The Blaze Ignites

by Nichelle Rae

  A shadow moved. It was on the balcony just to my right. Something—or someone, perhaps—peeked just around the bend of one of the columns. I blinked and it was gone. It was like a dream. Maybe it was a dream? No, I was fully awake. Suddenly there was another shadow! It was way to my left, behind another column. It slowly peeked around the bend and watched me. I blinked once, but it was still there! I felt my knees start to shake as a long, skeletal hand slipped around the base of the column. My throat ached, burned and became tight. I could barely breathe. The hand then came up towards me and wiggled only its fingers in a taunting wave of “hello.” What were they? Not Legan’dirs. Humounts messing with me? It had to be! But what if it wasn’t?

  A hand suddenly dropped onto my shoulder! I screamed, spun, and knocked the hand off me while my other fist came up and punched whatever it was straight in the face. It happened so quickly, but when my mind caught up with my reflexes I saw the person. Both hands were covering his nose and he was hunched over in pain. When he opened his eyes I nearly collapsed from relief. I’d recognize those periwinkle eyes anywhere.

  “Ortheldo!” I gasped in relief and went to his aid, pushing him up by his shoulders. I quickly looked behind me but the shadows were gone. I turned my attention back to Ortheldo.

  “I think you broke my nose, Azrel,” he said sounding like he was pinching his nose shut.

  “Gods, I’m so sorry,” I whispered, resting my hands on his upper arms. I looked around the common room once more and then, seeing nothing, I leaned in closer to him. “Is your room nearby?”

  “Yes, and I’m almost glad I found you.”

  I laughed softly. “Come on. Lead me to your room and I’ll…fix it.” I said, for some reason not wanting to say heal.

  He nodded as he turned back down the hall that Cairikson and I had come from. He led me into the first door on the right, which opened to a stone staircase. We went up one floor to another hallway and then to the first door on the right. The sudden sight of daylight made me stagger back and for a moment close my eyes, which stung from the unexpected brightness even though it was still overcast outside. When I was able to open my eyes again, I first noticed this room was far larger and more luxurious than my cave. Beautiful light blue carpeting stretched from one wall to the next. The windows took up the entire wall in front of me and the bed to my left was twice the size of mine, with a beautiful thick comforter embroidered with blue and gold silk.

  I looked around in amazement. My room really was a dungeon! My bad feeling about his place deepened. Clearly someone wanted to let me know I was unwanted here, despite the façade about how glad they were to have me. Why else would they put such an “esteemed” guest in probably the lowest class rooms they had in this mountain? The message was clear: “Leave now and don’t expect us to follow you anywhere.”

  When my initial shock passed, I realized that my entire party was in this room. Rabryn rolled his eyes, placed his hand over his chest, and breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the Gods you’re alright.”

  “Goodness!” Meddyn cried, as they all approached us. “What happened to you?” I guided Ortheldo over to the bed that stretched out towards the windows and sat him on it.

  “Azrel happened to me,” he said in his nasally voice and lowered his hands. I cringed and sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. His hands were filled with blood, which continued dripping out his nostrils in streams over his mouth and down his chin. He smiled at me though, his eyes bloodshot and watery from the break. “But I should have known better than to sneak up on her from behind.”

  I smiled and got on my knees in front of him. “That’s right, you should know better. Especially in this place.”

  “I told you!” Addredoc cried, and pointed to Rabryn, who had his tongue in his cheek in a failed attempt to hide a smile.

  I grinned. “You Redians do love the phrase ‘I told you so.’”

  Everyone laughed. It was a really wonderful sound to hear. “Your brother wasn’t sure if you would feel the danger about this place that we’ve felt. I told him you would.”

  “I’ve not only felt it, I’ve seen it. And these Humounts pretty much told me how unwanted I am.”

  “What do you mean?” Thrawyn asked.

  “My bedroom? It might fit in a corner of this room. It has no windows, no carpet, no silk quilt. It’s a dungeon. Awfully odd accommodations for the supposed ‘guest of honor’ don’t you think?”

  “Indeed.”

  I looked at Cairikson, who sat on the bed next to Ortheldo. “Why don’t you tell them what you heard and saw?” I looked up at the others. “His experience was even better still.” All of them turned their attention to Cairikson as he got to his knees and started explaining the incident with Fali and Reese.

  I looked back at Ortheldo and cringed again at the site of his purple, swollen, bleeding nose. “I’m so sorry I hit you,” I whispered so as not to interrupt Cairikson.

  “It’s okay.” He tried to whisper, but sounded goofy with his nose closed off. I giggled softly. He rolled his eyes, but smiled. “Will you please fix me so I can sound normal?”

  I had to bite my lower lip to keep from laughing out loud at how ridiculous he sounded. “I’m sorry,” I whispered in hysterics. “I’m not laughing at you.”

  He was still smiling. “Yes you are.”

  I quietly laughed until I was finally able to suck in a breath and hold it. Then I placed my hand over his nose and let my hand become consumed with white fire. After a moment it went away and I removed my hand.

  Once again I was looking into the handsome face of my friend as he smiled at me. “Thanks.”

  I grinned. “My pleasure.”

  Then the thought of the place we were in and those creepy shadows watching me suddenly overwhelmed me. In this hateful land, I needed to feel safe. I needed Ortheldo’s arms around me. I swallowed back my tears. “Ortheldo?”

  Concern and sympathy washed over his face. “What is it, Azrel?” he whispered softly. He rested the back of his knuckles against my cheek.

  I swallowed my pride and looked into his lovely eyes, ones that had hypnotized me for the past sixteen years, even when I couldn’t look into them every day. “Could you please hold me for a moment?” I asked rather pathetically. I didn’t care—I needed him. Only in his arms did I feel safe.

  “Oh Gods,” he whispered and pulled me into his embrace. The feeling of safety immediately washed over me in a giant wave of relief. “Any time you need, Azrel,” he whispered in my ear. “You don’t even have to ask.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut and held him close to me. Somehow, some way, I’d lived on without him for nine years. The sudden realization of what a loss that had been to me made me press myself closer to him. How had I ever managed without him? How? I mentally shook my head. I might never know. He responded to my stronger embrace by holding me tighter in return and petting the length of my hair.

  Cairikson stopped talking a moment later, and I reluctantly pulled away from Ortheldo, wiping my hands over my cheeks to make sure no tears had fallen. “So did Reese stick you all in here together or what?”

  “No,” Rabryn said and walked over to the bed. He picked Cairikson up and sat down next to Ortheldo, putting Cairikson in his lap. “He stuck Addredoc in here.”

  My brows dropped. “Addredoc?”

  Rabryn nodded. “Everyone else was scattered around the mountain.”

  Addredoc stepped forward. “After he told me how close your room was to mine, I went around the mountain looking for everyone else. All of us were already looking for you, so it took us a while to regroup.”

  I smirked at my brother. “I thought you could feel my presence no matter where I am or how far apart we are.”

  He gave me a playful glare and then a half smile before he looked at Cairikson in his lap. “I was too exhausted to focus. I couldn’t feel you as strongly.”

  “After we all gathered, we came back here and fell asleep,” Addredoc finished.

&
nbsp; I nodded. “I fell asleep right away too.”

  “We were all tired,” Rabryn said. “I am concerned about those shadows you and Cairikson saw a moment ago, though.”

  I looked at the little Salynn boy sitting in his lap. “You saw them too?”

  Cairikson nodded with his head against my brother’s chest. “I was scared.”

  “Me too.” I looked at the others, “I don’t know what they were, but they were not friendly by any means. We need to get out of here, soon.”

  “We need those maps,” Addredoc said. “Before we decide anything, you have to take note that you have not been harmed. When—and if—this supposed danger gets too close to you, then we’ll leave.”

  “Great. So that’s the plan?” I asked, standing up. “Wait until I’m in immediate danger, huh? Well, what if one of you is in danger? I really hope you don’t think I’ll sit around here and wait for that to happen.”

  “If we just keep our heads down and stay together we’ll be fine for three days.”

  “You can guarantee this?” I asked, being stubborn.

  He sighed, seeming to realize it. “You know I can’t.”

  “I didn’t think so.” I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. We did need those maps, and not just for traveling purposes. I was actually pretty curious to see what the world looked like now. Beldorn had given me a rough overview and tour of a few lands, but there were a lot more realms in Casdanarus than what we’d seen. The information my father had taught me was from what he’d seen three thousand years ago. “Fine, we’ll stay.”

  Addredoc smiled. “You are very reasonable, White Warrior.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “But if for one second I think that any one of you is in harm’s way, I will personally club you over the head, put you in a sack, and drag you away from here if I have to. Do I make myself clear?”

  There were smiles all around and a few chuckles. “Yes Azrel,” came the group’s response.

  I smiled triumphantly. “Good.”

  “You spoke too soon about her being reasonable, Addredoc. I warned you about that,” Rabryn said, wagging a finger at him. Everyone laughed, including me.

  Just then the sight of all sights filled the room…the sun! I couldn’t believe it. At long, long last the sun broke through the clouds and shone brighter than ever! Everyone gasped and looked out the windows. Ortheldo and Rabryn were soon standing by my side, Cairikson on Rabryn’s hip, all of us gazing in wonder at the beautiful sight. Cairikson was looking at us all with a confused look. We all gazed on as if we’d never seen sun before. It had been a long while, in fact, since we had—nearly two weeks since that storm had begun way back at Oaksher Village.

  I burst into a fit of laughter that would make a madman cower. I spun around and ran as fast as I could for the door. I threw it open and dashed into the hallway, not bothering to wait for anyone to catch up. I tried to recall my memory of how to get to Beldorn’s chambers, but my excitement and worry that the sun might fade before I got outside was making it difficult. My party was calling my name, but I ignored them and tried to remember where to go.

  Finally I was running as fast as I could across the fathomless throne room, where people were busy setting up tables and decorations for the feast. I blew past all of them, nearly knocking over a middle-aged human who was carrying a tray of eat ware and plates. “Sorry!” I called, with a very quick glance over my shoulder.

  “Is everything alright, my lady?” someone else called from behind me.

  “Yes, fine! Thank you!” I replied, not looking back.

  Down the stairs towards Beldorn’s room I went. I burst through the door leading to the outside and ran through the outdoor common and over the grounds to get out from under the mountain’s narrowing shadow. There, the sun exploded just to my right. I kept running until I was crossing some beautifully kept grass, and only then did I stop and face the sun fully, closing my eyes and letting her warm rays caress my face. I already felt happier.

  Suddenly my clothes became intolerable. I’d gone sunbathing in the nude often in The Pitt; I was usually alone in my room, lying on the floor below a window, but right now I didn’t care. I started taking my clothes off just as the others caught up with me.

  “What are you doing, Azrel?” Thrawyn asked.

  “Admiring a painting. What’s it look like, Thrawyn?” I said playfully and took off a boot, tossing it away.

  “You can’t be serious!” he cried, looking at me in horror.

  I laughed and pulled my tunic over my head. Thrawyn put a hand over his heart and took a step back, as if he’d gently been pushed. “Come on guys,” I said to them. “Don’t make me do this alone.”

  Ortheldo laughed. “We’re not making you do anything.”

  I gripped the top of my pants and yanked them down. Ortheldo and Rabryn looked at each other, shrugged and started stripping. Even Cairikson was joining in on the fun, taking his clothes off. I laughed.

  “Now wait, Azrel,” Thrawyn began nervously. “Let’s think about this for a moment. I don’t really think…”

  “Come on, Sword Master,” I said. “Have you ever lain naked in the sun?”

  “Me?” he asked, still looking at me with wide eyes. “Well no, I…I can’t say I…well, I …no. I haven’t.”

  I gave him a mischievous look. “Then how do you know you won’t like it?”

  He looked around at all of us doubtfully. I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing when I saw a playful and shy look in Meddyn’s eyes. She wanted to. Thrawyn looked back at me again. “You’re serious?”

  “Come on! You Salynns have forever to live, but you never try new things!” I sat myself down on the grass and looked up at them. “It’s a bloody shame, if you ask me.” The Redians glanced at each other one more time. They all shrugged, then, and began taking their clothes off. I smiled triumphantly.

  Addredoc pulled free the red cord that cinched his robes around his waist. His robe opened and he let it slide off his shoulders. Light Gods have mercy! I started salivating at the sight of him! His body was something I never, ever would have guessed to be hidden under those robes! He looked too thin to have the body that I was seeing. Beautifully and perfectly chiseled muscles ripped down his chest and stomach as if they carved out of stone. His arms were actually pretty thick and his shoulders were much broader than I would have expected and so defined. He turned away from me to rest his robe behind him on the grass. I think I even flinched at the sight of him from behind. Rippling, defined muscles covered his entire back. He was beautiful.

  He turned back towards me and looked at me for a moment. I had to close my mouth quickly, but I knew my eyes were still wide. He looked up at the mountain then, and after a few moments he waved a hand dismissively towards it. I saw a red sparkly light in his palm before he looked down and began pulling off his boots.

  I had to swallow before speaking. “What did you just do?” I asked, as Ortheldo, Rabryn and Cairikson finished stripping and sat in the grass next to me.

  “I doubt you want to give any wandering eyes a free show, so I made them blind to seeing us.” When he took hold of the top of his pants, I had to force my eyes to turn away and I lay down on the grass, concentrating on the sun kissing me all over. It was so warm and beautiful. I brought my hands up under my head and soaked it in before I had to go to that ridiculous feast. I was so hungry though. I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday’s supper and it was almost suppertime today.

  I didn’t remember falling asleep, but when I opened my eyes the sun was already on her way down and I was alone. Why was I always left alone upon waking up here?

  “Ortheldo?” I called. “Rabryn?” I stood up and realized with horror that even my clothes were gone. My heart was pounding and my nerves were on end. I slowly stood and made my way to the base of the mountain where a collection of fallen rocks gathered. I stepped into a little canyon formed by them and held my hand out. White fire fell from my palm and soon I was g
rasping a large white cloth. I threw it around myself and came out again, glancing around nervously. They’d just left me out here? Alone?

  “Meddyn! Thrawyn!” I made my way towards the doorway of the mountain where Beldorn’s room was. I didn’t like being here alone. Hadn’t they just been telling me about the danger they all felt about this place? Had they even listened to Cairikson when he’d described those shadow things we’d seen?

  “Cairikson! Addredoc!”

  “You called?”

  I spun around to see Addredoc leaning against a rock outside the canyon I’d just left. His legs were crossed and his hands were in his pants pockets. He hadn’t put his robes back on and stood shirtless before me. His head was cocked lazily to the side, and he had an odd smirk on his face.

  “You scared me. Where is everyone else?”

  “I scared you?” His smirk widened into a grin, and he looked away as if amused. “I see.”

  What was that supposed to mean? I wanted to ask, but Addredoc was very powerful. I didn’t even think he realized how powerful he was, but it probably wasn’t a good idea to piss him off. Though something told me that I didn’t want to stick around and have any kind of conversation with him right now, I was stubborn.

  I narrowed my eyes and took a few threatening steps towards him. “Where is everyone else?” I asked firmly.

  He made his mouth into an O and raised his brows in mocking surprise. “Ooo, she suddenly gets vicious.” Amusement danced in his brown eyes. He casually pushed himself off the wall and strode lazily towards me. I wondered what was wrong with him.

  “Like the view?” He suddenly said, running his nails down his chest and stomach. “I saw your eyes when you saw me—wide with hunger and lust.”

  His demeanor was terrifying. I backed away from him, clutching my cloth to myself. “What is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind?”