Thief of the Eclipse Short Story – Part 5: Confronting Lazaro
It’s the second Tuesday of the month and you know what that means – the next segment of the Thief of the Eclipse short story!
Click here to start reading at the beginning. Below is a brief refresher on the story up to now (contains spoilers):
Zelena has been offered a mission by Lazaro, a mysterious diseased man. He will tell her the truth about her father’s death if she steals memories from Father Remiel, her superior in the Eclipse Guard. Zelena stole the artifact from the caravan and must return to Lazaro for details on how to use it.
And now, part 5.
Thief of the Eclipse Short Story – Part 5: Confronting Lazaro
The moons had barely changed position in the sky when Zelena barged into the ruined house where Lazaro hid. A woman dressed in pink silk slouched in the corridor outside Lazaro’s room sobbing, oblivious to the dirt sullying her garments. A small bag of gold coins lay at her feet, coins spilling out the top. Beside it was a leg brace.
Zelena opened the door and saw Lazaro’s small room was crowded. Several men lifted a limp body between them. Her stomach clenched as she stepped aside to let them pass in the small corridor. She’d lost her chance.
Then she saw the body. It wasn’t Lazaro! Poking her head into the room, she saw him huddled in his wheeled throne-chair. His skin looked pinker today, more vibrant. Perhaps she’s just imagined the depth of his illness on her last visit. “Or he eats people,” Usha whispered. Zelena couldn’t help but shudder. Even dead, Usha knew exactly how to rattle her.
When Lazaro didn’t notice her, Zelena cleared her throat.
“Did you succeed?” he asked softly.
Zelena held up the amulet that she now wore around her neck.
“Good.”
“Why was there a body here?”
“That’s of no concern to your mission.”
“What did you do to that poor woman?”
“Only what she asked. She knew the consequences. That bag of coins is the first part of your payment.”
“How do I use the amulet?”
“The hourglass flips within the chain. When the sand begins to fall, part of the artifact must be touching your flesh and you must touch Remiel. There are other, more difficult methods, but with your ability, you can simply walk into and through a person’s memories-”
Zelena grabbed Lazaro’s hand and shifted into her incorporeal form. The amulet suddenly felt warm against her skin. Instead of becoming incorporeal with her, she could see an aura of light glowing around Lazaro, dimming the closer it got to his feet. She reached out with her other hand and it went through where Lazaro’s body should have been. Light streamed forth from the spot. Zelena stepped through Lazaro and found herself in a room in a lavish house. A younger, healthier Lazaro knelt beside a bed where a young woman lay wasting away.
A strong wind swept through the room and Zelena was thrown back into reality. She landed on the floor below Lazaro’s wheeled-throne back in the dilapidated mansion.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.
“Learning the truth.”
Lazaro smiled. “I know you don’t trust me. I wouldn’t trust me. But it might help if you waited until the instructions were complete, though the unexpectness was in your favor. Few best me. To enter a mind is a contest of wills. If someone’s guard is down it is easier. The best time is to wait until the person is asleep. You can guide the mind by walking through each room, like you walked through all the walls of Castle Starsol when you stole the Governor’s sword. Surprise may initially work with Remiel, but he’ll throw you out quicker than I could and then it’s all over. He’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. The hourglass records what you see, but it only copies the memories so if you do this right, he’ll never know anything happened. When all the sand reaches the bottom, it’s full. If you stay beyond the end of the sand, you could be trapped in the memories.”
“How do I get out?”
“Just close your eyes, focus, and shift out.”
“Why are you telling me all of this after what I did?”
“Because I believe in you. Now go and find the memories of my wife. I am weary. Do take care. Remiel is strong.”
— to be continued —
Come back the 2nd Tuesday of next month for the next part of this story. Subscribe to the blog via email in the box on the top right of this page and be one of the first to read new stories when they are posted!
