Second Hand Curses

by Drew Hayes

  “As a knight, it is my duty and pleasure to right the wrongs of the world. Saving a lovely princess is what we do, and I take great pleasure in knowing this task will also aid many of our citizens in the process.” Godric rose from his chair for the first time, looking more at the king and queen than Marie. “With the princess agreed to the marriage, it seems we have much to do. Shall we begin the preparations for the wedding, so that this joyous news can be shared across the land?”

  The king and queen both nodded, as did Marie, who stood up as well. “The word of impending peace will be a wave of joy that washes across this kingdom. Let us start it as soon as possible.” Her eyes slid to the far wall, where Jack and Frank still waited quietly, and for an instant something danced in Marie’s eyes. Not the flash of yellow they were so accustomed to seeing, rather a moment of wavering, uncertainty. Had she forgotten that they were there? Living remnants of her old life haunting the room. “As for my mercenaries, I think they would have little interest in the tedium of such work. Let us take them to guest chambers where they can have a nice rest. They’ve certainly earned it.”

  Jack was about to throw that idea into the moat that encircled the castle by asking what in the kingdoms Marie was thinking, but a steadying hand from Frank paused his tongue. While not one easily given to silence, he trusted his companions. If Frank wanted to speak, then Jack would defer until he better understood the situation.

  “That sounds lovely,” Frank told her. “Happy as we are to see your journey at an end, I’m sure you have much to attend to that will be easier without us underfoot. Please, anywhere you have will be fine; we are by no means accustomed to luxury.”

  “Well, then, we have only a few days to get you accustomed,” King Adam replied, finally having quelled his budding tears. “The men who brought my daughter back to me will stay in the chambers we reserve for visiting royalty and diplomats, and I’ll hear no more on the subject. Come, we can show you to your rooms and then meet with the royal messengers. There is news to spread!”

  In a flash, Jack exchanged a brief glance with Frank, who gave the barest shake of his head. Whatever was going on, Frank hadn’t been taken in either, but he didn’t think this was the place to talk about it. Biting his tongue, nearly literally, Jack remained silent and followed where he was led.

  * * *

  “It’s magic.”

  These were the first words Frank said. They didn’t come immediately upon being dropped off at their admittedly luxurious accommodations. No, he’d remained silent, and held up a finger so that Jack knew to do the same, for some time after they were left alone. Rather than talk, he’d watched the door, sometimes the walls, with that stolen left eye of his. Only after an unknown level of safety had arrived did he finally deign to speak, and when the moment came Jack could scarcely believe this was the big secret he’d wanted to wait on.

  “Of course it’s magic. The stone glows, we saw how it worked on Marie, and it was given by a fairy. The ring being magic was a rather essential part of the marriage agreement so, yes, I picked up on that.”

  Frank gave him a strange, almost confused look, before muttering under his breath. “Interesting.”

  “If you have something to say, come out and say it.”

  “I’m just surprised,” Frank explained. “It seems as if you’re not entirely under the spell, yet now it becomes clear that some aspects of it are affecting you after all. Before I say my side of it, tell me your impressions of Godric. Did you think he was being honest?”

  It took all Jack had not to grind his smiling teeth at the question. Even thinking back to the meeting made his eyes narrow in frustration. “No…but I can’t say why. Nothing he said rang false, it all read as genuine and heartfelt. I’ve got no reason, no evidence to point to, yet still it feels wrong. Off. Just… I can’t explain, and it is turning into quite the bother, so if you have something to add I’d greatly appreciate it.”

  “I already told you, Jack. It’s magic. You mistakenly thought I meant the ring, which I suspect is part of the enchantment. It certainly helps explain why, for all of the talk about Marie’s present, not one person in the room bothered to ask Godric what his matching necklace does.”

  With that statement, Jack felt as if he could breathe properly again. The necklace. It was enchanted, fairy work just the same as Marie’s new ring. Perhaps it held the same gift, to make a heart’s true desire real, or maybe it was designed specifically for one purpose. Whatever the case, now that Frank had drawn Jack’s attention to it he could finally focus on the detail that should have stood out from the beginning. Based on what they’d seen and how Jack had felt, the necklace probably laid some kind of charm or compulsion on those to whom Godric spoke, making them trust and follow him. Jack had been a bit curious at just how two kingdoms with such a history could broker peace so easily, but the task became far more manageable if one side was wielding fairy magic. He had a hunch that if they were to take a look at the terms of this peace, they might find that Nivelle was getting a far better deal out of it than Villeneuve.

  “You were able to partially resist it, I’m guessing?” Frank asked.

  Slowly, Jack nodded, thinking back to the meeting once more. While there was still nothing he could point to that spoke of falsehood, it no longer bothered him. Seeing through the magic of the fey was no small task; only someone like Frank would be able to pull it off completely. Jack was mad, not stupid, which meant he understood his own limitations. “Part of me did, anyway. Just barely at that. A small boon of the addled mind my mother passed on. For those with normal brains, I imagine the enchantment would be irresistible. No wonder Marie agreed to the idea so quickly; her beast does nothing to help resist such compulsions. She’s not in her right mind.”

  “None of them are. And none of them can be, so long as Godric retains his enchanted item. Magic from fairies is potent already, items handcrafted by the Blue Fairy would be almost impossible to overcome without a natural resistance. Godric has wormed his way into the kingdom’s heart with an item that will compel others to listen and believe him.” Frank paused, glancing over at a nearby wall before continuing. “In a way, Queen Belle was right. He does indeed want to do things differently than his father did. Rather than conquering through force, he will take this kingdom with magic and trickery.”

  “Under different circumstances I could almost respect that,” Jack admitted. “But he made the mistake of trying to swindle a Bastard Champion, and that is a sin for which there is no forgiveness. Marie wouldn’t want the cure to come like this, not at her kingdom’s expense. We have to find a way to stop him.”

  Walking over to the window, Frank carefully stuck his head out, examining the stone around the outside. “Let’s assume that with no preparation or specialty supplies, sundering the necklace is beyond our current capabilities. And since Godric has come this far, he’s doubtful to be foolish enough to take it off for any reason. That leaves us with the most expedient of options being simple assassination. We sneak around the outside of the castle, climb to his chambers, and dispatch him while he sleeps. There’s a slight risk we might fall into the moat below, although given your faith in your climbing ability it’s a minimal concern. The greater issue is what happens after.”

  “When people’s senses snap back? I’d assume lots of cheering and maybe a parade in our honor.”

  “Jack, Godric staying in the castle means he could only be meeting with and influencing Villeneuve’s royalty, as well as some of the servants, at most. To everyone else from both kingdoms, he will be seen as a new ruler who came here asking for peace and was killed in his bed. Even if the ones he’s tricked do realize it was all because of magic, the people of Nivelle will never believe such a tale. The only way Marie and her family will survive this scandal is if they put it all on us. We’ll be cast as mercenaries who tricked the princess and snuck our way into the castle just so we could murder Godric. They’ll label us as killers and traitors, both of which I know you’re fine
with, but the crucial part is that Marie can’t very well be seen in our company afterward. If we do this, we have to leave her behind.”

  Much as he wanted to point to the argument’s faults and tell Frank how he was wrong, Jack couldn’t. As usual, Frank had a knack for seeing the whole picture, and he was spot on. Killing a king was not a small act, even for them. There would be chaos afterward, wild accusations and potential war. Blaming them was the only way out for Villeneuve, and it was the right thing to do. Besides, so far as everyone but Marie knew, they were just a pair of swords-for-sale anyway. Why wouldn’t they think that those two strange men had decided to sell those services for assassination?

  “I don’t like making this sort of decision about Marie’s kingdom without her being present, but the very fact that we can’t trust her to weigh in proves why Godric must be stopped.” Jack walked over to the window, joining Frank and peering out. “Give it a few hours until dark, and then a touch longer so we can be sure he’s asleep. We can use that time to prepare for our escape, get the bags and horses ready. When we go, we need to vanish. Let’s make this as easy on Marie as we can.”

  “Do you think she’ll forgive us for leaving without a farewell?” Frank asked.

  “I think if anyone out there understands why we do these things, it’s her. She’s one of us, no matter what rings go on her hand. Which is all the more reason why we have to do this. It is what we owe one of our own.”

  * * *

  Scaling the castle wasn’t especially difficult. Between the moat below and the sea of guards keeping the unwanted from getting close to the king’s home, there was little need to bother smoothing out the stones regularly so that nimble hands wouldn’t find purchase.

  Working their way around the castle, they finally arrived at the window to Godric’s bed chambers. Figuring out where he was staying and how to reach it had taken them a chunk of the day, which was just as well. Neither particularly wanted to be around the new king of Nivelle any more than they had to. It wasn’t keeping up appearances that was bothersome; rather, they simply couldn’t stand watching the way he took people under his spell. It was irksome, except when he spoke to Marie, which summoned up feelings far more murderous. Seeing one of their own enchanted was enough to make them both draw their blades, but thankfully they had the sense to wait until that anger could do some good.

  Jack checked the room and found it dark, with a shape sleeping in the bed. He looked to Frank, who nodded confirmation. One man, in the bed. Guards were probably posted outside the door and all down the hall, but who would bother to watch over a window facing out onto sheer stone? Most of the people in Villeneuve would, actually, once word about this stunt spread. Silent as a leaf falling on grass, Jack pulled himself into the room, with Frank only a few seconds behind. Tempting as it was to wake Godric and make sure he knew why he was dying, the risk was too great. They didn’t know what that necklace could do. Frank might be immune to fairy magic, but that didn’t mean the room around them was, to say nothing of what might happen if Jack slipped under the spell. No, this was a mission where only results mattered. A few quick slashes before he could wake, and Marie’s kingdom would be free.

  Choosing a dagger from his belt, Jack noted that Frank had also pulled a crude, larger knife for the job. Together, they plunged their blades in deep, ready to muffle Godric’s mouth if he lived long enough to scream. Instead, they found themselves coughing as a green mist exploded outward from the body, filling their lungs and making their eyes water.

  “There they are, right on cue.” The door outside opened, and in strolled Godric flanked by a pair of silent guards. “I was wondering how long you’d make me wait; I do need to get some sleep tonight.”

  A trap. How? Jack was blinking through the unbidden tears stinging his eyes, trying to focus. Now that light was pouring in and the covers were partially peeled back, he could see the body of the man they’d stabbed. He was alive, technically speaking, and resembled Godric from the neck up. Below that, however, his skin was taunt, swollen, and green. Although he was breathing, the man’s eyes were rolled back in his head and he barely moved save to let out a long string of drool.

  “One of my brothers who went after the crown. We all had different preferred methods; he was a fan of poison. I made him ingest quite a few of his favorites when I bested him, and the Blue Fairy was kind enough to keep him alive so that he might still be of use to the kingdom. Makes a fine double in the right circumstances, and has quite the effect on those who attack him.”

  Whatever had sprayed upon Jack and Frank was getting worse; even the undead Frank was visibly having trouble staying on his feet. They had to turn this around, while there was still time. Jack took the dagger still clutched in his hand and lunged for Godric, only to have his blow swept aside by a longsword. Godric blocked the next strike as well, and the next, then kicked Jack in the stomach when Frank tried to join the brawl. He was a gifted combatant; there was no denying that, yet it was their own weakness that was the greater enemy. Between the coughing, watering eyes, and how heavy their limbs felt, it took all they had to move at all. Godric ended the assault by punching Frank in the face, knocking him down next to Jack.

  “She told me you two would be coming. Said I had to lay a careful trap. No magic, for some reason, and I had to play into your egos. Make you think you’d succeeded easily because you were so good at what you do. The Blue Fairy knows much about you both. I have to say, after all the build-up, I’m rather let down. I thought you’d be tougher.” Godric took a step toward them, adjusting the grip on his sword. “But I suppose there’s no need to draw out inevitable victory. You two are nothing more than a pair of crooks with inflated senses of self. Did you really think the Narrative would be on your side just because you traveled with a princess? Such a ridiculous notion. I am a king, with the support of the Blue Fairy and an agenda to overthrow a kingdom ruled by monsters. The Narrative was always with me, and always will be.”

  He halted, looking between Jack and Frank, sword swaying in his hand. “She did want me to pass on a message, as part of our bargain. Not quite sure why she felt the need to bother, but I know better than to welsh on a deal with a fairy. The Blue Fairy would like you both to know that she does not appreciate being hunted, nor what you three have been doing to her kin. You overreached, and now you will learn the cost.”

  In the twitch of a finger, Jack could see Godric make his decision. The sword angled toward Frank, thrusting forward at incredible speed. Summoning every ounce of power he had left, Jack hurled himself forward, putting his body between the sword and Frank. It pierced true, sliding right through Jack’s heart and continuing on into Frank’s body. They stayed there, pinned together, as Jack felt the life draining from him. He looked into Frank’s eyes and gave a wink that no one else could see, before shuddering violently and falling still.

  “Look at that, he tried to protect his friend. I suppose there is honor among thieves after all. Useless honor, but honor all the same.” Godric yanked his sword free to examine his handiwork. Despite Jack’s interference, he’d stayed on target, leaving a deep hole in the robed one’s chest. All Jack had really succeeded in doing was to get them both at killed at once, rather than separately. Never one to take things for granted, Godric checked their pulses to be sure, Jack first. That one was dead, no question there. As for the other, Frank they’d called him, his skin was so cold and pale it seemed he may have been on death’s door already, and he certainly didn’t have a pulse any longer.

  “Where shall we take them?” One of the guards spoke; Godric hadn’t bothered learning their names. “It might cause a stir if we drag them through the castle.”

  “As always, you make the job harder than it needs to be,” Godric told him. “We do as the Blue Fairy instructed: toss them out the window from whence they came. The creatures in the moat will take care of them, and if any bits remain to be found it will seem as though they tried to climb out and fell. Given how they broke in, I doub
t the princess will have cause to doubt such a story. Not when I give it, anyway.”

  The guard approached, then hesitated. “Should we strip their possessions first, sire?”

  “No.” Godric answered a little more forcefully than was needed, and calmed his tone before speaking again. “The Blue Fairy was quite clear. These two have possessions that are dangerous, and we are not to try to take them. Everything of them dies tonight; no bobbles will remain to betray our secret. Toss them as they are.”

  The guards did as they were told, lifting each body up to the window and then shoving it outward, where it fell through the air before landing in the moat with a splash. They all stared, making sure the corpses wouldn’t float to the top, until they were satisfied that the task was done.

  Grabbing a cloth, Godric cleaned his sword and motioned to the small pool of blood on the floor of his chambers. “Have someone clean that up. Hurry up about it, too. I’ve got a wedding coming up and I need my rest. In mere days I will be addressing my whole kingdom for the first time, and I’d like to make a strong impression.”

  The Tale of the Cursed Princess

  Jack’s eyes opened gently as the water lapped at his feet. With a groan that was more habit than necessity—nothing could actually hurt him here—he pushed himself up from the ground and got his bearings. The cave looked much the same as it had last time, and every time since Jack first found the golden coin that led him here. Same rough rocks on the ground, same black waters that surrounded the tiny island within the cave, same golden scale next to a throne of obsidian. And, of course, the same figure who was always here, always waiting. One might have expected him to look similar to Frank, but that was only how people portrayed him. Instead, he appeared to be a simple man, albeit a bit pale, who wore practical trousers and a gray shirt. There was only one thing that had changed since Jack was last here, and that was the books. The small pile next to the throne was always in flux. On some visits they might be all poetry; another occasion could see books of spells, or history. Once, Jack had noted they all had curious titles he was unfamiliar with and that made no sense. How would one ever write a history on the idea of time anyway? It made no sense. He’d been told to disregard that pile, and had been more than happy to do so.