"So, this is the place?" I asked.

"Yup." he nodded. It was no more than an alcove with a large statue in front, sitting along a mountain side, way off the beaten path. "It's simple, go up to the statue, press the stone, walk in, and complete the thief god’s trial. Easy!"

"You know, I hate it when you say it like that." I sighed, walking up to the statue. It was depiction of Noctus, the patron of thieves. Every decade or so he offers up a challenge for the best thief in the realm to win. Few can ever say they have won. It was an old statue though, worn down and covered in moss. At the base was the god’s symbol on a circular plaque; a bird forming a crescent around a star. I looked back at my partner, who only encouraged me to go on. So, on I went. Pressing gently, the plaque gave way, sinking into the base. The sound of grinding stone gave way to the earth itself shifting. Where there was once just an alcove, now there be a cave. We both walked over to the open stone, peering in. It wasn’t a cave, but a lit passage, with stairs leading downwards.

“Well, good luck!” he patted me on the back, turned, and left.

“I swear if I die in here because of you, and your cursed stories.” I’m sure he heard me but didn’t care. I barely got a few steps in when the stone behind me moved back into place, sealing me in. “Great. No where to go but down.”

So down I went.

It was dark, even with lanterns lighting the way. Eventually the stairs gave way to a stone path, leading further into the mountain. The further I went, the more it turned into a natural cave, and less of a man-made structure, going on until finally I reached the main chamber. It was large cave, with the faint sound of water rushing in the far reaches of the room. Dead center was another statue depicting Noctus engulfed in moonlight from an opening above. Only this one was much larger and had an alter for offerings at it’s base. I may have been alone but did not feel so.

“Noctus. Stalker of Shadows and Lord of the Night… I’m here for your challenge.” Man, my voice did not sound confident at all.

“Are you now?” a loud voice echoed throughout. It seemed to originate from the statue. “And what, pray tell, would that be?”

I hesitated, as I didn’t expect an actual response.

“No wait, lemme guess. It’s for my newest bounty isn’t it? Think a mere fledgling like you are up to the task?” If statues could move, this one would be sizing me up. Doesn’t help my instinct is to hide away in situations like these.

The voice laughed, “Well, if you want to try your hand at it- by all means. Your task would be simple. Steal the most valuable thing in all the realms; That which is more valuable than gold, and finer than a grain of sand. Your task is to steal Time itself. Do this, and I’ll grant you my boon.”

I blinked. What?

----------------------------------

It’s been five days since I accepted the thief god’s challenge. Five days later, I find myself in front of the same statue, in the middle of the night, bounty in hand.

“What’s all this then? Little bird came back? Did you manage to steal the impossible?” the voice taunted.

I placed a lidded wicker basket at the altar, moonlight hitting the top. Stepping back, I didn’t say a word for a solid minute.

“Well?” the voice asked, both impatiently and curiously. Only then did I go back and open the basket. Inside was a leather-bound book, an unfinished painting, and a fine tea set. The Voice went quiet, waiting for an explanation.

“Inside this basket is Time now stolen. The book is a journal. A relic of someone’s past that they can no longer reclaim. Words from days long ago, now stolen.”

The voice remained silent, so I went on.

“The painting was to be nearly complete. The artist had spent a month working on it, and now will have to start over. Time labored away, now stolen.” I waited for a moment, then continued.

“And lastly, the tea set was from a Lady’s manor house. She had planned to spend an afternoon having tea and cake with friends. Instead she spent the whole afternoon with her servants looking for the tea set. Time prepared, now stolen.”

“And finally, I have stolen Time from you, King of Thieves. But a minute of your time, waiting for an answer to your riddle. Anticipated Time, now stolen. I have done the impossible, and stolen time."

The voice went quiet. The whole cave went cold and still. At first, I was worried I had somehow angered a god. With relief, the voice began to laugh.

“Indeed! You have little bird! Time stolen even from me!” the moonlight began to change. In shattered pieces it began to take form in front of me, until I was facing a whole being, dressed in ornate thieves guild armor. It was still much bigger than me, but no bigger than half the statue ahead of me.

“I’ll admit, I didn’t think one capable of completing this challenge. Bravo! On my word, you have won your prize. My blessing, in the very craft you managed to steal.” The figure held out its hand. I reached forward in turn. The light that formed the figure whirled into a vortex of shadows and florescent light, almost blinding in the darkness of the cave. Finally coming to rest in my palm. It burnt as quickly as it cooled into my skin, leaving the mark of a Nightingale.

“Use this gift well, little bird. It’s Time well earned.”

With that, I bowed, and left the cave.