Take a Thief recounts the story of Skif - a popular character from Lackey's first published novel, Arrows of the Queen. Skif is an orphan who goes from being an unpaid servant in his uncle's tavern (The Hollybush) to living with a gang of juvenile pickpockets to being a skilled burglar before being Chosen by one of Valdemar's companions and becoming a Herald serving the Queen...
Synopsis[]
At the story's outset, Skif's parents are dead, and he lives in his horrible uncle's tavern as an unpaid and much abused servant. Skif has turned to some petty thievery so that he can obtain food. One day, after dressing up like a page and stealing food from Lord Orthallen's table, he hides in that prosperous lord's laundry room. There he encounters a fellow thief, who's clearly prospering better than Skif, and Skif soon finds himself living permanently with his new acquaintance, the other boys in his crew and Bazie, a legless veteran of the Tedrel Wars that's become the boys' leader and teacher.
Eventually Skif becomes a master at the trade, and is glad for good food and clothes. One night after a successful theft, Skif comes home to find his house in flames and his comrades dead.
Skif brings his loot to a pawnbroker, who takes in the grieving boy for a fee, providing bed, board, and enough to drink to stay passed out as needed. After over a week, Skif learns that the fire was arson. He vows revenge. After months of eavesdropping, he finds out who the arsonist is - but not the identity of the Lord who hired him.
In need of money and a home, Skif steals a beautiful white horse, only to find out she is a Companion and he is her Chosen. This means that the two are linked for life, and must work together to aid Valdemar. Skif figures that being a Herald is better than nothing, and travels with his new Companion, Cymry, to the Heralds' Collegium. There the circumstances of his life improve, and Skif finds friends, books, a comfortable bed, and a good education. However, he still feels that one thing is missing from his life: revenge for the lives of his friends and beloved mentor Bazie. In the end Skif helps Herald Alberich, the Weaponsmaster, take the criminal down, and earns his name as a hero of Valdemar.
Characters[]
Characters appearing or mentioned in this work.
Main character[]
Major characters[]
- Bazie - leader of a gang of child thieves
- Alberich - Herald, Weaponsmaster
- Cymry - Skif's Companion
- Jass - thief and arsonist
Minor characters[]
- Londer Galko - Skif's uncle and guardian
- Kalchan - Londer's adult son who runs the Hollybush Tavern for him and abuses the employees, including Skif
- Moll - the cook at the Hollybush Tavern
- Maisie - mentally disabled young barmaid at the Hollybush Tavern
- Dolly - child under Skif's protection at lessons
- Beel - Londer's second adult son, a priest
- Deek - child thief working for Bazie
- Lyle - child thief working for Bazie
- Raf - child thief working for Bazie
- Jarmin - old clothes seller who fences Bazie's goods
- Penchal - painter
- Trana Farane - prostitute and thief
- Desi Farane - prostitute and thief
- Prior of Thenoth
- Brother Halcom - priest of Thenoth
- Brother Absel - priest of Thenoth
- Companion Kantor
- Dean Elcarth
- Herald Teren
- Gaytha
- Mero
- Queen's Own Herald Talamir
- Companion Rolan
- Herald-Trainee Kris
- Herald-Trainee Jeri
- Herald-Trainee Nerissa
- Henk - student artificer
- Herald-Trainee Coroc
- Herad-Trainee Dirk
- Queen Selenay
- Lord Orthallen - evil court councilor, affluent owner of a posh mansion in Haven
- Guildmaster Vatean - wealthy merchant
- Kash - one of Vatean's fighters
Referenced characters[]
- Larap - former member of Bazie's gang
- Clave - merchant who fences Bazie's giods
- Dooly - merchant who fences Bazie's goods
- Ames - former member of Bazie's gang
- Jodri - former member of Bazie's gang
- Willem - former member of Bazie's gang
- Kalink - wealthy businessman
- Jesolon - wealthy businessman
- Serens - proprietor of the Broken Arms Tavern
- Lonar - Jass' neighbor
- Widow Koil - seller of artificial flowers
- Lord Rovenar - nobleman
- Trenor Severik - wealthy merchant
- Korwain - artist
- Thomlan Vel Cerican - wealthy landlord
- Herald-Chronicler Myste
- Herald Lavan Firestorm
- Vkandis
- Companion Taver
- Herald-Bard Jadus
- King Sendar
- Prince Karathanelan (unnamed)
- Lord Gartheser - Council member
- Lady Cathal - Council member
- Herald Ryvial
- Herald Ylsa
Places[]
- Haven, Valdemar
- Hollybush Tavern, Haven
- Temple of Belden, Haven
- Lord Orthallen's mansion, Haven
- Kalink's townhouse, Haven
- White Rider Inn, Haven
- Broken Arms Tavern, Haven
- Temple and Priory of Thenoth, Haven
- Heralds' Collegium, Haven
- Royal Palace of Valdemar, Haven
- Companion's Field, Haven
Referenced places[]
- King's Arms Tavern, Haven
- Karse
- Little Pudding Lane, Haven
- Kata'shin'a'in
- Golden Ball Pawnshop, Haven
- Rethwellan
- Healers' Collegium, Haven
- Bardic Collegium, Haven
- Exile's Gate, Haven
- Compass Rose Tavern, Haven
- Virgin and Stars Tavern, Haven
- Lake Evendim
Terminology[]
- Tedrel Wars
- Guard
- Brewers Guild
- Sunpriests
- Privy Council
- Waystations
- Truth Spell
- Artificer
- Traders Guild
- Guardsmen-Investigators
Translations[]
- The book was published as a manga in Japanese.
Gallery of cover images[]
