Fire was now forcing its way unnaturally out of my back. As the fire pushed its way out, I couldn’t stop myself from crying out from the searing pain that took over my flesh. My cry was drowned out by the piercing screech of a large bird, and then the roar of a dragon.
“A phoenix…” someone whispered.
I gasped for breath as the fiery spirit left my presence and shot skyward. I looked up weakly and watched a white, blue, and red fire phoenix soar into the evening sky with a flaming dragon.
Zaith coughed. “There’s no way a human could have such a powerful creature as an inner self.”
“Then you know very little about humans,” I retorted as I eyed the earth wolf prowling around the host object. It was a massive creature that left small bits of debris behind as it moved.
“Eira.” Ir’esh took a deep, weak breath. “I’m unable to touch fire, and Zaith doesn’t have the training or the strength to command his Life fire. You must do it. Are you up to the challenge?”
“I’ve harnessed dragon fire before,” I said. “By the looks of it, this fire is weaker. It’s even weaker than mine. Shouldn’t be too hard.”
“You little wench,” Zaith muttered.
Raikidan chuckled from afar and that only soured Zaith’s mood further. Ignoring the two testosterone-driven males, I took in a strong breath and reach my hands skyward. The power from both Life Fires teased me and I forced them to bend to my will. Linking them to my hands, I used the last of my strength and pulled them toward the geode host.
As the two spirits plummeted to the ground, Zaith’s dragon linked its back claws with my phoenix and the two spiraled down until they collided with Ir’esh’s wolf, which was now curled around the tiny geode. The collision brightened our part of the village and I was forced to shield my eyes. Strong arms grabbed me and threw me to the ground as a rush of power shot through the village. When the power was gone, I opened my eyes to see Raikidan using his body as a shield.
He pulled away. “You all right?”
“Yeah, thanks,” I said.
He nodded as he stood up and offered his hand to me. I took his offer and allowed him to help me up. Once I was on my weak feet and dusted off, I looked to where I had been standing for the ritual. My eyes were greeted by a large amethyst statue. Slowly, I left Raikidan’s side and moved closer to the sparkling monument. Even in the low light of the early evening, it gleamed with great intensity.
The statue was comprised of three figures. Ir’esh was in the front, standing calmly and welcoming with his inner wolf prowling around him. To his right was Zaith, who stood proud with a large dragon behind him. And lastly, to Ir’esh’s left, was me. I stood with my hand extended toward the sky with a flame that turned into a phoenix with wings spread for flight and a long tail that flowed around me.
To my surprise, I wasn’t wearing the clothes I had my armor change into. Instead, a cloak with its hood down hung over my shoulders, one side pulled behind me due to my outstretched arm, revealing my clothes underneath. My torso was adorned with a top shaped like a bikini, with a wide band instead of tie strings, and a thick halter-like collar that framed my face. It was made of what looked like leather and scales that ran up my breasts and around my collar, and in the center of the top, between the breasts, was a circular pendant with a fire engraved into it.
My hands and forearms were covered by cloth sleeves styled similarly to the ones I liked to wear a lot, and those too were covered on top by layered scales.
On my lower half I wore shorts made of a thin form-fitting material, and over that I wore a long skirt made of cloth with intricate embroidery that draped to one side of my body. The skirt was clasped together on the open side by a pendant that looked identical to the one on my top. Knee-high boots with layered large-scaled plating in the front covered my feet. Strapped over the top of the foot and ankle for each boot were a leather guard with a large pendant with another fire engraved into it.
My daggers were in the typical place I always carried them, but they had new sheaths and bands that also carried a few small throwing daggers each. Feathers decorated my hair and new jewelry adorned my body, including a necklace I’d never seen it before, a mysterious ring on my left finger that had a meaning unknown to me.
All the figures were clustered closely together, sharing the same base. In certain areas, the crystal showed no signs of carving.
Small children screeched and giggled with excitement as they left the safety of their parent’s side and ran over to the statue. They pawed every inch of the sculpture they could reach with their little hands as they inspected the new village decoration. I looked away when someone approached me from behind.
Talon dipped his head in greeting. “I don’t mean to interrupt your admiring but we still have some work to do. Do you have enough strength after that ritual to continue?”
I nodded. “I’m fine. We have pressing matters to be dealt with first before we worry about me.”
“Very well.” He looked back to where most of the men stood outside the village. “The others won’t enter unless you say so. They don’t want to upset the villagers.”
“Give them word to come in then,” I ordered. “There is no need for them to sit out as strangers. What of the hostages?”
“The hostages have all agreed to join us,” he explained. “Most were more than willing right off but after that little display the three of you showed, the rest soon followed.”
I nodded. “Very good. Have everyone come in and then come and see me. We have battle plans we must discuss.”
“Of course, Commander.” Talon excused himself and headed off to complete his assignment.
Ir’esh and Tla’lli were next to approach me. I greeted them with a small nod.
“Excellent display,” Ir’esh complimented. “Del’karo taught you well.”
I pursed my lips. “How do you know Del’karo taught me?”
Ir’esh chuckled. “How could I not? He and Ne’kall talk about you all the time.”
I smacked my forehead. “Right. I forgot about that.”
A new voice called out. “Oh, I see how it is.”
I turned to see a young man approaching us and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Olive skin, mohawk, piercings and tattoos, he could pass off as a younger-looking Del’karo.
“How could you forget about us?”
I folded my arms. “You mean how could I forget about you, Ne’kall? Easy, you’re a second-rate elementalist that ran off ten years ago after an argument with your father and eloped with the woman your father said you were moving too fast with, with no plans to ever return.”
“Ah, how I missed the attitude.” He grinned. “It’s good to see you, Laz’shika.”
I bumped the side of my fist with his and nodded. “Same to you. I made a passing visit to the West Tribe a few months back, and your mother said you two finally patched things up when you started a family.”
Ne’kall chuckled. “She’s not wrong. I thought she would die from excitement when I gave the news. Oh, and speaking of parents, you just missed my father. He was here a few days ago.”
“That would figure. It would have been nice to see him again. He wasn’t around when I was at the village. What was he doing here anyway, may I ask? Don’t tell me you’re getting another sibling.”
Ne’kall shrugged. “Okay, then I won’t tell.”
“Oh for the love of—” I smacked my forehead. “When are they going to stop? That’s what, twelve now?”
He chuckled. “Thirteen, actually.”
“Damned rabbits,” I muttered.
Ne’kall chuckled again. “It’s not that bad.”
“Yes it is,” Tla’lli voiced. “Especially for elves. Since we live so long, we choose small families. At least the sane ones do.”
Ne’kall grunted.
“You don’t get an opinion in this. You’re an only child and you’re single.”
Tla’lli snorted. “And I like being both, thanks. I just hope you don’t take after your father in that respect.”
“Please tell me you won’t,” I begged him.
“I already have four.”
I thought about how long he and his wife had been together and groaned. “You are going to be just like him!”
“Hey, give me a break. Two of them are twins. That counts for something right?”
“No.”
Ne’kall chuckled. “Whatever. You’ll understand when you settle down some day.”
I snorted and folded my arms. “I have more important things to do than waste my time with someone.”
Ne’kall laughed. “Ouch. A little harsh, don’t you think?”
“No,” I replied as I watched my men make their way into the village.
“Ten years go by and you’re still a stubborn pain in the ass,” he teased.
“Ten years go by and you’re as soft as ever,” I shot back with a sly smile.
Ne’kall laughed. “And for that I’m going to kick your ass.”
I shook my head. “Never have, never will.”
“I’ve gotten better,” he defended.
I grunted again and looked at him. “Doubt it.”
“You know what, for that, I’m really going to kick your ass.”
Before I could say something back he came at me but I was faster. I moved back and tripped him. He stumbled and spun around to glare at me when he caught his footing.
I chuckled. “You’re too slow. Give up now.”
Ne’kall came at me again and I grabbed him by the arm and threw him onto his back. He grunted and rolled in pain.
“Had enough yet?” I asked him.
He shook his head and let his hand light on fire. “Physical combat was never my strong suit.”
“Then why would you attack her like that?” Tla’lli asked.
“Cause he’s stupid,” I said causing her to laugh.
“Do you really have to insult me?” Ne’kall asked.
“Always.”
“She’s never been one to say nice things all the time,” Talon said as he walked over to us. “Rare if she does actually.”
I looked at him and chuckled. “Someone decided to use his brain today.”
Talon laughed. “Point proven.”
“I never said I was nice,” I said.
Ne’kall got to his feet. “No, that’s very true. But you’re not cruel either.”
“She is when she has to be,” Talon corrected. “But if she has to be then you’re pretty dumb.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I shook my head and chuckled.
“So what do ya say, Laz’shika,” Ne’kall asked. “One match for old times sake?”
I looked at Ir’esh for approval. It was his village, after all, and I had no right picking fights in his village, regardless of how harmless they were.
Ir’esh nodded. “It’s fine by me. I’d like to see what you’re made of anyway.”
I grunted. “Not like you’ll see much. It won’t last that long.”
“Hey, give me some credit it will you?” Ne’kall begged.
I chuckled. “Ne’kall, tell me, our last match, how long did it last?”
He sighed. “Ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes…” I mused as I started to put some distance between us in preparation. “And was that the longest match we had?”
“Yeah…”
“And I can tell you’re out of practice. So it would be safe to assume it’s not going to last very long if our longest match has been ten minutes with you at your peak.”
Ne’kall sighed. “Just fight me already.”
I laughed and faced him. “Very well. Ready when you are.”
Ir’esh waved his hand and the ground shifted. Cylindrical pieces of ground shot out of the earth near villagers and soldiers alike, allowing them to have a place to sit and watch. My men gratefully took the offer for the chance to sit. Many who still had their helmets on took them off, showing how relaxed they were becoming, and they all waited for my short fight to begin.
Ne’kall lit the fires in his hands and waited but I kept him waiting. I wasn’t going to release my fire right off. I liked making him wait. Soon he grew tired of waiting, like I figured he would, and he threw a large blast of fire at me. Holding up my hand, I forced the fire to obey my will and took it as my own.
“I hate it when you do that,” he muttered.
I snickered. “That’s why I do it, especially when your flame is so weak and easy to control. The domestic life hasn’t been nice to you.”
He shook his head with a small sigh and prepared himself. “All right, do your worst.”
I smirked. “I don’t think you want me doing my worst.”
He laughed. “You’re probably right.”
Taking a deep breath, I flicked my hand and shot the flame back at him. Ne’kall sidestepped and let the flame fly past him. Not letting him have too much time to think, I pulled an ember from my lips and ignited the flame in my hand. Ne’kall prepared himself but I wasn’t ready to release this flame yet.
Instead I held up my other hand and used my strength to compact the flame into a solid ball. Before Ne’kall could figure out what I was doing, I shot it out at him. Ne’kall’s reflexes were slow, but they were just fast enough to stop the ball of fire before it touched him.
I could see his tense muscles and veins bulged as he used all his strength to keep the hot mass under his control. My flame was strong, and once it was compact, it made it even harder for another to control and use against me in battle, but it took longer to make. It was a balanced exchange.
Ne’kall took a deep breath and heaved the ball of fire back at me. I sidestepped the flame and paid no mind to where it was headed. The two of us stared each other down.
“What is the point to this?” Tla’lli whispered to someone.
“They’re sizing each other up,” her father explained.
“I don’t understand,” she replied.
“They’re testing the strength of each other’s flame,” he explained. “It happens most often with old friends who are accustomed to dueling each other. They’re seeing how much stronger the other has gotten and by the looks of it, Eira isn’t too impressed with Ne’kall right now.”
“Who would be?” she muttered. “He stopped practicing once his first kid came around. It’s a wonder he remembers how to make a flame at all.”
Talon laughed. “I can see why you and the commander get along so well.”
“We don’t actually know each other all that well,” Tla’lli admitted with embarrassment.
“Destined friendships are like that,” he told her. “You can get along as if you’ve known each other forever, and yet not even know the other person’s first name. Or in the case of this guy next to me, get on each other’s nerves all the time and still live to see another day.”
Raikidan grunted at Talon’s mention of him and Tla’lli giggled. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
Taking a deep breath, I focused on the battle at hand. Ne’kall ignited a flame in both his hands again and I was happy to copy him with the small ember I held in my fingertips. Ne’kall wasted no time shooting off fire at me once he saw my flames. Utilizing my speed and agility, I dodged the flames and blasted him with some of my own. Ne’kall moved away and then fought back. As we fought, the distance between us lessened, and soon hand-to-hand combat was added into the fight.
Ne’kall’s skilled improved as we fought, and soon he was doing better than I remembered him doing in the past. I had to admit, I was impressed. All he needed was a reason to utilize his skills. The
re was nothing wrong with him choosing a domestic life, but it did make him soft. It was like that for all shamans who settled down. They took on fewer tasks, trained less, and spent more time doing passive things with their family, but Ne’kall was bouncing back much faster than most. Most of the time, it took a shaman several fights or training sessions to get back to their former skill level.
Ne’kall threw punches, flaming kicks, and blasts of fire at me but I was still too fast for him. This was where he always failed. He was strong and his fire showed it, but he was slow just like Del’karo. It wasn’t until now did I realize how similarly the two fought. Del’karo was much more patient than Ne’kall, but that was the only major difference.
Knowing we had important issues to deal with, I figured it was time to end this fun little duel. Using my short stature in comparison to him to my advantage, along with my speed, I got underneath him and tossed him several feet. While he lay there, stunned from the impact, I mustered up a large blast of fire and shot it into the sky. When it was high enough, I pulled it back down directly over Ne’kall.
Ne’kall, still paralyzed, closed his eyes and waited bravely for the impact. But it would never come. When it was close enough to him, I pacified the fire into show fire and dispersed it into thousands of tiny flaming butterflies.
Ne’kall opened his eyes and watched the butterflies flutter around and then sighed. “You win… again.”
I chuckled and walked over to him through the mass of butterflies. Children giggled and screeched with delight as they chased the harmless flying fire creatures. Even several of Rimu’s siblings found delight in chasing them, and even more interest when they’d burst into several smaller ones once crushed.
I extended my hand to Ne’kall, who gratefully took the help up. “You did better.”
He chuckled. “How would you know? You ended it far sooner than the other times.”
Pieces Page 45
