The Flames of Arathia

by Jordan Liberatore

  “No wonder the queen wants you,” Lillian muttered. She pursed her lips, looking up at Adam. “How, pray tell, do you know my name, Aldarathi?” Adam just laughed, leaning his arms against the bars above his head. He looked so charming, so princely there. He was so daring and cunning that Drusilla couldn’t help but find herself intoxicated by the change that had overcome him.

  “That’s a bit more respectful! We both happen to know two people who know you. Well, three but one as far as I know is dead. Of course your grandfather is one of them, how else would we have to Serentari? The other, though, I shall hold his name to myself for a bit longer. Now, I heard you say the queen wishes to see. May we go see her, Lillian?” Adam explained sharply. Drusilla stepped towards him, feeling safer around him. Her hand twitched, wishing for her dagger.

  “Oh, you’ll see her alright. She refuses to let me deal with the two of you. Now I know the apple does not fall far from the tree. Come, my Lord, I’ll take you to your mother. Your father passed on within the past few weeks, though, sorry to say,” Lillian mocked. She opened the gate, allowing the two out. Adam frowned for a moment, grabbing their weapons and handing the dagger and sword back to Drusilla. The Free Strider just glared at Lillian as she secured her weapons. The leader had a fiery personality, mocking and bitter. Drusilla didn’t know how she felt about it.

  “Yes, well that’s sad for him. I never really knew the man though. Now this is much better. Come, Sill. Welcome to Serentari, home of the Elves, world of the gods protected by the magic waters of the lake on the Isle of Serenity,” Adam remarked as he stretched. They walked outside into the fresh air and bright sun, Adam looking around with a glimmer in his eyes as he smiled wide. “Welcome home.”

  Adam had been a small boy, running around outside with his wooden sword playing as a few nursemaids watched him. Mother was arguing with Father again. The two hadn’t been getting along for a while now. Adam tended to ignore it though. He loved Mother dearly, and Father was gone so often. Adam refused to be like that to any children he would have one day. No, he’d be a warrior who came home for dinner every night. Adam watched some flames dance across his fingers, listening to the harps playing nearby. Mother loved to keep the halls filled with music. Adam liked it too. He looked over and saw a fairy playing in the nearby rose bush. With a wicked smile, Adam dropped his toy sword and went to chase it, the nursemaids simply shaking their heads at his antics.

  Adam was always that curious boy who got into everything. By the age of five he’d already figured out almost all of the secret passageways in the castle. By eight he’d read most all of the books his mother would let him read. Now at nine he preferred to explore outdoors, much to the dread of his mother and nursemaids. Father would just chuckle at it and play with Adam’s hair, something Adam didn’t like very much. Father never said much to him, but when he did he would tell the best stories of Nacotari and Galdirr.

  As Adam held the now irritated fairy in his hands, Adam swore to one day explore Galdirr. He’d love to travel the open seas as his father talked about. He’d love to see the rolling hills, and visit the inns filled with songs. More than that, he’d love to see other firebloods like himself. At home, Adam was the only one. That made him special, but that also made him a slight outcast with the other children. Adam sighed, letting the fairy go as he saw his mother leaning against the poles. “I let her go, Mother,” Adam called out proudly. Avariana smiled.

  “You are always so kind, my son, just as a good prince should be,” Avariana praised. She stood straight. “Now come in and let’s get you washed up for dinner.”

  “Of course Mother,” Adam replied happily, excited for dinner. As he ran towards his mother, Avariana picked him up, singing softly in his ear.

  Drusilla stared at Adam bewildered as they made their way to the edge of the village. The villagers were now staring at the two newcomers with awe, whispering to themselves. At the gate was an Elvish rider sitting atop a horse. He looked like Valtari with silvery blonde hair and gray blue eyes. Looking from him to Adam, Drusilla saw the resemblance. Adam smiled at the rider who just bowed his head as Valtari had. Lillian frowned. She sighed, shaking her head as she walked over to untie some horses. She handed reigns to both Adam and Drusilla. The Elf then began to lead Adam, Drusilla, Caleb, and Lillian north on the dirt road.

  “So what’s your name?” Lillian asked Drusilla as they began to see the most exotic birds and plants that Drusilla had ever dreamed of. Bright colors, golds, and silvers surrounded Drusilla.

  “Drusilla,” Drusilla replied almost breathlessly.

  “You’ll have to excuse how distracted she is,” Adam sighed. “I’m sure you still remember your first time here.” Lillian and Caleb smiled.

  “Yes, well, I also was prepared by my grandfather,” Lillian chuckled. Drusilla sighed.

  “My mother used to tell me stories of this place. She’d never been here, but she was a historian,” Drusilla explained.

  “It wouldn’t be Breena Kloy by any chance, would it?” Caleb inquired.

  “Yes, how did you know?” Drusilla replied, narrowing her eyes. Caleb sighed.

  “My father used to read her work, said she was the best historian ever,” Caleb explained. Drusilla slowly nodded. She knew her mother had published some small bits, mainly biographies, but had never really met anyone who had read them.

  “Your father would then be sorry to hear she’s dead,” Drusilla remarked. Caleb frowned.

  “Then perhaps they’ve met in the afterlife,” Caleb muttered. Drusilla looked around, looking at birds of blue, pink, orange, gold, and silver, as well as more fairies that fluttered about. A soft breeze blew through, the distant smell of the sea in the air. Soon a large citadel of a city rose before them, soft gray stones decorated by ivy reaching up into the sky in tall walls. The Elf leading them spoke to the guards at the gate who promptly opened it, bowing softly to Adam as the group passed.

  Drusilla was met with a more breathtaking sight than even the forest. It was a stone masterpiece, with intricate roads ahead of them. Beautiful girls in pearl white dresses walked about giggling, their blonde or brown hair intricately braided to show off pointed ears. As the group passed, they all stopped and waved, bowing to Adam with bright smiles and soft blushes. Men with blonde hair rushed out quickly, containing the growing crowds of women and children, all talking in another language in hushed voices. The Elvish was more majestic there, swelling in the number of voices around Drusilla. It felt more natural than even her own tongue. The smell of fresh breads and honey wafted out from stores, reminding Drusilla that she had not eaten since the night before. The pathways were lined by ivy and flowers, everything so beautiful it was like a dream.

  Finally they entered the castle courtyard, all of them dismounting. The pathway lead right down to the large wooden main doors. Light green grass filled either side, reaching towards the walls lined by rose bushes, the only familiar flower Drusilla saw. The walls held large stained glass windows of trees to the left and mermaids in the sea to the right. The walls themselves were a soft marble, creating such a majestic and noble scene that it was like a fairy tale. Drusilla recalled how her mother used to tell her of how the Elves built their buildings, taking time to create masterpieces of art rather than simple dwellings. It was the fantastical structure that Drusilla had ever seen or could ever hope to see in her life.

  The rider they followed pushed back his hair and led the four of them down the path to the front doors, guarded by two guards in silver brushed armor. The two guards bowed to Adam and opened the doors, leading into a great hall with pillars on either side. It was a large room with a great deep navy blue carpet lined with gold. Large pillars lined the sides, made of a soft blue marble and draped in ivy. Gold flags with the emblem of a red sea fairy hung from the ceiling. Drusilla only recognized the sea fairies by her mother’s stories. Servants ran passed dressed similarly to Valtari. None of them looked at the group, as though eye contact was forbidden or disrespectfu
l. Drusilla felt strangely out of place but strangely right at home in the hall as they walked down the carpet towards the throne. The final two pillars and the back and arms of the throne were covered in an ivy darker than the rest intertwined with gold ribbons.

  Next to the pillars, two women dressed in dark red were playing lyres. Standing next to the throne were to more guards, different from the rest in darker armor and a stance as though this was a sacred duty to them, not just a means to put bread on the table. However, it was who in the throne that made Drusilla smile softly. “Welcome, journeyers,” the woman on the throne greeted gently and happily. “Adam, my dear Adam! Ah, yes, and the lovely Drusilla. Lillian, thank you for bringing them unharmed.” She smiled showing pure white teeth against dark full lips. Her silvery blonde hair hung in layers on her nimble shoulders exposed by the off shoulder sleeves of her dress. She gazed at Drusilla with her golden eyes flecked with deep blue. Her pale and pearly skin was draped in a soft blue fabric of her dress, shimmering in the movement of her every breath against the light of the sun trickling in through the stained glass behind her. A crown of ivy sat upon her head as though it belonged nowhere else in the world.

  «Hello, Dearest Mother,» Adam replied, bending down on one knee as he gazed at the ground. “I am most glad to see you again.”

  Chapter 13:

  Nathan hated the heat of the late summer day. He was already drenched in sweat, tossing his shirt aside. Time was being cruel, running by slowly as the day dragged on. Suddenly he froze and tensed, the feeling of a cold blade pressing against the back of his neck. He had barely registered it was there though before it was gone. Bewildered, Nathan turned to Lu’s direction. She was busy working, lost in thought as she had been since yesterday. He wondered if he had just imagined the sensation, but his gut told him otherwise, his body still tense. Nathan’s eyes narrowed, dark doubt nagging his mind. Half of him was screaming not to trust Lu, but he shook it down. It was hot and he was distracted. He probably was just imagining what happened.

  Nathan let out a heavy sigh as he looked out at the horizon. The sunlight shimmered in the water, Nathan thinking ahead. He wondered what he would do after the Brethren were defeated. He’d be expected to take the throne, and he was planning on it, but a part of him wanted to return home and rebuild the village he loved. His family deserved to have their memory honored like that. Yes, that was what he’d do. Adam would help him. Perhaps Nathan could even talk Drusilla into it.

  Nathan’s stomach growled, begging for the food Lu had just brought up. The captain frowned, walking over to it and picking up one of the rolls Annloe had given him. He was going to start getting too used to such fine food. Nathan had to smile at that. His mother always used to get on him about how Nathan always preferred such luxuries if he could have them. He sighed. After this war was ending, Nathan would make sure a lot of things would change and firebloods could have the life they very well deserved.

  Everything suddenly clicked for Drusilla. Adam Brightheart was the son of Queen Avariana. How had she not seen that before now? “Hello, Your Majesty,” Drusilla muttered, kneeling alongside Adam. She had already thought of the prince as an Elf since they left the village, but this… She was in shock. She’d fallen in love with a prince? Suddenly Drusilla realized. This was Adam’s dark secret. This was his burden. This is what he had to hold secret.

  “You both may stand,” Avariana ordered in her soft and enchanting voice. Adam and Drusilla both rose as the Queen stood, walking towards them. “Annloe has done well to send you here. I am pleased. Come, follow me. You too, Lillian, for the things we wish to discuss involve you.” Baffled, Lillian followed them as Avariana led the three into the dining room and down a hall to a smaller library of sorts. The Queen shut the door behind them all, turning first to Lillian. “Lillian,” Avariana began, “These warriors need your people.” Lillian frowned.

  “Why? What reason do they have to obtain the help of my people?” Lillian snapped. “Surely if they are warriors they have their own armies.” Avariana sighed, looking at Drusilla and her son.

  “They have need. They are firebloods just as you,» Avariana pleaded. Lillian sighed, staring at Drusilla and Adam. Drusilla recognized the glance as one she’d been giving Nathan as of late. She regretted it now. She didn’t hate Nathan. She just… After that kiss, she didn’t know how to respond.

  “So a High Elf and some girl are warrior firebloods? They will be of no use, not without the heir,” Lillian attacked. Then it clicked. Adam wasn’t the heir. Lu wasn’t. Nor was Drusilla. All this time, it had been Nathan. And by process of elimination, according to prophecy… Beings above… And Nathan was alone with Lu. Drusilla felt the color leave her face.

  “Sure, Lillian, we’re of no use. Would Annloe have sent us knowing we wouldn’t be of any help?” Drusilla questioned. She was getting tired at how Lillian didn’t know how to hold her tongue. Drusilla could be as sharp as the woman, but at least the Free Strider knew how to hold her tongue. Luther had made quite sure of that.

  “So you’re a fighter after all. I can’t say anything about my grandfather’s doings. For all I know he could be desperate. The heir is long gone. You are of no use,” Lillian argued. Drusilla crossed her arms, looking at Adam who had a smirk on his face and that childish spark in his eyes.

  “He is not long gone. I know him well, just as you. He is well, and ready to defend his rights,” Adam replied. He shot Lillian a smile. “I did say we had some friends in common.” With that he winked. Drusilla had her thoughts and fears confirmed though. Adam was the Elf and Nathan the heir, leaving Lu as the traitor. The more Drusilla thought about it, the more she wondered if Lu was a Brethren. Malcolm was, and seemed to have been brought in by someone close to him. A sister was blood, hard to get closer than that.

  “My son is right,” Avariana confirms. “The heir is ready. The gem is also to be had. Drusilla, show Lillian.” Drusilla stiffly nodded, taking out the Fireblood Gem. Lillian took one look at it, her eyes going wide. She stumbled back, slowly sitting down in the chair nearby her.

  “So, he›s alive after all these years? I thought he had died in the fire. I thought- I thought I›d lost him,” Lillian mused quietly. She wiped away a lone tear as she swallowed hard. “I will help.” She stood, turning with shoulders drawn back to Drusilla and Adam. “I’m sorry for being so harsh. We will leave by nightfall.” Her mind seemed distant, tears falling once again as her humanity and gentleness began to show behind her mask. “I need to be alone for right now though,” Lillian muttered barely above a whisper. Adam sighed, leading her out of the room. Avariana placed a gentle hand on Drusilla’s shoulder.

  “It feels strange not knowing what is going on, does it not?” Avariana inquired. Drusilla stiffly nodded. “You have done well. Fear not what is happening around you. There are things that even I have yet to fathom that are at work.” Her words were comforting as she began to rub Drusilla’s back. It reminded the Free Strider of how her mother used to comfort her after a nightmare. They walked out into the dining room.

  “What about my feelings?” Drusilla asked, looking at the Queen. “Surely what I feel isn’t supposed to happen.” Avariana paused, turning to look Drusilla in the eyes, into the soul it seemed.

  “Your emotions are not to be feared. Take the pain and use it as a flaming sword in the battle to come. Take the love and use it as something to fight for. You feel what you feel for a reason. Do not hinder it, but rather use it to an advantage,” Avariana explained. She sighed. “Hold out your dagger.” Drusilla followed the instruction, slipping the dagger that killed her mother out of its sheath. It had a strange shimmer to it, and as Avariana held her hand over it, the blade seemed to glow brightly. “Call upon your fire. Call upon that ancient power,” the Queen instructed. Drusilla took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she relaxed, the flames easily coming forth.

  Fire poured from her fingers onto the blade, soon expanding. Avariana took a step back, watching as the flames grew w
ith each second. The fire began to engulf Drusilla, overtaking her in waves as she began to rise off the ground. Drusilla opened her eyes, feeling the space beneath her feet. She found she couldn’t move, the fire coursing through her veins in a way they had never done before. Then, slowly, the flames began to die off, Drusilla floating softly to the ground. When Drusilla looked down at the blade, it had changed. The handle was a dark red, and the metal of the blade had golden flames running through. Most curious of all, Drusilla felt the strangest surge of power and balance running through her, a most ancient feeling that seemed more natural than breathing.

  Nathan had been 16, standing in the field with Sefton, his father. “Are you ready?” Sefton inquired.

  “I’ve been ready,” Nathan remarked with an excited smile.

  “Beings above, son, don’t get too caught up in this. The power you are about to receive is a huge responsibility,” Sefton warned. Nathan frowned.

  “I am well aware, Father,” Nathan sighed. “You’ve only told me a hundred times.” Sefton laughed.

  “Your mother and I have been waiting for this day since you were born,” Sefton mused.

  “Don’t start getting all sappy on me, Father,” Nathan pointed out. Sefton slowly nodded.

  “Of course not, Nathan,” Sefton assured. “Alright, let’s begin. It’s time to unlock your true power.”

  Annloe sat in the library again, lost in thought. He hoped that Drusilla and Adam were alright. He wished he could have sent the Wise to warn Lillian, but there was no point in asking. She came and went as she pleased, and had her own things to worry about. Annloe sighed. Adam would get them to the Queen safely though. Annloe was sure of it. He got up and left the room, walking up to the library that King Latorro had used. It was on the second floor, and was Annloe’s own library. The red room was the Wise’s. Annloe had decided to let her keep that one. She needed her own space when she was on the Isle and Annloe was more than willing to make sure she had it. Annloe looked around, searching for the paper he was looking for. He stared at the writing, tracing the dainty letters with his fingers.