Excerpt: Destiny’s Chalice

Miran Xi Cyros despised thieves.
Her bodyguard Turc caught the last thief and held him fast with one hand in his hair and another around his neck. The boy hung several feet above the ground and struggled to breathe.
“Put him down.” Miran told Turc dispassionately. Turc threw the boy to the ground in disgust. The boy landed on his knees and Turc put a giant boot squarely in his back, pinning him to the courtyard’s flagstones.
“Go inside the house.” Miran told Benjamin. “Find the staff. Determine if they are unharmed, then take stock of the house and discover what’s missing.”
Benjamin entered the house while Miran examined the thief. The courtyard was dark and shadows hid the boy's face, so she summoned an orb of light to better see him. The boy flinched when the ball of flames leapt into being so near his head and Turc bore down on his back to keep him still.
The thief was young - younger than the cadet and much smaller. He looked up at her in fear and his pale skin and round eyes betrayed his foreign blood. But his eyebrows were perfectly arched and his nose and cheekbones were delicate and completely without the coarseness that marked barbarian features.
His face was emaciated, suggesting hunger or a wasting illness, yet he was still a pretty boy. He was dressed like the others in thieves clothing - black, close fitting tunic and trousers. His brown hair was braided tightly down his back like a common worker. Miran wondered if he was the son or grandson of the old man who got away.
Benjamin returned, bringing with him the household staff. A man and two women lined up in front of the kitchen. Miran’s clerk Jie followed Benjamin from the house, wrapped up in her night-robe.
“Lady Jie was asleep in her suite, but I found the night watchman in bed with the maids.” Her apprentice said, his voice thick with disapproval. “The rest of the staff – the cooks and the groom and lackeys – aren’t due to arrive until the morning.”
“But we are early.” Miran said with a sigh. “So what is missing?”
“According to Lady Jie, only household items of little value.” Benjamin replied. “Cutlery and candlesticks, a wine decanter and a few other things. Most are probably there.” He waved to the sack on the ground.
Miran looked down at the thief and stared at him coldly until the boy shivered with fear. He was such a small boy, to be pinned to the ground by a giant man. But Miran has no sympathy for thieves and this one has wasted too much of her time.
“Kill him.” She ordered Turc.
Turc drew his sword. The great scimitar sang as it cleared the sheath. Turc spun the sword with a twist of his wrist and brought it over his head.
“A thousand apologies, great lady.” The boy gasped. His voice is soft and musical. He is obviously terrified - his eyes are squeezed shut with panic, but he speaks clearly.
“Spare me, for I am unworthy of thine anger. Thou art beautiful, wilt thou spare me?” As he pleaded for his life, tears leaked from the boy's closed eyes and his face turned bright red. Miran does not pity the thief but she is impressed by his eloquence. She waved to her bodyguard to stay his blade but said nothing. When the silence grew heavy, the thief spoke again.
“A thousand pardons, great lady. Thou art blessed and I am wretched. Never again will I darken thy door. All that has been taken will be returned. Never again wilt thou lay thine eyes upon me and thou shalt not regret thy charity.” The boy was sobbing, and lay on his belly with his hands outstretched towards her, his face pressed against the cobblestone courtyard.
Miran cast a small spell and the boy’s words hung on the air with an aura of truth. The boy is not lying, although fear for his life has colored his words with duress. Miran reached into her purse. She extracted a coin and threw it to him.
“Take it.” She commanded. The boy’s fist adeptly closed over the flash of gold, though his eyes remained shut.
“Remember this night, and consider if it was worth the cost.” She said then looked up at Turc. “Beat him.” She ordered. “Then throw him into the street.”
The bodyguard sheathed his sword and Miran turned and walked into her house. The boy thief has already left her thoughts.
Before entering, she paused by the errant night watchman and the two maids. Their clothing is disheveled, as if hastily donned, and they squirmed nervously as she glanced at them.
“You are dismissed.” She told them. “Leave my house immediately.”