by B. A. Scott
“She was right,” Dareic uttered under his breath, his eyes widening as though he’d just come to some great revelation.
“What?” asked Ralian.
“Arey’n,” said Dareic. “The Goddess of Fortune herself told Treäbu and I that the weapons we would use against Daro would fail. But that there is one that will not. ‘It alone will pierce Daro’s magic,’ she told us. ‘It alone will strike where no other weapon can.’”
“And what weapon is that?” asked Raia.
“The Blade of Origin,” said Dareic.
“Are you spinning tales?” asked Evissian, incredulously.
“Do you doubt his honor, Evissian?” asked Treäbu.
“Well, no,” said Evissian. “But how does one obtain the Sword of Creation—a thing of legend and lore, never before held by the hands of mortals? And hidden, guarded by the Goddesses themselves?”
“Arey’n told us where to find it,” said Dareic. “With her sister, Teréyu, in Valea.”
“Valea?” asked Kilo. “Why, then, have you not already retrieved it? Why did you not bring it to Caleton? If what you say is true, Daro’s threat could have ended that very night.”
“Unfortunately,” said Treäbu, “Arey’n also told us that no mortal can hold the Blade without first acquiring the power of the Avenflame. Only with the Celestial Blaze can one withstand its unfathomable might.”
“But Avenalora is lost,” said Kilo. “And it’s fountain with it.”
“Now, you see our greatest plight,” Treäbu spoke. “Until Avenalora is found, any hope we have of defeating Lord Daro is useless.”
“Did Arey’n tell you how to find the lost city?” Kilo asked.
“We’re on our own on that one,” said Dareic.
“Then how does she expect us to—”
“Kilo, peace, brother,” Ralian calmed him.
Raia’s gaze dropped to the floor as her heart sank. “Maybe,” she looked to the other Skael’akron, “maybe she can help us. Maybe she knows a weakness of Daro’s only those closest to him have ever learned.”
“Who?” asked Ralian.
“Three days ago,” said Raia, “the Treemen to the north brought us a creature, bound and caged. They were hoping you, Ralian, would know what to do with her.”
“Sorry, Treemen?” asked Dareic.
“Humans,” said Kilo. “Soldiers in the mountain forests. But they are less the King’s men than they are sons of the wood.”
“I wish to see this creature,” said Ralian. “Does it have a name?”
“Yes,” said Raia. “She calls herself ‘Vexen.’ ’Vexen Alakai.’”
The Skael’akron led the others down into the Temple dungeon. There, Dareic saw not only Skaelar on guard, but a few Humans speaking with them as well.
“Thank the Goddesses, you’re here!” a tall man with short, sandy brown hair said to Ralian upon seeing him. He and the Sage exchanged hand-heartings.
“Good evening, Thade,” said Ralian. “We’ve just learned of our new guest. What do you know of her?”
“She carried a Human child out of the Wastelands. She says her kin were to feast on the girl, but she rescued her from them.”
“Her kin?” asked Dareic.
“She claims to be Daro’s daughter,” said Thade.
“Don’t all of Daro’s ilk refer to themselves as his ‘children?’” argued Dúmeru.
“Yes,” Thade said, “but she calls herself his ‘bloodchild,’ born from his seed.”
“Bloodchild?” Dareic asked. “Treäbu and I fought someone at Caleton who made the same boast. This Vexen you found could be far more dangerous than you know. Why on earth did you let her live!?”
Thade hesitated before answering. “I tried to kill her,” he said. “But something happened. Something extraordinary.”
“What?” asked Ralian.
“The spirisortium,” said Thade. “Just before my spear could pierce her flesh, the flames consumed her. A sign, or omen, I thought it. It staid my hand. And so, I have brought her to you.”
“I see,” said the Sage. “And what of the Human child? The one she claims to have rescued?”
“She is with my people in Farhaven,” answered Thade.
“Very good,” said Ralian. “Now where is our prisoner? I’d like to meet her.”
“She’s in there,” said Thade, motioning to a closed cell door. Ralian nodded to its guards, and they unlocked it. The Sage pushed open the door, and the others followed behind him.
Dareic entered to find Vexen on her knees, chained to the back wall by her wrists, ankles and neck. Her body hung like a corpse from her shackles.
“You have visitors,” one of the Skaelar guards spoke to her. But Vexen did not raise her gaze from the floor.
“Vexen?” Ralian probed. “That is your name, is it not?”
Vexen said nothing.
“Have you eaten today?” the Sage continued. Still, no response came. “I’m told you experienced the spirisortium.”
“What is my crime?” Vexen’s voice cracked. “You bind me as though I’ve committed some great wrong against you.”
“These chains are for our protection,” said the Skaelar guard.
“From me?” Vexen asked. “But I’ve done nothing. Nothing!”
“Is this true?” Ralian asked Thade and the other guards, accusatorily.
“Well, yes,” answered Thade. “She has made no attack against us. But we suspect she is a spy.”
“By what evidence?” asked Ralian.
“Are you serious?” Thade asked, as though it were obvious.
“If all the evidence you have is based on the actions of her kindred, then I must protest her imprisonment,” said the Sage.
“Excuse me?” belted Dareic. “You’d have her set free? Are you mad?!”
“Madness is imprisoning the innocent, Dareic,” Ralian snapped back.
“Innocent!?” Dareic choked. “Innocent!? Maybe she hasn’t attacked anyone just yet, but are you so foolish as to let a spy go free? Can’t you see? She got caught. And now, she’s playing nice to save her own skin. Keep her chained, Ralian. Let her starve. Let her hang here ‘til she rots!”
“Such hatred in your heart, Dareic,” said the Sage. “She’s done nothing to you.”
Dareic’s eyes narrowed. “I have more than enough reason to hate every last one of Daro’s demons with all my heart,” he said. “They’ve killed my kin. They’ve destroyed my city. And letting this one roam free to gather information for the enemy puts your people in danger, Ralian Sheen. Kill it. Kill it now. Hell,” he stepped forward, drawing his Skaelar blades, “I’ll do it for you.”
He moved to skewer Vexen, but Ralian caught him by the arm, and yanked him backward. The Sage pressed Dareic against the far wall of the cell, and leaned in close to his ear.
“You fool!” Ralian whispered. “Have you forgotten why we came down here in the first place? We need information, Dareic. We need her to help us. A true bloodchild of Lord Daro—think of the secrets she holds! But she’ll never tell us anything if you threaten her with death!”
Dareic scowled. “Will she not?” he asked.
“Vexen Alakai,” Ralian spoke loudly, turning back to the others. “Under the circumstances, we cannot allow you to leave the realm of Skaelwood just yet. But you’ll not be bound unless you give us good reason.” He looked to the guard and spoke, “release her.”
The guard unlocked her shackles, and Vexen collapsed to the floor. Ralian immediately dropped to her side and helped her stand. Vexen lifted her head. Her eyes met his.
“Thank you,” she told him.
“This is a mistake,” Dareic voiced his concerns once more as Treäbu joined him by his side. “If that were a Primen or Blessed One, would he have set it free?”
“Not a chance,” said Treäbu, “but even so, she seems different from the rest.”
“She’s far more clever,” said Dareic. “We’ll all pay dearly for this mercy.”
&nbs
p; Chapter 3: The Visiting Flame
Gabrel, Kaven and Kade each tossed a log from a healthy pile of gathered wood into the fire, while Ayden watched on. The Sage had taken them to a large kiva that bore a stone-lined fire pit in its center, and asked the others to help her make a roaring bonfire. It soon grew so intense, Gabrel and Kaven had to shield their eyes when they neared it.
“That should be enough,” Kade told the brothers. They all backed away from the pit, and stared into it. Ayden observed the others from a distance.
“So, how’s any of this supposed to help us find out if our brother’s still alive?” Gabrel asked.
“We will conjure Alun-kandara-mai—the Visiting Flame,” Kade told him.
“What’s that?” asked Gabrel.
“A portal of fire.”
“A portal?” asked Kaven. “Can it take us anywhere? To anyone?”
“Well, to anyone you bear a strong connection with. No mere acquaintance is ideal. The stronger the connection, the closer to that person you will emerge. But you will only emerge from the nearest flame. Better you hope there’s a fire burning somewhere near your brother’s body.”
“His body?” asked Gabrel.
“Yes,” said Kade. “I pray he is alive and well, but be ready to receive the truth you seek, Gabrel. If your brother did not survive his travels, his body may lie in a grave. Have you not considered the possibility?”
“Oh, I’ve considered it, alright,” said Gabrel. “For too many nights now.”
“So, what do we do?” Kaven asked.
“It only takes one wielder to create the portal, but both of you should learn how. First, concentrate on your brother. Let memories of him fill your minds. The stronger the memories and the emotions tied to them, the better chance you have of finding him.”
Gabrel and Kaven closed their eyes, and thought of Dareic. Kaven recalled all the times he’d tried to keep his younger brother out of trouble. All of their arguments and reconciliations. Gabrel remembered all the jokes and pranks Dareic pulled. The times they hunted together. And the last time they ever saw each other.
“Good,” said Kade as she paced slowly around the brothers. “Now, fill yourselves with magic.” Gabrel and Kaven did as they were instructed, and opened their glowing eyes. “See the fire before you,” Kade continued. “Feel not its flames, not its heat, but its essence. Feel its true energy—its elemental core that spawns its light, its warmth, its power.”
The task proved far more difficult for Gabrel and Kaven than simply conjuring memories of their brother, and it showed on their faces. Though Gabrel felt a deeper connection to the world around him whilst filled with magic, he didn’t quite understand how to observe the fire in the manner Kade expressed. Kaven also had difficulty perceiving the flames as anything beyond heat and light.
“And how, exactly, are we supposed to do that?” Gabrel asked.
“If your eyes limit your awareness,” Kade spoke, as if she’d anticipated their ineptitude, “don’t use them.”
The brothers closed their eyes. To their surprise, Gabrel and Kaven began to sense an unusual quality within the fire, like they were somehow attuned to its energy.
“Do you feel it now?” Kade asked. Gabrel and Kaven nodded. “Good,” said the Sage. “Now, take it, and fuse it with your connection. Merge fire and the thoughts of your brother into one.”
As Gabrel and Kaven strove to combine the two thoughts in their minds, the bonfire crackled and spasmed in spurts of flame, ever changing in color.
“Kade, what’s happening?!” Gabrel asked as the kiva trembled.
“It’s working,” Kade replied.
Suddenly, Kaven merged his thoughts, and the bonfire erupted. The tips of its roaring flames reached the hole in the kiva’s ceiling, and its color stabilized into a vibrant blue. Gabrel and Kaven immediately opened their eyes, and took a few steps back.
“Did—you do that? Or did I?” Gabrel asked.
“I think it was me,” said Kaven.
“You can release your magic now,” Kade told them, proudly. “The Visiting Flame has been forged.”
“What now?” Gabrel asked after he and Kaven calmed the magic inside of them.
“Now, you enter,” said Kade.
“Gabe, I want to see Dareic as much as you do,” Kaven said, “but walking into fire—I really don’t feel like being burned alive today.”
“The flames will not harm your flesh, Kaven,” Kade assured him. “But there are other risks. Fire is a transformative element. It burns, melts, reshapes and unravels, changing that which it touches into something entirely altered. As such, the Visiting Flame separates body from soul.”
“Come again?” Kaven said.
“If the fire is extinguished—if the connection is severed—your soul will be left in its wandering state. As such, Ayden and I will remain behind to ensure the bonfire is not disturbed. Likewise, on the other side—where you emerge, you must ensure that fire stays alight as well. If you emerge from a dying candle, best you return immediately.”
“I’m starting to agree with Ayden,” said Kaven. “I’m not so sure this is such a great idea.” Kaven moved closer to his brother, and spoke so only Gabrel could hear. “This could be a way for Kade to finish what she started when we left Caleton.”
“What do you mean?” Gabrel asked.
“Look, I know you trust her completely, but I don’t think I ever will. What if all of this is just a way for her to get rid of us without getting her hands dirty?”
“This was my idea, Kaven,” Gabrel said.
“Was it?” Kaven asked. “I’m sorry, but I still don’t trust her.”
“We’re past all that,” said Gabrel. “You need to move on.”
“Is everything alright?” Kade asked.
“Yes,” Gabrel told her. “We’re just wondering, what if something goes wrong?”
“There is always a chance,” said Kade. “And the consequences would be catastrophic. What plans you have with us—your duties to the Queen—would fall to ruin until your soul returns to this place—to your body. It is a great risk to take. You must ask yourself, Gabrel, is that risk worth finding out if your brother still lives?”
Gabrel took a deep breath and eyed the bonfire. “So, we just walk into it?” he asked, fully intent on seeing Dareic once more. “Can I go in, even though it was Kaven who conjured it?”
“Once the path is opened, anyone can enter,” said the Sage. “Though, Kaven must be the one to sever the connection upon your return. Or we can simply let the fire burn out.” Gabrel and Kaven stepped forward. Their hearts raced as they stopped just before the bonfire.
“It’s not even hot,” Kaven observed. “Gabrel, are you sure you want to do this?”
Without answering the question, Gabrel stepped into the flames. His body vanished in an instant. Kaven looked to Kade, trying to read any hint of foul intentions in her expression, then entered the portal of fire.
* * * * *
Dareic, Treäbu and Vega found places to sit next to Ralian, Raia and Kilo. The feast had just recently concluded, and the Skaelar were taking their seats for the nightly celebration afterward. Dareic remembered thoroughly enjoying the lively dances and unending cups of vinewater during his last visit to Skaelwood, but given the misfortune at Caleton, and Ralian’s decision to liberate Vexen from the Temple dungeon, celebrating was the last thing he wanted to do.
“Where are you keeping Vexen?” Dareic asked the Sage.
“We have given her quarter in the Temple,” Ralian told him as the Skaelar performers began to dance around the bonfire. “Don’t worry, Dareic. She is still under heavy guard.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Dareic said, then turned his attentions to the dancers before him. “I don’t remember this dance from last time,” he said. “Is it new?”
“It is the Dance of Life,” Treäbu told him. “To honor those we lost at Caleton. If you think you can master the steps, feel free to join in.”
“No thanks,” Dareic declined the offer.
“Not up to the challenge?” Treäbu asked. “That hardly sounds like you.”
“No, I just don’t feel much like celebrating tonight. I’ve got a lot on my—”
Before he could finish his sentence, the bonfire before him erupted in a frenzy of blue flame. The explosion drew shrieks and screams from all the nearby Skaelar, and took several from their feet. The bonfire swelled and swirled as the Skaelar scattered fearfully from it. Dareic, Treäbu and Vega scrambled behind thick trees, and peered around their trunks to observe the strange phenomenon.
Out of the fire came something very peculiar to Dareic’s eyes. Two ethereal figures, each as blue as the flames from which they’d emerged, stepped from the fire onto solid earth. All around the bonfire, Skael’adar drew arrows and grasped spears, ready to strike the strange intruders at a moment’s notice. Dareic and Treäbu drew their blades as well.
Ralian, observing from afar, gasped, “Alun-kandara-mai?”
“What the hell are those things?!” Dareic asked Treäbu. “Fire spirits?!”
“Dareic?!” one of the mysterious figures spoke as it surveyed the camp site. Dareic’s stomach lurched.
“I think one of them just called your name,” Treäbu said.
“Maybe they’re looking for another Dareic,” said Dareic.
“Dareic Caladen!?” the figure yelled louder.
Dareic froze, speechless.
“Probably,” said Treäbu.
“That voice,” Dareic muttered. “It can’t be.” He stepped out from behind the tree trunk to see the two figures more clearly. “Who are you?” he said, making his presence known. “What do you want?” The blue apparitions turned to face Dareic. “Gabrel? Kaven?” Dareic uttered upon seeing them. “What the—!? How the—!? Holy shit!”
“You’re alive!” Kaven said, moving to embrace his younger brother. Dareic sheathed his blade, and came forward as well. But when their bodies touched, they passed through one another.
“Whoa,” Dareic said, spinning to see Kaven. “Why do you guys look like that? I mean—wait—are you dead?” He reached out, his fingertips moving through Kaven as though his brother was made of mist.
