Jasper the Bugbear: Part Three (rough draft)

My last post was much nicer than this one. The view was better, the people were nicer. Here, I had a brick wall over a piss soaked alleyway to look at. I wasn’t even in walking distance of anything good, just some seedy bars that even I wouldn’t dare set foot into. The last place was small, but at least I was close to good food. And of course I was close to the bookstore.

How long has it been since I was last there? Basking in the warmth of the place where the scent of the pages was just as strong as the tea being brewed in the back. I sighed heavily, imagining the well dressed owner of the store behind the counter. His gruff appearance softened by a fine waistcoat and shimmering gold glasses.

I fogged up the glass as I sighed heavily. “Who knows how long this job is going to take,” I pouted. I turned, seeing a letter had been slid under the door. I had been so lost in thought, I never even noticed it arrived.

“Let’s see what we have here,” I muttered as I picked it up. It was unusually heavy. But then again, this job itself was a bit more hefty than normal.

Corruption amongst the peacekeepers was running amok. It was seeping slowly into all corners, as agents were going around to small towns and villages where their unscrupulousness wouldn’t be noticed right away. From there they could reach out to bigger towns, even large cities, furthering their wicked ways.

I could remember the look on Jasper’s face when I told him I had to go. Things had been peaceful for a while. Working together we had extorted a lot of money and information from the rich politicians and bigwigs of the town. But my mission had to change.

“What you’re doing is a noble cause,” Jasper replied as he poured tea. “And I will be here, so should you ever need-”

“I know,” I muttered. “I’m not used to getting comfortable somewhere. So this is all a bit new for me.”

“I suppose it's the same for me,” he chuckled softly. He set down the kettle and looked back at me, his eyes were gentle, almost sad. “I know how to reach you at least.”

“There is that.” I forced myself to smile, despite my displeasure in doing so. “I’ll at least be able to read your handwriting.”

Jasper came to me, putting his arms around me until I was squeezed tight against his large chest. His strong arms pressed against me and I relaxed for the first time since I got the letter of my new mission.

Had I the time, I would have taken Jasper there in the store. Unfortunately, I had to leave quite urgently.

Jasper’s letters were the only thing worth this new mission for the time being. Like I said, the new post sucked, and I was growing ever more irritated at the shouting constantly going on beyond my window. But I have dealt with worse. At least I had something of a roof over my head.

I opened the letter, seeing there was another one inside, wrapped up with pages from my superiors.

“Dear Carina,”

My brows raised up in surprise. “Oh wow, they actually got it right this time.” I flicked the pages and continued reading.

“It has come to our attention that a sect of the corrupt peacekeepers has been spotted in the Bog of Recoil.”

I pursed my brow, glancing over to my maps where I had been keeping tabs on the movements on the crooked peacekeepers. I then found the Bog of Recoil, making a small mark. I frowned even more. “There’s a witch in that territory. How are they managing to maintain a presence there?”

“We’ve lost contact with our informant who had been working with the sect. He had been looking into their locations, and was even digging into how they were keeping a base in the bog. When we no longer heard from him, we went to investigate, only to find his property ransacked, possibly for what information he was holding, we aren’t sure. We did manage to find the letter he intended to be sent to you-”

My blood went cold and a sinking pit began to drop in my stomach. I had to take a breath for a moment, looking away from the letter before I saw anything more. “It can’t be-” I whispered over and over to myself. “It’s not. It’s-” My hand brushed against the envelope still on the table and I placed my palm over the top of it. I could recognize the feel of the paper, the almost fabric like texture of it. Expensive, very fine.

“No.” I looked back at the pages before me.

“You have worked with Jasper Synclayr Humbleclaw before-” I stopped again one i received my answer.

“Fucking hell,” I snarled under my breath. My eyes flicked back to the map, focusing on that mark I made over the swamp. “It would have to be near water, wouldn’t it?” The skin along the nape of my neck began to crawl, itching all the way down to my back, causing a shiver that radiated through my body.

I turned to Jasper’s letter, opening the fine envelope to see his writing on the page. “You silly man, what have you gotten yourself into?” I whispered to myself as I steeled myself to read.

“My dearest Carina, my partner. It has been a moment since I have been able to sit down and write to you. But today I have found time. I am afraid I haven’t been able to bring myself to tell you what I have been doing while you are away. By accident, I found myself in the center of the very mission you are taking place in.”

“Please no,” I grumbled.

“I was approached by some of the peacekeepers here in town. They were attempting to extort me for protection money, but they came to realize I was in league with some of the politicians in town. I agreed to let them use my basement for a few things and attempted to work my way into their good graces.”

I grimaced. “That’s my job you fool.”

“It worked, and I am quite proud of myself. I’ve been able to send information out, and have been monitoring the peacekeepers as closely as I can. I’ve managed to make myself indispensable to them, and have agree to help them through the Bog of Recoil, acting as guide and translator. I’m not sure what they want with the witches there, but they’ve made the case they’ve heard tales of bootlegging in the area. Not sure how true that could possibly be, but I intended to see for myself the truth. Until then, I send my love to you and hope your part of the mission is going smoothly. Your partner and deeply devoted paramour, Jasper.”

I sighed heavily, leaning back in my chair. Just as I was about to curse fate, the chair snapped and the back plopped off, sending me sprawling out onto the floor. I laid there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Fuck,” I whispered out loud.

I had made it a point in my career to stay as far away from areas with deep water as much as possible. A few incidents in my youth have given me a fear of it. Sometimes, even a puddle could freak me out.

I went into town, going to one of the pubs nearby just to see if anyone was willing to talk about the swamp.

The place was quite dark, and the smell of it made me wonder if a patron was dead in one of the booths. My skin crawled, but I ignored it as I approached the bar. The woman behind it looked as if she had seen more than her fair share of rough times, but she also looked like she fought back with more venom than needed.

“What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” She asked me with a voice surprisingly sweet for her appearance.

I sat at the bar, my skin prickling as the men on either side raised their heads slightly. “What would you recommend?” I asked.

The barkeep laughed, putting her hands under the bar and producing a glass and a bottle of dark liquor. She poured, keeping her one eye on me all the while. “We don’t see many pretty things in this neck of the woods.”

“I can see that,” I replied.

She laughed, slamming down the bottle once she filled the glass. “So what are you doing here? Not for anything I serve.”

I took the glass, looking down inside. The liquor was so dark, I wasn’t sure what it was.  I glanced back up at her, realizing she wasn’t the only one watching me. “The Bog of Recoil, what do you know of it.”

There was a murmur of laughter all around me and the barkeep laughed to herself, rubbing her scarred chin.

“Also not a place for pretty things,” she chuckled. “But it depends on the witch you ask.”

“How many are there?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Depends.” She held out her hand, which was covered by a black glove and had a wooden finger jutting out.

I frowned and double checked around me. I knew not to reach for the coin just yet, too many eyes were on me waiting to see where I would take it from.

“I’ve been told the peacekeepers around here have been out of pocket for quite a while. Have they been causing you any trouble, ma’am? Perhaps you’ve lost a patron or two to the likes of them?” I brought the glass up to my lips, and the smell of it was quite sweet. I set it down without taking a sip.

The barkeep pulled her hand back and gave me the eye. “What do you know of the peacekeepers?”

“A trade perhaps? What I know of the peacekeepers for what you know of the bog.”

She put her hands upon her hips, probably readying herself to grab a weapon. “You aren’t working for them, are you girly? You’re not in the right place if you are.”

I looked into her eyes, keeping mine as steeled as I possibly could. Keeping your cool and appearing your meanest was the best way to work with people like this. “I’d rather die.”

She nodded her head to me. “Back this way.” She opened a door in the bar. “Too many ears these days.”

I followed her to the back, where she stood behind some old crates and crossed her arms against her chest. “The peacekeepers have been merciless lately. It’s made things around here worse. The more one bares down, the more dangerous things become.”

I nodded to her. “There are sects who are trying to spread their rhetoric and beliefs amongst the others. Create an all powerful and unchallengeable system that would make the peacekeepers second to only the most powerful.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And how do you know this?”

“It’s my mission to make sure this doesn’t happen.”

She scoffed. “And why are you asking about the bog then?”

“I’ve been told that a sect of the peacekeepers are hiding out there. They took a man hostage to use him as a guide and translator through it. I’m wondering why they would do that, let alone be able to if there are witches out there.”

She breathed in sharply through her teeth. “The Bog of Recoil isn’t the place for anybody. The witches there are old and powerful, frightening really.” She looked down at her hands. “They’ve made the bog a fortress, dangerous for anyone who doesn’t have two cents to clatter around in their coin purse.” The more she talked, the more I saw her appearance begin to shift and change. Her gnarled face, covered in scars began to soften, revealing a more youthful, but still wizened visage.

“I get some of my best products from them. But I’ve worked with the witches for some time.” She smirked as she saw my eyes widen. “Could say I know a thing or two about it personally.”

So she was a witch all along! Clever of her. “What are you doing here then?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I was a bit more wild than some of my sisters. They’ll tolerate me, but-” She shook her head and chuckled softly. “Anyways, if there are peacekeepers in the bog, they’re either corpses or have found a way around my kins’ magic. And if the latter is the case, that means they can work it for their own benefit.” She frowned and her face contorted to an evil glare. “A small flaw in the system.”

“Could you help me then?” I asked.

She cocked her head to the side. “Depends.” She held out her hand again. “What is in it for me?”

I noticed a slight glow to her fingertips, particularly around her nails. The edges had a sharper glow. “Better yet, what is it you want from this?”

She smirked, placing her hand back upon her hip. “Money is usually the bargaining chip, isn’t it?” She nodded her head towards the door we came through. “I have my own cash cow out there though. Those barbaric fools don’t even know I could rob them blind with no effort.” She looked me up and down.

Why are witches always like this? “Just come out with it.”

She laughed. “Testy little thing.” Her eyes glided up and down me. “Is this man we’re after important to you?”

I was trying my hardest to not let anything slip, but I’m afraid this jab hurt a little too much. I made a face, glared a little too hard, something that made her laugh out loud again.

“I see.” She breathed and nodded. “An errand of love. How adorable. Tell you what, since I’m much kinder than my sisters, I’ll go easy on you. I want your blood.”

I felt a bit sick to my core. “My blood? What for?”

She shrugged. “Does it really matter?”

I took in a breath, trying to calm myself, but rarely do you hear someone wanting your blood as payment. It takes a moment to recover. “How much?”

She looked around then moved to a shelf on the wall. She took down a jar. “Think you could fill this up?” The jar fit in her hands and looked no bigger than a generous cup of tea that Jasper made.

The scowl on my face then probably left lines to last the rest of my life. “Okay fine.”

The witch held her hand out again, the blade of her fingernails glowing. “Then its a deal. The name is Greta.”

I shook her hand and there was a tingling that went all the way up my arm. Her grip grew firmer and my palm burned. “Carina,” I winced.

Greta let go of my hand and nodded further into the back. “This way. I’ve got some things that will help us get through the swamp.”

Hopefully something that could make us float above the water. I followed her, going through another door, that at first glance, looked like a closet But when we walked inside, we came into a kitchen. It was filthy with dirt and moss growing on everything. A green fire was lit in the fireplace, with a cauldron upon it that was crusted over with years, probably decades, worth of spilled potions, stews, whatever Greta was into.

Greta was searching cabinets which leaked bigs and smoke when she moved things. She quietly placed items upon the table which included jars, a knife, and some vials with liquids of varying viscosity.

“Any connection to water?” Greta asked bluntly as she took out a cloak from under one of the cabinets.

I tried my best to keep composure. “What do you mean?”

She picked up the knife and jabbed the sharp in at her teeth, picking at them. “You know, like, did you grow up around it? Get lost at sea? Pee in a lake?”

I looked away from her and this caused her mouth to open in awe. “Almost die?” She asked.

I glared back at her, clinching my jaw. “Does it matter?”

Greta pointed the knife back at you and the blade shone like her fingernails. “It does! You’re going into a swamp, kiddo. One filled with witches who’ve laid all sorts of traps. Water is important to us. They’ll use it against you. Whatever connection you have to water, they’ll find out and use it. Don’t get me started on the whole love shit you’ve got going on.”

I swallowed. “I’ve been forcefully drowned a handful of times.”

“Did you live”

Greta and I just stared back and forth at each other for a moment before she broke into a big, toothy smile. “Well, you’re in luck, and I can try and keep them from drowning you. But each time I save you adds more blood to the pot.”

“I still don’t like that you want my blood.”

“Blood is life!” Greta said as she draped the cloak over herself. Bugs and moss fell off as she fluffed it out. “And I need a lot of it!”

That did nothing to assuage my fears and doubts. But Jasper was on the line. I would promise her my bones if I had to. “Fine. Whatever. When can we go?”

Greta turned and opened a door that faced out into the swamp. “We’re already here. See, when you deal with Greta, you get what you pay for.”

I stepped out onto the mossy path, looking up at the trees that covered the sky, letting in only trickles of light. Behind me was a small cabin, not attached to anything except the swamp it was sinking into.

“Strange,” Greta suddenly spoke.

“What?”

Greta’s expression was sharp and concerned. She was listening hard, turning her head in either direction. “It’s quiet here.”

I shrugged. “So? We probably just startled the birds.”

“No. It isn’t just that. The breeze…” She turned in one direction. “Something is off kilter here. More than I realized.” She started walking ahead, her feet smacking and squishing into soggy earth. “This way, kiddo.”

I chased after her, avoiding looking down as much as I could.

“Where are we going?” I called after her.

“Who knows. Wherever all this silence is coming from.” She pushed aside hanging limbs and vines as we walked further in. It grew darker as we went, but not because of the time of day, because of how dense the foliage was becoming.

“What does silence have to do with anything?” I asked.

Greta glared back at me. “Do you think witches are quiet well behaved creatures? No! We’re loud, noisy, musical things. The birds sing for us, the bears and gators growl to match our laughter.” She scoffed and spit into the swamp, which began bubbling. “Silence usually means men.”

Water closed onto the pathway and I made a startled jump away from it. “I told you, the peacekeepers!”

“Yes, I know. I just hoped my sisters would have them all killed and hung out like festival decorations.”

My guts churned yet again.

“What use do they have with this love of yours?” Greta grumbled in an irritated tone.

I was trying to ignore the water all around me, so I didn’t register her asking a question at first. “From what I’ve gathered, he endeared himself to the peacekeepers to spy on them. They hired him as a translator and guide through the swamp.”

Greta glared at me again. “And who is he to be able to do that?”

I lurched again from sloshing water, more afraid of it than whatever was making it move. “He’s a bugbear. He’s also very smart and is something of a linguist.”

“Bugbear,” Greta rolled her eyes. “Well, good for you, deary. I’m sure the dick is phenomenal.”

I just frowned and remained quiet.

Greta came to a complete stop, jutting out her arm to keep me from going any further. She lifted her head, sniffing the air loudly and deeply. I looked around, trying to figure out what was going on. All I saw were trees and draping moss, vines, water, lots of water.

“I smell a fire.”

I sniffed, trying to catch the breeze she had, but I smelled nothing aside from the gasses and water of the bog.

“Don’t even try. You nose is not trained around the swamp.” She knelt down, taking out one of the viles she had and dumped it into the water beside it. It bubbled and foamed, frothing up into a tall, heavy lather like soap. She stood back as the froth rose, taking on a shape and eyes, growing dark like the water around us.

“Scout up ahead,” she told the mass. “Tell us what you see.”

The shape nodded and sloshed back down into the water, foaming along the surface until I could no longer see it.

“Witches exist because of men you know,” Greta murmured

“Excuse me?” I asked.

Greta shook her head. “You can fight right? You good at combat? Punchy? Stabby?” She mimicked both a punching motion then a stabbing sort of movement.

I nodded. “I can do both. Pretty well actually.”

“How many can you handle at once?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Depends I guess. Maybe two. Maybe three?”

Greta nodded, rubbing her chin. “Good. I can use that.”

We were quiet for a while then, I didn’t exactly want to question what she meant. I didn’t exactly want to know the full story on anything Greta said. We waited for what seemed like an eternity for her little foam creation. I was growing weary and anxious. Every second that passed was another that Jasper could be getting hurt.

“Cara. Cara!” A familiar voice wafted to me through the air.

I furrowed my brow, only moving my eyes at first to look.

“Cara, it’s me.”

I turned and saw Jasper standing in the distance. I gasped and lurched slightly as I faced him. “How did you get here?” I asked loudly.

He motioned his hand for me to follow. “This way! There’s an exit from the swamp over here. Let’s go Cara. Together.”

I rubbed my eyes to be sure, but yes, it was Jasper. I started to walk towards him and Greta yanked me by the back of my shirt and threw me down onto the ground.

“Get the fuck out of here! Go on! Get!” Greta yelled out at Jasper.

“No!” I cried. “That’s Jasper! That’s who I’m looking for?” I tried to stand but Greta kept knocking me down like a child. I looked back out and didn’t see Jasper. Instead it was probably the most hideous scarecrow like creature I’d ever seen.

“I said get! This one is mine!” Greta pushed me down from standing again.

The scarecrow began sinking back down into the bog, slowly and creating a tumult of bubbles along the way.

“See? What’d I tell ya?” Greta huffed.

“What was that?” I gasped. “I thought it was-”

“Yeah you did,” Greta grumbled. “Just one of the many tricks my sisters pull.” She saw the look of horror and concern upon my face. “At least they didn’t drown you, kiddo. “

Foam began sliding up along the bank, rising up slowly. Greta knelt down near it and I could hear a whispering between them. After a moment, Greta stood back up.

“Five of them are ahead at a camp. One more tied up further away.” She looked me up and down. “I’ll need you to take on two. I can handle three fairly well.”

I grit my teeth and nodded. “I’ll take on all five if I have to.”

Greta broke into a smile. “I could almost like you, kiddo. Let’s get going then.” She rummaged through her pockets as we walked, taking out some vials and a jar full of dried things. “Hold this for me.” She handed me the opened jar, and just when I was trying to decipher if it was full of dried ears or mushrooms she dumped the vials inside.

“It’s hot!” I exclaimed.

“Perfect!” Greta took it from me and it began to smoke. She held it out before us, letting the smoke gather and flow around us as we ran.

I could hear voices ahead of us, someone shouted in alarm. That was when Greta threw the jar, and an explosion nearly knocked me back. But Greta continued to fly forward, jumping into the fire and smoke that filled the area. I heard her laughter as wild and free as a flock of bats.

There was shouting and yelling. I eventually saw a peacekeeper come into my line of vision and I ran ahead, charging at him while he was disoriented. I knocked him down, possibly even knocked him unconscious with that one strike. The smoke and sparks that filled the air had me just as bewildered, even lost. Greta’s laughter was only growing, so I decided to try and move ahead to find Jasper.

Sparks in the smoke seemed to make a path for me. I followed them, finding I was able to avoid the water due to their direction. The smoke dissipated slightly, and I could see ahead of me. There was a peacekeeper running, stopping just short of a tent in the distance.

He didn’t see me. Not at first anyways. But when his eyes did land on me there was a light of fear behind them. He stood his ground, taking out his weapon. But I flew. I somehow was upon him like something out of hell.

I am not good at describing fights. For me, it’s just flashes of things I can remember. Because at the moment, it’s all just reactions. I can recall the look upon his face, the sharp breaths I took. I can remember that sting as his blade sliced into my shoulder, and the disappointment inside me that followed because I let it happen.

I stood before the tent, exhausted but crackling with energy at the same time. I pulled back the flap, seeing a large form inside.

“Jasper?” My voice warbled.

His head rose, his face covered by a bag.

I rushed forward, grabbing hold of the bag and yanking it off. There was dried blood in his fur, which also looked matted and unclean. His mouth was gagged, so I untied it and held his face in my hands. His eyes gazed upon me and a smile appeared on his lips.

“Cara,” he breathed. “I knew you’d come.”

I wrapped my arms around him briefly before moving to untie him. “Are you hurt?” I felt like I could almost cry. I was so relieved to see him. When his arms were untied from his back he flexed his fingers. He stood slowly, looking at me as I came to him.

“Merely my pride.” He grabbed me into his arms, picking me up off the ground. “I’m just so relieved to see you.”

The tent opened again and Greta popped inside. She snapped her fingers demandingly. “Enough of that! We’ve gotta get out of here.” She turned and rushed back out of the tent.

I took hold of Jasper’s hand, following Greta back into the smoke. I could hear voices in the distance, screaming and crying along with more hellish laughter.

“What’s happening?” I called to Greta.

“Nothing for you to worry about. Just some good old fashioned witchy fun.” She took us back to the cabin sinking into the muck and opened the door for us. “Stay there,” she commanded me. “I’ll be back shortly.” She slammed the door upon us.

“A witch?” Jasper breathed.

I shook my head. “Forget about it.” Relief washed through me and I allowed a few tears to slip out. “What on earth did you get yourself into?”

Jasper smiled at me then shook his head. “Is there somewhere to sit down?”

I searched the cabin, finding a bedroom where he could lie down and rest. His body sank into the bed, his heavy frame giving way and almost sagging from exhaustion. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply as I held his hand at the bedside.

“It’s okay,” I whispered to him. “You’re safe.”

“I know.” He opened his eyes again, gazing up at the ceiling. “I just need a moment to…realize that.”

I nodded and stood at the bedside, still holding his hand. “Let me see if there is some water for you to drink.”

Jasper gripped my hand tight. “No. Stay. I’m not ready to be alone just yet.”

I sat back down, cupping his hand with both of mine. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?” I stroked his knuckles tenderly.

Jasper breathed. “Only my head.”

I frowned and gritted my teeth, hoping whatever the witches were doing was enough to scare the peacekeepers for good. Even scare them to death.

“You aligned yourself with a witch?” He asked.

“Greta,” I murmured. “And don’t worry about it. She helped me to find you.”

Jasper adjusted himself, laying so he could face me a bit better. His eyes were watery, his face disheveled. He didn’t have his glasses either, so he was squinting his eyes to try and see me clearly. “For what price?”

I came in closer to him, giving him a smile he could hopefully see. “Don’t worry about it right now. I’m not.” I laid my head upon his chest to hear the thrumming of his heart. “I’m just happy you’re alright.”

Jasper placed his hand upon my back. “Hearing your voice…I almost thought I was dreaming. But you’re here.” He took in a shuddering breath. “Thanks the gods that you are here.”

I smiled as his heartbeat soothed my nerves. All this time I had been on edge. I still had to be, but now, everything was right again.