Page 68 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

Hanging on his words, I motioned impatiently for him to continue. He took another sip and said, “The short dickhead said to the other one, the dwarven lass, ‘Just shut up and do what I’m paying you to do.’ Then she looked right steamed. But just climbed up and rode them away.” He shrugged and took a long draw on his pint.

I thanked them both and rushed out of the pub. Felsith and Maerryl had El. Drugged, knocked out, or worse. They were in a carriage, probably hours ahead on the road by now. I had to get Telen, get to the stables, and go, now.

I was going to find El. No matter what.

23

ELIKKI

I awoke groggy and confused, my body jostling uncomfortably against a hard surface. This was some fucking hangover. Way to go, dumbass.

My head pounded like my brain had doubled in size and was trying to burst out of my skull. The left side of my neck had a dull, throbbing pain, and my limbs felt a bit useless.

Water. Needed water, a nausea tonic, and a bacon egg bap before I braved the market. Barra would get it for me. Maybe he already has, bless that sweet hunk of a man. Just need to open my—

Oh. Wait. No.

Barra was gone. I’d left.

In a rush, it all came back to me. The mad frenzy of the tavern, dancing with Barra, his face as I left our room, running out into the night, crying in an empty street, and then—

Felsith.

My stomach dropped. Felsith slipping into the dim lamplight in front of me, a satisfied smile fixed on his shiny face, was the last thing I could remember. That absolute turd. He’d attacked me. Or, at least, his henchperson did. He wouldn’t have a chance against me on his own, and I bet he knew it.

Although—shit. As I took stock of my body, I realized my hands were tied together behind my back. Not just the wrists. They’d wrapped heavy rope or something all the way down my hands, so that I couldn’t move so much as a pinkie.

Well, that was… not great. I couldn’t wield my metal magic without my hands. And arms too, usually, if I was being honest with myself. Proper mages, the kind with years and years of training, could wield with any part of their body. Some of the most powerful ones could even use just their mind, I’d heard.

But that wasn’t going to help me. Even with my newly deepened connection with my magic, I was still essentially a beginner. There was a lot of metal nearby—including my own jewelry that called out to me, disgruntled and unhappy—though it wouldn’t do me any good. And as I scanned my body, it seemed all the bits I normally stored on me had been removed. My usual rings, the thick chain bracelet I’d been wearing yesterday, my various daggers—all gone. Even my backup hairstick, sharp and reliable steel that I always kept stored in my braid or my corset, had been found and taken.

It appeared I was a bit fucked. Stay calm, girl. Breathe. You’ve been in worse scrapes than this.

Had I though?

Opening one eye just a crack, I blinked a few times to clear my bleary vision. A carriage. I was in a carriage. Quite basic, but with brocade curtains and a few plump pillows. I tried to keep as still as possible, letting my body stay slumped against the hard wall, the road bumping me about whenever our wheels hit a rough patch. A metallic clang sounded near me, followed by a pleased murmur. My pulse spiked. Someone was in here with me.

Switching eyes, I took in the other side of the carriage. Felsith. That conniving worm was seated diagonally across from me, rooting through my rucksack like a pig snuffling for food. I let my gaze fall and focused on not panicking.

Could I really go for a hot coffee and custard pastry right now? Yes.

Did I desperately want to kick my boot into Felsith’s chin? Yes.

But I had to keep it together. At least until I knew where exactly I was and how many assholes I was up against.

We continued driving for some time, bumping along the uneven country road, until finally I heard Felsith slide back a window and call out, “Let’s stop for a pee break!” before slamming it shut again.

The horses slowed. I heard someone clamber off the driving seat and open the carriage door. Felsith bustled out and headed, I assume, into the woods on the side of the road to do his business. There was a long, long pause. And then they closed the carriage door, sliding something through the handle, presumably to keep me in.

Footsteps padded away. I let out a careful sigh.

And then I moved.

Hopping across to the opposite seat, I ducked my face into my rucksack. Felsith had made a mess of everything. But I knew I had a couple of sharp knives tucked into the front side panel. If I could just—

Tense voices sounded from outside the carriage. I froze and strained my elven ears to catch their words.

“What do you care, you daft girl? We have her. Just stop your nagging.”