Lord of Fire: #1 The Fire Chronicles

by Susi Wright

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  The open brown grassland which could be seen in all directions as they rode changed little all day, save for the various harmless native animals that appeared periodically, like the furry black-and-white plains-badgers rummaging through the dry tufts of grass, foraging for insects. Several times, in the distance, they caught sight of a sizeable herd of the rumars that roamed these plains, grazing, their hides as brown as the grass, their giant antlers glistening and bobbing as they picked at the thinning pastures of late autumn, trying to fill their bellies before it was all gone. Enjoying the tranquil scene, Fralii thanked the Ancestors that they had not seen anything more dangerous.

  Thanks to their trusty mounts, they had covered many furlongs since sunrise. Samblars were capable of keeping up a lively pace for many hours, usually very tractable and hardy animals, and these two were particularly so, giving them no problems riding bareback for so long, other than diminished comfort.

  Although weaker in strength, with an occasional chilly gust, a hefty hint of the approaching winter, the sun had made a valiant attempt to dominate the pale-blue sky between scudding white clouds. In this token gift of warmth, and with easy footing, they quickly covered the southern reaches of the open Plains of Reba, so familiar to Luminor from his many hours of training.

  As the plains stretched out to their left, the first sheltering hills of Alba came into view ahead and Luminor announced, ‘Splendo is less than one day!’

  Fralii acknowledged facetiously, ‘Of course! You know it!’ He frowned, puzzled at her tone. She relented and smiled at him, causing him to relax and smile widely back, still ignorant of the slight. No more was said about that as they trotted on.

  A startled flock of scrub-hens scurried out of their path, their speckled-silver plumage reflecting white and gold in the dwindling rays of sunlight. A brood of a dozen fluffy white chicks waddled and squawked as they hurried to catch up with the fleeing adults.

  Smiling at the sight, Fralii felt somehow reconnected to Nature. She stroked the neck of her noble mount, recalling the carefree times she had ridden her own beautiful black samblar. Sadly, she wondered if Simban had made it to Splendo, or suffered a similar fate to Zaf, Spirit stolen and long gone with the thieves, very likely sold in some far-off place. With all that had happened, there had been scant time for reminiscing, mostly just feeling lucky to be alive. But now, even with so many questions still unanswered, she reflected on how all these experiences, both horrible and terrifying, with kidnappers and savage wild animals, and new and exciting things, as in her growing regard for Luminor, had changed her. She had, in some strange way, become much older.

  As her private thoughts turned, as they so often did, to her enigmatic companion, she glanced over to find him watching her yet again, his green gaze searching and strange in its brilliance, particularly so now, in the half-light of dusk. ‘You are quiet,’ he observed. She knew that was unusual. But then, they had both changed, a little. She had slowly begun to keep some thoughts to herself, while he, on the other hand, was learning to verbalise more of his. Fralii wondered, as she returned his gaze, realising starkly, how she loved his eyes, how she had come to care so deeply for him, mystery and all.

  Luminor had been watching the play of emotions across her face, and felt them strongly defined in his consciousness. Full telepathy was not possible with any being, but he could clearly sense her momentary sadness, then nostalgia, gratitude, horror as she remembered, and excitement. Finally, after he spoke, as their eyes met, he perceived vividly and unmistakably this time, the emotion of love. Many times recently he had detected a confused glimmering of it, tempered by fear and bewilderment. At those times, he had respected her uncertainty and vulnerability, and tried to hide his own powerful emotion, to the point where he thought he might explode. Keeping his distance somewhat, he had gradually mastered this roiling of his thoughts and he no longer feared that, but was ever powerless to still the racing beat of his heart whenever their eyes held, as now. Though there was no physical contact, they were both momentarily locked in this common revelation; the Link between them seemed to take on a life of its own. The passage of time lost meaning, transporting them, transcendent of their physical existence, where they were flying together, two wings of one being, soaring in an ethereal atmosphere. Free of the ties of the present, convention, responsibility. Fearless. This type of astral travel was not an entirely new experience to Luminor, who, in the course of his recent meditations and perceptions, had alone done a similar thing but never like this, totally connected to another, mentally.

  To Fralii, it was a sensational feeling, far more wondrous than any she could have imagined. And rather than frightening her, it assured and excited at the same time. She somehow knew then, deep in her soul, that Luminor really had flown with her that night, that he had many other strange talents she had not yet witnessed, and that he most definitely was not human.

  Reluctantly, Luminor dragged his mind from the Link, causing Fralii to shiver, suddenly bereft and cold, but his practical side demanded they attend to guiding their samblars to a suitable campsite, since night had fallen, and they sorely needed rest. He was equally shaken by the power of the Link, even though he recognised it, was taught to expect it.

  Earlier that day, they had stopped to fill the water skins at a small lake, affording Luminor the opportunity to collect some straight, woody reeds which he had quickly transformed into arrows with his knife. He was then able to shoot a large lapin that had surfaced nearby, gutting and cleaning it by the lakeside, and carried it with them.

  Finding a suitable place to stop, he hurriedly skinned it while Fralii banked the fire, then they roasted and ate their fill of the delicate meat. For a long time after that, they sat quietly side by side, contentedly watching the flames dance on the logs, digesting their meal, and with it, their growing feelings. In truth, they had both been stunned by their revelation, unsure of what might happen next. They also both suspected there was no going back. After a while, Luminor came to decision. Finally, here was a truth which would not be denied. He was finished with tradition! He reached for Fralii’s hand, and as natural as it had felt in the hideout, she let his hand enfold hers, content for now to grow accustomed to this new closeness. Words seemed no longer to matter so much.

  When it was time to rest, they lay down in each other’s embrace, Fralii feeling warm from the inside out. Luminor, his slight trembling the only indication of his internal struggle, exercised all his mental skill, to rein in the galloping direction of his desire, for the sake of propriety.

  Sleep eluded them both, for many hours, as they in turn revelled in and struggled with the moments. Several times when they simply looked into each other’s eyes, the Link transported them mentally to exotic far-off places, the places where dreams come from. This union of their spirits became far more intimate than any mere physical consummation. And finally, content with that, they drifted into fitful slumber, both knowing it was mysterious but true they belonged together.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  In his smoky back-room office, Charl sat back, smiling smugly as he put down his cheroot and popped another honeyed sweet-cake into his mouth. He had just returned after taking delivery of a sizeable shipment of exquisite gems at his secret warehouse on the outskirts of Splendo. His man had also handed over the bonus cash from the slave market, boosted nicely by the sale of the black-haired beauty, and other robberies. He had paid the simpleton quite handsomely, turning a blind eye to the fact he knew the gang always pocketed a few gems. The remainder of the shipment was worth a tidy fortune to him, far more than a paltry few pennies. He bought their loyalty by giving them shiny coin and a constant supply of work, and allowed them to think they were getting away with the petty theft. Anyone who was stupid enough to cross him was a dead man, anyway.

  He licked the remnants of honey from his fingers and sipped on his beverage, estimating just how much he might get from the latest contraband, the largest haul he
had appropriated in years. He would organise the black-market sales, through his contacts, but not as quickly as usual this time. He would do nothing for a few weeks, then trickle the gems out onto the market, so as not to draw suspicion. Also, word had reached him that the old fool merchant, Runo, had been poking around, having a personal interest in the matter. It was a tiresome detail that the old man was related to the gem trader. But Charl was too clever to get caught. He would lie low for a while and wait for the dust to settle.

  * * *

  Several days of asking questions at towns and villages, two of the men even doing the same in the Capital, had turned up little of import. Simban concluded that the kidnappers had covered their tracks well, going unnoticed if they had travelled the main routes, since traders and caravans were common all the way to the Capital and beyond. It seemed hopeless, as they returned to Splendo by three different towns, continuing their enquiries as they passed through other villages, but unfortunately, having to report back to Chadren four days later, empty-handed.

  They all met to decide what, if anything, could be done. The last any of them knew about the kidnapping was Chadren’s vague account of the kind foreigner who had saved his life, and had promised to find Fralii, but no one had seen or heard of him since. For all they knew, Chadren could have been delirious, or if the man did exist, he might not have kept his word, or abandoned the difficult task. What obligation would he have after all?

  Runo’s only findings that a couple of men had been throwing around a large amount of coin at the local alehouse and brothel the previous evening were a little suspicious, as Runo had not heard of any large shipments arriving in town in the last few days, but this was not unusual in a large trading city such as Splendo, where anyone with extra wealth spent it on similar indulgences. According to Runo’s associates, the men had been very tight-lipped about their form of employment, and even the ale had not loosened their tongues. But with so many deals going on in the city, both lawful and shady, and so many men looking for fortune or just their next meal, there was fierce competition for employment; it followed that most who had a bit of extra coin would jealously guard their source of income.

  The anxious group certainly did not want to give up on their dear Fralii; Chadren’s worry would only hamper his recovery, so the ever-loyal Simban offered to set off for the Capital the next day, to try again. They all hoped the Ancestors would assist, this time.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Luminor, impatient now, watched Fralii in slumber, her beautiful face illuminated by the first rosy light of dawn. In the many extra hours of wakefulness afforded a Gaian, there was much time for contemplation. The weight of the decision he had made during the night, pressing him to act, warred with reluctance to give up the peace he found in these last moments of study. What he was about to do would change everything, not only between them, but also far beyond, with repercussions on the beliefs and traditions of men—human and Gaian.

  Unable to wait a minute longer, Luminor abandoned himself to recklessness, stealing a kiss on her cheek, bringing to mind an old proverb, Once a thief, always a thief… but that would change, just like everything, he thought. He could make things right.

  She stirred at that gentle contact, then he shook her arm to wake her fully. As she opened her eyes and he was engulfed in the now-familiar warmth of her smile, he launched into words, ‘Fralii… I have no wealth, nothing to offer you… except my devotion… I want to…’ he took a steadying breath, trepidation returning as Fralii looked uncertain, but plunging on, ‘pledge my life to you!’ She looked surprised, then looked searchingly at him. He sat up, took her hand, and held it close to his heart, where she could feel its thunderous beat.

  Releasing a sigh, he ventured, ‘But first, I must tell you… much more!’ Fralii could hardly contain her joy. Finally the time had come! She beamed expectantly at him, spurring him to continue, his head down as if concentrating. ‘You know… we are very different?’ He glanced quickly at her, having decided to use no guile or control in this important matter.

  ‘I am Gaian.’

  ‘You already told me that,’ she said softly, with a sigh, a rueful smile hovering on her lips.

  ‘I mean… I am not human.’ He stood up, pulling her with him, as if to make her listen more carefully.

  ‘Yes. I know,’ was her simple reply, then with a wry expression, she said, ‘And… I also know you can fly!’

  Luminor seemed a little relieved. ‘Good. But there is more—’

  Anxious not to lose the momentum, she urged, ‘Go on . . .’

  ‘I can control certain elements of Nature…’ He seemed encouraged by the fact she still gazed at him expectantly. ‘Wind, Water, Earth, and Emotion… but not yet Fire.’

  Not entirely surprised, but a little dazed by the magnitude of it, she murmured, ‘Not… yet… Fire?’ Could there even be more? He decided her continued silence was an opportunity to finish the tumble of words he felt compelled to utter. ‘One day, I will take great responsibility. This is my future.’ He hoped he had not lapsed into the Gaian tongue in his haste. ‘There is much to do… before I can claim you!’ He stared at her imploringly. ‘If I need to do… strange things… do not be afraid!’

  To Fralii, as enthralled as she was by this disclosure, the words were starting to sound like another language, or some of them really were foreign. What she had understood seemed so incredible, she shook her head to clear it. ‘I do not understand all you are telling me… it’s almost too much!’ He looked momentarily disappointed, before she said, ‘But, it does not matter!’ Then launching herself into his embrace, she whispered shyly into his chest, ‘I love you!’

  Luminor clung to her, elated that the truth had not driven her from him, but freely into his arms. ‘I love you. Will love you… forever!’ he pledged, knowing in that moment their union would be assured. And in the strong circle of Luminor’s arms, Fralii knew she did not need to doubt the certainty of his declaration.

  Reluctant to break the embrace, but ever practical, Luminor pulled away slightly, tenderly caressing her cheek, leaning down to her upturned face to kiss her very gently on the lips. ‘We must go!’ he breathed against her mouth, and abruptly turned to fetch the samblars.

  As she accepted the guide rein of her mount, Fralii noticed that Lumi had salted and dried the lapin fur by the fire overnight, a rudimentary job, but sufficient, fastening it over the back of the samblar to provide a modicum of comfort. She smiled gratefully at him, happy to be able to continue the journey with a little padding. Riding bareback was starting to take its toll. Not that she would ever complain about it.

  The new-found intimacy buoyed their spirits as they rode side by side. When the terrain was easy, they held hands for a few minutes, otherwise keeping up a cracking pace, concentrating on guiding their samblars through rougher terrain, avoiding bogs and deadly quicksand, which were both common in this part of the country. Both feeling the urgency of reaching their destination, for different reasons, they stopped only once to rest briefly, stealing a kiss or two before setting off again into the chilly afternoon.

  As evening drew in, the barbican gates of Splendo came into view. Luminor halted their progress some distance from the portal, dismounting suddenly and crossing the distance between them in three strides. He reached up, urging Fralii down into his arms, holding her tight. She was puzzled by his extreme anxiety as she laid her cheek against his chest, returning the embrace, feeling the thudding of his heart, and that hers would burst with happiness.

  Who knew what would come of their meeting with Chadren? Fralii was certain her father would like Lumi, and agree to their inevitable marriage. But Luminor knew, as he kissed Fralii one last time, with a certain desperation subtly masked by his passion, that all manner of difficulties lay ahead.

  The two remounted, Fralii eager to see her father and introduce her rescuer, and newly declared suitor, setting her samblar to a brisk trot towards Splendo’s gateway. After all they had endured,
their destination was only a few streets away! Luminor tended to lag behind, quite aware that it would be difficult to hide his true self for long, if he was honest, especially now Chadren would be alert and very interested in him. Almost hopelessly, he wondered if he could keep their exchange very brief, excusing himself to attend to errands in the city. Now, more than ever, he was reluctant to use guile on the poor man, who had already suffered a great deal, considering it to be too much like a betrayal, for it would have a selfish motive. Besides, he had a reckless wish to be accepted without subterfuge. With all the deceit he had up to now employed, he owed what honour he had left to Fralii, and her kin. He followed Fralii with a sense of foreboding, guessing what Chadren probably thought of supernaturals. He also knew that discovery by his own father was imminent. He had been absent from his clan far too long.

  They dismounted, tying up the samblars. The sight of Fralii so excited and joyful, bouncing up the steps of the villa to her home, greatly pleased Luminor, seeming to make all the trials worth it. ‘He will be so pleased and happy!’ she exclaimed, grabbing Lumi’s hand and pulling him behind her. She felt his slight resistance. ‘Lumi! Come on. Don’t be shy!’

  Luminor procrastinated. ‘I have things… to do… in the city.’ He knew it was weak, promising, ‘I will come back… later.’

  She pleaded, tugging, ‘Just meet him! He will be so grateful! Do not worry!’

  Unable to delay the inevitable, he prepared himself mentally, as he would for physical combat, knowing he would not by his own design have the shield and assistance of his powers this time, following her through the front door. They were met by a surprised and jubilant Runo. ‘Dearest Fralii! You have come back to us! The Ancestors answered our prayers!’ He embraced her, with tears in his eyes, catching sight of Luminor over her shoulder. ‘And this… is your young rescuer? Good day to you, young man… and our heartfelt thanks!’ he exclaimed as Luminor hung back from the exchange, in the shadows of the hallway.