A Darker Shade of Magic
Chapter 21: Thieves Meet II
by Schwab, V. E.Lila Bard returns to the Stone’s Throw tavern after a night of petty theft, reflecting on her failed attempt to rob a trio of street rats and her subsequent escape. She dismisses the encounter, focusing instead on the small trinket she stole from a drunk man in an alley—a seemingly worthless black stone. Disappointed by its lack of value, she dismisses a faint tingling sensation it emits and heads back to the tavern, where Barron, the owner, greets her with unspoken concern. Lila brushes off his worry, refusing to admit her struggles or accept his help, determined to maintain her independence.
Back in her room, Lila reflects on her strained relationship with Barron, recalling a past argument where she stormed out after refusing his offer of honest work at the tavern. She resents the idea of settling for a meager existence and vows to secure larger scores to escape her current life. Despite her hunger and exhaustion, she refuses to ask Barron for food, clinging to her pride as a thief who won’t stoop to begging. Her thoughts reveal her desperation to leave the city and repay Barron, even as she grudgingly returns to the room she once abandoned.
As Lila settles in, she examines the stolen rock again, only to be interrupted by the sudden appearance of the drunk man from the alley. Bloodied and disoriented, he demands the stone back, collapsing before he can retrieve it. Lila, shocked by his unexplained arrival, checks his pulse and discovers he’s alive but severely injured. Up close, she notices his youthful features and a striking, unnatural black eye, which unsettles her. The encounter leaves her wary but intrigued, hinting at the stone’s hidden significance.
The chapter closes with Lila caught between curiosity and caution, staring at the unconscious stranger and the mysterious stone. His desperate pursuit of the object suggests it holds more value than she initially assumed, potentially upending her plans. The scene sets the stage for a deeper conflict, blending Lila’s stubborn independence with the looming mystery of the stone and the wounded man’s true intentions. Her resolve to carve out a better life is now intertwined with forces she doesn’t yet understand.
FAQs
1. How does Lila Bard’s internal conflict about her relationship with Barron reveal her character traits?
Answer:
Lila’s mixed feelings about Barron—appreciating his concern while rejecting it—highlight her fierce independence and emotional guardedness. She acknowledges his kindness (“she thought she saw a flicker of concern”) but resents it, insisting, “She wasn’t his family.” This reflects her fear of dependency and her determination to remain self-reliant, even when struggling. Her refusal to accept free food despite hunger (“Lila Bard might have been a thief but she wasn’t a beggar”) underscores her pride. The flashback to their argument over “honest money” further shows her aversion to settling for a mundane life, emphasizing her ambition and restlessness.
2. Analyze the significance of the “river rock” Lila steals. How does it subvert expectations and advance the plot?
Answer:
The rock initially seems worthless—a disappointment compared to the “silver or gold” Lila expected—but its peculiar energy (“a kind of prickle”) hints at hidden importance. This subversion builds intrigue: Why would a drunkard carry it? The rock’s eventual connection to the wounded stranger (who demands it back) suggests it’s magical or plot-critical. Its introduction also deepens Lila’s frustration, mirroring her larger struggle for meaningful gains beyond “meager victories.” The rock’s reappearance in the room (and the stranger’s supernatural entrance) pivots the chapter from mundane theft to supernatural conflict, setting up future events.
3. How does the chapter portray Lila’s philosophy of thievery versus survival?
Answer:
Lila views theft as a means to escape cyclical poverty (“thieves stealing only enough to stay thieves”). She rejects small-scale thefts (like the stolen trinket) in favor of “larger scores,” reflecting her ambition to transcend survival mode. However, her principles complicate this: She refuses to use stolen money for rent with Barron, showing a conflicted moral code. Her mantra—”A life worth having is a life worth taking”—reveals her justification: She steals not just to live but to claim a better future. Yet her hunger and worn boots underscore the tension between her ideals and immediate needs.
4. What does the stranger’s sudden appearance reveal about the story’s genre and potential conflicts?
Answer:
The stranger’s inexplicable arrival (despite a locked door) and his severe injuries introduce supernatural elements, shifting the narrative from realistic thievery to fantasy. His demand (“Give it back”) and focus on the rock suggest it’s a magical artifact, implying larger stakes. His heterochromatic eyes (“one blue,” the other “pitch black”) and bloody state foreshadow a darker, possibly mystical conflict. This moment also tests Lila’s adaptability: Her pragmatic reaction (considering dumping him) contrasts with the surreal situation, hinting at her role in a world beyond petty crime.
5. Compare Lila’s two returns to the Stone’s Throw. How do they illustrate her character growth or stagnation?
Answer:
Her first return (after storming out) was defiant (“This isn’t fucking enough”), but her latest return is marked by exhaustion and reluctant acceptance. Though she still resists dependency (“she wouldn’t” ask for food), she acknowledges the tavern’s temporary safety. The recurring green door symbolizes her cyclical struggles: She left seeking “something better” but returned unfulfilled. However, her disguise and bolder thefts show tactical growth, even if her emotional arc remains unresolved. The chapter ends with another intrusion (the stranger), suggesting her journey is far from linear.
Quotes
1. “Lila knew too well how the cycle went, thieves stealing only enough to stay thieves.”
This quote captures Lila’s internal conflict about her life as a thief—she recognizes the trap of perpetual small-scale theft but aspires to break free from it. It reveals her ambition and dissatisfaction with mere survival.
2. “Lila Bard might have been a thief but she wasn’t a beggar.”
This line defines Lila’s fierce pride and personal code. Despite her circumstances, she draws a clear moral boundary for herself, refusing to ask for charity even when hungry.
3. “A life worth having is a life worth taking.”
This philosophical statement represents Lila’s core belief about agency and ambition. It comes as she reflects on her past decision to leave the tavern, showing her determination to actively seize opportunities rather than passively accept her lot.
4. “The sight of the room filled her with a mix of revulsion and relief.”
This poignant description encapsulates Lila’s complex relationship with the tavern—both a place of failure and a temporary sanctuary. It shows her internal struggle between independence and the need for security.
5. “You shouldn’t have taken it…‘”
The mysterious stranger’s urgent warning about the stolen stone introduces the chapter’s supernatural element and foreshadows greater consequences. This simple line transforms what seemed like a petty theft into something far more significant.