The Valley of Ten Crescents Series by Tristan J. Tarwater

**5,000 Word Short Story**Tavera is a child passed from hand to hand as a source of cheap labor in the underworld of the Valley. When she finds herself at the mercy of the vicious sausage maker, the elderly Madame Greswin, she discovers secrets from the woman's past and the consequences leave Tavera fighting for her life."Little Girl Lost" is a short story and prequel to "Thieves at Heart", the first novel in the series "The Valley of Ten Crescents".**5,000 Word Short Story**

HEROES ARE BORN. THIEVES ARE TRAINED. SHE'S NO HERO As an orphaned half-elf in a city of humans Tavera lives in a world where she doesn't belong - until a cunning thief named Derk catches her trying to steal from him and takes her on as his apprentice. Thievery comes easy to Tavera but Derk soon becomes more than a mentor - he is the first family she's ever known - and the lessons of a father are much more difficult to learn... moreHEROES ARE BORN. THIEVES ARE TRAINED. SHE'S NO HERO As an orphaned half-elf in a city of humans Tavera lives in a world where she doesn't belong - until a cunning thief named Derk catches her trying to steal from him and takes her on as his apprentice. Thievery comes easy to Tavera but Derk soon becomes more than a mentor - he is the first family she's ever known - and the lessons of a father are much more difficult to learn. When Tavera discovers that Derk belongs to a secret society of elite thieves she is determined to join their ranks, but first she must prove her skills and gain their trust, and not everyone is ready to accept the young outsider. Can the group of thieves be trusted, what kind of life awaits, and what is the true cost of being one of the thieves at heart? less

Dershik Cartaskin is the heir to the Cartaskin Barony, a distinguished and ambitious household in the Valley of Ten Crescents. When his father sets his sights higher than the Sword and the Seat, Dershik refuses to take on a legacy of unquestioned power, abandoning those he loves for their benefit and his personal desires. Taking on the name ‘Derk’ and a life of thievery, he strives to transform his world... moreDershik Cartaskin is the heir to the Cartaskin Barony, a distinguished and ambitious household in the Valley of Ten Crescents. When his father sets his sights higher than the Sword and the Seat, Dershik refuses to take on a legacy of unquestioned power, abandoning those he loves for their benefit and his personal desires. Taking on the name ‘Derk’ and a life of thievery, he strives to transform his world. The Holy Church, a cunning streetswoman, a peculiar guide, a beautiful priestess and a secret organization; Derk must face them all and forge his own legacy within the Valley of Ten Crescents. less

Tavera has been wandering aimlessly since an unknown traitor in the elite thieves guild known as the "Cup of Cream" betrayed her father Derk -- until she crosses paths with Tender, a loyal but naive servant to the Church, entrusted to rescue a kidnapped priestess from the violent cult of the Red Moon Rising.