The Garnet Dagger (20 page)

Ledges cut our path through the mountains. Vines barred the way. Nivel dismounted. Used my sword to cut enough of a path for our horses to pass.

“For now, we need to walk the horses through.” He wiped back his silver hair from his face. “No use plunging over the cliffs with them.”

Celeste and I did as he bid. I allowed her to hike before me, and I followed, leading Shadowdancer.

Round the fourth bend, a plateau spread out before us. Pressure knotted in my chest. Stared at my boots as I went, I forced my eyes down and not upon Celeste before me.

Clouds dimmed the sun. Within a few steps, I bumped into Celeste. She stood staring up at the sky.

“Wha — ?”

I followed her gaze to the clouds above.

Then my muscles quivered. No clouds scudded across the sun, but dark wings. Their spread darkened the day.

Dragons? I thought.

Nivel shouted as the forms shifted and dove toward us.

“Give me my sword.” I ran to Nivel.

“Nay,” he said blocking my path, “too many. I’ll not have you endanger Celeste.”

Damn, the witch had poisoned him with her magic again. I pushed passed him to his horse.

Leathery wings beat the air. I glanced over my shoulder at Celeste.

The creatures flogged closer to her. At their approach, I saw they were no dragons I knew of from Elvin children stories. Heads like boars with tusks. Four legs ended with scales and talons.

I struggled with the rope to free my bow and quiver when one of the creatures snatched up Nivel’s horse. The mare screamed as she was rent in two. Pieces flung to either side. Blood and guts rained down on me.

I saw Celeste hold up the dagger. Brought the red glow as a shield around her and Shadowdancer.

Nivel rescued the bow and quiver of arrows from the carnage and tossed my blade to me.

The creature turned wing toward me. I met his pink eyed stare with my blade raised. Steaming insides littered the ground. With a squeal, the beast was down in a heap.

Three more heard the creature’s death cry, for they called out in answer and swung toward me.

Nivel swatted at a crowd of beasts with my bow and arrows. Seven arrows stuck from one beast before it fell to the ground with purple blood oozing from its wounds.

Dodged their attacks and slashed at their leather skin. One, I cleaved the head off. But five more joined in our fight.

I whacked back one by the wing, but another caught my sword arm within its talon. Dangling off the ground, I used my free arm to pry loose. But the beast would have none of this. The shoulder of my free arm now locked down in another talon.

As if distracted by my fate, Celeste lowered her arm. In response, the creatures blocked my view as they swarmed around her.

Moments later, I was flung to the ground. Nivel ran passed me and shot arrows faster than I blinked.

“They have her!” he yelled over his shoulder. “All will be lost.”

I saw the red glow shielded around Shadowdancer. So, she cared more for the demon horse than me.

Then the voices shrieked in glee. The dagger. She’d left the dagger, the blade stuck into the ground. The creatures had her.

As the creatures departed, some looked at Shadowdancer as if they missed a tasty meal. Others snatched up the pieces of Nivel’s horse. Chewed on the flesh as they soared. When they descended behind the next peak, the glow of the dagger flickered, then ceased. The shield around Shadowdancer fizzled out as well. I dashed forward and snatched it up, replaced the blade in my boot.

“We must go after her,” Nivel said.

“Aye.”

Shadowdancer stamped the ground with a hoof as though in answer. I mounted then, Nivel behind me.

As his hand brushed my skin, the voices in my head screamed. Kill him. We don’t need him to get the girl.

But I gritted my teeth. Perhaps I’d ransom Nivel’s life for hers. At the least, he could help me find the Warloc’s palace.

Then, after I killed Celeste, it would be his turn. Unless he wedged himself between me and her death.

Shadowdancer tore across the ground toward his mistress. I glanced down to ensure we’d not jumped through clouds and raced along the sky.

Higher up the mountain we rode until the trees in the valley below us resembled twigs stuck in clay. The air became thick with fog. Unable to shake the dread making my stomach act as if I swallowed an iron skillet, I tugged on the reins.

“Careful,” Nivel whispered, “traps await us.”

I managed to slow Shadowdancer to a trot.

Fog cast a yellow glow around us. Stench of rancid meat filled every inhale. At Nivel’s instruction, I wrapped the edge of my cloak over my mouth and nose to filter my breathing.

Shadowdancer snorted and I seconded his feeling. The fog pressed against us like diseased fingers. My skin felt like it rotted off the bone. But when I looked down, my body was intact.

Land bubbled and stretched out before us.

Charcoal towers sprung from the ground. Archways and windows stared down at us. A drawbridge of onyx clamped closed, impeded entry.

Silence welcomed us.

I glanced back at Nivel. His stare was full of anger, as if he wished to tear down this place stone by stone. Chills passed through me, making the voices in my head scream again. I’d not want Nivel for an enemy.

“Hold the dagger up for the gatekeeper to see.”

Leaning over, I pulled the dagger out of my boot. Raising the blade, I held the garnet gem toward the Warloc’s palace.

Chains squeaked in answer. The drawbridge slammed against the ground and rattled my teeth.

Shadowdancer cantered forward over the slick bridge. I was unable to look down at our reflections long. They appeared forlorn and twisted.

After Shadowdancer’s hind hoofs passed the drawbridge, the chains squeaked as they closed. Our escape gone.

Lush fields of grass danced with the soft wind. Roses, lilies, and tulips of every color. Had the Warloc stored up all of spring here?

A boy with white eyes took Shadowdancer’s reins. Must be blind and mute, for he motioned us to dismount.

With a pat to Shadowdancer’s neck, as I had seen Celeste so often do, I waited for Nivel to dismount.

Nivel and I stood beside each other as Shadowdancer was led away to the stables.

Light flickered ahead of us, and Nivel stepped forward as though to answer the call. I reached out to grasp his arm, but the voices raked my mind and I almost fell to my knees. “What do we do now?”

“First, put the dagger away.” He leveled me with his gaze. “Second, never release the dagger to the Warloc. And third, fulfill the prophecy.”

I replaced the dagger in my boot and chased after him. Scent of roses, tulips, and warmth caressed me.

Can be this way everywhere, forever. The voices chimed as if a chorus. Just kill the witch. Was her doing; the land was cursed along with me.

We marched through to the main building in the center of this paradise. An amber door loomed before us.

Nivel flicked out his hand and traced the edge with his finger. The door shuttered, then dissolved.

“You have magic like this?” I asked. Rumors told of Elvin long ago having use of elemental magic at best. Controlled winds and rain, but few carried the spark now to even bring about a flicker of fire.

“Aye,” he sighed like it was a loved one, forgotten long ago. “In this place, I do.”

He stepped through and his white robes tingled like sleet as they brushed my arm. Again, the voices wailed inside me.

A foyer cut walls sleek and swirled with gold. At the end, I saw a man in ebony robes. His dark hair curled down the sides and rested on his shoulders. The same man I bumped into at the village where we found Shadowdancer. He smiled like a wolf watching its prey.

“Nivel,” he spat out the name, “you know your Elvin magic cannot harm me here.”

“Yet neither can yours.”

“We are at a stalemate then. Until your protégé yields to the prophecy.” The Warloc tsked while he looked me up and down. “Too bad Celeste was unable to rid him of the Shints. He’s under my control.”

At his words, the voices inside me whimpered homage.

I noticed a tooth larger than then length of my hand hung on a chain around the Warloc’s neck. His black eyes bored into mine, and then his hooded eyes gazed down. “You have an instinct for powerful magic?”

Instead of answering I gaped at him. Voices inside my head jutted against my skull as if drooling over the hope he would give me the item.

“It’s a dragon’s tooth. I have a collection, but since tomorrow is Beltane, they have been hidden far from here. Although I could have sowed them to bring an army of undead to kill Celeste.”

My eyes kept drifting to the tooth. I’d never seen a dragon, yet here before me was proof they existed.

Part of me wished for his undead army, so I would not have to harm Celeste. The Shints, however, wanted to me to kill her and feel her blood run over my hands.

“Tell him what he needs to know.” I saw Nivel clenched his fists. “Not the sacrilege of stealing what was not given to you freely.”

The Warloc frowned and turned his gaze back upon me. Dark eyes, with the center glowing like a star hid there. Sucked by blackness and lured innocents to their death. My breathing quickened and the voices were silent.

“Heed my words, for I’ll not repeat them, nor answer any questions.” He waited until I nodded. “Sunset is in one hour. Outside, you will find an injured Bergone for you to feed — take its life. Swarm won’t attack you. You will have until sunset tomorrow to finish your task and spill the witch’s blood.”

I opened my mouth to question, but his frown stilled my tongue. How was I to kill her when she had her magic? She’d rip me apart.

“So the prophecy may be filled, her magic is tied to the dagger for a time; she’ll not be able to use her power to harm you. Kill her before the sun sets tomorrow. Celeste has been provided food and rest. And she has been sent forth through the mountain and given her horse.”

Must I find her again? I thought. Already she’d caused me grief. The voices in my head were no help, they merely echoed the prophecy.

I glanced at Nivel for assistance, but he did not look my way.

“You do not have time to dawdle.” The Warloc spun on his heel and left.

Nivel followed after him.

My throat tightened. Soon, I’d find Celeste and kill her. Depression settled over my heart like a weighted press.

I ran out of the palace. Feet from me was the Bergone I’d injured at the cave. Its breath was labored as it watched me approach.

At the Bergone’s side, I knelt. Taking this magical creature’s life was less guilt wrenching than any other life I had thus far taken.

I placed my hands on his opened wound and squeezed my eyes shut. Did not want to see his tragic stare.

Behind my eyes, the tugging opened. Drained his power into me. I felt his fear, his loathing for his master. The blades of grass tickled along his backbone and made my own itch. Still I feasted on him. Feasted until blood ran from his eyes and mouth.

Then I reached over, closed his eyelids. After I whispered an Elfish prayer I rose. The sun dipped in the horizon, coloring the sky in orange and pink.

Even with the voices screaming in my mind to kill the witch, I could not speed my descent along the western side of the mountain.

Her tracks in dust covering the rocks spread before me in the approaching darkness. The corners of my mouth turned up; she ran.

In the darkened sky, I saw her footsteps. Once I smelled the scent of her, lavender. Unable to silence the voices, I rushed forward. A hollowed sycamore tree ended her steps.

I yanked the garnet dagger from my boot and inched forward. Soon, I’d drive the blade into her and watch her bleed.

Just inside the tree, my fingers brushed moss. I eased the foliage back, darted deeper. Empty. Clever witch had led me to down a fake path. No matter, I could see in the dark. Saw better than other Elvin. Nor did I need sleep as she did. I climbed out of the tree and stood.

“Hear me witch,” I yelled, “before sun sets tomorrow, I will find you. Your blood will color this mountain and bring my redemption.” Inside my head, my speech was applauded in echoes.

Late afternoon, I was fuming. Somehow, she’d managed to lay hundreds of footprints scattered in every direction during the night. Each time I followed a set, another would appear in another direction.

Hours remained until sunset. Let the breeze blow through me, I closed my eyes. Listened for sounds. Heard insects. In the distance three deer rustled through the grass. I smelled the dirt underneath my boots. Concentrated, and the tree beside me shuddered.

Then, a faint inhale of breath. Celeste.

She was to the west. Then I noticed the hoof prints. Hidden them from me — for I forgot she was allowed Shadowdancer to ride.

Whistling an Elvin children’s song, I headed down the slope.

I joined in the laughter of my mind, soon I’d find her. My laughter rang out through the trees. With the dagger in my hand, I crept forward.

Just past a cluster of boulders, I heard her breathe. I leapt upon the tallest boulder.

Celeste shrieked but I waved the dagger before her. Instead of running, she scooted back against a rowan tree. The way she stared up at me almost made me want to kiss her. But she was the witch and must die.

“Take care, witch.” I sat down on the boulder. Let my legs dangle down the side. “It’s time for the prophecy, and my redemption.”

“So you mean to kill me?” her voice was a ragged whisper.

“Aye.” I forced my mind against her magic. No more would she woo me with her stone grey eyes and golden halo hair. Taken aback, I watched as she looked haunted, remorseful.

“I thought you were different, but you are the same as the others. Easily manipulated through magic. Just like Morgan and his mindless monks, all under the control of the Warloc.”

My hair bristled along the back of my neck. Perhaps I felt her magic shift through the air.

“Why did you not leave me alone? I wished to harm no one, save the ones responsible for my family’s deaths.” She took a breath and I saw her shoulders sag. “But I cannot allow you to kill me; it would keep my family under the Warloc’s control. And he would become more powerful.”