Frozen Flame

by Victoria Zagar



  Frozen Flame

  by Victoria Zagar

  To Jason, with love.

  All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cover art image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  Visit Infinite Love for gay and lesbian short stories and novels:

  https://victoriazagar.com

  Frozen Flame

  Asha hurried through the Neutral Lands, her red robes flapping in the wind as her giant salamander mount shivered.

  “I know,” she whispered, petting the beast’s red leathery hide, “Hold on just a little longer, Sear. We’re nearly there.” She shivered herself as they passed through the tepid, grassy landscape. Here there were no volcanoes or lava, no searing heat to keep her warm. Her cold-blooded salamander was even worse off, punished by the cooler temperatures. The sun shone, but it was not enough.

  “Here is the meeting place,” Asha said, dismounting, “Now, we wait.”

  The delegation from Wynter took a while to arrive, and Asha rolled her eyes when she saw why. Pack animals slowly made their way across the grasslands, laden with heavy packs and supplies. Certainly, Wynter was a harsh, frigid land, but did its top representative really have to bring the entire clan? Asha had come alone, and fast, but the delegation from Wynter seemed to be in no hurry, and it irked her.

  “Finally,” Asha said, as a white haired mage in blue robes climbed down from the giant mammoth she used as a mount.

  “I apologize for the delay,” the ice mage said, “Wynter is particularly cold at the moment. Falling snow buried my hunters and we had to dig them out.”

  “I see,” Asha understood then why the ice mage had brought so many people with her; it was not simply a case of riding across the rocky wasteland as she had done; Wynter sounded more fierce and dangerous than ever. Asha shivered to think of it.

  “It is warm here,” the ice mage commented, shedding a fur robe and handing it to one of her entourage, “I am not used to it. We should hurry with our business and be done.”

  Asha looked into the ice mage’s blue eyes. They shone with a piercing coldness, and Asha imagined for a moment that the ice mage could see into the depths of her very soul.

  “We just need to ratify the treaty; it’s simply tradition by now… you sign here, and I sign there, and we go our separate ways,” Asha said, “Next year, we repeat the process. It makes sure that we remember the war we once had; fire and ice and a world ruined by both. The Neutral Lands are all that remain of what the world was before the war…”

  “I am too young to remember,” the ice mage said, “My mother remembered. This used to be her job, but she is gone now.”

  “I remember Crystal,” Asha said, remembering the elderly mage who had used to come to the meetings, “I am sorry to hear of her passing. I will miss her.”

  “Thank you,” the ice mage said, “I suppose I should introduce myself; I know you are Asha, for my mother spoke of you, but I have left you at a disadvantage. My name is Shard.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet you, Shard,” Asha said, and she felt a sincerity in her own voice that surprised her. Even though it was simply a formality they were going through, Asha found there was something inviting about Shard, something mystical and beautiful in a way she could not describe. She was alien, and yet familiar. They had after all, split from the same people once upon a time. Pyria and Wynter’s people shared similar traditions, even down to their naming. All of Pyria’s children had names drawn from fire, and all of Wynter’s offspring were named for ice, snow, cold and the crystals that adorned their caves. Both peoples had strong magical abilities in their respective element, yet they had been at war for a long time. The Neutral Lands had seen many battles, but it was always a stalemate; neither side could prevail into the harsh element of the other land, and so eventually peace was forged, more from a desire to end a pointless war than an end to any fundamental disagreements.

  “How fares Pyria?” Shard asked, “My mother told me that last time you spoke, Pyria was troubled with volcanic activity and earthquakes.”

  “Mount Flame erupted and several villages had to be evacuated. The remainder of Pyria’s people now live in the capital.” Asha said, “Some wouldn’t leave and lost their lives… A great tragedy, if you ask me, but people are stubborn. They think the Gods will stop the lava and they wait… and the Gods do not stop the lava, for they are the lava, they are the fire itself and so they are consumed for their faith.”

  “Gods are fickle indeed,” Shard said, with an understanding smile, “Wynter’s cold season has been particularly harsh, even for us. Snow falls constantly, and many good hunters have been lost. Our tunnels below ground keep us warm but sometimes even the flames won’t stay lit and we huddle in the dark, hoping it will end soon.”

  “Would that I could come to your home and warm it,” Asha said, “but I would not last the journey back to Wynter.”

  “I would freeze the lava in its tracks if I could,” Shard said sadly, “but likewise, I couldn’t stand the heat. It’s a tragedy that we each have what the other needs, but no way to share it.”

  “Perhaps that’s why we always warred,” Asha said, “Even though we knew it was fruitless, we wanted what you had, and you wanted what we had.”

  “We ruined the Neutral Lands with our foolishness,” Shard said, “Once, they may have been large enough to accommodate all of us; now, they are but a sliver of land large enough for maybe one city.”

  “What a city that would be, though,” Asha said, “Fire and ice, together as one… Do you think that we could ever make it work?”

  There was a glint in Shard’s eyes, and then it was gone, “Perhaps,” she said, “But truly, would you ever want to live here? It is entirely too warm for my tastes, and I’ll wager too cold for yours.”

  “Not intolerable, though,” Asha said, “We could adapt.”

  “Perhaps in a few generations,” Shard said, “If the peace remains strong, anything could happen.” She rolled out the parchment and signed, “Your turn, Asha,” she said, and Asha took her quill and signed. Shard rolled up the parchment, put it into a tube, and stood to leave.

  “Would you stay and eat with us?” Asha asked, knowing that Shard was going to leave and not wanting that to happen, not yet. The woman was interesting, and Asha wanted to know more about her. She had never felt such a curiosity about Wynter before, but here it was, nonetheless, and she wanted to indulge it.

  “I would like that,” Shard said, and Asha felt warmth in her smile as she wandered back to her party to inform them.

  She petted her salamander, “Sorry, boy, but I have to do this. Don’t give me that look, I don’t know why, either. She’s just… enchanting. I want to know more about her, about Wynter, about everything. Please indulge me, we’ll go back in the morning, I promise.”

  The salamander let out a sad shriek and Asha felt guilty. She untied the rope that kept the salamander in the camp, “Go, then, but please come back, because I’m not going to live in Wynter.” She saw the salamander scurry away, and went back to the camp. Shard had made a campfire for cooking, even though she was sweating from the effort.

  “Let me do that,” Asha said, taking the meat from Shard. Shard looked relieved and backed away from the fire. Asha was grateful for the heat; warmth had never felt so good. She had never stayed so long in the Neutral Lands before, and wondered what madness had led her to do so this time. Was it really just curiosity about Wynter and Shard. Shard’s mother had never inspired such feelings; they had been acquaintances, friends at most, but they had never really lingered after the signing was concluded.

  They ate, putting out the campfire so they could all sit together. The men
looked restless after their meal, however, eager to get on the road.

  “You can go on ahead,” Shard said, “I am tired. I wish to stay the night and follow you tomorrow.” Protests followed her decision, but there was a cold, determined look in her eyes and they eventually relented, even though they were confused. It was only a signing between nations, a formality. Why did she want to linger for so long in such a hostile temperature? They went on, nonetheless, loading all the pack animals but one and heading back into Wynter’s territory. Soon, they were alone, but for the snoring of Shard’s mammoth in the background and the distant shriek of the salamander as it made a kill.

  “Why did you stay?” Asha said.

  “Why did you?” Shard countered, and both women were speechless. Finally, it was Asha who spoke.

  “You’re interesting,” Asha said, “There’s something about you that has frankly captivated me. You’re beautiful, smart, enchanting… Suddenly I find I want to know all about you and Wynter.”

  Shard laughed, “I was worried you had cast some kind of spell on me,” she said, “I wondered if the power of fire also granted you power over the fires of the heart. I have known you but an afternoon and made light conversation at that, yet here I am, spending the night in this hot environment simply to spend time with you.”

  “What could it be?” Asha said, “I always knew I liked women, but I barely know you. Besides, we could never be together! I could never live in Wynter and you could never live in Pyria. I don’t even think we could settle here, despite what I said.”

  “Perhaps it is just a curious infatuation because we are so alien to one another,” Shard said, “Did you ever feel this way about my mother?”

  “Never,” Asha said, “She was smart, intelligent and interesting to be sure, but we signed the treaty and went our separate ways. There was never a thought of anything else…”

  “Perhaps we should get this out of our system and go our separate ways,” Shard suggested, “If we meet again next year and still feel the same way, then we can assess it more deeply… but for now, I just want to touch you all over and be consumed by your fire.”

  They kissed, not wasting a minute, not worrying about the past or the future. It was what it was, ice and fire coming together, a contradiction, but wonderful all the same after so many years of war. Asha loved the touch of Shard’s cool skin, and Shard reveled in the heat of Asha’s deep passion.

  They lie together naked when it was over, staring up at the stars as they held each other tightly. There were tears in Asha’s eyes which spoke of the deep fire that burned inside.

  “It would be nice to live here,” Asha said, “We could live together, free from our worlds. We would adapt, I know it. We could start a new culture, one where fire and ice lived in harmony and balance. Perhaps we could restore the world to its rightful path, make plants grow on the scorched earth and defrost the encroaching snow of Wynter…”

  “Lover’s dreams, all of it,” Shard said, sighing, “The warmth of our afterglow. You’re right, it is a sweet dream, that we might somehow find a way to live together, and that others might come. Still, you would miss Pyria and I would miss Wynter, we both know that. It’s healthy to dream, though,” Shard said.

  They fell asleep in each other’s arms, and Shard woke first. She shook Asha gently.

  “Wake up,” she said, “Your salamander has been calling for a while, now. You should go.”

  “Yeah…” Asha dressed in her robes and looked up at Shard, who was frantically packing things away. She was about to leave when Asha put a warm hand on her shoulder. As she turned, Asha could see her eyes were full of tears she was trying to hide.

  “We’ll meet again next year,” Asha said, “Then we’ll know if these feelings can endure. Until then, don’t feel sad. Even if we don’t ever want to be lovers again… I will always be your friend.”

  “Thank you,” Shard said, and took Asha’s warm hand in hers. She kissed it and let it go, then tucked a strand of Asha’s wild red hair behind her ear. She finished with a kiss, and then backed away.

  “I must go,” she said, “If I don’t hurry, I won’t be able to catch up with the others and the path they have cleared will disappear.”

  “Be well,” Asha said, “my love,” and she watched Shard mount up and ride off into the distance before she turned back to where her giant salamander waited and made the long trip back to Pyria.

  * * *

  Shard had thought she would forget the feelings that burned inside of her, but Asha had left her mark and they only grew stronger. Wynter only grew colder, but that only made Shard’s fire grow stronger, that flickering flame of hope that soon, she would see Asha again. Warm Asha, her fire, her light, her guide through the darkness of Wynter. A year had never passed so slowly in her life, and it was one plagued with hardship. Many of her friends died as the climate grew colder, freezing in the Icy Wastes, searching for food. Others starved as their supplies ran out, the cured meat they had saved for harsh times running out. Spring should have come, but Spring did not, and they turned to their high mage for help.

  “I don’t know what to tell you,” Shard said, “If the situation is not resolved by summer, then I will ask aid from Pyria at the treaty signing. That’s all I can do.”

  “They’ll never help us!” one man shouted, “They only want to destroy with their fire!”

  “That’s not true…” Shard said, but the shouts drowned her out.

  * * *

  Life for Asha was hard as well. It seemed like every volcano in Pyria had decided to erupt that year, and she spent her time trying to convince people to leave their homes. Yet still they did not want to leave, and many died when Mount Flare erupted on the Magic Quarter of the city.

  “For all this power, I am useless!” Asha cried, throwing a spell book at the wall of her study, “All I know is fire, and fire is our deepest enemy!”

  “There’s nothing we can do about that,” her advisor Blaze said, “We just have to do what we can… Those who choose not to leave, well… there’s not a lot we can do…”

  “We need to stop the volcanoes,” Asha said, “We can’t afford to lose more people – Pyria’s population is down to a few tens of thousands! We risk dying out completely and yet our people are just content to let the lava roll over them…!” She slammed her fist down on the desk, “I wish Shard was here! She’d be able to stop this!”

  “Who is Shard?” the advisor asked, but Asha just shook her head, “Somebody very special,” she answered, “Wynter’s head mage.”

  * * *

  When the year rolled around, they both came alone to the meeting place. Wynter’s Council had almost called off the signing, but Shard had insisted on going, danger or not. She had started out with two bodyguards, but both had died on the journey.

  When Asha saw Shard, relief rolled over her and she ran to meet her. Shard was running too, and they dived into each other’s arms, Asha spinning Shard around before letting her down and kissing her passionately.

  “Such a terrible year,” Asha said, “My people are dying in their thousands, melted by lava, suffocating in ash. They turn to me but what can I do but make fire hotter? I am useless to my own people…

  “I as well,” Shard said, “Wynter’s cold season is continuing long past its normal range. It should be summer by now, but instead it is colder than ever and we are starving and freezing to death. If only we had the power of fire…”

  They sat and signed the treaty, thoughtful and quiet. Asha rolled it up in the tube and sat with Shard, holding her close. They were sad and distracted but they still wanted each other, and took the only opportunity they had.

  “I have a plan,” Asha said afterwards, “It’s absurd, but hear me out. What if I go to Wynter for a year and you go to Pyria? I could help your people melt the permafrost, get out and hunt, and keep them warm. You could freeze the volcanoes, stop the lava flow, save some lives. We’d both be uncomfortable… perhaps we wouldn’t survive the
year, but… at least we would have done something!”

  “I agree,” Shard said, “It’s complete and utter madness to suggest such a thing… but you might be right. My people can’t go on as they are, and yours can’t either. Perhaps we won’t be able to come back here again and sign the treaty, but perhaps it doesn’t matter any more. I fear this world is dying, Asha. The natural order has become so unbalanced that perhaps we can’t save it now, but we can ease the suffering of our people…”

  “I love you,” Asha blurted out, “I know, that’s crazy too, but it’s true. You’re all I’ve thought about all year. When things were hard, the thought of seeing you again was all that gave me hope.”

  “It was the same for me,” Shard said, “There were days when I thought I might freeze to death, but thinking of you kept me warm inside and got me through.”

  “Perhaps… if this doesn’t work,” Asha said, “We should move the people here. The climate is warmer for your people, and the volcanoes are less active closer to the Neutral Lands. My people are dwindling. Perhaps our only hope is to combine…”

  “They would never agree to it,” Shard said, “The younger ones might, but there are still too many who remember the war, who lost people they loved. I don’t even know if you will be welcomed or shunned in Wynter. All I know is that we have to try.”

  Asha let Shard hold her close and stroke her hair tenderly. She felt safe, just for a moment, even as the enormity of their task started to dawn on her. It was nearly impossible that they would survive in each other’s worlds, she knew, and so she clung to Shard tightly, not wanting to part from her.

  Shard knew it, too, “Love,” she whispered, “We shouldn’t linger… Otherwise…”

  “Otherwise we might have second thoughts,” Asha said, “I know. Our people have to come first. If we’re still alive after this… then we can talk about us.”

  They swapped clothes. Asha felt uncomfortable in the blue robes and the heavy layers of furs that Shard gave her, and Shard felt ridiculous in the loose, billowing fire mage robes. They looked at each other and laughed, but it was an edgy laughter, filled with doubt.