Forged of Fire

by Stacy Von Haegert

  Katara clucked and tilted her head. “Not if he already has him.”

  Zander’s blood froze in his veins. No! It can’t be! “How?”

  “Ash came to me looking to ally against you and father. The offer was very temping until I learned that he had already been detected, his plot ruined.” She shrugged. “It’s too bad honestly, it was a really good plan.”

  Zander turned and began to run towards the courtyard as Katara yelled after him. “I’m pretty sure you should be running the opposite way brother!” Her laughter chased after him.

  ****

  Kielyn winced in pain as her arms were wrenched behind her back and tied to a pole on the elevated scaffolding erected in the massive yard. Marsala was tied to her right. Kielyn tried again in vain to create even a spark in her fingers. “Stop trying and conserve your energy,” Marsala said. “It’s no use. Trust me! The metal cuffs that bind our wrist are elemental insulators. We can think of the elements we govern, but the insulators inhibit the transfer of them outwardly. Even if we could, fire and earth are the only two that are strong here. There is not enough oxygen in the air for me to be able to garnish its strength to my advantage and water has an even greater disadvantage as the only source of it in Hell is likewise, in the air.” She shut up when a huge guard walked behind them and double checked their ties.

  “There is lava beneath us,” Kielyn whispered when the male moved on. “That’s a liquid.”

  “Yes, but it’s of a fire element,” Marsala answered. “Your insulator prohibits you from manipulating fire. The only element these cuffs do not affect is water, because it is useless here.”

  The huge iron gate opened and the commoners began to file in. Kielyn looked wildly to her left and right. All eyes were glued to where she and Marsala stood. “Good God, what is he planning on doing with us?”

  “I don’t know, Kielyn, but whatever happens you have to try and stay strong.”

  The crowd began to part as a large metal box was rolled out from the castle doors and towards the scaffolding. “What’s that?” Kielyn asked under her breath. When Marsala did not answer Kielyn cut her eyes to her friend.

  “Another insulator.” Marsala stared eerily at the encasement. “To control Earth-benders.”

  Dax! Kielyn grew apprehensive as no sound emitted from the contraption. She was both hopeful he had survived the tunnel being flooded and fearful he had been caught. Had Ash? The metal box was hoisted up beside them on the scaffolding. Three tiny holes were cut on each side of the entrapment. Kielyn guessed they were meant to allow for air but still too small to use for bending.

  As soon as the guards exited the platform Dax’s voice called through the cage. “Are you two ok?”

  “Yes,” Marsala answered. “What happened to Ash?”

  “He is with Dante,” Dax said. “How did they find out?”

  “Bane!” Kielyn hissed.

  A loud thud hit the inside of the metal cage. “Mother fucker! I will kill him!” Dax growled.

  “You will have to stand in line,” Marsala said. “Where did Dante take Ash?”

  “No clue, but he did say that he owed him a public apology,” Dax answered. “I’m guessing this is to be it.”

  Just then a horn sounded and the crowd divided again. This time soldiers made a path and lined it. One by one they cleared the length of a yard that led up to a tall pole in the middle of the courtyard. “Fuck no!” Dax said.

  “What is it…?” Kielyn’s words dissolved on her tongue when the tall familiar frame of her mate emerged from the double doors and marching beside him was the devil himself.

  Ash’s eyes found hers and for the first time since she had been taken, she heard him. “Be strong.”

  “What’s happening? Are you ok? I love you. I’m so sorry.” She mentally bombarded him with her thoughts but he did not answer her back, just looked straight ahead towards the pole.

  “My best warrior and strongest slave has returned home.” Dante’s voice boomed out into the crowd when the two reached the center. “To show his submission and remorse for his betrayal,” Dante began to walk around Ash as if he was sizing him up. “Ashdon LaGoryen, King of the Fire-benders, is willingly offering up his body and pride to serve as a lesson to all that think to rise against me.” He stopped behind Ash and in one quick movement, ripped the shirt from his back.

  A guard walked up beside Kielyn and bent his head to her ear. “Don’t you dare shut your eyes!” He growled.

  Kielyn broke out in a sweat as Ash walked up and willingly extended his arms. A guard bound Ash’s wrist in cuffs, similar to Kielyn and Marsala’s, around the pole, hoisted his arms high and positioned them on a large hook so that his bare back was exposed to the gaping crowd. No! Another soldier stepped up to Dante and offered him a long rod. Dante smiled as he snapped it loudly through the air, allowing the whip to uncoil and fly out. From the tip, large gleaming metal hooks lethally ran like barbed wire down to the end of the bullwhip. “No!” Kielyn cried out and yanked with all her might at her bindings as the spectators roared their approval.

  The crowd seemingly all took a collective breath as Dante drew the weapon behind his back before whipping his arm back over his head and slicing it wildly through the air. It connected with Ash’s flesh like savage claws and raked giant gaping holes through his muscles like a plow tilling up wet earth. Kielyn screamed out as tears ran like rivers down her cheeks. The whip went back again and she shut her eyes. “Open them!” The guard snarled into her ears. “It’s an extra lashing added on for every time you close your eyes!”

  Kielyn snapped her eyes open just as the guard held up one finger. Dante looked to the scaffolding, laughed and brought the whip down again even harder. Ash’s knees gave way and Kielyn could tell the pole was more or less supporting his weight. Over and over the whipping continued, each lashing harder and with more effort until Dante was sweating, his face focused in both anger and bloodlust. “He’s killing him!” She screamed to everyone and no one. Blood pooled around the base of the pole and dotted Dante’s face and clothes like it was raining the color red. Another lash, then another. Ash’s weight now only clung to the pole, kept up only by the hook at his wrist.

  That was when Kielyn saw it. A way in…Blood…Her mind began to float away, leaving the gruesome scene as if she were inebriated but her vision grew as focused as a hawk’s, tunneling in through the blood soaking into the ground. Her eyes probed into where it ran in rivulets down Ash’s limbs. Liquid…Her gaze followed its trail to Dante’s feet, then up his body. She stopped at his chest and looked through the material of his shirt like she was seeing into a flame.

  Suddenly, like magic, she was in! She saw straight into Dante’s chest cavity, her vision hastily seeking out his vascular structure. Kielyn latched on to the ebb and flow of Dante’s blood and began to bend it to her will, like water. She could feel his movements slowing, dragging down with her silent pull as if she were one with them, as if she were them. Ice…Kielyn summoned a winter’s chill into her own body. She could taste the crystals atop her tongue as she drew her lips together. Without a second’s hesitation and before the next blow could fall she blew a thin frosty breath towards the monster wielding the barbaric devise, freezing him in place.

  Silence cloaked the castle grounds. Kielyn’s vision began to fade. She was too weak to hold on much longer. The courtyard came back into a blurred focus. Dante fell to his knees. Out of her peripheral she saw Zander charging forward, towards the scaffolding. Marsala was shouting something. All eyes turned and looked up, stunned and bewildered, to her. The scene before her began to swirl and once again the black took over…

  ****

  Ash was only aware that the beating had ceased when the cheering stopped. His body had gone numb after the first ten lashings. The blessed dull would be short lived. Dante would douse him in alcohol next. He waited, mutely, too weak to care where he hung. Nothing… Ash could feel his mind lulling him to sleep and he fought against it. He had to
make sure Kielyn was ok. He forced his eyes open.

  Something was wrong. The courtyard was still full, but it had gone as quiet as a tomb. Ash used what little strength he had left to lift his head. His gaze followed the trajectory to the gawking crowd, towards the scaffolding that held Kielyn, Marsala and Dax. Zander was the only one moving as he stormed towards the stage. Kielyn went limp, slumping against her restraints as her head fell forward. “No!” It came out a whisper.

  The sound of hurried steps behind Ash broke the silence. Then, after a few concerned mumblings and a shuffling of feet, a roar like none he had ever heard erupted from Dante. “Bring her to me!” He ordered. Dante’s legs stepped alongside Ash. “Let’s show the crowd what happens to benders that dare to use their witchcraft on me!” He snarled the venomous words.

  No! Ash reached out and grabbed one of Dante’s calf muscles, stilling him on contact. It was the first time Ash had ever laid a hand on his creator. He knew full well that the small action would seal his fate but he didn’t care. All that mattered now was Kielyn’s life. “No!” He rasped.

  “Look at me!” Dante commanded above him.

  Ash made to lift his head but he was too weak. He had lost too much blood. His head fell back down. “Please.”

  Dante knelt beside him and forced Ash’s head up by gripping his jaw roughly in his hand. His angry eyes searched Ash’s but something else was hidden deep in the other male’s stare. Behind the rage was the question. The desire that had been there since the beginning. Ash had given the secret suggestion the moment he had touched Dante’s leg. In all the years of slavery, Ash had never placed his flesh on the Original Vampire. Despite the countless times it had been ordered. Ash had always refused and taken the beatings that would follow. To the on looking crowd it looked only like a plea, but Ash and Dante both knew the gesture was so much more than that. It was submission.

  “Please what?”

  “Please let her go,” Ash said weakly. “She means nothing to you.”

  Dante leaned in closer. “Ah, but she means so much to you.”

  Ash stared hard into his maker’s eyes. “And without her alive I will fight you for the rest of my life.”

  Dante held his gaze for several long seconds. “And if I let her go, you will give yourself freely over to me?”

  “You have my word.” Ash said.

  “Father!” Zander’s voice called out from the scaffolding. “She is the chosen one. Let me kill her in private. To do so in public would be to start a war.” Ash knew he lied. Zander wanted Kielyn for himself. The cold, hard fact made Ash’s resolve even more resolute as he fought to push down the threatening Dragon. Forcing the beast to subside had been a battle within itself but no good would come from unleashing it. Sure, he could kill Dante once and for all, but not before one of Dante’s guards killed Kielyn. If his young mate was to live, Ash would have to give over his body and soul freely. “My King.” Zander addressed his father again, but still Dante kept his eyes on Ash. “He is a Dragon!” Zander shouted.

  The crowd around them gasped collectively. Dante’s eyes grew large and his head snapped around to look at his son. “Seize him!”

  Zander paled. “Father no! It is the truth. You are in grave danger!” He yelled as guard’s grabbed hold of him and began yanking him off the scaffolding. “He will kill you the second you turn your back!”

  “Take him to the dungeon!” Dante ordered and turned back to Ash, a demented gleam in his golden orbs. “I will have a special ceremony in your honor tomorrow.”

  This was the monster Ash knew all too well. Only a psychopath could beat someone nearly to death and then throw a party for them the next day. Ash bit back the disgust. Kielyn was just starting to recover consciousness on the stage. He had to keep up the act. “Are you not going to ask if it’s true?”

  Dante’s grip on his face dropped and he ran the back of his hand down Ash’s cheek tenderly. “Oh my dear child,” he whispered. “I know it’s true. I have known you were a Dragon since you were a boy.” He smiled. “Why else would I love you so?”

  He had known all along? Of course he did. It all made sense. Ash needed to tread carefully now. Too much effort and Dante would know. “Your son makes a good point. How do you know you can trust me?”

  “Ashdon, you came back to me. You caged your inner beast and allowed me to punish you. You did all this to save that girl.” Dante looked back at Kielyn. “Release her and the Air-bender.” He looked back to Ash, his eyes showing zero emotion now. “A Dragon’s greatest weakness is their loyalty. You are willing to die to save someone you love. Just like your mother did for you.” He wiped blood from Ash’s brow. “Your loyalty to her will keep your word to me.”

  “You can’t just let them go!” Katara protested from the sidelines. “I’m the reason you have your pet back. At least let me have some sport in return.”

  Dante patted Ash’s cheek before standing. “Very well daughter. Escort the two females to the forest borders with a hunting party of your choice.”

  “Dante!” Ash began to panic.

  Dante snatched Ash’s head back by his hair, forcing him to look up into his eyes. “You will address me as your King!” He pushed his head back down and continued to address Katara. “Once you set them free, give them a ten minute head start. If you manage to catch them before they make it to the border you can have them. If not, you must return home and be satisfied I gave you that much.”

  With that, Dante strolled back into the castle leaving Ash tied to the pole in a pool of his own blood. It was the smart thing to do, Ash thought. Leave him too weak to possibly interfere with what would or would not happen next. Ash looked up as Kielyn and Marsala were marched down the podium. His eyes latched onto his mate’s. Be strong. Ash then locked sights with Marsala. Save her!

  ****

  “Something is wrong!” Kizer said. The young blond bender, recently turned immortal, rushed into the parlor where Alaric was meticulously strategizing as Stefen was trying to get drunk. Stefen turned from the window as his brother lifted his regal head from the ledgers on the desk. “Skyler is channeling me. They are in danger!” He rushed. “I can’t make out the rest. It’s like the message is being blocked. She is an Original, I thought she would be able to still communicate with me whereas others cannot bridge the void of Hell?”

  Stefen looked to his brother who said nothing. “We have to do something, Alaric!”

  Alaric continued to remain silent as he sat back in the chair. “I assumed Bane turned you,” he addressed Kizer. “Are you not his protégé?”

  “Yes, I am, but he had Skyler do my transformation,” the younger male said, a look of confusion as to why it mattered on his face. “I need to cross over. They need help!”

  “What was his reasoning for having his mate turn you instead of himself?” Alaric ignored the Water-benders suicidal suggestion of entering Hell on his own.

  Despite his own mounting anxiety that Kielyn was in danger, Stefen was very interested in the young bender’s answer too. There was a bigger picture here and Alaric had latched onto the oddity in Kizer’s transformation like a dog to a bone. A bond between master and protégé was expected. Why would Bane have given his mate, who was not Kizer’s master, the connection instead of himself? Something was missing. Bane had also chosen to get a new Gilcolm for the newly turned Vampire. Why, when the Water-King had a slew of them already?

  “I don’t see why that matters,” Kizer said, irritated now. “I’m going to help them!” He turned and headed for the door just to have it magically shut in his face.

  “Don’t be stupid,” Alaric said. “You are too young to cross over. You would be killed the second you entered Hell! And, if you were not, how would you even know where to go?” He held up a silencing hand when the other male opened his mouth to protest. “Spare me the heroics. Answer my first question. What was his reason for not turning you himself?”

  Kizer sighed. “He said that Skyler being an Original would be
better as her blood was stronger than his.”

  Stefen glanced over to Alaric. It was a lie. The look his brother passed back to Stefen showed that he knew it too. Skyler’s Original blood was no different than Bane’s since the Water-King had also been turned by Dante himself. Why would Bane lie to his protégé? Better yet, why not turn him? If anything, Bane’s blood would be stronger than his mate’s because he was also a Water-bender like Kizer. It made no sense. Stefen looked back to Kizer. “Did you get your maker’s message with any emotion attached to it or do her thoughts come to you more like words on a letter. Like an archaic S.O.S transcript?”

  “They come to me as if she is in the room so yes, emotion was attached. She is scared. Trying to stay strong but I sensed her fear.” Kizer answered honestly.

  “Did Bane give you a reason for why he gave you a brand new Gilcolm and not one already employed?” Alaric probed further.