In my life I've been the target of various insults: Scoundrel, rogue and villain, these are all words that have been hurled at me at one point or another. Now that I am one of the most powerful people in the kingdom, the insults have stopped. At least, no-one calls me any of the above words to my face any longer, but it wouldn't surprise me if they persisted behind my back.
Well, let them talk; frankly, I do not give a damn, what people think of me. Most of it is true, anyway. However, there is one thing no-one can accuse me of and that is disloyalty. I have always been loyal to the one person in my life who has truly mattered: She took me off the streets and made me the fox I am today.
I still remember our first meeting; its a tale that I believe is worth telling and so, I've decided to write it down. Now, seeing as how I am the protagonist, I thought it fitting that I would touch briefly on my early childhood. Don't worry, it won't take long.
I never knew my parents, I was left on the doorsteps of an orphanage, wrapped in a blanket. The blanket had the name Lorenzo stitched into it and so, that was the name I was given. The orphanage was run by a religious order, worshiping a minor deity called Tzubulcha. It was never really clear what this Tzubulcha was a God of, but living in an orphanage dedicated to him required being woken up at 5 in the morning, eat breakfast and after that work at various assigned tasks, up until lunch. After lunch, we had two hours of spare time, before work continued until bedtime, which was by sundown.
Rules were strict, those who failed to show proper respect or slacked off, felt the sting of the overseer's cane on their backsides. Many were the times when I and the other orphans lied awake at night, listening to some poor bastard wetting their pillow with their tears.
Personally, I did not get beaten very often, but I soon realized that this orphanage was not a place for me.
You see, although I kept my head down, deep inside, I was yearning for adventure and excitement: I did not wish to be apprenticed to one of the craftsmen that would come to the orphanage every once in a while and, after having paid a sum of money, left with some boy or girl in tow, nor did the life of an acolyte hold any appeal to me. So, at the night of my eleventh birthday, I decided that it was time to leave.
That night I laid in my bed in the dormitory that I shared with twenty other boys (the girls' dormitory was next door) and waited until I could hear the sound of my fellow orphan's snoring. As soon as I knew the coast was clear, I slipped out of bed. It was pitch black, but I had carefully memorized the way to the door, so that I wouldn't accidentally walk into something and risk waking everyone up. Just as I put my foot down on the wooden floor, I heard a sleepy voice, slightly above me:
"'Enzo, where are you going?"
I turned around and noticed the black-furred head of the mole who was my bunk-mate, look down on me with heavy-lid eyes.
I gestured for him to be quiet.
"My stomach's acting up", I explained. "I'm going to the privy. You won't squeal on me, will you?"
"Can I have your bowl of porridge, tomorrow?" The little glutton asked, fixing me with eager, greedy eyes.
"Sure."
I had no problem making that promise. After all, tomorrow I'd be long gone.
With cat-like thread, I crept up to the door and carefully opened it. My next objective was to get downstairs. I knew that the second highest and the third lowest step of the staircase both creaked when stepped upon and so, I took care to avoid them. Once on the bottom floor, I made way to the kitchen, to pilfer some supplies for my journey.
If you were expecting there to be some sort of dramatic incident, such as me being discovered, I'm afraid I must disappoint you. Everything went without a hitch. I first threw the sack of provisions that I had acquired over the high fence which surrounded the orphanage, before climbing over it myself. Seconds later, I found myself on the streets of the capital.
My friends, if you have never lived your entire life under strict, suffocating rules, not being able to go wherever you want or do whatever you want, you can not understand the sheer exhilarating feeling of freedom that swept over me at that moment. I almost shouted with joy, but fortunately, discretion won out: I didn't want to risk waking everyone up and besides, I needed to get as far away from the orphanage as possible, before one of the overseers came to wake us up and my escape was discovered.
What path should I take? I could go down to the harbor and seek employ as a cabin-boy on one of the many ships which laid anchored there. This idea was not without appeal, I could already see my self, traversing the oceans, visiting strange and exotic nations. Of course, there was a problem with this plan: I could swim. Now, some of you may point out that there are plenty of sailors who have never bothered to learn how to swim either, but I had no wish to be fish-food, if I could avoid it. Drowning has always seemed to be one of the most terrible ways to die.
Consequently, I put my sailor-plans on hold for an indefinite time. My other idea was as follows: Reading material in the orphanage had been very limited, but one of the older boys had managed to get ahold of a a pamphlet which detailed the exploits of a gang of criminals. To us, that pamphlet was like holy scripture. We would read from it in secret and imagine ourselves in the role of its lawless protagonists. Well, why shouldn't I make that fantasy into reality? Surely, I could not be the first orphan who had ran away and become a member of a criminal society? Such was my reasoning, as I walked the streets of the capital that summer-night.
I wandered the streets aimlessly, not knowing or caring where they would take me.
Occasionally, I saw a nightwatchman out on patrol. When that happened, I quickly ducked into an alley. I hadn't actually done anything illegal, as far as I knew, but I thought it best to stay out of their sight, I didn't want to answer any awkward questions. I kept walking, feeling more alive than I can remember ever having done in the short time I had been alive: The World was my oyster.
Just then, a girl about my age; a rodent with blonde pig-tails, came running at a great speed and crashed into me, causing the both of us to end up in a pile.
"Watch where you're going", the girl snapped at me before she ran off, as quick as her legs could carry her.
My head was still ringing from the collusion and so, when I had worked up a snappy comeback, the girl was already gone. However, I saw that she had dropped a small brooch. I picked the brooch up and looked at it. It was decorated with tiny gemstones, I had a feeling that it did not belong to the girl. At that moment, I heard footsteps approaching and so I quickly slipped the brooch in my pocket and made myself scarce.
Being the no doubt intelligent person that you are, dear reader, you have no doubt come to the same conclusion that I did, all those years ago: Namely, that the girl was a thief. Why else would she be running away in such a hurry? Not to mention being out at this hour. A thought occurred to me; what if the girl was part of some kind of gang? If so, she could be my ticket into it, I had to find her. With that objective in mind, I went back to the street where I had first ran into the girl. No-one was there, her pursuers had moved on. I then headed the way that I noticed the girl had taken, hoping that she didn't have too much of a head-start.
I had not gotten far before a huge paw clamped over my mouth. The next moment, two individuals stepped into view.
One of them was a weasel, only a few years older than me from what I could tell and brandishing a knife in his belt. The other, was her.
"Alright, fox-boy", the weasel said, his voice carrying with it the smell of garlic. "Hand over the stuff and no tricks."
"We know you have the brooch", the girl said in an accusatory tone. "No-one else could have taken it."
I signaled with my eyes that I wanted to say something, hoping that they would understand.
"Let him speak, " said the weasel, who seemed to be the leader.
The third member of the group obeyed and I turned my head slightly, to get a look at him:
He was a canine and though he seemed to be the same age as his two companions, stood taller than the both of them. One look at his imposing physique and I made a mental note not to get on this fellow's bad side.
"Well?" The weasel said. "What is it? Spit it out."
I turned to the rat-girl.
"I always planned on giving you the bracelet back", I said. "Here it is."
I fished the brooch out from my pocket and immediately, the girl reached out and snatched it.
"Why did you want to give it back?" She asked, with an incredulous look on her face. "You must have realized I stole it, didn't you?"
I nodded.
"Then, why?"
"Are you three part of a gang?" I asked, trying to conceal the excitement in my voice. "You must be. I've heard that all criminals in the capital are part of one."
"So?" The weasel asked, his left eyebrow crooked. "What's it to you?"
"I want to join you", I explained. "That's why I returned it."
The trio looked at me as if I was crazy.
"Please". At that moment, I was prepared to fall down on my knees and beg. "I can't go back to the orphanage. I won't go back!"
The weasel stroke his chin, as people are wont to do when they contemplate something.
"What do you think?" He said, turning to the girl, who stood there with one paw on her hip.
"Our numbers have been getting smaller", she said. "Just two days ago, Serro was grabbed by the watch, remember?"
"That's true, I think the boss would appreciate some fresh blood. Still, how do we know he's not a spy?"
"I swear I'm not", I protested.
"Don't be ridiculous", the girl said, pointing at me. "Look at those clothes: A spy for the watch would be dressed much more shabbily, so's we would take him for one of us. Besides, the boss is a clever guy; if the kid's a spy, he'll figure out it pretty quickly. I think we should give the kid a chance."
I didn't exactly like being called a kid by someone who wasn't my elder and shorter than me to boot, but decided to keep quiet.
The weasel shrugged.
"Fine", he said, though there was a reluctant tone in his voice.
The girl turned and looked up at the dog.
"Is that alright with you?" She asked.
No reply came from the dog's mouth, but he gave a small nod.
"Then its settled", the weasel said. "You'll come with us and be presented for the boss. By the way, what's your name?"
"Lorenzo."
"Well, Lorenzo, I'm Lucien, the girl's Rachel and the big guy goes by the name of Bruno, he can't speak, but he can hear us just fine. Can't you, Bruno?"
Once again, Bruno nodded. This time, the nod came with a grin, showing a row of yellowing teeth.
"Anyway", said the weasel, slapping his paws together. "Now that we all know each other, let's get out of here."
As we made our way through the streets, I decided to ask Rachel what our destination was.
"Well", she said. "Let me put it like this: Have you ever seen the remains of a dead body before?"
I confessed that I had not.
Rachel turned and grinned at me, her front-teeth gleamed in the moonlight.
"You will in a moment, we're heading for the catacombs."
******
In the past, the catacombs had been the place in which the citizens of the capital had buried their dead. As the population grew, however, it soon became more in vogue to cremate your dead relatives and keep their ashes in an urn at home. During daytime, guided tours are given of the catacombs, but visitors are only allowed into certain areas and are told not to stray from the group, since it could mean them getting lost there forever.
We reached one of the entrances and after Rachel had picked the lock, we entered. With Lucien taking the lead, carrying a lit torch, we proceeded deeper and deeper down into the bowels of the earth. We wandered for what seemed to be an eternity, occasionally having to crouch down as the tunnels we walked in became smaller. Eventually, we came out into a large, open room, lit up by several torches and filled with several individuals engaging in various activities:
Some were playing dice or cards, some were sharpening their knifes and some simply chattered away.As we entered the room, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at us, some shouted words of greeting at Rachel, Lucien and Bruno.
At the end of the room, an orangutan wearing a golden chain around his neck, sat in a large chair. He waved at us, or rather at my new acquaintances, to approach; the rings adorning his fingers glittered in the torchlight.
"Welcome back home", the orangutan said. "How did your expedition go?"
The trio immediately reached down into their pockets and produced an assortment valuables, among them was the brooch. They put the objects on a tarnished wooden table which stood nearby. Getting out of his chair, the orangutan picked up each objects, turned them around and studied them carefully.
"A good haul", he said, with a satisfied nod. "Well done."
"Thanks, boss" the trio said in chorus, beaming like children whom had just received rare praise from a normally stern parent.
I had remained quiet during all this, thinking it prudent to wait until I had been introduced, but my patience was starting to wear thin. Thankfully, it was just then, that the boss decided to notice the newcomer in the room:
"Who is this?" He asked.
"His name is Lorenzo, boss. He wants to join up with us." Lucien explained.
"Is that so?"
The orangutan scratched his cheek while looking at me. I felt as if I was one of the precious items on the table, being held up for scrutiny.
Then, suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed heartily.
"Very well", he said, squeezing my shoulder. "Anyone who wishes to be a member of our little family is welcome."
Then, he leaned close to me and whispered in my ear:
"But I warn you, boy. If I find out that you've played me for a fool, you won't live to regret it."
*****
Thus I became a member of the 'family' and I am pleased to say that the boss never had cause to regret letting me join. I soon became a full-fledged member of the gang and participated in everything from burglaries, to smuggling. Occasionally, we also had skirmishes with other gangs in the city. We won, often enough, but not without losses.
That said, the criminal activity which I proved myself most suited for, was pick-pocketing.
I became pretty good at it and honed my talents, until a more skilled and discreet pick-pocket and cut-purse could not be found in the capital.
Then, the Day came.
It was about two years after I had joined. On a winter's day like many others, with snow blanketing the streets. It was market-day and the square was packed with people shopping. Rachel and I were among the rogues that were there and we had already managed to get quite a haul. Rachel wanted us to quit while we were ahead and go and get something warm to drink, but I was not ready yet; I was on a roll. As my eyes swept over the crowd, my eyes fell upon one shopper in particular:
"Look", I whispered to my companion. "That person over there. She has the fattest pouch I've seen and its hanging directly from her belt. Its a wonder no-one has snatched it."
"Who?" Rachel asked.
"Over there, by the bookstall", I said.
Rachel followed my finger and when she saw where I was pointing, she let out a gasp.
"That's a dragon", she said.
"Thank you, captain obvious, I replied sarcastically. "So?"
Rachel stared at me, it was the same look in her eye she had had on the night when we first met.
"The only dragons around here are members of the Royal Family. Stealing from them is very risky."
"Only if you get caught", I said cockily, "and I have never been caught."
"Please tell me you are not..." Rachel began.
I nodded.
"If you are afraid, you can go and wait for me at the cafe . I'll pay for whatever you want when I get there. Or rather; Her Highness over there will pay."
Realizing that I had made up my mind and that there was no talking me out of it, Rachel only shook her head.
"It was nice knowing you", she said, trying hard to sound casual.
Paying no attention to her words, I approached the bookstall, walking rapidly, while I looked up at the sky. It didn't take long until I made physical contact with my target
The streets were slippery with ice and as a consequence of that, we both ended up on all four.
The next moment, the bookseller, a huge gorilla wearing a pair of small, round spectacles, clipped me on the back of my head, so that I briefly saw stars dancing.
"Watch were you're going, brat!" The bookseller growled at me. He then proceeded to help his customer up, brushing the snow of her overcoat.
"A thousand pardons, Your Highness" he said in a sycophantic tone, before turning around and looking at me. "Apologize this instant you low-life", he commanded.
"Its fine", the dragon said. "Accidents happen. Just be more careful next time, will you?"
"Y...yes, M'a'm" I stuttered, affecting a humble and regretful look. "By the way, I believe I caused you to drop your pouch."
"So you did. Would you mind getting it for me?"
Seeing as how she begged me so nicely, how could I refuse. The purse had ended up underneath the stall; I crawled down under it.
On my person, I always carried with me a purse filled with false coins. It was a moment's work to grab the dragon's purse and stuff it under my collar. I then handed her the substitute pouch.
"Here you go, Ma'm" I said with a bow. "Again, I apologize for my clumsiness."
She gave me an approving nod, then having apparently forgot about me, turned to the bookseller:
"Have the books delivered to the palace", she said. "Oh, and I would like that one wrapped. Its a gift."
With that she left, none the wiser, the crowded parting itself in order to let her pass.
Looking around, I saw that Rachel too, had left. No doubt she had taken my advice.
I pictured the look on her face when I entered The cafe and produced my prize. Before doing that though, I wanted to see just how much the purse contained.
Blending in with the crowd, I walked in the opposite direction of the dragon, until I was a safe distance from the town-square. There, I snuck into a secluded back-alley, where I opened the purse and poured out its contents into my outstretched paw.
I let out a giggle of delight, with this kind of money, I could eat well for several weeks and treat my friends and that was after I gave the boss his share. Was I worried that the rightful owner of this pouch would find a way to track me down? Not in the least; I know this city like the back of my paw and besides, at the time I did not look any different from any other fox.
I was still busy congratulating myself, when I noticed something else that had come out of the pouch. Something small and shiny. I picked up the strange object and looked at it carefully; it looked oddly familiar, but what was it? Some kind of gemstone? No, it didn't feel like it. Then I realized what it was:
A dragon scale.
"Haven't your parents taught you that its wrong to take the belongings of others?" A feminine voice behind me said, it was a voice that I thought I would never hear again.
I did not waste time turning around to look at the voice's owner, instead, I ran as quickly as my legs could carry me. I was just about to jump over a fence, when I felt myself being pulled back, as if by some invisible force. Before I knew what was happening, I was lying on my back, with the dragon's foot on my chest.
She looked down at me, the smile on her face did not reach her eyes and made me shiver more than the snow.
"You know", she said, "I've never been robbed before. I believe that the proper procedure is to call for the city watch, so that they can arrest you, haul you in front of a judge and throw your sorry carcass in jail. I'm sure that you'd be a hit with all the other inmates."
"Or", she continued. "In order to save the tax-payers any unnecessary expenses, I could just...kill you right here. Now, I've never actually killed anyone before, but it can't be that hard; I'll just put my fingers around your neck and squeeze."
The dragon's words chilled me to the bone; during my brief stint with the gang I had become acquainted with some pretty brutal types, but I could not recall any of them talking about snuffing out a life in such a casual manner. It was, of course, especially upsetting since the life that was about to be snuffed out was my own.
At this point, I inwardly cursed my hubris and folly, wishing that I had heeded Rachel's words. Rachel, never would I see her again, or Lucien or Bruno. Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Fortunately for you", the dragon said. "None of that is going to happen. I'm sorry, did you say something?"
"Don't kill me", I begged. "I'll do anything you want."
The dragon looked at me with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Weren't you paying attention? I just said I'm not going to kill you, or have you rot away in a cell. Do you know why?"
I shook my head, which was not the easiest thing to do in my position.
"Because you interest me, you are bold and fearless and from what I can gather, skilled at your profession. Tell me, how do you think I managed to track you down?"
I thought for a moment, then it came to me:
"The dragon scale!" I blurted out.
The dragon nodded approvingly.
"I see I can add intelligence to your list of favorable traits. Exactly, I put a spell on the scale, which allows me to track it down, wherever it goes."
I had to admit, I was impressed. Still, there was one thing I had to ask:
"What do you want from me?"
"Let me ask you a question: What's your name, boy?"
"Lorenzo"
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen."
"I see. Tell me, what are your plans for the future, Lorenzo? Where do you see yourself in, say, five years?"
I must confess that up until that moment I had never thought much about the future.
"You have potential", the dragon said. "With proper guidance you could go far. Would you really be satisfied spending the rest of your life as a sneak-thief, having to give away part of your earnings to some old ape, or whoever will be in charge when your boss draws his final breath. That is, if you don't get caught by someone much less merciful than me?"
I was beginning to see what she was hinting at, but I wanted to have my suspicions confirmed.
"Do you want me to work for you?" I said.
In answer to my question, the dragon brought her hands together in an applause.
"Bravo, that's exactly what I want. You see, I have big plans and I need a protege; someone I can mold to my liking. Someone I can rely upon. I think, no, I know that that someone is you."
"Where would I live?" I asked, imaging that she would find me some small apartment in the city somewhere.
"Why, in the palace of course. I'm sure we can find you a room. After all, there are plenty to spare."
I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing: Me, living in the palace? Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined such a possibility. In my mind, I already pictured myself sleeping between sheets of silk and being waited hand and foot by a staff of servants.
I had already made up my mind, but this sealed the deal; I would be a fool to throw away this golden opportunity. I looked up at the dragon and in that moment, I knew that I was hers, forever.
"I accept", I said.
"I knew you would."
Removing her foot, the dragon pulled me to my feet.
"Come", she said, there's a carriage waiting for us. Oh, and you can keep some of the money, consider them payment in advance."
I thanked her and followed her out of the alley, it was then that something occurred to me.
"Your Highness", I began. "If its not to much to ask, may I know your name?"
"Certainly, you'll find out soon enough anyway, might as well learn it now." She smiled, but this time her smile was considerably more friendly.
"I am Argath."
*****
That is how I became acquainted with our illustrious Monarch. Perhaps one day I shall regale you with some of the adventures I've had in her service, such as the loss of my eye. Don't expect me to tell you everything though.
For now, however, I'll put down my pen and wish you a good night.
