Page 5 of A Curse So Vile

Six. Next, I’ll encounter the one who can break my curse, as the swamp witch said it would be the seventh person.

She was close to shore now, passing shacks on the waterfront. Gulls eyed her suspiciously, some being so brave as to step into her path, sending her nearly crashing off the pier.

“Hey, Henry!” a voice shouted. “Ye up for some topples tonight?”

“The miss ain’t much like me losin’ me coin ta that shitty game.”

A hackling laugh sounded. “Then don’t lose.”

A crowd of voices sounded ahead.

Oh, no! How will I know which one it is if they’re all together?

A few more voices chimed in.

“Hey, miss. What ye doin’ on the dock dis early? Ain’t ya gonna wait till trade’s ripe? Ain’t got no coin in da mornin’.”

Shit.

“Let’s get a looksee. Turn around now, love.”

Footsteps approached.

I can’t do this. Not now!

Her eyes darted to a small hovel on stilts just off the pier.

“Come on now. Don’t be shy.”

Brenna was surprised she had attracted attention in her brown leather trousers, high boots, and dirty, cream-colored tunic, but she supposed to fishermen she was quite a treat. Any other day, she’d snap at them and maybe even push one off the pier. Today was different, though. She couldn’t afford a misstep.

She rushed to the shack, opened the door, and went inside, closing herself in.

I’ll wait until they’re gone, then I’ll find the witch.

“You’ve come,” a voice cut through the small space.

Seven…

She looked up, her eyes locking on a blond-haired man. He stood tall, at a height with her Denithian brothers, his thick arms folded across his chest.

He wasn’t what she had expected the witch to look like, but perhaps he was a sorcerer or a warlock. Still…he didn’t have the look of one of those, either.

“I…I…”

“This is about the curse?” he asked.

Relief flooded her.

Her mouth gaped, and she didn’t have the sense to cover it. After so long, meeting with countless soothsayers and witches and taking potion after potion, she would finally be rid of her curse.

“Yes,” she finally choked out.

A look of relief crossed his face. “Then come this way. We haven’t much time.”

She followed him down the dock, and this time when she approached the group of heckling fishermen, she lifted her leg, pushing her boot against one of their chests to cast them in the water.

They stared at her for a long moment, then broke out in laughter as the fallen fisherman splashed and cursed.