Prelude
Another legend in the Aisha Legends book, this
one deals with the Aisha Thieves. A secretive race of shadowed Aishas, they
perform daring raids on precious items. This is a complicated story, of how
several different characters tried to stop the most daring of all robberies
take place, and how it took "outsider" pets to show them the error of their
ways.
Thievery
A burly Chia security guard patrolled the area
slowly. It seemed like a quiet night - the air still and free of trouble. How
wrong he was. With a muffled thump, the Chia went out like a light. Two slight
black figures detached themselves from the shadows. They were Aisha Thieves,
the elite of the elite, highly trained and naturally skilled. The two worked
in synchronised movements, hauling the Chia guard into the shadows. By the time
he was found, their mission would be completed.
***
Back in his darkened room in the Aisha Thieves' headquarters, deep under Neopia,
the eldest of the Thieves was troubled. His coal black paws, now turning silvery
grey, caressing the ancient book of the Thieves. Even thieves had honour, even
if it was a bit twisted. He turned the crackling pages to the page of the Thieves'
Code and read again the familiar words. Thou shalt not cause bloodshed...He
sighed. The world was changing. In the old days, the most trouble caused was
when a couple of Thieves tried to steal from the Faeries...now, even that paled
into significance. Two of the best Thieves were currently out on a very dangerous
venture. Cunning and skilled they were, and the best without doubt, but they
had no honour. Thieves were not killers. They were hard to catch and as insubstantial
as the shadows they dwelt in. They did not boast or brag or...hurt. Times had
changed and the race of the Aisha Thieves would shortly be put back into the
spotlight...unless someone could stop them.
***
Flye laughed raucously and sprang on top of Kiara. The Shoyru and the Kougra
rolled down the hill and tumbled into a stream. Still laughing, they lay back
in the cool water and looked at the stars. It was a beautiful night and the
pair relaxed. Kiara lazily spread out her Faerie wings and lay back. Soon, they
were going to journey to Faerieland back to their respective Neohomes, but for
now, the night was still young.
***
The Elder of the Council chewed her lip. She had to make a decision regarding
the two best of the Thieves. They had gone...leaving only a note promising big
rewards. The Old One, as they nicknamed him, had shut himself in his room and
refused to come out. Even though she found his reverence for the Code tiresome,
she did follow the Code. Recently, more Thieves had been bending its ancient
rules but the troublesome pair, loose somewhere in Neopia, were the first starting
to ignore it. Bending her ear down to an advisor, she cleared her throat.
"Yes...yes...that seems right...it'll have to
be the best of course...but honour the Code..." She straightened up and made
her announcement.
"I propose to this council that we send a...a
specially trained Aisha in to do this job. He will incapacitate the troublemakers,
rendering them harmless. If they struggle, well then..." She paused and let
the suggestion settle in. "Either way, the Code may be slightly...erm...bent,
but the important point will be that it will still be respected and learnt among
us, and that the rebel Thieves will not be allowed to get away with what they
are going to do." She stopped to gauge the situation. The Council seemed to
be warming to the idea.
"We are sending for Akoi. You may not like him,
but he is the best, and we will need the best to defeat our best."
The Council began to murmur agreements. They
knew, deep inside themselves, that they were breaking the code but it needed
to be broken in order for order to be repaired. They would atone for their sins
later: now was the time for action.
***
The Thieves slid along the outside of the building, their breathing discernible
to only the most attentive of ears. They reached the door and shied away as
it opened, sending warm light spilling over the ground. Silently, the pair climbed
easily up the decorative stonework over the door and lay flat on the roof. Years
of experience silently trilled a warning and the two lifted up small wire, cunningly
concealed. With a deft snip, it was broken. The next wire took a little longer,
as it was connected to an alarm system that set off if the wire was broken.
However, a robotic Petpet was produced and plugged into the system. It was well
trained and quietly set about its job. The Thieves crept on....
***
The young Thief saluted the elder smartly and left the dingy room. He was
the Old One's apprentice and he had been painstakingly instructed in "honour"
from his birth and understood that he must follow the Code to its strictest
full, above all else.
This was not necessarily a good thing.
The Aisha had carefully gone through the back
door of the large Neohome and was now in the bustle of the kitchens. The Code
forbade him mixing with any of non-Thief blood and he ignored them all. Soon,
he was lying on a food trolley, then under a banquet table. Wriggling into a
good position facing the doors behind which the other Thieves' goal lay, he
watched and waited.
***
Flye and Kiara were bored now. The moonlight seemed dull and they felt in
the mood for excitement.
"How about going to that party?" offered Kiara.
Flye lifted an eyebrow. Kiara was from a high bred family and was often invited
to all the best places - however, she rarely went.
"This one sounds cool. It's..." She screwed
up her eyes in thought. "Lord Tanqueroy. He's got a buffet of Gourmet Food and
Chomby and the Fungus Balls playing there!"
"What's the occasion?" asked Flye.
"He's got a swanky rare item that he wants to
show off. It's the most valuable item in Neopia, apparently. No one's even seen
it yet!"
Flye smiled. He'd love the chance to see an item
like that. "Ok, let's go. Got the invite still?" Kiara shrugged off her backpack
and searched through it. She triumphantly held up a slightly battered card,
it's gold leaf peeling off. She squinted at the name. "Got it! C'mon Flye!"
Flye shook his blue wings. "Will they still let
me in?"
"Why wouldn't they?"
"I'm not painted."
"Don't worry, there's plenty of famous pets
who stick to plain colours."
Flye sighed and looked enviously at Kiara's Faerie
colouring. For now, Kiara cared little for class or colour. He hoped it would
always stay that way.
***
Akoi, a very small, slender Aisha, slipped through the open doorway of the
grand Neohome. He was barely noticed as he slipped into an alcove, and began
to unroll a small kit of blackened blades. Working silently he slipped a few
into a belt around his waist and hidden wrist bands. Sliding out again, he worked
his way close to the great double doors, behind which the most valuable item
was hidden. Other Thieves would have got the item secretly in the night, had
they decided to steal it. But these thieves would be different - Akoi had been
well briefed. They would steal it in front of everyone.
Akoi quickly considered the possibilities. No
chance of capturing the two best Aisha Thieves. It would take more than even
he could do. He would have to...he balanced a throwing knife upon his paw and
carefully anointed the tip. This was his finest poison, a mixture of Cheops
Plant leaves and Reptillor venom. He slid the knife back into its sheath and
waited. He had been told to avoid a scandal but even assassins like the spotlight.
He would end their job at their moment of glory - a far sweeter end.
To be continued...
This is one of the most important events in the Aisha Thieves' history.
The Thieves greatest heist; their greatest shame; their most triumphant hour...all
will be told as the story unfolds. | 
