Read Twilight of Kerberos - [Shadowmage 01-03] - The Shadowmage Trilogy (Shadowmage; Night's Haunting; Legacy's Price) for Free Online Page A

He feared he might be reduced to gambling as a means to an end, but even his special skills might not guarantee win after win. There was a reason they called it gambling, of course, and there was always the risk he might meet someone whose luck or skill at cheating might exceed his own abilities; and then he would be back to square one.
    Trying to think a little more laterally, he began to eye up the various stores he passed, and his gaze fixed upon a trader whose accent gave him away as Vos born and bred. His stall was bedecked with chains of gold and silver, bracelets and brooches sparkling in the strengthening sunlight as their gems glinted with every colour Lucius could imagine. He stopped in the street and stared, thinking fast. A quick distraction would be easy enough to create, and a faster hand could sweep a cluster of jewels under his cloak before the trader’s attention was brought back to his wares. Glancing about, he looked for the tell-tale red of guard patrols and, sure enough, he saw two at opposite ends of this market. However, they were both at least a hundred paces away, and would have to fight their way through the crowd.
    The trader was engaged in an animated discussion over a thin gold chain with a young lady wreathed in silks. He was anxiously assuring her that the chain would bring focus to her neck which, he declared, could not remain unadorned another minute. Lucius cast a look at the two patrols, and then began to search for escape routes. He knew he would have to move fast once the goods were in his possession. The alleyways in the area were too crowded for his comfort, with peddlers and customers spilling over the boundaries of the markets. He knew he could make a crowd work for him, but it would be better overall if no cry of alarm went up until he was well on his way. He took a step forward, preparing to draw upon otherworldly energies to create the distraction he would need.
    “I wouldn’t if I was you,” a gravely voice behind him said.
    Lucius turned then looked downwards to find the source of the comment. He saw a filthy man sitting on the cobbles, leaning against a rusting horse trough. The man’s clothes were a patchwork of cast-offs, each thread entangled with dirt, crusted food and other, less describable stains. A terrible stench of sweat and foulness reached Lucius’ nostrils, and he gagged as he tried to form a retort.
    “You’d never make it out of the market in time,” the man continued as he quite openly scratched at his nether regions. “See, people here don’t like thieves too much. Don’t like beggars either, as it happens, but we just get moved on from time to time. You’d go straight to the Citadel, make no mistake. And then you really would be in trouble.”
    Lucius stared at the man for the moment, peering through the dirt and wild greying hair to detect any deceit. He had the feeling he was being played, but could not quite put his finger on how.
    “What business is it of yours?” he asked, quickly glancing about to see if the beggar had any accomplices that were about to assault or rob him.
    The man shrugged. “Call it some advice from someone who knows. That much I’ll give you for free. If you want more, it’ll cost.” With this, the man produced a tin cup from the folds of his rags and proffered it upwards to Lucius. “Spare a coin for the sick?” he said with a grin that revealed ruined and blackened teeth.
    Trying hard not to wrinkle his face in disgust, Lucius shook his head. “You’ve caught me at a bad time, my friend. I am as desperate for coin as you.”
    “Oh, I’m not so sure about that,” the man said, winking at Lucius. “A man like you is never far from gold.”
    That checked Lucius and he gave the man a hard look. “And just what do you mean by that?”
    The man shook his head noncommittally. “I’ve seen you about.”
    “I haven’t been in the city long.”
    “Last evening, for example. Six men was it? Or seven?”
    Lucius