Page 18 of The Tricksters Deception

“Don’t start with me, I’ve seen your table manners.” I smirk. Since the first night I came here, I think it was the best conversation I’ve had with Corvu. In a way I also felt like I got to know him better. It was truly obvious he wasn’t trying to trick me into giving him the amulet or he would have leaped at the opportunity when I mentioned it. The conversation I overheard with him that next morning was a clear misinterpretation type situation. It was a bit of a relief.

I knew we had a long way to go, but having never ridden on a horse for so long, or ever in my life, I was really starting to feel the pain. I want to suggest stopping for a rest, or perhaps asking how close the next village would be, but I also didn’t want to make the trip take longer just because I couldn’t handle a little pain in the back.

“The next village is only about a half hour away, can your rear end handle that, Princess?” I can’t decide if I should be pissy and annoyed or grateful that we were so close to taking a break. I purse my lips and nod. I overhear him chuckle but otherwise says nothing.

Chapter ten

As we get closer to the next village, I notice more people on the paths. They’re just not heading in any particular direction.

“We’re here. We will just stop for food then keep going,” Corvu states. I nod, but looking around, I don’t see any walls, gates, or guards. In fact, all I see is woodland covered completely in moss. The only thing not covered in moss is the dirt path, which some time ago had turned into mostly sand. I watch Gecko riding in front, looking very excited to be exploring new lands. I put a hand to my chest and feel the amulet sitting beneath my tunic. I can’t believe such a small piece of jewelry causes so many problems. “See that boy?” Corvu asks me, pointing into the forest. I can’t see what he’s talking about at all. “Look at the boulder,” he says. That’s when I see him. The boy in question has green, shiny skin, accentuated with fins that protrude from his arms and neck. Splayed out across the boulder, he appears to be eating the moss that’s growing on it. “They’re called Skellys. The bodies of children who drown in the nearby lake turn into Skellys. They are mostly harmless as long as you don’t anger them.” After staring for as long as I can before the horse takes me out of view.

I ask, “What makes them angry?”

“When you touch their food and when you mess with their village.”

“So you’re telling me the village you were talking about is full of those things?”

“No, they just protect the outside border. The actual village is right in front of you.” Taking my attention away from the forest that spans out on either side of me, I look ahead to see small wooden shacks and houses. This is a genuine medieval village built alongside a lake. As the trees disappear to the left, I can see just how vast the crystal-clear lake truly is. Upon it are small boats with men using nets to catch fish, and along its bank are children attempting to skip rocks. Gecko is so amused by the rock skipping that he hops off his horse and runs in their direction. I’m sure he’ll be fine. The village itself doesn’t look very big; I could probably count the number of homes around me with ease. To my left, a man shuts and ropes up a gate to keep some pigs from running wild, then he looks toward us and smiles, coming over. The houses are quaint, with thatched roofs and wooden beams, and the air is filled with the scent of fresh bread and the sound of chickens clucking. Corvu helps my horse to stop before dismounting his own. I’m a little hesitant to try and get off the horse in case I make a fool of myself, but I don’t have much of a choice.

My legs are in so much pain. They are particularly stiff, but Corvu stays by me and persists to help me find the ground safely. The man from earlier appears around the horses and his smile grows wider.

“I thought I saw our little trouble maker!” He exclaims, grabbing Corvu by the shoulders and giving him a big bear hug. Corvu seems reluctant about the hug, but okay with the man. The man himself is quite big, but he otherwise seemed completely human. Perhaps he was just a well built farmer. “And who’s your friend, Corvu?” So they knew each other. I probably should have deduced that from the earlier embrace.

“This is Tia, and the maggot that ran off earlier is Gecko.” He replies, being released from the man’s grip. “Tia, this is Gharp. He’s my uncle.” Surprised was one word for how I felt. Astonished might have been a better one.

“Oh wow, it’s nice to meet you.” Instinctually I put out my hand and he grabs mine by the wrist. I’d seen this kind of thing before in movies. Less of a handshake and more of a wristlock, but that's okay.

“You’re a pretty one, what are you two doing so far from the city?” Gharp questions.

Corvu clears his throat, looking anywhere but at me, “We’re just passing through this way for something to eat, then we will get to the next city.” Gecko rejoins us, a cheeky smile spread from ear to ear.

“Sounds good to me. The wife is cooking up a broth of some kind. Plenty for everyone. You should come in and tell us how you’ve been.” He turns and begins to walk off further into the village. Corvu nods at me, I suppose trying to reassure me it was okay to follow him, then grabs the reins on the horses to walk them.

The village is different, to say the least. It seems everything here is built with the aid of nature. The buildings blend seamlessly with the surrounding forest, with walls made of intertwined branches and roofs covered in moss. Even the blacksmith we pass uses an open hut and a firepit. The rhythmic clang of his hammer rings out as sparks fly into the air. Children seem abundant here, laughing and playing games in the open spaces, but the main thing I notice above all else... they are all human. Gecko doesn’t seem to mind, but Corvu’s ears hang low. Is that an indicator of him feeling uneasy? Or sad? I can’t tell.

Gharp leads us to a small wooden house attached to another one. The structure is quaint, with vines creeping up its sides and flowers blooming around its base. He opens the basic wood door with broken paneling and holes and lets us inside.

The house smells amazing. It reminds me of chicken and pumpkin soup. Nearby the roasting pot stands a woman in a plain brown dress that somewhat reminds me of a hessian bag, though I wouldn’t say that out loud. Her black hair is plaited and strung into a bun at the top of her head. The interior of the house is cozy, with a warm fire crackling in the hearth and simple wooden furniture scattered around. The walls are adorned with woven tapestries and dried herbs hanging from the ceiling, adding to the rustic charm.

“Corvu!” She exclaims, leaving the boiling pot to embrace him. This time Corvu does return the hug. “My stars, I had to hug you to make sure you were really here.” She laughs. “Oh.” She looks to me and Gecko, who is for some reason acting very shy and hiding behind me. “Now I’m fairly sure you haven’t been gone that long for a wife and child of his age.” She winks at him, then faces me. “I’m Sophii, I’m Corvu’s aunt.”

“Tia.” I say, “And this is Gecko.” Shyly he waves but otherwise doesn’t say anything. Gharp closes the door behind him but it doesn’t block out any of the light. The house itself had holes everywhere, including in the roof that seems to only be made of sticks and straw. Maybe I should tell them the story of the three little pigs.

“We’re just travelling to the capital, auntie.” Corvu states, taking a seat on a bench that lined up against a table, which was probably the biggest piece of furniture in the room. I thought I lived in a shitty apartment but I’m starting to think I shouldn’t have complained so much.

“The capital? That’s quite a distance away.” Gharp states, sitting down on the other side of the table in front of us. “Why would you want to travel there anyway? They’re not that fond of your kind.” He warns Corvu as Sophii puts two bowls down onto the table. Gharp passes it to Gecko and myself. She comes back moments later with three others and sits down next to her husband.

“It’s also dangerous.” She adds.

“We don’t have much choice.” He states. In front of me in the bowl was a broth of some kind, but I was so hungry I didn’t want to risk asking what it was made of and ruining my appetite.

“Sure you do, just go back to the last town you were living in. It’s bad enough your sister went to the capital, we haven’t heard from her in years.”

“Sister?” I ask aloud, not really meaning to. Corvu looks at me from the side of his eye, suggesting I probably shouldn’t be asking.

“If you must go at least check on her and send word you’re both alright.” Sophii persists. I decide not to say anything, technically this isn’t my family and it’s none of my business, not to mention Corvu looks a little annoyed.

“How long has Corvu lived in the city?” I decided to go with the indirect approach, at least for now.

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