The Last Witch

Asher reached the steps of the Town Hall when one of the people in the crowd knocked into his shoulder, hard enough to make him stumble. A weight dropped from his side, and Asher grabbed for his sword, only for his hand to paw at empty air. His ceremonial rapier and scabbard were gone. 

In the crowd, a lone figure shifted through the mass, a ratty, dark cloak pulled over their head. Sticking out over their shoulder, was the familiar hilt. 

‘Hey!’ Asher’s bark parted the crowd with shouts of surprise, and Asher charged after the culprit, who broke into a sprint towards the edge of the market. The hooded figure took turns at random, ducking around people and shoving them out of the way, which only cleared the path more for Asher to follow. Both of them leapt over crates and baskets sitting on the corner, their feet pounding. Blood roared through Asher’s ears as his legs and arms worked to catch up. Each time he thought he was gaining, the stranger would throw a sharp turn and gain again. 

When a turn pulled the hooded figure into a narrow alleyway, Asher pushed forward even harder, giving a single burst of speed to his legs. He caught up to the stranger easily, then wrapped his arms around the stranger’s middle and threw both of them to the ground. The cobblestone tore at his arms and face, harsh pain blinding him for a second as the stranger cried out in alarm. In a blink the thief had rolled out of his grip and ripped the scabbard from the sword, kneeling at a distance to thrust the thing. Asher lunged forward and caught the blade in his fist, then yanked it hard towards him, throwing the stranger forward so he could lock his hand around their wrist. 

Asher froze. The face under the hood was familiar, though he couldn’t figure out how. The man was dirty and unkempt, his feet bare and his clothes unwashed. The hood and long black hair spilling over his shoulders left dark shadows across a narrow face, and his mouth was twisted into a snarl. 

His eyes were on fire. 

Asher had never seen colour that bright on any human before. In the shadow of his hood, they glowed orange, like coals in a dying fire. Up close, Asher swore he could see embers dancing across the iris. The whites stood out against his browned skin, which only pulled attention further in, as though Asher was a moth pulled forward into a dying fire. 

Valenda. This man had been at the field yesterday. 

The stranger squirmed, twisting his arm around to pull away from Asher’s grip, and Asher dug his fingers in tighter. His other hand still gripped the blade of the sword, locking it in place as the man tried to pull it free. 

‘Yeah, it’s not a real sword,’ Asher said. ‘What are you doing?’

The man growled. His voice was unnaturally gravelly, and he sounded more like a wolf or a bear than a man. The noise sent a shiver down Asher’s spine. 

‘You can cut that right out,’ he snapped. ‘What are you doing? Why did you try and take my sword?’

The man spoke in a strange language Asher couldn’t place, his words fast and sharp, the ends curling like mist before spitting at him with a harshness of a bite. There was anger there, fear, but there wasn’t a hint of Tarneyan. 

‘I don’t know what you’re saying,’ Asher said. ‘Look, you’re not in trouble, just tell me what you’re doing.’

The stranger glared.

‘Let’s start with your name then.’ Asher tried to keep his voice even, as though they were in conversation and not grappling one another. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Penn.’

So he did speak Tarneyan. ‘What are you doing, Penn?’

‘Everyone here is going to die.’

The words sent a deep chill down the length of Asher’s spine. ‘What?’

‘Get a real sword.’ The stranger’s voice caught on the words, a thick, silvery accent struggling to form them. ‘Prepare. Everyone here will die.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Asher demanded. When Penn tried to twist out of his grip again, Asher squeezed harder. He felt bones shift in his hand, and the stranger hissed at him, flashing his canines like a feral cat. The fiery glow in his eyes sizzled, and Asher wondered if a simple look could make him combust. 

‘If you won’t fight, run,’ Penn hissed. ‘Everyone must run.’ 

Pain burst across Asher’s palm as a sharp shock of hot air seared his skin. Asher recoiled with a shout, and the stranger pulled himself free. Pulling his hood further down to cover his eyes, he regarded the sword he still held, then tossed it onto the ground in front of Asher and rushed down the alley. By the time Asher pulled himself to his feet, the strange man was gone. 

‘Is everything alright?’ Norrah stepped into the alley behind him, her brows knotted in confusion. 

Asher scooped up the sword and its scabbard, taking the moment to fix it back on his belt. His hands were shaking. 

‘I can send for someone to chase down the--’

‘No, it’s fine,’ Asher said. Everyone here is going to die. It was a single man, in a fit of panic, who probably didn’t speak Tarneyan as a first language, and yet his hands were shaking. People more dishevelled and more off their rock said worse in the alleyways of Ralkauda every other day, and yet these words echoed in his head over and over. It was the eyes. Those weren’t normal eyes. This wasn’t a normal situation. 

‘What did he say to you?’ Norrah asked. 

Asher turned to meet her gaze. To quote the stranger word for word would sound like an invitation to cause panic. It also just wasn’t anything to go off. Everyone will die. How? When? ‘He said something bad was about to happen,’ Asher said. 

‘Was it believable?’

The question made Asher pause, though the answer formed on his tongue straight away. Those eyes still burned into his head. His hand tingled, as though static had charged through it. A quick glance didn’t show any marks. ‘It was,’ he admitted. ‘I... I don’t know, I just have a really bad feeling all of a sudden.’ 

Norrah only stared. 

Asher shook himself. Reactionary decisions did not make good decisions. How he was so scrambled today, he had no idea. Be professional. This is literally your job. 

‘I think we should meet up with the Watch,’ he said. ‘The sooner we can start working on all of this, the better.’

Norrah nodded, then tilted her head. ‘Are you sure you’re alright?’

Asher nodded, but it felt dishonest. He couldn’t tell why, there was nothing wrong from what he could tell. Adrenaline was still buzzing under his skin from the chase, and there was a weight against his chest for the same reason, but nothing was wrong to the point where it was noticeable. It didn’t feel exactly right either. When he stepped back into the market, Norrah followed, still watching him. 

The Town Hall sat at the head of the market, separated by a steep set of stairs. The great pillars that sat either side of the large mahogany door were guarded by statues of the royal symbol. A stone lion raised it’s front legs high, a roar permanently etched into it’s stone face as an impossibly large dragonfly balanced on its nose. Two territories joining into one Kingdom. Two Crowns become Tarinye. The plaque beneath the statues told that same little limerick, dating it back over three hundred years. It also read that the Dalvany Town Hall was the oldest building in Tarinye. Asher doubted that last part, but he didn’t know his general history well enough to confirm it.

Two watchmen stood by one of the pillars, deep in casual conversation while stealing occasional glances towards the crowd. Each of them wore the same uniform Asher had worn until recently, their black coats pressed and fitted against their bodies. The single star on each side of their breast told him they were simple patrolmen. When they noticed him, both snapped to attention with a fist to the chest. Asher returned the gesture, which signalled for them to drop their salute. 

‘You must be Lieutenant Wulverman.’ The first was a man with mousy hair and a thick moustache covering his thin lips. When Asher nodded, the second stepped forward; a woman with dark hair pulled back far enough that it pulled at the skin of her face. 

‘Sir, we recieved word that you were coming.’

‘That’s good,’ Asher said. ‘I present the new Duchess with me, Lady Adalynn Norrah.’

Norrah offered a small curtsey, and both guards paled. 

‘Ma’am, I’m sorry, we didn’t know--’

‘It’s alright,’ Norrah said. ‘I came to speak to your Captain, or one of your Lieutenants, if that’s possible.’

The female guard swallowed. ‘Only one Lieutenant here, ma’am. She’s indisposed. There was an issue with the wild animals out in the farms. She only left about an hour ago so she’ll be gone for a while.’

The animals again. Though Asher felt a small wave of relief that the Lieutenant was going out to handle things directly. It was an early sign that they had a similar style of work. Though, it also meant that for now, Dalvany’s Watch had no chain of command. 

‘I need you guys to do something for me, just until she gets back,’ Asher said. Both guards snapped to attention. ‘Can you just do a couple of circles around the market? Nothing too obvious, I just... would feel better.’

‘He has a bad feeling,’ Norrah said. 

‘Sure thing, sir,’ the male guard said. ‘A lot of bad feelings going around lately. We looking for anything in particular?’

‘Just anything too out of the ordinary,’ Asher said. ‘I don’t think there’s going to be trouble, so it’s probably nothing.’

Both guards saluted again, then bounced down the stairs, continuing their conversation. Asher blew out a breath. One man did not mean a sign of panic. Yet, something was wrong. 

Norrah stepped around the statue, taking in the pillars and the stone animals, and Asher dropped onto the step where he stood. He hung his head between his knees, and sucked in a deep breath. Pull yourself together, he chided himself. Nothing has happened and you’re already fraying at the seams.

He didn’t even know why. All he knew was that if this kept up, he wouldn’t be able to do what he needed to, and if people were getting hurt by all this, it would soon be on his shoulders. 

Footsteps clacking against the stairs were his only warning that someone was approaching, and he glanced up expecting Norrah, but instead his stomach twisted as Navarre approached, then dropped down onto the seat next to him. 

‘You seem upset,’ he said. 

Asher sighed. ‘I didn’t think you were coming down with us.’

Hurt crossed the other man’s features, and disappeared just as quickly. He leaned over and nudged Asher with his shoulder. ‘That eager to get away from me?’

Asher didn’t say anything. He was not in the right state of mind to have this conversation now. It wasn’t the right time to be worrying about his personal drama. Though, there was an argument to be made that he could clear this up and forget it happened. 

‘Asher, say something,’ Navarre said. ‘I feel like you’re mad at me.’

‘I’m not mad,’ Asher mumbled.

‘Are you telling me, or yourself?’

Asher met Navarre’s gaze. His face was so familiar, so haunting in its beauty. Yet, now it carried the memory of a hand on his leg, of that bitter taste of mouth hitting mouth. He shivered. ‘We need to talk about this,’ he said. ‘Properly, sitting down, and now is not the right time, that’s all.’

‘What’s not right time about it?’ Navarre asked. ‘We’re sitting. You’re waiting for the Lieutenant to come back. I have an afternoon of paperwork to sort out.’ He frowned. ‘Don’t lock me out, Asher, you can talk to me. If you want to tell me no, you can just say no.’

‘It’s a no,’ Asher said. He flinched as pain crossed Navarre’s features. It’s really not the time for this. ‘But it’s more complicated than that.’

‘You’re not into guys.’

‘No, I mean... maybe? I don’t really do any of this stuff.’

‘Any of what?’ Navarre asked. ‘Have you...’ A sly grin crossed his face. ‘Have you never been with anyone before?’

‘I haven’t,’ Asher said. ‘And I don’t want to.’

‘Is that really what you’re worried about?’ Navarre asked. ‘Asher, that’s okay.’ He chuckled nervously. ‘It’s okay if you’re not ready. If you need time or--’

‘No, that’s the thing,’ Asher said. ‘I don’t need time, I just know. I don’t do this kind of stuff. I don’t want to do this kind of stuff. With anyone.’

‘I hear you,’ Navarre said. ‘And I can wait. I’m happy to wait. I won’t force you into anything.’

‘You’ll be waiting forever,’ Asher pressed. ‘I don’t. Not with anyone. Not ever.’

Navarre recoiled like he had been stung. ‘Ever?’

‘Never.’

‘But...’ Navarre shifted, his hands wringing together. Asher could see wheels turning in his head, trying to process a conversation that needed more than this impromptu chat, that needed more delicacy and a gentle touch. This was not the right way to bring this up, to admit it so openly. 

There were too many other pressing concerns. 

‘I don’t understand,’ Navarre said. 

The two patrolmen returned, completing their circle and coming to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. They gave a single nod each then disappeared back into the crowd. Asher took the excuse to get to his feet, though he resisted the urge to pace. ‘We need to talk about this later,’ he said. ‘Properly. I...’ The Lieutenant wouldn’t be back for a while. He was caught in a stasis until then. Any action he took would overstep the Lieutenant’s authority, and he wasn’t in the right state of mind. 

Everything was happening all at once. None of it would settle in his brain and let him process. He pulled at the collar of his uniform, though it didn’t stop pressing against his neck. He turned back to Navarre, and instead saw Norrah, still standing by the statues, watching him. She was close enough to have heard everything. 

This was a mess. 

Everyone here is going to die.

If he were to take the warning seriously, he needed to start focusing on that. The market was far too crowded to pull everyone in a single direction; it would only lead to people getting trampled. If there was a way to do it without causing panic, then he needed to find it. Though, any idea he had scattered before he could grab it. 

His hand twinged where it had been burned. Asher glanced down and prodded at the part of his palm that stung. A small red mark had begun to form near his thumb. A smear of dirt had also stained his skin. He rubbed it off on his half-cape. 

Think, idiot. If this was a regular threat, then there was a way to handle it. The first step was to identify the problem, and if that wasn’t possible, then a place that was as safe as was possible. Here, on the steps of the Town Hall. The Town Hall itself. It was away from the crowd, and the building was big enough to hold everyone. It would only be temporary too. 

If there was a threat, where would it come from?

The guards came around again, and Asher waved them down and beckoned them over. The female guard broke away from her companion, making her way up the stairs as the male guard continued the loop around. Her brow knotted as she approached. ‘Is something wrong, sir?’

‘No, I just want to get a clear picture of a few things,’ Asher said. ‘What’s the story with the market?’

‘We have it every second week, sir. The farmers host it.’

‘Is it always this crowded?’

The guard frowned. ‘No, but we have refugees and travellers stuck here. People are looking for a distraction. Is something wrong?’

‘Nothing wrong.’ Navarre stepped in next to Asher, clapping him hard on the shoulder. ‘That will be all, thank you.’

The guard saluted and bounced back down the stairs, and a flare of anger burned to life in Asher’s chest. Navarre’s hand was still on his shoulder, and he wriggled free. Another hurt look flashed across the man’s features.

‘Don’t do that,’ Asher growled. 

‘Do what?’ Navarre asked. ‘What are you doing?’

‘You dismissed the conversation over me,’ Asher said. ‘How am I supposed to respond to the public if people are just waiting for everything else to contradict me.’

‘Woah, that is not what that was,’ Navarre said. ‘It really looks like you’re trying to find something to do to avoid this conversation.’

‘I’m trying to do my job,’ Asher said. 

‘How? What is your plan here? Is something actually wrong or are you just trying to get away?’

Both. Asher glanced over at where Norrah was still watching the both of them, arms crossed in front of her chest. Below them, the market continued to bustle, the crowd seemingly growing thicker by the second. If something were to happen to the people, the middle of a large crowd was the perfect place to do it. 

Everyone is going to die.

‘The Captain may have a point.’ Norrah stepped down next to him. ‘We don’t have any other sign that something is wrong.’

‘I know,’ Asher said. ‘But I’m not waiting for chaos to break out before I do something.’

‘Other sign?’ Navarre turned to Norrah. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘A homeless man attacked him before,’ Norrah said. ‘He... I don’t actually know what he said.’

‘One homeless man came at you, and you’re this bent out of shape?’ Navarre asked. ‘I knew it, you’re not okay.’

Asher bristled. He could feel his skin growing hot under the still stiff uniform. ‘I’m trying to be prepared,’ he said. ‘An entire city vanished. We don’t know how or why. People are nervous. They’re scared and they’re injured. Even if nothing big is about to happen, that’s the perfect scenario for something to snap.’

Navarre sighed. He opened his mouth to say something, then snapped it shut again.

‘I think the guards would know that too, wouldn’t they?’ Norrah asked. ‘I understand where your coming from, but acting out on your impatience is not going to help the situation.’

Asher glared at her. 

“What did that man say to you?’ she asked. ‘Aside from something bad will happen.’

Asher glanced back and forth between the both of them. There weren’t words in any language to describe the strange features of the stranger, of those eyes that were burning with real fire, without seeming more unreliable. ‘He said people were going to die,’ Asher admitted. ‘Everyone. He said everyone is going to die.’

‘That’s vague,’ Navarre said. ‘We all die eventually.’

‘That was why he took your sword?’ Norrah asked. 

Asher nodded. ‘I think he was looking to defend himself. It...’ he threw up his hands. ‘It felt real. He was really terrified.’

‘I’m not completely convinced,’ Navarre said. ‘Maybe it was real to him. Even if this stranger believed it, it doesn’t make it real.’

Asher ran his hands through his hair. 

‘Maybe you should take the afternoon,’ Navarre said. ‘Just until the Lieutenant gets back. You’re not acting like yourself and it’s worrying me.’

‘I’m fine,’ Asher mumbled. 

‘No, you’re not,’ Navarre said. 

‘It does look like you’re throwing yourself at something to not continue the conversation,’ Navarre pointed out. When Asher threw him a look, Navarre held up his hands. ‘I want to hear you, Asher. I want to believe you, but explain it in a way that makes sense. What’s the real reason?’

‘You’re not hearing me,’ Asher growled. Of course this wasn’t about the actual situation. Navarre still wanted an answer that was not the one he got. Frustration burned through him, and it took physical effort to hold it back. Him losing control now would only have him removed, and then he was no use to anyone. 

Norrah shifted then, staring at Asher for a long beat, before turning to Navarre. ‘I’m confused,’ she said. ‘Do people here not trust your watch?’

Navarre blinked. ‘What?’

‘Depends on who you ask,’ Asher mumbled.

‘Why would a few patrol men wondering around make people afraid?’ Norrah asked. ‘Surely, since everyone is afraid, it would comfort them to know they are being watched over. Though, there are stories in my country that there is a divide between your leaders and your people. I didn’t think it was that severe.’

‘It’s not.’ There was a bite to Navarre’s words. ‘But there are things to consider. People will see the guards and think there is a reason they’re being guarded. That wasn’t the point anyway. If we go chasing every single little issue like this, we’ll never solve anything.’

‘A threat towards the lives of every person in this market is hardly a little issue,’ Norrah pointed out. ‘It seems to me you are the one letting a conversation cloud your judgement.’

‘I promise you my judgement is crystal clear,’ Navarre said. ‘I’m just concerned that the Lieutenant walked away in the middle of a conversation with such a drastic revelation.’

‘Both of you cut it out,’ Asher snapped. ‘No, the people don’t have absolute faith in the watch, and no, I did not leave in the middle of our conversation. The conversation was over.’

Navarre paled. ‘It wasn’t, I--’

‘Yes. It was.’

‘If you two insist on having this kind of squabble now, then do it now while we still have time,’ Norrah said. ‘But keep it between you, and do not bring it into the situation at hand.’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ Asher mumbled. 

As Norrah turned on her heel and marched back up the stairs, Navarre chuckled. ‘You really are a soldier boy.’

‘She’s supposed to be duchess,’ Asher said. ‘You should be following her orders too.’

‘Yeah, I’ll try and remember that,’ Navarre said. He sighed. ‘I just need to know that you don’t hate me. Even if this is over.’

‘What’s over?’ Asher asked. 

‘You don’t want anything between us.’

‘No, but... is friendship on its own not enough?’ Asher asked. 

A wry smile crossed Navarre’s features. ‘We can stay friends. Though I want to ask--’

A scream tore through the air.