Book of One 04: A Child of Fire

by Baker, Jordan

  The winds eventually subsided as the sky grew dark with nightfall and they continued across the trackless dunes until the red orange glow of firelight appeared before them. It did not take long before they neared a large gathering of tents and fires around patches of trees and grass that surrounded a large pool of water amid the rocky outcroppings that seemed to have thrust themselves out of the desert sands. It was obvious that the people at the oasis were expecting them as a small group walked out to greet them. Aaron noticed they were all well armed, but was surprised to see that none of them wore the desert robes or even armor. Instead the men and women of the camp were clad only in the simplest loincloths, which left very little to the imagination.

  "Kasha," said a tall, heavily muscled man with a dark tan complexion, who wore two curved swords that stuck out over either of his large, rounded shoulders. He nodded his head to her, respectfully. "It has been some time since you joined the dance."

  "Kazar," she replied with a nod of her own. "It has been some time. I have traveled the circles in search of those who might enrich our domain."

  "And I see that you have brought three," he said, glancing at Aaron, Lexi and Tash.

  "I have brought two who might be of interest to Ansari," she told him.

  "It is good that you have come, for there is much to share with Ansari."

  "These with me are Aaron, Lexi and Tash," Kasha said. "They are under my domain."

  "It is understood," Kazar said. "Come, the winds have been troublesome and you will wish for refreshment."

  They followed Kazar into the camp and Aaron was impressed at how many people were gathered at the desert oasis. It was as busy as the streets of Ba'shan, except every single person was armed and looked to be far more dangerous than most of the competitors at the Warrior's Palace. Unlike the people in the city, neither the men nor the women covered their faces or wore the long desert robes, which Aaron found surprising. If anything, most of them seemed underdressed considering the harshness of the whipping sands that had slowed down their journey across the desert. Kazar led them to a large tent and told them that it had been prepared for them in advance of their arrival then he departed expecting that they would join him and the others soon.

  As they unwrapped the layers of cloth and the robes they wore, shaking out the sand that had worked its way into every corner and fold, Aaron noticed Tash frowning quietly and wondered what might be bothering her.

  "Is something wrong, Tash?" he asked.

  "Kasha told that man she had two," Tash said, whispering so Kasha might not hear her. Aaron also wondered what the Ansari woman had meant when she said that to Kazar.

  "Well, maybe she meant you and Lexi," Aaron said.

  "No," Tash said. "You both fought at the Warrior's Palace. You are more interesting to Ansari. I am just a servant."

  "Tash, I think you are reading too much into what Kasha said," Aaron told her with a tired smile as he shook the sand out of his robes. "You are still young. It will take years of training and growing before you can fight in the Warrior's Palace."

  "I know," she said. "I just want to be a great warrior. I want to be like Kasha, one of the champions."

  "Then keep your eyes and your ears open," Aaron told her. "Pay attention to what she does, to what she says, and what she doesn't do and what she does not say."

  "That is smart advice," Kasha said as she hung her robes over a rope at the wall of the tent and walked over to join them, now wearing only her leather sword belt and a loincloth, dressed like the other people outside.

  Aaron could hardly forget the smoothly curved lines of her body and the tight elegance of her warrior's physique but the reminder of her strength and beauty as she strode across the carpeted floor of the tent awakened the ardor that she had kindled it him a short time ago.

  "It seems there is little modesty among the Ansari," he commented, though he was certainly not complaining. Kasha smiled.

  "There is much about Ansari that is modest," she told him. "And there is much that is simply practical."

  Aaron was not sure what she meant, but he knew he would probably find out.

  "Must we all shed our robes?" Lexi asked.

  "No, Lexi," Kasha told her. "You may dress how you like. If you are shy about yourself, then that is your choice."

  "I am ugly," Lexi said. "It is better that I am not seen."

  Kasha tilted her head and peered under the hood of Lexi's robes that hung low over her face and smiled at her.

  "I do not find you unpleasant to look at," she said. "Some might call you beautiful."

  "They would not," Lexi said. "I am an abomination. I heard the mages say it many times with their thoughts even though their words would say different things."

  "Did you hear their thoughts?" Kasha asked, curious to learn of her having such an ability.

  "I hear many thoughts," Lexi told her. "I do not hear yours though."

  "Such a power does not work on Ansari."

  "What about mine?" Aaron asked and Lexi stared at him.

  "No," she said after a moment. "I cannot hear your thoughts."

  Aaron was relieved. While he did not think he had thought anything negative about the strange lizard girl, he worried how his own questions, wondering about who she was and how she had come to be a slave to the traders, might sound to someone who could hear his thoughts. After Lexi had awakened from the sickness the potions had caused, she had not said much and though Aaron was curious to know more about her, he had decided not to pressure her. He felt she was like him, in a way, having been lied to and subjected to something against her will and she would share her story if she wanted to, when she was ready.

  "Do you know what I'm thinking?" Tash asked, her eyes wide.

  Lexi turned at looked at the young girl.

  "You wish you had a tail like mine," Lexi said, her voice flat.

  "I do!" Tash said, excitedly. "It is amazing!"

  "It is a tail," Lexi said, flatly, not sharing Tash's enthusiasm. "Only creatures have tails."

  "Creatures?" Kasha said, questioningly.

  "That is what I am," Lexi said, turning back to Kasha. "I am a creature, an abomination but it does not matter. I am what I am but I would like to keep my robes. I am not beautiful like you."

  Aaron thought he saw a dark golden flash in Kasha's eyes as she smiled at Lexi.

  "Come," she said. "I will be good for you to know Ansari."

  Kasha turned and walked out of the tent and they followed her out into the warm night air of the desert. Aaron was glad to be out of the desert robes, but he was not quite ready to strip down to just his sword belt and a few scraps of cloth. Likewise, Lexi kept her robes, and Tash kept her boyish trousers and tunic. They walked through the many tents toward the rhythmic noise of drums that had begun to beat and the smoke and firelight where the Ansari people were gathered.

  Many fires burned high into the night sky and the scent of smoke and spiced meats filled the air. As they approached the gathering, which was centered around a very large fire, the many people turned and looked their way. Most of them smiled then turned back to what they were doing, whether it was eating, drinking or talking with those around them. Kasha led Aaron and the others around the perimeter of the fire to the far side where a very large man sat on a much larger wooden chair. He was flanked by several warrior men and women on either side of him and Aaron could feel them casually sizing him up as they approached, their eyes alert with interest though their postures remained passive. The drums and the noise of the camp ceased abruptly as the man rose from his chair.

  "Kasha," he said, his voice a deep rumble. "You have returned to us."

  "Ansari," Kasha said, bowing her head deeply. "I greet you with honor and respect."

  "Honor and respect to you as well," he replied, with a bow of his head then he looked to Aaron, Lexi and Tash. "You have brought interesting creatures to our circle."

  "I have," Kasha said. "I would like to present to you one who may be of very g
reat interest." She turned and looked at the three who stood behind her. "Tash, step forward and greet Ansari."

  Tash's eyes went wide and she stepped behind the length of Lexi's robes.

  "Do I have to?"

  "Do you wish to know Ansari?" Kasha asked, her green eyes glimmering with a warm smile in the firelight.

  "Why me?"

  "It is okay, Tash," Kasha told her. "Step forward. You are under my domain and you will not be harmed." She looked at Aaron and Lexi. "You will also be asked questions. Answer honestly and you will be respected."

  Aaron watched as Tash stepped nervously out from behind Lexi and walked tentatively forward. Kasha nodded for her to continue past her, which she did, but only by a few steps. The large man that Kasha had called Ansari chuckled for a moment then he stepped toward Tash. As though he had somehow disappeared and reappeared, he moved almost imperceptibly fast and stopped, towering over the young girl. Tash nearly jumped, startled at how he had suddenly appeared in front of her and she did her best not to flinch when he bent down and looked directly at her. She found his intense gaze intimidating, especially when his eyes began to glow a golden color.

  "Look at me, young one," he said. "We will not harm you."

  "Honor and respect," Tash squeaked with a bow of her head then she looked up at the man with the glowing eyes.

  "Honor and respect," he responded. " What is your name?"

  "I am called Tash," she told him, glancing at the ground.

  "That was not what we asked. What is your name?"

  Tash looked up at him.

  "Tasha," she said, shyly looking away again.

  "That is better. Now look at me and tell us your name."

  "I am Tasha."

  "Tell us, child. Do you wish to fight in the Warrior's Palace?"

  "Yes," Tash said.

  "Why?"

  "To be a king."

  "And why do you wish to be a king?"

  "So I will not be a burden to my father."

  "Do you not wish for fame and glory, for your name to be known among the circles?"

  Tash kicked the sand at her foot a little.

  "No," she said. "I do not want that. I just want to be strong and fearless like the warriors."

  He smiled and stood up straight then looked over at Kasha.

  "Interesting choice." He turned back to Tash. "This man you call father, he is an innkeeper in the city?"

  "Yes," she said.

  "And your mother?"

  "I do not know," Tash said.

  "The innkeeper, he is not truly your father, is he?"

  Tash frowned.

  "No," she said.

  "This man, he was kind to you?"

  "Yes."

  "It is good. We will reward him for this."

  Aaron leaned closer to Kasha.

  "I don't understand," he said quietly.

  "She is of our people," Kasha explained.

  The man called Ansari smiled at Tash.

  "You are welcome here among us, young Tasha," he said.

  "Does that mean I will know Ansari?" Tash asked.

  "If you wish," he replied. "It is up to you." He turned his attention to Kasha, Aaron and Lexi. "What of these other two? They are most interesting, but they are not of our people."

  Kasha raised her hand and gestured to Aaron and Lexi.

  "They are not of our people, but they are of my domain," Kasha said. "This one I have taken to husband, and the other is one who has suffered greatly."

  "Come forward," Ansari said. "Tell us your names."

  Aaron walked toward the large man and Tash walked back to where Kasha stood. Now that he had moved closer to him, Aaron found the man was not as imposing as he had seemed. Though he was heavily muscled and looked extremely dangerous, despite wearing no weapons, he was not much taller and only slightly broader in the shoulders. Aaron stopped an arm's length away from the man, just outside of his reach, for he had the distinct feeling that the Ansari leader would not be so benign in his inquisition as he had with Tash.

  "You are a warrior?" the man said, his tone half way between a question and a statement.

  "Am I?" Aaron asked. He had noticed that the Ansari seemed to have an interest in how people considered themselves. "I am Aaron."

  In a blur, the man swung at him, so fast and unexpected that his movement was barely visible. Aaron dodged just quickly enough to avoid the powerful fist that whipped past his face. He stepped back and dropped into a fighting stance, balanced, flexible, ready to defend or attack, a position that his endless training with Tarnath had become as natural as standing. Aaron

  "You are a warrior," the man repeated then he took a step back and settled into a less combative stance.

  "I am not a warrior. I know how to fight, but I do not wish to fight," Aaron told him.

  "You are a destroyer," Ansari said. "You have used true fire in the circles."

  Aaron detected a hint of accusation in the man's voice.

  "I used my power, but I did not intend to use as much as I did."

  "Then you are a fool." The accusation turned to something more scornful.

  "That may be true," Aaron said after a moment, thinking about how easily his power had killed the fighters in the circle. "I may be a fool."

  The Ansari leader stared at him for a moment, then a smile broke out on his face.

  "An honest fool, perhaps," he said.

  "And what are you?" Aaron asked. As it stood, he had not returned the man's attack, so he deciding that it was only fair that he might ask a few questions of his own.

  "We are Ansari," the man replied, his expression sharpening but retaining his apparent humor, though Aaron saw a golden flash in his eyes and he had noticed something strange about the energy that surrounded him, or the distinctive lack of it, which reminded Aaron of the magical ward he kept around himself. He had noticed the same thing about Kasha, but was not sure if it was merely something unique to her, but now that he was surrounded by her people, he realized that they were all masking themselves, and for some reason he had the feeling there was something about them that was not entirely human.

  "That was not what I asked," Aaron said. "What are you?"

  "You are perceptive," the man commented.

  "And you are hiding something," Aaron countered. "I asked a question. Will you not answer it?"

  "You are a guest in our circle and you ask as though it is we who are guests in yours. Some might consider that foolish."

  "I am a fool, am I not?" Aaron was already tired of half answers. If he was to know Ansari, then he might as well ask.

  "We are Ansari," the man said.

  "You are Ansari? And what of these others?" Aaron gestured to the warriors who stood behind the man and to the entire camp of people.

  "We are Ansari," the man repeated.

  "And what are you?" Aaron asked again.

  The man smiled.

  "We are the ever changing sands of the desert."

  "That is not an answer."

  "It is an answer," the man told him. "But you do not understand, for you do not know Ansari."

  "And if I wish to know Ansari?"

  "When the sun has risen past the horizon, we will meet in this place and we will fight. Then, we will see if you might know Ansari."

  "You wish to fight?"

  "How else to take the measure of a warrior?"

  Aaron stared at the man, who called himself Ansari, and considered whether he should use his power to try to see his thoughts or learn something of his power, but there was little point, since he would likely find out the following day.

  "I will meet you here, and I will fight you if that is what you truly want, but I do not wish to harm you or anyone else of the Ansari," Aaron told the man. "I have come here merely seeking knowledge."

  "It is understood," the man replied. "For now, you are under Kasha's domain. Please enjoy the light of our fire."

  Aaron stepped back to stand next to Kasha, but he kept his eyes tr
ained on the Ansari leader, who gestured for Lexi to step forward.

  "You did well," Kasha said quietly to Aaron, as she nodded at Lexi, who walked forward tentatively.

  "I wasn't expecting him to swing at me," Aaron said.

  "He was testing you," she said. "As I said, you did well."

  Lexi stood in front of the large Ansari leader, her face mostly hidden under the cowl of her robes.

  "Why do you hide?" he asked.

  "I do not wish to be seen," Lexi told him.

  "Look up, child," he said, but Lexi kept her head down and did not move. "Are you afraid of us?"

  "No," Lexi said, her voice low and quiet. "I am not afraid of you."

  He sniffed the air almost the way a dog or a wolf might when encountering another creatures.

  "Interesting. I sense no fear in you, and yet do you not look upon us? If you truly not afraid, then you must be a proud fool like the other one."

  "I am not proud," Lexi told him and the Ansari leader cocked his head, considering her answer for a moment.

  "Shame," he said. "You have much shame."

  Lexi did not answer.

  "You have much in common with your warrior companion," he told her. "You will meet us here on the morrow at midday."

  "I do not wish to fight you," Lexi told him.

  "There is no need," he replied. "You will come to watch, to listen and to learn. For now, you are welcome to enjoy the light of our fire."

  Lexi looked up at the man, her eyes connecting with his for the first time and she saw a predatory gaze that matched her own, yet his eyes repeated the truth of his words. She nodded respectfully at him, hoping that she had done things correctly. The Ansari leader smiled and his eyes glowed golden as he clapped his large hands together.

  "Eat, drink, make merry as you will," he said, his voice loud so all could hear. "Come the midday sun we will see the truth of things."

  The people shouted and the drums resumed. Kasha nodded to the man and he returned to his wooden throne then she turned to Aaron, Lexi and Tash.

  "You all did very well," she said. "Ansari wish to see truth and you have given them much to respect."

  "I don't think it went all that well," Aaron told her. "This Ansari wants to fight me."