The Blue Flame [Book 1 of the Daradawn Series]

by Barbara M. Hodges

  Regan frowned at the tiny winged form. “Thank you for such a ... warm greeting."

  He shrugged. “It is expected.” He flew to Peter's shoulder, lighted and turned his back on Regan. “You will be joining us this eve?"

  "Not tonight."

  "Father will be disappointed.” He circled down and backwinged near Maggie's nose. “You never did say what this was.” He extended his hand and tweaked Maggie's white chin whisker. Maggie pressed back closer to Ben, then rumbled low in her throat and snorted into the fairy's face.

  The blast of breath sent Talix spinning backwards head over heels. Regan gulped in surprise, then doubled over in a coughing spasm. Angus snorted laughter as he strode to Regan and thumped her on the back. Gasping for air, Regan straightened. Wiping tears from her eyes, she saw Peter's lips tremble as he fought to keep an impassive face.

  Talix regained his balance and flew to land in Peter's hand. She saw his tiny body quiver with rage. His face screwed into an ugly mask. “Did you see what that monster did to me? I demand you kill it right now!"

  "You deserved it for your rude behavior,” Peter said.

  The fairy threw his head back and glared at the mage. “I will report this to father."

  "I do not think so. Your actions would be an embarrassment to him."

  Talix flew upward to hover in front of Peter's nose. “I'll not forget this."

  "I am sure you will not, but for now I think you should leave."

  "You are dismissing, me?” Talix said.

  "It has been a long day and we need our rest."

  Talix pirouetted slowly in the air, his gaze traveling over the figures that ringed the fire. He stopped and stared into Angus's smirking face. “Yes, enjoy your peaceful slumber. It may be your last for many nights.” He turned and flew into the darkness.

  Regan watched the dot of light until it vanished. “So that's a fairy. Not quite the way they're portrayed in children's books."

  "Talix is spoiled, but his father is a good ruler and has always been faithful to Queen Tessa,” Peter said.

  Angus threw a branch into the fire. “Fairies are fools. Their heads are always in the clouds. You need to get into the bowels of the Earth Mother to know what true life is all about. Deep in the caves you feel her heartbeat all around you."

  Peter smiled. “You, my friend, are of the ground, and they are of the air. You will never agree. It is enough that we all continue to fight Dirkk together.” He yawned. “Come, it is late. Everyone to sleep, for tomorrow we have a hard ride."

  Regan watched Peter pull a blanket from Angus's backpack and cross to the far side of the fire pit. He kneeled, scooped a pile of dried leaves into a long narrow mound, then laid the blanket over them. “Here, this is for you."

  "Where will you sleep?"

  "There are blankets for three, enough for all, since I will take the first watch."

  Regan frowned. “Watch? I thought this was a safe place?"

  Peter shrugged “It always has been, but things change."

  Angus circled the fire to where Peter stood and stared up into his face. “You are not setting wards?” When the mage said nothing, the dwarf frowned. “Then you are still weak. I will take the first watch."

  "I'll take the second,” Ben said.

  "And then me,” Regan said. “I'm too excited to sleep."

  "Enough, none of us will sleep,” Peter met each of their unwavering gazes. “I can set wards, but I will need Regan's help."

  Regan thought of the field where she had looked out through Peter's eyes, and half of her ached for the feeling of closeness; the other feared the helplessness.

  Peter saw her hesitation. “It will not be like the field, but like the approach to the rift."

  She swallowed, then nodded. It was quicker this time. She thought only once of Kelsey before warmth filled her stomach and spread upwards. Heat coursed down her arm to where her hand gripped Peter's.

  Her eyes drifted shut and Peter's grip tightened. “Keep them open. It is time you witnessed your Power."

  The tree trunks that surrounded the glade began to glow like the phosphorescent walls she had seen in a New Mexico cave. The warmth spread and she gasped as every nerve in her body tingled with pleasure.

  "Regan,” Peter's voice held an undercurrent of fear. “Stop the flow. I cannot control it."

  He tried to pull his hand from hers, but she laced her fingers through his and gripped tighter. The pleasure rippling through her body intensified and the tree trunks glowed brighter. Peter yanked his hand free.

  The moss around the bottom of the trees began to steam. “Look, I'm doing it without you."

  "Yes, you are,” Peter said. “Now draw it back before you incinerate the trees, and us along with them."

  Regan turned to stare at him. “Draw it back? I don't know how."

  "Reverse the flow; bring it into you."

  "It will burn me up."

  "Control the Power, Regan, or it will consume you,” Peter said.

  The tree trunks began to smoke. “How? Tell me how."

  "Close your eyes. Look inward and you will see it. Then picture little streams of Power trickling from your stomach to your legs, arms—your entire body."

  Regan closed her eyes. The Power was a brilliant pulsing mass of light stretching from the top of her thighs to her shoulders, growing brighter with each second. She took a deep breath, then reached into the glowing mass with her mind and separated it into glowing strands. She sent five strands down her arms and into each hand, then another five down her legs. The last of the mass she formed into a shining halo and sent it upward toward her head and hair. She felt her body vibrate and sway as she absorbed the power. She waited until the glow was nothing but an ember, then opened her eyes.

  The trees surrounding them had blackened trunks. The once vibrant green moss looked pale and dry, as if a good breeze would crumble it into powder and send it sailing.

  "Did I do that?"

  Peter wiped his forehead with his shirtsleeve. “You are strong even without your words of power."

  Regan looked across the campfire to Ben and Angus's pale strained faces.

  "You'd best train her and soon,” Angus said, and stomped off to the farthest edge of the glade. He scooped leaves into a pile and threw a blanket over them.

  "I'm sorry,” she whispered in Angus's direction.

  Peter touched her arm. “It was my fault. You have grown stronger since you entered Daradawn. I could not control the Power in you as before. I will not try again until you have had training. Now go to bed. The wards are set."

  She walked to her blanket and stretched out. She turned on her back and waited for the earlier weakness to come. It didn't. She gazed at the stars glittering through the oaks’ leaves and sought a familiar constellation, but there was no North Star, no Big Dipper. Was this even Earth? My God, what had she gotten herself into?

  A wet nose thrust under her hand and Regan smiled in the dark as she stroked Maggie's head. She found Ben's solid figure in the fire's light. At least she wasn't alone. She turned on her side and hugged Maggie close.

  * * * *

  Regan dreamed. She stood on a grass-covered mound. Looking down through a shroud of mist, she sought the blurred form of the temple. Two hands clasped her upper arms, and she turned and buried her face in silken cloth. Lips touched her hair.

  "Mina, I must go. The Royal Companions await me."

  "No. I have seen it in the mirror. If you go, I will lose you."

  "Look below. What do you see?"

  Beneath the banner of a blue flame, men waited in phalanxes. The formation spread outward and filled the valley. A callused hand reached to tuck an auburn curl behind her ear.

  "It is only a small battle. I will return by nightfall,” he said.

  "No, Cassius. The Seeing Mirror never lies. I will lose you."

  "I will never be lost to you, my love. I would search through time to be at your side."

  "Will you swear to me
that not even time can separate us?"

  Cassius brought her hand to his lips. “I swear by all that is holy, no matter where you are I will find you. Now I must leave."

  Mina watched him stride down the hill. “Good bye, my love,” she whispered. “Remember your promise and seek me."

  Chapter 10

  THE SMELL OF cinnamon and hazelnut laced with brewing coffee teased Regan to consciousness. Eyes still closed, she yawned and stretched like a cat. Ben's up early, she thought. What a sweetheart. This is my Saturday to make coffee and waffles. She rolled onto her side, then winced as something jabbed her ribs. A cool breeze brushed her cheeks and Regan's eyes flew open. They widened as she stared at the man who stood at the edge of a campfire, his back toward her. “What the hell?” Then it all flooded back.

  Peter turned at her words. “Good morning. Coffee?"

  "It wasn't a dream?"

  She watched as he poured a cup, then carried it in her direction. Her leaf bed rustled as she sat up and reached for the cup.

  "It is hot."

  She wrapped the end of the blanket around the cup's handle and took it from him. She blew into the coffee, then took a small sip. It was black and strong. She glanced around the empty camp. “Ben and Maggie are here too, right?"

  "At the river with Angus."

  Regan's gaze flicked across, then back to a charred tree trunk. She still couldn't believe she had done that. One minute more and they would have all been toast.

  "Angus still ticked at me?"

  "Ticked?"

  "You know—upset."

  "Angus's anger is short-lived.” Peter grinned. “I know.” He crossed to the fire and stirred it with a thin branch. Sparks jumped skyward. He gestured toward a pail sitting among the coals. “There is warm water for you to wash. I will join Ben and Angus."

  Regan watched him walk to the glade's edge. “Peter."

  He turned. An eyebrow rose in question.

  "I appreciate the warm water, but you don't have to go to all that trouble. I've washed with cold water before."

  His body stiffened. “As you wish."

  Regan's cheeks heated. “It's just that I'm not one of those helpless female types that..."

  "It was a simple courtesy but, if it offends you, it will not happen again."

  Regan watched him walk from the glade without looking back. “Good way to put your foot in it, Cafferty."

  Shaking her head, she scrambled to her feet and padded over to the warm water. She knelt beside the bucket and, settling back on her heels, she gnawed her bottom lip and looked around. She'd like to take the T-shirt off so she wouldn't get it wet. It wasn't as if she'd brought a lot of clothes with her. Peter said they were all at the river, but he and Angus were strangers to her. What if they were peeking at her from behind a tree? She laughed at herself. Now that was a stupid fear; besides, Ben wouldn't let them. She pulled the T-shirt over her head. Glancing down at her lace-trimmed bra, she shrugged. “No big deal. It covers more than most swimsuits.” She mopped her face with the shirt and then walked to a nearby branch and draped it over the middle.

  With goosebumps erupting on her skin, she sprinted to her blanket, grabbed it, and leaped for a patch of sun. Wrapped mummy-style, she leaned back against a sun-warmed rock. When her shivering subsided to an occasional twinge, she let the blanket fall to her waist and reached for her braid.

  Regan winced as she worked her fingers through the tangled mess. “I can't believe I didn't bring a comb or even a toothbrush. Just how dumb is that?"

  A branch snapped behind her. She jumped to her feet and spun around. A low-hanging branch snagged the blanket and pulled it from her grasp.

  Peter stood just inside the clearing, a wrapped bundle in his arms. Regan saw his gaze flick across her bra, then move to the blue flame birthmark partially hidden by her right bra strap.

  His gaze rose to her face and he held the bundle out to her. “It would be best if you wore these. It is standard apprentice garb. I do not know if Dirkk will have heard of you. But in case he has, a simple apprentice will not be noticed. A shirt is on top. Call us when you are ready."

  Wordlessly Regan took the bundle from him. He turned and walked into the trees. After he was gone, she set the bundle on the rock.

  He didn't seem at all affected by your displayed charms, a little voice nagged nastily in her head. Much more interested in your little birthmark, it seemed.

  Regan picked up the blanket and shook it out petulantly. The sun glittered on a silver, round-toothed comb in the center of the promised shirt. She whooped with joy and pounced on it.

  * * * *

  Regan fastened the band around her braid, then picked up the shirt. It was identical to the one Peter wore. She stuck her head through the shirt's opening and let it fall, then took off her jeans and tossed them aside. Trousers lay beneath the shirt, and she pulled them on. The shirt grazed the top of her knees and was easily large enough for two more of her size. The trouser legs bunched into folds and covered her toes. She propped her foot on a boulder and rolled up first one trouser leg, then the other. Picking up her jeans, she pulled her leather belt free and fastened it around her waist. “That's better,” she said, running her hands along her hips.

  Two items remained in the center of the blanket. One was a long silver stick with small brushes at the end. Must be a toothbrush, she thought. If not it's going to be. She searched for toothpaste, then shrugged. “Well, it's better than nothing."

  The last was something square wrapped in a piece of roughly woven cloth. She unwrapped it. A smile curved her lips. It was a sliver of soap. She held it to her nose and breathed in the scent of Tika flowers. Wish I'd had this earlier, she thought, carefully rewrapping it.

  She straightened and looked around for her tennis shoes. They were by last night's pile-of-leaves bed. She fished out her dirty socks from inside. Her nose wrinkling, she pulled them on and then the shoes.

  She'd wadded her jacket into a mound for a pillow. She reached in its pocket and removed the red velvet bag and her book of jingles. Staring at the velvet bag for a long moment, she picked it up, took out Kelsey's pendant, and placed it around her neck. She tossed the bag and book on top of the soap, then added her jeans and T-shirt. Everything rewrapped, she tied it with a square knot.

  Regan strode to the glade's edge and called into the trees. “I'm ready when you are."

  In minutes Maggie bounded into the clearing, trailed by the three men. At the sight of her, Angus stopped in mid-stride. His forehead creased.

  "It's not going to work, Peter,” he grumbled, “Darrian will want her still. Maybe if we cut her hair, and take off the belt?"

  Regan raised her hand to her hair.

  Regan saw Peter look at the swell of her breast. “Some things cannot be altered. Darrian will have to accept no as an answer.” He turned and walked away.

  Regan heard a soft chuckle and turned. Ben stared at her in amusement. “What?” she snapped.

  He grinned. “What do you think of my new garb?” He minced a slow circle in front of her, his right hand on his hip. The robe he wore was dark gray and hit his leg at mid-thigh. A hood hung loosely down his back. Flat sandals, leather laces criss-crossed upward to below his knees, completed the outfit. “It's a little short isn't it?” she teased.

  Ben winked. “Shows off my legs real nice."

  Regan fought against her smile. “For some crazy reason it suits you."

  "It's not as flattering as yours, but I like it, and call me Brother Ben."

  "Brother Ben? And who am I to be?"

  "You are simply my apprentice,” Peter said from behind her. “We should meet no one, but if we do, I will address you as such, and you will address me as Master."

  Regan's right eyebrow rose. “I see."

  "Enough talk.” Angus growled. “Let us be off to the horses."

  * * * *

  Regan stepped from the glade into the shadows of the oaks. She glanced back and her eyes widened. The g
lade was gone. The oak trees now spread their gnarled branches over a dense, yellow-flowered thicket.

  "It will appear again when needed,” Peter said at her side.

  A sudden chill raced along her skin, and goose bumps erupted on her arms. I'm never going to see it again. The thought startled her with its certainty. She shivered and pushed the thought away before turning her back on the here-again, gone-again glade. “How far is it to the cave?"

  "Four hours, five at the most."

  "And to where Kelsey is?"

  "Another six of hard riding."

  "Then I won't see her today?” Regan couldn't keep the disappointment out of her voice.

  "Yes. We have to push on. Time grows short and the rift will close in five days,” Peter said.

  Regan shook her head and smiled. “And you really believe we can save your world and get Kelsey and me home in five days?"

  Peter stiffened. “We will save Daradawn. We have no choice. As for you and Kelsey...” He shrugged, then pushed by her and walked to join Angus.

  Regan frowned. I see where his priorities lie. Well, he can see to Daradawn and I'll see to getting Kelsey and me home. She glanced over and saw Ben watching her. “What?"

  "Was that necessary?"

  She shrugged. “I thought he needed a reality check."

  "This is their world. Do you expect them to give it away without a fight? Would you if it were yours?"

  "But it isn't,” she said.

  "What if it's Kelsey's? She's been here seven years. What if she doesn't want to go back?"

  Regan shot Ben a sharp look. “Of course she'll want to go home."

  He stared at her for a moment and then shook his head. “Whatever you say.” He walked by her and joined Peter and Angus. Regan heard the three men exchange muffled words. They turned, looked at her, then continued on down the path.

  "I still think he's dreaming,” she muttered and hurried to catch them.

  * * * *

  Angus led them along the edge of a ravine. The oak trees were far below now. Regan poked Ben in the back. He turned to face her.

  "I need a break,” she said.

  A few feet ahead of them Peter and Angus halted. They turned and looked at her. “You go on. I'll catch up,” she called.