by Ryan Brenner

Created on: March 02, 2010

Synopsis:  This is an excerpt from a novel entitled The Street Thief’s Apprentice.  Simon and Anna have just realized that the magistrate has been murdered, and they have run into a deserted building to hide.  They are followed by a mysterious figure that has just entered the building calling Simon’s name.

“Who are you?” Simon asked in a quavering voice.

The figure moved toward a table, pulled something from the folds of his cloak, and placed it on the rotting wood.  A scratching sound indicated a flint being struck.  Sparks leapt quickly into the dank air, and then a candle was lit, a single light which flooded the room in orange glow. 

The visitor turned, and held the candle, removing the hood of his cloak.  Simon trembled, Anna had no idea why.  Simon step backward, tripping over something, and falling to the cold dirt floor.  He could not believe his eyes, the man standing before him, was none other than the Friar Marsone.

“Simon, do not be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“But, but, you’re….”

“Dead,” the Friar said with a smile.

“Yes,” said Simon

“Well, yes, but, I need to make certain something is safe.”

“So, why h-haunt me?” Simon asked.

Anna, who had been standing there, now began to shriek.  “You mean this is a ghost?”

Simon nodded, but Anna did not see.  Her eyes were locked on the man before them.

“Simon,” continued the Friar, “quiet yourself and allow me to explain.  I am not here to haunt you.  I am the member of an ancient order.  We were founded more than 1,100 years ago.  We are charged with protecting things.”

“What kind of things,” asked Simon?

“Something very valuable,” continued the Friar, “something that holds the survival of this kingdom in its hand, something that your father protected.”

A sudden pain of memory flooded Simon.  He had not thought about his father in years, the loss hurt too deeply to do anything but forget.

“My father protected the king,” said Simon through trembling lips.  Yet, a sense of pride returned as he said it.

“True,” said the Friar, “and he protected something else.  He protected something even the king considered more valuable than his own life.

“What was that?”

“A treasure,” responded

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