Kara Read online

  The crow was being useless. Jesset shook his head. “So was Kara hurt by the necklace?”

  Huh? Oh, no, no…no nothing like that. She said it glowed and felt warm to her touch. But she seemed okay…Um, what are you doing?

  At the mention of the glow, Jesset abruptly turned, making a path toward a chest. He lifted it to a table and then slowly opened it. Inside was a piece of glass, no more than a foot long. It was dark in color. But when Jesset picked it up, it glowed partially.

  He turned, facing Odefus. “Did the stone look like this?”

  For a moment, the bird didn’t say a word, but then confirmed Jesset’s suspicions. Wow, that’s creepy. You Mordocks are really weird with your magic and stuff.

  Jesset closed his eyes, as an immense sadness crept over him. He turned and set the shard back in the chest. The minute he removed his hands, the shard went dark again. With the chest once more stored below the table, Jesset made his way to a nearby seat. Birch scampered over and licked his hand.

  So what does that mean? So it glows. Big deal. Odefus jumped down from his high perch and landed on the tabletop.

  The blacksmith gave Birch a quick scratch before he stood up. “The big deal, crow, is that it means Kara possesses magic. Magic feeds off other magic. That necklace could be a big deal.”

  And then with a quick step, he snatched Odefus by the throat again. “Go find Kara and keep watch!”

  Why? The crow clawed at the hand holding him aloft.

  “Because I just fed you. Plus because you want to do something nice for a change.” He released the bird, who hopped back onto the table.

  Well, Odefus will have to think about that.

  “Go!”

  Odefus quickly obeyed and flew out the window, but not before uttering some choice words for Jesset. He watched the crow fly away, making sure Odefus headed in the direction of the Territories.

  Birch looked up from the floor, his plate spotlessly clean.

  Jesset bent over and rubbed the dog’s ears. “You and I may have to go on a little journey,” he said.

  ***

  The king stormed into Euphoria’s room. “I told you about calling me ‘Father!’”

  He approached the fireplace and the chair the thing always sat in. Euphoria’s face held a calm expression, her fingers tented in front of her as if expecting this.

  It is nice to see you too, Paw Paw. A Cheshire cat smile spread across the face of his child. Anger bubbled up inside wanting to explode out. Had this thing taken any other form than his daughter, La’ard would have lashed out. His anger could not overcome that sight, the memories it triggered, the unending love.

  “My daughter is trapped in the cursed mirror! It is you who speaks using her voice. Not her. So do not call me father…please.” La’ard began to break down and weep, the emotional rush of this morning was just too much.

  The thing just chuckled. Pathetic mortal.

  It only took a moment for the king to compose himself and put on his emotional armor. “Why have I been called here? You are interrupting my day. There has been no progress to report.”

  How was the queen today? Marble does suit her.

  La’ard remained stunned, as if receiving a blow. He had never told this thing about his morning ritual. The question evident on his face.

  My dear La’ard, do you think I am helpless in this room? I can see as far as the castle grounds. I cannot bodily leave the presence of the mirror, but my mind’s eye can travel far.

  Again, the king composed himself, wiping the shocked look off his face. “So the shard?”

  Is not in the castle. If it had been, I would not hinder your mission by concealing that fact. Euphoria’s hands folded into her lap. One of the many castle cats jumped into her lap. The calico mouse hunter did not appear to be afraid of what Euphoria was, but as La’ard looked closer, he could see its eyes were wide with terror. The demon petted it.

  “Did you bring me here just to torment me?” La’ard said, trying to peel his eyes away from the cat’s terrified expression.

  But surely you miss me, Father.

  Red-hot fury washed over La’ard, but she went on before he could have an outburst.

  There is another piece of the puzzle out there that I need you to retrieve.

  “What? Another shard?”

  No, Your Majesty. Another item I did not know still existed, that has just come into play. The wraith rhythmically stroked the animal. The cat’s eyes still held terror, wide and watering. But there was no struggle to escape.

  “The deal was to get you the shard and I get my daughter back. My real daughter!”

  Key word in there is ‘was’. If you’d like, I can void the whole deal now. She waved her hand toward the mirror. An image of a frightened Euphoria appeared in the shattered glass.

  “No…No!” La’ard began to run toward the mirror, but it quickly went dark. He closed his eyes before turning to the imitation princess.

  Good. Because this piece is important. A necklace. In the shape of a bat that has a stone similar to the mirror’s surface.

  “Jewelry? Really?”

  It is much more than adornment, but I would not expect a man of such limited knowledge to know or understand what it can do.

  La’ard gritted his teeth. How he hated these ‘talks.’ “And where do I find such a piece? At the market?”

  I do not know.

  “But you just said you felt it. Surely, to a creature as powerful as you that is like a beacon.” His voice held tones of contempt and mocking.

  A great ripping noise like that of fabric tearing rang through the room. Euphoria’s hand came up from her lap holding something. La’ard suddenly realized what it was and looked at the cat. Its eyes were beyond terror now, still moving, still alive with pain. The calico fur was gone.

  La’ard had to turn away. He held his stomach together, but he could not look anymore at the poor creature. Euphoria dropped the bloody hide and placed both of her hands on the cat. Another sound filled the room, that of crunching and tearing, of a starving man digging into a meaty chicken leg. The sounds only lasted a few minutes.

  As they faded, La’ard regained his nerve and looked back. The cat was gone. Almost, gone. Euphoria played with one remaining white bone in her hands. The hide still lay crumbled on the floor.

  Do not mock me. I do not take kindly to it.

  “I’m…sorry.”

  The necklace is important. I felt its presence last night. A human female has touched it, one similar to the last owner. Only a human female of certain qualities could cause the surge that I felt.

  “But that doesn’t help me locate the object. We have had no luck with the shard, and now you want me to find another item we have no clue where it is.”

  I trust your resources, sire. One clue I can give you. The captain of your guards, the Witch Guard, it laughed at the name, once had the necklace in his possession.

  “Kreitan?”

  Yes…Now leave me. I tire of this charade. And with another wave, the wraith dismissed him. His mind was still processing information, but he did start to move. His eyes glanced at the mirror, where his daughter’s image had been. He paused staring at the dark abyss.

  Soon, king, soon.

  His head dropped as his heart coped with another pang of emotion.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Do you think the guys will be okay?” Kara asked holding back a branch so Grace could come through.

  Snow, in rabbit form, hopped further ahead. “They can take care of themselves. Hambone can get all worked up, but he can be civilized when it comes time for confrontation.”

  Grace twittered as if in agreement.

  After the incident with Skrag, Kara told them about her dream. Snow and Grace thought it meant something, but Hambone and Dante were fixated on the goblin and didn’t pay much attention. Hambone and Dante wanted to visit the market to see Katrena. Snow thought it would be a good idea to search out Wizard Ynob.

  “Tha
t crazy old coot! He’s just a recluse that people think knows magic.” Dante exclaimed.

  “He’s a wizard and we can see if he knows anything about the necklace.” Snow countered.

  “Well, good luck trying to find him.”

  Dante was right about that. Snow had never been to the wizard’s place. She heard rumors that his home rested in the trunk of a large tree.

  Grace piped up with a twitter. “Oh, well, if Grace knows.” Dante quipped.

  “Enough.” Hambone put an end to the arguing. “I don’t like the idea that Kara will be out in the forest where anything can happen.”

  Kara looked at him. “I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. Plus Snow and Grace will be with me.”

  “Hmpp” Dante said rudely.

  Kara glared at the fox. “Your sister took care of me when someone who will remain nameless left me while he got a haircut and some pampering.”

  Instantly, Dante lowered his head and closed his mouth.

  “Still, I don’t like it.” Hambone said sternly.

  “Then come along. I think Snow has the right idea to get this necklace checked out. Even if he can’t tell us anything about the necklace, he might be able to help me get home,” Kara said.

  Snow smiled behind her.

  Hambone thought about it then shook his head. “If that goblin is still out there, I don’t want another attack.”

  “I wouldn’t call what he tried to do an attack. Plus Dante wounded him pretty badly,” Kara pointed out.

  “Yuck…I can still taste’s its blood. Nasty stuff.” Dante coughed, mock spitting.

  A moment passed where Kara thought the dwarc would change his mind, but in the end he simply said no.

  Snow, Kara, and Grace had now been hiking for almost an hour. The forest did close in and get tighter the more they trail blazed. Snow mainly led, but then consulted Grace every so often. Kara felt like a third wheel at times because no one translated for the sprite.

  She was wearing her disguise again. Grace did not want to put on the illusion, in case the wizard saw through the ruse and assumed their intentions were not good.

  Her hand came up to the necklace, hidden under the shawl. It remained cool to her touch but the underside warmed against her skin. Her mind played over her dream, or memories, or whatever they were. Kara wanted to find out more about the mysterious Rose, and what happened with her and Miranda.

  “I think we might be close,” Snow said from just up ahead.

  They hiked up a small incline. Large, old trees started to appear in the forest. Many, Kara could not fit her arms around, but none of them looked like they could hold a household within.

  Grace took point and flew ahead, looking at each tree. Snow and Kara watched the sprite. She lingered at an oak, before jabbering in sprite-speak.

  “She thinks she’s found it.”

  Kara looked at the tree and then back at Snow. “Really? How can a whole house, let alone one man fit in that tree?” Snow just shrugged.

  Grace muttered something at the tree. Her green light pulsed, and soon a line drawing appeared at the base. It looked as if the line were cutting out a door in the trunk. When the sprite finished, the green disappeared and a door revealed itself.

  An ornate door, like one might find at a nobleman’s household, stood out in the forest now. A panel chiseled with birds, similar to those that used to perch outside her window, lay in the center while a design of vines and leaves decorated the outside perimeter of the door. A large knocker in the shape of a dragon’s head graced the center of the door, but there was no handle or doorknob.

  Snow and Kara walked up to it amazed. “How did you do that, Grace?” Kara asked.

  Grace twittered.

  “She said it’s complicated.” Snow translated. After a moment passed, Snow nudged Kara. “Well, go ahead and knock.”

  “Why do I have to?”

  “Because we came here for you. Now get up there.”

  Kara nodded reluctantly. She stretched out her hand and almost had the knocker in her grasp, when the door flew open. She pulled her hand back to avoid getting hit by the door. Snow gave a startled gasp too.

  “Who dares reveal my door and disturb me?” Wizard Ynob’s tone came out harsh and demanding. He stared down at Snow and then briefly glanced at Kara before he saw Grace.

  “Oh, it’s you, Grace.” It was hard to tell from his tone whether he was pleasantly surprised or sarcastic. “I guess you can come in. And bring your friends.”

  ***

  “Where is the little…” Katrena paced inside her home, anger building with each turn. This morning she awoke to an empty house, no Skrag watching her from the corner of the room. She searched the house for him thoroughly with no luck. She even did a sweep outside, but he was nowhere to be found.

  Katrena learned early on to keep the mission simple or Skrag would mess it up. And she had done just that. Find the girl and report back. Simple. She re-entered her cottage and paced from window to window, unsure of what to do. Skrag was reliable and he had not failed to return with the information she desired from missions she had sent him on before. In addition, Aladedas would be opening soon, not that anyone would miss her there, but she always hated to lose opportunities to earn a little coinage.

  Skrag, where are you?

  As she turned her back to the front door, a soft knock came. Katrena paused mid step, listening. Her hand instinctively went for the throwing knife attached to her hip. A quiet pivot and a hop, she was at the door. The knock came again, faint, but unmistakably a knock.

  Katrena wrenched open the door, ready to attack, but no one was there. Her eyes scanned out and then down. That’s when she saw the trail of blood leading to her door.

  Skrag looked up at her. One leg was gone, while the other had a chunk missing. One slightly chewed on ear and an eye gone a wicked shade of purple added to the several deep claw marks on his face that oozed a yellowish green puss.

  “Mistress…” His voice weakly called out as a cough rattled him. He spat blood.

  The dark elf knelt beside her slave, close enough to hear, but clear of any fluids or nastiness coming from the goblin.

  “Skrag. Who did this to you?”

  “Lire…wolves…” Katrena grimaced. Usually the wolves didn’t bother goblins because of their natural scent, unless Skrag’s wounds came prior to their attack. Blood was enough incentive for the wolves to overcome their natural aversion.

  “The girl.” Katrena wanted her information. Yes, Skrag was dying but he would not die in vain. He came back to finish his mission.

  “Were…clan…” The goblin broke out into a coughing fit. It shook his whole body. And then the coughs stopped abruptly. His eyes widened. Death claimed him quickly. Katrena stood, looking down in disgust.

  “What a mess,” she muttered.

  She turned, re-entered the house, and went to her weapons room. Being prepared for anything was the key to surviving. Preparation took only a matter of moments. Hopefully, the girl would still be at the house or nearby.

  Katrena stepped onto the porch once again and stopped by the goblin’s body. No feelings of remorse or guilt surfaced. There was only anger at having lost a valuable worker. She kicked Skrag’s body off her porch. Maybe some scavengers would take care of his remains so she would not have to deal with it later.

  Katrena ran into the woods, tracing back the trail of blood her late goblin had left for her.

  ***

  Kreitan awoke to La’ard yanking him by his tunic.

  “Where is it?” the king snarled in his face.

  The captain’s reflexes were quick, but only softened the blow of slamming against the wall. La’ard was strong, maybe a close match for Kreitan, but fueled by this rage, Kreitan felt helpless.

  “Wha—” was all the captain could say as La’ard put pressure on his windpipe.

  “I will kill you right now without any qualms if anything happens to Euphoria. Now where is the necklace?” The kin
g’s arm was like a metal bar. Kreitan’s hands tried desperately to pull it away. The fingers loosened enough for Kreitan to speak.

  “Necklace?” And then he knew to what La’ard referred. It came to his mind, a vivid picture of the pendant, bat wings and all. He also knew who had taken it.

  “Necklace.” La’ard pronounced it slow and loud making sure Kreitan heard. “Tell me.”

  Kreitan motioned toward his throat with one hand, while trying to remove the king’s hold with his other. La’ard quickly released his grasp. Kreitan’s hands went to his neck. He coughed a few times. His lungs screamed for more air.

  Inside hatred rumbled, anger foamed. Kreitan’s eyes betrayed everything. But the captain forced himself to stand and to harden his heart, eyes, soul. Now was not the time for payback.

  “Tell me. That thing says you know of it.” La’ard turned to Kreitan.

  “Sire…” He coughed again.

  “Dispense with the niceties for now.” La’ard walked around the room, surveying it while keeping an eye on his captain.

  “It’s from the tomb.” Kreitan stepped away from the wall. His head throbbed similar to his lungs and throat. After torturing and eventually silencing Cehwalie forever, Kreitan had celebrated with a keg of mead and a large roasted boar. Inflicting pain gave one such an appetite.

  “Everything’s from that damn tomb!” La’ard shook his head, pausing his pacing.

  “Yes. Everything bad is.”

  The king gave a sharp look to his captain, who continued quickly. “It was from the crystal cabinet in the room.”

  “So you just thought you could pilfer from the crown? A little something for yourself?” La’ard quickly stepped closer to Kreitan.

  “No, my liege.” Kreitan dropped his eyes He might look contrite but he wasn’t really ashamed. He could tell the story of the rebel miners, but then he would have to reveal the nature of his box. That was definitely one treasure La’ard would never get.

  “Somehow I don’t believe you.” The king stepped away, again glancing about the room. “So where is this necklace now?” The king’s words were spit out, distasteful bile.