Cries To The Moon Chapter Two: Sylver's P.O.V.

Finally. I reached the "Secret Hide-out". No one was in the vast underground tunnels, oh dear I've said too much! Oh, well. Anyway! Great, the fact that no one was around definitely meant that I was late and everyone was in the meeting. Absolutely, fantastic! My white shirt was soaked, and therefore see-through. Luckily, my vest covered my unseemlies, but that didn't prevent me from feeling indecent. 1

Rounding the corner, I rushed toward the huge cedar doors at the end of the hall. I paused for a moment and pulled my hair into a crude bun. Finally, I heaved a sigh and shoved my entire weight into the heavy doors and giving a suprised grunt I fell to the floor inside the meeting room, on my face. 2

Absolute silence met me where only a moment before I'd heard shouting and protesting. Then, suddenly enough to bust my eardrums,guffaws and laughter as loud as only Theives can laugh surrounded the cramped enclosure. Several offered their hands to me, but I brushed them away. I wasn't taking the chance of being a victim to a pick-pocket, though there was little in my pockets to pick.3

I rose to my feet slowly, though I was sure the only things that would bruise were my nose and my pride.The men continued to tease me: "When the fortuneteller told me a woman would fall head over heels for me in the near future I didn't think she meant it so literally!","I suppose even being a day out of business has lost ye yer theive's feet, eh. PRINCESS?!?"" Was the most common variation "Was your strength to much for ye or did the poor door have it coming?!?" after that I heard a few more, and far more crude jests that just kept getting worse. 4

"SILENCE!" A roar from the front of the room erupted and ended in an eerily still quiet."Princess Sylvertongue, would you pray tell why you are late to this meeting and why you are WET?" 5

"Well, I am not completely wet in all honesty-"6

"Sylver!"7

I sighed and looked Slash King of Theives in the eyes.He is two years older then I. His curly brown hair and green eyes had dazzled me the first time I met him as the abandoned eight year old daughter of a barmaid and a sailor "lost at sea". When we met we were reaching to pick the same pocket. So much had happened since then. So much laughter and happiness and fun and hope, but also pain, suffering, challenges, breakdowns, anger, frustration, and so so much hurt. 8

We'd both changed since then, emotionally and physically. He'd grown a goetee. I'd grown breasts. He'd lost his baby-fat and gained muscle, I'd lost my ragged skirts and gained a talent in swordsmanship and archery. The Theives of course had influenced us and changed us. We both had our share of tattoos and jewelry among other things. The life as a Thief had also given him the huge scar on his back for which he was named.9

"It would be my pleasure, Your Honor." My voice dripped with the sarcasm I was practically famous for.10

I cast my voice over the entire room and illustrated my meeting with the strange Summer.11

"I have never met anyone who has burned my instincts so severely. No one." I inadvertently let my eyes stray to Slash. His eyes flamed with hurt, but only for an instant before he regained his composure and let his gaze drift downward. I cleared my throat before continuing. "My instincts have never been wrong before and have saved us from many a trap. I believe this Summer is one such trap that you should be wary of and avoid if at all possible. Also, because I believe she is a great threat and danger to each and every one of us I request your permission, King Slash, to watch the girl and determine how best to avoid or if need be eliminate her. Do I have your permission?" Something in his face shifted. "No, you do not." His voice was tense and firm. Curiosity filled me and I tried to look at him through his mask as I used to be able to, but it was so thick with so many emotions."And because I know you will try your best to outwit me and go about and do what you want anyway I request that you swear an oath on your life as a Theif that you will not go behind my back."12

"Why? You have no need of me now and I refuse to sit idly and twittle my thumbs while the rest of you go galavanting off and rob the King of bloody England!"13

"If this woman is as much a threat as you say she I will not have one of my best theives risk d-death." He stuttered slightly and their was so many expression crossing his face. Fear, pain, protectiveness, anger."Now swear it!" 14

My body softened and my eyes glazed over and my throat started to clog. "I swear to you, Slash King of Theives, on my life as a Thief I will not involve myself in the affairs of the maiden of the creek."15

"Good. Then let us continue with our meeting as you take your rightful seat."16

I nodded in agreement. Then I quickly unclenched my crossed fingers.