The Garnet Dagger Read online

  So as not to arouse panic, I eased the blade from my boot. Not looking around me I aimed for the flask.

  As I planned, the blade skirted off the top making a clanking sound. Shaking my head I bent over and picked up the dagger.

  Again, I tossed the blade. This time I missed the flask. The dagger clattered on the cobblestones to my right.

  Curious children watched me. Out of the corner of my vision, I saw them. Grimed with dirt and filth, boys and girls scooted closer. Dread tightened knots in my stomach. These were children. Did prophecy expect me to murder a child? I pushed the thought away; it was not a child, but a witch I looked for.

  Four more flings of the dagger and all of the children crowded around me.

  “Whatcha doing?” a freckled face boy asked.

  “Trying to throw the dagger into the flask.”

  “Why?” the boy asked.

  Glancing down at him, I saw his brown eyes were close set giving the appearance of being crossed.

  “To see if I can.” Once more I tossed the dagger. “Missed. Perhaps you’d care to try?”

  Spotted blackened fingers snatched the blade from the ground. Fear of theft tickled the back of my mind, but I could out run any human.

  Taking care, he aimed and flung the blade. The flask was knocked over.

  “Try again.” I suggested righting the flask and replacing the two silver coins.

  “What’s the coins for?” a girl asked between coughs.

  “The winner, but,” looking around me, I counted fifteen boys of various ages and four girls, “to make this fair, only girls may win the money. For this is far too easy for a boy to win.”

  “Not fair,” an older boy said from the back.

  “Well,” my finger tapped my lips, “if no girl makes the flask, and at least one of you boys does, then I’ll give each the boys one tronce. Fair?”

  The children spoke among themselves, then rushed forward.

  “All right, make sure every girl under the age of sixteen plays. None who have babies.” At these words a few of the boys ran off and I hoped they did so to bring more. “Each will be given two turns.”

  Smiling, the four girls present lined up. I placed the dagger in the first girl’s hand. The garnet did not change.

  She threw the blade and I was glad I chose the side of a building. Otherwise, her throw may have maimed someone.

  Again she tried, but missed the flask. The other two girls had no better luck.

  When the fourth girl took the blade, I stared unblinking so as not to miss the sign of the witch. The dagger was silent.

  Five more girls rushed forward with the boys who had left earlier.

  “Is this all? All the girls in your village?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Witch trials or diseases must have almost eradicated the population of girls in this village. A count of their buildings estimated they should have at least forty girls between the requested ages.

  One made the dagger into the flask, but almost knocked it over. The others gasped.

  Holding up my hand, I declared the winner. But two more girls hadn’t touched the blade. They frowned disappointed.

  “But, we may have more than one winner.” Removing the dagger from the flask, I handed it to the next girl in line. “For each girl who wins, I’ll pay her two silver coins.”

  Both girls took their turns. None made the garnet change. I paid the two silver coins to the winner. Gathering the flask and blade I trudged through the crowd back to the inn.

  The children pressed me for more games and money. Finally they turned away at my refusal.

  “Fair game was played and won. Congratulate the winner, for luck may never shine on you if you grudge another’s good fortune.” They seemed to agree with this and left me in peace.

  I watched them wander off into the sunset. The sun dipped down coloring the sky orange.

  Inside the inn, men chortled. Their flasks brimmed with liquor. Cheeks were rosy as they gulped down the liquid, and banged the flasks down for more.

  Not wanting an audience or stares, I bowed my head. Some of the laughter stopped as the men watched me. Smiled and nodded my head. A few scowled. Some turned away. I didn’t wait to see what they’d do or say, but bound up the stairs. It was time to leave this place.

  After reaching my rented chambers, I shut the door behind me.

  I wasted money and time in this village. But I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. My game would bring the children of each town to me.

  Now was just a matter of time before I found the right one.

  The witch the dagger would show. Just hoped I found her before my money and time disappeared.

  Chapter Six

  I gathered my bow and quiver. Adjusting them over my shoulder, I then donned my cloak. The dagger snug in my boot, the coin pouch in the other, and my sword strapped to my side. The metal flask cleaned and hidden inside my pack.

  At dusk, I left the inn and village. But I waited until the night shrouded the land in her blankets before my Elvin feet tore through the countryside. To humans, my movements and speed would appear demonic. For I nearly flew across the ground, could outrun the fastest human with ease.

  My soundless steps soared across the fallen leaves. I caught a movement and stopped. A startled deer dashed through the woods.

  For three breaths I waited. Waited, listening, but just the forest answered me.

  I ran. If someone did follow, they’d lose their way and me in the darkness. I didn’t fear humans. But enough of them might overpower me for a time and I’d rather not bother with delays.

  Miles rushed by and I did not tire. My mind raced with my steps. Where did this witch live? Hundreds of towns were stretched over this land. What if she were in a distant land? Or across one of the seas?

  I shook my head dismissing the idea. The witch must be in our lands, for we received the prophecy. Prophecy must be reasonable. Even with my speed, I’d never find a girl from a far away country with so little time.

  My nerves settled, I decided to move north. I’d crisscross through the country.

  Owls hooted as I rushed underneath them. Seconds later the woods thinned out. I saw the huddled homes in the distance. Stopping, I peered into the night and watched.

  • • •

  Sun rose unhurried, as though to mock me. Time wasted while I waited for these humans to wake. Snatching up my pack, I strolled around the edge of the town to a lake. Even though mankind seemed to never bathe, I couldn’t stand the notion of joining them in their sickened scents.

  At the lake, I scouted the area to ensure no one was around. Swiftly, I removed my weapons and clothing and dove in. The water lapped at my skin with cool kisses. Using sand, I scrubbed clean. Better than nothing, I thought. I’d need to buy soap in this village.

  Before anyone surprised me, I dashed from the water. Used my cloak to dry off. Then I dug through my pack for clothes. I put on clean trousers and tunic. Years ago I found these simple wool garments set out for a wash. I left a piece of gold in their place.

  I ran my hand through my hair and water dripped down my back, sticking my tunic to me. Stomping on my boots, I replaced the dagger in one boot and the coin pouch in the other. Voices streamed from the village as I gathered the rest of my belongings and headed to the center of the noise.

  Men and women yelled at each other from across the street. Children chased one another. Finding a nearby inn, I pushed open the door.

  Yellow eyes peered back at me. The innkeeper swept at a dirt floor.

  “Money first.” He held out one hand the other still swept.

  “How much for a night? And a washing?”

  He glared back at me and I noticed his eyes were a dull brown, but the whites were yellowed.

  “For my clothes. Wash for my clothes.”

  “Four tronce.”

  I placed the coins in his yellowed palm.

  “Round the corner, up the stairs, last room on the floor. Leave the
clothes outside the door.”

  Without hesitation, I inched past him and followed his directions.

  Inside my room, the stench of urine, vomit, and mildew assaulted me. I ran to the window. Straining, the frame gave way letting in the autumn breeze.

  My head stayed poked outside the window until my stomach no longer lurched.

  Strange, but the apples and flatbread Nivel packed did not appeal to me. By now, I should’ve eaten half the food in my pack.

  A dull ache whispered to me that something was lacking. With a shrug, I folded my dirty tunic, trousers, and cloak, setting them outside the door.

  An old woman scuttled down the hall and snatched up my dirty clothes.

  Closed the door, I rubbed my arms inside my room. The breeze carried the hint of winter’s chill.

  A straw mattress with spotted sheets lay in the corner of the room. I shuddered, but was grateful I didn’t yet require sleep.

  Hadn’t slept since the day I met the vampyre in the woods.

  Squeezing between the wall and the mattress, I gazed out the window again. When my clothes were returned, I’d work my game with the children in this town.

  If none changed the gem, I’d leave at dusk for the next town. Rather than draw suspicions, I used the cover of the room to wait for my laundry. Part of me wanted to take advantage of my new freedom among mankind. The beings that had so fascinated me my entire life.

  Now, I searched for one to kill. One who would bring redemption to my people, to my soul. Again the wind breezed through me and I clenched my teeth.

  Prophecy never was easy. For I’d forfeit my life to save my family, my people. But prophecy knew my love for humans. And my desire to keep any from harm.

  My fist struck the wood beside the window.

  Damn the ancients and their prophecies. I swear I almost heard their laughter on the wind.

  • • •

  Noon came and went while I waited for my clothes. Knew the faces of all the children, counted eleven girls I thought were the right age as they passed beneath the window.

  Hours later someone rapped on my door. Opening the door a crack, my other hand rested on my sword hilt.

  The old woman stood holding my cloak and clothes in her arms. I reached for the clothes. But she pushed passed me into the room.

  “I already paid the innkeeper for the cleaning.”

  “Material be such as I never seen in years.” Her knobbed hands stroked my silk tunic.

  “Paid good money for them, from the east.”

  “Says you’s from the west.” She shook her head. “From the trees.”

  “My clothes, if you please.” I stepped forward. “Where I am from is no matter.”

  “Tell,” she sniffed and handed over my clothes as if they were spun from gold, “tell the Ancients, my Nivel, I miss him.”

  At her departure, my mouth hung open. Stuffing the cleaned clothes back into my pack, I rushed from the room.

  Time would not delay me here. If she spoke to any, my body would dangle from the rafters. If they caught me.

  Outside, my breath still came in short pants.

  As before, I set up the flask with two silver coins.

  No girls in this town made the blade into the flask, nor the boys. And none of them turned the garnet gem.

  Chapter Seven

  In the woods I pondered my fate. What if I gave up this quest? Took my own life.

  The memory of Liana tortured me. She was innocent and didn’t deserve to die. Even though these humans did not look like us exactly, I still held my breath at every lass with honey colored hair like hers.

  But when each turned around, my breath sighed in relief for they were not her.

  Did Liana forgive me? Or did she gleefully wait until I joined her?

  Snow crunched underneath my feet as I walked. Smelled the smoke of hearths in the distance.

  I wondered if Liana watched me from one of the stars twinkling overhead.

  Wind bristled against me, I clutched my cloak tighter.

  My mind tired of the passing hours while I plagued myself with riddles of what if. What if I had stayed at home that day the vampyre changed me? What if I had enlisted help from Nivel and my parents as soon as the vampyre had bitten me?

  Would I have still been banished if Liana lived?

  Aye, I was the Vaer. No matter. I could not escape fate which guffawed at me now.

  On the edge of the next village, I leaned against a crooked pine tree. The top of its trunk bent over, as if the spirit of the tree thought to take a seat.

  After not finding the witch in the first few villages, all began to look the same with their taverns, beggars, and filth. I didn’t even care what the name of this one was ahead over the next hill.

  Rather than spend Nivel’s money on an inn I didn’t need, I set my pack behind my head against the trunk of the pine tree.

  Even though I did not need sleep, I closed my eyes.

  These before me were just settling down for the night. It would be dawn before they awoke.

  In a few hours, I’d find a stream to bathe in. Hopefully I’d find some soapstone as well. In fleeing the last village as soon as I was done, I didn’t take the time to buy soap.

  My thoughts drifted back to Liana and I whispered a prayer to the gods that she forgave me for killing her.

  Now I needed one more murder to erase this taint upon me. This mounting hunger that even now ached to feed.

  After I spilled the witch’s blood, perhaps I could drain her kajh — her life essence. Liana’s kept me content for weeks. Would the witch’s be the same?

  Part of me would miss this new power, but the other side of me feared who I’d kill next.

  • • •

  Don’t know how long I lingered in the dark, thinking of everything when the sun winked through the trees, bringing me back to the present.

  With a curse, I leapt up and snatched my pack. Jogging up the trail, I followed animal tracks through the forest.

  They led to the water where I’d bathe.

  Already, smells from the village of baking bread and porridge filtered through the woods.

  After tracking the animals’ footprints another half mile, I spotted cypress and willow trees hanging down in the distance. A creek of ice-coated water greeted me.

  “Thank you friends.” I patted a cypress tree near me.

  After breaking up some of the ice with my boots, I tossed my clothes and boots onto the shore.

  The water set my teeth chattering. Soapstone would have to wait another day.

  I washed until I could no longer feel my legs and my fingers were blue and shriveled.

  Dashing out of the creek, I squeezed the extra water from my hair. The wet strands hit my back.

  After I dried, I dressed back in my tunic and trousers. Would be good to sit inside an inn and warm up before searching the village for the witch.

  Put on my boots and snatched up my pack.

  Just in case a human hunted in these woods, I did not use my Elvin speed to race through the trees.

  Empty nest abandoned in the trees above me. Wondered where birds flew to escape this long winter.

  Outside of the village, I tugged my cap lower. Looking at the ground, I went straight into the nearest inn.

  The innkeeper, a reed of a man with no hair, gave the illusion of a Rubka, a sack man, who devours children. Even his head appeared larger than his body like them. “Don’t open any rooms till dusk.”

  “Thank you. But I don’t need a room.”

  His eyebrows shot up and I thought they looked like black caterpillars with gray wiry feelers.

  “Just like a cup of Kofrab.”

  With a snort, he poured steaming black liquid into a cup and held out his hand.

  I dug into my boot for the coin pouch. After placing a copper coin in his palm, he handed me the steaming cup.

  The smell was not unpleasant, if the stench of burning pitch doesn’t affect you.

  In
the corner next to a group of tables I noticed a hearth.

  “How much for a fire?”

  “Wood’s out back.” He rubbed his bald head and I had to strain not to stare at the motion. “Flint stone on the mantle. No charge if you start it yourself.”

  I gave him a nod, and left my cup of Kofrab on one of the tables. The heat from the Kofrab would have to wait to warm my hands.

  With his gesture, I pushed open the door to the right of the bar.

  Outside, I grabbed an armful of logs and carried them back inside.

  Set the logs in a stack inside the hearth. Though I kept my face neutral, I whispered a prayer of thanks to the oak who gave its life for my comfort.

  In my experience with humans, they seldom gathered twigs and branches for their fires. Nay, it was hacking down trees with their rusty axes that gave them these large pieces.

  Dusted the debris from my clothes, I then clutched the flint stones.

  If not for the cold coursing through my bones, then I would not add to the desecration of this oak by allowing flames to chew upon its chopped flesh.

  After the fourth strike against the flint stones, a spark fell on the kindling.

  I shifted the wood within the hearth, and the fire sprung to life. Flames danced upon the wood as if scathing my mournful thoughts.

  To my surprise, when I sat on the chair beside the hearth, the innkeeper handed me a new cup of Kofrab.

  “No charge. Your cup was getting cold.”

  I mumbled my thanks, then turned back to the fireplace. In my lands, fire was sometimes necessary for rebirth.

  But none of us enjoyed the way it tore through our forest too often with a mind of its own.

  Once when I was a child, a human dwelling caught fire. With the wind escorting the flames, they soon spread from their woods, through the barrier, and into our land.

  Took all of us the night and into the day to smother the flames.

  I leaned forward in my chair in front of the fireplace. My hair soaked up the heat and began to dry. The steaming cup in my hands, I pretended to drink while my fingers thawed.

  After the innkeeper trudged outside with a barrel, I dumped the liquid from my cup out through a hole in the wall I guessed was supposed to be a window.