Taming Fire

by Aaron Pogue

  Claighan's hand on my shoulder was no comfort as he chanted in a low, soft voice. I heard him falter once, and I heard great sorrow in his voice, but even as his words washed through my head the gruesome images remained, and finally I jumped to my feet, crying out. Claighan stepped back and let the spell die away, concern in his eyes.

  "I am sorry, Claighan. I'm sorry, but the visions...."

  "I understand. It is probably for the best. We have far to go." I waited for his direction, but for a long time he stood staring at the wall of the cabin, thinking. Finally he sighed and sank down onto the bench. "There is no easy way out of this. There may be no way at all." He looked up at me, as if suddenly remembering I was there, and then changed his voice. "Daven, we must continue on our way. The king is not pleased with us, and when he hears of this he will be less so."

  "He would blame us for the bandits?"

  "He would blame me for them. It was my fault. We must move on, but we have no driver now—"

  "I can drive." He threw a questioning look at me, but I persisted. "I drove for the nobles when I was a boy. It's how I paid for father's...for father's food. And mine. I drove carriages in the city for almost a year."

  He nodded. "You did. Yes, I think I knew that. Well, there is one answer at least. You will drive us to Souport and I will make arrangements from there. Climb up front and sort out the reins." I did as he instructed, trying to ignore the sounds of effort that came from behind me. He was putting the corpse inside the cabin. The corpse was going to Souport with us. I grimaced and turned my attention to the horses. They were a fine team, and the road was an easy one. I counted seconds under my breath. Finally Claighan climbed up onto the seat beside me, panting from the effort. He met my eyes for a moment then quickly looked away. "We are ready, Daven. Just follow this road."

  I clucked to the horses and snapped the reins. They started off at a quick but even pace. They knew the way. I sank back against the wall of the car and watched the landscape slide past. The air on my face was fresh and cold. I drove for hours, until the red-gold glow of morning touched the sky over my left shoulder. I watched the sun climb into the sky and let the cold night fade into the darkness of memory.

  I thought about the things the wizard had told me on the road to the City. I thought about my father who had died in a dank cell for stealing a loaf of bread. I thought about the man I'd killed, and Claighan's earlier mention of a demonstration on the road to Souport. I thought of his answer earlier, "No, Daven, I killed him." I was lost in these dark thoughts when a soft, dangerous voice spoke from the air between us.

  "Claighan, can you hear me? It is exceeding important that I speak with you." I nearly jumped from my seat, but the old wizard merely shook his head and pulled a small, ornate mirror from within his robes.

  When he held it up to his face it showed the king's adviser instead of Claighan's reflection. "I am here, Edwin. I expected to hear from you."

  There was silence, then, "Claighan, this is grave business. What—"

  "Another mistake, that is all. Another in a string of tragedies. I hate what has happened, but—"

  "What has happened? I do not understand. I have only the reports from the men you sent me, and they are quite confused."

  "I was distracted. I lost myself in concern for what happened at the palace and I forgot about what awaited us. Daven...the boy proved himself a most remarkable warrior. Once more he surprised me with his ability, and this time—"

  "This time was one too many! If what they tell me is true, I don't know that I can save you."

  "You don't have to save me, Edwin. Do what you must to keep yourself in favor. I am certain we can reach the Academy before his soldiers, and then I can return to set things straight. Until then, distance yourself from my name."

  "You have no idea." His voice sounded sad. "Timmon believed I had killed you. He was outraged. For a moment he forgot his anger and...and he nearly cried. That simple trick almost won you free, but I cannot hide this. Too many of the soldiers knew you were involved."

  "I know," Claighan said. "I understand the importance of this, but I cannot change the past. I cannot undo what has been made, I can only shape the uncertain. You taught me that."

  "I did. I did." He sounded as though he wanted to say more, but the silence stretched on, and finally the old man's face faded from the glass.

  Claighan put the glass away. "I hope he does not pay for my mistakes, Daven. Too often we pay for others' mistakes."

  I didn't know what to say to that. After a time I shrugged. "You said something like that before."

  He nodded. "It is something I think on often." Silence stretched, and then he added, "I have made many mistakes this season."

  We rode on, and the sun rose high.

  Then I drove the carriage over the crest of a hill, and in an instant Souport stretched out below us. It rolled lazily down into the sea, its houses and markets scattered across a long slope that ended at the grand harbor. The gray stone houses all had roofs of white slate that made a mosaic of the town, splattered here and there with the colorful markets. At the bottom of it all the great sea crashed against ancient stone docks, the noonday sun splintered into a sparkling mist that hung over the harbor and dazzled my eyes. I stopped the horses and sat for some time staring down over the view.

  Claighan noticed when we stopped and sat forward, looking down and squinting against the bright light. Finally he nodded. "Very good, Daven. Very good. You've brought us to Souport. Go on down into the town." He stretched an arm out toward the spindly piers that jutted into the sea. "Straight to the docks. We haven't much time."

  I went down the King's Way, passing broad boulevards paved with granite blocks. Near the bottom of the hill the sound of the sea danced rhythmically through the air and I could taste the salt tang on the breeze. Claighan caught my attention just as we approached the docks and waved me over to a dirt-floored alley near the sprawling stables there. I turned down the alley and before I'd even stopped Claighan hopped down from his place and started walking back to sunshine.

  I ran to catch up with him. "You're just going to leave the king's coach?"

  "Edwin will deal with it."

  "But shouldn't we wait?" I asked. "There are...things in that carriage that must be explained!"

  "I will explain later. Right now our main concern must be getting off this island before the king's guards find us. They will know I have come here." He was carrying the strap of my pack in one hand, and as we stepped out onto the main road he passed the pack over to me. I noticed that the sword had been replaced in its sheath, and the broken strings knotted inelegantly to hold it closed. It felt unbearably heavy, but I slung it over my back and kept pace with him.

  He stopped at the intersection to look back up King's Way, though he could not have discerned anything within the jumble of crowds. After a moment he turned toward the sea.

  A low stone wall separated the harbor from the rest of the town, and we passed beneath a decorative stone archway to get to the docks. A skinny man with ink-stained fingers met us just inside the wall. He bowed briefly before fixing us with a sharp, appraising look.

  "I am the harbormaster here. How may I help you gentlemen?"

  Claighan pulled a small signet ring from his finger and pressed it into the man's palm. "I am Master Claighan from the Academy and I have instant need of a Swift."

  The man examined the ring closely then passed it back, nodding. "You are in luck, Master Claighan. Three Swifts arrived this morning and are only just now ready to depart."

  Claighan bit his lip, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "Three, you say? When did they arrive? Do you know whom they carried?"

  "Only Masters, of course. I believe Seriphenes was among them, as his Young Swift is one of those at dock. There were others, as well, but I spoke only with Seriphenes." He paused for a moment, examining Claighan's expression, then added, "I am certain they intended to speak with the king, Master Claighan. They hired four coaches
and set out immediately for the City."

  Claighan cursed under his breath. "We might even have passed them on the way here. And Seriphenes among them...." He shook himself, apparently returning to the here and now, and looked at the harbormaster. "Thank you for the information. I am sure it will be quite helpful. I...I will have need of all the Swifts. Please find men to man them, and lead the boy and me to one of the Old Swifts, if you would."

  "Are you certain, sir? As I said, the Young Swift Master Seriphenes is in dock—"

  "We will not ride the Seriphenes. That would be an ill omen in a voyage already too full of them. Please arrange passage on one of the Old Swifts for us, and prepare all three to sail." The harbormaster started to turn away, but Claighan caught his arm. "One thing more! If any other Swifts arrive and any of the king's men ask permission to ride one, you are to deny that permission."

  "My lord, I am certain I could not—"

  "The Swifts are and have always been the property of the Academy, harbormaster, and have nothing to do with the king! We only allow them passage as a courtesy."

  The thin man looked around and lowered his voice. "My lord, refusing the king's request would be something close to treason."

  "I have done worse than that today. My order stands, and you are bound to obey it."

  Looking sick, the harbormaster turned and disappeared into one of the small buildings along the wharf.

  Claighan forgot him. He turned to me. "Come, the Swifts always dock at the east end." He led me to a pier where three magnificent boats rested lightly on the water. The afternoon sunlight glowed dully off the silver-gray sides of the ships, but the white mainsail reflected it in a blaze like a torch. The boats looked tiny against all the great fishing and merchant galleys farther down, but their decks held only one mast, and the rigging stood high above the ship, leaving most of the deck space free. I saw two men on each of the Swifts, scurrying about and preparing to sail.

  As we made our way out onto the pier, a dockman sprinted up behind us and pointed to the second ship on our left. It took him a moment to catch his breath, but finally he panted, "You're...to board...the Old Swift...Master Edwin."

  Claighan nodded, smiling despite himself. "Master Edwin. Excellent." He strode quickly up the gangplank and I followed close at his heels. The two sailors I had noticed earlier turned away from the main mast as we stepped up onto the deck and both saluted Claighan. He shook his head. "That is enough of that. We sail to Deichelle. Can you get us there by morning?"

  One of the sailors stepped forward. "You will be eating your breakfast there, Master Claighan. Now—" he cut off, staring past us in surprise. We turned together and found a dozen of the king's soldiers trotting along the harbor toward the Swifts' pier. They saw us, but in the same instant Claighan cried some word of command, and the Swift leaped forward into the small waves of the strait. I looked back and saw both of the other Swifts darting away as well, pulled as if on strings out into the water and already speeding south with sails full. Sailors on the other ships looked about in confusion, but as I watched they shrugged it off and returned to their duties.

  Claighan clapped me on the shoulder, then tightened his grip. "Wind and rain, you're shaking, boy. That was a close call, but things shall get better from here on out." I looked over and up at him, hoping to show him my gratitude, but his eyes were on something far off and they bore none of the confidence his words had expressed.

  He looked back to the harbor quickly dwindling behind us. "Although, with Seriphenes in the capitol...." He trailed off, his eyes grim.

  I ducked my head. "That danger, at least, is behind us."

  He squeezed my shoulder again, and nodded. "Indeed. Indeed. Now we must prepare for the dangers ahead."

  I sank down on the deck, leaning against the railing, "There has been nothing but danger since you turned your eyes on me, wizard."

  He sighed. "It is a fair accusation." For a while I thought he was going to say more, but he fell silent. I watched him.

  After a time I said, "Who was it that I killed?"

  He flinched away as though I'd stricken him. His grip on my shoulder tightened in something like a spasm, and then he let his hand fall away. "I do not know his name," he said, "but he was a captain of the King's Guard."

  I nodded. Pain blossomed high in my stomach, and I felt it reaching up into my chest. I blinked, and my eyelashes glistened a bit. I swallowed and found my voice to ask, "Why?"

  Claighan lowered his eyes. "Do you remember what I said on the road to the City? About your being too physical a spirit and that causing problems in your training?"

  I nodded slowly, and he nodded back. "I had a solution planned. I meant to demonstrate for you how creativity and will can do something easily that physical force can only do with effort."

  "You...." I sighed and shook my head. I caught my breath. "You were supposed to thwart the robbery."

  "Indeed."

  I felt my fingernails digging into the palms of my hands. My fists were clenched so tight my knuckles hurt. I closed my eyes. "You set it up. You were going to teach me a lesson."

  "Indeed."

  "And you fell asleep."

  For a long time he said nothing. He caught his breath with something that sounded like a sob. He let it out with something like a sigh. I waited another heartbeat for him to say again, "Indeed."

  I opened my eyes to meet his gaze. My chest ached. My shoulders ached. I said, "You have made me into a murderer."

  "And a fugitive of the king's justice," he said. "And once more someone else must pay for my mistakes. It is deeply unfair. But I attempted too much. I strove too hard. Eventually even a wizard's body fails him."

  "You fell asleep," I growled. "And now an innocent man is dead."

  I expected him to flinch again at that. He didn't. He didn't sob, either. He held my gaze for four heavy heartbeats, then he raised his chin half an inch, and every trace of uncertainty melted from his expression. "I do what must be done," he said. "It is a tragedy. But one innocent death will pale to nothing against the threat that is coming."

  I felt my jaw fall open. My fists at last relaxed, fury fading in the face of the wizard's madness. "Nothing?" I said.

  He nodded slowly. His eyes were serious. I would get no apology from him. He would have sacrificed everything in this mission. I thought back to his conversation with Edwin, to the things he'd been saying about the greater threat. I remembered what he had told me on the road to the City and shook my head. "What is it?" I asked.

  He tilted his head, waiting for me to clarify, and I asked, "What is the dragonswarm?"

  The wizard held my gaze. "There are old legends, myths, that tell of a time when the dragons began waking." He said it almost offhand, but there was a terrible intensity in his eyes.

  My mouth was suddenly dry. I had to swallow. "Which dragons?"

  "All of them," he said. "Enough to fill the sky to black at noon. Enough to burn the world to ash."

  I chewed my lip. I remembered the strange vision I had intruded on during our trip to the City. The whole experience felt like a dream, but the image of the dragons in flight stood out stark within my memory. Enough to burn the world to ash. I believed it. "That would be a fearsome thing," I said.

  He nodded and said nothing.

  It did nothing to change what I had done. It did nothing to lessen the dangers I now faced from the king's justice. It only added new nightmares to be feared. I fought against them and fought to catch my breath.

  The ship flew south, dancing along the waves. Warm sunlight bathed us, and a cool spray occasionally touched my cheek, my hair, the skin of my neck. For a while I tried to think about that instead of the dangers. It didn't work. At last I said, "Why did you recruit me?"

  Claighan's mouth turned down in a sour frown. "This is the fourth time you've asked me that."

  "And the answer never satisfies." Before he could respond, I pushed myself to my feet and faced him. "Am I to be another battle wizard in t
he Royal Guard?"

  He shook his head and I nodded. "I thought not. Am I to be an answer to a rebel army?"

  His head sank, but I saw another little shake no. I nodded again. "You mean for me to fight dragons."

  His eyes found mine. They burned with a vicious fire. "All of them."

  He was a madman. He was my only hope for refuge now, for redemption, but he was clearly a madman. But I remembered again a vision of the dragons waking and my breath caught in my throat. "It's just a story," I said. It sounded unconvincing even to me.

  Claighan stepped away from the rail. "That is what everyone insists," he said. "It is a comforting thought." He turned and walked away.

  * * *

  Hours later I was still sitting at the deck rail when Claighan came and joined me. I stared out over the waters slipping past, afternoon sun flashing gold and silver off the dancing waves. I didn't look up as the old wizard joined me, just spoke to the wind. "Three days ago, at this moment, I was putting sheep in Jemminor's pen."

  He sank down to rest on his heels for a moment, then sat stretched out on the deck beside me. He leaned his back against the rail and drew out an old, ornate pipe. While he filled it, he nodded at my comment.

  "An hour later you fought and conquered one of the king's elite guards."

  "I had a job, a home, a family...."

  "You had a closet dug from the basement wall, Daven. You had one pair of pants and two shirts. You had a taskmaster."

  I nodded. The waters danced by while a light blue smoke drifted up and away. "It was home to me. I had friends."

  "Do you wish to go back?"

  "No." After a moment, "Could I if I wanted to?"

  "At this point...no. You could, but they would find you eventually."