Excerpt from THE HOUSE OF NOWHERE

I thought I'd change things up today, and showcase a bit of my writing. This is an excerpt from a fantasy novel based in a world where elemental beings dominate everything. Or, at least, they used to. I have several projects I'm working on, but this character has become one of my favorites. She is damaged but loyal, and kicks some serious ass...

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

The Quill Point Inn was a pitstink. Ennetha never wandered into this part of town much, as it's where the far less reputable Eartheners lived. Not that she was much better but...well, she was not that bad. The fact she called these people less reputable was saying something. At least there was no chance she'd run into Belderr here. He never graced this part of the city in person. His goons, however, visited quite frequently. As long as she kept a low profile, she'd be fine.

The walk gave her time to think. Not that she was any closer to figuring out what exactly she was doing here. Yes, she wanted to know what happened to her sister, and why. But did she really want to get mixed up with the Aqueous? She didn't need this job to find answers; she could find them on her own. But what of Tilio and Rogan? They already knew too much about what's happening. If she left them out of it, that could draw their suspicions. If she accepted the job, her men would be closer to seeing what she was than ever before. Both options were risky. She'd have to be careful and vigilant no matter which way she chose.

Ennetha's frustration wasn't helping her any, so she set the worry away. She had other things that needed her attention. Like not getting killed while she was here.

Ennetha kept her mouth in a serious, no nonsense line. Her eyes took in everything around her as she meandered down the road, her hand hovering near her pouch. Just in case. She was sure Ghan had no idea the slab of shite he'd decided to stay in when he arrived. To him, it would have all looked like the same slab. A man like Ghan would certainly stick out in a crowd like this, with his prissy walk and hooded robe. Ugh, that robe. The heat was rising and the sun beat down on her without mercy. Ennetha didn't know how he could stand it. Yeah, the Eartheners here would take one look at him and see him for what he was. An outsider.

Hopefully, someone around here hadn't killed him already.

The dust from the road rose around her boots, celebrating its extended freedom from the rain. Around her were Earthen men and women, their heads hanging low, their eyes darting cautiously around. Some were on horses, or pulling horses behind them, but most were on foot. Many sent her sideways glances as she passed. Her head stayed up, her eyes stayed loose.

Shabby buildings were set up all around, their stone and mud walls looking tired and slumped. In front of them were similarly flaccid figures, some selling cheap wares and poorly made Bindings, others looking as if they were asleep or dead. Maybe it was the heat. More likely, it was because they, like the buildings around them, had flat out given up on life.

Ennetha saw the sign for the Quill Point Inn, its dusty face swinging back and forth in the dry wind. The feather quill on it's surface was nearly the same beige tone as the rest, thanks to all the encrusted dirt.

"Hey pretty girl, what yer lookin' for 'round here? Bet I can help yer find it."

Ennetha's eyes slid to her left. A man stood at the lip of the alley, not ten paces from her, his face covered in midday shadows. She could see straggly strands of gold hair, ruddy cheeks and a broad belly near to bursting under his woolen shirt. His eyes peeked under his hair, partially hidden in the darkness, but the sneer on his face made his intentions clear. He smiled at her. What teeth he had were brown and chipped.

See this was exactly the type of trouble she'd been hoping to avoid. Ennetha considered just moving on, but she knew this type. He wouldn't let her get away so easy. 

Was it a greasy piece of shite like you that slit my sister's throat?

The thought popped up out of nowhere. Following it was a vivid image of Kailani: her blue eyes empty, her little mouth round with shock. The gaping wound on her neck with more blood pouring out than an Aqueous could contain. Ennetha felt her face stiffen. She was both sickened and enraged at the unwanted image.

Keep walking, she told herself. Instead, Ennetha gauged the distance between them. Her stance was relaxed, ready. Her sister's murderer was not this man. He or she was not in this town. Of that she was certain. But who's to say this tottler hadn't done it to someone else's sister? By the looks of him, Ennetha would wager he probably had.

 

And that was the last bit of convincing she needed.

She sent him a decent stare of her own, her voice echoing some of her fury. "Seeing as you can't even find yourself a bath, I don't imagine you'd be much good to me."

"I'd watch that pretty mouth if I're you, whore. Pissy tone like that'll get me antsy." His hand made a trail down his chest, moving over the big bulge of his stomach before grabbing lewdly onto his crotch. It seemed to be buried under a filthy, formless cloth, one that had long ago lost its resilience. A gravelly laugh rolled out of him, mixed with a tinge of something vile. "Yer got more to say to me, bitch?"

She thought about Belderr's goons, no doubt somewhere nearby. Just keep moving. She took a deep breath, willing herself to listen. You push that anger away now before it gets you killed.

Ennetha eyed him up and down, ensuring he saw the message that he wasn't worth her time. "Seeing as I don't wanna make you antsy...I'll just be on my way." She was only a fraction into her turn when she saw his hand slide to something behind his back.

She smiled, though she doubted he could see it. "I guess you're right...what fun would that be?"

Her curved dagger was in her hand before he brought his weapon around. Reversing her hold, she paused. That's right, you mangy spunkbag. Make your move. The flash of his knife was all she waited to see. Her arm whipped forward, her hand releasing the blade. It glistened briefly in the sunlight before the glossy wooden handle connected with his nose. There was the sound of crunching bone before it exploded with blood.

The sight of it filled her with fierce satisfaction.

He howled, his dirty hands coming up to cover his face. He collapsed against the stone of the hovel he stood against, sliding down the crumbling wall. She walked towards him, her steps slow and purposeful. Lying on the ground next to him was his dull, rusty knife, its length no longer than her first finger.

"Really?" She hunched down, ignoring his knife and reaching for the smooth, shiny handle of her blade. Altogether, it was easily four times the size of his. "What were you planning on doing with that tin stick, you tottler?"

"Ger mroke my nonse!" Blood thickened his voice, mumbling his words. His bloodshot eyes found hers and they were round with pain. She studied his bloodied face, unfazed. The malice in it was gone; now he just looked pathetic. Still, the damage was done, and she decided to make a point to the rest of the crowd slowly gathering around them. Her hand shot out, grabbing hold of his crotch. Her stomach turned at the squishy feel of the bundle in her hand. Ignoring it, she squeezed. His mewling complaints grew quiet and high-pitched.

"If you want I could break more...," she said. His head pitched back and forth, trying its best to convince her he did not wish that at all. "Next time you see my face, you steer clear. Yes?" When he didn't immediately answer she bore down again.

"Yes!" Spittle mixed with blood dripped from his over-stretched mouth. The horrid stench of his breath competed with his teeth for the foulest thing she'd ever been this close to. If she'd thought him ugly before, the way he looked now topped it. His face was turning the most unpleasant shade of purple. She let go.

"Good. Now scattle off." Ennetha stood, sliding her dagger back into its sheath at her lower back.

Stepping over him, she left his prostrate form and moved back onto the road. A few people stood looking at the man she left behind. All of them avoided her eyes. That was good. Maybe she wouldn't be recognized. Yeah, right. She would have to make this fast.

Thinking again of Ghan, Ennetha sighed. Considering the crowd around here, she would be flat-out amazed if he was still breathing.