Soon I would have to fight them all. Even with my speed, eventually I would be overcome. Make a mistake.
“Every nook of the village must be raked over for them,” the voice boomed. My guess was this was the same cloaked man I stumbled into earlier. “The witch and her demon cannot escape.”
There rose shouts of agreement and the shuffle of boots across the wooden floor.
From my vantage point, I heard the men outside rally the town in search of me and Celeste.
Too many humans milled around the streets for me to leave the roof just yet. I’d wait a few more moments for them to scatter away from the inn.
Everyone knew what I, the demon, looked like now. If I climbed down, they’d set upon me within seconds. Even I could not escape a whole village on horses. And I’d be without the dagger.
The dagger hidden away by Celeste. What if they captured her? How would I recover the dagger? No one below shouted that they found her, yet.
Had Celeste worried about my absence? By now, she heard the commotion and the seekers questioning about us.
I could not wait upon the roof any longer and climbed across the roof until Celeste’s and my room was below me. Kneeling on a cross section, I used my sword, I hacked through the roof. Soon I saw the straw had been chewed in places from rats. I pushed through the roof with straw caving in with me.
Celeste looked up. “Do you want the whole inn to hear you?”
Her voice made my mouth break into a smile. “We must hurry.” I said. “They search for a demon in beggar’s clothes — me. I needed a change of clothes.” I sheathed my sword and removed it.
“Change,” she said and with her unbound hand thrust at me my clean tunic, trousers, and cloak. “They won’t notice you as a gentleman with his lady.” Her bruised fingers, bound with linen, poked from underneath the bandages.
Not waiting, I stripped down and changed. Instead of watching me, she tossed my discarded clothes into the fire after removing the flatbread and apples. The flames danced to life, eating the material.
Dressed, I put on my boots, and then noticed she had my pack stuffed with the food I had bought earlier, and ready next to the door with a waterskin on top. My bow and quiver of arrows were propped up next to the pack.
I donned my weapons and placed the waterskins on the notch of my belt. Then I grabbed the pack, and tugged the hood of my cloak up over my head.
“Follow me.” I crossed the room to the stairs, counting how many men were there waiting, watching.
She spun passed me down the stairs, her elderberry gown and white head covering swishing with her movements. My black hair still poking out from beneath her wimple.
My protests died before reaching my lips. What if the witch were here that I needed to kill? But I could not dally on suspicions. The witch would not matter if I were captured and killed before the prophecy was fulfilled.
Through the door and down the stairs we continued. Voices from the men below drifted up, clanking of tin followed by shouts. Warmth spread from Celeste and covered me.
At the foot of the stairs, the men continued their conversation, not even glancing up when we rushed passed them and out the door.
Outside, clouds skidded across the sky. My cloak whipped with the winter breeze. With a sigh, I walked beside Celeste through the village.
Men with pitchforks and swords roamed the streets. But I kept my head up and nodded to any who stared at me. At least my hood covered my ears and with the winter wind whistling around us, it wasn’t unusual to be bundled up as I was.
We passed the bakery, and I noticed we traveled east, the opposite direction from the group of men ahead.
Just as the trees of the forest poked out behind the buildings, she turned hard to her left. Freedom within feet, why did she abandon her course?
“We must continue into the forest.”
“Not until I’ve a proper mount.”
My mouth hung open. Copper coins could buy food for another day, perhaps two at the most, and she wanted a horse?
Unable to leave her for the fact she still held my dagger, I followed.
Outside a barn, she stopped. “Wait here. If you see anyone getting too close, make for the forest, and we’ll meet you there.”
We? I thought.
With a nod, she marched into the barn.
Through the oak boards, I heard her and a stable boy speak.
“Why isn’t my horse ready?” her voice rose. I imagined she stood before the lad with her hands on her hips and looking down her nose.
“Your horse? My lady?” the boy choked.
“Aye. Your master agreed to my price. Don’t tell me he went back on his word.”
“M-master Gillium?”
“Who else would have such a fine horse for me? Do you doubt his stock?”
“Er — which one?”
I heard her sigh. “The one in the back, in the corner there.”
“But he’s untrained. Last week threw Master Gillium and broke his arm.”
“That’s the one,” she said, smiling, for I heard it in her voice.
“Don’t think to saddle him for you.” There was a pause then he continued, “but we got a broodmare over here. Do well for you.”
“Nay, Master Gillium already agreed.” The hint of lavender mingled with the scent of the hay and horses made me question her motives as well. “Promised me if I rode him without breaking my lovely neck that I could have him.”
“Sounds like Master Gillium.”
“Here are five gold coins.” Where did she get coins? “More than enough for this horse. Now out of my way, so I may see my purchase.”
The horse stamped inside his stall. From the sound of him, I judged him able to kill her. Out of desperation, I took one step toward the barn door, when her voice stopped me.
“My lord will expect me back soon, what with all this talk of witches and demons.”
“They say the demon is over seven feet. Flames to burn you up on the inside.”
“And I’ve heard his touch freezes you on the outside.” Her chuckle brought a grin to my face.
“Here’s the saddle. If he’ll even let you close enough to touch him.”
The horse snorted from their approach. Within moments, her soft voice cooed at the beast.
“There, we understand each other, aye?” The horse didn’t answer. “Ease the saddle over the side.”
I adjusted my bow and leaned against the wall to listen. Damned if she’d get out of the barn alive on the beast.
Moments passed without a sound. I pressed my ear to the barn wall, but only heard scuffling from inside.
Then I heard the snap of leather followed by a pounding of hooves. A black animal galloped around the corner with Celeste perched atop his back. First I worried the creature was a waterhorse, one that took humans for a ride and drown them in lakes and ponds.
“Think you can keep up with us?” she asked patting her mount’s neck.
Doubt sprang into my thoughts. This beast was at least twenty hands high. Instead of voicing my concern, my pride puffed up. “Lead the way and I shall follow.”
The beast snorted as though to argue with me.
“Take this to keep warm.” I removed my cloak and tossed it up to her.
Celeste gave a nod, taking the cloak, then sped away.
Damn my loose tongue. Adjusting the pack on my shoulder, I bit my lip. The beast galloped ahead already increasing the distance between us.
My feet flew across the ground after them. Trees blurred and I pumped my legs faster as if a fire licked upon my trail.
But the gap from me to them still grew. Soon Celeste and her beast were a black speck.
Miles passed and my muscles screamed to stop.
No longer could I see them. Gray clouds swirled overhead whispering of snow. If snow fell, I’d lose their footprints, guiding my way these last hours.
Worse, dusk would come soon. But the beast’s footprints showed no sign of slowing.
Stumbling, I leaned against a maple tree for warmth. Silence called out to me.
Purple clouds faded to orange in snatches of the sky. Snow twirled dancing through the air and covering the ground. With a sigh, I closed my eyes. Just to rest for a moment.
Liana loved the snow.
Chapter Sixteen
Someone shook me, but my eyes were glued shut for, I could not open them. Heard Celeste curse and then a stinging liquid dribbled onto my lips.
Breathing in, the liquid seeped through my chapped lips and into my lungs. Liquid fire coursed through me making my eyes sting.
Flailing my arms I saw snow spread out in a blanket over me. Grabbing up handfuls, I stuffed the snow into my mouth to cool the burn. Through my watery vision I saw Celeste standing out of reach and her beast next to her.
Better she stand away, for after this liquid ceased it’s blistering every cell in my body, I’d slash her.
Itching, burning, my lips ached. My throat and lungs enjoyed the cool air with each breath. Buds on my tongue stood erect, pulsing with the heat.
Her laughter made my head jerk toward her. At my scowl, she smiled. “Capsaicin pepper, could awaken the dead, no?”
Between melting handfuls of snow over my lips I answered her with a glare. “You stuffed peppers in me?”
Opening my cloak, she removed a silver flask.
“Rinse your mouth with this.” At my scowl she pressed forward. “The honey and lemon liquor mixed with milk will cut the sting.”
I accepted the flask, but sniffed the contents before obeying.
Since she spoke truth, I’d pledge my life to her if she’d remove this searing pain. Poured the liquor over my throbbing lips and swished the liquid inside my mouth. The biting heat subsided.
I spit out the liquor on the ground, and doused my mouth again. After the fourth rinse, the heat left me, but my lips and tongue felt swollen. “Blast it woman, you know I can’t eat anything. And you stuffed peppers down me?”
“Nay, only the juice from one,” she bristled, snatching the flask from my hand and pouring the remaining liquid over her non-bandaged hand.
Her gesture made me realize that she was burning from the pepper as well. Instead of voicing her complaint, she had waited for me to finish. “We’ve lost time since you fell behind.”
“Where’d you get the flask or the juice from the pepper?”
“In the town up ahead. Although the pepper I stole along with a honey-cake.”
The sun peeked behind a cloud. Still low, but noon crept closer.
“Mount behind me onto Shadowdancer,” she said.
“Shadowdancer?” I pushed up and limped to the horse. Hours of not moving turned my body to lead.
“You’ll see. He moves among the shadows and darkness as if the moon were the sun.” She mounted. “The next town is a half day’s ride, and the snow hides our tracks from those who follow.”
With a nod I flung my body and landed with a grunt behind her.
“Hold on.”
My arms clasped around her waist as the beast, Shadowdancer, lunged forward. My own hair underneath her head covering tickled my nose. For the thousandth time I wondered what possessed me to allow her to chop off my hair for her disguise.
Putting my weight behind the saddle, I leaned back as we galloped ahead.
We ducked underneath low branches. Shadowdancer raced and breathed as if trotting through a meadow and not a twisted path through this forest.
Scent of lavender mingled with the horseflesh filled my nose. Miles flew by with his strides. Her half-day’s ride would have taken me two days. Bruises formed on my backside with each jolt.
When we neared a stream, Celeste tugged on the reins and I almost toppled over her.
“Thought we’d rest. And Shadowdancer is thirsty,” she said.
I pushed off the beast. She slid down as if easing away from a dancing partner.
On wobbly legs I watched her whisper something in the horse’s ear. I’d never ridden a horse before. What was the reason when Elvin could outrun them … well, run faster than any normal horse. But I was beginning to think this beast Celeste had picked out was a peculiar as she.
She stepped away from the horse, and he leaned down and drank from the water. The stream glistened in the afternoon sun, as if hiding jewels within.
How I longed to drink from this stream. To taste water again. But my mouth tasted bitter at the thought.
The pulsing pain grew stronger. Soon, I must feed again. The sick devouring of someone’s essence — their life. My weakness would increase until then. Until I took another life. Not another innocent, I promised.
I could not control this hunger. It was like a fiend living underneath my skin. Waiting for contact to drink the life from someone. I prayed that someone would not be Celeste.
If my curse couldn’t be cured from the killing of the witch, then I’d run my blade through my stomach.
The thought of redemption from the witch’s blood sustained me. I must obtain the blade from Celeste and then find the witch.
With a grunt, I sat down near the water’s edge. Pulled a blade of grass free and twirled it with my thumb and finger. “I’ll give my bow and quiver in exchange for the garnet dagger.”
She tugged off her head covering with my hair and ran a hand through her own hair. From the ride and her hand, her hair shot out in blond spikes.
Unknotted my pack, she removed one of the winter apples and bit into it, ignoring my request.
Lifting off the bow, I tossed it on the ground before us. “The arrows refill when empty. You’d never be without ammunition.”
Holding the apple in her teeth, she bent down and picked up the bow. She strained to draw the string back with her unbandaged hand, but the bow did not move. She sat the bow down next to my boots and shook her head.
Her hand came up to cradle the apple as she took another bite.
“My sword then,” I offered.
A doe and fawn rustled through the leaves and then darted away.
“You’ll get used to the weight.”
“Nay,” she answered between mouthfuls, “I like my dagger.”
“I’ll buy you another. A better one. Or jewels, gold, anything.” Although we both knew I couldn’t afford any of those. I’d never stolen anything before, but if it might get me the dagger back, then so be it.
She took another bite of her apple, and shook her head. Her rigid back told me I wasn’t getting anywhere. What woman in her right mind would refuse trinkets for a simple dagger? Perhaps she was the witch of the prophecies.
Soon, I’d have to force her to give me the dagger. The image of her in the bath popped into my mind. Felt heady and I ached to touch her again. But my curse was too great, especially at my weakened state. Luck had saved her this far.
But then the thought of her scarred back made me shift uncomfortably. Perhaps if she trusted me more, then I’d recover the dagger. I cringed, seeing the still-green bruises along her bandaged fingers.
“Your back — why were you beaten?” I tried to make my voice sound light, casual. Didn’t want her to know I had a hidden agenda.
She glanced at me and let her horse nibble the apple core from her fingers. “I deserve my scars.” After the animal had chomped the core to nothing, she sat across from me. Her gaze stared out over the stream, before she answered, “I didn’t understand when I was first imprisoned. But every mark upon my back represents someone. Someone who suffered because of me.”
I stared at her dumbfounded. How was a beating that severe ever deserved? She hadn’t harmed anyone. Even being around her for a few days, I already knew she would not harm another. She had just cause to kill Father Morgan many times over, and yet she had not. Perhaps that is why she didn’t see me for the abomination that I was.
“Because of
me, Morgan tortured people; most were women and children.” Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. And I saw her fist clench. “Again and again I was called to heal those near death. Heal those who took too long to heal on their own. Soon, those tortured feared me more than Morgan.
“But I was strong; despite their beatings I never divulged information. Finally he gave up on me.”
“What did they want?”
“Locations of other witches. But I wouldn’t tell them anything. Every night, when was I was given a few hours for sleep, I would dig at the mortar between the bricks and remember the village my Aunt Laurel lived in.
“When my mother was killed, I was to live with her. My mother made me memorize the directions. I repeated them until they were a song in my head. I had visited her often, even stayed summers with her. Her husband taught me to fight and ride a horse. I held onto those memories. If not for them, I’d have lost my mind. I learned about herbs and plants for healing. My aunt was the one who showed me how to use my gift of healing, but I didn’t learn how to use my power on myself. They captured me before I could learn how.”
Her blessing had been twisted into a curse. I felt a connection with her. My life, too, was once blessed, but now cursed.
How I longed to draw her into my arms and comfort her. Kiss away her troubles with my lips.
Instead I skipped rocks along the water.
A shadow darkened the sun. Celeste rose and at the same instant Shadowdancer whinnied.
“What is it?” I stuffed Celeste’s head covering with my chopped hair into my pack.
“Hurry,” she said bracing her foot in the stirrup and mounted. “A Bergone comes.”
Bergone? They weren’t real. Elvin mothers told their children about the Bergone sent to the corners of the world, watching for disobedient children. They were just stories from the wars of long ago. Weren’t they?
Before I mounted behind her, the horse lurched into a gallop. Water from the stream splashed over my trousers.
Through the cluster of sparse limbs, I saw a hairy animal tearing after us. Claws ripped through trees.
I struggled to hold on to Shadowdancer as I watched the Bergone gain upon us.
The Garnet Dagger Page 8
