by Dreagen
“You already know what I think, but the question is what do you think you should do?”
“I’m no hero,” Rex said lightly, tugging at a lock of his fur. “For the first time in a long time I’m scared of what others will think of me.”
“I’ll let you in on a secret that all those who find themselves in a position of leadership learn very early on.” Rex looked at him intently. “Courage is not what one does in the absence of fear but what they do in spite of it. So you’ve already established that you are afraid. The only question left now is what are you going to do next?”
DiNiya stood before the massive tarp that concealed the newest exhibit being put on display all over EeNara by the Science Guild. KyGahl himself was hosting this particular unveiling in KaNar, largely in part because it was he who had made the discovery just west of the tribe’s lands. Little was known about what the discovery was, only that it had something to do with the war—a curious notion to her for she had always known such matters to be of interest to people like ShinGaru, who were members of the archeological community. Still, it had to be something of great significance if it was being unveiled all over the world during the biggest celebration of the year. That and KyGahl was one of EeNara’s top minds, and among one of the most charming and sophisticated men she had ever met. In fact, it had been while admiring him on one of his visits two years ago that she realized she was coming into her womanhood. Not that it mattered, for she was far too young to even be considered by someone like him as a potential mate or even a sexual partner.
Sexual partner? Mate? When did I start thinking of such things? She allowed herself a small yet blissful smile at the thought of herself blossoming into a woman before it was suddenly replaced by the image of Rex, or rather the feeling of him. Somehow, it was almost as if she could sense him, though she did not know how or why—only that he was in pain, scared and angry. Rex, I’m so sorry. Here I am having silly girlish fantasies while you’re off somewhere suffering. She shook her head and turned away from the large tarp.
She immediately saw KyGahl on the far side of the tavern speaking with a small group of onlookers. Even from a distance his personality was electric, drawing all in and captivating them with his bold posturing and poetic use of the spoken word.
For as long as she could remember, he had been kind to her. In fact, he had been one of the first to come see her after the incident that rendered her incapable of igniting her flame. She had locked herself in her room, unwilling to see anyone, not even her brother and father, when there came a knock at the door. When she finally opened it, there was KyGahl, holding a moon orchid in his hand as he offered it down to her.
They spent the next several hours talking; or rather, he did most of the talking, then held her when she would inevitably break down into tears. It was the only memory from that time that brought a warm feeling to her heart, and one she cherished always. Still, he was not for her to have, and she knew that. While she might gaze upon him as a man, there was no doubt in her mind that he only saw a child. That’s all right. I suppose there is still time for that later in life. I’m only fifteen and still in between mating seasons. It’s not a huge deal if I’ve yet to pair off with someone.
Ultimately, she knew that she had grown to feel so beholden to KyGahl because of how he had provided her with a friendly shoulder to cry on when she felt uncomfortable about doing so with anyone else. He had arrived at just the right time, and had said all the right things, and even though nothing he said took away the pain she was feeling, it helped her realize that in time it would ease and that she was never truly alone in this world so long as she remembered there were those who loved her.
Now she knew it was her turn to pass on that same sentiment to Rex, who like her, had been through something that scarred him deeply despite the fact that he had no memory of what it was. Still, she knew that one day he would most likely remember, and that day would be one of great pain for him. It was for that reason she wanted to remain by his side, and hopefully give to him what KyGahl had given to her. She only hoped she was up for the task, for she also feared who Rex might turn into once his memories returned and his mind once again became whole. VayRonx…I hope you managed to get through to him.
“Something to drink?” said EeNox as he nudged her arm gently with a clay mug of KonChoo.
DiNiya looked over and smiled, taking the cup and sipping lightly. “Oooh,” she said, smacking her lips together. “It’s still hot.”
“Freshly brewed,” he replied, holding up his and smiling while scanning the scene around them. “Pretty impressive turnout.”
DiNiya nodded. “That it is.”
“KyGahl seems pleased.”
“That he does,” she added without much emotion.
EeNox sighed. “You’re thinking about Rex, aren’t you?”
“I’m thinking of a lot of things,” she replied before turning to face him. “EeNox, when did everything change so much?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, when did we stop just being children? When did we start…growing up?”
“You make it sound like it’s something unpleasant.”
“It’s not that. It’s just that, well, I always thought I would know it when it happened. That I would be prepared for it somehow.”
“I don’t really think it works that way,” EeNox said after taking another sip of his KonChoo. “I get the sense that it’s more of a gradual process. Isn’t that how change happens, after all?”
“You’re right. It’s obvious in retrospect, but never in the moment.”
“That’s what makes it random chance,” EeNox said, sounding more hopeful. “It gives everything in nature, all of us, a chance to do anything, become anything. Endless possibilities.”
DiNiya smiled. “Become anything.” She remained silent for a moment, holding her cup in both hands while staring into the dark pool of liquid that rippled with every thunderous footfall of the tavern’s massive occupants. At last, looking back over to her brother, she said, “Life really isn’t so bad. I am so very fortunate to be the daughter of a loving father and sister to the world’s best brother.” She wrapped her arms around EeNox and hugged him tightly before pulling away and adding, “What else would I need to become?”
EeNox forced himself to smile but knew that her sudden display of levity was far from sincere. DiNiya had always been the type to keep serious matters that she fretted over close to the heart, rarely letting anyone in. Moreover, she would go out of her way to cast aside doubt or worry on the part of others so she would not feel as if people were prying. This tactic, however, never truly worked on him, and time and time again he would find himself pretending to be fooled like the rest in order to keep from putting her under any further stress. Things had never been the same since the day of the accident. Accident, he thought. A word to describe what happened that day that he knew she would never use. Regardless, he missed the sister he once knew. The girl that despite being the same age took on the role of mother to him, and in a way watched over him and their father. Something he grew to feel guiltier about during the past three or four years.
Over that period of time he had grown somewhat distant from his family, finding it difficult to connect with them on a personal level. He could not make any sort of rational sense for his feeling of self-imposed removal but knew it was wrong. Still, with most people who were aware they had a problem, he could not bring himself to reconnect and strengthen the bonds that he was slowly dissolving. Perhaps it was the realization that only came with age that he did not have a normal upbringing, or the accident involving his sister. Regardless of the reason, he had feared for some time that he would one day find himself alone. That was until a strange young man arrived into their lives and changed everything.
Rex, he thought. I was so afraid of you when we first met. Worse yet, my sister looked at you like you were her salvation. Then again, considering how much she’s changed over the past year, I can’t help
but think that maybe you are just that, but not just hers.
“EeNox,” his sister’s voice rose out of the wall of sound that had faded into the background. “Are you still with me?”
“Oh, yeah, sorry.”
“What is it with boys your age? Always drifting off into your own little world.”
“Do we?”
“Well, I know Rex does constantly.”
“Rex does a lot of things that people would find…unusual,” EeNox said. “Maybe that’s what the world needs, though. Something different.”
“Maybe. I just hope he comes back tonight.”
“He will.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Are you kidding me? VayRonx is the lord and master of motivational speaking. Trust me, if anyone can light a fire under that brute’s ass, it’s VayRonx.”
DiNiya laughed. “All right, all right. Fine. I’ll take your word for it, but I still can’t forget the look on his face when he stormed off. He seemed so disappointed, like we had let him down.”
“I think he feels he let us down,” EeNox said solemnly.
“I don’t see why. He put his trust in us to help him, and we failed.”
“I don’t know if I would go that far.” DiNiya gave him a curious look. “It’s like TolNy said, Rex did not do what he did in anger. It was just an accident, just him overshooting his mark. Think how many times he failed to keep his flame at any given level when we had him try during his training. The only difference then was that there was no risk of something bad happening because of it.”
“The problem is that he doesn’t see it that way. All he knows is that something bad happened because of something he did, and now he’s going to stew in anger for days.” She took another sip, ignoring the burn on her tongue she received as a result. “Damn it, he can be so…infuriating!”
“And here I thought you were feeling sorry for him,” her brother mused.
“Huh? What do you mean? I do feel sorry for him.”
“I mean, I’m sure you do. It’s just—”
“It’s just what?” she demanded, placing her hands on her hips.
“Well…you just look more like you want to smack him up side the back of his head than you do hug him. It’s just funny, that’s all.”
DiNiya stood in silence, unsure how to respond. Do I really sound angry, and if so, why?
“Probably because you care about him and are annoyed when he takes out the frustrations of his shortcomings on himself.” DiNiya just stared at him, blinking feebly. “Why are you angry with him? That is what you were asking yourself, am I right?”
“How did—?”
“Because I’m your brother,” he replied with a smug grin as he crossed his arms.
“Ah, so you think you have me all figured out, do you?” she teased as she playfully pinched him on the shoulder.
“Ouch!” EeNox cried in a high-pitched voice as he recoiled back, much to her satisfaction. “No need to make such a big deal of it. You’re actually not as difficult to figure out as you think.”
“Right you are, EeNox,” said KyGahl from behind them.
“KyGahl!” DiNiya exclaimed. “I didn’t hear you approach.”
“Not surprising given how engrossed you two were in your discussion, which I could not help but overhear as I was coming over to say hello.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I did not mean to sully your big night with my silly problems.”
“Oh, come now,” KyGahl said, waving his hand dismissively. “Let’s not delve into that conversation again. Besides, I understand your cause for concern given what happened with Rex earlier this evening.”
“You know?” EeNox asked, sounding surprised.
“Well, yes. You two may not realize because you have been spending so much time with him, but word of Rex’s activities is a popular topic of conversation in these parts.”
“I know he’s unique, but even still…why so much interest in him?”
“A boy of the red flame, only the second SaVarian in our history to ever wield its power, appears from seemingly out of nowhere. How else would they react? Like it or not, Rex is far from your little secret.”
“Do you really think that many people know already?” EeNox asked.
“How many people have seen him since he arrived? How many merchants?” EeNox and DiNiya exchange nervous glances. “KaNar receives and sends traders to all corners of the continent year round. Still, that does not necessarily mean anything would have come of it.”
“I remember once when I was two, a man from the capital came to speak with my father,” DiNiya said. “My father told me he would be staying in KaNar for a few days to watch me but I was not to be concerned.”
“I remember that,” said EeNox. “He only spoke with us once, and after that always hung back and watched us from afar. I never liked that man, made me feel uncomfortable to be watched like that.”
“Understandable,” KyGahl said, nodding his head. “It never did sit well with me how they approached the issue of studying you, DiNiya.”
“Studying her?” EeNox gasped.
“You knew?” DiNiya asked.
“I did,” KyGahl replied with a heavy sigh. “Or rather, I learned of it shortly after your accident. That man was an envoy from the Science Guild, sent to study your flame.”
“But why?” she asked more insistently. “What makes me so special?”
“Not you, your flame.”
“But a person is their flame,” EeNox corrected.
“I agree. However, for some it is easy to lose sight of that when presented with something as unprecedented as your sister.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call her that,” EeNox said. “Not anymore.”
“Agreed. Furthermore, Rex is of the same age as our DiNiya here, which means he was birthed during the same breeding season.”
“Could you two please stop speaking as if I’m not here?” DiNiya demanded unhappily.
“My apologies,” KyGahl professed, bowing his head. “It’s just that two SaVarians, born of the red flame during the same ten-year cycle on EeNara…well, it’s a rather thought-provoking coincidence.”
“Even still,” she said. “Rex and I are both citizens of this world and not a pair of specimens to be poked and prodded.”
“I agree, and I suspect the Guild does as well, for aside from observing from afar, they have never engaged you further. I imagine that it is probably more a subject of curiosity than anything else. Still, I respect your decision to be wary. No harm ever came from watching one’s back.”
“I’m sorry, KyGahl, I did not mean to sound so rude to you. I’m just concerned for Rex. Yes, I was initially drawn to him because he was like me, but since then he has become a dear friend to me. He has had no real reason to trust me or any of us, and yet he agreed to give me his trust, and I feel compelled to see to it that he never feels like that was a mistake.”
“Hey, you’re not the only one,” EeNox said, giving her a gentle nudge in her side with his elbow.
“That boy is fortunate to have found his way here to KaNar,” KyGahl said. “I doubt he would have discovered a better pair to look out for him than you two, and I hear that he has already befriended the young healer and my young colleague.”
“Yes, AnaSaya and ShinGaru have taken a real liking to him,” DiNiya said with a smile. “And AnaSaya seems enamored with him.”
“And how do you feel about that?” KyGahl asked, giving her a pressing look.
“What do you mean? I’m glad Rex is making more friends. How else should I feel about that?”
KyGahl leaned back and exchanged a quick glance with EeNox, who smiled and just shook his head. “You’re right. Silly question. Forget I asked.”
“I just wish I could make him realize that, and that he doesn’t always have to go off and deal with everything alone like he does.”
“Well, then,” KyGahl said, slowly turning her around so she was facing the entrance. “H
ere is your chance.”
DiNiya watched as VayRonx walked through the two massive doors with Rex atop his head, who immediately felt all eyes on him—something he expected would be the case and had decided would not deter him. Suddenly he saw his field of view descending as VayRonx lowered his head to the floor.
“All right, now,” he said as Rex reluctantly stepped off. “You need to go the rest of the way on your own. Face that which you fear.”
“I’m not afraid of her,” Rex replied as he spotted DiNiya standing below an enormous tarp fifty meters away.
“But you are aware of her opinion of you.”
The look on Rex’s face changed from one of steadfast resolution to one of silent panic. “How do I just walk over there?”
“By putting one foot in front of the other,” VayRonx said, giving him a gentle nudge with his snout.
Rex staggered a few steps forward before gaining his footing and continuing on his own. Silently, he passed through the crowd, excusing himself as he moved through the throngs of people. As he drew closer, he noticed that KyGahl was with her and her brother. He wondered if they had told him what had happened earlier and how they would have described the incident. No, he thought, forcing such scenarios out of his mind. He refused to focus solely on the negative like he always did. Instead, he was going to do the unthinkable and trust in what someone else had told him, and give someone else the benefit of the doubt. He was terrified.
“Rex,” came a voice off to his left.
Turning, he saw NiroTy walking briskly to join him at his side with something in his beak. Narrowing his gaze, Rex saw that it was a moon orchid. One of the very same he and his uncle had been offering as prizes at their booth.
“You forgot this when you took off earlier,” NiroTy said as he raised his head up and allowed Rex to take it.
Eyeing its pale white petals closely, Rex then turned back to him and asked, “Why are you giving this to me?”
“Because you won it, of course.”
“How? I burned your booth down.”
“True, but in doing so, managed to light all seven candles in under a minute, so here’s your prize.”
