A Drink in Toulon - Part 7 - (A Kip the Quick Adventure)
A thrilling romp with theft, magic, and humor.
Kip the Quick is a thief and a rogue, but he wants to go legit. Really, he does. So, when he meets with a nobleman to talk trade, all is fine and dandy until someone comes knocking. Loudly. And violently. Where’s a good spot of the Essence, when you really need some?
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Part 7
SNEAKING THROUGH THE CREAKING ESTATE, dust in the air, and debris littering the floor, I passed a room full of more silver in the midst of being polished. Strangely ignoring it, feeling tired, I continued into the kitchen. Outside the window, I could see where Twinky’s wagon was parked.
What was she still doing here? The old gal should have hauled tail long since.
In my hesitation, a house guard stopped me. A moment ago I would have pushed him to the side like flicking off a flea, but the last vestiges of Essence left in a rush. Swaying, woozy, I raised a finger, trying for something virtuous, even as my other arm collapsed, the tablecloth full of what silver I had left hitting the floor with a noisy clamor.
“Just saving these.” I tried a smile, but I think it was more of a grimace. The guard snarled and took a step forward, fully prepared to knock me into tomorrow, but then a bang and the guard crumpled to the ground.
I looked up and there stood Twinky with a shovel in hand like a lumpy little warrior. She nodded at my bag. “My cut’s sixty-forty now, so best load this up.”
I giggled. “Why is it that women always want to help by hitting others over the head? It’s really quite violent.”
“Don’t dally.” Twinky pointed at the creaking ceiling. “Those Drinkers either come back, house falls in, or the Bureau arrives to restore order.”
I stumbled, trying to blink my eyes awake. “The Bureau…”
With a swift crack, I was seeing stars dance and Twinky was lowering her hand. Massaging my cheek, alert once again, I glared. “Thanks. I think. But really, all this hitting?”
“Don’t act daft now, boy. The Bureau of Reparations is coming.”
I’d only heard vague descriptions, but I knew enough to decide their Adjustors were worse than guild enforcers. No matter the commoner praise that was as commonplace as propaganda could make it.
If there was a compound in Toulon, how long would they take?
With a bag full of silver in the carriage, swaying sleepily, I was past worry and just wanted a pillow. Twinky ambled the horses out the drive and onto the street just before a cart full of adjustors raced down the avenue. They pulled in front of the estate, men piling out. Another quiet thump was heard from the estate, and a whole wall caved in.
“Still want to go legit, Kip?”
“I’m rethinking my options,” I said with a yawn. Two of the adjustors lifted small bottles to their mouths, swallowing a quiet little sparkle of something purple down their throats. A moment later they ran inside.
Picking pockets and creeping into shops at night to steal something nice had its dangers, but they usually came in the form of a big fella and a blade.
From inside the home, there was an explosion, and the whole western wing collapsed with a cloud of dust.
This venture would have paid little to begin with, and just look at all of the complications. Thieving, on the other hand, didn’t pay bad, not for Kip the Quick. I was my own boss, made my own schedule, and avoided fraternizing with nobility unless I felt like it. And it was something I knew.
But…there was a special girl in Tander who would always want me to be on the right side of the law.
I sighed. Thinking of the payout from the bags of colaine, and the haul of silver at my feet. “Yeah. Just call me Kip the Honorable, and sign me up for something lawful.”
What could I say? Life was complicated.
But at least little Kay would approve… As long as I didn’t tell her where the seed money had come from.
< The End >
Thanks for reading A Drink in Toulon. That was exciting! What was your favorite part?
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If you liked that story, then you should read the first book, Kip the Quick. The sequel is also available! But, first, read the book that started it all here. Available at your favorite store.
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*Image credit: A custom design from Gab.Ai
I've always been a fan of Kip. Well done, Clifton!