The Garnet Dagger

by Andrea R. Cooper

  Chapter Thirty-One

  At dawn, we packed. Buried our evidence of the fire underneath dead leaves and snow. Nivel swung upon his spotted mare. And I mounted my own horse. With the snow mixed with dead leaves and grass, our horses’ grey and white spotted coats blended into the background.

  Even though the horses rested last night, I felt their steps slow from the hard pace set before them. Nivel noticed it as well, so we allowed the horses to go their own tempo.

  Within the day, we’d enter the valley of the mountains at the edge of the forest — closer to the Warloc’s home.

  We rode through the forest. Robins and sparrows chatted down at us, as though to blame us for the snow when there should be flowers, bees, and worms. But the month of Avred brought no warmth to the land.

  • • •

  As the forest opened up in the distance, the silence pounded against me. And in reverence, I did not break the mourning with my voice.

  The disease of the land spread through the outer edges of the forest. Our horses’ hooves crunched the dead leaves and shards of trunk beneath their steps.

  No birds made nests in this graveyard. There was no sound except our breathing and the steady hoof beats of our mounts. Constantly, I glanced around me. Felt like something was making my skin itch from the inside out. Even though all was dead here, I couldn’t shake the suspicion that someone, something, watched us.

  Outside the forest, my hands loosened on the reins. Grassy hills spread before us. In the distance, the mountains resembled purple dunes.

  The horses must have appreciated the open sky, for they pranced forward. Or perhaps they sensed our fear of the dead forest behind, and were glad to be away from the cursed place.

  “Three days,” Nivel shifted his weight in the saddle, “until Beltane.”

  I tasted bile in the back of my throat. Three days before I must kill Celeste. If we found the Warloc and dealt with him in time.

  Her grey eyes and how she looked at me heated my skin. Unlike any other human, or even Liana, had ever done before. As if I was an equal and perhaps something more. But the last time I looked into Celeste’s eyes, her anger at my betrayal haunted me.

  Looked up to see Nivel watched me as though to read my mind. I gave a weak smile.

  “Don’t falter in your destiny.”

  “I won’t.” Wind chilled my flesh as hollowness grew inside me.

  “Should reach the mountains tonight. Then we’ll ride straight into to Bramad.” The tone in his voice when he said the name caused my head to swing toward him. His mouth narrowed, and he stared ahead as if analyzing.

  “What do you know of this place, this Bramad?”

  “Enough.” He grimaced. “It’s the place where this sickness began.”

  I’d never heard the word until Father Morgan spoke of where the Warloc lived.

  “Where evil reigns without justice. But you drawing the witch’s blood will purge the evil and disease.”

  Heaviness settled over my heart. I felt the weight of despair, and my shoulders knotted under the pressure. When would my life be simple, as it was before? I cursed my wandering feet. If not for my curiosity I’d be married to Liana. But then, I’d have never met Celeste. She’d be in the Warloc’s grip now. Dead, perhaps.

  “Brock.”

  My name sounded like a moan on the wind. At first, I thought I imagined it, but Nivel called me again. I glanced over. His green eyes locked onto mine, and I didn’t look away.

  “You must let me deal with the Warloc. No matter what you see or learn, leave him to me.”

  I opened my mouth to question, but he continued. “Promise me.”

  Under his gaze, I fought with the fury building inside of me. “What do you know of the Warloc? Anything may help me rescu — release Celeste from his power.” Why if I must murder Celeste could I not take comfort in destroying the Warloc as well?

  “He earned his title many generations over.” As if hearing my silent question of how a human could live so long, he said, “although mortal in a sense, he has been around almost as long as I.”

  “First, he was a member of a coven. Then greed of power enslaved him, he revealed his coven members to the monks. All in his coven were executed. As they died, he absorbed their power.

  “Then he heard one of the prophecies. In order to stop the future from fulfillment, he joined more covens of witches. Earned their trust. Then betrayed them to the religious leaders.” His saddle squeaked as he leaned back. “He sucked up their strength and abilities at their death. For centuries he’s gathered power for this day.”

  How could we fight against him then? I was glad I’d not learned about the Warloc before meeting Celeste. Otherwise, I’d have been tempted to leave her to her fate.

  But alas, no matter her status in the prophecies, I could not allow harm to befall her. How then was I to kill her?

  A rustle sounded behind us. Black figures like smoke moved in a semicircle. They wavered and grew. Moved closer. Undulated as though disappearing, then their mass increased. Near the top of the figures were faces. Or what appeared to resemble a face. As when one glances at clouds and sees shapes that couldn’t be real. There were hundreds of them.

  Even though there was no wind, they floated nearer. Without knowing what these things were, I knew they were wrong. Nothing should move like that.

  “Ahh.” Nivel didn’t even turn around. “The Warloc knows we come. Those are his Shints.”

  “Shints?” I’d heard the name before. They were thought to be lost souls.

  “Lost souls of the witches.” He reminded me. “They’re mindless to anything. Even I cannot stop them. They obey only his orders.”

  “They can’t be worse than the Bergone.”

  The Shints shrieked and sped toward us. Shadows with hollow faces.

  Following Nivel, I urged my horse into a gallop. Struggled with my mare to keep straight, for she wanted to bolt sideways.

  My legs tense and I tugged on the reins to bring her back. Too late. The Shints were inches from me. My horse reared up. I clung on.

  Surrounded, the Shints’ smoky fingers clawed at us. I unsheathed my sword and swung wildly. My blade moved through them like I struggled against fog.

  After a strangled scream, my horse frothed at the mouth and she collapsed to the ground. My right leg was pinned under the weight. Pain shot through me as my leg snapped. Spots flickered in my vision, but I continued anyway in my failed attacks against the Shints.

  Thought I heard a man cackle as the sky grew dark above me. Shints pressed their smoke-like fingers, their clawed fingers, through the skin and muscle of my arms. Hot steel poured into my skin. Wrath flared in my bones.

  One of the forms grasped my head, but as I struggled it moved through the bones of my skull. I screamed until my throat raw. Shards of darkness pierced my mind.

  Seared my thoughts and knocked away my restraint. I fought to bring forth the power absorbed by the Bergone. But it was as though straining to catch dust particles floating along the rays of the sun.

  I saw my image lean over Celeste as she slept. The garnet dagger in my hand. Raised. I flinched and the heat made me shake. Again, my mind yielded to them. The image returned. Through sobs, I saw the dagger plunge into Celeste’s body. Blood spilled over the grass.

  “This is the prophecy.” I heard a thousand whispers sound inside my skull. And my hoarse voice echoed their words. I was destined to kill the witch.

  All witches were evil. Spawned from darkness. Even did they kill my sister — an innocent babe. Aye, my mind bowed to their thoughts. I repeated the words over and over like a chant I could not cease. All witches were evil. Spawned from darkness.

  My heart fled from the words. But what did I care? I’d received a vision of the truth. My destiny.

  Then screams like breaking glass shattered inside. My voice cried out in unison with theirs. Golden light poured over me. I feared if I looked the light would blind me.

  Tried to turn
, but hands held me down. Then the golden light pulsed, slowed, then transformed to red. Intrigued, I opened one eye.

  Celeste stood over me. The dagger glowed red in her hands.

  I moved to run her through with my sword, but my hand cramped. And I realized Nivel’s boot pressed down on my sword hilt and hand.

  “Move so I may slay her.”

  At my words, the garnet winked out and returned to its dull shade. Tears fell from Celeste’s grey eyes, piercing into me. I shook my head to rid the jumbled thoughts that fought each other inside me.

  But she was the witch. She must die.

  “The time is not now.” Nivel stared down at me. His white hair blocked the setting sun.

  Hearing the human words from his mouth gave me pause. But then I remembered the old woman at one of the inns. She knew Nivel. No doubt he’d picked up their language on his many outings among them.

  “H-How long was I out?”

  “Five hours. She saved your life, and healed your leg. Appeared over the rise like death chased her.”

  I swallowed, but the faint whisperings of the voices pounded against restraint.

  As if relieved, Nivel removed his boot from my hand and flopped down.

  “I think until the spell is broken; he should not have his sword — or any weapons.”

  “What spell?” I glared at Celeste. Had she bewitched me with her magic? Aye, she made me care for her. But now my feelings were gone. I knew my obligation and was eager to fulfill it.

  “Aye, for I see the shadows drifting through his eyes.”

  I noticed a makeshift sheath for the dagger tied with a sash around her waist.

  “Such a shame too, for he has such beautiful green eyes, like leaves after a rain. The same color as yours.”

  “Well,” Nivel cleared his throat, “many Elvin have the same color.” He pried my fingers off the sword. Strange, my power would not open for me.

  Why was he befriending her? Perhaps she’d put a spell on him as she had me. I’d play their game. Prophecy said to stab the witch’s heart, spill her blood on Beltane.

  “How did you know how to stop the Shints?” Nivel asked and rose. Took my sword with him and tied my weapons down to his saddle.

  “I’ve dealt with them before.” Her eyes lingered upon mine for a moment then flashed up to Nivel. “Been here days ago. I tried to find a way to sneak into Bramad. To kill the man who killed my parents.”

  “You told me Father Morgan burned your mother as a witch.” Lies, all of her words were lies.

  “Aye. Morgan works for the Warloc. Used evil to kill my father. Turned him into a Bergone.”

  She flipped back her hair out of her eyes. The golden spikes had grown since last time I saw her. No longer did her hair stand straight out like a halo. She looked vulnerable. Damn, her spell was tricking me again.

  “Bergone are monsters,” I quipped.

  “Aye, but they were once wizards.” Nivel gripped my shoulder as he sat down beside me.

  I heard his silent message. He didn’t want the witch upset. Frowning, I watched as she sheathed the dagger to the yellowed sash around her waist.

  Why had the dagger not blazed its beacon when Celeste had first touched it that she was the witch? Instead it had barely flickered that first time. Or had I not wanted to listen?

  Voices in my head answered: she concealed the truth of her nature with her magic. But no longer did her spell hold me. I saw the truth of who she was. A witch, whom I was eager to kill. The Shints had rooted out her poison. She said they were evil and should be removed. But they had silenced my heart and I was no longer torn.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Must not let the witch know I’d kill her soon. I thought as I watched her share pieces of flatbread with Nivel. They chatted as if they were old friends.

  “So, Celeste.” Nivel tore off an edge and stuffed it into his mouth. “What do you intend to do when you’ve reached Bramad?”

  “Take my revenge and kill the Warloc.”

  “And if he captures you?”

  “I’ve this to help me.” She patted the dagger.

  “The dagger cannot help you against the Warloc,” Nivel said between chews, “if you use the dagger on him, it will destroy you.”

  She frowned and my heart cringed. How I longed to be the reason a smile was upon her face. Now even the dagger brought sadness.

  The voices in my head squealed and I almost covered my ears from the sound. Why did I care if she smiled or not? My destiny was her death.

  “Why won’t the dagger help?” She took a swallow of water from a skin, then offered him a drink.

  “We’ve prophecies about the Warloc,” he took a long swallow and continued, “if the dagger is used against the Warloc, the safekeeping of the magic in it will be demolished. The disease will multiply and cover the earth, bringing the Warloc’s reign for all time.”

  “Then how do we stop him?”

  “My dear, you’re the key.”

  At his words she shot a glance at me. And I thought I saw her lip tremble.

  “I understand. Whatever sacrifice is needed, I accept. As long as the Warloc dies.”

  Nivel grinned. And hope tickled my mind. Perhaps he was not bewitched as I had thought. He pretended to be under her spell.

  Still, I couldn’t let my guard down. Beltane would come when the sun rose twice more. In order to avoid the Warloc’s notice, Nivel suggested we not build a fire. To mock his suggestion, a wind bit through us.

  Even I shivered underneath my cloak, but denied Celeste’s offer for a blanket. Her horse stomped a hoof and I noticed his saddle was packed with supplies.

  She removed two wool blankets and offered one to Nivel.

  “What should we do with Brock?” She brushed back a golden curl out of her eyes. “We cannot leave him to roam about while we sleep.”

  I gritted my teeth and wished for a blade. Patience, the voices whispered to me. Time would come for the ground to turn red with her blood.

  “Use the reins from Brock’s horse. Dead, the beast doesn’t need them.”

  My horse lay a grey mound two feet from us. Nivel removed the reins and walked back to me.

  “This is for our safety and yours.”

  With a nod, I let him lead me to a withering maple tree. He wrapped the reins around me twice and tied a knot behind the trunk where I could not reach.

  Part of me ached to snatch up his life essence. But alas no, Nivel had never caused me harm. Either way, he ensured he did not touch my flesh.

  I watched as he and Celeste unsaddled their horses and brushed them down for the night. Such care did Celeste show in checking Shadowdancer’s shoes for a loose nail.

  After she was satisfied, she crept toward me, her blanket around her shoulders. “Tomorrow, I’ll try again, Brock,” she whispered, “to remove the spell the Shints used to bind you to the Warloc’s bidding.”

  My back stiffened. Her lies didn’t convince me. She wanted to replace her magic in me.

  Nivel tucked his blanket around him. Moments later, snoring vibrated his form.

  “Perhaps, when this is over,” she leaned forward and I smelled a hint of lavender, “you will hate me no longer.”

  I struggled with my heart and mind over control of my tongue. Wanted to tell her I loved her.

  Love? Nay, I did not love her. My mind froze my speech. She was merely a witch to be killed. Her magic had frozen the land. Brought the disease endangering my people.

  She gathered the blanket around her body, and laid inches from me. Even through the cold, I felt heat radiating from her.

  • • •

  Eternity mocked me as they slept. Hours dragged as I stared at her. Every so often, the corners of her lips would lift in a slight smile. Each time, my heart quickened.

  Sun lit up her golden hair and eyelashes.

  Nivel stirred and then sat up. Still, Celeste slept.

  After eating, Nivel untied me. Then he saddled the horses. Approached S
hadowdancer, he asked me to stroke the horse’s nose.

  “Just calm him so I can get the saddle on.”

  I glanced back at Celeste, but she only moved to cover her head with the blanket.

  Helped to fix the bit into Shadowdancer’s mouth and then turned to pack up our supplies.

  With a yawn, Celeste emerged.

  “Must reach Bramad before dark.” Nivel swung unto his horse. “You, ride with Celeste. At all costs, protect her.”

  Protect her? I glared at his back as he nudged his mare into a trot.

  She folded her blanket and tied it down to the back of the saddle. Nivel took most of the supplies with him so the weight wouldn’t be too much with me for Shadowdancer. Although I believed her horse could carry all of us, even Nivel’s horse, with ease.

  After she climbed into the saddle, she looked down at me. I could delay no longer. Put my foot into the stirrup and swung up behind her. My fingers brushed her arm, made shivers chase each other down my spine.

  I locked my arms down at my sides. Strained not to touch her with any part of my body. When Shadowdancer leapt into a gallop after Nivel, my arms flew around her waist to keep from falling off.

  Her warmth tickled me through our clothing. I inhaled her scent. Lavender, salt, and woman.

  As we rode through the hills, ice pierced me. Winter birthed in this land. Empty branches scratched the sky as though in prayer for rain, for spring.

  • • •

  At noon, the land rose into peaks. In the valley, land blocked out the sun. Nivel held his arm up and stopped. “Through the tallest lies Bramad.”

  Celeste rode beside him.

  “Keep watch, the Warloc may send his guards to stop us.” Nivel careened up the first slope.

  As though not to be out done by another horse, Shadowdancer tore after them. Had to lean forward with Celeste, otherwise I’d tumble down the mountain side.

  Ledges cut our path through the mountains. Vines barred the way. Nivel dismounted. Used my sword to cut enough of a path for our horses to pass.

  “For now, we need to walk the horses through.” He wiped back his silver hair from his face. “No use plunging over the cliffs with them.”