Kara Read online

  “It was stolen.” Kreitan then suddenly saw how this was going to play out. A thief breaks in to the castle and robs the captain of the guards almost four months ago, and this is the first the king is hearing about it. Kreitan steeled himself against what was coming.

  La’ard turned and stared at his captain. The rebuttal did not come immediately, but when it did, the king’s reaction was not what Kreitan was expecting.

  “Who did you anger?” La’ard asked.

  “What?”

  “I know how you run my castle. I have never feared anything with you in command. There have been no incidents that have caused me any concern. But someone with a vengeance, someone wanting to knock that hat from your head and humiliate you, I can see them stealing from you.” La’ard almost laughed.

  “I know who she is.”

  “She?” La’ard expression turned to alarm.

  “It is a contact I have used for…errands that are of a…sensitive nature. I tried to get the upper hand with her after she completed a job for me. My little trap failed. She stole the necklace to prove a point.”

  The king stepped toward Kreitan. La’ard’s expression did not reveal his mood as he approached, but Kreitan steadied himself—ready for another attack. “We need to get the necklace back. And, of course, the shard. I will leave the details to you.”

  “This woman is currently tracking the girl from yesterday. I may not be able to arrange a meeting.”

  “Do it! I do not want to have to question your loyalty…again.” La’ard stood only a foot away from the captain, the king’s eyes staring dead into his eyes. Kreitan suppressed his own anger, showing only calm determination.

  “Yes, my king.” Any other royal dignitary would have sentenced Kreitan to death for such mockery. La’ard did not flinch at the name. He only stared.

  “My daughter…you will not determine her fate, or I shall determine yours. Am I clear?” Silence fell and thick tension blanketed the room. Kreitan’s calm slowly ebbed away as his insides boiled.

  “The shard…I have more news. The cook told more.”

  La’ard lost his stern composure. Hope fluttered in the king’s eyes for a minute. He stepped back.

  “Yes?”

  “The baker, Kirt, the girl’s father, mentioned a brother, who might be interested in the shard.” Kreitan spoke slowly, feeding the king only bits of the information. “His brother is a Mordock.”

  “The Mordock from the river?”

  “Perhaps. Upon checking, the brother is a blacksmith in Willow Haven.”

  “Good. Have you sent men there yet?”

  “I was just about to get a company together to go visit him.” A smile appeared on Kreitan’s lips.

  “Send your second-in-command. You are to stay here and arrange the trap for the thief.” La’ard turned on his heel and started to leave.

  “But—”

  “Do not disappoint me. There is too much at stake.” La’ard left, slamming the door in his wake.

  Kreitan stared at the exit long after the king had gone. He felt such the fool and he despised feeling that way. La’ard had a rude awakening coming once this shard, and now necklace business, came to a conclusion.

  Maybe he would introduce the king to his little box.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kara thought dark and gloomy was the only way to describe the descent into the hardwood. Wizard Ynob’s house wasn’t actually inside the trunk, but underneath it. The tree only provided access to his lair.

  Kara couldn’t see where the illumination for the stairs came from. No torches adorned the walls and there was no visible light source. The walls just glowed in places with a luminescence strong enough to show the way, yet were so dim they provided no details.

  It was a steep staircase of twelve steps; narrow and direct toward an archway at the bottom of the descent. Grace and Ynob disappeared through that archway. Kara and Snow took their time, not knowing what lie ahead.

  Through the passage, a huge room opened up. The walls glowed eerily but there were torches, candles, and other flames that provided light. The area remained dim.

  This room, the wizard’s whole domain, held many things for the eyes to behold. One table held a vast collection of bubbling liquids and jars of different colored solutions. Kara stared at the jars, entranced by the smoke coming from the tops of a few.

  Kara reached for one but her hand passed through the whole collection, as if it were an illusion.

  “Yes, everyone falls for that.” Ynob casually said as he walked behind them, carrying a sword. Both Kara and Snow jumped. They looked toward him, but he was already off to another place in the room.

  Grace hovered in the middle of the expanse, while the wizard walked about with some type of urn from one side of the room to the other. Kara and Snow slowly made their way to Grace, but still looked around the place fascinated and a bit fearful.

  “So you brought me a human, Grace. How wonderful!” Ynob said with detached sarcasm. He did little to acknowledge Snow.

  Startled by the response, Kara asked, “But aren’t you a human?” The wizard ignored Kara. She looked toward Snow who gave an unsure nod.

  Ynob passed a hearth. A fire sparked and then ignited into a roaring blaze. The extra light illuminated more of the underground den. Kara noticed the ceiling for the first time. It was like a dirt floor turned upside down. Small roots stuck out in places, but the ceiling looked safe. She stretched her hand up to touch it, but it was still out of her reach.

  Snow gave a small gasp as something brushed past her foot. She grabbed Kara tightly.

  “Don’t mind Herc.” Ynob remarked offhandedly. “He’s friendly, unless you’re a mouse. Then he’s like a Lire wolf.” Kara looked down at the odd animal. It reminded her of Birch, yet it definitely looked catlike. An eerie smile crept onto Herc’s face.

  Ynob’s comments came from different sides of the room, and still he hadn’t stopped to take the time to introduce himself. Kara found that rude, but she remained too mesmerized by his dwelling to speak up.

  Light danced off the monstrous skull of a beast that could have only come from legendary myths of old. It inspired awe yet incited fear. The light from the fire ignited the long fangs. If she had to guess at what the creature was, Kara would say a dragon or another relative of such a critter. The empty eye sockets stared at her, seeming to peer deep within her bones.

  “Okay, enough chit chat. As you can see, I am fantastically busy.” Wizard Ynob appeared in front of the two girls, knuckles on his hips, finally taking note of them.

  He wasn’t what one would typically think of when using the term wizard. He did not wear a pointed hat, but he did wear a robe fastened down the front and tailored to fit his form closely. The cuffs were big, yet not sloppy, and the garment hung right above his boots.

  A brown beard, trimmed sharply around the jaw line, formed somewhat of an inverted heart around his mouth. His face appeared youthful, yet his demeanor and expressions suggested wisdom of age. Brown shaggy hair crept around his ears, but none fell upon his shoulders.

  Nobody spoke. Ynob’s hazel eyes held a stern gaze.

  “Well, I know you can speak. So tell me, human, why have you come to visit the Great Wizard Ynob?” His hands accentuated his name with wide arcs.

  Grace started to twitter, but Ynob cut her short.

  “No, no. Just because you helped me out that one time….”

  Grace gave a little blurt.

  “Okay, twice. I knew I should have never let you have access to the door.” Ynob turned his attention back to Kara and Snow. “Well, rabbit, what say you?”

  Snow was startled. “How did you know?”

  “I am all-seeing and all-knowing. Just like I know your brother is a fox and he hangs out with that dork.”

  Grace corrected him.

  “Dwarc…whatever. Again, wasting my valuable time. Thank you. Come again later…much later.” And Ynob turned his back on them.

  “Sir, if y
ou could just look at my necklace?” Kara said, taking a few steps after him. He turned on her suddenly and they were face-to-face.

  “Sir? I haven’t been called that in a monkey’s age. Ha! But, really, human, you must go. Just follow the stairs up and out the door you go.” And just as suddenly, he turned his back to her again and walked to another part of the room.

  Kara stood there shocked, confused, and a bit offended. Grace chased the wizard this time. She sprite-spoke as she got close. Again, Ynob turned abruptly, causing Grace to veer around him.

  “Magical necklace? I’m surprised at you, Grace.” He just shook his head, as the sprite flew around his head and in front of his face. “Do you know how many people try to bring me enchanted objects to look at? ‘Oh, wizard, come look. I have a magical fire poker. It’s magic and pokes fire. Come see.’” He threw his hands in the air, brushed Grace away.

  Kara felt disappointment sink in, as well as a little dislike toward the wizard. If all magical people were like this, no wonder King La’ard didn’t want any speaking ones in his kingdom.

  Snow tried next to coax the wizard, but even before she muttered a word, Ynob cut her off.

  “Tut, tut, tut, tut. There’s no need to go on. I’m not interested.”

  It was getting warm in the house. Kara removed her shawl. As soon as they were outside again, she would probably have to put it back on. Her fingers touched the necklace. Again it was cool to her touch but warm around her neck. It glowed faintly.

  She decided one more time to confront the stubborn wizard. Kara marched up to where he fiddled with some vials on a table. “It’s this necklace that I want you to look at. It will only take a moment and then we will be gone.” Her voice came out forceful and demanding.

  Ynob stopped what he was doing and slowly turned to face Kara. He did not look happy, and he opened his mouth to tell her so. But he caught sight of the necklace and his words stopped. Ynob stared, eyes growing wide, and Kara began to fear what he knew as she watched his expression change.

  The wizard’s mouth moved and it was a moment before words came out, but neither Snow nor Kara understood them. Long chants of a language that sounded ancient came from him. Kara and Snow looked at each other and then at Grace. It was hard to tell if the sprite knew what he was saying.

  He finished with a word that sounded like hissing. Pushing past Kara, Ynob found a chair and sat. The others gathered in around him.

  “So you can tell me about this necklace?” Kara asked after a moment.

  The wizard turned to look at her. “I know it means death to those who wear it.”

  ***

  Katrena followed the blood trail back to the wolf attack. The wolves had long since departed and were probably sleeping well. It appeared that Skrag was only the appetizer. Behind a bush lay the carcass of a deer. And just before she left, she saw a gnome hat crusted with blood. Dessert.

  The dark elf spent little time at the scene and tracked Skrag to the were clan house. Cautiously she approached, weapons at the ready, but she soon determined no one was at home. She cursed under her breath, as her mind began to think of other possible locations for the human girl. Argh! Where did she go? Her temper began to flare. Quickly, Katrena cooled it, knowing her emotions would hinder her assassin skills.

  Caw!

  Normally, when she was on par, nothing could startle Katrena. Those easily surprised usually wound up dead even before they realized the element of awe didn’t work. This time she was not calm, and the caw caused her to jump. But within a second, she had her composure back and a mini crossbow ready to aim. Katrena found the crow through the weapon’s sight, its mocking eyes staring at her as if laughing.

  “Stupid bird.” Katrena lowered the weapon and began to examine the property. She scoured the ground for clues, hints, and tracks. She found two groups of tracks, barely visible through the morning dew.

  One set, that of a fox and something larger, headed toward the road. Another pair, a rabbit track and a humanoid track led into the forest making a new path.

  “Where are you off to, Kara?” Katrena’s voice was barely a whisper. The crow let out a startled cry.

  Katrena turned back to look at the bird, that now appeared agitated. She gave it a hard look and turned her back. She heard flapping wings. Katrena turned, aimed, and pulled the trigger.

  Thunk!

  Caw!

  The rush of adrenaline, the feel of the weapon releasing gave her a jolt of pleasure. She hid the emotion behind a bland façade and calmly approached her kill. She always retrieved her bolts. A good assassin left nothing behind at the scene. Except a corpse.

  Once the crossbow was loaded again and stored on her hip, Katrena followed the rabbit tracks into the woods. Kara would soon be in her grasp.

  And another mission completed.

  ***

  Jesset grasped the window frame and stared at the sparrow perched on the sill in front of him.

  Soldiers coming.

  They’d found him?

  “How many?”

  Seven.

  They were coming for him.

  “Find any animals you can and get them here,” Jesset ordered the bird and quickly went to grab a sword. But his weapons rack lay bare. He had delivered an order just yesterday and had not yet begun the next. He began to panic.

  Two squirrels jumped in through the window. His bird friend was recruiting well. Before he could address the squirrels, his deer friends poked their head in. Birch wanted to join the group, but he became too excited by the snakes that slithered in.

  “My friends, I don’t have much time to explain. Soldiers are coming to take me. You need to provide a distraction so I can get away. These men are dangerous, so be careful.”

  “Mordock! We know you are in there!”

  He looked out the window and spied the familiar violet and silver uniforms of the Witch Guard. “They’re here! Go, and thank you,” Jesset whispered. He fought to keep his fear from taking control.

  The animals scattered except for Birch. He barked once.

  Startled, Jesset quickly knelt. “I know you want to help, but you need to hide. For Kara’s sake.” He rubbed the dog’s head before standing again.

  A commotion broke out in the front of the house. His distraction was happening, but he felt guilty about using his animal friends. He peeked out the door.

  The two scouts suddenly returned from the side of the house, waving their hands, smacking their chest armor. Two of his squirrel friends were attacking the soldiers. The animals bit at the exposed flesh between the armor plates. One squirrel jumped on to a mounted soldier’s horse, spooking the beast into a run. The stallion sped forward, underneath a low hanging branch.

  Crack!

  The branch broke, taking the soldier with it.

  Shortly after one man went down, another soldier suddenly screamed and fell from his horse. The squirrel bounded away.

  Jesset watched in amazement. His friends were holding their own. Maybe they could even chase off the soldiers.

  He saw the leader of the group turn in a circle, bewildered and confused by what was happening. The same soldier who had confronted him in the field with Kara.

  A bird dove at the leader’s face. He drew his sword while dodging. Other swords emerged from their scabbards, metal ringing against metal. The two fallen soldiers got to their feet. Jesset’s moment of hope fled him. Weapons were out. How would he ever get out of the cottage with so many Witch Guard around?

  Jesset crept to the back door on his hands and knees. He quietly turned the knob and heard hissing.

  The horses discovered the snakes before their riders. Jesset turned to watch. Two horses reared up, hooves kicking in the air. One Witch Guard soldier fell completely off, while the other fell but got his foot caught in the stirrup. This frightened the horse even more and it took off at a panicked canter dragging the rider away.

  The two scouts chased the snakes into the brush. They slashed at the bushes, trying to ki
ll them. A blur of brown butted one of the soldiers. He flew back, spiraled in the air, and crashed onto the ground face first. A doe wobbled next to the second guard, stunned from the blow. The man raised his sword to lop its head off when he sailed back, landing in a heap. A large antlered buck had just charged him protecting his mate.

  The leader again stood there, shock evident upon his face. But he quickly moved forward to attack. The buck had time only to lift its head to see the sword slicing downward, delivering a killing blow.

  The doe caught sight of her mate’s death, before an icy cold blade sliced into her heart. Another soldier had joined in the fight. He slid his saber from the animal and let it fall.

  “No!” Jesset cried out. He did not want this. Grief swelled within him, holding him rooted to the spot. The soldiers advanced, swords drawn.

  Quickly, he turned and ran through the back door. Heavy footfalls pursued him.

  A squirrel sat on the roof. I can help.

  Jesset turned slightly, to tell him no, but the animal was already in the air.

  The leader had been chasing him. He dodged the attack effortlessly, then spun, aimed and pinned the squirrel to the ground with his sword. It gave a small squeak and went limp.

  Not another! He needed to get away, to make sure his friends did not die in vain.

  Thunk!

  Red-hot pain jolted his body, and he reached to grasp the knife protruding from his shoulder. Jesset fell forward and hit the forest floor.

  “Cover his mouth,” someone commanded. “Somehow he is making these creatures attack.”

  Rough hands wrenched the knife from Jesset and hauled him to his feet. His shoulder throbbed and blood slowly poured out of the wound. His eyes tried to focus, but everything seemed to swim in front of him. They dragged Jesset in front of the leader, his head forced to look straight into hard, cold eyes.

  “My knife.” The leader extended his right hand and one of the soldiers slapped the bloody implement on his outstretched palm. The man took his blade and held it to Jesset’s throat.