A Sword of Fortune and Fate: Dare Valari Book 1

by Devyn Jayse

  "What do you mean?" I was taken aback by the change in subject.

  "You've come to the Blights. You have a room and a couple of spare jobs to do. But what are your plans? What are you going to do? Eventually, you will leave the Blights."

  "I haven't thought that far ahead."

  "Why not?"

  I shrugged. "For most of my life, I've known what path my life would take. Now, I'm free to choose my own way, and I am comfortable standing there and not having to make a choice right away. It's refreshing to take some time out and just live for the moment instead of moving towards a goal."

  "You can't live like this forever."

  "I know, but it works for now."

  "I don't want Penny hurt."

  Oh. His conversation suddenly made sense. He was worried I would disappear from her life, and the one friend she thought she had found would leave.

  "I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to Penny."

  "I'll have to take your word."

  "I'm good for it."

  "Oscar says you're helping him out with the map," he said, surprising me with the next turn in conversation.

  "It's yours?"

  "You could say that." He gave me a smile.

  "Borrowed?" I asked with a touch of cynicism.

  "You could say that." His smile grew wider.

  I rolled my eyes.

  "He said you've given him a different insight."

  "I like solving puzzles."

  "So do I."

  "Where did you get it?"

  He didn't reply.

  "Is there a treasure at the end of it?"

  "Maybe." His tone offered no clue.

  "Would you split your catch if I help you find it?"

  He threw back his head and laughed.

  "What's so funny?"

  "You. Every time I think I know what you're going to say, you say something unexpected."

  "Why wouldn't I want a share in the treasure?"

  He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Anyone else here would either plot to get to the treasure before me and disappear, or they would never dream of asking me for a share."

  "Why not?"

  "They're too scared."

  "Oh." I frowned. "I don't think I'll ever fear you."

  "I hope not. I would miss the surprises." The smile on his face remained, but the mirth from his eyes faded. "Life in the Blights has gotten more interesting since you showed up."

  I flushed. "You just enjoy laughing at me."

  "I never laugh," he said, laughter clear in his eyes, "but I have never had Horace complain so much about someone who ignored him."

  "What's he saying?" I asked, outraged. "I haven't done anything to him."

  "Exactly my point. He's disgruntled that you're still here."

  I scowled in Horace's direction. Thamir spotted me and raised his cup in greeting. I had never seen him without a cup in his hand. I wondered if he ever went home.

  "Well, he'll have to come to terms with the fact that I'm not going anywhere."

  31

  "Hello, Cora," I said. "I'm looking for Jade."

  "She's in her room. She's having another episode. I'll take you to her."

  I frowned. "Another episode?"

  "From time to time, she remembers her old life and can't get out of bed for fear. It's gotten better. She doesn't stay in bed as long as before, but they still come and go," Cora said.

  "When did this start?"

  "From the last time you were here." Cora walked ahead of me, leading the way.

  "Oh." Did my talk with Jade trigger the episode? I hoped not.

  We passed through the long hallway, filled with doors leading to many rooms. I had never been in that part of the shelter before. It was isolated from the main part--and with good reason if the women who went there were at risk.

  The women did their part in maintaining the building with chores here and there, but I wondered how they afforded to feed all the women and children that lived under that roof.

  "Who funds this shelter?" I asked Cora.

  She glanced over her shoulder. "The patrons, of course."

  "But it's the Blights," I said. "Most people don't have money."

  "Well, we do ask the crown for funds, and townspeople from time to time, but the main funding comes from the Blights."

  "From the Blights residents?"

  "Yes, but our two largest patrons are the ones that effectively keep the place running. One of them's Penny's brother."

  Blaze. The criminal leader of the Blights. He's supporting this large initiative?

  We finally reached Jade's room. Cora knocked gently on the door and pushed it open after the response within. We stepped inside. The room was sparse but painted brightly. The furniture was made of dark wood. Jade was curled up in bed and looked at us over the cover.

  "Jade, Dare's come to visit you," Cora told her. She ushered me in until I was standing at the foot of the bed.

  "Hello, Jade," I said gently. Her eyes looked tired. "I came by to see if you had agreed on a date for the class we had discussed."

  "Oh. I'm sorry Dare. I didn't get the chance to talk to the others."

  "That's alright. I can come by later. I just wanted to say hallo."

  "Thank you," she replied.

  I glanced at Cora. Clearly, Jade was in no shape to talk to me.

  "Jade, Dare will need you to leave bed soon to plan the class. She's too polite to say so, but the earlier you get to it, the better it will be for the rest of the women here."

  I bit the inside of my lip, not wanting to put undue pressure on Jade. I didn't know what she was going through.

  "I'll do my best," Jade replied.

  "That's all that anyone asks of you," Cora replied firmly.

  We left the room, and Cora shut the door behind us gently.

  "Will she be all right?" I asked.

  "With time, she will be. I wanted her to see you to give her a little push to get out of bed and do something. It does a person no good to dwell on things that can't be changed."

  "You're right, of course," I said.

  A boy came running up to us. He looked at me. "Are you Dare?"

  I smiled at him, "Yes I am, and who are you?"

  "I'm Werner." He was bouncing on his feet. "A man came by looking for you, he had a message. The others said they didn't know you but I knew you were the one."

  I gave Cora a quizzical look. She shook her head not knowing what Werner was talking about. I wondered if it had been Garren or Blaze. Surely the boy knew Ragum. Those were the only men that I would presume would search for me. I asked him, "What was the man's name? What was his message?"

  "He didn't give us his name. He told us he's waiting for you at his father's second house."

  "Was that all?" The message didn't make any sense.

  "No, he said Gwen would be hurt if you didn't come." The boy beamed at me, proud that he had managed to deliver the message. He had no idea what it meant.

  My head felt light and I swayed on my feet.

  Cora reached out to me, grasping my arm. "Dare, you've gone pale. Are you alright?"

  I shook off her hand. My mind was racing but I forced a smile on my face. "It was a momentary dizziness."

  To the boy, I said, "Thank you for delivering the message. Could you answer one last question? When did this man come by?" I was sure it was not the prince that had delivered the message.

  "Yesterday," he replied.

  I took out my pouch and gave him a small coin as thanks. He gaped at me, not expecting his reward. "Thank you!" He scrambled off presumably to tell his friends of his fortune.

  "Are you sure you're alright?" Cora was still worried. "What did that message mean?"

  My face hurt from the continued smile on my face. "It was just unexpected. I didn't think he'd look for me at the shelter." It was true. I didn't think Prince Jasper would leave a message at the shelter. So far his ploy had been to send people to kill me. I hadn't thought he would
ask me to come to him. I knew it likely to be a trap but I couldn't ignore his warning.

  Gwen would be hurt.

  I had to go.

  32

  He's waiting for you at his father's second house. Gwen would be hurt if you didn't come. The words kept repeating in my head.

  The king's first house was the castle. His second was a place in town that he rarely visited. He only came down on formal occasions for town celebrations. The princes had used the townhouse more frequently. Before his marriage to my sister it was where Prince Jasper had his infamous parties full of the people he wouldn't dare consort with at the castle under his father's watch.

  I sat outside the house now watching it. It seemed abandoned. Knowing it was a trap made it easier to wait. The sun set and the sky grew darker until the only light was from the moon above and the street lanterns.

  Soon enough I saw a light flare within the house. Someone was in there. I got up from my position, my bones protesting. I shook my legs. My hand rested on my sword as I made my way to the house. I had found the side door earlier and that's where I was heading.

  I entered the house and quietly made my way in the darkness to the lit room. I stood at the doorway. It was a large room, made for entertaining guests. Burning logs flickered in the fireplace. Prince Jasper sat in an armchair facing the entryway. He raised a wine glass to me. "I knew you'd make it."

  He took a sip of his drink as I watched. He lowered his glass. "You've been quite difficult to get rid of. All the people I sent after you weren't getting the results I desired. It was quite disappointing. So I thought I would do it myself, the way I had intended to at the castle."

  I didn't say a word.

  He laughed, "What? Nothing to say? Silent all of a sudden? Is this the effect of the Blights? Maybe your father should have sent you to live there years ago if this is what was needed to teach you to curb your tongue."

  His eyes narrowed and his features turned sullen. He didn't like this silence. A cruel smile touched upon his lips. "I've been enjoying hurting your sister."

  My fingers clenched around my sword hilt.

  He didn't miss that, his eyes flickered to my hand and then back up to my face. The smile widened. "I do it in little ways of course. Sometimes it's a word said in front of someone she thinks is important. Sometimes it's a sudden slap. It's always unexpected. She has the most delightful surprised look. Have you seen it?"

  I pressed my lips together as the blood in my veins turned to fire.

  Prince Jasper swirled the contents of his glass. "I have to admit it's a little boring in the castle with you gone. I miss the games we used to play."

  He meant the cat and mouse games he used to taunt me with, trying to make my life miserable. Before him, I had never met a creature that delighted so much in inflicting terror. He was the cruelest person to be in a position of power. It would be even worse when he became king and he would be unchecked by his parents.

  "I can't wait until my heir is born and I can teach him the same games."

  I drew my sword from its sheath and let it hang by my side. Prince Jasper's eyes lit up, "Are we fighting already? I really thought I would have to say more." He took another sip of his drink, put it on the side table and got to his feet. He drew his own sword.

  "This time we won't have to stop at first blood. We can inflict as much damage as we want. Killing that guard was fun but I don't think I'll kill you. I'll just cause enough injury that you'll remember me every time you wake up and every time you go to sleep."

  "You do love the sound of your own voice, don't you?" My own sounded bored despite the fury I felt. I would avenge Tobin and my sister. It was for everyone's good that he died. I would save people from his tyranny.

  A vicious look twisted his handsome features as he lunged at me. I raised my blade and our swords clashed. The sound of metal striking each other was the only thing I could hear as I parried against his attacks.

  He was using his higher build and strength against me. I wanted to see his blood flow. We circled the room as we battled, each one trying to get the best of the other.

  His face was concentrated as he came at me. His eyes gave him away. I knew where he would strike me next and I blocked each move successfully. I managed to cut his arm. His eyes narrowed and he swung wildly. "I think I changed my mind. I think I'll kill you like that silly guard."

  Anger coursed through me and gave me strength. I pushed forward until I had my blade close to him. His sword was between us. He was close enough that I could feel his breath as he panted. I hissed at him, "Not before I see you dead first."

  He used his foot to kick at me, and I fell backwards. He loomed over me. His face was gleeful. "Doesn't this look familiar?"

  Someone burst into the room. The prince looked up at surprise. I used the chance to roll away and get to my feet. A hooded man rushed at the prince with an exposed blade. Prince Jasper defended himself. The man turned to me and yelled, "Get out of here!"

  I didn't move as I gaped at Blaze. I watched them parry and then suddenly Blaze raised his hand and hit the prince on the side of the head with the hilt of his sword. The prince fell to the ground. He groaned. Blaze ran towards me and grabbed me, pulling me out of the room with him.

  "Let go of me!" I tried to pull away from him as we made our way out of the house. "I want to kill him!"

  "You're not doing that," He dragged me down the street, towards the Blights.

  "What brought you here?" I didn't understand.

  "Cora told me about the message and your reaction."

  "How did you know to come here?"

  He let out a derisive sound. "Don't underestimate me. I know about the prince and his parties. Where else would his father's second house be?"

  "You shouldn't have come."

  "Should I have let him slay you?"

  "He knows your face now."

  "He didn't get a good look at it."

  "Why didn't you let me murder him?"

  "You didn't want to do that. I know you felt like you wanted to destroy him but you would have regretted it."

  I shook my head. I would never regret the death of Prince Jasper. He was hurting my sister. He killed Tobin. He had to die.

  "You don't know who he has told about this. What if there were guards on the way? What if he had put the blame on your sister? Would you want her punished?"

  I could see the sense in it but I still was furious. "I had a chance to end it and you didn't let me."

  Blaze scoffed, "From what I saw when I came in, he was about to slaughter you."

  "I could have stabbed him when you knocked him down."

  "Trust me, as someone who has killed, you wouldn't feel good about this."

  "I've killed too." I replied angrily, shaking him off. "And I know how I would feel about this, so stop talking down to me."

  He let go of me. I stopped in my tracks. He watched me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it in that manner. I just think this isn't the right way."

  I let out a loud laugh. "The notorious outlaw of the Blights is telling me elimination is not the answer?"

  A strange expression crossed his face. He almost looked disappointed. A pang went through me. He said, "Go after him if you want. But I don't want you hurt. And I believe executing him will hurt you in the end, be it from guards who come after you for assassinating the heir or from your reaction to taking a life."

  Guilt coursed through me. Despite my misgivings, he had protected me. I swallowed. "Thank you for coming in when you did. You saved my life."

  "I think you would have managed to get out of that by yourself. I was just a distraction," Blaze said.

  "No, you were more than that." I put my sword back in its sheath. I started walking again towards the Blights. "Let's go home."

  Blaze gave me a quizzical look. I could see him wondering what had made me change my mind, but he started walking alongside me and we made our way in the darkness back to the most dangerous part of the kingdom.

&nbs
p; I would still have the chance to kill the prince another day.

  It didn't have to be today.

  33

  "Can I make a confession?" I asked.

  "Go ahead," Oscar replied, his back still to me as he went through the items in the cabinet.

  "I like living here."

  Oscar glanced at me, balancing three throwing stars and a couple daggers. "The Blights?"

  I nodded. "Yes, the Blights. I can see why you would stay here."

  "I don't think you do," he muttered lowly.

  "Everyone makes it out to be such a dangerous area, but at the end of day, people here are just trying to making a living, same as anywhere else."

  "That's true enough."

  "It's just that they go about it in a different way."

  "The more criminal the way, the better they like it," he said.

  "But we're all alike whether we live here or in town or up in the castle. We all want a roof over our heads, food to eat, and someone to care about us."

  "What's brought this on?" Oscar asked, changing his mind about where he would display the throwing stars and moving them again.

  "I realized I have a lot to be thankful for." It was true. At first, when Blaze had dropped me off at The Rebel Hare and I had made my way to my rooms, all I could think about was the missed opportunity I had to kill Prince Jasper. As dawn approached, I realized that I probably wouldn't have been able to do it without sustaining a serious injury myself.

  "It's always good to count your blessings. Keeps you humble," Oscar said.

  "That's what my mother used to say."

  I sat in silence, contemplating all the people I had met since moving to the Blights and how each in their own way had welcomed me, even Ragum with his brooding silences. I was especially thankful for Oscar. Working for him made my mind think in a way it never had before. He always gave me little challenges and puzzles to figure out.

  "Do you have plans for the rest of the day?" Oscar asked, interrupting my thoughts. "Can you make a delivery for me?"

  I immediately said, "Yes, of course." I wasn't going to turn down a chance to earn coin.