by Unknown
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“The legend tells of a time, two will come and reunite the magic to this world. The Velsharoon will be pleased you are here. They will have a great use for you.” She rubbed her palms together greedily. The memory of the tavern flickered in front of his eyes. “Yes, Gavin Rhill must surely know you are here, and now we know who the girl is too.”
The woman cackled under her breath, her beady brown eyes now almost black. Shaz’s face suddenly went pale. He felt the sting of sadness hit his heart. What have I done? I’ve got to get out of here. he thought. He felt the sun on his face and thought, maybe if I can shine the sun in her eyes long enough, I can slip into the crowd and disappear.
He grabbed the medallion and aimed the sunlight into her eyes. The old woman screeched a wicked scream as the light burned her eyes. Small pools of blood formed at the corners of her red fleshy eye sockets. Shaz wrinkled his face in disgust and disappeared into the crowd. He made his way out of the city as quickly as he could without being obvious.
The forest was cool and damp, with a misty film that lingered in the air. Shaz walked quietly, taking in the details. He stepped over a fallen tree and searched the distance for Jagwynn. Jag wouldn't be welcomed in the city so he sent her into the forest. He didn't know however, how long it would take to find her. So he enjoyed being in the forest again. A soft babbling brook and the familiar sounds of insect life in the forest soothed him.
He pulled his rucksack off and slipped the bow off. He sat on the ground and leaned against a large beige rock. He rested his head and gazed into the tree tops. He heard something in the distance but couldn't identify it at first. The sound came again. He searched in the direction he thought the sound came from. An urgent feeling hit his chest and he leapt to his feet, grabbed his gear, and started to run. He leapt over tree stumps and small bushes. The closer he got, he could tell it was the snarl of a large cat.
"Jag." he whispered to himself.
He pulled an arrow from his quiver. Raised the bow and nocked an arrow. He turned toward where the sound was coming from. He fixed his eyes on a small person who had their bow drawn, then shifted his sight to where they were pointing.
"No." he whispered.
Shaz took a few more steps with his bow drawn. He aimed at the bow of the other hunter. He was still far enough away that any normal person wouldn't even be able to see from that distance. Shaz stepped behind a tree. The bow and his head were all that was exposed. Jag hissed and lowered herself to the tree branch she was clinging to.
"Don't do it." Shaz mumbled.
The hunter had a hood covering their face but Shaz could tell it was a girl. What is a girl doing out this-? He detected the slightest movement in the girls arm and let go of his arrow. It hit her arrow square in the middle shattering it into pieces. The girl jumped, knocked another arrow and spun toward Shaz. Jag rose and looked toward Shaz, then slunk back into the shadows. Shaz made it about halfway toward them, when the large feline leapt from a tree branch and landed on him. Shaz fell to the ground and let the big cat lick his face.
"Yuck Jag." He laughed, wriggling out of her kisses. Shaz sensed the tightening of the girl’s bow and called out, "Don't shoot, this is my pet."
The girl lowered her bow.
"Alright already Jag, It's good to see you too." Shaz said.
He shoved her off him and brushed off the leaves and twigs then scratched her ear. She purred loudly and rubbed her side against his leg, arching her back. The young woman came toward them. She pulled her hood off. His heart skipped a beat.
"Serin, what are you doing out this far?"
"What am I doing? What are you doing? And what in the world just happened?" She demanded.
She stopped a few feet from him with one hand holding her bow, the other on her waist.
"I asked you first." Shaz said.
"Fine, I live near here and was on my way to, well to somewhere, when your pet tried to attack me."
"What Jag? She would never attack a human. She doesn't know she’s not a human. Shh, don't tell her." he replied, putting his finger to his lips with a smile.
Serin's face softened as Shaz teased the jaguar.
"Your turn, what are you doing out here?" Serin asked.
"Looking for Jagwynn, I couldn't take her into the city, so I told her I would find her out here."
"Well it’s not a safe place for her here. There are a lot of foolish game hunters in these parts, mostly prize hunters who don't know a thing about actual hunting." Serin said with a small wave.
"You seem pretty good with that bow." Shaz said.
"I guess."
"How long have you been shooting?" Shaz asked, picked up his pack and slung it over his shoulder.
"Most of my life." Serin answered, shifting her weight onto the other foot.
"Let’s see then." Shaz said, "Hit the third knot up in that far tree over there.”
"What, you don't believe me?"
"Where I come from, there are few girls who can shoot an arrow well."
"Fine."
Serin pulled an arrow from her quiver. Pulled the string and arrow straight back. Twisted her wrist just enough to keep the bow straight, but so that the string wouldn’t shred the skin on her forearm. She sized up the distance, height and determined how much cross wind there was. Then let the arrow loose. It sizzled through the air, leaving a whooshing sound in its wake and sunk deep into the third knot of the farthest tree.
"I'm impressed." he said, "You didn't even hesitate."
"Hesitate and you’re dead." she said.
"Then why did you hesitate with Jag?"
"I don't know, something about it didn't seem right. Or rather something about her did feel right. That didn't make sense.” she said.
She unhooked the string from her bow and slipped it into its case.
"No, I understand." Shaz said, "I wanted to tell you thank you for, well you know."
He ran one hand through his hair, pulling it out of his eyes.
"You’re welcome." Serin said.
“You might want to be extra careful.” Shaz said, thinking about the old woman
“Why?”
“Well, just be careful.”
Shaz tried to pull it off as just a suggestion, but Serin felt the discomfort in his voice and nodded. A new sensation coursed through her body that she couldn’t explain. It was as if she understood his intentions without him even speaking.
***************************************
After walking Serin to her destination and saying goodnight to Jag, Shaz started back toward the city. Thoughts of the old woman and his dream had been circling his mind all day. An image of a sign and a door kept coming to his mind. It nagged at him to find it, but that would be nearly impossible in a city this size. Before he knew it, he was already at Mrs. Bailey's. He opened the door and set his pack on the floor next to the dark wood side table. The aroma of roast filled his nose. He found Mrs. Bailey in her cooking apron.
"I'm sorry I was gone all day." he said.
Mrs. Bailey jumped and turned around holding a carving knife in her tiny fist. Her gray hair was slightly unkempt from its usual tight bun, with a few wisps of hair hanging in her face.
"Oh, you startled me!" she said her cheeks reddening.
"Sorry." he said, "Have you been crying?"
Mrs. Bailey held up and onion and they both laughed.
"Sit, sit, supper is almost ready."
She dished him up a large slice of roast, potatoes and cooked carrots. They ate in silence for several minutes when Mrs. Bailey sat her fork down.
"I have spoken with the Dodjen and they think you should spend some time with the Order." her chin hung slightly and her eyes were heavy.
"You’re a Dodjen?"
"Yes, an informant, like my brother, Yerild." she said,
Shaz saw her shaking hand and felt the uneasiness of her words.
"What do you think I should do?"
"D
oesn't matter what I think, I don't get a choice anyway." She said.
The blood under her skin boiled.
"It does to me." Shaz said. He knew she wouldn’t tell him her thoughts, that's what women do, so he asked "So when do I leave?"
"In the morning" she whispered.
She shoved a piece of bread in her mouth and chewed vigorously, to hide the tears that were forming. Shaz stabbed a piece of roast with his fork and rubbed it around the potatoes and gravy.
"I have some business up north. I won't be back for several days and I must leave in the morning. I will leave the information for you on the counter." She said.
"Alright."
It was weird to him that the Dodjen wanted him to spend time with this Order. What was the Order and how was it different from the Dodjen?
CHAPTER TEN
Dungeons
A small shadow crossed his peripheral vision. A lingering of shadowy mist echoed across the high buildings, which began to cast an afternoon cool on the streets below. Shaz maneuvered through the people, shouldering his way around merchant tables and animals. As he rounded a corner he caught another glimpse of the shadowy figure and moved a bit faster.
"Hey, watch where you’re going." said a merchant woman.
Blood rushed to his brain and gave him a quick dose of euphoria as the thrill of the hunt rose to his core. The familiar peace of hunting overcame him.
"Blast."
Shaz skidded to a halt as the alley came to dead end. He dug his foot into the stone path and darted back.
"Get out of my way." He bumped into a tall dark haired man, holding two sacks of potatoes. One over his shoulder and the other in a tight gripped fist. His eyes narrowed tightly, a deep growl rumbled under his breath. "Never mind." Shaz said, patting the mans’ chest.
Shaz rolled around the man and continued through the heavy throng of people.
"Shaaaaaz" a woman bellowed. Shaz stopped before crashing into a fruit basket. "Shaz" Mrs. Bailey said waving her arms. "Oh I'm so glad I found you."
She panted as she skidded to a stop in front of him. Her face was stained with tears and dirt. She grabbed his elbow.
"What’s wrong?" Shaz said gripping her little elbows.
"Its Serin, they've taken her." she coughed and put her hand on her chest. "Oh my, this body is not meant for this kind of exertion."
"What? Who? Where?"
"The guards, they took her to the dungeons." she said.
Tears formed in the corners of her eyes.
"Why?
"I don't know." She said, "She was supposed to meet me at the house, but when she didn't I went looking for her." She gave him Serin's torn purple cloak, "That's when I found this." She said through gritted teeth.
"Are you sure it was the guards?" Shaz asked, "Let's start walking."
He grabbed her arm.
"Yes, I'm sure." she said, trying to keep up with his long strides. "Why would they take her? It makes no sense." She said.
She put her bent knuckle to her nose and sniffed.
"I think I know." Shaz said. His nose flaring, "Where are the dungeons?"
"Why?" Mrs. Bailey asked.
"I'm going to get her back." he said.
"No, you can't." Mrs. Bailey said, "No one gets out of there alive." she said biting her lower lip.
"Not this time." The veins on his neck stuck out, "Now where are they?" he demanded.
He stared her square in the eyes. The fierceness in his eyes startled her. Mrs. Bailey rubbed the back of her neck, bit her lip, then explained how to get to the dungeons. Shaz made a mental image of her words and committed it memory.
Giving him a piece of paper, she said "Don't read this until after you’re out of the city." She wrapped his fist around the note, holding his hand in hers. Shaz internalized her trembling as her attention gripped him. "There are many who will tell you they are on your side, but not all of them are. Trust your instincts."
She patted his hand and scurried away quickly, her round backside bobbing as she disappeared into the crowd of people. He still didn't have a full grasp on the city streets and it took him a few tries to navigate back to the canals. When he found the right street, he jogged until he came to the first stair case, leading to the canal landings. Shaz passed two or three other boats beckoning to him.
At the cross section where boats could pick four different ways, he peered down each one scrutinizing the boat operator's. Four bridges down, he spotted who he thought might be Deagan. Shaz leapt up the stairs and down the other side, being careful not to run anyone over. He had learned that, with all these people around, it was safer to keep a moderate pace. Shaz raised his finger as he took the next set of steps two at a time down to the landing.
"Hey Deagan, over here." Shaz said, raising his voice over the noise.
Deagan, putting his pay in his pocket, lifted his chin sharply.
"Hey there." he said.
"I need a ride." Shaz griped Deagan's shoulder, "And a favor." he said as he leapt into Deagan's boat.
Deagan's pleasant smile shifted into a grimace. "What kind of favor?"
Deagan climbed onto the back of his boat and lifted the anchor.
"Go, that way." Shaz said pointing toward the center of the city.
"Ooh, kay."
He propelled the little boat out into the main stream. Shaz leaned against the back of the chair, half slumped, his chin resting on his hand.
"Deagan, do you know anything about the dungeons here?"
Shaz turned in his seat. Deagan nearly dropped his pole and fumbled to regain control.
"No, why?"
"I need to get someone out of there." Shaz said, wringing his hands together tightly.
"Are you crazy?" Deagan said, pausing mid push, "No one gets out of there." repositioning his feet so he wouldn't lose his balance.
"So I am told." Shaz said as he nodded, "But not this time."
"What makes you think you can do it? And who is in there that is so important you would risk your life for?"
He ran his hand across his slicked down hair. Shaz wasn't sure how much he wanted to tell him yet. However if his plan worked, he would find out sooner or later anyway.
"The girl in the purple cloak."
Deagan let the boat slow to a crawl, "I do know someone who does." he said, "I'll take you to him, but no guarantees he will help."
"Fair enough." Shaz said.
A half an hour later, Deagan pulled into a small dock. He slung the mooring rope over a large wooden pole, decorated with several varieties of bird droppings and jumped out. Shaz picked up his things and followed him.
"What part of town is this?" Shaz asked,
He saw a small man slinking out of a basket. His nose was pierced with silver rings. Several different pictures had been etched into his skin, causing them to be depicted by the scars. Two black and gray snakes wrapped around the man’s arms and neck. The creature-esque person flicked his tongue in and out rapidly, while staring at him with beady black eyes.
"This is the place where the travelers and street performers live and practice their trades."
Deagan unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and loosened it around his neck.
"Do you come here often?" Shaz asked.
Deagan rubbed his arm rapidly. A voluptuously endowed woman crossed in front of them. Shaz swatted at an imaginary bug.
"Not anymore." he said.
He shoved one of his fingers in his mouth, and bit off the hung cuticle. A short stalky man that barely came to Shaz's waist waddled by and kicked Shaz in the shin.
"Ouch, you little bugger. What was that for?" Shaz said. He raised his injured leg and hoped on the other.
“Cuz you’re a freak.” the little man said.
The little man laughed and scurried away, half-hopping-half-skipping. Two women dressed in cream colored lace dresses with several layers, laughed and snickered behind lace fans. They were identical and Shaz had to take a double take, in order to make s
ense of what his eyes were seeing. As they sauntered away he found that they shared one pair of legs. His mouth dropped open in total confusion. He turned to follow Deagan, and spotted a woman dressed in black leather. She had black markings painted on her face, encircling her fierce green eyes. Her tightly pulled hair showed the sun’s reflection off its black color.
"Who is that and what is she doing?" Shaz asked.
"Oh, that's a fire weaver." Deagan answered.
"A fire weaver? What do they do?"
"Weave fire, I guess." Deagan said.
She held an arrow burning orange flames. Shaz peered at her, watching her put the flame in and out of her mouth. They continued making their way through the strange looking people until they passed the woman. She caught Shaz's eye, stopped and stared at him as if she knew him.
"You don't like it here, do you?" Shaz asked.
"Not really, and neither would you if you knew what goes on around here."
"Like what?"
Deagan kept going through a long alley. Shaz kept his eyes straight forward. All of the deformed and strange people disturbed his senses.
“We're almost there." Deagan said. "He's in there."
He pointed to a shabby, distressed door that, sat somewhat crooked on its hinges. The alley way was cold and dark, with little light reflecting from a distant torch. Shaz hadn't been affected by the light change as his night vision was enhanced with his new magic.
"Grab my collar, shove me through the door, and demand to speak to Lucien." Deagan said.
“What? Why?” Shaz asked.
“Just do it.”
He closed his eyes and flinched as Shaz gripped his collar. Shaz kicked in the door so hard that the old wood nearly broke in half. The sudden crash echoed off the stark stone wall. Shaz threw Deagan into the room.