Daggers and Destiny by Ryver Knight

Author:Ryver Knight [Ryver Knight]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: GPV Publishing
Published: 2022-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

We make our way through the forest with speed and stealth. A cluster of strongly scented flowers catches my attention, and I motion to Baz to stop. We rub the bright petals on our skin, hoping to cover our scent and slow down the werewolves. They must not be far behind us.

The early afternoon sun lights our path to the hut. Normally, I’d take my time to enjoy the light summer breeze and the fresh scent of earth. But today, I can barely breathe with the anxiety racing through my body.

I knock on the door to Old Yelena’s hut. Once, then twice. When she doesn’t answer immediately, I just barge in.

“Help us!” I say. “Please!”

She emerges out of the back room at an alarming speed.

“Mala? Baz? What’s happened?” Her hands are covered in a strange fluorescent substance as if she’s just been mixing a potion. “Are you two all right?”

Heavy tears trickle down my face at the sight of her. I hug Baz, who hugs me back tightly. We both crumple to the floor, the weight of everything finally coming down upon us. A crushing feeling rips through my chest, carving a hole in my heart.

“Yes,” I finally tell Yelena, “we’re alright. But the village has been raided by the Ostani. It’s just like you said; it was terrible. They didn’t just steal this time; they killed in great numbers.”

Old Yelena’s eyes grow wide. “It’s just as I suspected.”

“They were searching for this.” I pull out the stone from my pocket, ignoring the pit of guilt growing in my stomach. Right now, my priority is to protect Baz. “What do I do? I’m sure the Commander can track it.”

She seems to ponder this for a few moments. “He must have had an advanced seeking spell set up—probably using some form of blood magic to strengthen it—which was activated the minute the stone exited this hut. And the protection spell around this hut is gone, so you won’t be safe here.”

“Can’t we just destroy the stone—”

“No!” Old Yelena says. “I did not protect that artifact all my life just for it to be destroyed.”

“Then give me a solution. Werewolves are tracking us as we speak. The Ostani are after us as well.” I wipe away my tears and stand. Baz mimics my actions. “We don’t have time.”

Old Yelena sighs. “There’s a safe place, just a few minutes’ walk away. Less if you run. You and Baz will be safe from even the most powerful of seeking spells there.”

She gives us a quick rundown of the directions: take the path down to the lake until we reach a tree marked with blue dye. At that point, we should turn left and take a few steps forward, where we’ll eventually see a large boulder. If we push the boulder, it will reveal a hidden alcove where we can stay. We will remain hidden as long as we place the boulder exactly how we found it.

Old Yelena starts rushing about the hut, grabbing things and shoving them into a pair of satchels.

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