Kara (11 page)

Jesset shuffled across the dirt floor. Birch
nipped at his heels. This little mongrel bounced along full of
spunk. Birch made this uneasy time more bearable. He was the light
at the end of a gloomy day.

Jesset brought forth meat left from his
dinner the night before and threw that to the pooch. Eagerly, Birch
scarfed up the morsel and looked around for more to fill his
belly.

“Did Kara feed you this much or are you just
trying your luck with me?”

Yes
.

The dog jumped up and down in front of
Jesset. He laughed and took a bit more meat and threw it to Birch.
Again, it was gone in a flash.

Jesset prepared his own food as Birch stared
at him, his tongue hanging out. Jesset knew what the dog was doing,
just as he knew that there were two birds perched on his roof
talking about their day. His ability to sense and communicate with
animals came in handy. Not only could he talk to them, but he also
could heal the worst of their injuries. This skill did not work on
humans at all, for he tried many a time during his time with the
Mordocks.

The animals were his source of information
about Kara. A passing bird told him a dwarc had found her washed up
on the shore. Jesset hoped for more information shortly.

A piece of onion fell from the table and
disappeared in mid-air with very little effort from Birch. Jesset
chuckled to himself. Once his food was cooked, he sat at his
kitchen table to begin his meal. A bottle that held about two
cupfuls of elderberry wine sat there from the previous night. It
was a fine drink made by the satyrs in the Territories and
delivered to him specially.

Seated and ready to eat, Jesset paused. Two
deer approached from the south. He didn’t bother to get up, for
these deer would come right into his household. Three minutes
later, the head of a light brown doe poked through the open door,
followed by her mate’s.

“Just in time my friends.”

Kara is safe. One of the were clan was
seen taking her from Aladedas,
the buck said to Jesset.

“Aladedas?” A human in that market could
easily find trouble.

Sprite illusion kept her safe,
the doe
said, coming farther into the room.

“She has found powerful friends. Rare in the
Territories.”

The doe nudged his arm.
What should we
do?

He rubbed the spot between her eyes. “You, my
friends have done enough. I would not put you in danger. Enjoy some
food. Rest and stay.” He stood up from the table and left his bowl.
The deer came and sopped up the remaining food.

Jesset walked out the doorway, looking
towards the Territories. He hoped Kara would be safe. For now, he
could wait no longer to make his move.

Chapter Nine

As night fell, the bustle in the marketplace
died down considerably. There were a few merchants who made their
homes at the market, but most had other places to go. Katrena was
one of those who had another home.

Skrag wrapped up all the merchandise and
tucked it away in a trunk. He then loaded the product on a small
cart attached to a pathetic mule. Katrena didn’t bother to watch
Skrag anymore. He was infatuated with her and would never undermine
his mistress.

She busied herself with watching the other
vendors. Suspicion and contempt were the typical emotions that
filled her. Too many times things had gone wrong and Katrena found
herself in the middle of it. She now spent her life trying to make
sure no one had the better of her.

Countless weapon trainings and physical
workouts had helped tone her body and mind. Katrena had once been a
member of the assassin’s guild and the thief’s guild too, but soon
they came in conflict with one another. The assassins revoked her
membership for stealing from the guild. Killing a few members in
the thief guild did not ensure her popularity with that group
either. Katrena didn’t care she was a pariah though.

Authorities were on the lookout for her, but
not by name or description, really just by the crimes. That
information did not give them much to go on, which allowed her the
freedom to continue her business.

The only family left was her twin sister
Ra’na and her mother. Dark elves were uncommon in Aladedas, but not
as rare as humans. Races looked upon these dark cousins as ‘having
a tendency towards evil.’ Really, they just assumed that dark elves
were up to no good. And for the most part, that stereotype fit.
Many other rumors about these beings were conjured from that belief
of evil. Most were just utter nonsense.

Sunlight did not burn their dark skin. They
did not drink blood or eat their victim, although Katrena did like
her boar meat a bit rare. Silver eyes did not mean she was a
silver-tongued liar. There were many other rumors that she laughed
at because they were simply ridiculous. But when a customer came by
believing in any of the stereotypes, she used it to her
advantage.

“Skrag, are we ready?”

“Yes, Mistress. All done.” Skrag’s voice came
out breathless. Some of that was just a side effect of the loyalty
enchantment.

The trail home was smooth for the most part,
except a few unearthed roots nearing the cottage. Katrena rarely
conversed on these walks, enjoying the coming night, her favorite
hour just before dark. Tonight she led the mule while Skrag rode.
He had had a rough day, so she thought it best he should relax.
Also because he would need his energy and strength on the
surveillance mission in store for him tonight.

Skrag sat content staring at his mistress.
Katrena tried not to look back at the goblin. Often he would have
drool coming out of his mouth and look like a complete idiot. If he
weren’t such a dedicated worker, Katrena would kick him to the
curb. Or better yet, throw him to the Cynavinenan fighting hounds.
They always enjoyed a good goblin chew toy.

Skrag hauled the trunk in the door. Small
torches along the wall lit up like magic, pixie magic. Inside each
torch, a pixie had been imprisoned, their natural light projected
upwards.

“Mistress. All put away.” He looked tired but
happy, or blissfully ignorant.

Her silver eyes caught some of the pixie
shine. “I just have one more task for you, Skrag.” Her tone was
melodious in his huge ears. “Just a simple scouting mission.”

***

Human laughter sounded from the bungalow like
smoke from its chimney. Snowbell entertained Kara while they waited
to see if their clue led Hambone, Grace, and Dante to them. They
did not have to wait very long, for the door suddenly burst open
and a fox charged in.

“Where is she?” Dante skidded to a halt in
the middle of the living room. Hambone casually entered followed by
Grace.

“So, I guess my little clue worked.” Snow
said and then both Kara and she burst into laughter. Dante looked
annoyed, but Hambone smiled, relief washing over him.

“We were worried,” the dwarc said.

And suddenly the mood seemed to change in the
room. Kara’s laughter died down and something else replaced it.
“Oh, you were worried. About me? A human in a market full of other
races? And left alone?” She turned toward Dante now. “While you got
a haircut, I was scared out of my mind.” Kara stood up. Silence
followed. She still looked stern.

Dante looked ashamed. “But….”

“Snow rescued me. Something happened to my
illusion. I panicked.” A deep sigh came out of her. “We only left
the clue as a courtesy.” Kara returned to her seat. “For what it is
worth.”

“I am…”
Schunk!
“…sorry.” Dante
shifted to his human form in mid-apology. It startled Kara and made
her forget her anger for the moment.

Snow sneered. “Cheap trick, brother.”

“He didn’t need it. I forgave him anyway.”
Kara said. It took only a few moments for the mood to change to
jovial again. While everyone got comfortable, Kara began to tell
some of her market tale to the group.

“…had a blue stone set in this crystal design
of a bat.”

“Women and jewelry. Of course.” Dante
muttered smugly.

Grace flew into his head and gave him a
knock.

“Ow, that hurt.”

Grace chirped and then flew back the
girls.

“It was a beautiful piece. The caretaker was
a bit creepy, and he insisted that I try it on. I forgot myself and
took off one of my gloves. As soon as my hand touched the necklace,
I saw the look on his face. He could tell I was human. That’s why I
ran.”

Hambone leaned forward. “That’s how we got
our first clue. We found your other glove there. You don’t want
anything from that shop.”

Kara looked puzzled.

“That booth is Katrena’s. She’s a dark elf.
She also has a twin, named Ra’na.”

“Oh, the one who taught you how to make the
soup?” Kara asked.

Hambone blushed and nodded. Nobody said
anything for a moment.

“So what’s the big deal?” Kara asked.

“Katrena is bad news. Most dark elves are or
can be.”

Dante smirked. “Except for Ra’na. Katrena
doesn’t like big Ham here, especially since he likes her
sister.”

“Ohhhh,” Kara saw the connection.

“But she’s bad news anyway. Very sly and too
many rumors about what she is up to.” Snow added. “But very pure on
race too.”

“What?”

Snow stopped and looked at the others before
continuing. “I forget that you are still new to all of this.
Katrena really can’t stand her sister, but even more so, can’t
stand the fact that she associates with a mixed breed. I think poor
Hambone’s life would be in danger, if he started to court her.”

“But that’s stupid.”

“Many of the races like a pure bloodline.
Elves especially. Interracial couples are heavily frowned
upon.”

Kara looked toward Hambone, who looked away.
“I’m sorry.”

“There’s…there’s nothing you need to be sorry
for.” Hambone said, still looking away.

Kara reached into her pocket, looking for her
handkerchief. Her fingers felt something solid.

“What? Oh no!” Kara drew her hand out and
held out the bat necklace. The gem started to sparkle. “It must
have slid into my pocket!” Her voice became shaky.

“It’s okay Kara.” Snow was right next to
her.

“I didn’t mean to take it! Honest!” Tears
welled up and she let the pendant fall to the floor. Kara turned
and wrapped her arms around Snow. Dante and Hambone stared at the
necklace and then at Kara.

“Everything is going wrong here. I just want
to go home.”

Dante tried to pick up the necklace. As his
hand got close, he received a nasty shock. All eyes went to the
piece of jewelry.

“What was that?” Snow gasped.

Dante rubbed his hand that showed slight burn
marks. “I don’t know, but I am sure not touching it again.”

“Grace?” Snow looked toward the sprite. When
it came to magic, Grace was the one with the most knowledge. The
green ball just twittered a remark that sounded like ‘I don’t
know.’ Snow looked toward Hambone and then at the necklace. He
simply shook his head.

“Kara? Did you feel anything when you held
the necklace?” Snow looked at Kara who still gazed down at the
bat.

“No, nothing. It felt normal in my hands.
Maybe a little warm, but nothing shocking.”

Grace chirped something.

“I’ve heard of some magical jewelry bonding
to its owner. Sort of an anti-theft trigger.” Hambone said, also
looking down at the necklace.

“Well, you can count me out. I learned my
lesson.” Dante’s fingers were red at the tips.

Kara got up from her seat. Snow made to hold
her back. “I don’t think you should touch it again.” Kara shrugged
her off.

Down on one knee, she hovered her hand over
the necklace. The jewel started to glow faintly again. As her hand
got closer, it brightened. Experimenting, Kara moved her hand back
and forth watching the glow rise and fall. She looked up at her
friends. They stared with stunned looks.

Grace came closer to Kara, but kept her
distance from the pendant. Gently, Kara scooped up the pendant.
Instantly, the gem sparkled in her hand. The stone once again
captured her eyes. Her other hand supported the chain it was
attached to. All eyes fixed on the gem.

She regained her feet and turned, as if
displaying the necklace for all to see. Her previous concerns were
set aside. The whole room looked hypnotized. Slowly, Kara revolved,
and she brought the jewelry up and draped it over her
collarbones.

Grace screeched and pulsed, but the piece
hung at Kara’s collar. The light faded as the sprite screamed.

“Why did you do that, Grace?” Snow complained
as she rubbed her ears.

They all broke out of their trance, but
instead of being relaxed, they were annoyed. Grace instantly
defended herself.

“Slow down, Glow Bug!” Dante yelled at her.
Grace appeared to take a deep breath, and started over. After she
finished, she flew down to the ground exhausted. It took them all a
moment to realize that the necklace was around Kara’s neck.
Instantly, Kara’s hands went up.

Grace zoomed at her and twittered.

“What does she want?”

“She said don’t take the necklace off.” Snow
translated. She then turned to address Grace. “Why Grace? What’s
wrong with it?”

The air filled with sprite-speak. Kara didn’t
understand any of it, so she waited until someone could tell her.
Hambone eventually did.

“Grace says that magical items, such as this
necklace can give abilities to the wearer. Also, such items can
also harm the wearer.”

“Well, I’m taking this off!”

“No, they can also do harm if taken off. The
magic bonds with the person. It would be like taking off your arm
or leg. The necklace could be a part of you now.”

“But it also could just be an ordinary
necklace. Like the kind that gives you abilities.” Kara now was a
bit scared.