by J E Mueller
Something struck my arm hard, and I had a moment to glance down at the dart before there was a large commotion and then darkness.
My head throbbed terribly as I finally came to. I did my best not to move too much as my mind caught up with the situation. I recognized the feeling and as I tried to take stock of what was going on, it hit me. That damned magical blocking poison had gotten me again. But how?
I hadn’t thought ‘Mother’ was the only one to know it, but it was uncommon enough that the others had never encountered it before. What was going on?
I carefully forced my eyes open and was met with nothing of note. I was in an empty room with a series of high windows, much too small for me to fit through. I carefully tried to get up and noticed my foot was chained to the wall. Seemed a little overkill since I assumed the door would also be locked. The chain had no chance of reaching that far for me to check though.
I grumbled for a moment before trying to concentrate on where my magic would be. The vile stuff coursing through my system was too new. I would have to wait and hope I could apply what Aylum had said about how Soleia handled it later. If I could find a way to transform that should take care of the chains and push the toxins out of my system. Hopefully.
While I felt absolutely awful, I wasn’t tired enough to sleep. So I waited.
And waited.
There was no telling how long before the door finally opened and a series of glowing orbs spread across the ceiling illuminating the room just enough for me to see Saelnesia and a group I hadn’t seen her with before.
“Ah good, you’re awake.” She smiled wickedly.
“Oh wow, what a surprise. The woman who hates me has taken me hostage. No one saw that coming,” I mocked, a little too bitter.
“You’re a prisoner and you dare try to be smart about it?” she scoffed. “And they said you were supposed to be bright.”
“What do you even want? I know you’re no fool. They’ll be suspecting you immediately after that show at the festival,” I demanded.
“Oh, they did. After that little show the guards were watching me very carefully.” She chuckled. “Everything was already in motion. They fell for my plan perfectly. There was no sign I did anything, and while I’m certain they’ll keep calling on me with suspicion and inquiries, my followers have no problem keeping this under wraps.” She laughed. “It’s a shame Walnos didn’t kill you when he had the chance, but he was weak.”
I hadn’t been expecting that. Who was that? The random dragon that attacked us all those months ago? “Why do you want me dead? I’ve done nothing to you.”
“You’re in my way, but for the moment you’re better off alive. I can get Aylum to come to me and the fool will either see your weakness and agree to my terms, or want to save you and agree to my terms.” Saelnesia smirked. “It’ll take a little work to get him to come alone but we’ll manage.”
“He’s not going to easily give in to anything.” What was this nut going on about?
“Of course not. Aylum does overestimate his talents though. When he arrives I’ll have to put him in his place, and then he’ll agree to marry me. The kingdom will be mine. The fire has declared it so.” She raised an eyebrow at me. “And you reek. At least you smell more like dragon now that you’ve been around all of us. What a waste of time. I had half hoped that potion would kill you.”
Saelnesia shrugged and sauntered off, shutting the door hard. At least she still believed I was human. I hoped to hold that card as long as possible.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Somehow I managed to sleep for a short while before being roughly awakened. Two cloaked figures dragged me from my cell and into a large open room where they chained me to another post by what appeared to be a throne.
I eyed the throne tiredly for a moment. Was Saelnesia that full of herself? My eyes followed the line of the throne to a series of cushions nearly filling the second half of the room. This following she had was going to be something to deal with. Thankfully, I could start to feel a sliver of magic. I wasn’t sure how much Soleia needed in order to find me, but I was sure with how well she knew me and the area it wouldn’t take much.
But that wasn’t the entire problem. I fully believed if Saelnesia couldn’t get what she wanted, she would kill me. If I couldn’t find a way out or somehow transform, there wasn’t much I could do to defend myself.
I mentally went through a checklist of what I could do. There was always the wonderful trade injuries idea. That could help if there wasn’t a huge group to avoid. I wondered if I could teleport out of the chains. I would need more magic before I could even consider attempting that one though. All I had going for me now was an attitude that was clearly not winning my captors over.
The two that had moved and chained me went about lighting two large braziers on either side of the throne. It felt too close to me for comfort but not enough for me to flinch and move away. Not that I could go very far anyway.
Saelnesia marched through the door at the far end with two cloaked people at her heels. Her brisk pace brought her quickly to me.
“Ah, our lovely guest.” She beamed for a moment before nodding at the two beside her.
They grabbed my arms and held me uptight. Before I could react or get a remark out, Saelnesia hit me hard in the gut. The two let me crumble to the ground before they all got a few kicks in, knocking the wind further out of me. I was barely able to cover my face in time.
They eventually backed up, giving Saelnesia room to laugh. “Now how is the little healer doing? I heard you’re quite good at that.” She laughed more when I didn’t respond. “Oh, that’s right! You don’t have a lick of magic right now. What a shame. Mayhap you’ll be less mouthy for a turn. Hm?”
Her group laughed with her.
“Now, now, let’s see what the fire has to say about you.” Saelnesia moved to the fire closest to us and pulled a large enough thread of magic that everyone could feel it. There was no mistaking her wrapping it around the fire, coaxing it to show her what she sought.
The flames shot up taller, which I knew well from experience was due to putting too much magic into it. The flames didn’t need all this fuss to show anything, but if she needed flair, she was doing it right. Her followers backed up an extra step while Saelnesia stayed firmly planted.
“Show us…” she said needlessly as she fed the flames magic aplenty.
The fire crackled and danced for several moments before displaying an image. I wasn’t surprised to see myself chained with Saelnesia yelling at me, an angry sneer planted on her face.
The fire showed nothing more on that, dispelling the image as it danced again, changing the scene quickly. The next showed her addressing Aylum from her throne, the room nearly full of cloaked followers. She was saying something to him, the whole while Aylum looked annoyed. Then the flames died down, showing no more despite the magic she was continuing to put into it.
Nesia stared at the uncooperative flames a moment before a slow smile crossed her face. “Perfection. He will come and we can continue with the plan. He will give in as I have seen before.”
I said nothing. Predicting the far future with flames was silly.
“You see my little pawn, things are going exactly as I expected.” She smirked before kicking me hard in the side.
Satisfied with her damage, she left in a flourish—everyone in the room following behind her.
While my body ached, I could feel the little magic I had returning go to work. The aches steadily eased as the magic started with the worst problems and made its way to the less concerning. It wasn’t fun to concentrate on, but considering my situation there was little else to do.
The door opened after some time and I sat up to see the last person I was ever expecting to see here. The woman pretending to be my mother all these years walked in, a cross expression on her face.
“Well now, this is the last place I thought you’d be.” She laughed. “Magic really wanted you here, didn’t it?”
“I know you have learned of the dragons now. There are eyes and ears in many places. We have our ways of escaping.” She laughed before kicking me hard. “And I should not have had to if you had just stayed put.” The vile creature moved to pace. “Things were going as planned. My connections firmly formed. I wasn’t expecting to need to return here, but the new Mistress Ignis is wonderful. She sees more with the flames than the leader before her. No wonder she rose to power so quickly.”
I didn’t want to begin to understand these cult politics. If I had any doubt before of this cult's nature, seeing this woman again confirmed its dark design.
“What are you even doing talking to me?” I finally asked, tiring of her pacing. “You can’t want to see me.”
“You have a happy choice here.” She smiled, an evil gleam in her eyes. “It will take a little bribing to overlook the nonsense you caused back at Blackwater but if you are willing to come back as my daughter and accept a rightful position I determine, Mistress Ignis will consider letting you live. If you don’t, your fate is certainly sealed.”
“Ah, it all makes sense now. You believe this is my design in life. To be here to further your advancement.” I forced myself back on my feet. “No thank you. I’d rather explain the whole of my misdealings with Eastyn in front of the world than ever be anywhere near you.”
Her expression turned dark as she marched over and made to slap me. I blocked her with my arm before she swept my leg out from under me and kicked me hard. Over and over until I couldn’t help but cry out in pain.
“You’ll be lucky should a chance like this ever present itself to you again.” I heard her march out and prayed the next time I saw her karma would present itself.
I didn’t wait for long. Whatever they had drugged me with was different than I had experienced before. Maybe the knock out dose didn’t have the same pain-causing agent to prevent runaways. After all, there was no reason they should suspect I would need it.
I was just a healer, after all.
My magic was slow to come back but was steadily getting stronger. I wondered when the best moment to try and escape would be.
An odd sensation crossed me as I tried to plot my way out. The flames called to me, begging for a sliver, any thread of power. The call was intoxicating and I had never tried to scry without the right powder.
The worst that could happen though was the flames skyrocketing and the ceiling was very high, likely to aid in the theatrics. The second worst possible problem was passing out from the magic drain I was experiencing—which would be more of an annoyance than an actual problem with how much there was to do here.
I gifted the flames with the sliver I could easily offer. I didn’t press to know anything in particular, instead, I asked what they wanted to show. The flames danced gleefully, only gaining a little height as they contemplated my request.
I smiled as an image danced before my eyes. One that was very possible. One that I didn’t need to worry about playing my cards right for. I let the magic go, the flames settling just in time for Saelnesia to return to the room with that fake mother of mine and two cloaked followers.
“Ah, my stubborn guest is upright and looking very well to me—which is to say you look miserable.” Nesia glanced at ‘Mother’ for a moment. “And you’re certain she’s just a healer?”
“She’s been allowed no other training. Basic spells, herbs, potions, and healing,” she confirmed before glaring at me. “She had to be rescued in order to even escape the Promised I had set her up with. Such a shame she ruined my plans there. I swear to you, healing is where all her talents lie. Just as the old Mistress Ingis instructed. You fit the role well.”
“Thank you, my mother trained me well. She knew I was ready for this role and I have done nothing but continue to prove just that.” Saelnesia nodded as they stopped before me. “Good. I won’t waste potions on her. She won’t escape. It is a shame she ruined your plans. Now she’s causing me trouble. If mother determined this was the child to steal and I know she wouldn’t set a soul astray. We’ll have to put this girl in her place.” She threw me a wicked smile. “You only have to be alive for Aylum to agree to my terms. Seeing you a little more worse for wear would just show how serious I am.”
“He’ll only kill you faster.” I had no doubt of that.
“How sweet. You think he’ll be in a place to harm me.” Saelnesia laughed and with the wave of her hand her followers each pulled out a cane. “You see, this is the land of dragons. It isn’t as simple as throwing power around here. But you, you are very breakable.”
As if on cue, they moved forward. I tried to fend them off, but there was no use. They beat me to the ground with several heavy blows before Saelnesia called them off. “Now, now, I think she gets the point. She’s fragile after all.”
I glanced up just in time to see several smirks cast my way as they lit the canes on fire. My screams filled the room and they beat me with the flames. The pain rose an intolerable amount as my skin burned and clothes singed.
When they were finally called off for good it was hard to make a sound with how hoarse my throat was from yelling and crying.
“You see now, dear daughter. It’s far better to agree to come with me. If you don’t, the dragons have no use but to break you,” ‘Mother’ dearest said cheerfully. “I bet you’re missing that poor Eastyn. Should have just locked you two together for a week myself.”
My body hurt, but that snapped my mind. I knew she would have, had the thought come to her sooner. I knew what he would have done given the opportunity. I knew what he tried and nearly succeeded in doing. I understood what the flames had shown me now, the opportunity never better.
I wrapped my magic around myself and focused. Instead of helping someone else, I was going to help myself. I pulled my injuries into the magic and cast it at that dreadful woman. Hearing ‘Mother’s’ screams of agony as my body was able to take a stable breath was amazing. Her agony brought me delight as karma threw itself at her.
Saelnesia pulled me up roughly. “What did you do to her?” she demanded.
“I’m just a healer.” I cackled. “I can take wounds or switch mine for another’s.”
She threw me down, annoyed. “That would be useful if you weren’t better off dead. I won’t be making that mistake again.” She motioned at her surprised followers. “Well, get that mess to a healer and out of my sight.” Saelnesia left them to drag the woman off on their own.
I cackled, alone. The echoes of my laughter sounding more like a mad woman than not. I didn’t care. For once, I won against that woman and there was nothing more satisfying.
Chapter Thirty-Three
I was startled from a nap by a door slamming loudly. I sat up straight as I took in the sight of Selnesia ordering people to certain parts of the room for better protection. Four were stationed by the doors they came through, and another two on the side door. Two were stationed behind the throne and then a few on either side of the aisle leading to the throne.
For someone believing Aylum would simply agree to things, she was certainly taking reasonable precautions. Maybe she didn’t completely trust the fire as much as she let on. I wasn’t sure what to think, though. Was this for a normal ceremony? I did not want to get my hopes up too soon that they found me already.
I watched and waited as Saelnesia vanished from the room and more people, all well cloaked, came in and knelt on the cushions. I wondered if that was a normal form of dress for these types of ritual events here. It did add to the cult vibes and the ominous feeling. Thankfully, with the way they were all dressed I couldn’t tell if any were staring as intently at me as I was at all of them.
Saelnesia returned in a very form fitted flowing black dress with a red sheer cloak over it. The crowded congregation rose to greet her. When she reached the throne and took her place she motioned for
everyone to sit.
“Good evening, my followers,” she called clearly, her voice echoing throughout the room.
“Good evening, Mistress Ignis,” the crowd replied in unison.
She smiled with ease. “As you can see, this evening is a little different. We have a guest. Pay her no mind. She is not one of the flame, but one the flame has gifted me to use. The flame has set a long path before me, and finally, I am near its peak.”
“As the flame wishes,” the crowd called.
Yes, of course, nothing cult-like here at all.
I listened as they collectively recited some odd speech before Saelnesia offered to ask the flames how to help her people.
“Who shall be first?” She scanned the audience, not a single hand was down. “So many questions and concerns this eve! My power is great but the flames are limited and won’t show all. Let us allow the flames themselves choose where to start.”
Saelnesia moved to the fire farthest from me, pulling enough magic to make it launch itself up near the ceiling before settling. As the flames flicked and danced an image showed and she called upon the person to ask their question.
And so it went.
They asked about loved ones' health, on conditions magic couldn’t heal. They asked about crops and tides, when and where to travel. Anything that could be a thought they asked until the flames danced no more, leaving a fair equal amount of questions answered as were unanswered.
I could see how people would get addicted to something like this. A chance to know and hold the future within their grasps. Saelnesia was smart on how she told things as well. She phrased things so they wouldn’t be able to hold anything against her. ‘If you continue on this path then…’ or ‘Moving to the right path will lead to…’ were some of her favorite things to say.
Clever girl. Build a loyal following and they would do whatever was needed to help her achieve her own goals. How would they know the difference between what the flames showed in public versus private after all?
