Malera strode to her quarters. She had to know where Ria was. The need to discover the traitor overrode her concern for the crystal.
On a stone slab in a corner of her sleeping chamber, she placed the scarlet in the center of four white crystals. After calling fire, she sought Ria. For an instant, the young woman’s face flickered in the flames. The nebulous image vanished before Malera could discover Ria’s location.
Malera killed the flames and snatched the scarlet crystal from the slab. Her anger peaked. She grabbed the flail and marched to the harras. Someone must pay for the traitor’s escape. If her fury wasn’t quenched, she feared her fyrestones would burst into flames.
* * *
Ari stood near the door. “I need to purchase supplies. Is there anything you want?”
Ria shook her head. “You’ve been generous. I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“You’ll know how when the time comes.” He tousled her hair. Her eyes held a puzzled expression. “Nothing to fear. While I’m gone, exercise and rest. I want to leave the day after tomorrow.”
“I’ll be ready. I must.” She ran her fingers over his face.
Though Ari was tempted to kiss her and carry her to the bed, he opened the door. Since she’d touched the fyrestone, she’d grown stronger and her wounds were almost healed. He wished he’d kept one of the crystals, but when he’d sold them at the temple, he hadn’t known one would be needed.
The market square, though crowded, was strangely subdued. Not quiet, for whispered conversations were heard. Ari stopped to purchase a blanket roll for Ria. He scanned the square. Why so many priestesses? He watched as women clad in yellow and orange caftans moved from stall to stall. He turned to the vendor. “Why are all the priestesses about?”
“Seems they’re seeking a missing acolyte.” The man shrugged. “Didn’t say why when they questioned me, but I know a few things.”
Ari looked toward the center of the square where the logs for the solstice fire had been placed. “I would think they would be preparing for the celebration.”
The man chuckled. “Them? They do as they please. ‘Tis the alders who see to the public celebrations.”
“How could the temple lose an acolyte?”
“Heard she ran away. Now that’s a puzzle to me. Priestesses have an easy life. The tithe provides them with the best products from the hamlets and when they come to the market, they take what they want.”
Ari grinned. “With one missing, that would mean one less to share the bounty. I would say good riddance.”
“Exactly.” The man leaned closer. “They’ve threatened to sell anyone who helps the missing acolyte to the slavers. Asked for the names of anyone seeking help for fyrethorn poisoning.”
Ari hoisted his purchase. “Wonder what this acolyte did?”
The merchant grinned. “I hear she’s the one who raised the flame the other day. My cousin’s a guard and that’s what he said. He also said the chief priestess plans to use the acolyte’s bones to light the solstice fire. If they don’t find where she is today, tomorrow, they’ll search the inns.”
Ari’s hands clenched. They hunted Ria. Was she strong enough to leave the inn before sunrise tomorrow? She would have to walk. Though he could rent a courser, the gate guard would question why an apprentice rode when the master walked. Ari met the merchant’s gaze. “Never knew sacrifices were part of the ritual.”
The man shrugged. “Malera says a new rite is needed to cleanse the temple.”
Ari paid the vendor and made his other purchases. He paid bearers to carry the goods to the stable. Once they were stored, he returned to the market and found Bil. Ari crouched beside the one-legged beggar and dropped a gold coin in the man’s cup.
“Ari.” Bil grinned and deftly removed the coin. “Must have been a good hunt this time.”
“Very and I was first in.” Ari flashed more gold. “I need to hear my story. These two after I have all you know and have learned.”
The old man studied the square. With his chin, he indicated the priestesses and their guards. “Don’t want them to hear. Would bring danger to your path.” He slid behind the stall.
Ari followed. “Danger? Why?” He sat beside Bil and where he could see the square.
“You know how we found you, Jorg and me. But I saw you before. One time in Gydon. There were priestesses there. Had their own circle and they called fire, both men and women. Helped the hamlet prosper. Chief priestess before Malera destroyed them.”
“Why?”
“Called them rebels. Now you’re grown, you look like one of the men. He was the spouse of one of the priestesses.”
Ari tried to absorb the things Bil had said. “Why did you and Jorg keep me?”
“Part of the why is another story, but mainly because Jorg hated the slavers. Didn’t like the priestesses either.”
“But he sold stones to the temple.”
Bil nodded. “For his quest, but that ended with his death.”
“Perhaps you’ll tell me what he sought another time.” Ari dropped the gold coins in the bowl. “Could there still be someone in Gydon who can tell me more about my parents?”
“’Tis possible.”
“How do I find this hamlet?”
“Use the North Gate and head straight across the waste. You’ll find a trail leading to Gydon.”
“Why didn’t I hear this before?”
“I had my accident. Jorg didn’t want to work alone. He cared about you. Said sometimes you reminded him of the man he’d been. Didn’t want to lose you. If the priestesses had suspected you had a crystal, they would have put you in the harras or sold you to the slavers.”
Ari looked away. “If what you’ve told me helps, next time I’m in Rosti, there’ll be more gold.”
Bil clasped Ari’s hand. “No need for coins. With this, and what you and Jorg gave me over the years, I’ve enough to buy into an inn called Fyredragon. Always be a room for you there.”
Ari rose. “I’ll return in six lunars.” As he strode back to the inn, he made plans. Before he and Ria hunted crystals, they would go to Gydon. If the fates were with him, someone in the hamlet would know who he was and give him the names of his parents. He entered the inn and paused in the common room to order food for the nooning and a large evening meal.
The innkeeper bustled across the room. “Stone seeker, a moment. There are two in your room.”
Ari nodded. “And you’ve been well paid for my custom.”
“Of course.” The skinny man stepped closer. “No complaint, just a question. What will happen to the boy when you leave? I could find a use for a lad with his looks.”
“He’s to be my apprentice.”
“What does a street rat know about crystals?”
“As yet, little, but I’ll teach him.” Ari studied the man and distrusted what he saw in the man’s dark eyes. A sop was needed. “If he doesn’t work out, when I return for the winter solstice, we’ll talk.” There was no way he would give Ria to this man. The innkeeper’s sly and knowing smile amused Ari. The man had no idea Ria was a woman. Ari turned back. “Add a flagon of spiritus to the order for the evening meal.”
Ari carried the tray of flatbread, meat and cheese for the nooning down the hall. If the prying landlord believed Ari intended to drink himself into a stupor, the man wouldn’t expect his guests to depart once the inn settled for the night.
When Ari entered the sleeping chamber, he found Ria huddled in a corner. Her packed haversack lay on the bed. She jumped to her feet. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I forgot to bar the door. The innkeeper came to snoop. I was in the bathing room and he didn’t see me. He was searching your haversack. I yelled. He scurried away, but I fear he knows who I am.”
Ari clasped her hands. “He believes you’re a boy and he offered to buy you.”
“What if he sends for the alders because you’ve kept me in your room?”
“He won’t. I’ve p
aid coins for the room until after the solstice. What he thinks doesn’t matter. We leave tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “Tonight?”
He sat at the table. “Once the inn is quiet, we’ll slip out and go to the stables to load the burros. We’ll be at the gates when they open.”
“Why must we leave now?”
“’Tis time.” He couldn’t tell her about the priestesses in the market or the questions they had asked. Nor could he mention how they planned to search the inns. He feared the news would panic her into some foolish action.
“Do you think I’m strong enough to travel?”
“You’ll have to be. After we eat, we both should rest.”
* * *
Ria settled the haversack on her back and crept down the dark hall behind Ari. The faint light from his fyrestone did little to brighten the darkness, though the light flame was her guide. She frowned. Though she knew some of the male commoners used the white crystals, she’d been taught only priestesses could use the yellow, orange, or scarlet, stones. Had everything she’d been taught been a lie? She feared ‘twas so, but why had the priestesses denied men the use of the stones?
At the end of the passage, Ari opened a door wide enough for them to slip through. He clasped her hand and drew her across the yard to the lane. He bent his head and spoke in a low voice. “Keep to the shadows. We’ll pass taverns that remain open all night. We don’t want to encounter anyone who might remember us.”
“Why?”
“To prevent being brought before the alders as thieves.” He brushed his lips over her cheek.
Her heart thudded. She gazed into his eyes. Even in the dim light cast by torches set at intervals along the lane, she saw a hunger in his eyes that stirred urges she didn’t understand. “Ari.”
He released her. “We mustn’t tarry. Dawn will be with us soon.” He moved ahead of her down the lane. His abrupt departure puzzled her. Would she ever learn the meaning of the sensations his caresses raised?
The blue fyrestone needs two to control the flames. They must be united in body, heart and mind.
She didn’t understand that either.
During the trip to the stables, several times, she and Ari had to hide in darkened doorways to avoid stumbling drunks. When the hamlet walls loomed ahead, they entered another lane. Ria wrinkled her nose at the odor and fought not to gag.
Ari entered the third stable. He lit a lantern and hung it beside the gate of a stall. “Here we are.”
Ria stared at the burros. “They’re so small. Your feet will drag on the ground.”
He chuckled. “’Twould be a funny sight, but we don’t ride. They’re burden beasts and will carry our supplies.” He pulled on the one with the dark gray coat. “This is Ber. The lighter one is Bera.”
Ria held her hands toward the animals. She touched their shaggy coats and thought of the coursers she’d ridden before she’d left the plains. Those steeds had silken manes and flowing tales. The burro’s coats were shaggy. They had ragged manes. First one, then the other sniffed her hand.
Ari dropped pads on the beast’s backs and tied them in place. He fitted panniers over the pads. With this done, he loaded the sacks of grain and dried foodstuffs into the baskets. Once Ria saw what needed to be added, she took over. Ari rolled the tent and his blanket roll and fastened them and Ria’s blankets to Bera. He bundled the digging tools.
“How long will you be gone from Rosti?” Her question caused him to arch a brow. Until she was safely gone from Rosti and had a fyrestone, she wouldn’t tell him of her plans to find a refuge where she could master the crystal. Once she had the skills to defeat Malera, she would return and challenge the chief priestess.
“I usually remain in the hills until a ten-day or so before the solstice.”
She looked at the panniers. “Will this be enough food?”
He laughed. “Hardly. We’ll trap animals, fish and glean wild plants.” He ruffled her hair. “Wear your hat to hide your face.”
“Which gate will we use?”
“If we were going directly into the hills, we’d use the West Gate, but there’s a place I must visit. While the North Gate would be best, I don’t want to be followed. “We’ll use the East.”
Ria’s stomach knotted. They would pass the temple. What if she was recognized? A chill rolled along her skin. She grabbed a pannier to steady herself. “No.”
Ari grasped her shoulder. “Is the fever returning?”
She shook her head. “The temple lies near the East Gate. I can’t go that way.”
His grip tightened. “Malera knows you’re alive.”
She swallowed. “How do you know that?” Fear froze her thoughts. He was returning her to the temple.
“There were priestesses in the market this morning. They asked questions about anyone seeking treatment for fyrethorn poisoning.”
“Then you’re in danger, too.”
He shook his head. “I used things Jorg showed me, not what’s used here.”
“Then why must we run?”
“They plan to search the inns.”
Panic curdled inside. She wanted to run. She felt a scream building. “What can I do?”
“Dressed as my apprentice, you’ll be safe. Malera craves fyrestones and I’ve success at finding them.”
She met his gaze. What she saw gave her hope. Her heart fluttered like the wings of a hummel bird, so fast she feared ‘twould take wing. In that instant, Ari became her hero. If she could, she would give her life for him. “And fyrestones are needed to replace the ones turned to cinders when I fought Malera.”
“Then trust me. I’ll keep you safe.” He reached for the lead rope and strode from the stable.
Chapter Four
Ria pulled her sun hat low and tugged on the other burro’s rope. Dawn brightened the sky. Like a good apprentice, she walked behind Ari. Before long, they passed the North Gate. She wanted to ask him to leave by this gate, but she kept silent. He was determined to go his own way and she didn’t want to argue. As they neared the fyrethorn hedge bordering the temple grounds, Ria gulped deep breaths and tried to ignore the churning fear of being discovered.
Ari paused. “Keep your head down and plod the way a sullen boy would.”
She nodded. When they passed the lane leading to the rear of the temple buildings, her grip on the burro’s rope tightened. A pair of priestesses and their guards left the lane. They’re searching for me, she thought. Would the innkeeper know she’d been the one to share Ari’s room? Had he really thought she was a boy?
Her shoulders hunched in anticipation of a blow. If they knew her, could she escape? She and Ari paused to let the priestesses pass. When the group from the temple cast no more than a glance, Ria’s tension vanished so quickly she felt light-headed and stumbled.
Ari moved close enough to grasp her arm. “Steady now. We’re almost to the gate.”
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
When they reached the gate, a uniformed man stepped from the guardhouse. Ari tossed him a coin. The man grinned. “Leaving before Solstice Day? Why miss the celebration?”
Ari met the man’s gaze. “The chief priestess of the temple needs fyrestones. Before I left the hills, I found signs of a lode, but I needed supplies and an apprentice.”
“Why this gate? West would be better.”
“To distract a pair of thieves who have been following me. I can hide from them in the grove. I’ve no desire to share my secrets with men who try to take what they want without working.”
The guard nodded. “Makes sense. See you found your apprentice. Bit scrawny.”
“He’ll grow,”
“Good hunting.” The guard opened the gate. “May you return with baskets of crystals.”
Ari led his burro onto the barren rock-strewn ground. Ria followed. When the gate closed behind them, relief washed through her. She was free until she had a stone and returned to challenge Malera. Ria smiled. If she could find one of the fabled blue fyr
estones, her victory would be assured. She glanced at her companion. Would he join her to end Malera’s reign?
The sun rose in a cloudless sky. The gray rocks and pale stones seemed to stretch forever. Beads of perspiration trickled down Ria’s face. Her head itched. She pulled off the sun hat.
Ari caught her arm. “Take care. The sun will burn.”
“I know of the sun’s power. Before I entered the temple, my skin was as brown as yours. Malera keeps the acolytes confined to the temple most of the time. We were permitted to go into the garden in the early morning or after the sun set.”
“She kept you as a prisoner?”
Ria shook her head. “As a student and her heir. I rebelled and she ordered my death. Thank you for saving me.” She met his gaze. “Whatever you ask of me, I will do.”
* * *
Ari frowned. The adoration in Ria’s gaze wasn’t what he wanted from her. He wanted her to desire him and to surrender to a mutual need. He wanted to explore every inch of her body and have her do the same to his. The hero worship he saw in the depths of her green eyes could be mistaken by her for something deeper. ‘Twas not what he desired. A physical union was his goal. ‘Twould be enough.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“In time, you’ll know.” His loins tightened. His rod pulsed. He pushed raw desire aside. Until the need was mutual, he would wait. He wanted what flowed between them to be as hot as the flames contained in the fyrestones.
They angled north and west from where they’d left Rosti. Though the way he’d chosen added distance to their journey, following their trail would be difficult. Not that he expected the chief priestess to trace them until after Solstice Day. By then, their trail would be cold.
Temple of Fyre (Island of Fyre) Page 5
