Elements

Running From a Shadow

. . .  To put it simply, the gem is driving me crazy! It has been two days since the strange man had bought the dagger from me. Ever since that day, I’ve seen the gem in random places appearing before my eyes. This morning when went to go refill the fire pit, there it was gleaming in the sunlight as if truly delighted to see me. Even though it’s a thorn in my side, I have found a solution to my problem. Since I can’t seem to keep it in one place, I decided to constantly keep it in a small cloth sack under my apron. It has been the perfect solution, so far.

Sorsa put her diary down and put the quill back in the ink next to her nightstand by the candle. Opening the drawer in her nightstand, she checked to see if the gem was there. It was there, so instead she grabbed the dagger beneath it. If the stone had not made the noise from the appearing somewhere, what had made that sound downstairs? Slowly creeping down the stairs, dagger ready, she prepared herself to be assaulted. Stopping on the last step, hearing another noise coming from the shop, she said just barely over a whisper, “Who’s there? Leave now and no harm will come to you.”

            Suddenly a black figure rushed at her. Jumping out of the way just in time, she engaged the figure in combat. Facing another person with a sword verses a dagger, not the greatest idea, Sorsa thought. She could barely see the blade of her opponent. Out of nowhere, a heavy substance hit her in the back of the head from behind. Two more figures grabbed her arms and restrained her. Disoriented and confused, Sorsa struggled desperately to get away.

            “Check upstairs!” said the first figure as the two figures holding her dragged her into the moonlight pouring inside through the window. The first figure stopped and stood straight suddenly, as if realizing something.

            “Sir, we found something!” called a voice from upstairs. Running foots steps sounded going up, and then ran back down almost without hesitation.

            “Where did you get this?” asked the first figures crude voice. Before Sorsa could answer, he commanded, “Take her with us to the capital!”

            The two holding her began to push her towards the door. Suddenly, the figure on the right screamed as Sorsa stabbed him in the arm with the dagger she still held. The left figure tried to comprehend what was going on, but before he could, she whirled him in front of her and hit him on the crest of the head with the hilt of the overlong knife. The figure crumbled to the ground.

            Without even turning around to see her handy work, Sorsa ran out the door towards the forest just outside town. She would not be taken anywhere, especially the capital. Suddenly aware she was being followed, she looked behind her. There were at least twenty armed soldiers in the army raced out after her as fast as they could, weapons ready. Knowing she could not out run them, she ducked in the trees and hid behind a tree. She heard their footsteps; it had been such a long time since she last did this. She refused to go back to the capital. She saw figures pass in front of her, armor gleaming in the moonlight. Sorsa heard a rush of a metal and ducked just as a sword dug into the bark right where her neck had been.

            She ran, there had been too long a silence, they knew something she didn’t. Only taking one more step away from the village, Sorsa was encased in darkness. The light of the bright white moon had disappeared, leaving her in darkness; but there were no trees. In a forest such as this, there should be trees everywhere. The dark walls began to close in. She could feel the air slowly draining out from within the container. It was getting harder and harder to breath. Just as she was about to collapse from lack of air, the walls disappeared. Falling to the ground, gasping for air, she followed a bear jump over her. Its’ brown fur gleaming in the moonlight, making it easier to see a dark figure with what looked like a hump on its’ back. She was conscious long enough to hear the sound of men screaming, the roar of a bear, two blades clashing, and the squeak of metal as men ran from the sight.