Thief of the Eclipse Short Story – Part 4: The Artifact
This month you can read the next segment of my short story, but first I wanted to mention that I’ve added a new writing retreat & workshop to the conferences page. It’s in August in Camdenton, Missouri, and several interesting young adult authors will be in attendance. It will focus on story anatomy and marketing your book. You can find more details here.
Now the story continues with part 4. Click here to start reading at the beginning. Below is a brief refresher on the story up to now (contains spoilers):
Zelena has been offered a mission by Lazaro, a mysterious diseased man. He will tell her the truth about her father’s death if she steals memories from Father Remiel, her superior in the Eclipse Guard. Zelena has decided to steal the memory-copying artifact before it leaves Osage Grove on a caravan.
And now, part 4.
Thief of the Eclipse Short Story – Part 4: The Artifact
Azinia’s two moons sat high above the horizon by the time Zelena ventured forth that night to acquire the artifact. They provided just enough light for her to find her way around the plaza where several caravans camped within the safety of the town walls in preparation for the morrow’s journey. She circled twice, watching from the shadows before approaching.
Each caravan’s wagons circled their own camp fire and posted their own guards, but the majority of the men slept in bedrolls around the dying embers. The University’s caravan stood on the edge of the plaza, closest to the East Gate. Their wagons were obvious by the banners strung from each one, announcing their presence. In the daylight the banners were a bright red with golden embroidery, but in the dark, the vibrant colors drained to shades of black and white.
A round-bellied old man slouched on the seat of the largest wagon, clinging to a spear, but snores filtered through his tangled beard mingling with those of his companions around the campfire. He was obviously the guard, but not concerned about his duties.
“They’re just asking for it,” Usha whispered.
Zelena shook her head to clear it. Not now. She needed to focus. Surely a university caravan full of magical artifacts would have more than one decrepit old guard. Maybe even magical safeguards. But she didn’t have Father Remiel’s charm with her tonight, so she had no way of knowing what or where they were. There was only one thing to do. Pick a wagon and hope for the best.
“Avoid the wagon where the guard sleeps,” her father whispered. “It’s the most dangerous.”
“And that’s exactly why I’m starting with it,” Zelena thought.
She walked over to the lead wagon, shifted, and stepped through its side. She stood inside boxes of artifacts. Lazaro’s scroll contained a sketch of an hourglass amulet with elephant endcaps. It was glass so it would be near the top. Enough moonlight filtered through the wagon cover that Zelena could make out the general shape of the items. The amulet was near the top like she’d expected. It was almost like someone wanted her to find it. A common street urchin could have acquired just as easily. Why had Lazaro insisted she handle both the acquisition and use of the artifact?
Materializing her hand, Zelena grabbed the artifact, and shifting with it, she stepped through the wagon to the far side. That’s when a loud screeching began. She should have known there would be a magical alarm! She slung the amulet around her neck and ran for the town wall. Behind her, she heard drowsy men orienting themselves in the dark. Shifting, she stepped into the thick wall surrounding the city, and ran incorporeal until she was far enough from the plaza to slip back into the city unnoticed. Then she stalked off to Lazaro’s lair. It was time to end his crazy scheme.
— to be continued —
Come back the 2nd Tuesday of next month for the next part of this story. Subscribe to the blog via email in the box on the top right of this page and be one of the first to read new stories when they are posted!
