Rupe clapped his hands and everyone got quiet.
“I think everyone would like to know what the prize is before we go into the rules?” he asked.
The crowd cheered.
“I would,” Raven shouted.
Ben squeezed her hand.
“The winner will receive this chest of gold solari. It’s enough to live the rest of your life in luxury and still have some left over. Unless you’re immortal, of course.”
Laughter pricked the crowd.
Rupe stood back while his helpers lifted a small box of treasure, then opened the lid to show the crowd. The early morning sunlight caught the metal and sent a flash across the field like a beacon to good fortune.
“I need that.” Raven stared. “That would be enough to set both of us and our families for life, Ben.”
“Yeah, but it looks like we’re going to face a lot of competition.”
“We can win. I can.”
“Also,” Rupe said, standing tall. “The winner will receive this.” He pulled a silver dagger from a holder on his side.
The sharp blade narrowed at the tip, and swirls in motion traveled across the blade like waves. As he showed it to the crowd, small sparks flew off the tip.
Magic.
The contestants pushed closer to get a better view. Rupe held the blade out for everyone to see. At the center of the golden pommel, a large red stone shone. It appeared to be octagonal, a hag’s cross. Raven drew in a sharp breath, her hand over her mouth.
There wasn’t much magic stronger than the bindings of a hag, and an object with a hag’s cross was legendary in power. The crowd mumbled and talked. Everyone wanted a magical weapon; the question would be at what cost was it worth it?
Raven couldn’t break her gaze from the swirls on the blade. Mesmerizing, the patterns tumbled on each other, making the blade look like it was formed from metallic liquid. Each glint and flash sparked a response from her, and the surroundings faded as she stared. The crowd noise filtered to a low hum and even the sunlight dimmed in the wake of the blade.
This is what you’ve come for. You must win this blade. It’s your destiny.
“Who are you?” she whispered. “Are you the mountain?”
You can call me that, yes. I’m also the green fields and the desert plains. The stars in the sky and the ones under the sea. I once walked as you do, but now I have another purpose. Win, Raven. You must.
“Raven, are you okay?” Ben pulled her hand down. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. I need that dagger.”
“Well, let’s hear the rules first, before we make any decisions about whether we try.”
“I’m competing.”
“You need to listen to the rules. I have a bad feeling this isn’t what it appears on the surface. It’s not a simple game.”
Rupe spoke more loudly. “This dagger is fairy-made and infused with storm magic. It holds great power and whoever wields it will have control over the storms they face.” He pointed the blade to the sky. “This is a prize worth more than ten times the gold in the chest.”
“That will be mine.” Raven couldn’t take her eyes off the blade. Owning a magical, fairy-made weapon would give her lots of strength against any future dragon attack. She’d be able to defend her family, and Lostmere. Now the stakes weren’t just her own. They were for her people.
“Why would he give away a magical item?” Ben shook his head. “I want to know what’s in this game for him. No one would give away that much gold plus a magical dagger just for a game.”
“Now the details.” Rupe slipped the dagger into its sheath. “Think about this well. Those who agree will sign a binding contract to abide by my rules. No one will be allowed to compete unless they do.”
“Here it comes,” Ben muttered.
Raven stood on tiptoes to get a better look at the podium. Her face flushed and she clasped Ben’s hand tightly.
“You may wonder why I’m conducting this game. Truth is, I need help for my magical pursuits. So, although the winnings are great, the cost of losing is possibly greater. I will bind losers to the object I choose, in my ongoing quest to conquer the elements here in Wildhold. Therefore, all losers will forfeit their spirit to be bound forever in service to the greater good. Be warned, this is not negotiable.” He paused. “I’m sure that many of you will not compete under these terms.”
Chatter broke out around her. A few contestants shouted, and many moved back, out of the circle of participants. The group willing to compete shrank.
“You can’t really still expect to play this game, Raven.” Ben shook his mane. “This guy is crazy. No way we can risk our souls for the chance to win some gold coins and a magical dagger.”
“I do intend to compete. And I’m going to win.”
“You’re being ridiculous, Raven. He’s talking about enslavement. If we sign the contract, we’ll be at his mercy.” Ben scrunched his face into a scowl. “We’ll be bound to the terms—and they’re very bad terms.”
“I’m signing. There’s no need for you to. I can do this myself.” Raven steeled her face into a mask.
No one really knew how deeply it bothered her to feel like the worst failure ever. Even Ben, as much as he loved her, couldn’t understand what it felt like to fail over and over again and have everyone stare and judge and pity.
This game was a chance at redemption, and no matter how high the risks, it was worth it. After all, she already felt enslaved to a life of falling short of everyone’s expectations. How would losing be any different than that?
She had a chance to get out, and taking it, even though losing would be harsh, might be the only chance she ever got to turn things around. She could live her life in security and wallow in her failure, or she could risk it all and rise above what even she had never imagined.
Competing wasn’t a choice. It was a way out.
“That’s not happening. We can compete as a team. Help each other.” He struck the ground with his hooves. “He’s not said we can’t.”
“Thank you. I need to do this.” It worried her that Ben would compete at her side, though the relief she felt outweighed the anxiety. They were a great team and together, they’d be unbeatable.
“Anyone ready to sign, Zelonga will have the contract here on stage. Make sure you read it carefully, because it is binding.”
“I knew it was him,” Raven pointed. “It’s Zelonga.”
“He probably gets a cut for recruiting contestants. That doesn’t surprise me.”
“No, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I want to know how he got here so quickly. He was in Lostmere when we left.”
“He had time to get here before us. He may not have stopped overnight either.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Raven headed toward the podium and stage and Ben followed, his hooves clomping as most of the contestants headed the opposite direction, shaking their heads and mumbling about the game.
Rupe paced. “Once you sign, you are bound and there’s no backing out. Make sure this is what you want, and that you understand the terms. Last warning.”
“I don’t like this,” Ben said.
“Shh!” Raven immediately regretted being annoyed with Ben. He’d really done her a favor by coming to Cliffhold. “Sorry,” she added.
“There will be three tasks in the game. Everyone competes unless they lose. And for those who lose along the way…hag rest their souls.”
A chill raced up Raven’s spine. The crowd shuffled and grew quiet.
“I really don’t think this is a good idea, Raven.” Ben stomped his feet, kicking a bit of dust into the air for emphasis.
“This is a game you aren’t going to want to lose.” Rupe motioned to the small table Zelonga set on the stage. “But if you win? Life changing.”
“Life changing to lose, too,” Ben grumbled.
“I want that dagger.” Raven took a deep breath and blew it out with force. “It’s meant to be mine.”
Raven peered around Ben to take a look at the others who would compete. Five, in total, and she only had to defeat three, since she and Ben would work together. Not bad odds, as she’d expected many more to compete in a contest with such a large prize. So many had been scared away by the terms.
The muscled dwarf had signed the contract, along with an equally muscled female mountain troll. The troll’s cropped blonde hair was spiked and the tips tinged with blue dye. She had a tattoo on her cheek beside her eye, or maybe it was a mole. Raven couldn’t see it clearly and she wasn’t about to get closer to check it.
A third man stood, feet apart and his hands at his sides like he was in a battle formation or guarding someone. On alert. Dressed in all black, with black hair pulled into a ponytail, he oozed darkness, though not evil. Was he an orc or a witch? Raven couldn’t tell.
Whatever he was, it was clear he’d be one of the toughest to beat, though. At least by the looks of him, he was savvy and cunning. Of course, that might not be true. He might be dumber than all of them.
She smiled and looked back to Rupe.
“The first task is one of trust. There won’t be much information, and you’ll have to rely on your instinct to pass.” Rupe clasped his hands behind his back. “Those who listen carefully will complete this task. Those who do not…”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Ben whispered.
While they’d waited on the others to sign the contract, Ben had shifted back to his human form and dressed. He’d decided not to bring his sword since Raven had hers, though she had him carrying a water flask and some coins. She grabbed his hand.
“It’s going to be fine.” She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb. “We won’t lose.”
“Those who do not complete this task…well, they will stand on the edge of the world, and give their soul to the fire. It will be a selfless gift, one that will help all of Wildhold. A sacrifice of sorts.”
“He’s crazy,” Ben spoke softly. “I don’t trust him.”
“You should’ve thought of that before you signed.” Raven tightened her hair elastic. “Have a little faith. Everything is going to work out.”
The crowd had pushed close to the stage. Raven scanned the gathered group, wondering why each one had refused to sign the contract. Most had likely come to participate but were scared away by the rules and reality. Some might have been told not to compete by friends or relatives. Others might have never intended to compete to begin with.
She wasn’t scared. If anything, the high stakes made her feel alive. Ready to do whatever it took to win. In fact, she couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt so free and yet so close to her destiny.
People in the crowd who were too scared to compete, looked up to her. Admired her courage. Some people in the betting tents were no doubt placing bets that she would win. Here in Cliffhold, she wasn’t a loser. It was like all the negatives had been wiped from her life.
She stood tall.
Rupe stopped and pivoted on one foot to face the contestants. “The first task is simple, and you will have until darkness covers Cliffhold to complete it. Once the sun no longer tints the sky, whoever has not finished will forfeit. They will serve fire forever.”
Raven tensed. The contest was about to begin, and she was eager to hear the details. Fire or not, the gold and the magical dagger awaited.
Ben grabbed her hand and held it tightly. “We stick together on this.”
“Of course.”
Rupe turned to the group on stage, meeting Raven’s gaze for a brief moment. His off-white tunic hung off him like it was on a wash line, but he comported himself with such airs, someone who didn’t know better might think he was royalty. The authority in his voice couldn’t be questioned.
“You have all answered the call of the contest. The time has come. You each must bring me a speaking stone from Cliffhold. These stones they may not be easily found, though they aren’t rare. You’re not to ask the locals. You need to find them on your own. Trust your feelings on this. Bring me the speaking stones.”
Raven looked at Ben, her heart thudding. She knew nothing of speaking stones. She’d never heard the name in her whole life. Ben shrugged and let go of her hand so he could rub his face. His frustration rolled off him like bad cheese.
She turned to see how the other contestants fared with the news and saw the back of the troll as she climbed off stage and headed through the crowd. The dwarf and the man in black were gone, too. Either they all knew what Rupe was talking about or they knew nothing but wanted a head start.
“Better hurry,” Rupe said. “You don’t have very long to figure this out.” His smile was less than genuine.
“Hurry, Raven. This is your chance.” Zelonga rolled up the parchment contract. “Of all those I spoke to, you were the most desperate and most in need. Let’s see what you can do.”
Raven started to retort to Zelonga but held her tongue. Angering Rupe wouldn’t be a great idea.
Ben pulled her off stage and they headed out into town, neither speaking. Raven wracked her brain. What were speaking stones? And where would they find them? Did the other contestants know something she didn’t?
They had pushed through the crowd into the city market before Ben spoke.
“Maybe if we leave now, and go back to Lostmere, we can get out of the contract. Get away from Rupe and his crazy rules.”
Raven slowed. “Why would we do that?”
“Oh, I don’t know, perhaps because if we don’t find the speaking stones, we’ll sacrifice our souls.”
“We’ll find them.”
Ben caught her by the arm and turned her to face him. “I’m not sure you’re thinking this through. If we lose—”
“We aren’t going to lose.” She pulled free and walked.
Ben could follow her or not. She loved him, but he was so hardheaded sometimes.
“We could get back to Lostmere in a day.” His voice rumbled. “All this would be a nightmare. A dream that was over.”
He was scared of losing. Raven pushed away the bit of fear that rose in her chest, tightening her muscles. She wouldn’t spend time thinking about losing. That was counterproductive. She needed to stay positive.
“We can do this.” Raven weaved through the rows of merchants selling their wares.
Obviously not everyone had been at the field. The market was crowded.
“What if we can’t do this? What if we lose?”
“As I’ve said, we aren’t going to lose. But we need to focus on this task. We don’t have a lot of time.” She scanned the sky. The sun was overhead, and there wasn’t a dragon to be seen. They had time, though nightfall did feel like it came earlier this time of year. She slipped her hand in her pocket and held the coin. It warmed a little and she let it go.
She needed the luck it supposedly could bring.
“I’ve never heard of speaking stones.” Ben sighed. “I have no idea where to even begin to look.”
“Me either.”
“Are they stones that actually talk, or sound like they talk? Or are they stones people speak to?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know where to go to find out.” Raven chewed her lip. “But there has to be a clue somewhere. Otherwise this is going to be a very short game.”
Zelonga had said the game would consist of riddles. She had to look at the speaking stones as maybe something that wasn’t literal. She tapped her finger to her lip.
“Maybe people hold them when they speak? Like, politicians. Whoever holds the stone is allowed to speak?”
“Or maybe they have writing on them.” Raven looked for the other contestants in the crowd, but none were anywhere to be seen. Vendors and shop
pers mingled in the sunny warmth, and conversation drifted toward them in a languid stream of sound. Colorful scarves decorated the poles in the market and fluttered like small flags in the breeze.
No one was in a hurry and whatever excitement the people on the field had for the game hadn’t carried over into the market. There were plenty of people to ask about the stones, if only they were allowed. But Rupe had said they couldn’t ask anyone, and Raven didn’t want to be disqualified.
She peered down alleyways and continued along the main road.
A typical small-town market. It seemed like the least likely place to find the speaking stones. Unless they were common. How would they even find out since they couldn’t ask?
The other contestants were nowhere in sight. There weren’t many roads in Cliffhold, and the market took up most of the central part of town, so the troll, dwarf, and dark man would’ve had to come through the market, too.
Where had they all gone?
Raven stopped. If only she and Ben had followed the others instead of heading to the town center where the crowded market was, they might know more than they did.
She put her hands on her hips and scanned the area, wracking her brain for any tidbit of useful information.
Not a chance that the stones were something you could buy in one of the small stalls. Clothing, incense, fruit, and various handicrafts filled the shelves and bins. Unless the stones were hidden as something else, they weren’t in the market. No, the stones had to be somewhere else.
Somewhere obvious, but not so obvious. The market was too obvious.
She tugged at her necklace, thinking.
Raven.
She turned to see who had spoken. She shivered.
“Are you okay?” Ben asked.
She nodded. “Yeah. Hold on.”
Look for the gathering place of voices. The center. The heartbeat of town.
“Will I find the stones there?” she asked. “Aren’t I there now? The market? Are the stones in the market?”
“What are you talking about? Who are you talking to?” Ben stepped in front of her. “Are you feeling okay?”
Trust me. I will help you as much as I can, even though I am magicbound. Find the well. There you will find what you seek in the quiet of the afternoon.
Raven's Game Page 6