Dear Library Caretaker,

When I perused the submissions of Private Sten I blanched at the thought of such "works" being considered in anyway masterful. But once I remembered that comedy, parody, and satire are as much a form of the literary arts I had to admit they certainly do hold some merit. The thought that your comments regarding Sten's works were possibly sarcastic also gave me some hope for Sanctuary's literary culture.

My own submission is a tale from Waterdeep surrounding both real events and characters which I have witnessed first hand during my time in the City of Splendors. I do hope you enjoy.

Best regards, Senestia Avarscanti

Evert Quinn: Treasure Thief

When the sun sets and the moon rises, quick feet take quicker steps along the streets of Waterdeep. These dark boots that touch the paved roads belong to Evert Quinn: talented burglar of the night, terror of treasure keepers. Evert is an ambitious man who seeks success in his ambitious mission. His hands touched numerous treasures throughout Waterdeep, and his pockets were filled with them.

He did not steal for the love of treasure, however, but for the love of Vaness Marth, a young noble lady. Every wondrous treasure that went missing in the dark of night eventually arrives in the hands of a bewildered, confused Vaness accompanied with a simple note:

“With Love --Evert Quinn”

Evert’s love, however, was refused. Vaness, though flattered, was simply uninterested in this dashing rogue. Each gift she receives she refused and returns to the rightful owner. But Evert would not accept defeat and so every night he went on the prowl, hunting treasures and wealth in a bid to win something an infinite amount of coins could not buy.

On one fateful night, the cunning outlaw had on his mind the Ruby Heart, a magnificent gem held at the Sunite Temple of Beauty. With skill and cunning Evert gains entrance. With stealth he avoids the guards. And within a few mere minutes, he is back on the streets of Waterdeep, a small rose coloured gem in his breast pocket.

Tired of his shadowy courtship, however, Evert would not be satisfied with another silent rejection. The Ruby Heart would not be delivered to Vaness in an obscure package, but with his very own hands. This time, the words “With Love --Evert Quinn” would not be written on paper, but uttered by his own lips.

Just as with the Temple of Beauty, Evert had no trouble gaining entrance into Vaness’s estate. In her bedchamber, illuminated by candle light, Evert Quinn emerged from the shadows, holding out the Ruby Heart to Vaness. Surprised at first, the noble lady merely shakes her head silently after realizing the identity of the trespasser.

This was too much for the thief.

“Why?!” He demanded out loud. “Why do you refuse me?! Do you not see that my love for you is so great that I would give you anything that you could possibly ask for? The finest painting! The most beautiful sculpture! The most valuable gem in the world!”

After a long silence, Vaness finally responds, her answer filled with knowing wisdom. “Because of all the things in the world, the love and heart of a woman is not to be stolen.”

Filled with both sudden realization and shock, Evert did not put up a fight when the guards appeared to shackle his wrists. What lead to his defeat, his instantaneous downfall? Three things.

First, that beauty of treasure and people alike is to be shared. To transgress against this truth is to invite the wrath of Sune for Lady Firehair would not allow the violation of any beauty to go unpunished.

Second, love is to be given, received, and returned--but never forced. And the final third, when love is unrequited--which will unfortunately happen to many, the mere experience of passion is a worthy goal in of itself, it is something to be reveled in when love is impossible.

And so, one of the greatest burglars of Waterdeep, the terror of treasure keepers, encountered his end and experienced his downfall because of the words of a young but sageful lady.