Risen (The Firebird Trilogy Book 2)

by Stephanie Harbon

  I didn’t have an hour.

  The adrenalin had long worn off by now. I was persevering through sheer determination alone, but I was at breaking point. If I pushed myself further without a break I would become very ill very quickly. Shaking off this thought, I ignored my better judgement and flapped my wings harder; racing through the mysterious shadowed mountains that I now knew as home.

  After about thirty minutes I’d reached Highland Pasture, a relatively small foothill which looked like it had been sat on by a giant; as the top was entirely flat. I was getting closer. I glanced at the colouring skyline. The moment the sun touches the Gemstone Tower. I had exactly until that moment.

  I was exhausted by now. I wasn’t following a steady flying pattern either; which was never beneficial. Still, despite the cold sweat leaking from my pores I fought against the wind, against the odds and against the relentless torture of my body to get there. Eventually my work paid off and I saw the valley and the stunning city of Forenna buried within its walls.

  My wings were fighting against me now, but I ignored them as the tiniest fraction of sun became visible on the horizon. Panicking, I shot forwards and saw my destination rising before me. I watched, flapping my wings frantically as the golden beams of sunlight spread over the land underneath me, and I raced them to the Foundation. The crowd was in sight and the finish line was visible; but my competition was now ahead of me.

  Squeezing my eyes tightly shut for a moment, I opened them and kick-started one final push. The stage was mere meters away before I lost my balance. My shaking limbs contracted, my wings protectively wrapping around me like armour as I catapulted onto the Foundation; skidding across the stone with a cry. Glancing up dizzily, I saw the sunlight just touch the bottom of the Gemstone tower.

  I smiled inwardly. I’d managed it. Outwardly I was hardly capable of breathing. I couldn’t get oxygen into my lungs fast enough. I felt nauseated and about to throw up a stomach of acid, but I’d done it, I’d made it.

  I could hear someone rushing over to me, but it was like I was underwater and their voice was muffled. I could feel their hands fumbling over my matted feathers to find my neck; where there hung a single glass tube on a cord of twisted metal.

  “She has it!” I heard a voice shout.

  My head was swimming. I couldn’t concentrate. There was a lot of loud obtrusive noise and it took me a while to realise it was applause.

  I could feel something being thrust towards me. I gratefully gulped down the water; feeling it slosh nauseatingly into my empty stomach. After an awfully long time I managed to sit up. Initially my surroundings spun. I could hear nothing but a hollow ringing. After a while my heartbeat gradually declined to a healthy rate and the convulsion subsided; slowly sounds penetrated through my unsettled brain.

  “How is that possible?” I could hear Louree saying. “The Lava Spray collapsed, there is no way she could have found another-“

  “Hush,” I heard the High-Elder snap. “I have made my decision. She passes. End of discussion.” Her voice was growing louder, and then I saw her proud lined face before me. “Congratulations Ruby,” the High-Elder said nonchalantly. “I see you have also completed you task on time… just on time anyway. Louree, Ryan, and Selena also managed the task. Amias returned without a prize and I’m afraid Freya hasn’t returned at all.”

  She died, I told her sadly. She didn’t realise Caylic fire burns us.

  She nodded, “I know. You will return tonight for the second trial, at midnight.” My eyes widened in protest but she continued, “You do not have to take part; as we arranged. However you still have to be there.”

  She roped something around my neck -the special glass tube of Caylic fire- then clicked her fingers. As she did two men came forwards and helped me struggle upright. I was so exhausted they had to practically carry my massive frame through the crowd to the Changing cubicles, where I saw Jayson waiting. In his hands was a bundle of material; clothes for me.

  Well done Ruby, his soothing voice washed into my head, I must admit I was getting a little worried towards the end but you made it! Congrats.

  Thanks, I said, and even my mindvoice sounded exhausted.

  The Elder didn’t have people watching me after all. Or maybe they’d lost interest when it looked like I’d given up, and gone to follow the others. Or maybe it’d been just a threat. Either way I’d gotten away with cheating.

  I hoped.

  Taking the clothes I slowly went into the Changing cubicle and peeled back the layers of Phoenix flesh to reveal an aching human form. I staggered gracelessly out of the cubicle and Jayson had to half-carry me back to his home. I was so drowsy and disorientated that I barely noticed that we walked past Adrian as we travelled upstairs to the Firebird floor. Once inside our area I went straight to my room and lapsed into a deep dreamless slumber.

  I woke to someone shaking my shoulder.

  “Ruby! The Ashaiks are here.”

  Grudgingly I sat up, rubbing my eyes sleepily. “What? What time is it?”

  “It’s half nine, at night. You’ve slept for a long time.” Jayson replied, he gently tugged on my arm and pulled me to my feet. My whole body resisted. I felt like I’d been lifting half-ton weights all morning. Then I woke up a little.

  “Wait, the Ashaiks here? All of them? Why? Isn’t it illegal for them to be in here or something?” I demanded, my voice rising in shock.

  “Not if they’re invited. I let them in.” Jayson opened the door.

  I walked under the threshold into the common room. Inside was like a Mexican standoff. On one side of the room stood Flint, Anya and Elena and on the other side waited Kieran, Adrian, Chara, Nik and Ebony. The tension in the air was concentrated like a toxic gas; so thick it was almost visible. I studied the expressions on everyone’s faces, all stern and set, but suddenly Chara’s transformed as she saw me.

  “Ruby, thank God,” she gushed ecstatically. She leapt forwards, wrapping her arms tightly around me. “I was so worried. We weren’t allowed to know what your task was or anything. And we didn’t even know where you lived, until Adrian told us this morning.”

  I hugged her back, then released her as the others came over. After a moment Anya, Flint and Elena mysteriously disappeared into another room; probably feeling uncomfortable or weirdly incongruous. Jayson however, stayed behind, making drinks with stubborn features. We settled into the sofas with our drinks and Jayson sat on the arm of the chair I was nestled in.

  So far I’d very carefully made sure that I didn’t look at Kieran, but now I realised he was sitting directly across from me, gazing at me with a peculiar expression. His dark eyebrows were knitted slightly together, as if he was confused or just on the edge of realising something. Memories of that dream rushed into my head and the confusion on my face mirrored his.

  Then I remembered the last conversation we’d had, ending rather frostily, and my befuddlement changed into a slitting of my eyelids. As if recalling that memory too, Kieran’s eyes narrowed into a smouldering glare.

  Oblivious to this exchange, Ebony spoke up. “So what was your task?”

  I swallowed but Jayson intercepted my answer before I could speak, “To retrieve Caylic fire from the Lava Sprays.”

  I quickly recounted the story, explaining about how I’d gotten there and watched the girl burn, then how Louree had stolen her vial and the creature had awoken and destroyed the place. How I almost died. Again. Not that I was under any false illusions that this news would be a surprise to them.

  Once I’d finished Nik frowned, “But you’ve got Caylic fire. It’s around your neck. How did you obtain it if the place was destroyed?”

  I decided to go with the truth; mostly. “Officially I went into the wreckage and found a way into part of the volcano that wasn’t damaged and found another vent. But really I went to sleep in this field and had a strange dream… and when I woke up the entire field was alight with Caylic fire. Miraculous really,” I finished.

  “What ki
nd of dream?” Kieran wondered. It was the first time I’d heard him speak -disregarding my dreams- since our argument. His voice was coldly indifferent, but the tone of it was rough and gravelly despite his apparent lack of interest. It crackled like fire.

  “Someone came to help me.” I explained grudgingly. “They said they knew another way for me to get Caylic fire; through me. And that I’d done it before.” I studied Kieran’s reaction to every infinite detail but his features never changed. I was disappointed I couldn’t decipher his poker face.

  “That’s strange. Who was it?” Chara inquired innocently.

  I shrugged with exaggerated nonchalance. “I don’t remember.”

  “What do you think your second task will be tonight?” Ebony asked.

  Of course, they didn’t know I had the High-Elder’s favour.

  “I’m not in it,” I said. “So I don’t really care.”

  “You have the Elder’s favour?” Chara guessed with wide eyes. “How much did you have to pay for that?”

  Oh crap. I’d put myself in an awkward position now. I glanced at Jayson, who was looking down at me, as if to say: Are you going to tell them or not? I sighed, and eventually admitted. “I didn’t. I made a deal with her.”

  “Another deal?” Kieran burst furiously, abruptly speaking up. “You’re-“

  “I know,” I interrupted him. “Don’t say it.”

  “What do you have to do?” Nik asked, horrified.

  “I’m not really supposed to tell you.” I frowned, but then said anyway, “After the Trials finish, whether I win or not, I have to go with a tracker team and try and catch Lynk’s supplier and bring him into Forenna for questioning. You know, the guy who imported all those cars and weapons.”

  “But why you?” Chara wondered.

  I shrugged. “They found a couple of clues in Lynk’s caves as to his whereabouts; all written in English. So I guess they want me as a translator.” I bit my lip nervously for a moment. “The only problem is, the tracker team they’re sending me with is run by Blaze.”

  “Who?” Nik asked.

  “The guy who broke her shoulder,” Jayson explained.

  Kieran glared at me. “You’re just determined to die, aren’t you?”

  There was a short silence before I finally huffed. “Look, I don’t particularly want to think about it until absolutely necessary so can we drop it for now? I’m worried enough about the Garatourii.” Chara and Nik nodded understandingly and before anyone could say anything else on the subject I quickly wondered, “Isn’t there any way you can come tonight?”

  The guys looked at each other and Kieran said earnestly, “There isn’t even a remote chance you’re dying my hair ginger. I’d rather rot in hell.”

  “You’d rather rot in hell,” Jayson repeated. “Are you sure you’re not exaggerating ever so slightly?”

  “I knew it!” Kieran said. “I knew you wanted to convert me to your Tribe. Do you fancy me or something Blondie?”

  “Do I fancy you? Are you being serious? I’d rather cut out my intestines and tie them in a knot than find you attractive.” Jayson glared.

  “I think perhaps you’re being a little too defensive.” Kieran smirked. “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”

  Was he quoting Shakespeare?

  “Kieran do you want Jayson to fancy you?” I wondered.

  He glanced over at me in a way that could peel an orange; so penetrative, so stripping; like he saw straight through my skin. “Darling, he’d just be another number to add to the many before him.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “Whether male or female, eventually they all flock to Kierakai Ashaik; like lambs to a shepherd, or a fat kid to an ice cream van.”

  I stared at him incredulously, but it was Jayson who spoke. “As irresistible as you think you are, I would not fancy you in a million years.”

  “In a million years you’ll be dead.” He replied. “Unless of course Buddha was right; in which case you’d be reincarnated as some sort of low-standard meat product. Like a hot dog. Or a kebab.”

  “A kebab?” I asked bewilderedly; then mentally cursed myself for encouraging him.

  “They reflect Jayson perfectly,” Kieran said; as if I were stupid to have asked. “You know, kind of gross and flavourless, a bit on the wet and droopy side. And of course nobody would ever want one unless they were absolutely drunk off their face.”

  “Right,” Jayson stood up suddenly. “That’s it. You’ve outstayed your welcome.”

  “I don’t remember receiving one,” Kieran replied unaffectedly. “So how can I have outstayed it?”

  “Get out of my house.” Jayson snapped loudly.

  Kieran smiled. “Alright.” He held up his hands as if in surrender; standing up. “I wouldn’t want to start a fight here. Even I’d feel embarrassed knowing you’d have to wipe your own blood off your own carpet.”

  Chara stood up too, shaking the others with an apologetic glance at Jayson. “We better go anyway,” she said quickly, shoving Kieran towards the door. Adrian ‘helped’ Kieran the rest of the way.

  The girls and Nik stayed behind for a moment to wish me luck for the rest of the Trials, and to tell me to let them know everything. When they eventually left too I turned around, meaning to apologise to Jayson again about Kieran; but he’d slunk off into his bedroom to sulk. I sighed irritably; then decided to raid the cupboard before setting off for the Second Trial.

  I reached the Foundation at quarter to midnight.

  A heaving crowd dwarfed the area, packed together in tight lines of military precision, shoulder to shoulder, all facing one direction like kernels on a husk. The candidates were stood in another lined formation atop the Foundation platform. Their faces were stern but their eyes frightened, like stubborn criminals sentenced to face the gallows. The High Elder, like their executioner, was poised patiently nearby; her expression incomprehensible but her mortal weapon –a voice made of axe metal- was propelled to utter the death sentence. The only difference between now and this morning was that the sky was black and bonfires lit the atmosphere; rather than the sunrise.

  I took a deep breath before pressing onwards into the crowd, trying to break my way through the main infantry division. After a while people started to realise who I was and tried to move out of my way. However I wasn’t Moses, and so this red sea of ginger hair, even when willingly succumbing to my wish of parting, still left little more than a foot to squeeze though. It took a good ten minutes before I finally made it to the foot of the platform. I waited there momentarily.

  Almost instantly I felt suspicious eyes on me. I looked up to find Louree watching me. I looked away uncomfortably, glancing at Jayson; who was still sulking from earlier and apparently wasn’t paying attention. After a moment the High Elder noticed me and gestured me over to her. Reluctantly I clambered onto the stage and she shuffled me into line with the other three remaining candidates; Louree, Ryan and Selena. Unfortunately it looked like I wouldn’t be able to just watch from the shadows.

  After a couple more minutes the Elder raised her hands over her head and immediately the crowd roared in exited delight. After a moment she silenced them by lowering her hands again.

  “Welcome my children,” she began, projecting her voice so loudly that it rang in my eyes. “Welcome to the second Trial of the Garatourii!” The crowd roared into applause and the Elder waited a few seconds before continuing. “Tonight we will be testing our candidates in a way that has never been done before.” She had this small, slightly devious twist to her thin lined lips; her eyes flickering to me before searching off into the crowd again. “As you all know,” she said. “The second Trial is one of the mind; and this time our candidates will face the toughest mind challenge that has ever been set.”

  She gestured for me to step forwards, which I did willingly, hoping she would now tell the crowd I wouldn’t be participating in this round because of her favour. And then hopefully she’d let me watch from the side-lines.

  When I was
stood beside her she addressed the crowd again. “As you all know,” she boomed, her loud powerful voice making me wince, “my favour has been bestowed upon Ruby, and therefore this trial won’t apply to her as she is already guaranteed a place in the final trial. Unless, of course,” she glanced at me with a slightly too tight expression, “she is physically unable.”

  I breathed out an inaudible sigh of relief; so the Elder was true to her word. I wouldn’t have to compete in this trial. I was safe for now.

  “However,” she said with a peculiar tone that made me snap my neck in her direction with a worried scepticism. “That does not mean that she cannot be a part of the second trial.” My scepticism was rapidly disintegrating, dissolving away to reveal out-right suspicion. “It is of happy circumstances that Ruby is with us tonight, as we have never before had the opportunity to test the minds of our candidates with one of the greatest and most deadly gifts our Tribe has to offer.”

  My eyes widened dramatically. She’s got to be joking.

  “Chyun’ju.” She finished.

  Oh crap. I stared at her, my mouth dropping open in horrified shock.

  “You might be aware of the effects of this gift,” She continued, ignoring my traumatised expression. “However if not, Chyun’ju uses a range of sound pitches and tones to stimulate the mind of a person. In other ways, it uses music to influence and control a person’s actions and feelings. This gift is extremely rare, and therefore only the strongest minds will have the strength to resist its powerful lure. And none will have had any practice.”

  Louree looked at me sharply, his accusing eyes ironic.

  “Therefore,” the Elder proclaimed, “It will truly test like no other.” She turned to me with a mean smile, “Would you stand beside me Ruby?”

  I stared at her. Why was she doing this? Was she trying to make the whole of Forenna terrified of me?

  Then it dawned on me. Yes; that was exactly what she was doing.

  She didn’t want me to win. She just wanted to use me to find Lynk’s supplier and translate his words. She was trying to make me even more unpopular so she could easily deny me the position. If I sang then everyone would associate me with that deadly gift and the man who gave it to me. But what choice did I have? She’d already announced it.