The secret passage twisted like a serpent through the guts of Baron Varkos's mansion, the air thick and damp, laden with the smell of earth and ancient dust. Rix followed closely behind Kael's silent footsteps. The Soul Gem rested comfortably in his pouch, and the tingling sensation he had felt upon touching it persisted, like a subtle energy vibrating in his hand.
— Good work in there, kid, — Kael whispered, his voice echoing slightly off the stone walls. — You kept your cool under pressure. Not all Novices can handle the Vault's Song.
Rix felt a warmth spread through his chest; Kael's praise meant a lot. He had always admired the older rogue's skill and composure.
— Thanks, Kael. But... what was that sound? I've never heard anything like it.
Kael let out a low chuckle. — Ah, the Vault's Song... A peculiar contraption of the old Baron's. They say he hired a mad blacksmith and a cursed bard to create it. The vault's metal vibrates at a specific frequency when the locks are improperly manipulated, as a warning, so to speak.
— And the Soul Gem? — Rix asked, curiosity gnawing at him. — Why was it there?
Kael hesitated for a moment, stopping where the passage widened into a small chamber. He lit a small lantern he carried, illuminating their tired faces.
— Soul Gems are rare, Rix, very rare. They are believed to contain fragments of life essence itself. Some say they can grant special abilities, others that they are merely objects of great value, and that's why Barons and nobles often collect them, flaunting their power and wealth.
*'Power and wealth...'*, Rix thought, tightening his grip on the pouch, imagining the possibilities.
— We need to inform the Guild Master about this, — Kael continued, his expression now serious. — A Soul Gem isn't something we can just sell on the black market. This could attract a lot of attention, from the Council of Shadows to the Thieves' Guard.
The mention of the Thieves' Guard sent a chill down Rix's spine. Although they were an organization of rogues themselves, they didn't tolerate heists that disrupted the established order or drew unwanted attention to the community. Stealing an item as valuable as a Soul Gem certainly fell into that category.
After a few more minutes of silent walking, the passage opened into a trapdoor hidden beneath a pile of boxes in a dark, poorly lit alley of the City of a Thousand Vaults. Kael was the first to emerge, checking the surroundings before signaling for Rix.
The night was cold and damp, and the air smelled of sewage and distant chimney smoke, but they quickly blended into the shadows, moving with the familiar ease of those who knew the city's secret paths well.
Soon, they reached a dilapidated building in the oldest part of the city, where the Silk Fingers Guild maintained its hideout. The facade was discreet, an abandoned doll repair shop, but behind the door locked with multiple bolts, a labyrinth of rooms and passages sheltered the guild members.
Upon entering, they were met by the curious stares of other rogues, some cleaning their tools, others playing cards at a candlelit table, and the smell of lantern oil, leather, and strange herbs hung in the air.
— Look who's back, — said a burly figure sitting in a corner, sharpening a knife with a whetstone. It was Grok, a breaching specialist known for his brute strength and explosive temper. — Did the Novice survive the Vault's Song?
Kael nodded. — He didn't just survive, Grok, he brought us a special gift.
All eyes turned to Rix, who felt a little uncomfortable with so much attention.
They followed Kael to a more private room, where Master Silas, the leader of the Silk Fingers Guild, awaited them.
Silas was a thin and cunning man, with piercing eyes that seemed to see through people. He sat behind a massive wooden table, examining some parchments by the light of a single candle.
— Kael, Rix, — Silas said, his voice calm and measured. — I heard about the heist. The Vault's Song usually scares off the inexperienced.
— He did very well, Master, — Kael replied, with a tone of respect. — And we found something... unexpected.
Rix took the Soul Gem from his pouch and placed it on the table. The gem's pulsating blue light illuminated Silas's face, his eyes widening slightly.
— A Soul Gem... — he murmured, picking up the gem carefully and examining it closely. — Baron Varkos really did possess one. The stories were true.
A tense silence settled in the room. Everyone knew the importance of such an item.
— Rix, did you find it? — Silas asked, his eyes fixed on the young rogue's.
Rix nodded. — Yes, Master, it was in the center of the vault.
Silas remained silent for a long moment, pondering, and then placed the Soul Gem back on the table and looked at Kael.
— Kael, summon the most trusted members of the guild. We need to discuss what to do with this. Rix, you will stay. There's much we need to talk about.
Rix felt a knot in his stomach. He knew that possessing a Soul Gem brought great risks and great rewards, and now his life as a Shadow Novice was over. He had touched something much bigger, and he knew his future would never be the same.