Author: Dani Felicetti

“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. 

Gretel, one of the elders of the village, clutched a small wooden box to her chest. Her frail fingers tightened around the small item as the galloping horses made their way closer to the village. Gretel stepped out of her cottage and joined some of the villagers who huddled together for safety. These bandits have been coming to their village more frequently, which made living day to day more strenuous. 

 The rapid sound of galloping horses slowed down to a trot as the bandits came closer. When they dismounted from their steeds, they turned and laughed at the dispirited souls standing in front of them. The laughter that escaped their lungs was not only wicked, but foul. As Gretel’s’ eyes darted from face to face of those she lived with for years she could see the tears start forming in their eyes. Over the past year the bandits have taken pretty much everything from them, including their hope to be one day saved from their thievery. 

The villagers wept in fear as the bandits searched each of their cottages for anything worth value to them. Uninvited and unannounced, the bandits forced their way into the villagers’ homes, tossing aside anyone who dared tried to stop them. What little jewels the villagers owned were ones that were passed down from generation to generation. When those gems were gone, the bandits moved on to other items. They searched for anything they could possibly get a coin or two for. They never turned down a chance to steal whatever food the villagers had spent time harvesting for their families. After filling their bags with food and various items, the bandits then turned their attention to those gathered off to the side. The villagers, over the years, slowly became stripped of everything they had worked hard for. One by one the bandits searched the villagers, emptying out their pockets for anything they were trying to hide. When they reached Gretel, Gretel gave them a stern look. 

“What are you going to do about it elder?” the man asked.

Gretel eyes never strayed from his glare. “I might not be able to, but she will,” Gretel replied as she pointed towards the empty forest. 

The man glanced back, but to his surprise, there was no one there. 

The men laughed as he ripped the small box from her hands. He examined it, grunted and tossed it into his bag. Just when the villagers were about to give up all hope, a glimpse of hope soared through the air in a form of an arrow. Before the bandit even had a chance to look up an arrow flew past him, missing him by only a hair. Everyone’s heads turned in the direction of where the arrow came from. The mysterious woman emerged from the forest, notched back another arrow and released it, but this time she hit the bag he was holding, forcing him to drop it.  All of the villagers’ items spilled out onto the ground at his feet. 

“Return their things at once, or you will be forced to answer to me!” The woman shouted. 

The man she nearly hit replied, “And who might you be?”

“I am Bethany and I am here to protect these people from you and the monsters behind you.”

The man stepped closer and introduced himself. “I am Brent, the King of Thieves and I do not answer to anyone, including you!”

Brent turned away. Before walking off he snatched a necklace off the neck of a young lady clutching a baby in her arms. Bethany raised her bow, notched back an arrow and with a steady breath she released it. The arrow arched into the air and pierced Brent’s shoulder. He winced, placed his hand over the wound and then studied the blood on his fingertips.

“You want a fight Bethany, then you got one,” Brent sneered. 

Bethany put her bow away and drew her sword. Brent’s men started to follow suit, but Brent held out his hand to stop them. “She’s mine!” Brent shouted. 

Bethany ran towards him with her sword drawn. Their blades locked as they both pushed back with all their might. Bethany managed to break free and swing her sword around, missing Brent’s throat. Brent clearly underestimated his opponents’ abilities. Bethany was light on her feet, but she was determined to make Brent pay for his actions. With every attack, Bethany countered back with force. She was driven and motivated by the villagers that surrounded her. They were watching eagerly to see who would be the victor.  

Bethany quickly removed a dagger from her waist and slashed Bret’s hand, leaving him with no choice, but to drop his sword. Bethany kicked away his sword before he mustered enough courage to pick it back up. 

Pointing her sword at his throat she said, “I will spare your life, but never return here again. If you are foolish enough to return, next time I won’t be so merciful.” 

Brent huffed and stood up. Clutching his wounded hand to his waist, Brent turned away without muttering another word to her. The bandits tossed their bags onto the ground and mounted their horses. Bethany and the villagers waited until the bandits were no longer in sight before retrieving their belongings from the bags. 

Bethany bent down and picked up the small wooden box that belonged to Gretel. “Here, I think this belongs to you,” Bethany said as she handed Gretel the box.

“Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me,” Gretel replied with a tear in her eye.

“The box is beautiful, it must have been worth a few coins,” Bethany replied as she placed her sword back in its scabbard. 

“The box is worthless to me regardless of how much it cost. It’s what’s inside the box that holds the upmost value to me,” Gretel informed her.

Bethany was curious. “If you don’t mind me asking…what’s inside the box?”

 Gretel’s face lit up with excitement. She hadn’t had anyone ask her about the contents of the box for a while now. Her nimble fingers lifted the lid and she pulled out a single dried out flower. 

Bethany’s face twisted in confusion. “There are many flowers like that blossoming around the meadows. What’s the significance and worth of that flower that you would give your life for it?” 

Gretel held the flower up and replied, “My dear child, worth comes in all different sizes. I was given this flower by my husband on the day of my wedding. He died a few years ago and this is what I have to remember him by. Now, you must be thinking how can you determine the worth of something?” Bethany stood there in silence listening to Gretel as she continued to speak. “The worth of something could be as simple as this flower or as valuable as a neckless. But, to determine it’s worth is by the mark in which the item leaves on your soul. You might keep it close for sentimental reasons or as a personal reminder of what once was, but in the end it’s worth outweighs any number of coins or gold that is offered to you.”