The Snake:

“Alone again tonight, Jamie?” The waitress asked as she placed a pint of ale down on the table. 

“That’s a private matter and you know me Deloris I’ll never tell,” Jamie replied. 

“Well, you know where I’ll be after closing. I don’t want you to be all alone on this dark dreary night,” Deloris winked. 

Jamie grasped the cup handle firmly and just before the ale was able to touch their lips Jamie placed the pint back down. “The darkness never scared me, but rather it’s quite the opposite. You see Deloris, I’m the reason why people leave a candle on or a fire burning throughout the night. They might hear something go bump in the night, but never see me coming as I collect what’s owed to me. So never make a deal with me when you know that you can’t hold your end of the bargain. Cross me and my wrath will be talked about for days to come.”

Deloris rested the palm of her hand on top of the table and bent over. “You must be light on your feet,” Deloris said flirtingly. 

“Leave it to you to ignore everything that I’ve just said…but yes, you can say that,” grinned Jamie. 

Deloris scooped up the coin Jamie left for the ale and placed it into her apron without saying another word. Jamie sat alone enjoying the silence. Occasionally, they would look up to see how people were making fools out of themselves. Give them a pint and they completely lose all sense of one’s self, Jamie thought to themself.  

Jamie rested their back against the stone wall of the tavern as they took another swig of their ale. Jamie didn’t look up to address the gentlemen who dared try to encounter them.

“What desperate soul dares to seek out my expertise unannounced?” Jamie asked.

“I am Barnabas and I need something stolen. Word around the Kingdom is that you are the best person for the job.”

Jamie smirked. “You’ve heard right.” 

Barnabas took it upon himself to make himself more comfortable by occupying the empty stool across the table from Jamie. “Your presence is…how can I say it…unnerving, but non the less you are the kind of reckless and ruthless person that I need for the job.”

Jamie raised their head. If their eyes could shoot daggers…bullseye. “You’ve come here looking for help yet all you’ve managed to do is insult me.” Jamie leaned in closer. “Now, tell me why I should help you?”

Barnabas cleared his throat and pulled out a pocket handkerchief to dab the beads of sweat that formed on the top of his forehead. “Because the item I seek is of magical properties and in the wrong hands could be detrimental.”

“I’m missing the point where this is any of my concern. Besides what’s in it for me?”

“Oh, but you should be concerned Jamie. You see the object that I desire is the Diamond of Curses.” Barnabas noticed that Jamie perked up a little and smiled. “I see that this has gotten your attention.” Barnabas reached inside his pocket and dropped a small coin pouch onto the table. “Half now and half later when the job is done.”

“The Diamond of Curses is only a myth,” Jamie explained.

Barnabas slammed his hand down on to the table. “Enough with your lies!”

Jamie laughed. “You’ve caught me.”

Barnabas removed his ridding gloves and plucked a coin from the pouch. Fiddling with the coin in his hands he asked, “I know you’ve heard of the jewel before and that it exists, but are you aware of its legend?”

“I’m afraid that it is you who isn’t aware of what power it possesses that’s why you are asking,” Jamie shot back.   

“Nonsense, of course I do!” Barnabas angrily replied. 

“Then by all means…please procced to tell me what you know about this power,” Jamie inquired. 

“With the Diamond of Curses, you can bestow any curse upon your enemies,” Barnabas explained. 

“I’m very impressed,” Jamie mocked. 

Barnabas’ body tensed up. “Well then, you should know by now that you are not very well liked by many in this land. If the Diamond falls into the wrong hands who can say they wouldn’t use it against you? Take this coin for example.” Barnabas held up the coin between them. “Let’s say this coin is you and let’s say the ale is the curse.” Barnabas dropped the coin into Jamie’s drink and as the coin fell to the bottom of the cup it began to tarnish and blacken. “You do the calculations.”

“Is that a threat?” fumed Jamie. 

“No, but a proposition. Get the Diamond for me and we shall form an alliance. No harm will ever come to you if I am in possession of the Diamond.”

“Is that so?” asked Jamie.

Barnabas placed his hand over his heart. “You have my word.” 

“We shall see about that,” Jamie said slyly. 

Barnabas stood up and slipped his gloves back on. “We shall meet in the Slithering Woods where you will hand over the Diamond to me.”

Jamie grabbed the pouch of coins and headed out into the night. The diamond wasn’t exactly where anyone could reach it, but for them it was an easy task. The King and Queen had it banished to a room below the castle. For others this job would be impossible, but for Jamie it was effortless. Jamie did what they were told and broke into the room undetected. Cloaked by the darkness, Jamie moved effortlessly through the underground tunnels. To Jamie’s surprise there was just enough space to squeeze through the door. Once inside the room, Jamie hugged the diamond close to their body as they made their way back above the ground. 

It was in the Slithering Woods where Barnabas waited eagerly for his new found prized possession. Without warning Jamie stepped out between the trees and made their way towards him. “I trust that you were able to secure the diamond?” Barnabas asked.

Jamie pulled it out of their pocket and examined it. When the moonlight hit the diamond just right it glistened. “Who knew such a small jewel could do so much damage. Like you said the other night if this got into the wrong hands it could be very dangerous.”

Barnabas’s extended his arm. “Hand it over!” he demanded. 

“Hmm, no I think I’ll hang on to it.” As Jamie spoke snakes started to slither and dance around Barnabas’s boots. 

“What games are you playing! We had a deal!” Barnabas shouted. 

“Did we? Well then, deals are made to be broken. And you were misinformed. The Diamond of Curses can not only destroy your enemies, but also remove any curses that were bestowed upon you. However, that is a matter of opinion. No one ever stops to think that maybe having a curse can be a blessing within itself. In the end you should have known better then to trust a thief,” Jamie explained.   

“You snake!” Barnabas yelled before he himself was transformed into a snake, joining the others that were slithering around under him just moments before. Jamie walked over and looked down at what was once Barnabas. Jamie’s eyes glowed red. “How right you are,” Jamie hissed.