C A S C A

Chapter 3

After half a day's travel, Casca and I go off the main road and find a nice empty area surrounded by trees to keep us safe during the night. I release her reins and start gathering firewood. Casca hangs her head, ready to sleep after the long day. I could have used the gold I just earned to get me an inn to sleep at and keep Casca in their stables, but for some reason I can't manage to fall asleep in closed off rooms anymore. It might have been from the incident 13 years ago, but I like to think it's because I like being free.

"Casca get closer to the fire," I tell her after I finally get the white sparks to create a flame. She steps closer for warmth. I lean back against a nearby tree and rest my head on my knees. And then I find sleep the only way I know how: with my unsheathed sword hugged tightly between my knees.

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Light pierces through my eyelids and I'm awoken from my sleep. Casca is already awake and sniffing the muddy ground for anything edible. "Good morning," I yawn and stand up to stretch. I brush her mane and reach into her saddle for some food to feed her. I find the jar full of her favorite scraps and dump them on the ground beside her muzzle. As she eats, I put back the jar and search for any leftover snacks I might have. I pull out a few raw vegetables but as I'm searching in the saddle, I realize something's not there.

"What?" I mumble to myself as I begin searching more hastily. It's not here. The knife I used to kill that assassin 13 years ago is missing. Quickly, I try to retrace my steps and try to remember when it could have fell or when someone could have possibly pick-pocketed me. Could someone have robbed me while I was asleep? And then it hits me. The swordsman from yesterday.

"Son of a bitch!" I scream and stab my sword inches deep in the ground. Casca is startled and glances at me questioningly. I huff my breath and brush her mane to reassure her. "Casca," I tell her, "we're going to have to go back."

And this time, I'll kill him.

---

We finally make it back to the bazaar, where it seems to somehow be even busier than yesterday. Casca has trouble making her way past all the people but I still keep her nearby. I turn into one of the stands where an old woman and her daughter are selling handmade jewelry.

"Have either of you seen a swordsman here today?" I ask the both of them. The daughter looks to her mother, as if afraid to speak to me.

"There are swordsmen here everyday, honey. How does the man you're searching for look like?" The mother answers me with a firm and direct voice.

"He's tall and muscular. He has an entire arm made of iron and he wears a cape that is blacker than the darkest of nights."

The little girl's eyes widen and I hear her mumble, "the black swordsman."

"The black swordsman?" I repeat and she jumps in surprise knowing I heard her.

"Yes," the mother speaks on her behalf. "You're talking about the black swordsman. We've only heard stories of him. He's been fighting since the moment he knew how to wield a sword. He's lost his arm and eye in an intense battle with the devil himself, or so they say."

"The devil?" I say with a snort. Which fool is responsible for such rumors? "Look, I'm not here to listen to fairy tales. I just want to know if you've seen him."

The mother's eyes widen in surprise before a sour look overcomes her features. "Fairy tales? Perhaps you'll be better off asking someone else, maybe one less delusional and sane." She pulls the curtain to close her stand and I sigh.

"No, wait," I say defeated. "I'm sorry. I'm in a rush. He's stolen something precious to me and I need it back. Please..."

The curtain reopens and the mother is staring at me with exhausted eyes. She sighs, "I haven't seen him. But I have heard that he's been seen wandering this bazaar every once in awhile. I have no other information, sorry."