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Part II - Cursed
It had been only two weeks since she had begun working
for Kid Kull but, to Denobi it felt like it had been
months. She sighed and kicked at the loose pebbles as
she headed back to The Blade. She just returned from her
visit with Man and had been disappointed, though not
surprised, to find that
she still had not received a reply to the letter she had
sent more than a week ago. When she arrived at the
tavern she found Jed and Kid Kull rearranging the tables
to clear an area at the back of the room. Denobi kicked
her boots off and shoved them behind the counter.
“What’s this for?” she asked as she knelt to pet Hera
who watched the work lazily.
“Grab some of those chairs and move them over here,” Kid
Kull directed.
“It’s a full moon tonight. We open later today so we can
set up for the Danceria tonight,” explained Jed
Denobi felt a twitch of excitment. Dancerias in Sinners
Village had always been very exciting. Although in Ruen
they would hold several Dancerias a week and for nearly
any reason, Denobi had seen none since her arrival in
Netherel.
“Are your Dancerias the same here as they are in Ruen?”
She asked as she helped to move the furniture.
Kid Kull chuckled, “If you mean a bunch of people
getting drunk and sleeping with anyone and everyone I’m
afraid not.”
Denobi frowned, “That’s not what I meant. I’m aware that
you pure bloods tend to keep things a bit more moral. I
was just wondering if you have music and all that.”
Denobi caught Jed giving her strange look but, he looked
away quickly.
“Yes,” Said Kid Kull, “Music, dancing, eating, and all
sorts of dramatic entertainment. We moral folk can have
fun too you know.”
Denobi glared at Jed.
“What was that?”
Jed looked up in surprise, “What?”
“That look you just gave me.”
“What are ya talk’in about.”
“You were wondering if I did that stuff weren’t you?”
she asked with a touch of amusement.
Jed’s face turned red and he stood with arms crossed,
“Ah was think’in no such thing.”
Kid Kull gave him a passing thump on the back.
“Come on now, just admit it man. She’s on to you.”
Jed nearly fell on his face from the force of the blow
but, remained stubborn.
“Ah wasn’t think’in at all.”
Denobi grinned and continued working.
“Well for your information I defiantly didn’t trust any
of Ruen’s gentlemen with my secret. All the ladies
thought I was quite the celibate. As for getting drunk,
I happen to be famous in Ruen for being able to drink
more than a goen and still do the Hallefiel dance.”
Kid Kull Looked interested but Jed just rolled his eyes.
After the space had been cleared Kid Kull began moving
all sorts of strange food that into the kitchen while
Jed and Denobi begin to hang lanterns with colored glass
around the room.
“He’ll start cooking early tonight,” said Jed as Kid
Kull closed the door to the kitchen, “The foods free so
we get a lot of the poorer folks at the Danceria.”
“Does it get very crowded in here,” she asked wondering
if the room would hold more than a hundred people,
“Dancerias in Ruen were always held outside because we
never had less than half the forest at any one party.”
Jed shook his head, “Two hundred people, maybe less.”
Denobi considered a moment.
“I almost wish I had a dancing dress.”
Jed looked surprised.
“I would have figured you’d be more comfortable in
pants.”
Denobi shrugged and climbed onto a table to hang the
last lantern in the middle of the room.
“I would be, and I am. I just always thought the women’s
dresses made the dance look so much more graceful.”
Jed checked over their work.
“It seems to me ya haven’t appreciated being a fellow as
much as ya’d like us ta think.”
“Maybe you just assume too much,” Denobi snapped.
Immediately she regretted it but Jed had touched a sore
spot. Jed’s smile had disappeared and for a moment they
stood in silence.
“Sorry Ah just…I didn’t mean it that way.”
Denobi bit her lip but didn’t say anything. Jed shrugged
and took hold of Hera’s collar.
“Come on girl, let’s get you settled out side.”
He took the cat out the back leaving Denobi alone.
Later that day Denobi had forgotten all about the
incident. After they had set out all the food Kid Kull
opened the doors and people begin to arrive.
One elf took a seat next to the fireplace and began
playing a Droodi. The room filled quickly and as others
arrived with instruments some joined the first, filling
the room with the music of gulties, bagnaps, ropes and
flutes. Denobi watched in delight as people begin to
dance to the tunes she knew so well. She felt almost as
if she was back in Ruen.
Although her feet itched to dance, Denobi settled in one
out of the way corner of the room wary of the elves. She
watched as Kid Kull drifted through the crowd stopping
to greet each new arrival. Jed had produced a gultie
beautifully carved with Selterian designs and stained a
dark auburn color. He played the instrument effortlessly
and Denobi couldn’t help but watch with fascination.
“How fast can you do the Hallefiel?”
Denobi turned to find Kid Kull standing beside her with
Muckly perched in his favorite spot in the elf’s
shoulder. She smiled.
“I’ve done it without a single misstep as fast as twenty
beats per efiel.”
Kid Kull gave her a sly grin.
“Is that with or without the beer?”
“Without,” she admitted.
“Well then, since I’ve had three cups and you haven’t
touched a drop we should be about even.”
Denobi shook her head as the music suddenly changed to a
fast paced beat.
“I don’t think…”
“Ladies and gentle-elves…” A short cheerful looking elf
had climbed atop a table and now addressed the crowd.
“Who here is has the lightest feet? Who among you is
quick enough to out dance our champion?”
Kid Kull held out a hand and hesitantly Denobi took it.
He led her towards the dance floor as the elf atop the
table continued.
“Who will compete against the yet undefeated dance
master in the Hallefiel?”
Several elves approached the dance floor as the others
cheered and clapped. Kid Kull and Denobi took their
spots in the front line.
“Please welcome back our reigning champion, Kid Kull.”
The crowd went wild and Denobi looked up in surprise at
him. He winked at her and then gave his fans an
extravagant bow.
“And let’s also have a round of applause for our other
brave contenders.”
Denobi wished she had thought to wear something to cover
her ears. She felt so out of place among the others.
“Finally, let’s show our greatest appreciation to our
most excellent gultie and bagnap players Jed and Ameria.
Another round of applause and Jed waved appreciatively
as he took a seat beside a petite elf lady with long
white braids who banged out a short roll on her Bagnaps.
“Alright, Dancers, we’ll start at ten beats per efiel
and after each set we will increase the speed by two
beats.”
Kid Kull took off his jacket and pulled several knives
out of his pocket handing them to a boy who stood
nearby. The monkey scrambled down from his shoulder in
seeming anticipation. Denobi took the leather tie off
her arm and used it to tie the hair away from her face.
The music began and Denobi begin the familiar steps.
By the time the music reached sixteen beats per efiel
only four Dancers were left; she, Kid Kull, and too
others. One fell as he attempted the low spin and the
other let his knee hit the ground at the beginning of
the fourth set. Then, there was just Kid Kull and Denobi.
Faster and faster they spun and kicked, stepped and
twisted to the beat. Though Denobi’s leg muscles burned
and sweat poured into her eyes she continued to match
Kid Kull move for move.
Some said that the famous line dance had originated from
an ancient fighting style that had been practiced to the
beat of bagnaps in order to train the body to move
faster. Denobi’s father had taken the legend to heart
and taught her the dance at a very young age. She had
become the champion in Ruen and had out danced even her
father one day.
The fifth set began and Denobi forced her body to move
faster than she had ever successfully gone before. As
she spun to face Kid Kull she saw he was drenched in
sweat as well. But he grinned at her and whistled.
Denobi tried to smile back but she felt as if her
muscles were being ripped from her chest and legs. She
began to feel dizzy but told herself it was only the
spinning. About fourteen steps onto the set she began
drifting into a numbing darkness. Finally, when she
could hold out no longer, she gave herself up to it. The
music continued somewhere outside of her as she sank
into the relief of unconsciousness.
Denobi woke feeling as if she had been trampled by a
herd of horses. Every muscle in her body hurt like hell
and she had a headache to match it. She couldn’t
remember feeling this bad since she had fallen from her
favorite tree in Ruen nearly ten years ago. Slowly, she
became aware of the voices around her. She opened eyes
to find a dozen faces towering over her. They were all
elves and the only one she recognized was her father.
But he had changed. For some reason he had dyed his hair
black with auburn streaks and his ears were long like an
elf’s. His eyes looked almost red in the strange light.
“Is she alright?” someone asked.
“She might be if you’d all give her some air,” her
father’s lips were moving but someone else had spoken.
Denobi tried to say she was alright but all that came
out was a groan.
“Move back! Give her some air!” someone kept saying but
whenever one face would move away another one would take
its place.
Denobi drifted back into darkness. Suddenly she felt
herself lifted up and the world began to move around
her. There was a thudding sound and then a blast of cold
air washed over her and she gasped and clung to the
muscular figure holding her.
The haze in her mind began to melt and her thought
rearranged themselves in clearer patterns.
“Sorry,” She mumbled trying to remember what had
happened.
“For what?” someone asked. Denobi looked up to see who
else was there. She found herself staring into the blood
red eyes of Kid Kull.
“Oh!” she exclaimed and quickly released her hold on
him. He sensed her discomfort and lowered her gently to
the ground.
“I thought you were…someone else,” Denobi said with a
blush. Kid Kull raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? Who would that be?”
“It’s silly but, for a moment I thought you looked
somewhat like my…my father.”
Just then the door to the tavern opened and several
curious faces appeared. Jed pushed past them still
holding his gultie and stood with a worried frown beside
Denobi.
“Are ya alright? What happened? Ya just collapsed right
in the middle of the floor. Nearly gave me a heart
attack”
Denobi shook her head.
“I just blacked out?”
“Probably forgot to breath,” said Kid Kull, “Didn’t your
father ever teach you to whistle while you work.”
Denobi stared at him. He shook his head and turned to go
back into the tavern.
“You whistle or sing while you’re dancing so you
remember to breath.”
She Gave Jed a questioning look but the elf could only
shrug.
Everyone cheered as they entered. The elf who had
announced the contest appeared beside her and grabbed
her arm to lead her to his “stand”. She followed in
somewhat of a daze.
“Oh, my dear girl, I nearly took you for a lad. I’m very
glad to see you haven’t hurt yourself permanently. You
sure put up a good fight. Never seen anything like it in
all my life.”
He pulled her up on the table beside him with out
pausing as he called out to the crowd.
“Three cheers for the second place champion,”
He turned to her in a lowered tone.
What’s your name, lass.”
“It’s…Denobi.” She answered hesitantly.
He turned back to the crowded room.
“…The daring young lady, Denobi!”
The room erupted in applause and whistles. Denobi stared
in disbelief. The elves were cheering for her, a
half-blood. It was all too surreal.
***
The next day Denobi woke from a nearly sleepless night.
After the Halefiel contest nearly every elf at the party
had insisted on shaking her hand and offering
congratulations. Obviously they had been much more
impressed by her incredible second place stand than by
Kid Kull’s win. After the party had ended several of the
guests had stayed to help clean up the after math. But,
despite the extra help they still only finished just
before midnight. Even then Denobi had been too exited to
go to sleep immediately. Now as she saw the sun
filtering in through the windows she was more than
grateful that Kid Kull had let her sleep in.
After turning over to stretch her sore muscles Denobi
glanced around and saw Kid Kull sitting at the table in
the corner, writing fervently. He was wearing a large
leather hat with an elegant feather on it and had done
his hair so that it was less wild and hung neatly,
brushing his shoulders. His outfit was nicer than usual
as well. He wore a short white tunic with a low slung
belt and sleeves that opened at the end in the style
that royals wore and many richer citizens had adopted.
He also wore black close fitted pants with tall leather
boots that reached to his knees.
Denobi rolled out of bed realizing why he had not waked
her already. It was the first day of a new week and by
law all commercial establishments were closed. Today was
the citizen’s free day. More importantly though, it was
the first day of summer. That meant the skill contests
were opening.
Kid Kull looked up with a smile as she approached him.
“How are you feeling?”
Denobi made a face.
“That bad, huh?” he folded the letter her had just
finished.
“You have the entire day to yourself. Do you want your
pay now?”
Denobi noted that he had slipped the letter unsealed
into his pocket.
“Actually,” she said, “I’d like you to keep it for me if
you don’t mind. I need to buy something through legal
means and I was hoping you might help me.”
Kid Kull gave Denobi a curious look.
“Actually I’ll be traveling across the island today but,
I’m sure Jed wouldn’t mind helping you out. What is it
you’re planning on buying?”
“Actually I need a sponsor for the skill competitions.”
Kid Kull didn’t look surprised.
“I figured that was your plan.”
Denobi shrugged, “Once I become a champion I be able to
live here under the kings protection and I won’t have to
cause you any more trouble.”
Kid Kull looked as if he might say something but, before
he could speak there was a loud knocking downstairs.
“That will Jed now,” said Kid Kull finally. He rose and
headed down stairs and Denobi followed.
When Kid Kull had explained Denobi’s situation to Jed,
the northern elf readily agreed to help.
“Ah’d be glad to Sponsor ya,” He said cheerfully, “in
fact ah enjoy entering the competitions ma self every
now and then. What skills do ya compete in?”
“Light-sword, short-blade, and the open-style,” She
answered.
“Ah do archery and broadsword,” Jed said with a grin,
“ah’m not very good at those agility skills. Kid Kull on
the other hand he’s good at anything. Ah don’t know why
he never competes.”
Kid Kull snorted, “Because I consider fighting for
competition a barbarian practice. It is only condoned by
king because it provides cheap entertainment for the
royalty and top warriors for his army.”
Denobi stared at him, “But how could you gain a
reputation if no one knows how well you fight?”
“I don’t need a reputation. If anyone is stupid enough
to get into a scrap with me he would learn quick enough
how well I fight. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I
have an appointment today that I would love dearly to be
miss to but dare not.”
Jed winked at Denobi.
“Probably going ta meet a lady friend the way he’s
dressed,” he said jokingly.
“I agree,” said Denobi playing along, “He looks very
handsome today. Probably won’t get ten feet out the door
without having the ladies after him.”
Kid Kull flashed them a forced smile and said
threateningly, “watch yourselves or I just might put you
both in dresses and leave you in the city square.”
Kid Kull gave Jed his wages as well as Denobi’s. Then he
donned a wide brimmed hat and left.
After Denobi had bathed and dressed in clean clothes she
and Jed where on their way. Jed had brought the Saphera
explaining to Denobi that he always took the cat with
him on first days to let it get some exercise. Now it
walked along side him with a short chain attached to its
collar as they headed for the docks.
“I need to see someone before we head for the contesting
grounds,” Denobi told Jed. They found Man in his usual
spot although in accordance with the law he was not
fishing but sat instead carving at a piece of wood.
“Hey there!” Denobi called as they approached.
Man looked up with a grin.
“Wasn’t sure if you’d be here today with all the
contests going on. I got a letter for you last night.”
Denobi’s heart leapt and she hurried over to the old elf
nearly grabbing the paper out of his hand.
“I hope it’s good news,” he said as she tore the plain
circular seal and begin to read it.
Jed glanced over her shoulder.
“Who’d be righting to ya than?” he asked curiously.
“She’s my god mother,” Denobi answered absently. The
letter, in response to her own, read:
Denobi,
I’m glad to hear that you are safe. I must confess I was
expecting you to leave one day but I didn’t think you
would wait until your coronation. Most of the Ruen’s
leaders were furious and Abedio swore that you had
purposely embarrassed them all and that he would kill
you if he ever saw your face again. But, then, he has
sworn that many times before and still carries his sword
in its sheath. Malakia on the other hand was overjoyed
at your absence. He only killed three others before they
agreed to let him go through trial. Last I heard he had
passed and is now ruling in your place.
As you might have guessed I didn’t get your letter right
away because I have left Ruen. I told Madam Tetra where
I was going so she was kind enough to send your letter
on. Without you or your father there I had little reason
to remain. I am in Sehova now, looking for some old
friends. If all goes well I may have some news for you
soon but, I want it to be a surprise so I won’t tell you
any more yet. I wish you the best in your quest to
become a Warrior.
Andrea
Denobi smiled to herself and slipped the folded letter
into her belt.
“Could you pay him?” she asked Jed. He nodded and took
out his purse but Man shook his head at the offered
money.
“I don’t want your money. Having your company every
morning is enough. I hope I’ll still see you after
this.”
Denobi grinned.
“Of course, I’ll have another letter for you to send
tomorrow and then I’ll be waiting for another reply.”
She bent over and gave the old elf a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you.”
Man was genuinely touched.
“Oh, it was nothing.”
The contests were held every week in a large square that
had been built just for that purpose near the eastern
coast of Neetherel and just two miles from The Blade.
Denobi and Jed arrived there just in time to sign up for
the morning’s entry rounds.
“Name?” said a tired looking elf with several scars
decorating his face and a long sword strapped to his
back.
“Jed O’Selterol, reentry, and she’s Denobi, first time”
The elf looked up and studied Denobi irritably.
“There’s a ten roal half-blood fee for first entry and
if he gets past the entry rounds it’s a one roal
tolerance fee at each level. If your boy wins champion
you as his sponsor will be reimbursed the total cost. If
he kills any elves it’s one hundred roal to the closest
surviving family. If he is killed you will be paid five
roal. Do you understand the terms?”
Jed looked at Denobi who nodded. He conveyed her message
to the record keeper.
“What’s his blood?”
“Her,” said Jed politely.
“What?” asked the elf looking up.
“She can tell ya what her blood is.”
The elf looked closer at Denobi
“What’s your blood, girl?”
“Three quarters,” she answered.
“Age?”
“seventeen winters.”
“Do you have your own weapons?” the record keeper asked
turning back to Jed.”
“Aye.”
“They will have to be inspected by the entry judge
before you go in. That’s eleven roal total.”
Jed gave him the money and the elf gave Jed the entry
papers.
The two made their way to the contestant’s entry and
after having their weapons inspected they signed up for
their skill categories. Denobi got through the entry
rounds with little trouble and earned a three stripe
rating for both her skills, meaning she would have to
wait till the fourth hour to compete. Jed got only a
single stripe rating and was sent directly to the range
to begin competing in the archery skills. He left Denobi
with Hera with a word of caution.
“Watch yur back lass. Around here there’s some who’d
rather get a shot at ya outside the ring than face ya in
a fair fight.”
But, the warning was unnecessary. Denobi had already
sensed the danger when she stepped into the pavilion. It
was crowded with elves armed to the teeth. However, much
to Denobi’s delight, there were also quite a few
Half-bloods. They were easy to identify because most had
beards. Denobi decided that while she waited it wouldn’t
hurt to go exploring. It might be to her advantage if
she could make a few friends here.
As Denobi made her way through the crowd scanning for
friendly faces she suddenly felt a prickling sensation
at the back of her neck that warned her someone was
watching her. She spun around quickly and saw a dark
haired elf leaning against a wooden post about a hundred
feet away. He did not look away but stared back at her
unmoving. His gaze seemed almost to see right through
her making her feel somewhat exposed. She remembered
seeing him earlier at the sign in table he had been
standing nearby and she had thought he must have been
waiting for someone. Now, she narrowed her eyes and
studied the elf. His eyes were extremely dark and his
silky black hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Denobi
guessed him to be about six feet in height and he was
incredibly muscular. He wore a long black jacket with
buckles running up the front over a black shirt with
long sleeves. His pants and boots were also black.
Denobi immediately decided she didn’t like him. He stood
suddenly and made his way towards her. Denobi wasn’t
sure what she should do so she simply stood her ground.
“Good Morning.” He greeted her in a low voice and bowed
his head slightly, never taking his eyes off her.
“Can I help you?” she asked hesitantly.
“I thought perhaps we had met somewhere before. I
recognize your face but, I can’t seem to place it with
your name…Denobi.” He said the name slowly as if he were
examining it. Apparently he had been eavesdropping,
Denobi thought
“You are?”
“The King’s Chief Army Recruiter.”
Denobi thought it strange that he didn’t give his name
but then, she was just a Half blood and he might be
royalty. Perhaps it was considered rude for her to even
have asked.
“Well then, I am quite sure we’ve never met before. I
only just arrived here in Neetherel a month ago.”
“I see,” he said then crouched down suddenly to look at
the cat. It immediately began a low warning growl but as
he continued to stare it straight in the eyes, it
stopped. Amazed, Denobi watched as he stroked the cats
back. Hera happened to be extremely picky about who she
allowed to pet her and it had taken Denobi nearly two
weeks to gain her trust.
“I don’t often mistake a face,” the elf said as the cat
began to purr, “Perhaps you have a sister?”
Denobi was irritated by his tone and upset that the cat
seemed to have taken a liking to him so quickly. She
gave the cat’s leash a sharp tug causing it to growl.
“I have no siblings. My mother died giving birth and my
father’s dead as well.”
The elf stood up again to study her face.
“Then I must be mistaken. Please, pardon me.” He turned
abruptly and walked away leaving Denobi a bit off
balanced but grateful that he was gone. She watched him
until he had disappeared from view.
“You should know better than to let strangers pet you,”
she scolded the cat.
She was bothered by his strange questions and actions
but finally decided to forget the incident for the time
being and focus on the competition. She had hardly begun
moving again though when a large burly elf stepped in
front of her blocking her way. She looked up irritably
and smelled the sour odor of after beer breath. To her
dismay it was the same elf who had took offense at her
presence at the tavern.
“Well, look whot we ‘av ‘ere. If it ain’t the little
Halfling whore come to fight with the big boys. Whot’s
the matter? Yor people run out of men?”
Denobi bit her lip wishing she could reply but knowing
it would be a bad idea. Instead she backed away and
tried to move around the elf. She hoped desperately that
he would be satisfied with just calling her names. She
didn’t want to get thrown out of the contest for causing
trouble. When she tried to move away though another elf
with a long crooked nose blocked her path. She turned
the other way and there was a short elf with several
teeth missing grinning back at her. Denobi sighed
realizing that she wasn’t going to get out of it so
easily.
“Out of my way,” she said in a warning tone. The cat
growled, sensing her anger but the big elf just grinned
at her.
“That’s a nice pet ya got there, of course it ain’t
really yours since ya don’t own anything.”
Denobi glared back.
“It’s a friend of mine’s. Now please move. I don’t want
any trouble.”
The elf didn’t budge. Denobi decided she would have to
be a little more direct. She slid the knife out of her
belt.
“Let me pass.”
The elf’s posture didn’t change but his eyes had
suddenly lit up.
“What a pretty li’l knife. Say, Boler, whot would ya say
that pretty li’l tooth pick would be worth?”
The toothless elf answered nearly drooling with
excitement.
“If that ain’t on of them Demon knives. You know, Kell,
I’ve only ever seen two others. I’d say five hundred
roal would be a bargain.”
Denobi was surprised that her father’s work was even
known here, much less valued but, she didn’t like the
way the conversation was going.
“It’s mine. Now get out of my way.”
The one with a crooked nose looked like he had just seen
something delicious to eat..
“You say it yours then?”
“Yah, it’s mine and if you don’t move I’ll…” Denobi
stopped as the three begin laughing. Kell had a
triumphant smile on his face as he raised his voice to
be heard by the surrounding crowd.
“Give me the knife, half-breed!”
Several people stopped to look at the group. Denobi had
a bad feeling in her stomach. Hera growled showing her
teeth which Boler and crooked nose to step back but Kell
didn’t flinch.
“Excuse me?”
“Give me back my knife, thief!”
“But…but it’s not yours,” Denobi said trying not to
sound nervous.
Then, an elf in a patrol uniform appeared from the
growing crowd of observers.
“What’s going on here?”
Before Denobi could say a word Boler stepped forward.
“See here, sir, this Half-thing stole my friend’s knife.
She’s a thief she is.”
“No,” cried Denobi frantically, “It’s mine…I mean it’s
my...my master’s”
“She’s lying,” said crooked nose, “why don’t yah check
her papers?”
Denobi wasn’t sure if Jed had claimed the weapon but as
ordered she showed the patrol guard her papers. He
looked them over and then looked at the knife.
“You say that belongs to Jed O’Selterol?”
“Yes Sir,” she said praying it was there. The elf was
silent a moment then shook his head.
“There’s a long sword of Brookling craft and a long bow
with iron headed arrows. That looks like neither.”
Denobi’s heart sank.
“I told ya she was lying,” said crooked nose with a
smile.
“Please, I swear it’s his,” Denobi cried furious that
these elves might have their way. It wasn’t fair.
“Sir,” said Kell, “I’ll need my knife back. I’m starting
in the first round in about ten minutes.”
“Hand it over.” The patrol ordered. Denobi tightened her
grip on the knife.
“No. this isn’t fair. Je…my master is at the archery
competitions now but he’ll confirm it.”
“Ha! Likely story,” said Boler, “For all we know he’s
probably taught you to thieve for him. That’s all you
half-breeds are good for. Stealing and…”
“Liar!” Denobi cried out in rage. Giving in to her anger
at last she turned and swung at the elf. He wasn’t ready
for it and didn’t even try to block. The blow landed
dead center of his face and everyone stood staring in
silence as Boler stood a moment with a surprised look
and blood beginning to run from his nose. Then, his eyes
rolled back and he dropped like a dead weight to floor.
A second later it was a free for all. Everyone had drawn
their weapon and Denobi was fighting for her life. She
was barely conscious of Hera’s roar as the animal took
her side but a moment later the cat had been silenced.
Denobi was hopelessly outnumbered and after about five
minutes she caught a blow to her side then another to
her head. She felt rough hands take hold of her as she
slipped into darkness once again.
Denobi woke to a splash of cold water she gasped and sat
up. The motion caused severe stabs of pain from several
different parts of her body. She looked down and moaned.
Her left arm had a deep bloodied cut that made her sick
to look at it. Her shirt was soaked with blood and her
left foot was missing it’s boot. She could see the bones
of her two smallest toes protruding from the bloody
mess. She looked around her as a lump began forming in
her throat. She was in a stone prison cell and the place
where she had been lying was soaked with blood mixed
with water that was leaking from a crack in the ceiling.
The single wooden door was bolted shut and judging from
the light that entered through a high barred window it
was nearly sunset.
Overwhelmed with a feeling of frustration and failure,
Denobi begin to cry. Years of pent up emotions seem to
come pouring out all at once. She had waited so long and
done so much just to get into the competitions and she
had failed before entering her first contest. When she
was finally too tired to cry any longer she began
ripping pieces from her shirt to tie up her wounds. Then
she curled up in one corner of the room and went to
sleep.
Denobi dreamed…
She woke up in a small room with one narrow doorway.
Water was dripping on her face but when she looked up
there was no crack in the roof. Suddenly, the door burst
open and Kell strode into the room laughing.
“Hey Denobi, I’m back and look I brought a little friend
with me.”
He had both hands behind his back but now he brought one
out and it he had Kid Kull’s severed head sitting on his
hand as if it were a puppet.
“Well if it ain’t the almighty Kid Kull.”
He made the head move as if it were speaking and spoke
in a high pitch voice.
“Hello, Denobi, I am your master you must do all the
chores today. If you don’t I’ll have to whip you.”
Denobi yelled at him to stop but he just laughed. She
tried to move but her whole body was numb.
“What’s the matter?” asked the head in a high pitch
voice, “Are you missing your daddy already?”
“Well I can take care of that,” Said Kell in his own
voice. With that he produced from behind his back
another head. This time it was her fathers.
“Hi Baby girl,” said her father’s head, “have you done
your training yet? How do you expect to get past the
first round if you can’t even beat your old man?”
Kell laughed.
Then, his laughter turned to screams.
Denobi woke with a start as the screaming continued
outside her cell. There was the sound of people moving
about and then she heard a muffled but very familiar
voice.
“You will release her at once or I will cut of something
you might actually need!”
“Oh Gods, please, have mercy. I’ll let her out I swear.
Please don’t hurt me any more.”
There was a muffled thump and scrambling noises than
Denobi heard a metal on metal sound outside her door.
She tried to move but her whole left arm now ached and
her left hand had gone numb. She rolled over onto her
stomach and used her right hand to sit upright just as
the door swung open. Kid Kull appeared in the doorway
with a look of shock on his face. He still wore the nice
clothes he’d dressed in that morning but now the shirt
had been ripped at the shoulder. He simply stood staring
at her. Jed came in behind him and let out a cry of
horror. The noise seemed to wake the taller elf and he
strode forward and with little effort gathered Denobi up
in his arms. She began crying again and buried her face
in his chest.
“Get the horses! Jed she’s hurt bad.”
“Ah can see that just get her outside to the horses we
need to get her to the healer’s.”
Denobi slipped in and out of consciousness during the
ride which seemed to last for days then she woke at some
point to find herself in side a small room with a large
fire burning and a soft cushion beneath her. Kid Kull,
Jed, and another stood over her. The last was a lady elf
with long white hair tied back in a loose bun. She was
gently removing the bandages Denobi had tied into place.
Denobi moaned. Kid Kull, seeing that she was awake,
crouched down beside her.
“Denobi, can you talk?”
Denobi nodded slightly.
“ah think so.”
She coughed as she felt a metallic liquid fill her
throat.
“No don’t.” said the elf lady.
“Just a few minutes, Par. I need some answers.”
“Just…be careful.”
Kid Kull nodded and turned back to Denobi.
“They said you stole a knife. But they wouldn’t say who
accused you, do know who it was?”
Denobi tried to remember.
“Ter was ah…ah large guy they called him Kell. He’s the
one from the tavern” She coughed again then continued
remembering what had happened, “He took ma knife he said
it was wort a lot. He took it ader his friend with the
crooked nose cut ma arm.”
Denobi tried to sit up but Par held her down.
“No you don’t you need to lay still for me so I can look
at your wounds.”
Denobi begin to cry again.
“I wasn’t doing nothing they just started telling every
one I stole it. It not fair…and Hera.”
“Shhhh,” Kid Kull placed a hand on her fore head and
then stood up.
“Don’t worry about your knife. I’ll take care of that.
You just take care of your self.”
Denobi closed her eyes. for the first time she was more
than happy to obey him.
“Take good care of her,” she heard Kid Kull saying,
“I’ll be back before morning. Jed, do what you can to
help.”
Denobi was dreaming again…
Denobi saw her father standing beside an elf lady with
long silky black hair. Her face was mostly hidden by her
hair but, she seemed familiar. Her father stood with his
dark auburn hair tied back gazing lovingly at the elf
and the child she held. The child was a small boy of
about two winters. His ears were just barely pointed at
the ends. He smiled shyly at Denobi through lowered
eyelashes.
“He’s got his father’s features,” said the lady.
“But his mothers eyes,” said Demon, “He will make an
excellent ruler one day. Our little secret”
Denobi was confused. Why were they calling him by her
name?
“Father,” she cried out but her voice was carried away
by the wind, “I’m right here. I’m your secret. I’m
Denobi.”
She felt panic rising inside her. She had to make him
see. That boy wasn’t his child. She was, only she.
Suddenly the elf looked up. Denobi gasped as she saw her
eyes. She recognized them immediately. But it didn’t
make any sense. The elf continued to stare at her.
She screamed.
She woke. Par sat beside her dabbing her face with a wet
cloth. Jed sat fast asleep in a chair near the fire.
“It’s alright,” Par said gently, “It was only a dream.
Here.”
She lifted Denobi’s head and placed a cup to her lips
Denobi drank the warm sweet tasting medicine and
immediately felt her body begin to relax.
“It will help you rest without the troubling dreams. Try
and get some sleep.”
Denobi didn’t need to try. She immediately fell back to
sleep. This time there were no dreams.
The next morning Denobi woke to find Kid Kull Fast
asleep beside her, his head resting on the table beside
her bed. Par and Jed were nowhere to be seen. Denobi
tried to sit up. She cried out as she felt a sharp pain
in her side. Kid Kull woke with a start.
“What’s wrong?”
Denobi scowled at him.
“Well for starters I’ve got a giant hole in my side.”
Kid Kull relaxed and grinned.
“At least you’re back your old self.”
His obvious relief triggered something in the back of
Denobi’s mind and she studied him with a puzzled frown.
“You weren’t worried about me were you?”
Kid Kull shrugged and looked away.
“You were half dead when we found you, of course I was
worried.”
“But…I didn’t think you’d come looking for me much less
care.”
Kid Kull gave her an odd look.
“Not care? Have you already forgotten that I had you
locked up in my cellar because I cared? Besides it’s
been nice having you around and I’d miss you if you…well
you know…”
Denobi grinned then remembered something else.
“You know who my father was.”
Kid Kull looked startled by her announcement but he
didn’t deny it.
“Of course you told me our first night together, when
you said your father had made your blade. Demon’s
workmanship happens to be very well known around here.”
Denobi groaned.
“I know.”
Kid Kull seemed to have guessed what she was thinking
and drew the blade out of his belt. Denobi’s eyes lit up
immediately.
“How did you…where…? I thought I’d lost it for good.”
Kid Kull handed her the knife.
“I went after our friend Kell last night. Needless to
say he was more than happy to admit his mistake and
return the knife after I had word with him. Well…a word
and then some.”
Denobi couldn’t help but smile.
“And all this for a half-blood girl that tried to rob
you.”
Kid Kull shook his head.
“Obviously I don’t see you that way and I thought you
would have figured that out by now.”
Suddenly a terrible thought occurred to Denobi.
“Your not…in love with me are you?”
Kid Kull made a strange choking noise for a few seconds
but, finally he managed to speak
“What (cough) in love? Why would you ask?”
Denobi bit her lip.
“Look! I just don’t want there to be any
misunderstanding here. I’m very grateful to you for
everything you’ve done but I’m defiantly not looking
for…you know…a relationship.”
Kid Kull stared at her incredulously then, he began to
laugh.
“I don’t know what gave you that idea. I’m not…in love
with you, at least not to the best of my knowledge.”
“Good,” Denobi said with sincere relief, “It’s just
that…well I’ve seen some people do really strange things
for love and I can’t think if any other reason why you
would care so much.”
“Well,” Kid Kull admitted, “I am terribly fond of you.
But, you’re more like a little sister than anything
else.”
Denobi looked doubtful.
“But I…I’m just a half-blood.”
“Not all of us hate Half-bloods. In case you haven’t
noticed Jed quite fond of you as well and I know several
elves from our party just two nights ago who wouldn’t
mind rescuing you from prison any day.”
“But I thought…I thought they were only kind to me
because I nearly won the Halefiel.”
Kid Kull chuckled.
“Of all the people on earth I would have thought that a
half-blood wouldn’t be so quick to judge people.”
“What do you mean?”
Denobi was ready to argue with him but, then, she
realized he was right. She had come to Neetherel
expecting the worse. She definitely hadn’t been
expecting friendship from any pure-blood elf and she had
even remained suspicious of Kid Kull up to this point.
“Well,” she said slowly, “Maybe your right. But still, I
have a good enough reason to suspect every elf I meet
when I’m in fear of my life. The only way I can live
here without being threatened every five minutes is to
win King’s sanction.”
Kid Kull grimaced at her last statement.
“About that…”
“What?” she asked uneasily.
“It would probably be best if you stayed away from any
contests for a while. I’m afraid the bounty on your head
just went up quite a bit.”
“What?!” Denobi cried in disbelief.
“But, I haven’t done anything.”
“You escaped from prison last night.”
“But, you helped me.”
“I’m immune, which makes the authorities especially
eager to get a hold of you.”
“Immune?”
Denobi’s last question was interrupted by the appearance
of Par who entered carrying a tray of food.
“Good,” she said with a nod, “You’re awake. I hope
Satoriel was not upsetting you.”
She threw a glance at Kid Kull who raised his hands in
defense.
“She only woke up a few minutes ago. I was just about to
go get you.”
Par glared at him for a moment then turned to Denobi
with the food.
“Satoriel?” asked Denobi as the healer set the tray on
the table.
“It just a nickname I gave him long ago. He was quite
the little trouble maker when he was younger. I don’t
think he’s quite grown out of it yet.”
Kid Kull pretended to be offended.
“If you wanted me to leave you could have just said so.”
He rose to go as Par turned to give him a sly smile.
“And let you forget that I was the one who had to put up
with you for nine of your more troublsome years. I think
not.”
Kid Kull left in a huff and Par turned back to help
Denobi sit up.
“Satoriel?” asked Denobi as she tried to ignore the
searing pain in her side.
“It means wild horse. He was quite the trouble maker
when he was younger. Here, eat this!”
She handed Denobi a plate with a pile of fried eggs
speckled with pepper on one side and a lump of steamed
greens on the other. Denobi made a face but begin
eating.
“I’m sorry if it’s not quite what you’re used to but, my
daughter is just not the excellent cook that Satoriel
is.”
Denobi tried not to gag. The eggs weren’t peppered. They
were burnt and the greens tasted like earwax.
“It’s alright,” Denobi lied. Par smiled to show she was
aware of how the food tasted.
“I have tried to teach Ameria how to cook but, she is a
dreamer and spends too much time with her head in the
clouds. I would have let Sartorial cook but, he refuses
to work outside his own kitchen. I’ll make sure he has
some breakfast as well.”
Denobi liked the healer already.
“I’ve had worse,”
Par smiled and handed Denobi a glass of water to drink.
Kid Kull and Jed had to return to the tavern the next
day but, for several weeks Denobi was forced to stay in
bed and let her wounds heal. Par had given her seventeen
stitches for the wound in her side and five for her arm.
For the others she had applied a simple herbal salve to
help the healing process. After just one week she was
feeling restless. She had written a letter of response
to Andrea which Par had been kind enough to send on for
her but, after that she had virtually nothing to do.
Par’s daughter, Ameria, who happened to be the same
excellent bagnap that had been at the danceria, tried to
help by reading to her but Denobi didn’t care for
stories. So Ameria gave up and decided to just talk. In
fact America was a very talkative for a girl of just
fourteen winters.
“I know just how you feel,” she said, “I would hate
being trapped in here all day too. Though, I think at
least I might manage if I was reading a good book. But,
then again, Mother always did say I read too much
anyway. It’s just that I do love the stories so much.
I’ve always wished I could go on an adventure like the
elves of long ago, talk to trees and animals like the
druids or fly with the birds like the dragons”
Denobi made a face.
“Oh but, you…you would rather be fighting the dragons I
think. You would be like the knights in the stories. You
know I’ve never met any one with such a dislike for
books. Even my mother who would rather have me cooking
or learning the art of healing doesn’t mind so much. Of
course she did once take all my books away and refused
to give then back until I had learned the recipe for
beroke medicine. That’s when I ran away you know. I was
so angry at her that I ran away to join the traveling
musicians. My father was a bagnap player and he taught
me how to play as well. Then he went off to fight for
the king. He died, you know, fighting for the king. My
mother would always say, ‘you know, he never did swing a
sword as well as he could beat a bagnap, such a terrible
waste of talent.”
Finally, after almost four weeks Par gave Denobi the go
ahead and Denobi nearly fell out of bed in her eagerness
to get up. Par and America gave her a hand, then, and
she was able, after a few practice steps, to hobble
around the house.
“I’ll send one of my servants to fetch Kid Kull and
you’ll find yourself back at The Blade in no time,” said
Par, “But I still want you to take it easy for a while,
at least until you get used to your new scars.”
Kid Kull and Jed both came that night and they brought
dinner with them. When all were seated at the table Kid
Kull told Denobi that he had some good news.
“I’ve given some thought to your situation Denobi and I
think I know how we can get you’re bounty removed and
have you back in the competitions eventually.”
“Really?” Denobi’s heart leapt at the chance that not
all was lost.
“Yes, I happen to have some friends in high places.”
He stopped short as Par made a small chuckling noise. He
gave her a look that Denobi couldn’t interpret then
continued.
“As I was saying, only the King can clear your name of
the charges against you. I believe we have a good case
against Kell and the King would certainly agree that you
have been unfairly treated.”
Denobi stared at him a moment not sure if she had heard
him correctly.
“The King, are you mad? The king hates my kind. He would
definitely take Kell’s side if it meant getting rid of a
half-blood. And how would I even manage to get near
enough to the king to ask for a hearing. He never leaves
High Castle and there’s no way I could get an invitation
to enter.”
“Oh? I think we could figure something out. But it may
take a while so I guess it all depends on how long
you’re willing to wait.”
“I’d wait as long as it took if it meant being able to
fight again.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll write to High Castle and if all
goes well we should have an invitation by mid summer.”
Ameria sighed.
“I wish I could visit High Castle someday. I hear it’s
ten times more beautiful inside than it is outside.
Wouldn’t it be grand to go to court and wear a dress
like the royal ladies?”
“It would be grand if you could manage to roast a
chicken without burning it,” said Par as she took
another helping of the food Kid Kull had made.
“Wouldn’t you like to see the royal court, Jed? Maybe
play one of your beautiful Gultie compositions for the
King?”
Jed shook his head.
“Ah used ta play for lord Dor of Selterol. Didn’t stay
long. Royals always think they deserve the best just
because they own everything. Ah think Ah’ve had quit
enough of that sort.”
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