Rabbet’s life began in the cobbled streets of Alchester, where he was born to a poor family struggling to make ends meet. As a child, he experienced the harsh realities of poverty firsthand, watching as his parents toiled relentlessly just to put food on the table. When he was barely ten, a devastating fire ravaged their home, leaving them homeless and forced to fend for themselves in the unforgiving city. Orphaned shortly after that, Rabbet was thrust into a life of survival, forced to navigate the treacherous underbelly of Alchester on his own.
For years, Rabbet became a master of scrounging and thievery, developing skills that allowed him to thrive within the criminal networks of the city. He quickly learned the ins and outs of the streets, befriending other misfits and outcasts who showed him the ropes of living in a world where honesty rarely yielded a reward. His agility and cunning made him a proficient thief, and he adopted the title of “Rabbet,” drawing on the speed and elusiveness of the creature he identified with (the misspelling is somewhat intentional since he thinks “rabbit” is spelled with an ‘e’). Over time, Rabbet carved out a makeshift niche as a fence, discreetly trading stolen goods for a modest profit while operating in the shadows.
Despite his life of crime, Rabbet always maintained a moral code, one that firmly rejected the idea of murder. He believed that causing unnecessary death was detrimental to his business and would only further tarnish his already dubious reputation. Instead, he focused on more minor infractions—petty thefts and cons—that allowed him to get by without drawing too much attention from the authorities. However, the law has never been far behind him. Rabbet has faced arrest more times than he can count, often for minor offenses that could easily be resolved with a few silver coins or a promise to stay out of trouble, which he rarely honored.
He turned to run, which was exactly when I grabbed him and shoved him hard against the wall. “Not so fast. You can save both of us a lot of time by dropping the act, Rabbet. I know it’s you.”
“I don’t know no . . . . Aw, hell.” Realizing there was no way out for him, Rabbet straightened his back and righted his twisted leg. Unfortunately, he couldn’t so easily shed the stink hanging heavily about him. He drew his hood back, revealing a sparse beard and features so ugly I doubt even his mother loved him. “What gave it away?”
“I know your act. It’s not a very good one.”
- THE ASSASSIN’S CUNNING
Over the years, Rabbet formed an unlikely connection with Inspector William Wright, the youngest inspector in Alchester. Recognizing a certain resilience in Rabbet and seeing him as a potentially redeemable soul, Inspector Wright offered him a chance to take the straight and narrow path instead of the crooked one. He would often turn a blind eye to Rabbet’s more minor transgressions, understanding that the beggar’s heart, though twisted by circumstance, still contained flickers of decency. This relationship is built on mutual respect forged by their shared struggles with the harsh realities of Alchester’s streets.
Though Rabbet often finds himself on the fringes of society, he possesses a certain charm and wit that allows him to easily navigate the city’s dark alleys. He remains a resourceful survivor, always willing to do anything for a fee, from running errands to gathering information, as long as it doesn’t involve crossing the line into violence. Rabbet carries the weight of his past and the hardships that have made him who he is, yet underneath his gruff exterior lies a sliver of hope. He longs for a better life that may one day lead him out of Alchester’s underbelly and back toward the light. Until then, he will continue to adapt and survive, carving out a place for himself in a world that has never been kind to him.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Rabbet first appears in The Assassin's Cunning (Assassin Without a Name Book Two).
