occupied enormous plots of land, surrounded by protective moats. The last time I met with Laverna was in a dockside warehouse, not here.

Guiding me to a white manor trimmed with black, the Guild member paused at the iron-wrought gates to speak with the armed guards before waving me inside. I stared into the moat’s waters as we crossed the verdant gardens.

“Wait here,” the Guild member ordered, stopping by a patio. “She’ll be with you shortly.”

Nodding, I watched him walk away before dropping my bag on one of the benches. Folding my arms, I paced between two flowering hedges, trying to guess what Laverna wanted.

The woman owned me. I owed her a staggering debt—one a king would balk at paying. My mentor, a secretive man named Ainwir, had kindly withdrawn a ridiculous loan, dropped the paperwork on my head, and promptly disappeared.

I could work every day of my life and never pay off a fraction of the cost.

Ainwir had been the only family I’d had. With him gone, all I had was myself and the shack I called home. There was no one to ask for help. And no one who could give it.

I expected Laverna to keep me waiting, but she arrived shortly after my guide departed. Those who’d never met the Guild’s lady expected a glittering noble or a battle-hardened warrior, but Laverna knew invisibility was the greatest asset a scoundrel could possess.

The great leader of the Guild looked terribly plain: short brown hair, a no-frills pair of trousers and shirt, and unremarkable features. Hidden behind the unassuming mien was a terrifying and cunning woman who had never been unseated, though many eyed her position with envy.

Bowing my head in deference, I waited for her to speak.

“Sorry for the abrupt call, Aethra,” Laverna announced, “but a job fell into my lap, and you’re the perfect fit.”

Lifting my head, I met her eyes. “What is it?”

Pulling a scroll from beneath her arm, Laverna handed it to me and paced away. Unrolling the parchment, I studied the image with furrowed brows. It was a map of the Sundered court, the central district where festivals were held.

“Familiarize yourself with it,” Laverna said, leaning on the table. “You’ll be attending the Sundering Ceremony.”

I’d entirely forgotten about that. Between my bare wardrobe and empty love life, there was no reason to attend.

Rolling up the map, I turned to her. “Will I be selling cheap masks to people who forgot theirs?”

Laverna eyed me evenly. “You’ll be stealing the Maiden’s Bloodstone.”

The statement was so ridiculous, I stared at her blankly before absorbing her words.

The clergy guarded the Maiden’s Bloodstone with zealous fervor—they valued it more than all the world’s gold. Supposedly, it was crystallized blood from the goddess Brizo herself. Stealing it would be. . . impossible.

Laverna studied my expression. “We both know your talents are wasted selling cream to old ladies. You’ll never pay off your debt, no matter how many jobs I use you for. Steal the Bloodstone, and I’ll consider your debt forgiven.”

“Forgiven?” I echoed in disbelief.

Five years, I’d toiled under her thumb, expecting this to be the rest of my sorry life.

No matter how much I earned, how many papers I forged, how many deals I oversaw, she took everything and left me with nothing.

Guild members watched from the shadows of every city, ensuring there would be no escape from her service.

Dying on an impossible job was far more inviting than slaving away, hopeless and alone.

Shaking the ridiculous thought from my head, I offered her back the map. “Very funny. You’re not stupid enough to seriously suggest I try.”

Laverna’s eyes darkened. “No, I’m not.”

“So, what’s the real job?”

“This.” She enunciated. “Or should I send word through the ranks that you’ve disobeyed?”

Lowering the map, I reflected on the last time I’d failed a job. One of Laverna’s guard dogs hated me for reasons I didn’t understand, and he’d giddily dragged me by the hair to her punishment chamber.

Shuddering at the memory, I changed my tone. “I’ll do it,” I said. “What’s the plan?”

“That’s your domain, isn’t it?” Laverna tilted her head. “You’re clever. I’m sure you’ll come up with something.” She paused, staring across the garden. “But there’s only one moment where the Bloodstone isn’t under lock and key. That’s the moment to take it.”

I knew the moment she spoke of. The opening was slimmer than a thread, one I doubted anyone could successfully take advantage of. Performers re-enacted the most famous tale of the gods, and the clergy brought out the Bloodstone during the show.

“Can I ask why you want it?” I tucked the scroll under my arm. “The clergy will ignite history’s largest manhunt to track it down.”

“After the stone’s retrieved, you’ll transport it west,” Laverna ignored my question. “One of my men will intercept you at the southern gate when you have it, and tell you where to go. Understood?”

“Understood,” I confirmed.

“Good.” Laverna walked away, pausing to glance over her shoulder. “The Sundering Ceremony begins in a few days. You should find something else to wear.”

“That’s it?” I called, gesturing with the map. “You give me the most difficult task ever conceived and tell me to figure it out? Who asked you to do this?”

Spinning on her heel, Laverna returned to my side. She cupped my chin and tilted my head up. “I keep my client’s confidence, Aethra,” she said coldly. “And we both know you have no choice in this matter.” Eyes boring into mine, she let her threat sink in before releasing me and sauntering away.

Squeezing the map, I pretended I was wringing her neck. Taking a deep breath, I unfolded my fingers and smoothed the parchment out.

Grabbing my bag, I hurried out of the garden, nodding at the guards to show them I intended to leave with all haste. Once I exited the gates and was headed back toward Market Street, I released a nervous exhale.

Retrieving my coin purse from my belt, I counted the sparse coins inside. I’d need to spend what meager amount I’d managed to save on a suitable dress for the ceremony. Passing as a noble in this frock would be impossible.

An unexpected surge of sorrow stuck in my throat. Pushing back the tears, I lowered my hand. I would never manage to save enough for the one thing I truly wanted; allowing myself the luxury of disappointment was silly.

Shoving the purse into my satchel, I considered my list of contacts.

The Guild handled everything criminal, from covering evidence of noble bastards to petty theft.

Lords and ladies were always in competition with one another, smiling politely in public while hiring us for illicit affairs in the dark of night.

I knew a woman who made a living spying on nobles and selling their information. She could tell me who wouldn’t be attending the ceremony—I could wear their face and name and choose a dress in the colors of their house.

Luckily, Ainwir had taught me how to forge a letter and mimic a noble seal. I could make an invitation to the event myself.

Tightening my sandals, I trotted up a set of stairs and followed a bridge running over one of the main waterways. Gods, my feet would be in heaven if only I could afford to regularly ride the gondolas rather than walk everywhere.

A gorgeous plaza filled with blooming flowers waited across the bridge. The pleasant scent of baked goods wafted from the cafe nestled at its heart, a bustling establishment filled with people in elegant togas and capes: people who had nothing better to do, because they needn’t work just to live.

Scanning the crowd, I found my woman leaning against one of the grand pillars. She clutched a flute at her side, pressed against the colorful fabric of her dress. Tilting her feathered hat up, she met my eyes and winked.

Pulling out a few coins, I approached. “Morning, Cecelia. I have a request.”

Counting my coins, she tossed them into her overturned hat. “Name it.”

“Someone always misses the Sundering Ceremony. Who is it this year?”

“Lord Terpsichore’s fallen ill,” Cecelia said idly, playing with her flute. “So has his daughter. At least, that’s the story they’re peddling. In reality, his girl’s fallen for one of the priests, and her dear father’s trying to prevent a scandal.”

“Mm.” I nodded. Nobles and priests stood together during the ceremony, under romantic lighting and circumstances. The perfect opportunity for a forbidden affair. “Good to know. Anything else of interest swirling around?”

“Oh, one rumor’s got everyone in a panic,” she stared at me gravely.

“They say something has the king’s council in a tizzy.

They’re desperately hiding news from the people, horrified at the panic it will cause.

But if they don’t find a way to soften the blow, it’ll make its way out in full, soon enough. ”

“Because you already know.” I figured. “What is it? Did someone poison the king?”

“That’ll cost you extra.”

Of course it did. But world-shattering problems were far above my station. “I’ll pass.” I curtsied. “Thanks for the tip. You’re sharp as always.”

“Come back anytime.” Cecelia flashed me a toothy grin.

Wandering away from the bard, I recalled the Lady Terpsichore. She was about my height and build, with darker, straight hair. In the depths of night, I doubted anyone would realize the difference if I adopted her accent and bore her seal.

As the sun rose fully in the sky, the waterways filled with boats ferrying people across the city. Weaving over bridges and down quiet streets, I found my way to Sundering Square.

Festival preparation was underway. Lanterns streamed overhead, hung on thin ropes, and men balanced on ladders pinned pale blue banners to the walls. I chuckled, watching a few young men toil to clean the channel of waste and dirt.

Sitting on a bench beneath a flowering tree, I watched passersby as I contemplated the cheapest way to emulate a noble gown. A father strolled by, holding the hand of his young daughter. My arm twitched, and I scowled.

Wiping the expression from my face, I pressed my fingers into my eyes. Five years had passed since Ainwir betrayed me. He’d hardly acted like a father, so why did I still think of him as one?

The man had gifted Laverna a talented slave—why would she suddenly have a change of heart and set me free? And what madman had commissioned her to steal such a precious relic?

The answers were none of my business. Nor did I care to know them. All that mattered was the freedom awaiting me if I could do this one thing.

In all likelihood, I’d fail. I was a con woman, not a thief. But an end beckoned sweetly, promising to deliver me from the nothingness that drolled on without meaning.

In three days, my destiny would be decided. Freedom, or the gallows.