The Hostile Credence excerpt (from Camp NaNo this month) Niven did not waste any time running up the stairs, but he hesitated when he reached his room and saw the sheathed sword leaning against his wall. It was not greed and selfishness that made him almost believe it best to leave it there. No, he did not want to touch it. Like him, it was cursed.
But if he left it in his room, it would continue to belong to him, and it would hurt more of the people he cared about.
He snatched it up, and when he met up with Lilian downstairs, he tossed it one-handed into hers and said, “I’ve changed my mind. Offer it to Dirkka or melt it in a fire in the middle of nowhere.”
“Why Dirkka?” asked Lilian, staring down at it.
“Because then there’s no doubt I’ve given up ownership. An offering is binding, isn’t it?”
Lilian nodded.
“Besides, I think Dirkka knows more about this situation than we do. That’s why he gave me this.”
Niven pulled the dragonblood ruby out of the breast pocket of his nightshirt. It glimmered even in the dull light. No one else but Lilian saw it, and Niven tucked it away once he remembered that Ewan had wanted him to keep the gift a secret.
“It’s supposed to protect me,” said Niven.
“Is that…?”
“Dragon’s blood in stone form,” said Niven. “When Seth and I met Dirkka on the mountain trails after I came home from Belios, I was still shaken from my dreams and the glove fairies. I wanted to make an offering, but we were too tired. Then Dirkka showed up.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“He tore this out of the earth and gave it to me. Then he gave Seth luck. He said she would need it to help me.” Niven glanced at the window—not out of it, but his mind thought beyond it where Seth’s home rested in the town below. “Will someone check on her? I hope that luck has helped her tonight.”