The Garnet Dagger by Andrea R. Cooper

dressed, we must leave.”
    “Speaking of such, where’s my dagger?” I asked and stared at the corners of her mouth as they curved down. “Best if we travel our separate courses.” At least she knew my intentions now and would give up this charade of the dagger belonging to her.
    “Do you know the customs of humans?” she asked. “When one lies, or speaks truth?” At my shaking head she continued, “If not for me, you’d still be tied up in the tower.”
    “If not for me, your bones would be splintered to pieces at the base of the tree.” I snapped back. That should quiet her. It would have many others back home, including Liana.
    “You’ll get the dagger back, when I’m done with it and you.”
    Frustrated, I snatched the empty bowl from her lap. My fingers brushed across a hole worn in the blanket, her skin shocking mine like static.
    Stumbled backward, I juggled with the bowl and my cover cloth.
    Celeste replaced her wig. Underneath my hair, her blond hair curled out like ruffled feathers. She tucked back the golden strands.
    The door flew open almost making me drop everything and dive for my sword. A girl no taller than my hip rushed forward, a basket in her arms. With a giggle at me, she rushed to Celeste’s side.
    “For you. Until your trunks come,” she hesitated as if to remember, “thanks for your coin.”
    Celeste dipped her head in a bow, accepting the basket and the child’s curtsey.
    Removing the empty bowls, she skipped out of the room. “Perhaps my lady wishes for a switch to beat her lazy servant?” She frowned at me then closed the door behind her.
    At my sigh, Celeste broke into laughter. Her laugh eased the tension of the room and I joined in.
    She rummaged through the bag, and then tossed a hazel twig to me. “Scrub your teeth with this.”
    Against my principles, I did as she bid. No use to argue or alert her to which Elvin kind I was. I whispered an apology for the spirit of the tree who gave this twig. Anger clouded my mind at the thought of these humans who hacked at the limbs of harmless trees.
    To my left, I heard her toss her own twig back into the basket and rummage through the contents. She removed an elderberry gown and white head covering. Then a pair of yellowed trousers and a tunic.
    After tossing me the latter two, she drew her blanket down.
    I spun around, and then thrust on my borrowed clothes, not turning around until I was dressed and she spoke.
    “Now we may gather supplies and make ready to leave.” Her head covering still allowed my black hair to poke out along the bottom, but traveling through these streets was better to conceal her appearance than not.
    Standing up, my trousers reached my shins. The tunic hung to my knees. But anything was better than traipsing in a cloth the rest of the day. I’d seen some beggars dressed finer than I.
    Better I went along with her plan until I recovered the dagger. Pulled on my boots and replaced the coin pouch along the side. My leather boots helped disguise the length of the trousers. Rather than leave it, I strapped my sword to my waist.
    Striding to the door, I opened it and passed through the frame. Closed the door behind me and dashed down stairs.
    Kitchen clanked from metal and iron pots. After a smile at the innkeeper I left the building.
    Outside, a breeze carried the cold through me like ice blades. Wished I had my cloak.
    Children trudged through the crowd and I wondered if one of these girls could be the witch.
    Damn the woman for taking my dagger. Perhaps I’d persuade her to return it. Promise her safe passage to the next town. If she were a man I’d have strangled her by now. What if she knew more magic than she admitted to me? Used a spell to hide the dagger from me? Even though she was not the witch of the prophecy, that didn’t mean she didn’t have abilities.
    Kicking aside a pebble, I turned the corner to the baker’s shop. As soon as I saw her back at the inn, I’d confront her.
    Inside the