Vargas slowly looked up, his hands still shaking. He took slow breaths to regain his composure. “K ... Kaijin?”
Kaijin mumbled. “He said—”
“Yes, I know what He said.”
Kaijin frowned. “Does this mean I must join the clergy? Do I have to give up my magic in order to do so?”
“No, Kaijin. Your abilities are heavily influenced by Ignis’s divine flames, and you must be shown how to harness it. You must also be further educated about His ways, to better understand both yourself as a Firebrand and this power you’ve been blessed with.”
Kaijin nodded slowly, still rattled.
Vargas helped Kaijin to his feet. “Why don’t we speak more later? You must be exhausted. Come. You need some food and rest.”
Momentary light-headedness made Kaijin groan as he stood. He fingered the flap on his haversack. “A moment, Honored Priest. There is one other important matter.”
Kaijin retrieved the fire orb, which pulsated with life.
XXVI
Zarya, Nester, Aidan, and Omari sat at the long dining table of the refectory, where they had been offered an exquisite meal, fit for nobility. The immaculate brass tableware shone brightly enough that it appeared to be reserved for special guests only.
Zarya ate slowly while she took in the place, which seemed large enough to easily hold a hundred people, despite the single long center table that only accommodated fifty seats. A plush red carpet ran down the center of the room to the massive fireplace in the rear. Flames danced, and the popping and crackling light provided a coziness, comfort, and warmth. Torches lined the walls, amply lighting the refectory.
“Aidan, ’ow many more of those are you going to eat?” Nester asked.
Ignoring his question, Aidan filled his plate with samples of everything except the sweets. He didn’t seem to have a sweet tooth, most likely due in part to his Dragon heritage. He guzzled his third goblet of almond milk, which Zarya assumed was his favorite beverage.
“Enough to fill that bottomless pit of a stomach he has.” Omari feasted on helpings of mutton, cabbage, bread, and custard tart, and he washed it all down with spiced apple cider. Next to his chair, Percival happily feasted on a plate piled high with meat.
Zarya hid her smile behind the rose wine-filled goblet she brought to her lips. She’d found the soup, cheese, and bread more to her liking. “Oh, leave him alone, you two. Aidan can eat as much as he wants. He’s earned it.”
“Hmph! Easy for you to say,” Nester grumbled. He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms, staring at his own two plates he emptied faster than he’d put food on them. “That’s ’is third ’elping. You do realize ’e intends to eat everythin’ in sight?”
The rear doors creaked open, and two silhouettes strolled in.
In the firelight, Kaijin looked refreshed and renewed. Miele flew off his shoulder and latched onto the ceiling above.
Zarya grinned. “Kaijin!” She scrambled out of her chair and ran over to him. “Have you found what you were looking for?”
“I have and more.” Kaijin gestured to the man beside him. “Vargas and I were talking.”
Vargas nodded to the group in greeting.
Omari rose from his chair. “Great, now we can finally get out of here.”
Kaijin shook his head. “No, Omari, I can’t leave. There’s just too much for me to do here. This is where I belong.”
“Well this is where I do not belong. I am not a follower of Ignis. Besides, I still have my own business to take care of. Now. I am leaving.”
“Wait.” Kaijin retrieved the fire orb from the haversack. “Remember this?”
Omari glared at the object. “Of course I do.”
“So ’ow much is it worth, Kaijin?” Nester rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
“Have you learned more about it?” Zarya inquired.
Kaijin nodded to her. “I have. This fire orb is used in specialized druidic and cleric rituals dedicated to the Firelord. One of the rituals involves transport from one place to another.”
“’Ow much?” Nester asked again.
Kaijin looked at Omari. “I can use this orb to transport you to the Citadel, Omari. The holy flames will carry you there.”
“The what?” Omari raised an eyebrow. “No, I will not—”
“It’s a form of magic that is both arcanic and divine in nature—like the elements,” Kaijin explained. “And the Threads of Magic are comprised of the elements that make up the base of our spells—like my fire and your lightning.”
Nester cleared his throat. “’Ow much?!” When all eyes turned to him, he huffed and crossed his arms, waiting for an answer.
“It’s worthless to you,” Kaijin said.
The brownie scowled.
Kaijin acknowledged the rest of his comrades. “I must thank you, everyone. Coming here was the best thing that could ever happen to me.” He graciously bowed his head.
Omari threw his hands up. “Great. I have helped you, now what about me?”
Zarya sighed. “Did you not hear Kaijin? He said he would send you home. Does it really matter how it’s done?”
“Yes, actually. I would like to be certain I get back in one piece.”
“Don’t worry. You will,” Kaijin said, then he and Vargas exchanged a glance. Vargas nodded to Kaijin, then turned and left.
* * *
After the doors closed, Kaijin slid into a seat next to Aidan, who was still eating quietly. Aidan looked too into his meal to be listening to the conversation, but one could never tell for certain.
Kaijin smiled at Zarya, Omari, and Nester. “I’m going to use the orb to send you all back to Ghaeldorund. That was our original destination, was it not?”
Omari raised an eyebrow skeptically. “How will the orb do that? What if that afriti comes out and torments us again instead?”
“That won’t happen,” Kaijin assured him.
“Are you sure this is going to work, Kaijin?” Zarya asked. “Do you ... really want to stay here?”
Kaijin nodded. “My magic is influenced by Ignis. He has manipulated my powers so I feel stronger every time I use them. What I must learn now is something only these people can teach me. I feel like I belong here. I must stay.”
Nester made a face. “Eh ... Not like we ’ave much of a choice, do we? Though, I don’t know where in th’ soddin’ ’ells we can stay in a city like Ghaeldorund. You realize ’ow expensive it is?”
“Maybe Omari can vouch for us, yes?” Zarya suggested with a smile. “After all, we did help him with his test. Perhaps someone there will be generous enough to offer us room and board for a night.”
Omari bristled. “Hmph! If you think for one minute that I am going to help you people—” A loud clank interrupted him.
Aidan had dropped his fork against the edge of his empty plate. He glared at Omari. “Aidan thinks that you should stop being so selfish. It is least you can do—if not for us, then for Evan and Sephiya, who died honorably in battle so that you could successfully finish test.” He took the large soup container from the center of the table and drank the rest of its contents.
“Do not scold me about selfishness, you big oaf! You, who has not even the decency to leave Kaijin anything worthwhile to eat!” Omari gestured to the empty plates and pitchers of food and drink. Only the sweets remained.
“I will be fine, Omari,” Kaijin assured. “Besides, I’ve been so excited about coming here I’ve not been very hungry. Are you ready to go back now? We will need to gather around the altar in the main hall so that I can properly perform the spell.”
“Yes, let us get this over with,” Omari grumbled, brushing past Kaijin as he headed toward the door. Percival scampered after him, a hunk of pheasant in his mouth. Nester and Aidan followed, and only Kaijin and Zarya remained.
Zarya stared at the doorway a moment before facing Kaijin. Her cheeks flushed red. “Kaijin, I just ... I just wanted to say that despite the problems we might have had, I am g
lad to have been able to travel with you.” She paused. “I will ... miss you.”
Kaijin raised an eyebrow, taken aback. “Miss me? For what? You are a priestess. You will always be busy with duties to fulfill. Don’t worry about me.”
He felt amusement from Miele. She swooped down from the ceiling and out the door.
Zarya tilted her head to the side. “I am never too busy, Kaijin. I do hope I can see you again someday.”
Kaijin gathered his thoughts. “Uh, I will be here, Zarya. I’ve no intentions of leaving anytime soon.”
Zarya looked away a moment, then stared at the floor. She slowly raised her gaze, leaned closer to him, and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.
Kaijin froze. She kissed me?!
His first kiss. His heart thumped, and a tingle ran through his body. He felt his face heat, and Zarya chuckled.
He covered his cheek with his hand. “What ... What was that for?”
“In case I never see you again.”
“But I told you that—” Before Kaijin could finish, Zarya had already left.
What did she mean by that? He swallowed and followed after the others.
* * *
When Kaijin and his friends arrived in the main hall, he found the other Ignan priests gathered around the altar waiting for them. At the top of the stairs on the raised platform, Vargas stood beside a tall, lean woman dressed in a ravishing satin flame-colored gown with sequins. Her red belt was likely trimmed in gold metal. Around her neck, she wore a golden holy symbol. She had dark skin, big brown eyes, and soft, full lips. Her dark hair was braided back into two twin plaits.
Kaijin stopped before the foot of the stairs and the two priests. His gaze settled on the woman. Her beauty rivaled Zarya’s, more natural than the Celestials’ beauty. Something about the woman drew his eye, made him notice her, and made him hope she noticed him. Surely someone so beautiful must be important.
He sensed Miele hiding not far away, watching. She eased his pounding heart with a feeling of assurance. He took a deep breath and relaxed.
He’d been so fixed on the beautiful woman. When he finally tore his gaze away from her, he noticed more clergy had gathered and stood on either side of him and his companions, creating an aisle that ran from the base of the stairs to the top step. Kaijin knelt before the stairs and lowered his head. He heard his companions draw closer. Zarya knelt down beside him and bowed her head. He smiled. He would miss her.
“Have your companions decided?” Vargas asked.
Kaijin raised his head slightly. “Yes, honorable one. They will return to Ghaeldorund.”
Vargas nodded and whispered something to the woman beside him. Afterwards, she smiled to Kaijin, revealing a set of pearly-white teeth. Her smile was beautiful and perfect, much like Zarya’s.
“Arise, Firebrand and allies, and stand before the altar of holy flames,” The woman spoke regally.
Without hesitation, Kaijin stood and ascended the stairs, his companions not far behind. As he drew closer to Vargas and the woman, his steps slowed. His gaze remained drawn to the woman. I can’t stop looking at her. Her face ... so stunningly beautiful.... He realized he’d been staring for far too long and finally managed to tear his gaze from her and look at Vargas.
Smiling, Vargas gestured to her. “Kaijin, this is Ranaiah. She is the high priestess—the Eternal Flame—of the Pyre.”
Ranaiah bowed her head. “An honor to meet you, Firebrand.”
Kaijin gulped. The Eternal Flame—the highest religious authority in the Ignan clergy! “The honor is all mine, great priestess.” He was about to kneel down when she placed her hand on his shoulder. He froze. Her touch was perfect—like Zarya’s. Is she a Celestial, too? He couldn’t find a flaw about her. He took a deep breath and straightened. “Forgive me.”
Ranaiah graciously nodded and removed her hand. She stepped to one side and gestured to the large brazier before Kaijin. “Are your friends ready?”
Kaijin looked back at his companions. Nester slowly raised his shaky hand.
“What is it?” Kaijin asked.
Nester bit his bottom lip. “Ah ... it ... it’s not gonna ’urt, is it?”
Vargas chuckled, then responded for Kaijin, “Of course not. The holy flames of the Firelord will take you to your destination. The trip will be faster than a blink of an eye.”
When there we no more questions, Kaijin drew closer to the brazier. The heat invigorated him. He peered inside, and the white fire nearly blinded him. He took the orb from his haversack and held it aloft. The swirling fires within it flickered and moved in various patterns; it became more alive. The heat traveled down his arms and to his chest, where it warmed the necklace.
“Come closer,” called a voice from the flames.
The brazier’s white fire no longer blinded him. The dancing flames entranced him. “So beautiful.”
Kaijin wanted to feel the holy flames of the Firelord. He wanted to touch Him. He leaned over the brazier, the orb in his hands. His necklace burned, as if in response to the heat of the white fire.
In the heart of the flame, where it burned the brightest, Kaijin glimpsed a faint outline of a figure. Its shape varied.
As Kaijin saw it, it disappeared.
“You belong to me, Kaijin Sora.”
“I belong to ... you....” Kaijn whispered under his breath. The world around him became a blur, and all he saw were the flames. He smiled.
He felt Ranaiah’s gentle touch on his shoulder.
“Kaijin, it is time,” she said softly.
Her warm breath on the back of his neck eased his tension. He blinked a few times, and the white fire blinded him once again. He had to turn away. “I’m ready, priestess.”
Ranaiah’s hand slowly slid off his shoulder and down his back, and he shuddered.
He heard a gasp behind him—Zarya. He glanced over his shoulder. Zarya had turned her head away from him. Ranaiah commenced the ritual before he could ponder her behavior.
She folded her hands and bowed her head in prayer. Vargas and the rest of the clergy followed suit. “The Firelord has blessed this day by bringing to us one of His servants. Kaijin Sora has been deemed worthy as His disciple. May His holy flames forever burn.”
“May His holy flames forever burn,” repeated the rest of the clergymembers, and then Kaijin.
Something took hold of Kaijin again. His vision blurred, and the world gained a red-orange hue. He heard his chanting slur until it became hissing that resembled the crackling flames of the brazier. He couldn’t even understand his own speech.
He lowered the orb into the brazier. The flames licked his arms and felt wonderful, softer than silk. It cleansed him, burning away the dirt and dust from his travels. As he leaned forward, the holy symbol hung above the flames.
“I am your Master.”
Kaijin whispered, “Master, I beseech your great power. Please send my companions back to Ghaeldorund safely.”
There was a series of irritated hisses and crackles before the voice finally replied, “Know that they will always fear and respect me.”
“Of course, Master.”
Kaijin stared at the white fire one more time, and everything went black.
* * *
Zarya watched as Kaijin began to glow and flicker like the flames around him. He closed his eyes, and a fiery essence surged through him, igniting every vein in his body. The heat and brightness intensified, making everyone in the main hall cringe.
Zarya’s heart pounded furiously. The heat intensified, and she drew back, uttering a prayer of protection from the goddess. A protective ward appeared around her, Omari, Aidan, and Nester.
Nester ducked behind Aidan, who grimaced and shielded his face. Omari stood firm, invoking a translucent shield of his own. Percival hid between Omari’s ankles, chirring frantically.
Kaijin released the orb into the brazier. The flames roared, blazing into the atrium. Ranaiah and Vargas jumped back, gawking.
Zarya’s in
visible shield dampened the heat around them, but as she strained to concentrate, she had a feeling it wouldn’t last for long.
Kaijin turned away from the brazier and regarded everyone with a blank stare. His usually sienna eyes glowed with possession. He extended his hands toward his friends and chanted.
Flames leapt from the brazier and engulfed the group. Omari and Zarya’s shields collapsed. Aidan fell to his knees, cringing in fear. Nester huddled himself into a ball, screaming.
Zarya no longer saw Kaijin or the other clergymembers—only living, swirling white and orange fire. But the image of Kaijin remained embedded in her mind—as did the sadness. She had seen him for the last time, and her heart sank with the realization that her feelings for him had not seemed reciprocated.
That is where he belongs. He is happy now, that is all that matters. And she is ... perfect for him.
And then she saw black.
* * *
Omari screamed and thrashed, feeling himself burn, but when he opened his eyes and didn’t see fire on him, he calmed down. How? It feels so real. His eyes watered, and his vision wavered.
The flames were gone. He wasn’t sure if he were alive or dead—last he remembered, he and his companions were encompassed in the flames.
Cool night air kissed his skin. The moon was nearing its apex. He heard crickets, the rustle of grass, and the scurry of small nocturnal animals. Percival, coiled and shivering, sat in his lap.
Omari sniffed the air. It was fresh and crisp—nothing like the pungent coal and brimstone from the Pyre. Have I been dreaming? Did I even pass the test? His staff lay in the tall grass beside him, the tip glowing with an electrical shimmer.
Passed. He smiled.
He looked at the grassy fields and realized they were familiar. To the north, a path snaked at the base of a mountain pass. Gryphon Pass. Ghaeldorund wasn’t too far away.
Weary, Omari slowly stood. He set Percival on his shoulder, relieved that the adventure was over and he could resume a more stable life. “Hmph. For once you managed to do something right, Kaijin,” he muttered.
Enflamed (Book 2) Page 27
