by Marlow York
There is, I wanted to say, but how could I trust the Grakkir to know about the Ancient Fire? Had the Fiero and the Grakkir ever been allies? Were they enemies? So much of the Fiero history had been altered and forgotten that I didn’t know how to act in this situation. Was it possible for someone to be punished for the blood they were born with?
“The City seemed to think so,” Saven told me, reading my thoughts.
I looked out the window at him. If nothing else, I knew he would be on my side, no matter what happened. “I want to believe the Grakkir aren’t like City Dwellers, but everything I’ve been taught tells me I shouldn’t trust them.”
“What do your instincts tell you?” he asked.
“Valieri.” Sarrenke interrupted my next thought. “I need to take you to the Elder Council. Is there anything you want to tell us before we go?”
There was a lot I wanted to tell them. I fully trusted my secrets to Saven, and though I had grown to like Sarrenke, the only way to assure my safety was to keep as many secrets from my enemies as possible. The Grakkir were not yet my allies; we were still separated by my slavery. I wanted to be able to tell Sarrenke and Tarek about myself, but I couldn’t open my mouth. Instead, I just shook my head.
Sarrenke paused, then turned to Tarek and began speaking to him quietly in their native language. Though I could understand much of what they were saying, I chose to drown them out.
“My instincts tell me to protect myself,” I told Saven. “I don’t think that will be possible if the Grakkir know who I really am. The City has been quiet for a long time, but if word gets out about me, then I’m sure that all will change.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Every eye turned to us as we entered the village for the first time in several months. I hadn’t anticipated how the Grakkir village would react to seeing Saven’s frighteningly massive adult size.
Mouths gaped open, people dropped the items in their arms. Anyone on the street hurried out of our way; some people even fled into their homes and slammed the door, peeking out their windows in awe. When we passed Lozen, the village cook, she hurried around her counter and dropped to her knees in front of Saven, bowing her head until it touched the muddy ground.
The snake looked down at her, perplexed.
“Oh, great Snake God!” she cried. “I am humbled in your presence!”
Saven looked at me worriedly. If he had eyebrows, he would have raised them in confusion. I turned to Sarrenke for guidance.
Sarrenke seemed more annoyed by the interruption to our mission than anything, but she tried not to show it. In my language she said, “You must understand, Animal Gods do not bless the Grakkir as often as they used to. The fact that Saven is with a Fiero slave is confusing to some and angers others, but they can’t help but feel reverence in the presence of a god. It is in our blood.” She looked up at Saven. “All they really want in return is respect.”
I turned to Saven and saw he understood. Though he seemed very young when he came to me, someone must have taught him about the relationship between the Animal Gods and the Grakkir.
He tipped his head towards Lozen and flicked his tongue at the air above her. The woman looked up, and though she was frightened, she was elated to have his attention. He gently nudged her shoulder, and a tiny gasp escaped her lips. When Saven straightened up, a peculiar type of calm confidence emanated from him.
“Let’s keep going,” he said, and he slithered onward.
Lozen looked up at me, tears in her eyes. She grasped my hand suddenly. “A new god in the village! I have not seen this in many years! May the gods continue to bless you, young Valieri!”
I nodded respectfully, but not without noticing judgmental eyes staring at us. There were so many conflicting expressions in the crowd that I was uncertain what would happen when we finally reached the Elder Hall.
✽ ✽ ✽
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” Ysolda said. I stood before her and the other members of the Elder Council, Saven and Sarrenke on either side of me.
I nodded, but I pressed my lips together and kept my face stoic. I suspected the other Animal Gods could sense my anxiety, but even taking a deep breath did little to calm me. It was so quiet within the large room that I could hear the blood rushing in my ears, a silence broken only by the crackle of torches lining the perimeter.
I glanced at the other members of the Elder Council. Their eyes were glued to Saven, as though they couldn’t believe he was really a god. Snakes of his size didn’t naturally live in our part of the world, and there was no mistaking the intelligent and alert look of an Animal God, even one as expressionless as a reptile. I wondered if some of them suspected I had bribed the Snake Goddess, but what did a slave have that was worth a bribe?
Unless, of course, there was something unusual about the slave.
“Tell me,” Ysolda continued. “What is your companion’s name?”
“Saven,” I said.
“Saven,” Ysolda addressed the snake directly. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you and an honor to sit before you.”
Ysolda and the rest of the Elder Council all bowed their heads respectfully. Saven looked from one person to the next before looking at me. I could feel his confusion, but I couldn’t accurately explain what was happening.
“I hope the Warriors I sent to your door were not too rude, young Sarrenke.”
Sarrenke gave a tight-lipped smile. “They were as respectful as to be expected.”
Ysolda chuckled, as though it were an inside joke shared between them. She looked at me once more. “You must be wondering why I asked you to come here.”
I said nothing, but my response would have been obvious.
“You must understand, young Valieri, although the appearance of an Animal God is a joyous occasion, it is most unusual for an outsider to be blessed by one. You have become a topic of great discussion within the village.”
I shrugged. “I assure you, that was never my intention.”
“Not all the gossip is negative,” Ysolda continued. “Some of my people see the blessing as just that, a blessing. The gods do not make mistakes when they judge one’s character. The Goddess of Snakes would not have called to you if she did not believe you were worthy of her blessing.”
A sudden rush of relief fell over me. There were members of the Grakkir—besides Lozen—who didn’t see me as just a slave undeserving of a god’s blessing. That was good news for me, because having some of the Grakkir on my side could offer some protection later. If the City found out I was still alive, the Grakkir village could become a target.
“And what do the others think?” I asked.
“Everyone is aware of your origins,” Ysolda said. “There are those who think you have lived too close to the City and have been too heavily influenced by the atrocious way they brought the Fiero up.”
Brought us up? Like we were their children? Does she not know the Fiero have legends that don’t involve the City?
“Isn’t a legend just a type of story?” Saven asked with genuine curiosity.
I looked at him, a pang of hurt piercing my chest. Were the Fiero nothing more than the result of oppression? We had legends, but what about genuine history? I couldn’t think of one history lesson from school that didn’t involve the City and its rulers. It was almost as though the Fiero didn’t exist outside of the City’s grasp, unlike the Grakkir, who seemed to have control over the forest and surrounding area. Perhaps the Grakkir thought we were one in the same.
“I sense this news troubles you.” Ysolda reached up to gently stroke her vulture god’s feathers.
I took a deep breath. “If I were to ask one of the villagers where I’m from, what would they say?”
“They would say you are from the City.” Ysolda’s voice was matter-of-fact.
My steely expression faltered. “Don’t they know the difference?” I felt defensiveness growing in me, and if I didn’t control my thoughts, I might accidentally betray my Ancient Fire to the El
der Council.
“Do you?” she asked.
“Of course I do,” I spat.
Ysolda smiled, placing one hand on either arm of her chair. “I know you do. And I know who the Fiero are, were, and could be once again.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “What do you want from me?”
The old woman rose, and everyone watched as she shuffled across the room and stood in front of me. The vulture spread his massive wings and glided from his perch onto the ground, hopping alongside his companion.
“The Grakkir and the Fiero are cut from the same cloth,” Ysolda explained. “You have been taught that we are very different from you, both terrifying and dangerous. However, the blood that runs within you is more similar to mine than to anyone behind the City walls. The Goddess of Snakes sensed this and called to you for that reason.”
“She told you this herself?”
“No,” Ysolda admitted. “But Kalon and the other gods sense it within you. They can tell you are very different from a City Dweller, even if they do not know how to describe why.”
I glanced down at the vulture, its beady eyes focused on Saven and me. Now that I had lived with two Animal Gods, I could easily see how they differed from regular animals. They were always bigger than their animal brothers, but it ran deeper than that. Their eyes didn’t just look at you, they looked into you, always pondering and seeking to understand. I was beginning to realize they often knew more than they let on, which both fascinated and worried me.
“One such as yourself does not deserve the life of a slave,” Ysolda continued. “Whether you realize it or not, you and your people have always been slaves to the City. The Fiero were once a powerful race, and it saddens me to see how low they have fallen.”
I swallowed hard, as though the weight of her words was trying to choke me. “You still haven’t told me what you want from me.”
“Young Valieri, why do you think I would ask anything of you?” Ysolda chastised. “I do not want to take from someone who has lost so much already. Instead, I offer you a place within our village, not as a slave, but a permanent citizen.”
Sarrenke inhaled sharply, her eyes wide. Saven perked up, looking at me for my response. Even I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Because many of my people do not trust you, you will still be required to live with Tarek, but your status within the village will be greatly improved.” Ysolda shuffled back to her chair.
“And what about Tarek?” Sarrenke interrupted. “To lose a slave will only lower his status within the village when he has not long ago improved it!”
“I am aware of that,” Ysolda said. “He has been obedient and stayed within the boundaries of his punishment. Rest assured, his progress will not be hindered. Instead, I will allow him to marry young Valieri, which will improve both of your statuses within the clan.”
As my heart sank, I couldn’t hide my shock and displeasure. How could becoming a Shunned Grakkir’s wife be an improvement from slavery? Especially a Grakkir who was cold, distant, and had never once spoken kindly to me.
“I can see this does not please you, young Fiero.” Ysolda’s frown deepened.
“I would be lying if I said it did.” My heart hammered with anger, sending hot energy to my hands. Calm down, I told myself. Don’t let them see the Ancient Fire.
“Customs are different between our people. Arranged marriages do not happen in the Fiero clan, but I promise your life will be different as a wife than a slave. Most importantly, you are not required to love him. The two of you must only maintain a peaceful and respectful household.”
I struggled to catch my breath, but she was right. Besides, I could work this to my advantage. If I intended to leave the Grakkir village and find my sister, then it appeared I must first become one of them. I had no power as a slave, but as an adopted Grakkir and a wife, I might have some influence. If I gained the Grakkir people’s trust and could own property, then it would be easier to escape and go find Jenassa.
“As a member of the Grakkir, you must choose a job for yourself,” Ysolda continued before I could say anything else about the marriage.
“A job?”
“We all have jobs here, as I am sure you have noticed. We will give you time to think about it because it will be the path you travel down for the rest of your life. It is not meant to be an easy decision, and some children often require many years to learn where they fit in.”
Ysolda must’ve thought I was too brainwashed to see she was not offering me a place within the Grakkir clan just to be kind. She wasn’t obvious about it, but she clearly assumed whatever power I was hiding could benefit her in some way. Perhaps she thought I could be used as a weapon against the City. I doubted the Grakkir would ever be strong enough to attack the City outright, but she must’ve had a defensive strategy in mind. Getting on my good side and enlisting a potentially powerful ally was likely part of her plan.
Becoming strong enough to never again be a slave was my plan, and that sort of strength would not be gained if I chose to be a gardener or craftsman.
“A Warrior,” I declared, staring at Ysolda. “I want to be a Warrior.”
All eyes turned to Ysolda. More than one person in the room looked disgusted at the audacity of a slave to demand a place amongst the highest-ranking members of the clan. Sarrenke just stared at me in shock.
Ysolda hesitated, but I saw her eyes turn to Saven. It must have been part of their culture to respect the wishes an Animal God’s companion, because I could see “no” in her eyes before “yes” even passed her lips.
“If you think you can become a Warrior, then I will allow you a chance.” She pressed her lips in a tight smile.
✽ ✽ ✽
Tarek was not happy to hear what had happened at the meeting with the Elder Council.
Most of his angry shouts were lost between the house and the storage hut, but Sarrenke filled me in on the argument after Tarek eventually stormed towards the forest, Khero close on his heels.
Sarrenke heaved a sigh and planted herself down on the floor of my tent, her brows creased with frustration. “He sometimes behaves like one much younger than himself!”
“You mean he’s being a baby?” I asked sarcastically.
“That is exactly what I mean!” she exclaimed. “His pride is scarred because he is no longer a respected Warrior in the clan, but a lowly Shunned man. He has spent the last several years repenting for abandoning his men in battle, and he has only recently begun to regain the favor of the village and the Elder Council, but it is an ongoing fight.”
“Is that why he came to my village to scavenge?” I leaned against Saven’s body and gently stroked the end of his tail, which lay across my lap.
“Yes,” Sarrenke said. “Normally that is the job of Scouts, not a Warrior. He was allowed to go with them as a test of his behavior, and it took a great deal of arguing for the Elder Council to allow you to be his slave. These are all things that help him slowly gain his status back, though it will never be as it once was.”
“And losing me as a slave lowers his status.”
“He sees it that way, but he is gaining more status having you as a wife who can bear the children he does not have.”
I cringed and shuttered at the idea of bearing Tarek’s children, but Sarrenke didn’t seem to notice.
“However,” she continued, “he is struggling more with the fact that you have a god companion, and you wish to become a Warrior. He does not think it is fair of the gods to bless someone like you, but that is his childish pride speaking. For a slave-wife to become a Warrior,” she tsked her tongue and raised her palms to the sky as though she didn’t believe it could be possible, “that is an even greater injury to his pride than anything else.”
I scowled and shook my head. “I don’t care if his pride is injured. The gods blessing me does not make him any less blessed.”
Sarrenke grinned as she stood up to leave. “Perhaps you should tell him that on your wedding night.”
As the tent flap closed behind her, I felt blood rushing angrily through my head. I had endured the destruction of my entire home, kidnapping and slavery, and now I was expected to marry the man who had captured me? Were they out of their minds?
“I won’t do it,” I hissed.
“Valieri?” Saven asked worriedly.
“It’s too much.” I jumped to my feet, my body clenched in the familiar controlled way. My head ached as I struggled to keep the Ancient Fire suppressed. It was an old trick, something I’d learned as a young child. If I kept my emotions hidden, if I kept my head down and avoided stressful situations, I could keep myself and my family safe for one more day. To lose control for even one second could expose my secret and unleash the terrible destruction I had been holding back.
“It will be okay,” Saven offered. “It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
“It means everything!” I snapped, and as I did, I felt a rush of energy escape my control. Anger and frustration rushed through my body like hot iron, and the Ancient Fire erupted from my hands, finding its way to the pile of loose hay in the far corner.
Saven hissed in surprise, and I rushed for the blanket. I threw the thin fabric over the flames and pounded until the fire was smothered. I coughed as smoke filled the small room, bringing back memories of the day I’d lost my home.
I shook my head in defeat, my hands gripping the singed blanket. “Don’t you see?” I whispered. “They don’t understand that marrying Tarek isn’t just an inconvenience for me. It’s another form of slavery. My whole life I’ve had to hide who I am and what I can do. I barely know who I am, and this power is only getting harder to control.”
“Then don’t hide it anymore,” Saven said.
I scowled and looked up at him. “Are you crazy? That would be fastest way to get the City to find us. Who knows what the Grakkir will expect me to do if they knew about my power.”
Saven shook his head. “I’m not saying you should reveal your power to everyone. Stop hiding your power from yourself. Stop suppressing it all the time and learn how to harness it when you want to.”
