Today’s word count 1685
Total word count 44,689
A few days later Minty called by my desk. She had opted for a Princess Leia look and
her hair formed two plaited buns over her ears. Continuing the theme, she had
pinned it in place with sparkling stars and amazingly had R2D2 shaped earrings.
Her creativity never ceased to amaze me. She gave me a huge smile and said I looked
much healthier than she expected. I had almost forgotten the illness inflicted
on me. Ever since Ami’s visit I had felt so much better than I had for weeks,
months even, ever since the pendant came into my life. In spite of the battle
in front of me I felt remarkably optimistic about my future, so I smiled back
broadly at Minty.
“I’m so pleased you’re looking well and happy because there’s
something I want to ask you.”
“Oh yes, what’s that then?”
“I wondered if you fancied going out for a drink with me and
a friend at the weekend. I’ve seen him a couple of times now and he wants to know
more about me. I’d really like you to meet him.”
My heart sank as I remembered the Elf telling me about a new
man in Minty’s life and the threats he made about her. I couldn’t bear the idea
of my friend having begun an abusive relationship and I couldn’t get the
comment about bruises out of my mind.
“What do you know about him? This seems to have happened very
quickly. How did you meet? Tell me more.”
“Honestly Angela you sound like my mother! I wasn’t sure at
first if I was going to see him again, but he asked me and after I thought
about it for a while I decided to go for it. He is very good looking and I have
to admit he’s fascinating to talk to. I don’t think it’s serious, but it might
be fun. Please come out with us.”
She seemed so eager for me to meet him that it would have
been churlish to refuse. I’d been able to forget my worries for a couple of
days but here they were heading straight for me again. I needed to see this man
and decide whether he genuinely was a threat or if what was said was just designed
to worry me. I agreed to meet up with them the following Saturday. But a worrying
thought struck me after I’d said yes.
“You’re not going to set up a blind date for me with a friend
of his, are you? I’ve been having a few problems just lately and I don’t really
want to be bothered with a new relationship.”
She laughed merrily and shook her head. “I hadn’t even
considered it! If you want me to ask him
to bring someone along I can do, but I’m really asking because I want the two
of you to meet. I want to know what you think of him.”
“I really don’t want you to bring anyone along for me,” I’d
have enough to worry about protecting her. “Are you just looking for my
approval, because you can see anyone you like as long as he’s good for you.”
“You warned me off Sir Galahad.”
“That was different. I knew he wasn’t a nice person and he
would have hurt you. He’d hurt anyone he was with. I’ll reserve judgement on your new man until
I meet him.”
“That’s all I’m asking. You are amazing and I know you care
about my welfare. That’s one of the reasons I want you to meet Dan. I value
your opinion.” She had a strange expression on her face and I wondered whether
he had already shown signs of being violent. I hoped she would have more sense
than to stay with a man who hit her, but if she had been charmed by the
Artimisia she might not be able to resist.
During the day Will came over to see me and brought me a
small book, which he placed shyly on the edge of my desk. “I thought you might
be interested in this. It’s pretty old, but the facts haven’t changed very
much. Don’t worry about getting it back
to me too quickly.” And he left it with me. When I looked down I saw the title:
it was called The Starling, and it made me smile, almost as if I’d had a sign
from Ami that Minty would be alright. It also gave me confidence to face the
challenge, which I was sure would come soon.
I wasn’t wrong. Shortly after I arrived home I turned around
to see my enemy standing in the middle of the lounge. For once his arrival did
not fill me with dread. I remembered Ami’s advice. Stay calm and concentrate on
finding a name somewhere on the creature’s body. I had no idea what to look
for. What kind of name would suit an Artimis? I’d heard Ami pronounce his own
name and knew I wouldn’t even have recognised it as a word, let alone a name.
What would I do if the name I sought was just a sound? How would it be
represented on the body, and where? But I determined to continue looking as
carefully as I could.
Of course I wore the starling necklace Ami had given me and
I stood absorbing the strength it gave me as I looked the creature directly in
the eyes in silence. It looked silently
back and we stood for some time, locked in a contest to see who would look away
first. I tried not to look too triumphant when the beast turned his back and
strolled nonchalantly to the table.
“You’ve been busy lately,” it said, without turning back to
face me.
“I’ve been ill, if you remember. You made me sick to keep me
from work.”
“But you went to the office today.” I made an unassuming noise as I studied the
creature’s back carefully. It was difficult to divide my attention between
concentrating on finding the name and not falling into any verbal traps the
creature might set for me. I had to pay
attention to what it said, but give only considered or non-committal replies or
I might find myself wishing unintentionally. It was tough and I found myself subconsciously
playing with the enamelled starling at my throat. The creature noticed and I
felt its eyes burning on my neck.
“What’s that piece of trash?” it said scornfully. I decided not to speak so I wouldn’t say the
wrong thing. I simply shrugged my shoulders. “You choose to wear that rather
than my pendant? Fetch my pendant immediately!”
I took a deep breath before I spoke and reviewed what I
planned to say. I considered telling it I lost it, but I realised it would
detect a lie. So I settled on, “I can’t.”
It glared at me. “Do as you’re told. I won’t tolerate this
behaviour!”
“I can’t,” I repeated. “I don’t have it any more.”
By now its temper was growing, I could tell, and I steeled
myself for whatever spell it would cast on me. “You dare to defy me? Fetch it
now.”
I continued to stare into its eyes as I spoke. “I can’t
fetch it. It’s no longer here. I don’t know where it is.”
“You’re lying,” it was almost a hiss. “You cannot hide it.”
And it clicked its fingers then held out a palm as if expecting something to appear
there, but nothing happened. It clicked its fingers again, then twice more,
staring at its hand in disbelief. “What
did you do?” it screamed.
“I gave it away. It’s gone. I didn’t want it any more and a
friend asked me for it. You can’t bring it back.”
It stared angrily at my throat and turned a pointing finger
toward me. “Then you shall not wear that trinket either!” A surge of power pushed
towards me but I found I could withstand it, and I felt a warmth spread through
the chain around my neck. Was that the phoenix
at work, I wondered. Knowing I had a protector near at hand gave me more
strength.
“You must go now. You can’t get the old necklace back and I
don’t want you here today. Leave me alone.”
“Do you believe you can overcome my powers? Do not be
deceived. I have yet to turn my full force against you. Do not challenge me
further or you will face punishments you cannot imagine.”
I was scared, I don’t mind admitting, but I could still feel
the phoenix’s heat around my neck and somehow I knew it was an empty threat. I pulled myself up as tall as I could manage
and spoke quietly in contrast to the creature’s growing anger.
“You’re bluffing.” And I had the joy of seeing it flinch.
“You will regret your actions today. I have alternative ways
to inflict pain,” it said, and disappeared.
I hadn’t realised that I’d been holding my breath and I let
out a huge sigh as I collapsed onto the sofa.
“You did well,” a voice said from behind me. I turned
quickly to see who spoke, and saw a shimmering red gold haze but could
distinguish no shape. I thought it must be the phoenix. “I regret I cannot show
you my shape but I wish to reassure you that I will be here in time of need.
You are blessed by the Asterling and therefore I am bound to assist you. But
your courage and faith tonight would have earned my support by themselves. It
is an honour to serve you.”
“Thank you,” I couldn’t think of anything else to say and I
was too exhausted by the fight.
“Be assured you may sleep safely tonight. I will allow no harm
to approach you. The Artimis will not return while I am here. You will need all
your strength in the days to come but I shall fight on your side.”
Then the glow faded, but my necklace still offered its warm
comfort.
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