Dagger and Scythe

by Emilie Knight

  Continuing west, Dagger spotted two other figures on horses in the gloom in front of him. He pulled his reins and slowed his own horse, staying a good distance from them. As long as he didn’t get too close, he could rely on the shadow trick. If he tried to pass on the narrow road, a horse might stumble or sway into him, and the spell would break.

  The moon rose, and as the sky darkened to black, the two ahead of him turned off the road for the night. There were small ditches on either side of it, and Dagger watched as the first horse with the taller rider avoided the ditch easily. The second horse wasn’t so lucky. Its hind leg sunk into a hidden snake hole. Dagger cringed with the horse when its leg snapped. The horse screamed and panicked, falling to its side. The rider shrieked in the chaos but managed to get out of the way before the horse could crush her.

  “Marella!” The first figure jumped off his horse and helped the woman to her feet.

  “I’m alright,” she said, dusting off her riding dress.

  The horse kept screaming, its leg stuck in the snake hole. It would never walk right again, and that’s if they got help quickly. The other horse was growing nervous, and the two people just stood there and watched, seeming unsure of what to do.

  Dagger knew well enough he should leave them alone. He could pass right by, and they wouldn’t notice. The creature’s strangled, pain-filled screams wouldn’t stop until it was dead, and the two were clearly at a loss.

  Dagger nudged his horse closer, though it was growing skittish as well. “Hello, there!”

  The two looked up at his call. The bearded man with black and grey stepped in front of the young woman, who kept her arms crossed. Both were rightfully nervous.

  Dagger dismounted and tied the reins onto a bush by the road. He knew he looked threatening, especially with his belt of knives, so he kept his distance, with his hands clear for them to see.

  “May I help?” Dagger asked, gesturing to the fallen horse.

  “Oh! Yes, I’m not sure what help can be done, though,” the man said.

  Dagger approached the fallen horse and knelt where the creature could see him. “Hush, quiet now, you’re alright.”

  He stroked the horse’s neck, feeling the strong tendons jump and twitch. Its coat was a beautiful white with grey spots down its back. It calmed after a time, but it was still in pain. Blood soaked the ground and sank into the snake’s den. The hoof was buried, and the bone jutted through the pale flesh.

  Dagger reached behind him and unsheathed his chosen weapon. Keeping it out of the horse’s sight he angled the blade close to its ear. One swift motion ended the horse’s pain.

  Once it was done, Dagger stood and cleaned the blood with a handkerchief.

  “Thank you, sir,” the man said, moving closer. “I knew it had to be done, but…”

  “Have you ever killed anything?” Dagger asked. Judging by the man’s well-made and clean attire, he wasn’t a warrior.

  “I haven’t,” he admitted sounding a bit embarrassed. “I’m a stonemason.”

  “No shame in that; it’s good, honest work.” Dagger stowed his knife away.

  “Maybe, but that horse was expensive. No point dwelling on it. Will you help me lift him to salvage the supplies?”

  “Of course.”

  They shifted the horse’s corpse enough to get the saddlebags from under it. The man tied them to his own horse, and the woman stayed close by him. She seemed familiar, but Dagger couldn’t place why.

  “You two should find a different clearing to camp in. You and your wife don’t want to be around when the wolves come for the easy meat,” Dagger suggested.

  The man turned back to him, confused, then turned to the woman. She started laughing, and the man cracked a grin as well.

  “This is my daughter, Marella. My name is Thomas,” he corrected.

  The woman did seem very young compared to the man, but there had been odder parings. Father and daughter made more sense.

  “My mistake,” Dagger said, a little embarrassed. “My name is Jason.”

  He wasn’t about to give his real name.

  “Thank you again for the help,” Thomas said. “You could share the night with us if you like. It would be safer to travel as a group anyway. You seem to be going the same way.”

  “Thank you, but I must pass. The road to the western cities is a long one, without the mountains in the way, and I’m in a hurry.” Another lie.

  “That is a long journey. Well, if you happen to stop in Chalcis and need a place to stay, ask for me in the market district. It’s the least I could offer for your help.”

  Dagger cringed inwardly. These two lived in Chalcis. Now he would have to worry about running into them on the road again. Once the shadow trick was broken, it couldn’t be recast on that person.

  “Thank you for the offer,” Dagger gave a small nod and took his leave.

  “What business do you have in the west?” Marella interjected before Dagger could mount up again.

  “Marella, don’t bother the poor man,” Thomas scolded.

  Marella ignored her father as she waited for Dagger’s answer. She appeared angry, as if she were trying to accuse him of something. He was tempted to just leave, but curiosity stayed him.

  “Visiting a friend I haven’t seen in a few years,” he said. “And you? Where do you travel from, if Chalcis is your home?”

  “The city southeast of here: Kaliasma. Returning home from my sister’s funeral.”

  “Marella!” Thomas bellowed.

  She shut up then and stared at Dagger. He didn’t like what that look held.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” he forced himself to say kindly.

  “I’m sorry to bother you with this, sir…” Thomas started.

  “She was murdered at her friend’s wedding,” Marella interrupted again.

  “Enough!” Thomas cried again, rounding on his daughter. He was on edge now, no doubt from having his other daughter’s death brought up.

  The realization of why Marella was familiar struck like a spear. She had the same shaped nose and eyes as the blond girl he’d chosen at the wedding in Kaliasma. He had killed her sister. She recognized him from that wedding. She must have been there and noticed her sister talking to a strange man before she was murdered. The shadow trick had its limits when a loved one was already keeping an eye on someone else.

  He wasn’t allowed to kill these two to cover his tracks. If Maniodes learned he had been noticed, all would be lost.

  “I understand you are grieving, ma’am, but I don’t appreciate what your eyes are accusing,” Dagger said.

  “She accuses nothing, sir,” Thomas insisted. “It was a mistake.”

  “Her throat was cut in a back alley!” Marella shouted.

  “Stop bothering a random stranger with your—”

  “I saw him there,” Marella said to her father.

  Thomas didn’t respond, torn between trusting his daughter and not causing trouble. Dagger saw his hands begin to shake. If this man realized he was in the presence of the one who murdered his daughter, it wouldn’t end well for any of them.

  “I’ve never been to Kaliasma,” Dagger claimed, trying to calm them. Though he had been born there.

  “Where were you the other night?” Marella accused with fire in her eyes.

  “Back in my home in the mountains, east of here.”

  “Convenient that no one can back up your alibi right now.”

  “My wife can. She’s home now, and we spent the whole night together.”

  “Marella, you can’t just accuse the first man you see,” Thomas said, coming back to himself.

  “I saw him!” she shouted again, growing more frustrated.

  “You were drinking that night; you said so yourself.”

  “That doesn’t matter!”

  “Forgive her, sir,” Thomas said, turning to Dagger. Dagger could see the tears he was holding back in the moonlight. “I think it would be best if you leave. Just mind your business, an
d we’ll mind ours.”

  “Father—”

  “Enough, Marella.”

  “I think parting would be best,” Dagger said gratefully. “I am sorry for the loss of your daughter.”

  “Thank you,” Thomas managed to say.

  Dagger turned his back on the two and mounted his horse again. He could hear Marella’s raised voice and Thomas arguing until he was out of earshot.

  “Fuck,” Dagger cursed under his breath.

  Chapter 16

  The ride to Chalcis would have been pleasant if it hadn’t been for that meeting and the rain byt the end of the trip. The horse’s hooves sunk into the mud, slowing Dagger’s progress even more. He might not feel cold as he once did, but the wind and rain were not pleasant. The roads had degraded, which made the mud worse. When he reached the city gates he was ready to stab something, though he took care to avoid more travelers.

  The city of Chalcis wasn’t spectacular, having grown from a farming village centuries ago. It was spread over miles of flat, fertile land, making it the perfect trading hub, especially so close to the sea. The walls surrounding the city were well-crafted stone at least one hundred feet high. Dagger wondered if Thomas, the grieving stonemason, had helped in the construction.

  Chalcis’s main gate was just closing for the night when Dagger arrived. He’d planned it that way, so he’d have a full night to find the people on his list.

  The city itself was clean by most standards. The buildings were made of white brick with terra-cotta roof tiles. Each street looked the same, which would make navigating difficult. The victims’ locations were provided by Maniodes, but Dagger didn’t know what the people looked like. How Maniodes even got that information, he didn’t know.

  He left his horse in a large public stable with a note. If this horse was gone when he returned, he’d steal another one. The list of victims only held three names, but he would have to get information on them somehow. Problem was, most people slept at night.

  He left the stables and began exploring the city.

  The first person on the list was a man named Basil Paavo, with an address on Lapis Street, which wasn’t hard to find. All of the main roads and side streets were marked with signs on buildings at each corner. Lapis Street ended up being part of a housing district that was nearly empty at this hour. The only people outside were the homeless, trying to stay out of sight.

  For the second person, Dagger had only a single name: Nereus. Fortunately, this location was a gambling den called the Checkered Card. He found it after an hour. It was a lively place at this hour, but the barkeep said he hadn’t seen Nereus. Apparently, Nereus was well known here but not well liked. Dagger considered waiting for him but changed his mind. He wanted to keep moving.

  The third name was Sappho, also known as Sapphire, on Gem Street. This street was not as well kept as the others. Wet filth lined the roads and even the rotting vegetables were ignored by the rats. Dagger noted two brothels on this road and given the victim’s name, she was probably a prostitute. She turned out to be the easiest one to find.

  Several women were working the streets tonight. Dagger picked a spot under a burning torch, as he could be seen leaning against the wall. He let the shadow trick slip away and only had to wait a few minutes before a woman approached him.

  “Hi, handsome.” The smell of roses wafting off her was strong enough to gag on.

  “Sapphire?” he asked.

  The woman scoffed, she didn’t even try to bargain with him. “That whore’s on the other end of the street,” she said. “Just look for the blue scarf.”

  With that, she turned to look for a more willing customer.

  Dagger walked the length of Gem Street and spotted a dark-haired woman on the corner. She didn’t look as enthused as the rose-scented woman, but he spotted the blue scarf.

  She noticed him as he approached and, to her credit, stood her ground. Prostitution was never a safe profession.

  “Sapphire?” he asked when he caught up to her.

  “Mhm, and you?” She wasn’t as welcoming as the last woman. Dagger wondered how much business Sapphire actually got.

  “Jason,” he said. “I was wondering if you’d grace me with your presence tonight.”

  “That’s a fancy way of putting it. How much coin you got?”

  Dagger revealed a silver coin but didn’t hand it to her. It was the only one he had, and probably the equivalent of a month’s wages. Her eyes lit up.

  “What is it you’d like?” Her voice changed from standoffish to erotic.

  Oh, now you’re friendly, Dagger thought. “It’s not much, but I’d prefer to stay outside,” he said, keeping the coin in her sights.

  “Alright, just lead the way.” Sapphire linked her arm around Dagger’s, pressing her breast to it. He pocketed the coin and led her off of Gem Street. They found a relatively clean alley, and Dagger stopped Sapphire in the center.

  She paused then, taking a step back. He didn’t blame her for being cautious.

  “Coin first,” she demanded.

  Dagger fished the coin out of his pocket again and handed it to her. She didn’t try to run but she did try to bend it. When she realized it was pure silver, she looked up at him with a mix of fear and awe.

  “What exactly do you want to do for this much?” she asked.

  Dagger unsheathed his blade and buried it into Sapphire’s breast. Crimson stained her pretty blue scarf. Dagger lowered her to the ground and waited for the light to die in her eyes. Once it did, he removed the knife, took the coin back, and cleaned the blood from his blade with her dress.

  He wasn’t concerned with hiding the body. Their job was meant to cause fear in the living, so he wanted it found. He wondered though if this target was meant to make other prostitutes more cautious.

  Once that job was done, Dagger walked back to the Checkered Card for Nereus. It was still full during the small hours of the night. Dagger took a stool at the bar and searched the floor.

  “You still looking for Nereus?” the barkeep asked Dagger.

  “I am; is he here?”

  “Aye, he’s there.” The barkeep kept his hand low and pointed to the corner. Obviously, he didn’t want to be seen ratting out one of his own patrons.

  Dagger followed his gesture, but there was a table of five men gambling.

  “Which one?” Dagger asked.

  “His back is to the corner, blond hair.” He kept his voice low as to not be overheard.

  Dagger looked at the man in the corner seat. His hair was shaggy and probably hadn’t been washed in weeks. Dagger ordered an ale from the barkeep to pass the time and kept an eye on Nereus.

  “I’d stay away from him,” the barkeep said as he served Dagger. “He’s not a pleasant man on a good day.”

  Dagger thanked him, paid, and waited. It would have been possible for him to assassinate Nereus unnoticed in this crowd as long as he didn’t touch anyone to break the shadow trick, but the barkeep had already seen him. He’d use that as a last resort if the barkeep ever left the room, but it wasn’t as entertaining as a hunt.

  Nereus played cards for a couple of hours. Eventually, his group ended its last game, with Nereus not looking happy. The cards clearly weren’t in his favor tonight. Most of his group left through the front door, but Nereus and another man snuck into a hallway in the back. Dagger finished off his ale and followed.

  The two men slipped out of a back door into an alley. The opportunity was perfect. They were alone, and the shadows were thick enough to hide in. Dagger didn’t even have to kill the other man to cover his tracks. He could throw a knife into the other man’s leg, forcing him down, then cut Nereus’s throat.

  Dagger picked a throwing knife and aimed with his keen eye. With one quick throw, the blade flew from his fingers to the back of the other man’s knee. The man collapsed, clutching his leg. He gave a single loud curse instead of screaming when the soft tendons were punctured. The man would never walk properly again, but Dagger g
ave him credit for handling the pain.

  Nereus stood beside his downed friend, stunned. He looked back down the alley, but his eyes passed over Dagger standing just a few strides away in the shadow. Nor did he see Dagger take out his chosen weapon and advance.

  Nereus bolted down the alley, leaving his friend swearing after him.

  Dagger hadn’t expected the man to run. He chased his target as Nereus veered down the street and down another alley. The thrill of the chase burned in Dagger’s veins. He felt like a wolf hunting down a deer. His quiet city life never provided this kind of thrill.

  Nereus darted down another corner with Dagger close behind. Nereus was already tiring, and Dagger hoped the man could hear him at his heels.

  This new alley ended at a solid white mud-brick wall, and Dagger laughed. Nereus turned again, unexpectedly. In his excitement, Dagger had missed a door set into the wall. Nereus wrenched the door open and disappeared inside.

  “No!” Dagger reached the door, but it was locked.

  He resisted the urge to kick the door down right away. Nereus knew he was coming, but Dagger didn’t know if there were more people behind this door.

  Dagger waited a moment and listened. The air was silent, and he couldn’t hear movements inside. He might only have ten years of being an Incruentus Ferrum, but he’d never let his prey escape.

  Dagger took a step back and kicked, causing shrapnel from the lock to scatter into the room.

  Crates were stored inside, creating perfect hiding places. Dagger stayed by the broken door, guarding it. Piles of lumber stacked up the walls made a pleasant woodsy scent. It was a nice reprieve from the shit and vomit smells of the alley. There was a raised walkway around the perimeter so those above could watch the workers below. There didn’t appear to be any other doors on this level, but Dagger would have to be careful not to lose his prey.