By Blood and Magic

by Jamie A. Waters

  Sabine nodded, accepting the explanation. “Is it your desire to travel with me, Rika?”

  Rika hesitated and lowered her gaze to stare at the floor. Sabine’s heart went out to this young woman, on the cusp of womanhood and about to embark on an unknown future. Gods. It was like looking at herself when she’d been forced to leave Faerie.

  Softening her tone, Sabine said, “There is no wrong answer, Rika. I’m not sure what you’ve been told about the Fae, but I won’t steal you away from your home if you don’t wish to leave.”

  Rika raised her head to meet Sabine’s gaze. “I don’t want to leave my friends and family, but I know I must.” Her lower lip trembled, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Grandmother won’t survive the next burning festival. If you don’t take me with you, they’ll kill me too. I… I’m afraid to go, but I don’t want to die.”

  Her heart broke at Rika’s words. Sabine sighed and said, “All right. Have a seat. We need to discuss a few more things and make some plans. I want you to understand exactly what you may face if you choose this path.”

  Rika nodded and helped her grandmother to one of the cushions before sitting beside her. Using the opportunity to gather her thoughts, Sabine equipped her weapons underneath the dress. The skirt portion had a long slit up each side, which allowed not only a great deal of movement but would also allow her to easily draw the throwing knives attached to her thigh. Her normal dagger was easily affixed to the chained silver belt around her waist.

  Once she finished, she walked to the cushions and sat down. Sabine withdrew her dagger and rested it on her lap. Rika paled a little, but Zaverza snapped, “None of that, girl. If she wanted to harm you, she wouldn’t need weapons to do it.”

  Sabine arched her brow at Zaverza but didn’t argue. In truth, Sabine wasn’t sure how much Fae magic a seer could deflect.

  Focusing again on Rika, Sabine said, “Your grandmother is right. This knife is to make a blood oath, not to cause anyone harm. My magic doesn’t always affect seers the way it does other humans, but a blood oath is tied to your power. This is a way for both of us to protect ourselves. Why don’t you hold on to the knife while we’re speaking?”

  Sabine offered her weapon to the girl hilt first, and Rika tentatively accepted it. She hesitated but then placed it on her lap the way Sabine had been holding it. From the way Rika handled the blade, Sabine guessed she had very little experience with weapons.

  “How old are you, Rika?”

  Rika lowered her gaze. “Fifteen, mistress.”

  Gods. She was even younger than Sabine had been when she’d had to leave her home. At least the children she’d helped in Akros hadn’t been forced to leave everything they knew. This was going to be more difficult than she’d thought.

  Determined to set Rika at ease, Sabine gave the girl a small smile. “Call me Sabine. If we’re going to be traveling together, we should probably get to know each other a bit better. I’m willing to answer any questions you might have, but you’ll need to swear not to reveal anything I share with you. Are you willing to do that?”

  Rika nodded.

  “Good,” Sabine said and gestured to the knife. “Go ahead and make a tiny cut on your palm, just enough to draw blood. Your grandmother will also do the same. Then you both must repeat my words.”

  Rika picked up the knife. She pricked her hand and winced before passing the blade to her grandmother. Zaverza repeated the gesture before handing it back to Sabine.

  “Repeat after me,” Sabine said and slid the knife back into its sheath. “I swear not to reveal any secrets that divulge the identity of Sabin’theoria or any of her companions. Anything seen, heard, or learned while in her company or under her protection is sacrosanct and shall never be revealed except by her leave.”

  Sabine waited until they finished repeating her words and then continued, “I further swear to protect the secrets of the Fae and Sabin’theoria’s companions. No harm shall be done by my hand or by my leave, either to Sabin’theoria or any of her sworn allies.”

  After they uttered the last words, Sabine held out both her hands. The two women exchanged a look and then placed their injured hands onto hers.

  Sabine leaned over their hands and blew gently over them, infusing her breath with the magic of her ancestors to seal their bargain and heal their wounds. Closing her eyes, she whispered in the language of Faerie, “By blood and moonlight, I accept and bind your oaths.”

  The weight of their agreement settled over Sabine like a heavy mantle. For better or worse, their fates were now intertwined. Sabine wasn’t sure what this meant when it came time for her to be reunited with her people, but Rika would remain under her protection. Even the fiercest of the Fae would hesitate to raise a hand against Rika for fear of reprisal.

  She opened her eyes to regard them and said, “It is finished. When my business in Karga is concluded, Rika will travel with me and my companions. It’s unlikely we’ll ever return to Karga, so you should say your good-byes before we depart. Do you have a small piece of wood or a piece of metal?”

  Rika nodded and jumped up. She picked up a piece of wood from a pile, which appeared to have been gathered for a fire. Holding it out, she offered it to Sabine. “Is this okay?”

  “That will work,” Sabine said and snapped off a small piece. Using a small amount of magic, she traced the first letter of her name on the wood and then handed it back to Rika. “Hold on to that and do not let it out of your possession.”

  The girl’s eyes widened in surprise as she studied the altered wood.

  Turning back toward Zaverza, Sabine said, “Our ship was damaged en route to Karga. My companion is in the process of hiring workers to repair the damage. If you believe Rika’s life is in immediate danger, send her north with the workers. One of my sworn allies, Bane, has remained with the ship to oversee the work. If she gives him that marker, he will honor our agreement and protect her while I’m absent.”

  Zaverza’s eyes watered, and she patted Rika’s hand. “I told you she would help you, child. You will be safe.”

  Sabine watched the exchange, hoping the girl wouldn’t panic when she learned Bane was a demon. She wasn’t sure how many of the city’s superstitions Rika had inherited, but that would be something to be dealt with later. With any luck, she’d be there to make the introductions the first time Rika met Bane. “Did you have any questions for me, Rika?”

  Rika hesitated and then gave her a shy smile. “You’re really Fae?”

  Sabine smiled. “I am. I was born in Faerie, although I haven’t been back in almost ten years.”

  “Why not?”

  Sabine sighed. “That’s a long and rather unpleasant story. Like you, I needed to leave my home to stay safe. I’ll return one day, but not for a long time yet.”

  “Can… can I see you without your illusion?”

  “Ah,” Sabine murmured, glancing around to make sure no one else was around. “Just for a moment.”

  Sabine carefully lowered the magical illusion hiding her true appearance. Her skin began to glow with power, and the silver vines etched on her skin began to pulse.

  Rika’s eyes widened, and she said through a heavy breath, “You’re beautiful.”

  Sabine smiled and reapplied her illusion. “It’s not safe for me to walk around as I truly am, so my glamour is designed to give me more of a human appearance. I don’t remove it often. Only my close friends and allies have seen me without it. You’re now counted among those select few.”

  Rika’s smile deepened, and she sat up a little straighter. She might still have some misgivings, but at least Sabine had put the worst of them to rest. Shining a little light on the shadows always made things less frightening.

  Zaverza patted Rika’s hand again. “See, child? I told you all would be well.”

  Sabine nodded. “Now that you’ve sworn to keep my secrets, you can ask me questions any time. I may not always be able to answer them, but I will always be honest with you. From now unt
il your last days, as long as you stay true to your oath, you have nothing to fear from me.”

  “I understand,” Rika said, folding her hands in her lap.

  Turning back to Zaverza, Sabine asked, “Now as to the matter of the information you promised?”

  “Of course,” Zaverza said and held out her hand. “Place your hand in mine, and I shall aid you however I can. What do you wish to know?”

  Sabine placed her hand in Zaverza’s, understanding some magic required touch to be effective. “A woman came to the city not long ago to trade for supplies. She is one of the Merfolk, a shapeshifter in human form. She never returned home. How can I find her?”

  Zaverza’s eyes lost their focus, and she gripped Sabine’s hand tightly. “The woman you seek is no longer in Karga. The Pearl of the Sea has been stolen away and taken deep into the desert. She will not be easy to locate. You need to find her to reunite those who were once separated.” She paused, then swayed as though hearing music. “There is a grave danger. Something hunts you. You have thwarted them not once, but twice. They are more determined than ever to find you. Desperation makes them bold. You only have a handful of days before they are strong enough to hunt you once again.”

  Sabine forced her body to stay relaxed even though her heart pounded in her chest. This woman must be referring to the Wild Hunt or her family. Sabine waited, sensing the woman wasn’t finished.

  “I sense great power within you,” Zaverza murmured, her brow furrowing. “You have been touched by the gods, but their gift carries a great price.”

  Sabine swallowed and pulled away her hand, unwilling to allow this woman to continue. Some things were too dangerous to speak aloud, especially among strangers. “We have all been touched by the gods in some manner.”

  Zaverza’s eyes were wide with fear as she urged, “You must find Pearl quickly and fulfill your agreement to the sea folk. If you fail to locate her by the deadline, our world shall be engulfed in flames and all those under your protection shall perish. She holds one of the keys!”

  Sabine’s brow furrowed, and she tried to ignore the cold chill that had taken root inside her. “What did you see?”

  “The portal is failing,” Zaverza whispered, wringing her gnarled hands together. “I saw the destruction of our world should that end come to pass. All will be lost if you don’t find Pearl.”

  Icy tendrils of fear crept up Sabine’s spine. If Malek hadn’t expended most of his magic to fly the ship here, they might have missed their window to locate Pearl. Zaverza’s words had offered some hope in stopping such a calamity from happening, but their recovery mission couldn’t wait. They needed to find Pearl right away. It was no longer simply a matter of saving Esmelle and the others. More than her friend’s life was at stake.

  Sabine frowned. “Did you see where she was in the desert?”

  Zaverza shook her head, her gray braids swinging from the movement. She reached over to touch Sabine’s hand again and closed her eyes. “You must go to the inn to meet your companion. You will remain there only for tonight. Dance, sing, and make merry. Someone will approach you with an offer. Listen well and carefully. When they quit the city, you must travel with them. Only then might you find the one you seek.”

  When Zaverza opened her eyes, her shoulders were hunched and she appeared even older. The foretelling had taken a toll on her.

  Sabine managed a weak smile, wishing she could ease the woman’s pain. Healing had never been one of her gifts, or she’d be inclined to offer it now. “You have honored our bargain well, Zaverza. I will do as you have instructed.”

  “Good,” Zaverza said and gestured toward her granddaughter. “Help me up, child.”

  Rika jumped to her feet and helped her grandmother stand.

  Zaverza patted her shoulder affectionately and said, “Have your uncle escort her to the inn. I must rest and then we shall prepare you for your travels. Time grows short, and we have much to do.”

  Without waiting for a response, Zaverza ambled out of the room, seeming to carry the weight of the world upon her hunched shoulders.

  Sabine rubbed her arms to ward against the cold chill that had taken residence inside her. If the fate of their world truly rested upon locating Pearl, it was more vital than ever that she fulfill the Merfolk’s request. Sabine hoped she was up to the task.

  “And that’s when I told him to get the hell off my docks!”

  Malek chuckled at the dockmaster’s story. Shorin was an older man, probably in his sixties, with graying hair and a long beard. He’d retired some years earlier from being a ship captain and had been running a successful business in Karga for the past ten years. Malek wasn’t sure where Shorin was from originally, but he suspected it was one of the northern cities, maybe even Akros.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t push him off the docks for trying to cheat you,” Malek said and leaned against the counter. “A swallow of seawater would have shut him up right quick.”

  “Thought about it,” Shorin admitted aloud with a booming laugh. “But yer not here to listen to an old sailor’s ramblings. What can I do for ye? I didn’t see yer ship in the harbor.”

  “Right.” Malek dropped a pouch onto the counter separating them. “I ran into a bit of bad luck myself. My ship was attacked, and we were forced to make landfall a few hours north. My crew’s still with the ship, and they’re fixing the damage as best they can. But we’re going to need additional workers, treated lumber, and other supplies to make her seaworthy again.”

  Shorin opened the bag and dumped its contents onto the counter. Precious gems of all different sizes and colors spilled out. Shorin’s eyes widened. He lifted one of them to the light and assessed it with a critical eye. “Aye, these’ll do. I can send a few boys up to take a look. You’ll need to pay extra for supplies.”

  “Of course,” Malek agreed and pulled out a second pouch. “This should cover it, including pulling off a few more of your ‘boys’ from other jobs. We’ve got to be underway in a few days if we’re going to beat the weather.”

  Shorin arched his brow. “Then yer sailin’ south again for Razadon?”

  Malek nodded. “The Merfolk hit us hard. I lost quite a bit of my cargo. If I’m going to recover from these losses, we need to make landfall there before the summer storms hit.”

  “I’ve often said the Merfolk are bad for business.” Shorin picked up the second bag and looked inside. He let out a low whistle. “Bit more and you could buy a second ship. Shouldn’t be a problem to have you outfitted and underway in a hurry. You’ve always paid your bills, boy. Hate to lose you if the ‘Folk have it out for you.”

  Malek chuckled. “I’m not that generous, Shorin. One of my companions hails from the northern cities, and his features may give your boys a start. Make sure you send workers who won’t balk at a bit of mixed magical blood.

  Shorin snorted. “Aye. I’ve got a few who won’t mind earning coin no matter what bilge rats you’ve got scampering below deck. You willing to take some advice from an old man?”

  Malek paused, surprised by the offer. He didn’t know Shorin well, but the old sailor had taken a shine to him. “Of course. I’ll gladly listen.”

  “Once yer done with repairs, turn your ship north. There’s a strange wind shifting in the south. The crews that have docked here over the past few weeks have told some strange tales.”

  Malek froze, barely managing to keep his expression neutral. The portal was supposedly located in the lands to the south. He wasn’t sure exactly where it was, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find if the magic trickling out was gaining strength. “What sort of tales have you heard?”

  Shorin stroked his gray beard. “Strange storms that turn the skies green. Lightning flashes without thunder. Animals suddenly moving north when they should be heading south. I expect they have the right of things.” He tapped his finger against his nose. “Sailors always know when the winds are about to change.”

  Malek frowned. This wasn’t good. If things
were already deteriorating that much, they needed to hurry and locate the remaining artifacts. His research had indicated at least five relics had been used to seal the portal. They only had one of them in their possession, and Razadon was their only lead in discovering the location of the others.

  Shorin leaned over the counter and whispered, “That’s not all either. We’re moving our burning festival up ahead of schedule. Sacrifices are due to keep the spirits calm.”

  Malek tried to ignore the sense of foreboding that filled him at the dockmaster’s words. “It’s that bad?”

  “Aye. You’d best be gone before then. You know how Karga feels about outsiders. Took years before the Kiervan stopped followin’ me around.” The dockmaster spit on the ground. “I expect we’ll have a larger number of sacrifices this year than we have in decades. Damn devils at work.”

  Malek nodded. “As soon as the ship is repaired, we’ll be departing. I appreciate your time and the warning. I wish you and your family good fortune, Shorin.”

  Shorin nodded and scooped the gems off the counter. While the former sailor locked them in a chest behind him, Malek headed out of the dockmaster’s office.

  He’d known Shorin for several years, but the fact the dockmaster had felt the need to offer warning was worrisome. Things must be dire if the city was moving up their festival. He’d always made pains to avoid Karga during that time of year. According to his schedule, they should have had at least another two months before they sealed the city. Keeping his pace even to avoid any suspicion, Malek headed back toward the inn to find Sabine.

  Karga was intolerant to magic users, and Sabine could raise some eyebrows with her pointed ears and silver hair. Even though he found her glamoured appearance incredibly alluring, someone might decide her features could be a sign of the devil’s magic. Here in the south, they were too close to the volcanic home of the demons. The residents had learned to be wary.

  It had been more than a century since the demons had last attacked Karga and imprisoned some of their people, but their memories were long. The residents still sought out and destroyed anyone suspected of having magical ties. It didn’t matter if their beliefs were founded. In their minds, any traits marking someone as different was a sign of demonic possession or some unholy pact with the demons.