The God’s Eye: A Fantasy Short Story – Jacquelyn Smith

The God’s Eye: A Fantasy Short Story

Raena never could turn down a challenge.

Tales of her exploits travel across the land in soft whispers. The finest thief in Midnight Reach.

Only the most intriguing (and high-paying) jobs appeal to her. The more challenging, the better. She holds herself above those of her kind who might do any dirty job for a bit of coin.

No risk, no reward, after all…

A stand-alone fantasy story and overall winner of the Writers’ Journal Fiction Contest (2011) by the author of the World of Lasniniar series, Jacquelyn Smith.

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This title is also available as part of the Rubicon Short Story Collection.

One crow for ill news,

Two crows for mirth,

Three crows, a wedding,

Four crows, a birth,

Five crows for riches,

Six crows, a thief,

Seven crows, a journey,

Eight crows for grief,

Nine crows, a secret,

Ten crows for sorrow,

Eleven crows for true love,

Twelve crows, a new tomorrow

-Scottish counting rhyme

Raena watched the entrance of the Six Crows, waiting for her quarry to arrive. She sat at a table in the far corner of the tavern with her back to the wall. They were looking for her—at least, she hoped they were. She had done everything she could to get their attention. But her current guise of long, honey-blond hair and green eyes would not be familiar to them. She thought the freckles were a nice touch. No, they wouldn’t find her until it was too late.

As she maintained her vigil, she remembered the last time she had visited this particular tavern. She had sat in the same spot, looking idly out the window. Her thoughts drifted back…

* * *

A lone crow perched on the tavern sign, seeming to join its six carved brethren. The establishment had been named for the line in the old rhyme used for omens. Since the owner was a retired thief, it seemed appropriate. A group of crows was also known as a murder, adding another layer to the joke. The Six Crows was a gathering place in the lawless town of Midnight Reach, where mercenaries of all kinds gathered to relax, swap stories, or learn of offers of employment.

Raena was between jobs, living comfortably off the gold from her last heist. Although she was not prone to prolonged idleness, she was particular about the jobs she took.

It wasn’t long after the crow appeared that the wizard entered the tavern. He was medium height with salt and pepper hair and a close-cropped beard. His faded, orange robes flowed over a small paunch. All in all, she thought him an unlikely-looking sorcerer, but his winter-blue eyes gave her a chill as they swept the room.

The wizard walked up to the bar and began speaking with the nearest thief. After a few moments of hushed conversation, the thief shook his head and turned back to his drink. Unperturbed, the wizard continued on to the next scoundrel, who gave him the same response.

Raena watched, intrigued as he worked his way down the bar. Whatever job he was offering, no one was accepting. Some even packed up and left after hearing the wizard’s words. Finally, Brador stepped in. As the owner of the tavern, he had a vested interest in keeping his clients happy. He and the wizard exchanged words for several long moments until Brador indicated Raena’s position at the back of the tavern with a jerk of his chin. The wizard’s eyes betrayed a brief flash of surprise.

Raena knew she didn’t look like much. Although her fine, blue-black hair was shorn in a blunt cut that only reached her chin, no one would mistake her for a man. Her features were angular and her face was dominated by large, dark eyes. Her slight form often caused people to underestimate her, but she had the strength and agility of a trained acrobat.

The wizard nodded his thanks to Brador and made his way to Raena’s corner table.

“You are Raena?”

“And you are?”

“Owaen. May I sit down?”

Raena considered for a moment before shoving the chair across from her out from under the table with her boot. The wizard took the unspoken invitation and sat down. He stared at her for a moment before speaking.

Raena held his gaze without flinching. In her line of work, it was never wise to show any hint of weakness. She waited for him to break the silence, as she knew he would.

“I have a job offer for you.”

[Copyright © Jacquelyn Smith, 2021]