Lord of Fire: #1 The Fire Chronicles

by Susi Wright

  Wiping the blade, he made for the door, but Luminor was there waiting for him, the element of surprise confusion enough to wrest the knife from his grasp and get him in a headlock, pressing the sharp steel to the scoundrel’s own throat. One Gaian returned but a minute later, in time to help Luminor tie up the thief, saying, ‘It is done! There was only one. Revo has it. He ropes him now and will bring him here!’ He helped Luminor drag their captive off the street as it was getting dark, almost time for the marshals to arrive, and they needed to check on Charl. The lump of a man struggled against them, but was powerless, his hands bound behind his back. They pushed him to the ground next to Charl and tied his feet. Luminor checked Charl. He was bleeding out from the stomach wound, the dark-red pool spreading across the dusty floor. It was not looking good for him. Barely alive, he was whispering something—just as the marshals and the other warrior came through the door. ‘Am I going to die?’ he rasped, plainly knowing the answer. Luminor replied anyway, to keep him talking, ‘Yes, old man, make your peace… admit your crimes before you meet your Ancestors!’ The marshals moved closer to hear his confession. Charl, knowing his time was at an end and even criminals wanted to make peace with the Ancestors before they met them, struggled for breath, panting, ‘I have done… many things… robbery, slaves, gambling… too many things… I cannot remember it all…’ And with a final gurgle, he died, the hand still clutching the crumpled inventory slackening, allowing the scrap of parchment to fall into the bloody dust beneath him. One of the officials quickly scooped it up as evidence, before it became completely illegible. The other stood up and shook Luminor’s hand vigorously, then thanked the other warriors in turn. The marshal who had retrieved the blood-soaked inventory wiped his hands on his tunic, before doing the same.

  ‘Thank you, Lord Luminor, you have helped rid the region of a scourge. We have been after this gang for more than a year, we just could not pin down any of them, especially the boss here, Charl. Now we have proof, by his own admission. We know the wily old scoundrel! Now we have caught him, red-handed! We will have someone come collect the body.’

  Luminor took this opportunity to bring about the end of the illegal zabuk-fighting and round up the slave traders into the bargain. ‘And, sirs, you might want to check Portland Street warehouses, in the Capital, for what goes on there after midnight! Take marshals. There are some unfortunate girls to be rescued! And experienced animal-handlers, in case there are any live zabuks to return to the wild.’

  The officials acknowledged the tip-off, and ushering the two villains in front of them, they left for the jailhouse, with two of Luminor’s men to testify. Nodding to those two warriors, he took Revo with him to round up the samblars, which had not run far. He and Revo would hitch up the wagon and drive it to Runo’s house without delay. Luminor hoped Chadren would be pleased!

  Chapter Forty-one

  Huddled in twin armchairs by the crackling log-fire in Runo’s sitting room, Chadren and his father-in-law were enjoying the last warmth downstairs, before retiring to their fur pallets. Watching the flames pensively, Chadren said sadly, as he had more than once recently, ‘Oh, how I regret what has happened! All I wanted was Fralii home, and yet I drove her away. How strange is life!’

  Runo commented sagely, ‘No stranger than you make it, sometimes!’ He looked pointedly at his son-in-law, still convalescing and confined to the chair for a good part of each day, but now mostly feeling sorry for himself. ‘I know, I know, I was wrong,’ Chadren actually admitted for the first time. ‘But what can be done now? I cannot go anywhere! I cannot do a thing!’

  Runo shrugged, at a loss, but hoping some reparations could be made, as he stood and made his way to the scullery to prepare them a nightcap. The kitchen was deserted, as Sala usually went to her quarters after the evening meal was cleared away; besides, both men were happy to avoid her motherly censure, being partial to a warm honeyed labis milk laced with a wickedly healthy dose of something stronger, before bed. Whistling nonchalantly, Runo produced the secret flask of rye spirits from his pocket and generously topped up the milky drinks.

  As he was bringing the steaming beverages back past the hallway, he thought he heard a light tapping on the door. He stopped, not sure if his ears were playing tricks. Rap, rap. There it was again! Placing the drinks on the hall table, he cautiously went to the peephole to see who could be calling at this hour. Immediately recognising the glowing green gaze looking back at him, he hastened to unlock the door and allow Luminor inside, keeping his voice low. ‘Come in out of the cold, my boy!’ Then he asked, hopefully peering around him into the darkness, ‘I don’t suppose you have Fralii with you, do you?’

  Luminor smiled apologetically, ‘Not yet, Runo, not yet!’ He put his hand on Runo’s arm, urging him out into the courtyard. ‘But let me show you something I do have!’ The old man grumbled good-naturedly at the cold night air, but followed Luminor to the wagon, where another man, who was keeping guard, politely came forward to be introduced by Luminor.

  ‘Runo, this is Revo, one of my clan.’ Runo regarded the strangely dressed warrior, noting in particular his mercurial eyes, glittering like quicksilver in the darkness. ‘Also Gaian… I see!’ he said, with a characteristic chuckle. Luminor lifted the cover on the wagon to reveal the gems. Runo chuckled again. ‘Well, well, you have not been idle, dear lad, have you? Come! Help me get Chadren to see this. It’s about time he had something to move his arse for!’

  As they went back into the hallway, Runo put his finger to his lips, and signalled Luminor to stay back for the moment, a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes. He went ahead into the sitting room and cleared his throat, rousing Chadren abruptly from his doze. ‘You wanted to know what you could do to change everything! Well, you can start… by greeting this young man, here,’ he beckoned Luminor forward, ‘and letting the two of us help you outside to see what he has brought you… despite your rudeness! You should consider yourself very lucky!’

  Luminor appeared around the corner, standing silent, watchful. Chadren’s expression, at first shocked as he recognised Fralii’s supernatural rescuer whom he never thought to see again, softened as he quietly addressed the visitor, ‘Good evening, Luminor. You certainly have courage, coming back here! I don’t suppose you have brought Fralii back to me again, have you?’ He managed a small rueful smile.

  ‘Not yet, Chadren. But on my life, I will!’ he exclaimed passionately, ‘with your permission!’

  Runo interrupted eagerly, ‘Come, Lumi, help me get him outside…’ as he took Chadren’s arm to help him stand. ‘Time to get you moving again, son!’

  It seemed Chadren had finally let go of his misplaced anger. Losing Fralii for the second time, by her own choice, had given him the shake-up he had needed, and he had grown tired of the sadness and regret. Bewildered but daring to hope, he complied, letting Runo help him to his feet. He had also heard of the praiseworthy Gaian success, killing the flame adder. Who had not? He had to concede they were not all bad!

  Luminor approached Chadren, who looked askance as he placed his hands gently on him, to take some of the weight and assist him to walk. Between the two men, Chadren gingerly placed one foot in front of the other, an exercise he had managed a few times now, though not without a great deal of effort.

  At the top of the half-dozen large steps, Luminor signalled his man to take over from Runo, so they could chairlift him down. As the distinctively Gaian warrior emerged like a ghost from the darkness and approached, a remnant of bad memories briefly returned, and Chadren could not resist checking the colour of this one’s eyes—silver, not blue, at least. He relaxed and let them carry him down to the pavement next to the wagon. He recognised it immediately. ‘This is my wagon! There is the cartwright’s mark!’ He pointed to an engraved metal insignia on the side of the wagon.

  ‘These are also yours!’ Luminor threw back the cover, so Chadren could see the gems. ‘Almost all are here,’ he assured Chadren. ‘The thief sold some, I believe.’


  Chadren did not hide his pleasure. He had thought he would face a rough year, his livelihood suffering greatly from the loss of this valuable cargo, and his injuries preventing him trading for so long into the future, for he would not be fully recovered until well into summer. He sighed. ‘Thank you, Luminor. I am so sorry… for everything,’ he said sincerely. ‘Please come into the warm and accept our hospitality, for tonight at least. Your man also, after he finishes out here.’

  Luminor motioned to Revo to put the wagon and samblars in the barn, while he and Runo took Chadren inside, seating him again in his chair. No one would be going to sleep just yet. There was much to be said. Runo, tactfully, left the two others to talk, while he remade the nightcaps, this time for four.

  Luminor spoke first. ‘Sir, I am aware of what happened… I sincerely regret the past…’ He met Chadren’s eyes honestly.

  ‘No need to say more. The past is the past! Runo told me your circumstances,’ the older man admitted. ‘I only want to look forward now, to see my dear daughter again. Nothing else matters!’

  ‘I have wanted to find her, for so long… but duty prevented it,’ Luminor explained.

  ‘Ah, yes. You were involved in a quest, I understand?’ Chadren asked, curious about the details of Luminor’s involvement. It had all been gossip up till now. No one in Splendo had actually heard the story first-hand from a Gaian. After feeling isolated from everything due to circumstances, Chadren felt quite privileged.

  ‘Yes. I played a part,’ was the short answer.

  ‘Well. Sometime I would like to hear that story in detail! Perhaps when you next visit?’ Chadren suggested, not feeling inclined to question Luminor’s reticence. From the look of him, he was obviously exhausted.

  ‘I will tell all,’ said Luminor with a secret smile, more than pleased to be invited back. ‘For now, sir, I would like your permission to search for Fralii. I will be gone tomorrow, long before you wake. In truth, I want to go now, but so many sleepless nights leave me sorely in need of a few hours’ rest!’

  Runo reappeared with Revo, carrying the warm beverages. ‘This will help! Get this down you, lad! You have been out in the cold, for too long!’ He winked at Luminor, as he handed him the steaming toddy. Luminor gratefully sipped the comforting liquid, in silence, musing how much more easily he could swallow the refreshments, this time.

  When Runo and Chadren rose early the next morning, before dawn, hoping to see Luminor and his companion off, with blessings and a few supplies, they were disappointed, finding them long gone, as Luminor had promised. They sat in the upstairs drawing-room, in front of a small brazier providing some warmth at this frigid early hour, disinclined to return to bed, as the sun was rising. The excitement from Luminor’s appearance, his promise to bring Fralii home, and the return of the gems had left them both buzzing.

  Runo started the conversation about their enigmatic visitor. ‘I rather like him, Chadren.’ He went on, ‘He has proved himself more than worthy of my affection… mmm… I wish he had taken some food.’

  Chadren wanted to agree, surprising himself. ‘There is something… likeable… about him,’ he allowed. ‘But, I cannot help… a feeling… that there is yet something he is keeping from us!’

  ‘Oh, I am sure there is much more to know… and like, I daresay, about young Luminor!’ Runo added thoughtfully. For one thing, he was aware of Lumi’s feelings for Fralii, and hers for him. He had also considered the rumours heard around town recently, about the heroic Gaian lord coincidentally named Luminor, who had slain the flame adder single-handedly, and was fast becoming a legend!

  Chadren of course, being confined to the house, had not heard any details of the gossip, and since Runo was not certain of the facts, he decided to keep his suspicions to himself. He trusted Luminor that all would be revealed, in time.

  Chapter Forty-two

  The blessed respite of much-needed sleep did not come easily. As exhausted as Luminor was, the prospect of seeing Fralii again caused his heart to race as if it had its own mind. A great deal of self-discipline had been necessary to calm himself to a point that would allow slumber. Even then, he had only managed a few hours and, barely refreshed, had woken Revo well before dawn to hasten northwards. Their chosen method of travel, though affording them much greater speed, would still not see them reach the first medical camp before dusk. Allowing one short stop, they continued to ride the icy wind relentlessly for the entire day.

  Darkness had settled like a black velvet cloak over the plains of Reba some hours before they approached the first of two aid camps that had been set up by the government. The second, more northerly, camp had been built as a triage, for the most severely injured who could not survive a longer journey south. As they recovered, they were moved to Camp One, and ultimately back to the city. Both positions had been chosen since there was a large flat area for the tents, near a main route, with a woodland or forest nearby for timber to fuel the fires, and a good water source. In the case of Camp One, this was a large lake, which Luminor observed as they flew over, reflecting clearly in its still dark surface the pale moon, which hovered in a rare cloudless night sky, free of the usual autumn fog. Beyond the deep purple expanse flickered the campfires, welcoming beacons to the two cold and weary Gaians. Luminor already knew Fralii was not here, not a trace of her. But his mother and sister were. He had to pass this way, anyway, and was keen to see them again.

  The two flyers landed in full view at the edge of the tent city. A few volunteers were still up doing the last rounds of the night, amongst them, of course, his mother and Rihann, who had travelled south two days earlier, to assist in this, the larger of the two camps, which had become severely understaffed when several disheartened volunteers had suddenly left.

  The women, who had been engrossed rolling clean bandages for the next day, instinctively looked up to see Luminor and Revo standing smiling at them. Aleana abandoned her task, overjoyed as she eagerly embraced her son. Rihann squealed with delight, taking her turn to launch into her brother’s arms. The warrior stood respectfully by.

  ‘Luminor, I am so proud of you!’ exclaimed Aleana, unable to hold back her motherly pride. ‘And Revo, it is good to see you, also!’ He bowed in acknowledgement. ‘You are very cold! You came from Splendo?’ she guessed correctly. The ladies ushered their clan members to the campfire to warm up, take some sustenance, and catch up on news of their adventures.

  After the telling of the death of the flame adder had been told, and prayers of tribute paid to the loss of their clan members, they sat companionably, staring into the leaping flames of the fire, silently contemplating the Supreme Power it represented. A paradox of Nature. How it could sustain, or destroy.

  In the flickering firelight, Aleana perceptively regarded her eldest son, now their Lord of Fire. How he reminded her of Thunis in appearance and character, in many ways—steadfast and idealistic, but even more serious, she thought, more handsome, and more compassionate. She noted then how drawn he looked, realising he would have eaten little and slept less, for countless days. He was driven by duty, and she saw something else, much deeper. Beyond the grief for his lost brothers, there was a soul-deep yearning underlying everything, almost as if he had found, and possibly lost—she abruptly recognised the emotion, from her own experience—a soulmate! How could she have missed it? More to the point, how well he had hidden it!

  Luminor met her gaze, so like his own, realising where his unguarded thoughts had been going, his eyes wordlessly confirming, hers acknowledging the truth. Aleana smiled warmly. Luminor looked relieved, returning her smile gratefully.

  ‘What is her name?’ she asked, intuitively following that with a statement of fact: ‘She is not Gaian.’

  ‘Fralii. Mother, do you know of her?’ Luminor asked quietly, carefully. ‘She is… human.’

  ‘I did see a girl, her male companion called her by that name… such a dedicated volunteer. We never spoke… I felt her deep sadness… wondered at the cause. But we were all so
busy, you understand, with the Prian. I believe she is still at Camp Two. Conditions are cruel there, much colder. And she was so exhausted, I fear for her well-being. You must go to her, Luminor!’

  ‘I will leave this night, Mother,’ he said, finishing his food and warming his hands briefly before departing. He nodded to his warrior. ‘Revo will stay.’ Kissing his mother and sister, leaving the three standing by the campfire, he flung out his cloak and took flight once more on the wintry wind, to follow the fire in his heart.

  Chapter Forty-three

  The numbers of new casualties arriving at Camp Two had mercifully dwindled since the news of the death of the monster. Unfortunately, the ones who had arrived last were some of the worst the volunteers had seen. Apparently the beast had become much stronger and crazed with its taste for human flesh, perhaps with the onset of winter. One man who had escaped with only minor burns reported seeing it in a feeding frenzy; it devoured dozens of villagers, sometimes only ripping off people’s limbs in its haste to swallow as many as possible in one hunt. Neither did it seem to care if its victims were alive or already burned to death; they all went the same way. He counted himself lucky to have got himself and his wife into a small, deep cellar to hide. So now the camp also had many who had lost arms and legs, along with the burned, all dependent on the healing powers of Nature, the invaluable Prian, and the Gaian women, stoic nurses, and volunteers like Fralii. Despite the adversity, it seemed they were making headway. They still required copious amounts of prepared Prian to dress the wounds. Fralii felt sick to the stomach from the bitter taste of it. She wiped her soiled and freezing hands on her apron so she could swipe her hair back and refasten it, sighing with fatigue.