Page 1 of Cursed By Gold

Home Away From Home

Scarlet

Istick to the shadows out of habit, glancing over my shoulder periodically to ensure no one follows me. Finding the nondescript wooden door tucked into a particularly gloomy corner, I rap out the secret rhythm that gains me entrance.

The door swings open, spilling warmth, light, laughter over me in welcome. I stride inside, the tang of woodsmoke and ale mingling with perfume immediately enveloping my senses. This feels like home. The Gilded Grafter Guild, or GGG as we like to call it. Fairy Godmother’s thieves guild where only the “good” are allowed to join. One of the best kept secrets in the kingdom partially because Fairy Godmother spelled the name itself. It’s already a tongue twister, but you only learn the name of the guild after you join and if you try to say it out loud or write it down it jumbles up and never comes out correct.

My eyes sweep over the crowded room, taking in the scarred oak tables surrounded by a ragtag mix of chairs accumulated over the years as our ranks have grown. Intricate tapestries injewel tones cover the stone walls, muffling sound and lending a cozy feel despite the cavernous size of the hall.

A massive hearth holding a fire big enough to roast a boar keeps the room balmy as we head into winter. I make my way toward the usual table, nodding greetings to the familiar faces I pass. Some are old friends, some rivals, some I only know as aliases around this table. But we're all family of a sort.

"Scarlet, fashionably late as always I see," Lucius greets me with his signature roguish grin as I take my customary seat. Before I can respond, he's flagging down a barmaid and pressing a fresh tankard of ale into my hands.

"The usual for you then, Scarlet?"

Lucius jumps in. "Come now, Polly my dear. Tonight's a celebration! Bring a round of your finest ale for the whole table, on me!"

Polly arches an eyebrow. "That's quite generous of you. Trying to impress someone?" Her eyes flick to me teasingly.

"Only the best for our Scarlet," he proclaims with an exaggerated courtly bow that makes me snort.

Gen laughs, giving him a playful shove that nearly upends his own drink. "You're just angling to get her drunk in hopes she might finally take pity on you."

Lucius places a hand over his heart. “A man can dream! Maybe tonight’s the night, eh Scar?” He gives me a wink.

I fix him with a wry look I’ve perfected over the years of fending off his ridiculous advances. “Keep dreaming, Lucius.” But the familiarity of his harmless flirtation makes the hint of a smile tug at my lips all the same.

He grasps at his chest as though deeply wounded. "You cut me to the quick! But I'll win you over someday, just you wait." He winks, dropping the act. "Truth be told, we rogues like a lady who can stand her ground. Keeps that window of possibility open, eh boys?"

Raucous laughter greets this. I roll my eyes good-naturedly at his antics. Lucius may be a shameless flirt, but his nonsense has always entertained me.

As Polly heads off to fetch the drinks, Gen leans in with a grin. "You know, Scar, you could stand to buy a round yourself every now and then. Always hoarding that coin of yours."

I wave her off. "And miss the chance to keep these scoundrels paying my tab? What would be the fun in that?" But inwardly, I cringe. They assume I'm just being miserly, when in truth every copper I scrimp and save goes to keeping my family's estate from falling into total ruin. Ever since Father died, Stepmother and her daughters bleed our accounts dry with their frivolous spending, willfully ignorant of the crumbling legacy around them. I'm the only one trying to preserve what's left for when I can inherit. When I can finally take back control. Unfortunately, as long as my stepmother is around that won’t happen, per my fathers will.

So I ply my trade, doing whatever jobs I must to slowly rebuild the estate they're so content to fritter away. Let my guild mates tease me for a stingy purse. The laugh is on them in truth.

Just then, Polly returns balancing a round of foaming tankards. As she places one before me, the firelight glints off the pale golden waves of my loose hair. I toss it back from where it has fallen across my face, meeting Polly's smile with my own vivid green eyes.

"Many thanks for your generosity, Lucius," I proclaim grandly, hoisting my drink in mocking salute. Laughter ripples around the table. As I look out at their mirthful faces, so different yet bonded by our shared fates, warmth fills me that has nothing to do with the ale. However strange a family this guild has made for me, I cannot imagine a home beyond it.

We’re soon joined by the rest of our motley crew, the table growing louder and more crowded. Eli and Tabitha are deep inan animated tale, finishing each other’s rambling sentences like the lifelong partners in crime they are.

Jonas slides in beside them, not even trying to hide his smug grin. The ostentatious ruby ring now adorning his hand makes it clear his recent jewel heist was a success. Evie plops down with soot still smudged on her cheek, fresh from a narrow chimney escape but eyes bright with victory.

In between swigs of ale, stories are swapped of our various escapades and close calls. Elaborate re-tellings designed to impress newcomers and one up each other’s daring deeds. Razzing those who fumbled their latest job. But it’s all in good fun—around here we know how easily the tables could turn. When it matters, we have each other’s backs.

As the night stretches on, I feel the comfortable buzz of ale dulling my ever present sharp edges. I allow myself to relax into the feeling of camaraderie, letting down my guard among fellows who have proved themselves time and again.

My eyes drift across the room and land on Rose holding court among her gaggle of admirers. With her daring silk gowns and perfectly painted face, she takes the more sensual jobs I tend to avoid. We may differ in our methods, but I respect her skills all the same. She catches me looking and lifts a glass in cheeky salute. I find myself returning it with a genuine smile.

"Let's liven things up with a round of Never Have I Ever!" Gen suggests with a wicked grin.

A chorus of approval rises up around the table as tankards are refilled and pushed to the center. I lean back in my chair, swirling my drink absently. This could get interesting.

Gen starts us off. "Alright...never have I ever been caught in the act on a job."

A few groans sound as several people take sips of their ale. Jonas grimaces as he drinks. "That damned lord still has no idea how I got his entire silver collection out right under his nose. Asfar as he knew I was a servant of his mistress, fetching her before his wife arrived."

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