The Garnet Dagger Read Free Page B

exile you.”
    The knot in my stomach tightened.
    Banishment. More disgraceful than death. But what did I expect? I was an abomination. I nodded numbly and thrust the dagger down into the side of my leather boot.
    “They age faster than us. Their girls experience their menstruation between eleven and fourteen.”
    Grasping handfuls of silk tunics and trousers, I shoved them into my pack.
    Nivel stuffed three apples and a mound of flatbread in with the clothes. Rummaged through his robes again, then held out a cloth bag. The clinking sound brought my eyes to meet his.
    “Coins. You’ll need them.”
    “Where?” I glanced into the open pouch. These were human coins.
    His weary smile silenced me. “Each year, for a few weeks, I sell stone carvings in a village. Elders are given leniency of the laws.”
    With a shrug, I accepted the coins. Knowing again characteristics of mankind, I stuffed the pouch in my other boot.
    “Brock,” he said.
    The saying of my name with a hand on my shoulder sent a ripple through me.
    “Our fate depends on you. You are the Reaper of Death, but also the Bringer of our Hope.”
    “How?” Heaviness plopped in my heart. “I go to save my family. Even if my life be forfeit, everyone else will live.”
    “You did not read all the prophecies. This heralds our destruction as well. Already, the disease of the land spreads through the trees.” His words brought back the images and laments of the forest where the creature attacked me. “Soon, our own trees will decay.”
    Unable to answer I strapped my scabbard and sword to my waist. He handed me my quiver and bow. I heard the echoing march of soldiers approach. Shrugged on my cloak over my weapons and snatched up my pack.
    The marble door vibrated as they opened it.
    Armed men surrounded Jaris. “Brock Rashwe, son of Lieves Rashwe, son of tree elves, brother to the wind, earth, and water, from forthwith you are banished. Less than four seasons have you to fulfill the prophecy, or your family and all will die.”
    I nodded.
    With gloved hands, they snatched me. Dragged me forward, then down the stairs. Through the entry they tossed me aside.
    Ancients shielded our tree cities from mankind’s sight. Our lands mingled with theirs. And yet, they don’t know us.
    In our history, when the wars with the humans came, we withdrew from them. The remains of our history among them are considered fable or myth. Our Ancients erected a barrier only our kind may cross. Yet, our barrier is somehow invisible to them. If I crossed the barrier, would it then prevent me from returning while I was still this monster of death?
    Wisps of moss clung to our tree city like shawls the human women wore. It was autumn now so the amethyst flowers that donned the leaves in spring were gone. Liana and I were to marry then. Eagerly, I had carved a home for us on the outer edge of a branch.
    Anger coursed in my veins. I rose. My fists pounded on the trunk to open for me. But all was silent, not moving.
    Squaring my shoulders, I donned my pack and hiked to the village. I’d find this witch and bring back her head. Then they’d welcome me home.

Chapter Five
    In the darkness I wait at the edge of this human village. The course of my redemption: to find a witch, spill her blood, and kill her.
    Wished for the sun to rise, to awaken these humans, as they call themselves. And madness has brought me here.
    Fortunately, the wolves, upon seeing my banished state, ceased their howling. Their part of the prophecy done, they scampered through the woods returning to their nature.
    Strange, but I didn’t feel sleepy. My vision sharper in the dark now than before. No longer did I need to eat the Fingecoup flowers to improve my night vision.
    Morning glories puckered for the sun. Ants trudged through the grass looking for food.
    Roosters’ crows mingled with babies’ cries. If I’d but known the trouble my romping would bring, my feet would have stayed within one of the tree houses,