Cast in Fire

by Zora Marie

  “These two woke up early and were driving her crazy, so Yla sent them with me.” Lobo said as he padded out of the woods.

  Two crazy little pups ran past Lobo, one jumped into Donequen’s lap and the other into Zelia’s. Donequen fell backward off the log, trying to avoid being licked to death. That attempt failed, so he just ended up on the ground with the pup on his chest, where he endured more licks than if he’d stayed put.

  The puppy kisses tickled and made Donequen giggle like a little girl.

  “Aw really, okay, okay, that’s enough. Zelia, a little help here?”

  “Now who’s the responsible adult?”

  Lobo let out a weird sound that resembled a chuckle as he sat.

  She petted the pup on her lap and directed her comment to the other wolf pup. “Little one, settle down. Give poor Donequen a break.”

  The pup settled, and sat on Donequen’s lap as he sat up.

  “Uh, thanks.”

  He petted the pup a few more times before he got up off the ground and retook his former seat on the log.

  “Are all of your pups this way?” Donequen asked.

  “No, I have one calm pup.” Zelia translated for Donequen.

  “Wait, you didn’t translate for him. He understands me?”

  “Yes, the animals understand you. You just don’t understand them. Most animals are more intelligent than those who consider themselves the only intelligent ones. They just don’t exploit things as some do.”

  Mystified, Donequen asked, “Then why do some animals work for us?”

  “Free food, protection, and sometimes being trapped.” Zelia felt the temperature drop. It was much chillier than it had been a few moments ago. “It’s getting dark, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, I guess we should head back.”

  “We have to go. You be good for your parents okay?” She ran her hand over the pup’s back one last time. When she stood from the log, she switched languages. “You’re right, we should go.”

  The trees led her to the edge of the woods and retracted their protruding roots so she wouldn’t stumble on them as she went.

  “Well, I have to go do the evening feeding. See you tomorrow?” Donequen asked.

  “Maybe, depends on whether Yargo has other plans for the day. Goodbye.” The two separated, he to the stables and she to the palace.

  17

  Still can’t sleep. She threw back the covers. Fine, might as well go train. The guards paced near the front door and she slipped by when their steps turned away. She hurried across to the arena and worked hard at the pells, until sweat drenched her clothes and the breeze changed directions, bringing with it the warmth of morning. I should head back before they notice I’m gone. She snuck back in and got rid of the evidence of her actions with a quick wash.

  Breakfast and magic practice went well that day and the next few, but when they came to the arena, Steffon refused her each time.

  “I’m not training you. I’m not letting you use a sword, not here.” She could feel the concern and desperation in his voice, but she couldn’t give it up.

  “Fine.” She’d snatch up a bow and arrows and disappear from the arena. Each day she’d regain more and more of her confidence with a bow. Not as good as I used to be, but it’ll do.

  She yanked her arrows from the board now riddled with holes and Donequen called from over the fence. “Ready to go?”

  “Just a second.”

  “Lobo and the pups will be waiting.”

  “Awe, someone has taken a liking to Lobo’s pups,” she teased.

  “What? They’re cute.”

  She laughed, feeling for once that perhaps the wizards had forgotten about her and that she could live here in peace. “Sure. Now remember, we have to leave in time for me to catch Rog and Terik leaving the arena.”

  “I know.”

  >

  She had just made it to the top of the arena’s stairs when Rog started up. “Where do you keep disappearing to? Even this morning you were up and about when I got up.”

  “Just going for a walk.”

  “Every morning before the sun is up and every afternoon after training against Steffon’s wishes? With a bow? If I didn’t know any better, I would say you were up to something.”

  “Says the one with all the tricks and plans up his sleeve.”

  “Hey! We were talking about you, not me.”

  A sudden spike of pain hit her, like an ice pick being hammered through her skull, and she doubled over. Her knees slammed against the paved walkway as she clutched at her head. There was a faint chant ringing through her mind with each drop of the hammer. This time tears ran down her face as she fought back a scream.

  She could feel the warmth of Rog’s palms on her back as he yelled, “Help! Guards come quickly!”

  The guard reached her as the pain overwhelmed her, and she passed out. Her mind slipped to Rogath, but the chanting kept her from being able to connect fully. Together, the guard and Rog rushed her to Yalif.

  Rog nearly busted the door down.

  “Help her!” Rog demanded.

  Yalif searched her, looking her over head to toe. “I can’t find anything wrong with her Rog. We’ll have to wait until she wakes.”

  Rog sat on the counter with his chin in his hand as he stared at Zelia’s unconscious body. Terik paced the room, his fists clenched and unclenched with each step.

  Hours passed before the chanting faded, and she slipped back to her own body. She rubbed her head as she sat up with her eyes closed.

  “Easy there.” Yalif moved to lay her back down.

  She blinked a few times before it registered that she could see again. She blinked a couple more times to make sure she wasn’t just imagining it.

  “I can see,” she ran her fingers through her hair and groaned, “but I think I’d rather be blind.”

  “You have a headache?”

  “Compared to earlier, yes.”

  She closed her eyes. She knew it was more than a headache, but it was nothing compared to the pain that made her pass out.

  “You rest and I’ll have a cook bring you something to eat. You need nourishment and sleep, in that order,” Yalif instructed.

  She slid from the examination table. “Only if they bring it to me on the bridge. The view of the stars is better there.”

  “Fine, if that’s okay with Lumid you may go to the bridge. Just don’t overexert yourself. I’m not sure what happened and I’m not sure if it will happen again. And Rog or Terik, or better yet, both boys, must escort you. I don’t want you alone until we know your sight will remain.”

  Rog and Terik agreed, and she forced a smile.

  “In that case, I’ll stay away from the edge of the bridge. Thank you Yalif.”

  >

  As she walked down the bridge Lumid called out, “Finally coming to visit again I see. I heard that your vision is back.”

  “How does news travel so quickly in Hyperia?” She gave him a knowing grin and continued, “Nice to see you too, Lumid. Care if I join you in looking at the universe?”

  He waved his hand in an over-exaggerated gesture of welcoming. “Not at all, my dear. Come, sit. The two of you may also come.”

  Zelia sighed and sat on the raised portion of the floor around the switch. She stared out at the stars. She knew she should tell them about the chanting, but the prospect of being sent away terrified her. So instead she distracted herself with the stars so Rogath wouldn’t suspect anything.

  “The nebula is nearing star formation. You might get to see it become a galaxy after all,” she smiled while looking back at Lumid.

  “You’re right; it is nearing the final stages of development.”

  She nodded and turned back to the stars. The throb in her head made her vision fuzzy from time to time but she still enjo
yed the view.

  They sat there in silence until a cook started down the bridge.

  “Good evening, Lumid, I’ve been instructed to bring dinner out here for Miss Zelia. And some for Terik and Rog since they also skipped dinner,” she said with a stern glance at the boys.

  Lumid just smiled and nodded.

  Zelia thanked the cook as she took the food. On the menu that night was turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and multiple rolls. As the cook left, Zelia offered, “Lumid, would you like some? I couldn’t possibly eat all of this.”

  With his one of a kind golden toothed grin, he sat down between her and Terik.

  “Do not mind if I do.” He picked up a roll and took a bite. “So, I have heard that with or without your sight you are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Even if your vision stays from now on, you learned a valuable skill.”

  “It will come in handy if I ever face someone who can see in the dark.” She sighed and continued, “I really hope I don’t lose my vision again.”

  “I do wonder what caused your loss of vision, but we have never seen something like this happen.” Lumid took another bite of the roll as he pondered that. When he finished the roll, he took a swig of mead and changed the subject. “So, just how far can you see?”

  “It’s hard to describe since I don’t know what you call most of the realms and galaxies.”

  He pointed to a faint little star far out in the distance. “Do you see that star right there? That’s the farthest reach of my vision.”

  “Yes, I see that star and the planets around it. I can see past it, but not by much. And my head throbbing doesn’t make it any easier.”

  Lumid’s expression lightened in curiosity. “How many planets circle that star?”

  “Five planets circle it. Why?”

  “At that distance, my vision is not the most accurate. I was wondering if my count was correct.”

  Rog and Terik paused from stuffing their faces to exchange a surprised glance.

  Curious if he had gotten it correct Zelia asked, “So, was it?”

  “Yes, but only because I have watched for the star to dim as the planets pass in front of it.”

  She paused in thought. “The guards of the bridge before you, could they see as far as you?”

  “I cannot speak of all of the past guards of the bridge, but I know the one before me fell short of that sun by a few hundred leagues.”

  I might be able to see farther than anyone of the realms has ever seen, yet I’ve only scratched the surface of the vastness that is the universe. With that thought she yawned.

  “Hm, I think it’s time the three of you got some much needed rest,” Lumid suggested, ushering them from his home.

  Together they headed down the bridge as he called out after them, “Sleep well, Zelia. You too, Terik and Rog!”

  She yawned in reply, “And may the views be ever beautiful.”

  18

  “No. Please no,” she muttered in her sleep.

  The bedding crunched as she rolled and her eyes flashed open, the chants of wizards still ringing in her head. She could feel the ice creeping out from her core. She tried to pull it back as she had always done, but all she could do was slow its growth. The stone froze under her feet as she climbed out of bed.

  She could hardly hear Rogath’s snores through the chanting that seemed to grow louder as she walked. The door froze in place before she opened it all the way.

  “What are you doing up?” Kerm, the guard who seemed to always be nearby, reached for the door.

  “No, don’t touch it.”

  She pried her fingers from the door as the ice grew thicker.

  “Zelia, what’s going on?”

  “I don’t know.” She squeezed through the doorway, glancing back at Rogath as she went.

  “I’ll go get Zivu.”

  Kerm’s boots stuck a little as he moved away. She gasped as a spike of pain shot through her head and a wave of cold air rolled away from her.

  “Yalif,” she gasped and turned down the hallway.

  She didn’t make it far before footsteps echoed behind her. The chanting in her head grew louder, she recognized the voices but not the words. Her hands had turned to ice, she lifted them to the light of the moon shining between columns and spikes of ice shot up from the stone.

  “Zelia, stop this at once!” Zivu commanded, the pace of the footsteps having quickened.

  “No!” Zelia meant it as a warning, but ice impaled Kerm as she turned.

  Frost crackled across the floor as Yargo pulled Zivu back, putting himself between her and the ice.

  “No,” this time Zelia breathed the word.

  Her hand shook as she reached to touch Kerm, but she turned and ran instead. Guards froze as she ran by, and it seemed to her that the longer she ran the louder the chanting became. She bolted down the steps to the bridge, and the water froze where it lapped at the bottom of the bridge.

  “Zelia, halt!” Lumid called.

  She slowed to a stop and Lumid stepped back as his breath fogged in the cold. His sword was out, and his palms rested atop its hilt, but he didn’t brandish it at her.

  “Lumid, I can’t control it. Please, just send me somewhere I can’t hurt anyone before I kill you.”

  “You know I can’t do that.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She lunged, took his sword, and ran past him. As she sank the sword into the initiation switch, she could only hope it would carry her away before Lumid froze.

  She landed in water and felt it freeze around her as her fingertips touched sand. The chanting that boomed in her ears faded until the voices fell silent, and her eyes drifted closed.

  >

  “Mother!”

  Barg caught Rog before he could reach her. As he struggled, she could see Yalif tending to Zivu and Yargo’s frozen forms. When Rog stopped struggling, his thoughts turned inward.

  “You did this!”

  “Rogath, I couldn’t control it.”

  “Couldn’t control it? I’ve never seen you freeze things like this. This isn’t like frost growing on a chair, Zelia.”

  “Rogath, I’m sorry.”

  “No, you’re not. You may have run away, but I’ll follow you no matter where you go for what you’ve done.”

  “Please Rogath, I didn’t mean to. I left so I wouldn’t hurt anyone else. I couldn’t control it, I couldn’t even hold it back,” she pleaded with him, but she knew he wasn’t listening to her words or feelings.

  “No, I’m done listening to you.”

  She felt the connection slip away as he closed her out. His absence left her alone with the reality of what had happened and questions of whether they would be all right.

  19

  She shivered as the gusts of wind slowed and the warmth of someone’s presence creeped against her. She could feel the water drip across her face and the grit of sand against her skin as someone shifted her in their arms.

  “Father!” a young voice cracked.

  An islander, she thought, judging from the language he used. “Where, where am I?” she breathed the words, and the breeze swept them away.

  The piercing cut of wind through her wet clothes ebbed and the person holding her slid off something. Her hand slipped from her side as they jolted to a stop, her fingers brushing the dew-covered tips of grass.

  “She was in the water… I think she might be a survivor of the dragon Trapper raids,” the boy seemed breathless as he gasped for air.

  The breath of some animal warmed her for just a moment, only to make her shiver even more as she slipped away again.

  >

  “Where did you say you found her?” a voice drifted to her as she stirred.

  “A couple islands over. There was some frozen wreckage floating nearby, they must have had
an ice breather this time.”

  “You keep an eye on her and let me know if anything changes.” She heard the thud of a closing door.

  She could feel a rough warm pelt against her cheek and shifted towards it, enjoying its comfort.

  “Easy, you were in the water for a while,” a young voice cracked beside her.

  She opened her eyes and shot away from his towering form leaning over her.

  “Careful, I won’t hurt you. My name is Dotchavitch.” He reached for her, but she edged away. “Do you understand me?”

  She nodded, grasping for yet another language she and Alrindel loved to use.

  “So, you understand me. I pulled you from the water, remember?”

  She stared at him blankly, she didn’t remember anything the blond-haired boy had just said, but she was still damp.

  “What were you doing way out there?”

  She leaned back and glanced at the large-grained door.

  “You can go if you want, but there’s no way off the island right now.” He removed something from a chest of drawers on the left side of the room. “Here, how about you change into something dry? It’ll be big on you, but it’ll be warmer than that.”

  He laid some woven clothing on the bed and stepped out of the hut.

  Now alone, she got up and peered through the crack in the door. She shivered against the cool draft and rubbed her arm, only to find her dress in tattered shreds. The boy walked away from the hut and she turned to the clothes he had left. Her joints, stiff from being damp, and cold, made her slow to change. Just as she tied the top of the woven tunic, so it covered her scars there was a light knock at the door.

  She stopped and stared at the door, not sure how to answer.

  “You okay?”

  The door squealed a little as it opened and she sat on the bed, pulling the fur blanket around her.