Liana cradled in a guard’s arms, dead. Then Nivel rushed to her, peered into her face. His hand held over her mouth as though testing for breath.
Nearly, I laughed out loud that she was dead. But sorrow slammed a knife into my chest. Liana’s mother wept in her husband’s arms.
We entered the council’s chambers. Velvet covered chairs spread before me, arched like a horseshoe around a carved marble table.
Other members of the council glared between Liana’s lifeless form and me. The horn of trial sounded and my limbs ached from the sound.
Thrust onto my knees, I awaited their questions. No longer did I doubt my change.
Father and Mother rushed in behind Nivel’s swirling robes. One look at Liana’s corpse and my mother fainted.
An elder, Jaris, whose face resembled a shriveled prune, broke through the murmurs and wails. “I call this hearing by honor of the court.”
Elders took their seats.
“Tell all how this atrocity happened. Hide nothing.” His eyes bored into mine.
All the members of the council stared from their seats.
Clearing my throat I saw Nivel raise eyebrows, but then nodded for me to tell. Feared the worst, but I would not shame myself or Liana with cowardice.
Told them of the human clothes, and sneaking out. The vampyre who attacked me. My thoughts of an unknown immunity that did not beckon me to declare him master, but rather end his life.
I kept my voice steady as I spoke of Liana’s death. Never did I mean her harm.
The guards holding me by my arms dropped them. Despite my grief I chuckled. No one would ever want to touch me again.
“Reaper of death,” Liana’s mother choked. “Kill him before we all perish.”
“Aye.” I implored them. “Kill me and free yourselves. I’ll not bring judgment upon you.” Life for a life, that was our law. I welcomed death, something more permanent then this walking curse.
A resounding gasp filled the chamber.
“Who let him read the sacred scrolls?” Elder Jaris swung back his arms.
“Our destiny,” my father stepped forward. “Read the text to him when he was a child, as my father before me, and so on. As is the custom — I’d no idea he remembered the words.
“After his marriage, he’d receive the instruction to watch for the sign. Safeguard his sons.” Red crept up the collar of his white tunic. “I failed in my duty. Kill me.”
“Nay. I disobeyed the laws. My hands removed the life from Liana.” I prostrated myself before them. No one else must die because of me. Another could take the punishment of an accused if both were willing, and I was not. “Challenge not an old man, but kill the disease now.”
Shouts of agreement rang through my ears. My heart echoed in unison with the stomping of their feet.
Twang of swords drawn brought determination to my legs. I rose to my knees, then bowed my head for the blow.
“Wait,” a voice boomed. Nivel rushed forward. “Prophecy foretells our destruction if the dark one perishes. He alone can save us.”
Silence pounded through the chamber. The marble floor beneath me radiated coldness through my knees.
“Remove this dark one from our mist while Nivel discusses the prophecies with the council,” Jaris waved the swords back. “Then we’ll determine who is to be executed.”
Stealing a last look at my father I trudged out of the chambers. Metal points from spears pushed me forward.
Chapter Four
Secluded within my chambers, I paced. Thousands of regrets paraded through my mind. If only I hadn’t delayed in the village, or paused in the forest.
Disgusted, I kicked aside my bow. Outside my chambers, soldiers guarded the door.
I glanced down at my hands. They appeared the same, wide palms, long fingers. But I clenched them. I’d use my power against any if they killed my father or mother.
Strange, all my life I’d been envious of others of my kind with the hint of magic.
Often, the greatest could manipulate a glass of water, or a flame. No one had the power to give life, or take it.
Perhaps, if I found this witch the prophecy spoke of? Drew her blood and redeemed my actions? My hand raked through my hair. How was I to find her?
My twin sister had been sacrificed to the witches, for it was our law whenever twins were born. The youngest twin, regardless of their gender, was surrendered to the witches. When I asked my father how often twins were murdered, his green eyes, lighter than mine, watered. Twins were rare, born once before, many thousands of years ago. Wasn’t it enough that the witches took my sister? Now they had used their foul magic to contrive this curse upon me.
Bring this witch now before me and I’d remove her head. Show the elders my proof. Or a thousand witches. I’d kill them all.
But alas, no witch would be found within these chambers. Nor anywhere within our tree cities.
Damn the wolves. Their constant howls made me grit my teeth. A faint murmuring filtered through the walls. Nivel.
I swung open the door as Nivel waited for a guard to step aside. His white robes billowed around his ankles as he strode inside.
The door shut behind him.
“What news of my mother and father?” I reached out to snatch his arm, but then dropped my hand.
Nivel sat down with a flourish of his robe. “Don’t crank an old man’s neck. Sit.”
He waited until I sat across from him with a huff.
“The council challenged your father for his grievous wrong.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised a hand.
“No time for arguments. Your father confessed, but only to not explaining to you. Believed the prophecies he read aloud when you were younger would thwart any attempts to leave the safety of the circle of trees.”
If anything, his warnings had set my determination to explore the world of mankind.
“The elders have decided his punishment. You’ve less than a year, eight months, to complete this quest and find the witch. A temporary banishment if you fulfill the prophecies.”
Banishment. I was forsaken by my lands and family for what I’d become, unfortunate in my fate, tossed out of Tamlon, the great tree city, like crumpled leaves. Pleading would bring no remorse from them. Nor would I beg.
In that moment, I could have staged my revenge. Torn the limbs off all opposers, even made myself king. However, then I would’ve given into my new nature, confirmed the beast within. Desperation thrust upon others to kill me.
Fitting punishment, they’d call it. Lack of sympathy turned me cold.
Outside, any others would shun me at best. Punished for what I became — what I was.
“And then?” Acid crept into my throat.
“Your father and mother will be executed.”
“Why are you punishing them for my crime? Spare them and take my life here and now.”
“No that would be too easy.” Jaris folded his arms. “The only way to save them is to follow the prophecy.”
“But how am I to find this witch and kill her?” The thought of forced exploration sent a chill down my spine.
During my brief encounters with mankind, I saw the blackened flesh of burned witches on display. Witch trials spread through the countryside leaving some villages with only men. Even children were not spared. I dreaded to think what humans would do if they found out I was not one of them.
“Can’t tell you.” His white eyebrow rose. “It’s to the Dark One to determine the prophecy, and fulfill his destiny.”
“Withered roots.” I shot him a glare. “I can’t roam through the world of mankind chopping down every woman I see.”
“Watch your tongue with curses,” he sighed, his shoulders slumped. “I’ll tell you what has been passed down to me through the Ancients.”
I leaned forward. His words would help me. I imagined the witch would have some marking. A scar on her hand or face. Or perhaps which village she lived in. A name.
“The w
itch will be a human. A virgin. Her full power will come with her first bleeding.”
“That’s it?” I grumbled under my breath. “Must I walk to every girl and ask if she’s bled yet?” My voice bounded off the walls.
Nivel smiled and I wanted to smack him. Instead, I leaned back holding my knees down to keep from springing up. His hand dove within the folds of his robe.
“This will aid you.” He held a jeweled silver dagger. A dark red gem covered the handle. “Touch this to the witch. But she must have reached her magic, with the coming of her first blood. The garnet will shine, signaling she’s the one.”
Unable to answer I held out my hand. The dagger felt heavy and cool in my palm.
“You must pierce her heart, and spill her blood upon the ground.”
I swallowed at the vision of plunging this blade into a human’s heart. “Can you give me nothing else? No name or anything?”
“Given all I can,” he said holding up his hands. “Pack quickly. The elders are on their way to exile you.”
The knot in my stomach tightened.
Banishment. More disgraceful than death. But what did I expect? I was an abomination. I nodded numbly and thrust the dagger down into the side of my leather boot.
“They age faster than us. Their girls experience their menstruation between eleven and fourteen.”
Grasping handfuls of silk tunics and trousers, I shoved them into my pack.
Nivel stuffed three apples and a mound of flatbread in with the clothes. Rummaged through his robes again, then held out a cloth bag. The clinking sound brought my eyes to meet his.
“Coins. You’ll need them.”
“Where?” I glanced into the open pouch. These were human coins.
His weary smile silenced me. “Each year, for a few weeks, I sell stone carvings in a village. Elders are given leniency of the laws.”
With a shrug, I accepted the coins. Knowing again characteristics of mankind, I stuffed the pouch in my other boot.
“Brock,” he said.
The saying of my name with a hand on my shoulder sent a ripple through me.
“Our fate depends on you. You are the Reaper of Death, but also the Bringer of our Hope.”
“How?” Heaviness plopped in my heart. “I go to save my family. Even if my life be forfeit, everyone else will live.”
“You did not read all the prophecies. This heralds our destruction as well. Already, the disease of the land spreads through the trees.” His words brought back the images and laments of the forest where the creature attacked me. “Soon, our own trees will decay.”
Unable to answer I strapped my scabbard and sword to my waist. He handed me my quiver and bow. I heard the echoing march of soldiers approach. Shrugged on my cloak over my weapons and snatched up my pack.
The marble door vibrated as they opened it.
Armed men surrounded Jaris. “Brock Rashwe, son of Lieves Rashwe, son of tree elves, brother to the wind, earth, and water, from forthwith you are banished. Less than four seasons have you to fulfill the prophecy, or your family and all will die.”
I nodded.
With gloved hands, they snatched me. Dragged me forward, then down the stairs. Through the entry they tossed me aside.
Ancients shielded our tree cities from mankind’s sight. Our lands mingled with theirs. And yet, they don’t know us.
In our history, when the wars with the humans came, we withdrew from them. The remains of our history among them are considered fable or myth. Our Ancients erected a barrier only our kind may cross. Yet, our barrier is somehow invisible to them. If I crossed the barrier, would it then prevent me from returning while I was still this monster of death?
Wisps of moss clung to our tree city like shawls the human women wore. It was autumn now so the amethyst flowers that donned the leaves in spring were gone. Liana and I were to marry then. Eagerly, I had carved a home for us on the outer edge of a branch.
Anger coursed in my veins. I rose. My fists pounded on the trunk to open for me. But all was silent, not moving.
Squaring my shoulders, I donned my pack and hiked to the village. I’d find this witch and bring back her head. Then they’d welcome me home.
Chapter Five
In the darkness I wait at the edge of this human village. The course of my redemption: to find a witch, spill her blood, and kill her.
Wished for the sun to rise, to awaken these humans, as they call themselves. And madness has brought me here.
Fortunately, the wolves, upon seeing my banished state, ceased their howling. Their part of the prophecy done, they scampered through the woods returning to their nature.
Strange, but I didn’t feel sleepy. My vision sharper in the dark now than before. No longer did I need to eat the Fingecoup flowers to improve my night vision.
Morning glories puckered for the sun. Ants trudged through the grass looking for food.
Roosters’ crows mingled with babies’ cries. If I’d but known the trouble my romping would bring, my feet would have stayed within one of the tree houses, within Tamlon.
The excitement which made me excited at the prospect of being among the world of mankind now was a dull ache.
Adjusted my pack, I then hiked down the hill towards the awakening village.
Bakers doused in flour kneaded dough. Baking bread and hot-crossed buns once sent my mouth watering, but now annoyed me. Street merchants wandered through town. Each step rang bells tied on their leather shoes.
Kept my head down, and ignored calls for trinkets, rugs, or hogs. Pushed my way through the growing throng, to the village inn. Sidestepped an old man who struggled with a full barrel of sloshing liquid in his arms.
I ducked as I entered the inn to avoid hitting my head on the low doorframe. Inside the inn, I marched up to the barmaid.
A round woman with a ruby nose and cheeks. “Nothing but Kofrab or water served ‘til lunch,” she said wiping her hand down her apron. “But for a kiss, handsome, I’ll pass you a glass of honey liquor.”
Her breath made me want to shrivel back. Smelled of putrid fish with rotting bread, and carried a scent of spoiled milk. “How much for a room?”
“Three tronce.”
Nodding, I reached down and dug out the pouch of coins. Sifted through the gold and silver coins. Instead of a mere tronce, I tossed a silver coin on the counter. I paid more than she asked with the unspoken agreement that she would not ask me any questions.
Before I blinked she captured the spinning coin.
“Give you a week’s stay. This way.”
I followed her to the back of the bar, up a narrow stairway, and entered into a room at the end of a hallway.
The barmaid slammed the door behind her leaving me alone in my quarters. Brown streaks ran through the white-washed walls.
A straw mattress and stool huddled in one corner. Rusted chamber pot and pitcher lolled on their sides. When I stepped forward, my leather boots stuck to the floor.
At least this room had a window. Cracked darkened glass cut an opening in the far wall of the room. Ignoring the sticky floor, I tossed my pack on the bed and opened the window.
Hinges groaned in protest, but I raised the window a foot .I smiled. I could see most of the town square.
I turned and added my cloak, bow, and quiver of arrows to the bed.
Dragged the stool to the window and sat. I watched the people careening through the streets. Girls and boys chased by yapping dogs.
Humans’ lives flashed like the sunset. They didn’t live as long as us.
As long as my kind used to live. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. If Nivel’s words could be trusted, if I didn’t succeed, my kind would die by next winter.
What age were these girls? I’d no idea.
Anxiety dove into my stomach. How was I to find the right girl, the witch? Surely I could not ask them all to touch the blade.
Kicked back the stool, and I paced the room. Five steps east, ten steps north, and back again.
The slurping sound of my boots lifting from the sticky floor slowed my pace.
Blastfire. How would I know the girls to test? They didn’t come with their ages stamped on their forehead.
I stopped back at the window. Silver hair or women carrying babies, I could leave aside as too old or not virgins. But what of all the sprites who skipped through town?
Hours ticked by as the sun rose overhead. But still the answer would not come.
Doubled back and righted the stool. I removed the dagger from my boot. And turned the blade over in my hand.
As if expecting a response, I stared at the garnet gem. Not even a twinkle lit up the blood garnet. The dark gem seemed lifeless.
Cursing, I spun and hurled the knife to the far wall. The blade pierced into the wall and the handle vibrated. Shocked, I stared from the knife to the humans below.
Of course.
But I would need a reward. I snatched the blade from the wall and replaced it inside my boot.
After heaving the door open, I rushed from the room. The door creaked shut behind me.
My steps quickened down the stairs.
Not asking, the barmaid raised an eyebrow.
“How much for a flask?”
“Half a tronce for honey liquor.” She rubbed a glob of yellow fluid from her nose down the side of her skirt.
“How much just for the flask to keep?”
I noticed sparse black hairs growing from underneath her chin.
“No one’s ever asked. One tronce.”
Though I thought the price high, but I couldn’t argue. Dipped into my fund, I placed a copper coin in her palm. Kept two silver ones in my hand. Her face lit up when the rest of my coins clinked as I forced the pouch back into my boot.
A flask filled with murky brown liquid was shoved forward to me. Mumbling my thanks, I grasped the metal flask and strolled out of the inn.
Suspicion and questions would hinder my journey.
Outside, I dumped the foul liquid on the cobblestones. Gathering my courage, I dropped the two silver coins into the flask.
After I passed the town square, I set the flask on the ground.
The Garnet Dagger Page 2