Scourges, Spells, and Serenades

By Joanna Maciejewska

- Join the unlikely duo of an arcanist and a mage killer in their adventures.
- Peek into the mind of an oracle.
- Visit the northern reaches of magically-changed Ireland.
- Read about a sculpture that seems more than just wood.
- Discover the secret of a man who lived for over 100 years.

A collection of 6 fantasy short stories featuring different characters and settings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joanna Maciejewska
• Release date: May 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734606706

Book preview

Scourges, Spells, and Serenades

SCOURGES, SPELLS, AND SERENADES

JOANNA MACIEJEWSKA

CONTENTS

Also by Joanna Maciejewska

The Arcanist and the Mage Killer

I Know Them by Their Deeds

Sanne and Wood

Strangers in Our Own Home

Mr. Roache’s Drummer

Scourges, Spells, and Serenades

Thank you for reading!

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Copyright © 2019 Joanna Maciejewska

All rights reserved. Neither this book nor any portion thereof may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Editing by Inq So

Cover art and design by Joanna Maciejewska

Vellum flower icon Created with Vellum

ALSO BY JOANNA MACIEJEWSKA

Pacts Arcane and Otherwise

By the Pact

Scars of Stone

Shadows Over Kaighal

Demon Siege

Shadows of Eireland

Humanborn

THE ARCANIST AND THE MAGE KILLER

At the master’s signal, the small caravan slowed down and came to a stop in the middle of the woods. Kamira pulled the cloak tighter trying to keep the mists away from her body, and leaned forward to see what caused the unexpected delay. The grey ribbon slithering into the sky in the distance meant fire. Probably some travelers then. She relaxed, and waited.

Volean, the guard standing nearby flashed a smile to her, and she reciprocated, enjoying his young handsome face. For the few last days, he always found a reason to be around her, ensuring Kamira with subtle words that he didn’t share the common opinion of arcanists. The guard’s eyes slipped along her body, never stopping long enough for her to complain of staring, and then he looked at her face again, the smile lingering on his lips. Why he found her black messy hair and gray skin of the Tivarashan people attractive, she didn’t know, but her curiosity lay elsewhere.

I wonder how he kisses.

The foreman’s call broke the spell, and Volean turned, grabbing his sword. Kamira watched as he ran toward the front of the caravan, and a shriek tore the air, bringing a shiver to her body. Before the inhuman sound died, she took off after the guard, convinced her help might be needed.

Approaching the first wagon she slowed down to catch her breath, and took in the bloodbath at the roadside. Caravan guards walked among the twisted creatures, plunging their swords into the bodies. Shrieks told Kamira not all were dead.

The caravan master looked at Kamira. Know anything ‘bout these monsters?

These are demonlings, the lowest kind of creatures summoned from the demon realm. It means a demonologist is near.

The man’s eyebrow went up. But before she clarified she meant another demonologist, he laughed sincerely. He was. We found two bodies.

I’ll take a look, she offered. It might have been some unfortunate travelers.

The man shrugged, and she made her way through the clearing, placing her steps between the demonlings’ bodies. The odor of blood and entrails filled her nostrils and made her stomach dance, but she forced herself to kneel down by the corpse of a shabby man. His body bore multiple wounds, but none of them of claws nor teeth. She sighed, noticing an arcanist pendant around his neck. No wonder we have such a bad name if the likes of him go about robbing and murdering travelers.

The other body belonged to a warrior—the broad back and wires of muscles told her that much. A bodyguard? An accomplice? She looked at the dark copper skin and unusual garment, and then the body moved.

Kamira froze, staring at him wide-eyed which drew guards’ attention and their jokes died out when she pointed at the man at her feet.

He’s alive, she said.

They exchanged quick looks, and she noticed the eldest correcting the grip on his sword as he approached. His stone-like face expressed both determination and displeasure. By the pact, he’s going to kill him!

Kamira stood over the body. Hold on!

The guard looked at her. We don’t help bandits and robbers.

The caravan master approached, and she turned to reason with him. He might not be a robber... He could have saved us. The demonologist has been cut and stabbed, weapon wounds. She pointed to a strange spear by the warrior. I think he was fighting them, and fell to the wounds.

The man’s gaze followed her hand, and he stared at the weapon longer than she expected, but in the end he gave a nod. May be right. He gestured to the guards. If you’re done, get back to the wagons, we’re settin’ out, he said.

The guards gave a last glance before sheathing their weapons, and Kamira watched them as confusion settled in.

Are we going to leave him like this? she asked.

The caravan master shrugged. He’s a mage killer, and we don’t help his lot non either. He spat. If it true what folks say, he’ll make it, so no point wasting time and salves.

Kamira’s hands trembled as she watched them walk away. Her mind kept conjuring all the images of what would have happened if the warrior hadn’t slain the rogue demonologist. None of the pictures offered any less carnage. He saved us all.

I’ll stay.

The caravan master stopped and looked at her. With no contract binding her, he couldn’t argue, but Kamira hoped he wanted her service badly enough to reconsider helping the warrior.

You sure? He’s gonna gut you soon as his eyes snap open, he said. T’is what them mage killers do.

Kamira nodded without hesitation. Even if they were turning their backs on him, she refused to leave.

We’ll leave you some food, two days’ worth. There’s a village down the road. He looked at her for the last time. Maybe we’ll meet there if your wits come to you or the mage killer dies as he should.

She didn’t watch the caravan depart, but she caught a glimpse of sadness in Volean’s eyes when he set meager supplies at the edge of the road.

The warrior needed her help, and she hoped to patch him up before he regained consciousness. I could make sure he survives and catch up with the others. She pushed on the massive body, and managed to roll the man onto his back after a short of struggle.

Kamira gasped at the wounds in the warrior’s chest and blood-soaked shirt, but the creatures’ claws and teeth missed the vital organs, and she stared at the muscle mass appreciating what most likely saved the man’s life... that is, if she made sure he stayed alive.

When she reached toward his chest, the man’s eyes snapped open. He grabbed her wrists and in his grasp she sensed the strength capable of snapping her bones.

I’m just trying to help, she said, trying to break from his grip.

The man’s gaze fixed on her pendant, and recognition flashed in his eyes. Magic! His voice rasped, but otherwise had a pleasant sound to it. Use magic. He pulled on Kamira’s arms, pressing her hands to the wounds.

I’m not a healer! Kamira panicked, and her instincts urged her to tear away.

The man sighed, and his eyes rolled before focusing. Just use... any... magic. Heavy breaths wheezed between his words. Pour... energy... onto me.

The warrior’s consciousness slipped away, but his hands held Kamira’s wrists firm.

Pour energy? She ran a list through her head deciding which one would cause the least harm. Fire would cauterize the wounds, while ice would slow the blood flow, but each had side effects. In the end she called upon her demon without any resolution, and did exactly what the man asked her to: she channeled raw energy into him.

The pattern of scars she didn’t notice before lit up, and the magic traveled through his body, mending it bit by bit. His grasp relaxed, and Kamira pulled her hands free while the biggest wound started to close. Never ceasing the magic flow she pushed on the wounds’ edges. The flesh regrew, and blood clotted over the open gashes.

The voice of reason urged her to stop while she still had the strength and some demon’s magic at her disposal, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough to defend herself, and before she finished the thought, exhaustion took her, and Kamira collapsed face down in the blood and mud.

Kamira woke up to the scraping of wet cloth on her face, and the sound of fire crackling nearby. Her eyes were stuck closed with a thick substance, and she felt a flush of water washing it away.

"I’m still trying to