The Garnet Dagger

by Andrea R. Cooper

  With a nod, she spun away. Almost like a lady, even though draped in a damp towel.

  The boy scampered down the hall with our clothes in his arms. I shut the door, sliding the bolt.

  Heard the hiss of the candles as she blew them out. My mind jealous of the flames. To find her way in the darkness, she left one candle burning. The flame cast dancing shadows through the room.

  Her feet leapt onto the straw mattress. Curling under blankets, she tossed her damp towel at my feet. “Thank the innkeeper when he comes, and let them take back the washtub.”

  I nearly bowed at her words, but stopped and snatched up the towel. Another knock on the door almost made me lose my own towel girded around my waist. At my fumbling to right the blasted garment, I heard her giggle.

  Grumbling, I marched to the door. After wrestling with the handle, I unlocked the bolt and threw open the door.

  The innkeeper and two servants started as the door slammed against the wall in my haste. With a mumbled apology, I stepped aside.

  With a bow, the two servants rushed forward and picked up the wash barrel full of water. Careful steps did not spill a drop of water in our room. I watched them round the corner in the hallway sloshing water against the stone floor and walls as they left.

  I thrust Celeste’s discarded towel toward the innkeeper. “Sh — my lady thanks you.”

  His smile split open and revealed green stained teeth. Refusing to allow any questions, I bid him goodnight and shut the door.

  Once again, I slid the bolt into place.

  Celeste had my coin pouch opened and was counting out the coins. The blanket tucked over her chest.

  “Most never see this much, even after a month of toiling.” She fingered the coins. “What’s this one? Is this from your land?”

  I peered at the one in her hand. It was the engraved metal of the woman with a fishtail.

  “It’s a medallion. One of the villagers on my travels gave me it to me in order to find his son. You haven’t seen one like it, have you?”

  “No.”

  “His son has one identical.” I ran one hand through my damp hair, and reached back to my covering, which had slipped. None of the people I spoke with in the villages had seen a medallion like that one. Although in three villages, I was ambushed by robbers after showing people the medallion. They ran away empty-handed after I and my sword finished with them. It was too dangerous to use hand fighting for my curse could kill them, where my sword would not unless I willed it.

  “And his son is where?”

  “Don’t know. He went off on a quest to slay a dragon that killed his mother and most of their village.”

  “Dragons?” she cocked her eyebrow.

  “Don’t believe it myself. But I saw the damage from the fire.”

  “You don’t think they exist?”

  “Nay. Even among my kind they are considered imaginary.” I watched her as she placed the coins and the medallion back in my coin pouch with her good hand.

  Her other hand still bandaged in the splint I made for her. By her reaction, I guess she had not seen the medallion before.

  “Well.” She placed the pouch beside my boots.

  And I nearly saw her breast again. Then she tucked the blanket up higher. The coins rattled when they hit the floor.

  “Seems as if many don’t believe in Elves either.”

  I smiled at her jest, despite my resolve against her.

  After straightening the blanket more, she snuggled down into the straw mattress. Her hair’s golden spikes pressed into the pillow. The wig of my hair laid over the edge of the bedpost. “It’s too warm in here, let the fire die down on its own.”

  The fire was already glowing ashes. Crossing the room, I watched the candle wax melt a path down the iron holder. Was like waiting for life to start again. Here, I’d wait until morning woke her.

  Perhaps after she fell asleep, I’d search the room again for the dagger. Leave before first light.

  “Even if you don’t need sleep, I do,” she said and her eyes slanted at the edges like a sleeping cat. “Can’t sleep with you standing there like that.”

  I took a step, but her words stop me.

  “Don’t go. Just douse the flame and lay beside me.” Her words slurred on the edge of sleep.

  Never had I been so close to a human. A naked one at least. I blew out the flame and for a moment watched the smoke swirl and curl. With care, I eased onto the mattress.

  On my side, away from the heat of her, I laid. Fought inside my mind of taking her into my arms while she slept.

  With every sigh and flop of her body, visions of her nakedness tantalized me. Even though my body did not need sleep, she’d still drain my energies this night.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Light crept in through the cracks along the walls. I blinked and realized I somehow dozed during the night.

  Celeste’s hair tickled my nose. I breathed in her scent, woodchips and lye from the bath the night before and a faint, sweet smell like lavender mingled with the scent of pine from her makeshift wig.

  My hand reached out to shake her awake, but hovered above her arm. The air between us prickled.

  Hunger for her essence pulsed against my skull, drowned out even the call of the rooster outside.

  But I forced my hand back with a clenched fist. Adjusted my cloth towel, I eased out of bed. Stuck without my clothes, I gazed at her in sleep.

  Lips parted as if to whisper secrets to a lover. Mocking me, the blanket shifted down exposing half of one breast.

  With a swallow I eased her cover higher. Smells from the kitchen below wafted into the room: porridge, bacon, and bread.

  Taking advantage of the time, I searched the room for the garnet dagger. As soon as the blade was in my hand, and I had my clothes, I’d leave her.

  Better I traveled alone. Especially for Celeste’s sake, for if she lingered too long with me, my curse would kill her. I could not bear her death or any more innocents upon my soul.

  Searched every crack of the room, but found nothing but a spider’s web and greenish muck in another corner.

  I crossed the room. Again my eyes drifted to her figure on the bed. She must have hid the blade in the straw as she did before.

  A knock redirected my steps.

  Still, she did not stir. Reaching up with my fingers, I combed down my hair hoping my ears were covered and my towel across my groin would hold.

  Opening the door, the servant boy from last night stood with crusted spots of food on his tunic. Each hand held a bowl of porridge and strips of bacon with two pieces of honey-spread toast wedged on the sides.

  Balancing the meals in my hands, and using my elbow to keep my covering in place, I then bid the servant thanks. At his departure, I kicked the door closed.

  Steam rolled in waves off the lumpy porridge. As if calling to her, Celeste bolted upright. Clutching the thin blanket to her, her eyes widened.

  After she tucked the blanket around her, her arms flew up to accept my offering.

  I watched as she gobbled up the first meal and traded the empty bowl for the full one. Never did I remember longing for food as she did. No matter the quality, she ate as if this may be first and last meal she’d ever eat.

  My history of picking apart my mother’s dinners brought shame to my heart. Now I’d give anything for the chance to enjoy her cooking instead of waiting for another victim to drain their kajh as my sustenance.

  A slurping sound halted my self-pity.

  She licked the honey from her fingers. “Our clothes will be dry soon. Wind brings the heat of the sun through them.”

  Felt the heat of my skin flush at the reminder of just a worn cloth covered half my body. She’d seen more of me than Liana. Only married couples saw each other naked.

  “As soon as we’ve dressed, we must leave.”

  “Speaking of such, where’s my dagger?” I asked and stared at the corners of her mouth as they curved down. “Best if we travel our separa
te courses.” At least she knew my intentions now and would give up this charade of the dagger belonging to her.

  “Do you know the customs of humans?” she asked. “When one lies, or speaks truth?” At my shaking head she continued, “If not for me, you’d still be tied up in the tower.”

  “If not for me, your bones would be splintered to pieces at the base of the tree.” I snapped back. That should quiet her. It would have many others back home, including Liana.

  “You’ll get the dagger back, when I’m done with it and you.”

  Frustrated, I snatched the empty bowl from her lap. My fingers brushed across a hole worn in the blanket, her skin shocking mine like static.

  Stumbled backward, I juggled with the bowl and my cover cloth.

  Celeste replaced her wig. Underneath my hair, her blond hair curled out like ruffled feathers. She tucked back the golden strands.

  The door flew open almost making me drop everything and dive for my sword. A girl no taller than my hip rushed forward, a basket in her arms. With a giggle at me, she rushed to Celeste’s side.

  “For you. Until your trunks come,” she hesitated as if to remember, “thanks for your coin.”

  Celeste dipped her head in a bow, accepting the basket and the child’s curtsey.

  Removing the empty bowls, she skipped out of the room. “Perhaps my lady wishes for a switch to beat her lazy servant?” She frowned at me then closed the door behind her.

  At my sigh, Celeste broke into laughter. Her laugh eased the tension of the room and I joined in.

  She rummaged through the bag, and then tossed a hazel twig to me. “Scrub your teeth with this.”

  Against my principles, I did as she bid. No use to argue or alert her to which Elvin kind I was. I whispered an apology for the spirit of the tree who gave this twig. Anger clouded my mind at the thought of these humans who hacked at the limbs of harmless trees.

  To my left, I heard her toss her own twig back into the basket and rummage through the contents. She removed an elderberry gown and white head covering. Then a pair of yellowed trousers and a tunic.

  After tossing me the latter two, she drew her blanket down.

  I spun around, and then thrust on my borrowed clothes, not turning around until I was dressed and she spoke.

  “Now we may gather supplies and make ready to leave.” Her head covering still allowed my black hair to poke out along the bottom, but traveling through these streets was better to conceal her appearance than not.

  Standing up, my trousers reached my shins. The tunic hung to my knees. But anything was better than traipsing in a cloth the rest of the day. I’d seen some beggars dressed finer than I.

  Better I went along with her plan until I recovered the dagger. Pulled on my boots and replaced the coin pouch along the side. My leather boots helped disguise the length of the trousers. Rather than leave it, I strapped my sword to my waist.

  Striding to the door, I opened it and passed through the frame. Closed the door behind me and dashed down stairs.

  Kitchen clanked from metal and iron pots. After a smile at the innkeeper I left the building.

  Outside, a breeze carried the cold through me like ice blades. Wished I had my cloak.

  Children trudged through the crowd and I wondered if one of these girls could be the witch.

  Damn the woman for taking my dagger. Perhaps I’d persuade her to return it. Promise her safe passage to the next town. If she were a man I’d have strangled her by now. What if she knew more magic than she admitted to me? Used a spell to hide the dagger from me? Even though she was not the witch of the prophecy, that didn’t mean she didn’t have abilities.

  Kicking aside a pebble, I turned the corner to the baker’s shop. As soon as I saw her back at the inn, I’d confront her.

  Inside the bakery, scents of sweet rolls and hot cross buns warmed the air. I purchased flatbread, and three winter apples, but my coins dwindled to just a two coppers now.

  We would not afford another room unless Celeste wagered free room and food. Leaving the bakery, I stepped around a pile of horse manure. My eyes to the dirt path, I stumbled into the back of a man wider than two.

  “Watch yourself, peasant.”

  His scowl burned my face in anger. But it would not bode well to start a fight now. Sometimes it was best to avoid a fight than not.

  The food tumbled across the dirt. I snatched up the bread and fruit and tied the items into a pouch using the edge of my tunic.

  A crowd gathered around the strange man. One woman dressed in velvet pushed me back and my boots squished into the pile of manure.

  I dragged my feet to rid the dung from my boots. Whispered under my breath to remind myself that I didn’t need trouble. Yet trouble always seemed attracted to me.

  I saw the man shake his cloak as if my bump crinkled his garment. Addressing the crowd around him, his words stilled my steps. “Anyone who harbors the witch and her demon will suffer their fate,” he shouted as his fist pounded against his hand, marking each word.

  Gasps and his words brought my hands into fists.

  “Her demon kills with hellfire from his mouth. Father Morgan and I alone know how to rid the land of this pestilence.”

  Spun on my heel and walked away. Every warrior knows the best battles are the ones not fought. I just needed to get back to Celeste and drag her out of here, demand she give me the dagger and be on my way. Behind me a child shouted.

  When I glanced up, the boy pointed at me. “There’s an outsider. Perhaps he’s the demon.”

  I met the stare of the large man. He glanced up and down at me with his eyes half closed. With a swish of his cloak, he took strides toward me. His boots smacked the rocks into the ground with each step.

  Easily I could drain the essence from this man. But the crowd of men and boys pressed behind him. I could not fight them all.

  I stepped back.

  To my right, a man with gray hair snatched my arm. “Got ‘im.”

  The pain of my curse throbbed. Noticed the hairs on his arm stood straight up. Nay, not now.

  My power surged through me and into the man. Sucking the life from him, even his marrow, it seemed. His eyes widened to the point I thought they’d explode out of their sockets.

  The arm held me twisted to release me, but the power would not end until the sickening dark part of me devoured everything. Knew his fears, hopes. Knew he cheated with cards, and owed his neighbor a goat for the one he stole.

  As his life essence flooded into me, I too was powerless. Unable to break the bond between us until the man fell dead at my feet.

  Screams vibrated through the crowd with yells, “Seize him!”

  But the dead man beside me brought pause to the villagers. They hung back, but the cloaked man did not waiver in his stride toward me.

  Unconcerned for who watched, I fled. Heard their indrawn breaths as my steps flew across the ground and away from them at high speed.

  Soon, the patter of their footsteps ceased in my ears. I didn’t head straight to the inn, in case they followed. Through back streets, I flew. Buildings blurred in my passing.

  Doubling back, I arrived at the inn, I paused behind the building. And I snooped around the side watching for the rabble.

  Men walked with staffs and clubs down the street. Slap of the wood echoed as they struck them against their palms. They stopped people on their way to the inn, asking if they’d seen me.

  The men swarmed over the streets. Five blocked the door to the inn. At the cloaked man’s instructions, I saw two men march to the corner, straight to my hiding place.

  If I had the dagger then I could leave. Let destiny have the girl whose smile would not leave me.

  Even though I was the Bringer of Death, I had no wish to add unnecessary deaths of these villagers to my already growing toll. It would be better for these here and Celeste if I were gone.

  Feet from me I heard a boot scrape across the dirt. Any moment, they’d spot me. Gone was the hope of my
parents’ deliverance. Perhaps if I could reach both of them, before either had a chance to call out.

  But their shadows cast upon the ground revealed they walked one behind the other.

  I’d reach one of them. The other left to sound the alarm. I unsheathed my sword and crept forward to the closer enemy. I saw his elongated shadow. As he turned the corner, I gave him no chance to make a sound, but as soon as he passed, my sword ran him through his kidney. He stood motionless unable to move or speak. Without waiting for him to fall, I leapt away and ran toward the other man. He saw me and yelled out for the others. I’d rather not fight the entire town.

  Using my speed, I ran for him, but he knocked my sword strike back a moment before it sliced his throat.

  “He’s here.” The man shouted and I dodged his club.

  Sweat coated his blond hair as we fought. He was good for a human. But I tired of this. I heard men’s boots running closer.

  I feigned a swipe to his leg, which he lowered his guard to counter. Without hesitating, I brought my sword up and smacked him on the temple. He crumpled to the ground. Besides a headache that would last the day, he’d live.

  I swung in the air and groped for the edge of the roof. One hand grabbed onto the overhang, and I eased over the side.

  Lying flat against a wood beam to support my weight, I waited. Celeste’s flatbread and apples were pressed to my side within the tunic.

  Fibers from the thick straw poked at my body, even my nose. Moments later, voices from the men circled below me.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Merciless, the sun laughed at me as I lay on the thatched roof. High overhead it marked the noon time. Surely, Celeste wondered about my whereabouts.

  But I waited for the mob set on killing me to move further away from the inn. I could still hear them tramping around in and outside the building.

  What if Celeste took the dagger and ran? Nay, I saw the conviction in her face when I suggested we part ways.

  Men rustled through the inn. Outside they’d already carried away the dead and unconscious men. The whole town of men and boys crawled underneath me. I heard them in the chamber below me as they searched. More outside pacing around the inn trying to find my trail.