The Infraction Of Magic (2018)

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"What about a little trade? For my blessings, you do me a favour." Antonio approches from behind the counter, his long fingers gently stroking the blades along the surface.

"What kind of favour?" Cass asks.

Antonio turns to face us, his eyes recounting a tragic retelling as he speaks. "I lost my Heavenly Scythe a while ago. Some pirates took it. I've been unable to get any business since."

"What's so important about this scythe? Isn't it a tool for farming and you're, er, a bladesmith." Drew flushes, his sentence a bashful tumbling string of words.

Antonio eyes Drew carefully. "You're right, I am a bladesmith and a scythe is for farming. But the scythe was the first tool I created, it was the inspiration behind my career. I am nothing without my scythe."

"I'm guessing that you want us to get it back for you?" I hesitate.

Antonio's mouth grows into a smile. "You're right. The pirates who took my scythe are back, I can feel it. If you bring me back my scythe, I will give you my blessings."

Before Cass or Drew can interject, I stretch my hand out to Antonio and give him a confident nod. "Deal." Antonio gives my hand a firm shake before he returns to the back of his counter, hands pulling open drawers from underneath and frantically reaching for a sketch. He slides the sketch against the table to reveal a mark.

"I presume that you know all all pirate crews have a mark or a symbol to represent their crew?" Antonio doesn't wait for our reply, jabbing the paper with his index finger, "This is the mark of the crew that stole my scythe. You go down to the docks and find the crew. I'm certain they're hiding it somewhere in the vessel."

The mark showcases two swords, the blades overlap to form a criss cross. I slide the paper towards me. "May we have this for reference?"

"Take it and hurry. All ships leave the dock tonight- it's the pirate rule. A new day brings more opportunities and with every second they're not sailing out, they're missing loot."

"Alright." I grab the sketch and roll it up before sliding in my bag. Flustered, I turn towards the exit and beckon for Drew and Cass to follow my lead. As soon as we leave the shop, it's a war being waged on us as the pull and push of Acadians restrict our movement within the crowd. By the time we reach the docks, night has settled comfortably and I'm terrified we might have just missed the crew that stole the scythe.

That is until I see it. A mast bearing a large flap, emblazoned with the swords. Without any need to discuss, the three of us head for the ship. I'm running so fast that the wind beats against my face and I'm out of breath when we reach the plank that descends from the ship.

"Do you see anyone?" I whisper in a hushed voice, squinting towards the main deck. Drew who is taller than me shakes his head, "Just a few pirates. The rest must be out, making their trades."

"We should make a dash for it. Get in, get out." Cass suggests but I dissent. "No, we'll be headless chickens on such a huge ship. We need to make a plan and split up- the ship is divided into two- the main deck visible from here and the cabins."

"So two of us take the main deck where there will be people. That way, one of us can defend while the other searches." Drew adds, seeming to understand the concept of my idea.

I incline my head. "If we find the scythe in the cabin, we run up to the main deck and we can all leave from there. If you find it on the main deck, signal the other party to come back up."

"That sounds like a solid plan." Cass approves, her lips turning upwards slightly, "But who's going to search the cabins?"

"I will. I'm smaller than the two of you- I'll be in and out of there quickly." Even though I hate the idea of wandering through the halls alone, I know that I am the best candidate for it. Drew and Cass don't know ships as well as I do and the cabin layout is always more complex than the deck.

"Okay. If you get into trouble, signal. Remember, the pirates will send for backup if we're caught so find the thing and get out of here fast!" Drew says.

With a lump in my throat, I start towards the plank that leads to the forecastle, just beneath where the cabins are. The door leading to it is ajar and I slip in as quietly as I can, wincing everytime a tile creaks beneath my weight. The place stinks with a scent that makes me groan softly and I shuffle through the darkness, searching for the other entry.

My hands find a knob and I tug in it, allowing a shred of light to shed the room. The door leads to a narrow corridor and I leave it open as I leave the room. The passage is dimly lit with lights that are fixed on both sides of the hallway. They flicker weakly, the spots of yellow that paint the tiles an unsteady shade that transform from grey to lemon. With bated breath, I creep down the corridor and clamber up a tiny staircase leading to a row of cabins.

Praying for the best, I push open the door of the first cabin. I pull the door shut behind me and start to search the room, not bothering to make my hunt neat. I pull open drawers and turn over pillows, inspect every corner and when I'm certain the scythe isn't in here, I move on.

I'm halfway down the corridor when I start to hear voices. They waft through the air and I finf myself shoving against the nearest door hard and slipping in. My heart races with terror but I can't let fear control me now. Not when timing is tight. I forage through the room's contents and keep an eye out for the scythe, all while trying to listen out for any indication of pirates nearby.

That's when I see it. From the thick window darkened with dirt, gold ribbons that float through the air, curving in folds.

They have found it. I exhale, relief drawing the tension from my body and I head towards the door, ready to leave when it swings open, revealing a group of heavily armed pirates.

My heart hits the floor and I barely keep from falling backwards.

"Mark? What are you doing here?"

Word Count: 1129

A/N: Feedback is encouraged and appreciated.