The Raven’s Mark

Ella slams the book closed, the first sound in the room since her brother’s obnoxious snoring briefly interrupted the deal. She takes a breath, passing the book to her right. Raj, the giant of a man, stands ever vigilant at her side.

For a hired muscle, Ella has used him for much more. A childhood spent travelling gave him knowledge of many criminal underbellies that Ella lacked experience in. He can spot false currency at a glance and usually knows its source. But most of all, he dealt with anyone who dared scam the Raven family.

Ella takes a long breath, dabbing her quill. “Hmm. Where did you say you got this from?” she asks with a huff.

“I, I didn’t, ma’am.” The boy mumbles. His clothes are ragged, filthy, yet he seems too well fed to be a beggar. Only recently made one, perhaps.

“It ’as the, the thingy. Symbol. Emblem? That’s the one you’re looking f—for, right?”

He points a shaking finger toward the book’s embossed cover, now in Raj’s hands under his scrutinising gaze. Tanned black leather, plain save for the imprinted bust of a raven on the front. A hole is pressed deep into the eye, as though something had once been set there, and later torn out.

“The lady didn’t ask how the book looked, boy,” Raj growls, placing it on the table. He leans forward, clicking his knuckles, his shadow looming across the room.

“Huh—huh?” Gustav mutters, the sound somehow enough to stir him from sleep. He rises unsteadily from the uncomfortable chair in the corner. The only one Ella affords him, having asked the carpenter to make it as miserable as possible. Yet somehow, he still manages to sleep on it.

“Argh. My head. El, are you still sorting the deal?”

“Shut up, Gus. Go get some dinner. If not, some tea. We’ll be a while,” Ella snaps, waving him away.

Gustav huffs, rolls his eyes, and stomps out. Clicking the door closed behind him.

“Now, boy,” Ella says. “I’ll ask you again. Where did you get this?”

“I—I found it, miss... didn’t I.” He gulps as Raj’s eyes narrow on him.

“Hmm.” Ella sighs. “Found it? In whose house?”

“It, um, I didn’t steal. I—”

“You aren’t in trouble here, boy,” Ella replies, sliding the book along her desk.

“If this is real, you might be looking at a very handsome reward.”

“Yeah!” The boy’s eyes widen. “R—reward!”

“If it’s real!” Ella repeats, running a finger along the leather.

“Whose house did you get this from? It is very important you tell me.”

“Yes miss. Sorry miss. I was a servant at the Cenarious household. They—”

“Cenarious!” Ella cries, slamming her palms to the desk, rising to her feet. “Raj, aren’t they some relation to the emperor?”

“Yes, miss. Way down the succession. The Empire would fall before they ever saw the throne.” His expression never shifts from the boy, inspecting every twitch, searching for any sign of deceit.

“Even so, what would they be doing with one of my father’s ledgers?” Ella says with a frown. “What would they care? They don’t need the…” She exhales sharply. “They have all the money in the empire.”

“Ella, you don’t think…” Raj begins, but she raises a hand.

“Tell me, boy,” Ella says, tapping her finger on the desk as she sits back down. “Whereabouts in the house did you find this?”

“Well, I was a servant, as I said. On free days, me and the lads would go into central Eldara for drinks. I ’eard what you were after. And I thought to myself. Where ’ave I seen a raven symbol?”

He swallows.

“I was cleaning the young master’s study, ma’am. I went back to confirm it. It was in a strange bookcase. Cabinet was locked. Loads of other books like that. Similar. Maybe with birds on them.”

“So how did you get it?” Ella asks, jotting everything down on parchment.

“Well, I wasn’t gonna at first. But then they sacked me. Said I was snooping. Chucked me out on the streets. I ’eard you’d offer a lot for info. So, I figured… I could do one better. Get an actual book. One of my old friends let me in the house one night. The young master left that on his desk. Fell asleep working.”

“Working?” Raj snaps. “Working on what?”

“I dunno!” the boy yelps, stepping back as far as he can. “I just got it. Was that not enough? I don’t know nothing ’bout it!”

Ella raises her hand, silencing them both. “Raj. Is it a fake?”

“If it is, my lady. It’s a very good one.”

He turns to her. “Ella… you don’t think the Cenarious boy is trying to crack your father’s code?”

“I have heard he’s fond of puzzles,” she murmurs, staring at the boy.

Silence settles in the room until he realises that was a question.

“Oh—um, yes miss. Very fond. From what I understand.”

“From what you understand?” Ella echoes softly. “How long did you work in that household?”

“I, um…”

“Tea!” Gustav’s voice booms as the door swings open. Tapping the boy’s back, he edged so close to the door.

Gustav strides in, a steaming pot balanced on a tray. “El, dinner’s not ready. I got the kitchen to brew up a nice pot for us. Some imported leaves we…” He stops, glancing between Ella, Raj, and the boy. “Why is everyone so quiet?”

“Gus, this isn’t the best time,” Ella says through gritted teeth. Almost rehearsed.

“Now, sis. It’s always a good time for tea.” He replied, reaching for a mug. A slight tremor in his hand. “Raj, will you be having some?”

“I think I’ll be going now,” the boy blurts, reaching for the book.

Raj snaps it away effortlessly. Then smiles. “What happened to your accent?”

“My—what do you mean, sir?” the boy stammers.

Ella sighs. “We never got your name, boy.”

“Oh. Um. Name.”

Raj’s grip tightens around his bicep. “Answer the lady.”

“Well?” Ella asks calmly, lifting her tea and blowing away the steam.

Gustav blinks. “Have I… missed something?”

“I—ur—”

“Hold him tight, Raj,” Ella orders, setting her mug down with a clank.

Raj pins him to the desk with ease, one hand stretched flat before him.

“Please, Miss Raven, I—”

“I will ask you one more time,” Ella says, lifting the teapot. “Who are you?”

“El, what are you?” Gustav starts, then gulps at the look on her face.

Steam curls as Ella tips the pot.

“I—I can’t—please!”

He screams as the scalding tea pours over his hand. Ella doesn’t stop until at least a cup’s worth empties onto the desk. She peers inside the pot, unimpressed.

“Hm. A good leaf, shame.” she says, taking in a whiff of the steam. “Other hand.”

“No! Please!” The boy whimpers, as Raj shifts him around.

“Um, El, can I go now? I got you the tea you asked for.” Gustav asks, his eyes looking to the ceiling, anywhere other than at his sister.

Ella eyes snap towards him. “Next time I give you a coded order Gus, you act faster.” Gustav nods nervously, optimistically turning around. “And no! you can’t leave.”

“My name,” the boy sobs. “Is Gaius Cenarious.”

Ella nods to Raj, who releases him. She sits slowly. “So,” she says mildly, “it seems we were in the presence of royalty all along.”

Gaius clutches his hand. “I wasn’t getting anywhere with your father’s code! It makes no sense! I just want to, want to.”

“What? Trying to find his hidden fortune?” Ella snaps, almost sarcastically.

“No! I don’t need the money!”

“Damned right you don’t.” She exhales, then pauses. A pause, so long it felt like you could fit a whole day inside. Even the timbers in the walls refusing to creak. Until, eventually, Ella sighed. “Hmmm, bring me everything you have. Alone. Only then, will we negotiate.”

“What?” Gustav, Raj, and Gaius say at once.

“And next time you pretend to be poor,” Ella adds dryly. “Pick a single accent!”

“You’re letting me go?”

“For now.” She taps the raven ring on her finger, its symbol matching the ledger. “If you want to solve this puzzle boy, you’ll need me. And choose your next steps carefully.” She smiles thinly. “Remember... We know where you live.”