The Infamous Thief of Mowsland

EVERYONE inside the Blackgrove Tavern observed the cloaked figure who stayed standing near the door. Temari arched her brows, curious about how this person will react.

This was not the first time that an outsider entered the Tavern during its peak hours, when almost all the regulars were there. Most often than not, possible clients get scared and exit Blackgrove without saying a thing. Sometimes, the tavern also encounters a gentleman or an aristocrat accidentally entering Blackgrove. They run away without a second glance.

But this cloaked person remained standing there. They couldn't see the person's face. They didn't even know if the person was a man or a woman. Yet, everyone inside Blackgrove Tavern could sense that this person was different from anyone they've encountered before. There was a quiet authority in the person's disposition. It was also obvious that their visitor was not nervous or afraid.

After a few minutes, when the tavern was quiet enough, the cloaked person said, "I heard I can find the best thief in Mowsland here. I have a job for him."

The cloaked person is a man based on his masculine voice. His voice was not gravelly or raspy, like most of the men Temari has encountered. It was smooth and cool and nothing like she had heard before.

"The best thief in Mowsland is a her," Zak Henderson said from behind the counter. All the men inside Blackgrove Tavern murmured their agreement.

The cloaked stranger turned to their direction. "Her? Who?"

"That's me," Temari answered.

The cloaked stranger turned to her. She couldn't see his face but she could sense the person's stare. Temari didn't blink. She stared back confidently, her sitting posture relaxed and carefree. The stranger kept on looking at her and Temari was aware of what this person was seeing.

Temari might be a she, but she doesn't dress like one. Women in Mowsland, especially in Clearbury are particular to fashion and beauty. They always wear pretty and expensive dresses, accessories, hats and shoes. Their hair is always fashionably styled and they put colors in their eyes, cheeks and lips. Even commoners, women who didn't come from an aristocratic family, try their best to look as presentable as possible.

Temari never cared about fashion and beauty, unless she needed it to fulfill a mission. Normally, she prefers wearing men's clothes; black or brown trousers, a loose shirt that hides her womanly curves and comfortable boots. Her hair is always in a tight ponytail because she didn't want even a strand of hair to disturb her vision.

"I wasn't aware that the infamous thief of Mowsland is a girl," the cloaked stranger said after a long while.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Zak asked behind Temari. The dangerous tone in his voice made the whole Blackgrove Tavern tense. Zak was not a talkative person but everyone recognizes his authority and strength. No formal announcement was made but for Temari and the rest of the people in Blackgrove Tavern, Zak is their boss. He is also Temari's mentor, the one who trained her and made her what she is today.

"No. It is not a problem. What is more important to me is someone who can succeed in doing what I will hire her to do. I need the best thief I can find."

The seriousness on the stranger's tone caught Temari's interest. She just told Zak that she was getting bored lately. She hasn't gotten challenging missions from clients for the past months. She was tired stealing paintings from mansions and jewelries from mistresses. She needed something that will make her feel alive. Something difficult and dangerous.

Temari stood. "You will never find a greater thief than me. But I need to know what the job you want to offer all about. If I don't find it interesting and too easy, I will not accept it. I get bored easily, you see." She turned to Zak and said, "Can we use the backroom to talk?"

"Go on. No one will disturb you there."

Temari nodded and then turned to the stranger again. "Follow me." She didn't wait for him. She turned her back and walked straight to the backroom of Blackgrove Tavern. It was a small room with a table and four chairs. There is only one lit lamp in the middle of the table. Temari sat in one chair facing the door.

She just made herself comfortable by lifting her legs on top of the table when the cloaked man entered. He closed the door. Temari looked up to him. He didn't look like he plans to sit and she didn't invite him either.

"Before we start, you need to know some rules," Temari said, breaking the silence. "First, you must never tell anyone about me, especially how I look like. I don't want to go out and suddenly get arrested and thrown to prison. If you betray me, you will be dead. Is that clear?"

A few seconds of silence before the cloaked stranger answered, "I am aware of that. My informant told me about the rules of Blackgrove."

Temari arched her brow. "Well, then you must also be aware that my service is not cheap. I am after all, the best thief in Mowsland. Every man out there can attest to that. I can't disclose my clients though. That's part of why my service is expensive because it includes my silence and discretion."

The cloaked stranger dropped a small pouch in the table, it was overflowing that some of its contents spilled out. Temari's heart skipped a beat but she acted nonchalant as she looked at it. Gold coins. Lots of it. This is probably the largest amount a client has ever offered her.

"That's half of the payment. I will give you the other half after you finish my request."

Temari couldn't hide her amazement when the stranger said that. What? This was just half of the payment? "What is it you want me to steal for this price?" she asked, no longer hiding her surprise.

"A royal heirloom."