Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3)

by Jessie D. Eaker

  “I’m sure you’ll have other chances to speak with him.”

  She nodded but was clearly not pleased with that answer.

  Over her shoulder, I could see the innkeeper pouring ale for another of his patrons. He caught my eye and motioned me over. I sighed. It was likely to complain about what happened to his son. He led me over to an empty table. I took one chair, and he took the other across from me.

  He gave me a mug of ale, which he said was on him, and introduced himself as Eviek. He was a friendly enough individual, a little on the gruff side, and spoke slightly broken Ellish. However, I couldn’t help but be a little suspicious at his friendly banter. He was not acting like a father upset over his son. There had to be something else.

  He put both of his hands flat on the table and leaned closer. He spoke softly. “Your girl. She gave Ellish language to my youngest, Troy. What girl did...” He looked down. “...is great gift. Knowing it will be a big help to him. And me too. We get many travelers from lands near you.”

  I leaned forward. “Is Troy all right? It didn’t affect him, did it?”

  Eviek shook his head emphatically. “No, he fine. He talking my ear off now.” But I sensed that was not all.

  I nodded. “That’s good. What Cabrina did can create problems. I’m glad he didn’t have any.” I was assuming that what Cabrina did carried some of the same side-effects and risks as what Fumiko and I were doing.

  Eviek considered me for a moment. “Can she make him read and write Ellish too? Or maybe do numbers? He a smart boy. Can even do some myst things. But out here, there is no one to teach him. His mamma showed him a few things before she died, but I don’t know enough to teach him more. Mamma always wanted him to go to university in Khartiva, maybe work the King’s books and numbers. Even tax collectors make good coin.”

  I drew back in surprise. This was not how I thought the conversation would go. “What Cabrina did could have hurt him badly, and your son is fortunate it didn’t. We’ve had to punish her for it.” I didn’t want to tell him that his son had been briefly possessed by one of humanity’s mortal enemies. That might get us kicked out of the inn, or worse, killed.

  Eviek sighed. “So you won’t allow it?”

  I shook my head. “Allowing isn’t the question. Your son could end up injured.”

  He clasped his hands and placed them on the table. He looked at me earnestly. “I need to find something good for Troy. My eldest will be taking the inn when I die. Plus, traffic along this route is slowing. Trade not like it used to be. That means Troy has to find something else.” He looked away. “Mamma asked me to send him to university, on her deathbed no less.”

  Just then, Troy came in carrying a heavy load of firewood. Cabrina practically leaped up to help him with the door. They chatted as he stacked the wood by the hearth.

  Eviek gave me a pleading look. “What if I offer gold? How much would it take?”

  I understood the problem. Not everyone managed to learn to read and write. If trade really was dying along this route, then it could mean the difference between a good life and a life working as someone’s indentured servant.

  But while I sympathized, he had no idea how risky it was. What if the next time there were some of the side-effects Fumiko had mentioned. Or even worse, what if Cabrina decided not to move back to her body. Then there really would be a big mess.

  “I’m sorry, but we dare not try it. The risk is just too high. It could ruin him.”

  Eviek looked down, disappointed. “If you change mind, I will pay. I’ll give you three gold coins.”

  I was not familiar with the coin of this land, but gold was gold. It seemed a substantial offering. I slid my chair back. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”

  He slapped the table’s top, his face turning red with anger. Everyone looked over at us. “Is it because we’re filthy heathens to you! Is that why my coin isn’t good enough!”

  Troy looked up at his father’s outburst and came running over. He spoke to him in their language. The big man turned away, and grabbing his coat, left the room.

  Troy turned to me. “I’m sorry. Father gets a little excited at times. I told him to accept what you had given us as a gift and not press for more. But he wouldn’t listen.” He shook his head. “I better go after him.” He then went out the door.

  Spraggel wandered over. He patted me on the shoulder. “Coren, you certainly have a way with people.”

  I sighed. “What was I supposed to do?”

  Spraggel shook his head. “Not piss him off.” He looked toward the door. “I’ve got a feeling this isn’t over yet.”

  I had expected Eviek to ask me about it again, but he said nothing more. He only regarded me with a deadly silence whenever I was near. I tried to stay out of his way.

  Oddfrid had been notably absent most of the day. We had started to become a little concerned, but when we knocked on his door, he had simply yelled from inside that he was resting. We didn’t see him until mid-afternoon when he emerged still looking exhausted. He was also uncharacteristically subdued as he explained he needed another day to recuperate. Our journey’s next leg was the longest, and he needed to be well-rested before trying it. However, he thought he would be ready by morning.

  For me, I took Zofie to the barn, sat her on a stool, and under Cabrina’s watchful eye, talked with her as I practiced. I really missed her—the way she would smile, the twinkle in her eye, the sound of her voice. All of it. Not only was she my beloved, she was also my closest friend. I needed her back in the worst way.

  When evening finally rolled around, we began to settle for the evening. Spraggel wandered in and immediately went for his pile of hay. He was snoring in only a few minutes. He had been drinking a lot of ale, so I guess it caught up with him.

  Troy came to do one last check on the animals, although I suspected it was more to have one more word with Cabrina. While he was there, Fumiko begged some fresh bindings and salve, which he was more than happy to fetch.

  Fumiko turned to me after he was gone. “Would you help me again?”

  I nodded. “Let me take Zofie to the privy first.”

  Cabrina piped up. “I can take her,” she offered. “Besides, I need to go myself.”

  I paused and considered her.

  Cabrina rolled her eyes as only a young girl can. “What? Do you think I’m going to run off with her or perhaps kill her? I’ve had plenty of chances to do that if I wanted to. Besides, where would I take her in this weather and in the dark?”

  She had a point there. “All right. But come right back.”

  Cabrina went to Zofie and took her hand, pulling her toward the door. “Come on, Princess. Let’s take care of our bodily needs. I swear I don’t see how you humans put up with it.” She kept up a constant stream of words as they went outside, headed for the privy.

  “Are you sure that’s wise?” Fumiko asked as she turned away and slipped off her shirt, exposing her well-toned back to me. As I unwound the old binding, it suddenly hit me that I was alone with a half-naked woman. I shook the thought away as I began to apply the salve to the dark bruise on her side. I tried not to notice how warm and smooth her skin felt. She hissed at the touch.

  “You think she’s a danger to Zofie?” I asked, more to distract her from the discomfort than being concerned.

  Fumiko shook her head. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about. You’re beginning to trust her. That’s what is not wise. She’s a Dark Avenyts and doesn’t think as we do.” Fumiko looked at me over her shoulder. “Although I have to admit, she’s not acting like the one that possessed me. Maybe it’s because she’s so young for her kind.”

  I finished applying the salve and moved to put the fresh binding on. I carefully began to wrap it around her chest.

  “Could be,” I said. “Cabrina and No-name do seem to be about the same maturity level. They make quite the pair.”

  She nodded, but said nothing more.

  The binding came up shorter than I expect
ed and I had to reach around Fumiko to tie it off. I leaned close, trying to touch as little of her as I could.

  “There. That should do it,” I said when I finished. But when I went to pull away, she grabbed my hands and pulled them against her stomach, making me lean closer. “Hold me for just a moment.” She leaned back into me and sighed contently. “Please. Your hands are so warm.”

  I felt very awkward and wasn’t sure what to do.

  After a moment, she released me and put on her shirt. She turned and looked into my eyes. “Zofie is so lucky. I love her from the bottom of my heart, but I have to admit I’m envious.”

  I gave her a nervous smile. “It’s probably just my curse altering our fate so that you’ll help me. I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

  She leaned closer. “Perhaps you’re right.” Then her hand shot out, grabbing me behind the neck and pulling me into a brief kiss.

  My eyes went wide in shock.

  She pulled away and took a step back. Uncharacteristically, one corner of her mouth pulled up. “Your curse made me do that.” She turned away. “I better go check on those two. Knowing Cabrina, she’s decided to urinate in the snow just to see what it does.”

  Fumiko pulled on her cloak and left.

  I got our blankets and spread them out. I couldn’t help but wonder what all that was about. Could Fumiko harbor feelings for me? I hoped not. And I hoped I wasn’t giving her the wrong idea.

  Just then, the door flew open with Fumiko leading Zofie inside. “I can’t find her!” she yelled. “Zofie was standing in the middle of the path all by herself. But Cabrina wasn’t with her, and she wasn’t in the privy.” Fumiko came closer. “Not only that, but from the tracks in the snow, there appears to have been a struggle. I could make out at least three pairs of adult-sized boots.”

  I stared at her in disbelief.

  Cabrina’s been taken.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Hard Stop

  It had to be the innkeeper, Eviek. I immediately woke Spraggel and explained what happened. He rubbed his face and then waved his hand toward the door.

  “Go,” he said. “We have to find her. I’ll protect the princess.”

  I nodded and ran out the door with Fumiko on my heels. Once outside, I reached in my shirt and pulled out Cabrina’s control amulet. I thanked the Creator that Rourke had foreseen we might need something for this situation. I moved to a clear spot between the inn and the barn.

  “Locate,” I commanded. It flashed briefly to let me know it was active. I then started to slowly turn in a circle. When I was halfway around, it flashed. I looked up. It was pointing down the snow-rutted road in front of the inn. “Damn.”

  I looked to Fumiko. I couldn’t see her well in the dim light of the partial moon. “I’ll go ahead. Let Oddfrid know we might be leaving a little early.”

  Fumiko didn’t move. “Whatever you do, don’t fight them. You’re not ready.”

  I grinned. “Don’t worry. I’m Mister Negotiator. My preference is to talk them to death.”

  She returned the grin. “That does fit your style better.” And then she turned and ran toward the inn.

  I mumbled softly to myself. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t hold up so well against swords.” I turned and jogged in the direction the amulet indicated, nearly falling on a patch of ice.

  During warmer times, the road I traveled was likely a wide and well-maintained thoroughfare into the village. But now, it was mainly just a path through the snow trampled down by those unfortunate enough to be out in the cold. The only thing around me was a blanket of white, broken only by a few trees and the occasional dark house. The thick snow seemed to muffle some sounds, yet amplify others. The crunch of ice under my boots seemed unnaturally loud. It wasn’t lost on me that this would easily alert my presence to any potential attacker.

  And Creator, it was frigid. I shivered. My breath came out in dense puffs of fog. I periodically flexed my hands to keep them limber should I have to pull my sword. We had cold and snow back in Brethnach, but nothing like this. It just made it clear that I was a long way from home.

  I didn’t have to go far to reach the village square. I paused beside the town’s central well and consulted my charm. It pointed toward a sizable building just ahead. Dim flickers of light could be seen coming from around its shuttered windows. It was too dark to make out exactly what the structure was, but from its shape, it appeared to be a village hall or perhaps a Creator’s temple.

  I trotted toward it—again slipping on the ice—and quietly climbed the three stone steps leading up to the door. I could hear voices coming from inside.

  It sounded like Eviek, and he didn’t seem happy. “You little witch,” he yelled. “I don’t believe you. You gave him Ellish. You can make him able to read and do numbers.”

  “Pa,” came his son Troy’s voice. “Don’t do this.”

  “Be quiet!” he yelled. Then I heard a meaty slap.

  “Don’t hit Troy!” It was Cabrina. “I’ve told you I can’t!”

  I looked back down the way I had come hoping to spot Fumiko, but I didn’t see her. I really should wait for her before confronting the man. He likely had help inside, but I had no clue as to how many or if they were armed.

  I heard another slap. “Why did you hit me?” yelled Cabrina.

  “Give him the teachings, or you get more than just slap.”

  “I’ve told you I can’t,” she pleaded. “Now let me go before I get into trouble. And quit hitting Troy.”

  A new voice joined the conversation. Another man. “And my daughter. You said she could have it too!”

  I heard another meaty slap, and Cabrina wailed.

  I had to act. I reached for the door’s latch—when suddenly the charm on my wrist went hot. I froze.

  Coren, can you hear me? I winced at the booming voice inside my head. It was Abe.

  I glanced at the door, afraid to speak. I breathed a whispered, “Yes.”

  Oh, goody. The princess has been working on getting my voice back inside your head since yesterday. I can still only talk to you when you’re in danger, but she’s most pleased that at least this much is working. I, on the other hand, would have preferred to have gone a few more years without your company.

  Yeah, it was Abe.

  I breathed another whisper. “What’s inside?”

  About that. There’s a big guy standing just inside the door. And he’s a little jumpy. As soon as you opened it, you would have been making a bad fashion statement with a knife sticking out of your chest.

  The arguing on the other side of the door seemed to be escalating. Apparently, one of the men thought his daughter should go first.

  Now, don’t open the door. In this case, I think it would be better to just knock.

  “Knock?” I whispered in disbelief.

  He chuckled. Trust me.

  I stepped up to the door, gave it a couple of loud raps, and quickly stepped back down to the street.

  The door immediately opened, and a large fellow stepped out, brandishing a pretty big knife. As soon as his foot hit the first step, he slipped on the ice, and his feet went flying. He landed on his back and knocked his head hard on the stone steps. He lay there unconscious.

  “Not terribly original,” I commented.

  Abe snorted. Everyone’s a critic.

  I quickly rushed through the door.

  Inside was a large room dimly lit from a single lantern resting on a rough wooden table. Eviek and two other men looked up as I entered. I had seen both of them at the inn. One appeared to be unarmed, but the other had a wicked-looking club. Troy leaned against the wall dabbing at his nose.

  Cabrina sat on a bench in the center of the room, plainly relieved when I entered. “It wasn’t my fault,” she exclaimed. “I didn’t do anything this time!”

  I focused my gaze on Eviek. “In this region, is it customary to abduct one’s guests?”

  I caught Cabrina’s eye and motioned her to leave. She started to
rise, but Eviek’s large hand came down on her shoulder and pushed her back down.

  “She stays until my son gets the teaching he needs.”

  I shook my head. “She can’t do that. Now let her go, and I’ll forget this happened. But if you force my hand, I won’t go easy on you.” I hoped I could back up my words.

  Troy stepped away from the wall. “Pa, just let her go. This has gone too far.”

  Eviek pointed at his son. “You be quiet!”

  I took a step closer. “Eviek, this is wrong, and you know it. Now let her go.”

  He frowned. “I don’t want to do this, but Troy has got to go to university. It’s his only chance at decent life!” There was desperation in his voice. He reached for his knife.

  I heard a scraping step, and hoping it was Fumiko, I glanced behind me. But no such luck. It was the big guy I had left outside. He was holding his knife, and Creator, did he look pissed.

  “Abe,” I whispered. “A little help here.”

  But he was silent.

  Then the three men in front of me and the one behind all rushed me at once.

  My body reacted before I had a chance to even think. It felt wrong, but at the same time, it also felt right. My eyes went wide. Fumiko’s skills. It was working!

  I wheeled and kicked the man with the club, my leg flying up perfectly and catching him in the chin. He staggered back.

  Almost magically, I spun on my heel to the big man coming at me from behind. I dodged his knife and kicked him hard in the side. His mouth made an “oh” of surprise. I punched his abdomen just below his ribs, causing him to double over and fall to his knees.

  The unarmed man came at me throwing punches. I easily dodged them and slipped inside his guard, landing an uppercut into his chin. He toppled like a tree.

  Eviek lunged at me brandishing his knife. From the way he moved, I could tell he was a brawler, not a fighter. I caught his descending hand and quickly twisted it behind his back. I brought my foot up to his backside and shoved him hard. He staggered and tripped over a bench, falling hard on his face.

  Club man came next, swinging crosswise at my head. Of the four, this one seemed to know how to use his weapon. I ducked and leaped back, quickly drawing my sword from its scabbard. We briefly considered each other.