A Darker Shade of Magic
Chapter 9: Grey thief III
by Schwab, V. E.Lila returns to the Stone’s Throw tavern after a year-long absence, her reunion with Barron, the owner, tinged with tension. Their last encounter ended badly when he kicked her out for stealing from a patron, leading to her storming off in anger. Now, she finds him on the tavern steps, and their exchange is laced with sarcasm and unspoken history. Barron feigns indifference, while Lila, though defiant, feels the pull of the place despite her disdain for taverns. The remnants of a fire at the docks linger in the background, hinting at recent chaos.
Their conversation reveals Lila’s involvement in the burning of the Sea King, a brig owned by Powell, which surprises Barron. She takes pride in shocking him, masking her vulnerability with bravado. When she asks to rent a room, Barron reminds her of her past insults, but she deflects with a shrug and a shared cigar. Their dynamic is a mix of grudging respect and unresolved tension. Lila’s reluctance to admit she needs help contrasts with Barron’s subtle concern, as he questions her well-being despite their rocky history.
Lila offers a silver watch as payment, a keepsake she values for the choices it represents. Barron refuses it, trusting she’ll pay eventually, a gesture that hints at their complicated bond. As she pockets the watch, she reflects on her meager possessions—a hat, a map, weapons, and the watch—symbols of her transient life. Barron lets her in but warns her not to steal from his patrons, a condition she accepts with a stiff nod. The broken glass inside the tavern underscores the disorder she’s stepping back into, yet she assures him her stay is temporary.
Alone for a moment, Lila gazes at the tavern, comparing it unfavorably to the freedom of a pirate ship. She consoles herself with the thought that she’s not returning in defeat but in hiding, reveling in her newfound notoriety as the “Shadow Thief.” A wanted poster outside the tavern depicts her as a fearsome figure, a caricature she finds amusing. With a wink at her own legend, she steps inside, embracing the irony of her situation—a thief seeking refuge in the very place she once cursed.
FAQs
1. What is the nature of Lila and Barron’s relationship, and how does their dialogue reveal their history?
Answer:
Lila and Barron share a complex relationship marked by past conflict and unspoken care. Their dialogue reveals that Barron previously kicked Lila out of his tavern, the Stone’s Throw, for thieving from a patron, which led to her storming off in anger. Despite this, their banter—such as Barron sarcastically recalling her harsh words (“shove each and every one of them up my—”)—shows familiarity and grudging affection. Barron’s subtle concern (“You okay?”) and his decision to let her stay without payment (“I know you’re good for the coin”) hint at a deeper bond beneath their tough exteriors. Their interactions suggest a mentor-protégé dynamic with unresolved tension.2. How does the setting of the Stone’s Throw contrast with Lila’s feelings about other taverns, and what might this symbolize?
Answer:
While Lila despises most taverns for their rowdy, repulsive atmospheres (“hated most taverns altogether”), the Stone’s Throw exerts a gravitational pull on her (“this place dragged at her like gravity”). This contrast symbolizes her conflicted identity—she resists settling down yet is drawn to the familiarity and safety Barron’s tavern represents. The Stone’s Throw may embody a tether to her past or a reluctant homecoming, unlike other taverns that repel her independent spirit. The chapter emphasizes this duality when she notes it’s “hardly a pirate ship,” reflecting her yearning for adventure versus her need for refuge.3. Analyze the significance of the silver watch and how it reflects Lila’s character development.
Answer:
The silver watch symbolizes Lila’s agency and the choices that define her. She values it not for its material worth but because “taking it had been a choice. Keeping it had been one, too.” This object represents her autonomy in a life often dictated by circumstance. When she offers it to Barron for lodging, only for him to refuse, the watch becomes a token of their mutual trust. Its return to her pocket (“thankful for its weight”) underscores her resilience—despite losing much, she clings to symbols of control. The watch mirrors her internal conflict between transience (“I’m not staying long”) and the desire for purpose.4. How does the “Wanted” poster redefine Lila’s identity, and what irony does she find in it?
Answer:
The poster brands Lila as “The Shadow Thief,” a mythical figure exaggerated into a “black-clad and fearsome” legend. This public identity contrasts with her reality—a flawed, vulnerable thief seeking shelter. The irony lies in her amusement at being called a “wanted man” (despite being a woman) and the poster’s artistic liberties (“drawn her even taller and thinner”). The label elevates her petty crimes into folklore, which she embraces with a wink, suggesting she recognizes the power of reputation. Yet, the poster also forces her into hiding, highlighting the gap between perception and truth.5. What does the fire at the Sea King reveal about Lila’s actions and her relationship with Barron?
Answer:
The fire implies Lila’s involvement in the destruction of Powell’s brig (“Old wood goes up so easy”), showcasing her reckless daring. Barron’s surprise (“his eyes widened a fraction”) suggests her capacity to exceed expectations, while his remark about Powell’s carelessness hints at his tacit approval or resignation to her chaotic nature. The smoke clinging to Lila becomes a metaphor for consequences trailing her. By returning to Barron, she seeks temporary respite from these consequences, and his willingness to shelter her—despite suspecting her role—reveals a protective stance, framing their relationship as one of flawed but enduring loyalty.
Quotes
1. “To find an adventure,” she’d called without looking back.
This quote captures Lila’s defiant spirit and restless nature as she leaves Barron’s tavern a year earlier. It establishes her character’s driving motivation and sets up the contrast with her reluctant return.
2. “The others all repulsed her, repelled her, but this place dragged at her like gravity, a low and constant pull.”
This beautifully crafted metaphor reveals the complex relationship Lila has with the Stone’s Throw tavern. Despite her resistance, it represents an emotional anchor in her life, showing that beneath her tough exterior lies attachment and belonging.
3. “I’m always okay.”
This terse statement speaks volumes about Lila’s guarded personality and self-reliant nature. Delivered while avoiding Barron’s concerned gaze, it reveals her tendency to mask vulnerability with bravado, a key character trait.
4. “The Shadow Thief, they called her. They’d drawn her even taller and thinner than she actually was, stretched her into a wraith, black-clad and fearsome. The stuff of fairy tales. And legends.”
This passage marks a turning point where Lila begins to embrace her notoriety. The contrast between her reality and the mythologized wanted poster shows her growing awareness of how others perceive her and the power of reputation.
5. “Just till the smoke clears,” she echoed to herself.
This recurring phrase represents Lila’s attempt to frame her return as temporary and pragmatic rather than sentimental. It captures the tension between her adventurous aspirations and the pull of familiar places, serving as the chapter’s thematic refrain.