Fantasy

Chapter 1

Roosevelt

I stood in the blacksmith's shop, making a new blade to give to my semi-adoptive family's child, Tzipora. The blade was small but a good size for a five year old. Many people would attack me if they knew this was going to be given to a child, but a child like Tzipora must know to protect herself. Tzipora was an enchantress. She could curse, use telepathy and do untold things with her powers. She was also a child genius. Often, people had tried to kidnap the youngster or kill her to prevent her from growing up to her full potential.

I fit a handle to the steel blade, the handle made of a strong bronze wrapped in leather was small in my hand but would fit hers perfectly. To make the blade a little more enjoyable for a five year old, I added a few jewels embedded into the handle, mostly pink and white jewels that would be cute to her. I pressed the last gem into place and I searing pain blinded me, knocking me to the floor. It burned and crashed into my temples, keeping the blade burning into my hand. I could hear Tzipora screaming and could then see the outside of an Orphanage. The sign outside read as "Sister Mallory's Home For Unfortunate Children." 

The pain was gone as suddenly as it began and I could see, and stand again. The blacksmith was standing over me. "Are you okay, Sir?" He asked, concerned as he helped me to my feet. "Yessir." I replied, "Just had a bad headrush, sir. I'll be heading home now." I started, shoving her blade into my satchel and calmly walking towards the door. As soon as I was outside the shop, I took off running towards the home that Tzipora and her parents lived in. I had lived there before but now I only stayed there when necessary. It was the least I could do for her parents who had put up with me for so long. 

I slammed through the front door. "Minerva! Maurice! Tzipora!" I cried, running from room to room. "No. No. NO!" I cried out, falling to my knees. My heart was drowning out all the sound. I almost didn't hear when the marshal came into the house. "Roosevelt. Please come with me." He said, setting his hand on my shoulder. Marshall Charles was a kind and understanding man. He walked me to the carriage in front of the house. I was struggling to find some idea of what to do. They were gone without a trace. 

"Sit down, son." Charles asked as I stood at the front of the carriage. "Please take me to the orphanage! If Tzipora is alive, she will be there!" I begged, sitting on the carriage's seat. "Son, Minerva and Maurice are not the first to disappear but I will entertain your idea." 

Despite the speed of the horses, it was the longest ride ever. Painfully long. I sighed when we pulled up to the orphanage. I leapt from the carriage and looked to Charles who dashed off into the street. 

I stood in the lobby of the orphanage. It was a dingy, disgusting place that I wouldn't find suitable for the demons of hell, let alone children down on their luck. Especially, not for poor little Tzipora. The nuns of this hell hole were meaner than Satan, himself. I watched many of the children cower as I walked down the hall as if they expected me to strike them down without warning. Many children had bruises and cuts, some had hand marks across their faces. I couldn't bear to think of what Tzipora would look like once she came out of that locked broom closet they called a play room. I felt for my dagger at my hip. I was ready to take this little girl by force if need be. 

The back door that probably lead to an area that orphans slept or worked, stood in the middle of the room. I slammed my open palm against the door, repeatedly echoing through the building. Most children in the lobby fled for a corner or somewhere to hide. A stale minute passed as nothing happened. 

Finally the door opened. A nun stood there, a stern look on her face. She was young but looked as if she came from a family of murderers. "She's not here." She stated, her voice lacked emotion. I could tell she was lying. "Bullshit." I snarled, "I know she is here. I saw her!" I hissed, reaching past her. I had not seen her when I came to the building today. The vision the little girl had sent me was more than enough to prove she was here. The nun reached for me and I rose my voice to a near scream. "Tzipora! Tzi!" I howled her name. Then I heard it, the voice softer than tinkling bells. It came from a closet at the end of the hall. "Rosie!" 

I shoved past the nun and stormed down the hallway. I flung the door open and Tzipora sat, curled in the corner of the closet, squeezed behind brooms and other cleaning supplies. "Come on, Tzi. We're going home." I smiled, pulling the little girl half my size down up from her closet and down the hallway. "Where do you think you're going, elf?" The same nun hissed at me, a kitchen knife was clenched in her hand. I pulled Tzipora on my otherside, pulling me between her and the nun. I flashed my fangs at her, pulling the crossbow from my back and pointed it at her chest. "Get back!" I hissed, curling my lip in anger. Tzipora held my hand and skipped by my side as I backed out into the street. "See ya!" She giggled as I slammed the door behind us. 

We tore down the street, running before any marshal or sheriff showed up. Tzipora kept in step with me, keeping close to me. We turned down the drive that lead to her parents' home. We only stopped when we got to the door and collapsed inside. 

"Tzipora, what happened?" I asked, panting on the floor. "I am not sure. Ma and Pa and I were walking to town and I turned around and they were gone." The little one droned on. "Those nuns took me." Her voice almost rose to a wail, before calming down and sitting up. "Listen, Tzi. We need to find your parents."