Ember

by Tess Williams

  I looked back a little surprised. Ikovos’s brow was furrowed.

  Whatever that was, I’d missed it . . . as usual.

  Okay, Evelyn, just concentrate on your quest. Get to Adzamaruha's shop. Get the supplies.

  Ikovos walked past me, following Jaden. I gulped at the two boys ahead.

  They made it more than a little difficult to concentrate on anything.

  *

  “So you really think that we should break the treaty and retake the southern gate by force?” asked Ikovos incredulously.

  “I'm not talking about breaking the treaty, I just think we need to clear through the deeper parts of the forest.” That was Jaden. He was talking about Sharadeen, I think.

  Since we left the lodge they hadn't stopped . . . discussing different issues involving the order, mostly political. I followed along quietly, slightly behind and between them.

  Ikovos shook his head not-understanding. “We've known for years that Meoden have camps there.”

  “Yeah, and we should have done something about it then,” said Jaden.

  They both sounded so intense.

  I guess I hadn't been around them long enough to really grasp their whole relationship, but there seemed to be something up with them today.

  “Why?” started Ikovos. “What’s the point? We've already given them the portal, there's no reason to waste men driving them out of the forest.”

  Jaden shook his head. “It's not their dimension.”

  Ikovos shrugged.” They're not doing any harm though. The groups in there aren't organized, they're stragglers.”

  Jaden was silent for a moment. It looked like Ikovos might have won the argument, but then he spoke. “Do you know how close it is to the towns?”

  My pulse quickened. This statement hit home. I wondered if Jaden . . . no.

  Ikovos skewed his eyes skeptically. “People there are superstitious about Sharadeen, they wouldn't go near it . . . And no Meoden is gonna risk going into a town that close to us.”

  Jaden looked back at me in a dry, less-than-obvious, manner.

  My eyes widened and I turned my head down to watch my feet.

  Ikovos looked back at me now, too. “Sorry, Evelyn, we're totally leaving you out of the conversation.”

  I smiled, flattered that he cared. Jaden looked grudgingly back ahead.

  “What was it you were asking before Jaden came?”

  I straightened up, feeling a bit self-conscious. “Oh, ah . . . I was wondering if you . . . and I guess Jaden . . . if you two went through studies like the younger boys do? Like with the exams and weapons-training and such.”

  Jaden kept looking ahead. Ikovos rocked his head back and forth. “Well . . . when we joined, the order was a bit smaller than it is now. We did go through the same things, but—”

  “We got special attention.” Jaden finished for him.

  Ikovos seemed reluctant, but didn't argue with him. “We were more skilled with magic, so we got separated to a degree from the others.”

  I considered this, then tried to decide if I should take the conversation further. We were getting into a topic that I had yet to hear anything about. The fact that I hadn't, with something like this, meant they probably didn't want me to. I decided to ignore the small detail, clearing my throat.

  “How old were you two when you joined?”

  The atmosphere turned awkward as soon as I said it. Both boys looked at each other meaningfully. I bit my lip, waiting pensively and contemplating regret.

  Before either could answer, Jaden tripped. Well . . . at least he should have tripped. He caught himself so quickly it ended up looking more like a slight bounce . . . I’m not so sure it would be possible for Jaden to trip. . . .

  “What the—” He reached down a lifted a straw broom off the ground below. Both boys eyed it dubiously.

  I put a hand to my mouth with a short laugh. The last time I was here Adzamaruha had swatted at me with that thing before throwing it out into the woods . . . He said he was going back to look for it, but I guess he never found it.

  They both looked at me curiously.

  “Are we missing something?” asked Ikovos.

  I glanced at each then straightened my expression. “Oh, ah . . . no. It's just—”

  Before I could make an attempt at explaining a loud noise came through the trees. It sounded like some sort of explosion. A giant puff of purple smoke burst up above the treetops.

  We all quickly looked at each other then started towards it.

  The shop came into view along the road in no time. It was just as I remembered it: eccentric, shack-like, a variety of plants sectioned off in short fences . . . The front looked abandoned though. We walked around to the back to see the cause of the eruption. Or, at least I did. The two boys with me seemed less interested.

  Sure enough, a large cloud of purple was floating near the largest fire-lit, metal pot on the row of cauldrons. The strange spices and ingredients still hung from the pillars that held up the awning of the small cabin. The grass was lushly green, just as before. Still . . . there was no old man to be seen.

  My eyes narrowed as I moved forward. Suddenly I heard coughing coming from the center of the cloud and a form appeared.

  “Adzamaruha?” I asked apprehensively. I saw Ikovos and Jaden come up beside me in my peripheral view, but kept my focus on the mission.

  The scrawny, wizard-hatted, man coughed again, waving smoke away from his face. His eyes still hadn't landed on me. “Well, that wasn't the right beet-root.”

  I stepped forward again. “Are you alright, Adzamaru—”

  He looked at me then, all wide-eyed and cocked. “What the— . . . Who are you?!”

  “Oh brother,” muttered Jaden.

  “He does this every time,” finished Ikovos.

  The pointy-hatted man began walking forward. I blinked my eyes and tried to straighten up. “Ah, we've met before. I'm—”

  He didn't stop, moving past instead, eyes on Jaden and Ikovos.

  “I said, who are you?”

  I was a bit confused, but waited for the boys to answer. Ikovos did first, shaking his head.

  “Adza, you know who we are. We've been here a dozen times.”

  Adzamaruha pursed his lips as if trying to recall then shook his head. “No, nope. I do not know you. I've never seen you two before in my life.”

  Ikovos looked like he was about to argue, but Jaden interrupted him.

  “Wait, what do you mean two?” He gestured to me. “You're saying you know her?”

  He looked at Jaden skeptically then glanced over at me. “Of course. This is my apprentice, Evangeline.”

  Jaden and Ikovos stared at him with utter shock.

  I didn't really understand why Adzamaruha thought I was his apprentice, but I decided I should at least get everyone to calm down.

  “Let's just—”

  Jaden looked livid. “You're saying I came here to get supplies for an entire year straight, and you forgot me every single time, but she comes once and she's suddenly your apprentice?”

  Ikovos was just shaking his head dejectedly. “This is exactly why I can't stand this guy.”

  Adzamaruha swung his arms around extravagantly. “I do not have a clue about what you are talking about. But you had better get off my land this instant if you know what is good for you.”

  Jaden straightened forward. “What are you gonna do to me, old man, puff me with purple smoke?”

  The white-haired wizard looked furious. Jaden wasn't much calmer. Ikovos had just walked off to the left, muttering something.

  I stepped between them all. “Look, Adzamaruha, these are my friends. They're safe, I promise.” I grabbed the broom from Jaden's grip. He eyed me. “They even brought you back your broom.”

  Adzamaruha took it from my hands carefully, then rubbed some fingers through his beard. “Well . . . I suppose if you know them Evangeline, then it's alright.”

  Jaden rolled his eyes heavily. Before I
could apologize Adzamaruha suddenly brightened, grabbing my wrist.

  “Come, Evangeline, I have some new spells I must show you.”

  I surrendered nervously. “Ah, okay.” Then he pulled me off towards the building.

  *

  For the next while Adzamaruha showed us around his store, describing the more exceptional items. All of it was outside, of course. We had lost Ikovos a while back in the book section. Adzamaruha was now using Jaden's fire abilities to teach me a potion spell.

  “You are going to like this one, Evangeline. It's very useful in warding off Meoden spies.”

  “A . . . alright.”

  He tapped Jaden's head. “Make the fire larger, servant boy. We need more heat.” Adzamaruha turned around to grab another ingredient and Jaden scowled darkly.

  I glanced at him, biting my lip to hold back a smile. When he caught my eyes the grim face unexpectedly softened.

  Adzamaruha came back between us then, dropping a bright-red, pearish-looking, fruit into the pot. “Okay, that should do it. Evangeline, take your finger and dip it into the liquid.”

  I looked at him and then at the pot. Then I nodded. “Okay.”

  Jaden eyed me. “Are you crazy? That's way too hot.”

  The purple-robed man scoffed. “I put kin root in it, it couldn't possibly be over fifty degrees.”

  Jaden glared at him. He was going to start getting angry again. I took a brave breath, deciding it was worth a try, and dipped my finger in. I laughed shortly. It was quite cool.

  Adzamaruha smirked smugly. “Alright, now take it out and rub the liquid on your lips.”

  I raised my eyebrows uncertainly, Jaden was just ignoring us at this point, then did as he said.

  “Good, good,” he sang. Then he reached into a small pouch, grabbed a handful of pink dust and tossed it into the cauldron.

  A cloud of fuchsia went up around us. We all started coughing considerably. When the air cleared, Jaden spoke first.

  “What the heck are you doing?”

  Adzamaruha focused his eyes at my face then cheered happily. “Ah-ha! A success!”

  I looked down at myself. “What? What happened?”

  Jaden was staring at me too, disbelievingly. “That's it?”

  I looked at him, then at Adzamaruha. “What?”

  The old man passed me a small hand mirror. I looked into it. Everything was normal except for the fact that my lips had gone quite a few shades pinker. I put a hand up to my mouth and laughed.

  Jaden looked at Adzamaruha indignantly. “How is that possibly supposed to help her ward off Meoden?”

  Adzamaruha furrowed at him angrily, losing his before pleasant grin. “I hardly expect you to understand, servant boy.”

  “It's not even that pink,” said Jaden, pointing at my face.

  Adzamaruha scoffed. “It wouldn't be very pretty if it were too pink, now would it? . . . More natural this way.”

  “Natural?” mocked Jaden. “Ikovos, will you come tell this guy he's crazy for me.”

  The blond-haired boy didn't even look up. “You're crazy,” he shouted.

  Jaden eyed him. “Thanks a lot.”

  I had an idea then. “Hey, is this how you made the sheep different colors?”

  Adzamaruha nodded. “Of course. They could hardly be born like that . . . though I've often wondered what would happen in a blue and purple one had a child. . . . Do you think it would be bluish-purple, or blue with purple spots? . . .”

  I shook my head slowly. “Ah . . . I don't know, may I go pet one though?”

  He nodded. “Oh, sure, sure. They're just over the ridge.”

  I smiled and started off.

  “It could maybe be purple with blue spots, though . . .” His voice trailed as I stepped through the grass.

  My smile grew when I saw the colorful sheep grazing on the other side. Contented “bahs” could be heard moving about the flock. I crept over carefully to one, amazed when it actually let me touch it. It nuzzled its head into my hand. When another came, I sat down on the grass so I could pet them both comfortably. They were small, soft, and a rather saturated blue.

  I sighed. The weather was beautiful, even though it wasn’t raining, a great day. As the wind blew my hair I couldn't keep my mind from pondering that there was something wrong with Ikovos and Jaden. They were my friends now, that I felt certain of. And so if there was something going on, I think I had a responsibility to figure out what.

  Another coo from one of the lambs brought me back to the present. I smiled down at it.

  “Oh, you're just such a cute little guy, aren't you?”

  My head lifted when a throat cleared above me.

  “You a big sheep fan?” It was Jaden. He looked rather bored.

  I straightened, taking my hand from the lamb. It hopped off happily. “I guess.”

  His head shook slightly with a sigh . . . at least I thought it did. In the next second he tossed a thumb backwards. “Adzamaruha is getting the things together for Sophie now, we should be able to leave soon.”

  I nodded quickly, “Oh, okay,” then bit my lip. “Sorry about the whole spell thing . . . that was a little pointless.”

  He shrugged. “Can't really blame you. I think you'd do pretty much anything if someone asked you to.” His face was placid, I’m pretty sure he was serious . . . he was also probably right.

  I gulped, blood threatening to rush to my cheeks.

  He saved me the embarrassment with a smirk. “Besides . . . it does actually look kinda nice.”

  Never mind.

  I blushed thoroughly now, smiling and turning my head down to the grass.

  “Evangeline,” sang Adzamaruha from over the ridge. “I have your things packed.”

  Jaden looked to his voice then back at me, offering a casual hand to help me up. “Is there a reason he calls you that?”

  I shook my head as he pulled me up. “Not that I know of.”

  “And that doesn't make you crazy?”

  I shrugged, patting the grass of my pants. “At least he calls me something. . . .”

  I don't think Jaden understood what I meant by that. His eyes narrowed disconcertedly on me. I just started off towards the building. Knowing the type of person he was, how different we were, I don't think he could have understood.

  *

  Just as we were waiting near the front to leave, Adzamaruha called me over with a significant eyebrow raise.

  I went to him.

  “Here are the supplies for you cabin-place, Evangeline.” He passed me a large, leather bag.

  I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  He shook his head exaggeratedly. “You say that quite too much, my young assistant.”

  My eyes fell. “Oh. . . .” He might have been right, but I didn't know exactly what to do about it. “I'll try not to do it so much.”

  He bobbed his head approvingly, then took a small book out of his pocket. “This is for you as well. . . . I—” he scratched his white hair thoughtfully “—I had a curious dream about it, so I decided I'd give it to you.”

  It was small and silver, leather bound. I took it.

  “Why me?”

  He scoffed, leaned to one side, and tossed a thumb to his left. “Well, I'm not going to give it to one of them.”

  I looked over at Jaden. Ikovos had joined him now. Adzamaruha’s reply didn’t really answer my question in the least, but I felt appreciative all the same. “Okay. Thank—” He eyed me. My own eyes narrowed. “Ah . . . I mean . . .”

  “You mean what you mean, Evangeline. You can't—” He stopped mid-sentence. “Oh, my, that rhymes.”

  My eyes widened in disbelievingly at him as he jumped off and started towards the shack.

  I just waved. “Bye, Adzamaruha.”

  When I got back to the two boys, Ikovos nodded towards the half-dancing man. We all started walking.

  “What's he so excited about?”

  My mouth opened. I looked back once. “Ah. . . . I don't re
ally know. I think he rhymed.”

  Jaden's jaw clenched tightly. “I really hate that guy.”

  Ikovos nodded his agreement, then looked at me eyes narrowing. “Did you do something to your face? . . . You look different.”

  I blushed slightly, gazing down. “Oh, um . . . Adzamaruha did this spell. It turned my lips pink.”

  “Like the sheep?” he asked.

  I laughed shortly and nodded, he smiled too. “Yeah.”

  Jaden grabbed the supply bag from my hand then, drawing my attention. “You sure are awfully observant, Vos.”

  “You're one to talk,” replied Ikovos.

  I looked at each as they spoke, trying to figure out what they were talking about, but before I could they started discussing other topics again. I dropped it.

  By the time we had made it back to the lodge, they had gotten into four disagreements on a range subjects. It was strange, for some reason I had assumed their viewpoints were similar. The walk to the cafeteria went much the same, even on into lunch. That is until Holdan came to sit beside me. Ikovos and Jaden were across the table. They both stopped their discussion mid-sentence and eyed him.

  “Hello, Evelyn,” beamed Holdan, grinning.

  “Oh, hey,” I replied, smiling back at him. “How are you today?” My eyes grazed Ikovos and Jaden as I said it. They were practically scowling at him, I tried to ignore it.

  “It's been alright. I haven't seen you in a couple days.” His silver eyes turned to the other two boys. “Been busy?”

  I looked at them too, now. They still weren't hiding much intensity. I made a face at both of them.

  I mean . . . I knew for whatever reason that Jaden wasn't very fond of Holdan, but he usually hid it better than this, and what was wrong with Ikovos?

  I nodded pleasantly to the black-haired boy, or man rather, taking a drink of water. “I have.”

  There was an awkward silence then. I took a couple bites of food, then cleared my throat.

  “Ikovos and Jaden were talking about some of the new border-lines a bit ago. Maybe you could all share your thoughts on that? . . .” That was my lame attempt at relational bridge-building.

  I don't think it worked. Jaden just kept glaring at him, while Ikovos and Holdan both muttered uncomfortable “no’s”. Holdan’s was delivered with a smile.