The Lost & Cursed

by Rina S Mamoon

  Before she left, Mara decided to enter the kitchen and search the pantry. All that remained was some dried fruit, bread, and a canister of water. She took them. Mara could use some provisions for her trip.

  That left the murder weapon as the last item to obtain. Peeking her head outside, she left Saskia’s house.

  Around the corner, she heard two guards conversing with one another.

  “Can’t believe Saskia is dead.”

  “Yeah, it’s really too bad,” the other replied. “She didn’t deserve that.”

  “Well, at least they’re happy. They got what they wanted.”

  Mara assumed they were talking about the villagers, recalling the looks on their faces and how they wanted her dead.

  “But still… Everything was a set-up. That woman was framed.”

  “Quiet! Don’t blow our cover.”

  “Sorry! Do you have the weapon?”

  “Yes, it’s in the evidence storage at the guards’ quarters.”

  “Good, the funeral will be tomorrow morning.”

  They finished their conversation. Mara sat in the darkness while the two guards walked by, unaware of her presence. She heard everything they said. As much as she wanted to know what was really going on, now wasn’t the time to ask questions. The longer she remained here, the higher her chances were of being caught. She went to the guards’ quarters.

  The ring of keys allowed entry to the guards’ quarters. Upon entering, she saw most of the guards asleep. Even the one guarding the evidence already dozed off, sitting there with his arms folded. Across from him was a chest. Mara assumed this to be the murder weapon’s location. She sneaked towards it, watching the guard with caution. He was already fast asleep and snoring away. Mara raised an eyebrow before turning her gaze onto the chest.

  ‘These guards sure do a great job.’

  She tried to open the chest, but it was locked. Taking out the ring of keys, she hoped one of these worked. None of them fitted the lock. She sighed in defeat, then glanced back at the guard. He might have the key. She crept towards him and saw the key hanging from his pocket.

  Mara reached over to pickpocket the key. She began to pull it out. He began to shift and groan. Mara froze and watched him. He didn’t wake up, but no doubt her pickpocketing might alert him. She tried again and the key was mostly out, enough to snatch without awakening him. Obtaining the key, she returned to the chest in silence. She inserted the key into the lock and turned it. The chest opened with a light click. Opening the chest, she found the murder weapon. The blade was coated in dried blood. Placing her hand on the hilt, she lifted the sword and studied it. Mara heard groaning and snapped her head around. The guard was only shifting in his sleep. She watched him while taking the blade and strapping it to her belt.

  ‘Keep up the good work.’

  With that, Mara left the guard’s quarters in silence. She escaped the village without anyone noticing.

  ***

  At dawn, Mara watched from a distance as the funeral pyre released smoke into the air. Saskia’s body was burning. Only a few attended the funeral. Mara wasn’t too surprised to not see Alderman Nigel—the nerve of that jerk. He couldn’t be bothered to show up, not after what he did to Saskia. After watching the flames engulf her friend, Mara turned around and left.

  Throughout the day she traveled north. Mara spotted a large city, but didn’t need to stop now. According to the map, this was the city of Mirahyll, the capital of Terra. She recalled Saskia mentioning the city to her as well, but based on her late friend’s urging, she was to make haste to Greyward Hold. Mara wandered on the road through Terra, checking her map. Greyward Hold was located on Grey Mountain, dividing the western regions of Terra and Hema. She gawked at the mountain while standing in the middle of the road. This might take another day to get there.

  Only once she stopped and took a break. Mara reached into her bag and ate some bread and dried fruit. Immediately, she noticed the lack of taste from the small meal. Mara began to realize what was happening. Her sense of taste was more limited in her current form. Despite gaining insight of her current predicament, her appetite faded fast. From under the shade of a tree, she glanced around. Looking over the vast landscape, she found nothing familiar about her world. No matter how hard she tried, Mara couldn’t remember much. She had no idea how she became an undying, but the thought that Master Harold could help brought hope. After she finished, Mara stood up and forged on.

  Snow began to fall as she ascended the mountain. As she went higher, the snow grew heavier. Ice formed on her tattered cape.

  “Whose idea was it to have a guild so high atop a mountain?” Mara whined to herself. “Why can’t this place be near the ground?”

  Traversing the mountain path, she heard a growl in the wind. Looking up, she saw a strange creature peering at her from a rock wall. It had shaggy white fur and its skin and hooves were dark blue. It appeared to be a big cat mixed with a goat and owned a long bushy tail. Two pairs of curved blue horns protruded from its head. Watching with amber coloured eyes, the creature bared its razor sharp teeth while growling. It leapt from the wall and landed before her. The snow beast had a very tall and lanky body, as the bestiary depicted. It snarled at her while baring its teeth.

  Mara had never seen a creature like this before in the flesh, or at least recalled seeing one. With only the murder weapon, she drew the blade and got into a stance. A familiar feeling washed over her. She thought it was the training from Saskia. Regardless, Mara had to fight.

  The creature gave a snarl before lunging at her. She dodged to the side and countered. The attack connected, but barely made a dent in the creature’s hide. The sword seemed inadequate or ineffective. Either way, she angered the snow beast. The creature swung its right hand at her. The force of the attack sent her flying into the rock wall. She cried out in pain and slumped to the ground. The impact disorientated her. She tried to get up, but every inch of her back throbbed in pain. Her strength was fading fast.

  All of a sudden, two men dashed in front of her and confronted the snow beast. Underneath their dark grey capes they wore tanned armour and steel plating, similar to what Saskia had. Wielding silver and steel swords, they dashed at the snow beast and attacked it. Their swords were more effective at penetrating the beast’s hide. The creature roared and fought back. It swung at them, but they dodged. These men were far better fighters than Mara, fighting with style and finesse. Realizing that it was no match for these warriors and their blades, the snow beast fled. The creature leapt at a rock wall and scaled it. Mara saw the beast snarl at them before disappearing from their sight. The two men panted as they stared up at the wall. Hopefully, that was the last they had seen of the creature. They turned around and looked at Mara.

  She watched them sheath their swords and approach her. Their faces were obscured by the shadows casted by their hoods. They had no distinguishable features to tell them apart.

  “We’re the Silver Thorns. We guard the mountain path to Greyward Hold,” one of them said.

  The other folded his arms. “What’s your business? Why did you come up here?”

  Mara took a deep breath. “I’m looking for Master Harold. Saskia sent me.”

  The two men exchanged glances. Clearly, they knew Saskia.

  “Very well, we’ll take you to Greyward Hold,” the other said. Mara nodded in agreement. The Silver Thorns escorted her the rest of the way and they didn’t have anymore unexpected surprises.

  ***

  Mara saw the frozen fort within half an hour. Large iron doors began to open with their arrival. She watched in awe of the grand hall. Barrels and crates were stacked in the far corner, containing preserved food. Much of their provisions were delivered to the fort. A roaring fire in the middle of the hall took the chill out of her body. She began to thaw, but was taken to the infirmary to be examined for injuries. On the way, she spotted a blacksmith working at a forge. An old muscular man hammered away at his creation as sparks flew from th
e heated metal. Mara watched him while being taken to the doctor.

  The old doctor glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. “So, what do we have here?”

  Mara glanced back at the old man. He seemed to have been here for quite a few decades. He was the only doctor at Greyward Hold. She looked around the infirmary. There were also a few female nurses patching up the injuries of the Silver Thorns. Most of the guild members were male, save for two females. She wanted to say something, but the doctor began to examine her. Accompanying Mara were the two Silver Thorns who escorted her here.

  “We found her traveling along the mountain path,” one of them answered. “Encountered a snow beast and got injured.”

  “Even tried to fight it with an inadequate blade,” the other said. He folded his arms and shook his head. “Regular swords are generally useless on supernatural creatures.”

  Mara looked at the Silver Thorn in curiosity. No wonder why that sword had very little effect on the snow beast.

  The doctor looked at her. Mara glanced back at him, noticing his intense gaze on her. The way he looked at her—it was as if he were aware of her inhuman status.

  “Well, at least she doesn’t appear to be in any medical distress,” the doctor said, and then left to tend to another. Watching him leave, Mara wondered if he truly knew. His examination was very sparse and all he did was look at her.

  The two Silver Thorns beckoned her. “Come on, we’ll take you to Master Harold.”

  She went with them. They walked down the halls and entered a room. Mara gazed up at a row of stairs and saw Master Harold seated in his chair. Old musty clothing covered his entire body. His robes were dark grey with dull-gold trimmings. Black gloves and boots covered his hands and feet. The hood casted a shadow over his dark silver mask. He held a wooden staff with two silver stones in it. Mara glanced up at him while he gazed back at her.

  “Come closer, child,” he said in a deep elderly voice.

  She took a step forward and noticed a sigil on the floor. Thinking this was something to stand on, she stepped onto it. It began to glow in blue hues and created a field, trapping her inside. Silver Thorns flooded the room, holding up weapons and watching her with apprehension.

  “Stand down,” Harold ordered his warriors. The Silver Thorns looked at their master and hesitantly lowered their weapons.

  “But, sir… She’s—”

  “She’s not human, but doesn’t seem hostile,” Harold told them. She gaped at the old master in bewilderment. He glanced back at her and noted her reaction. “I suppose I owe you an explanation. The sigil produces an energy field when it comes into contact with supernatural beings.”

  Mara’s shock faded away. “Oh, I see,” she murmured, looking down at the sigil.

  “Ah, you already know?”

  She looked up at him and nodded.

  “Those who die are reborn as creatures due to the magic poisoning this land,” Harold explained. “But judging from your appearance…” He rose from his seat and descended the stairs. Harold walked up to her, gazing at her masked face and observing her demeanour. “You appear quite human. How peculiar…”

  “I’m an undying,” Mara replied.

  “You are?” Master Harold asked, sounding intrigued. “How strange… Most undying succumb to their curse. Yet you remain human.”

  “Saskia also said that. She thought it’s either my amnesia or I became one recently.”

  “You know Saskia?” Harold asked. “Now, tell me. Why have you come?”

  “Saskia sent me,” Mara said.

  He tilted his head to the right. “And just you?”

  Mara opened her mouth to answer, but a Silver Thorn approached Harold with her bag. Another showed up with the murder weapon. They offered the items to their master.

  “Sir, these were in her possession,” one of the Silver Thorns said. Harold reached inside the bag, retrieving Saskia’s journal and the map. He studied them for a while, then glanced up at Mara. He also noticed the bestiary strapped to her belt.

  “How did you get these?” Master Harold questioned her. “She’d never part with her belongings, unless… Saskia is dead?”

  She nodded in silence. Harold stood there, staring at her. The Silver Thorns expressed more surprise than their master and were rendered speechless.

  Harold gazed at the blade. “Let me see the sword.”

  The other Silver Thorn gave the sword to Master Harold to examine. He placed the journal and map back into the bag before taking the sword. The old master studied the blade in silence.

  The two Silver Thorns looked at Mara. “What happened to Saskia?”

  “Maybe she killed her?”

  “No,” Harold said, “she is not responsible.”

  The two men gazed at their master. “Sir, how can you know this?”

  Harold studied the blade, and then turned his gaze onto her. “If she is the killer, then she wouldn’t have come here.”

  “I was framed and executed for her death,” Mara revealed. “Saskia was evicted from Ozin after an attack from the White Lady. She and I went to Misty Valley to slay the undying.”

  “You two killed the White Lady?”

  Mara nodded. “Yes, that’s when I found out. According to Saskia, only an undying can kill an undying. I absorbed her soul and killed her permanently.” She pulled down her mask and revealed her face. The Silver Thorns gawked at her undead visage. Master Harold watched her through his mask. She then said, “I didn’t always look like this, but upon killing the White Lady, I somehow changed. I looked more human. But thanks to that village…”

  “I see,” Harold said. “What else happened?”

  “We were to spend one more night and leave in the morning. I went to the inn for dinner, but when I returned I found Saskia with that sword through her chest. She was also stabbed several times with…” She saw a dagger strapped to a Silver Thorns’ belt, noting the width of the blade. Mara pointed at it. “With something like that.” The Silver Thorn glanced down at the dagger on his belt. Harold also looked at it before turning his gaze back onto her. Mara continued, “She told me to find you and tell you what happened, but the villagers found me and somehow discovered my secret. I was hanged.”

  Harold gazed at her. “You were right to come here and tell me. This is very troubling news.” He looked to a Silver Thorn and nodded. The guild member approached Mara and kneeled down. He touched the sigil and deactivated it, freeing her. She looked at Master Harold. “It saddens me to lose a dear friend,” he said in a sombre tone. “Saskia was a valuable member in our guild.”

  Silence filled the room until Mara spoke. “Another reason why I came here to see you—Saskia believed you could help me.”

  Master Harold nodded. “Yes, I am willing. However, the true killer is still out there and we must let the others know what happened.” He gestured to his warriors to get the envoys out. The Silver Thorns nodded and left Mara and Harold alone. The old master looked at her. “Although I am curious—how did you meet Saskia?”

  “I met her after escaping the Dark Labyrinth.”

  “The Dark Labyrinth?” Harold questioned, sounding intrigued. “May I ask what you were doing there?”

  She shook her head. “I wish I knew, but I lost most of my memories.”

  “Oh, that is very unfortunate. I’m afraid I can’t help with your memory loss, but it may return on its own. The least I could do is help you with this curse,” Harold said. Then, “I assume Saskia told you about that area underneath Golden Mountain. Once a mass grave, it is now used by Kallikratés to punish blasphemers.”

  “Yes, but I don’t know what I’ve done to end up there.”

  “Hmm, I see. Then I won’t press you further.” He then beckoned her to discuss other things.

  Chapter Five

  The Meeting

  Several envoys were sent to Mirahyll, the land of Hema, and the town of Désir. Requested by Master Harold, the guests were to attend an urgent meeting at Greyward Hold. It
would take a day for them to arrive. During this time, Mara was given a choice of new clothing to wear. Harold led her to Saskia’s former quarters and presented her with three choices of attire.

  “I encourage you to choose well,” Master Harold advised. “We’ll be receiving guests of the upmost importance.” Then he walked away.

  She took his advice to heart and began to make her choice.

  The first was identical to Saskia’s attire. However, the steel shoulder plating and leggings felt awkward and heavy. The second was similar to the first, but made with the pelt of a snow beast. It was very bulky to wear. The third looked like a modified version of the Silver Thorn armour, dyed black with the steel platings removed.

  The black shirt had gold trimmings along the chest. An open spot showed a sharp “V” shape from the collarbones to the bottom of the breasts. A black lace criss-crossed over the open spot. The collar of a white tunic was visible underneath. The black sleeves appeared to be of a thicker material, rolled up above the elbows. The open-bust leather corset was held together by two dark brown leather belts with gold ornate buckles. A third belt sat on the hips, containing two pouches, a flask holder, and a place to hold a sword. The corset held a long cloth going down to the legs; the front sat just above the knees and the back tapered down to the calves. The long cloth also had gold hems and pale fur lined the bottom, matching the hood.

  Black pants matched the shirt. Dark stockings rose past the knees, also lined with pale fur. The stockings were held with dark brown leather belts and gold buckles adorned with feathers. Another belt wrapped around the left pant leg for additional items. Black knee-high boots with pale blue lace covered the legs. Dark navy blue gloves completed the attire. They were lined with fur and feathers, and held together with similar leather straps.

  The black outfit stood out to Mara, so she picked that one to wear.

  ***

  On November 11, Mara dressed herself before the guests arrived. The garb fitted well and was very comfortable and warm. Mara also transferred all of her belongings to the pouches on the new belt. She also donned her hood and mask. Ready to go, Mara walked into the grand hall. As she made her appearance, the guests arrived for the afternoon meeting.