Hidden Fire

by Deirdra Eden

  With the storm behind us the setting sun glowed red over the western hills. If Ruburt wasn’t here, no one would take us in and we would have to spend another night in the cold rebel-infested woods.

  A wooden sign swung on sterling hinges over a smithy shop. I read the words out loud, “Ruburt’s Metal Works.” I clasped my hands and turned to Azrael and Orion. “This has to be it.” I dismounted and tapped on the door. From inside, metal stopped clanking and footsteps grew louder. “We’re closed,” grouched a deep, familiar voice.

  “Ruburt,” I said through the door. “It’s me, Auriella.”

  The door cracked open. Ruburt’s gaze lifted until he met my eyes. “Lady Auriella!” His smile and stocky frame was exactly the way I remembered. His sparkling brown eyes complimented his dark hair. He still tied his long beard in a knot to keep from stepping on it. A few streaks of grey lined his somewhat balding head, and a few more age spots dotted his strong, calloused hands. He swung the door open wide. “Come in.” He gestured inside the massive metal shop. “These are your friends?”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  “It looks like one of ‘em isn’t doin’ so good.”

  Azrael took Korban off the horse.

  “I accidentally knocked him out last night,” I admitted.

  Ruburt let out a hearty laugh. “You haven’t changed a bit, Auriella.”

  We followed Ruburt into the shop. He stepped back and his jaw tightened when Baby wedged himself through the door.

  The oven glowed with heat while the last of the sunlight streaked through the windows. Hammers, tongs, etching tools, and metal files lay scattered over the tabletops. A bucket of bent nails sat next to the fire. A plow, sickles, and other farming tools lined the walls. Ruburt worked too hard and still overwhelmed himself with projects.

  Ruburt shut the door and locked it, then drew the curtains over the windows. The room went dark except for the orange glow pulsing from the oven. “Does the Rebellion know you are here?” he asked in hushed tones.

  “No,” I assured. “But we are being tracked. We saw Erebus’s dark fog covering the forest to the east.”

  Ruburt lit an oil lamp and moved a few things off his tables so Azrael could lay Korban down.

  “Looks like he’s dead,” Ruburt mumbled.

  “He’s in survival sleep.” Orion shrugged his shoulders as if such abilities were common knowledge.

  Ruburt stroked his long beard. “Then he could be asleep for a while.” He turned to me. “You came to the right place. My people will be more than happy to host the Lady of Neviah and her friends.”

  “Hopefully not for too long,” I added. “We don’t want to put your village in any danger, but we didn’t know where else to go.” I motioned toward my traveling companions, and then realized I hadn’t introduced them yet. “Forgive me. Ruburt, meet Orion and Azrael.”

  Ruburt shook their hands. “Both Neviahan Watchers, I presume?” They nodded. “Why don’t you come to my cottage tonight for dinner?” Ruburt offered. “I’m sure Pearl would love to meet you.”

  “Pearl?” I asked, not recognizing the name.

  “My wife.” Ruburt beamed and blushed.

  I clasped my hands together. “Oh, Ruburt! I’m so happy for you.”

  When we first met, he had sworn never to get involved with women. I was glad he changed his mind—he deserved all the happiness in the world.

  Azrael put his hand on my shoulder. “You should go to dinner. Orion and I are going to scout the woods for rebel spies.” Azrael motioned toward Korban and asked Ruburt, “May we leave him here?”

  “Of course,” Ruburt said. “He doesn’t look like he’s goin’ anywhere.”

  Azrael, Orion, and Baby left the smithy shop to secure the surrounding woods. I walked with Ruburt down a dusty road toward his cottage.

  “What are you goin’ to do now?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “I’m not sure. I feel like an outcast in my own country. Can you believe the king sent me on an assassination mission? Edward ordered me to leave the castle and kill a human for his own personal gain.”

  “Did you warn the king ‘bout the Shadow Legion and their plans?” Ruburt asked.

  “I warned him a hundred times.” I dropped my hands to my sides.

  “Did King Edward place armies under your command?” Ruburt prodded.

  “Ruburt,” I said half-heartedly, “why would the king give me armies? I’m a woman. The king has issues with women in leadership positions—especially military leadership positions.”

  The lamp swung from Ruburt’s hand, lighting the road just ahead of us. “You are the only one who could protect London. Watchers stay in the city they are to protect, unless they are dismissed by the Neviahan druids, or . . .” He stopped and held one finger in the air as if making an important point. “Or if the humans no longer have faith in them as Watchers. That’s when the Watcher must move on.”

  I gasped. “No.” It couldn’t be true.

  “Your responsibility isn’t in London anymore,” Ruburt said frankly.

  I pulled my hair over my shoulder and wrung it in my fists. “What am I going to do?” If I wasn’t the Watcher of London any more, where did I belong? I thought about my promise to return to the sanctuary with Azrael. At this point, it seemed like the best solution for me, but I still didn’t want to leave London.

  “Sometimes you act so human,” Ruburt sputtered with amazement.

  “What does that mean?” I tried not to laugh at his too-serious tone.

  “As much as you love London, it’s not your home. Earth isn’t even your home. Earth is your battleground. You’ve never been to the Neviahan sanctuary. You’ve never been trained properly. You don’t even know who you are.”

  “I’m the Lady of Neviah,” I said to counter his statement.

  Ruburt raised one eyebrow. “Do you know what that means?” I was glad he didn’t wait for an answer, because I had no answer. “You have to leave the human world.”

  I stopped breathing as my thoughts realigned. I couldn’t get too attached to any one place or any Earthy possession. I had to keep fighting. I had to stay on guard. I had to help my people win this war against Erebus and the Shadow Legion.

  Ruburt continued, “One day you will go back to Neviah. Not everyone is as lucky as the few Neviahan Immortals who will fight on Earth until Erebus is defeated.”

  My interest was piqued. I had heard of them, but didn’t know much about the Immortals. Before my parents died, they told me bedtime stories about the Lady of Neviah and the Immortals. My heart ached to remember the details of the story. “How do you know all this, Ruburt?” I asked.

  Ruburt chuckled. “It’s part of the legends.” Lamp lights glittered from a small cottage in a meadow just ahead of us. “Would you like to hear more ‘bout it?”

  “Of course,” I said.

  “Come inside and I will tell you all ‘bout it,” Ruburt said.

  I ducked and followed Ruburt through the doorway of his miniature house.

  “Ruburt, is that you?” called a sweet voice from the kitchen.

  “Yes, Pearl, I’m home,” Ruburt answered.

  “Workin’ late again, I presume.” A darling middle-aged dwarf woman stepped around the corner and dropped the rag she carried. “Mercy me.” Pearl placed her hand over her heart.

  “This is Pearl, my wife,” Ruburt said. I curtsied and Ruburt continued, “And this is Auriella, the Lady of Neviah.”

  “I never thought I would see the Lady of Neviah with my own eyes, let alone have her in my home.” Pearl glanced around the cottage and obsessively started tidying the room.

  A young dwarf girl with dark hair entered, carrying a cornhusk doll.

  “This is our daughter, Kassi,” Ruburt said.

  “Kassi. Like our pixie friend, Cassi,” Auriella asked.

  Ruburt mumbled something, then said out loud. “That jealous pixie left after Pearl and I got married. Cassi is probably in the woods causing mischie
f for someone else now.”

  “Why are you dressed funny?” Kassi asked, looking at my burnt clothes.

  Pearl covered her daughter’s mouth. “That’s not polite.”

  “It’s all right,” I said. “I’m dressed like this because I was practicing for a fight.”

  “A fight?” Kassi’s eyes went wide.

  I didn’t want the young girl to be frightened by the thought of monsters, so I quickly added, “There are many warriors looking out for you, so there is no need for nightmares tonight.”

  “Yes,” Pearl said. “And it’s past your bedtime.”

  “Please tell me a story?” Kassi begged.

  Ruburt scooped his daughter into his arms and sat in a cushioned rocking chair. “It’s my turn to tell the bedtime story tonight,” he said.

  I had a feeling this was the story Ruburt promised to tell me about the Immortals. Like a child, I sat on the rug at Ruburt’s feet.

  “Once upon a time,” Ruburt started majestically, “in a magical kingdom far, far away, there was a mighty king. This king was so powerful he could control stars and worlds without number.”

  “Whoa!” Kassi’s eyes glittered with excitement.

  Ruburt continued, “The Great King had seven sons who were the high princes of the land. Each of ‘em had enormous power, but they used their powers for different purposes. The eldest son had the power of life. He could connect with and have empathy for all living things.”

  “Em-pa-thi?” Kassi sounded out. “What’s that?”

  “It means he could feel what others felt and experience what they were going through. He could also hear your thoughts, and see your past and future. The moment the high prince met you, he knew everything about you.”

  I could only imagine how exhausting a power like that would be. I had a portion of Azrael’s thoughts and memories, and it was more than enough for me to deal with.

  Ruburt made eye contact with me, and then went back to his story. “Everyone in the kingdom agreed that besides the king himself, the first high prince was the most powerful man in all the twelve Neviahan galaxies—everyone agreed except the second prince.” Ruburt’s voice deepened with suspense. “The second prince thought he was the most powerful man in the universe, even more powerful than the king himself. Do you know his name?”

  Kassi leaned forward and whispered, “Erebus.”

  My heart jumped inside my chest at the mention of the dark prince’s name.

  “When the king rewarded the first prince dominion over the twelve galaxies, Erebus became enraged. Erebus controlled the elemental gift of death. Death destroys life and he thought he could destroy the first high prince. He set out to prove he was the most powerful.”

  “What did he do, Daddy?” Kassi asked.

  “Since Erebus couldn’t kill anyone while in the Kingdom of Neviah he convinced one-third of the kingdom to rebel. He thought he could overthrow the king and the first high prince. Many Neviahans resisted, including Lady Auriella.”

  Kassi turned and beamed at me with admiration. I smiled back, though I didn’t feel I deserved the approbation. After all, I didn’t remember any of this.

  “The kingdom divided into two groups: the Rebels and the Resisters. Then came the first great Neviahan war. It wasn’t a war with weapons, but a war of Neviahan power. We don’t know how long they fought, but the Resisters eventually won and drove the Rebellion out of the Great Kingdom of Neviah!” Ruburt said triumphantly.

  Kassi cheered.

  I smiled and desperately wished I could remember that victorious battle.

  Ruburt leaned forward, his voice full of intensity. “But the war wasn’t over yet.” He paused dramatically. “Erebus was arrogant enough to think he could create a new kingdom for himself and his followers. That’s when the rebels came to Earth.”

  Kassi snuggled into Ruburt’s chest and he brushed back her hair. “Don’t be scared, Kassi. The King of Neviah sent good warriors to Earth to protect us. They’re our Watchers.” Ruburt looked up and met my eyes. “The Watchers are going to save Earth and destroy all the rebels.”

  “Lady Auriella is going to protect us?” Kassi asked.

  “Yes,” I answered resolutely. “I am.” I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I would defeat Erebus.

  “Lady Auriella won’t be alone,” Ruburt added. “There are thousands of Neviahans, and millions more who will be born onto this planet. Some of them are even granted immortality by the Great King of Neviah. Their human body is changed in the blink of an eye. These warriors are almost indestructible, and will stay on Earth until Erebus is destroyed. They are the ones the Rebellion fear the most.” Ruburt emphasized each of his next words, “And Lady Auriella is going to lead the Immortals in battle.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Starlight Pond

  I awoke in Ruburt’s barn loft. Pearl felt awful for not having more suitable accommodations for me, but I assured her that the loft was more than luxurious. Pearl had cleaned the loft, laid down fresh hay for a bed, and provided me with several of her best quilts.

  I brushed my hair back and blinked the sleep from my eyes. The midday sunlight streamed through the cracks in the walls and shattered off my skin. My Lifelight glittered with iridescent colours.

  I had stayed up too late wondering about my mission. I couldn’t get Ruburt’s story off my mind. How was I supposed to lead an army of immortal warriors? After the accident with Starfire, I felt inadequate as a warrior, let alone one who was expected to lead such a powerful group of beings.

  I sat up and smacked my head against the ceiling. “Ow!” I squinted and put my hand over my head. “Brilliant!” I rolled my eyes at my clumsiness. The miniature dwarf village would take some getting used to.

  I bounded from the loft in one jump, and felt like a giant walking through the stables past Ruburt’s butterscotch pony.

  In the meadow surrounding Ruburt’s cottage, the sounds of swishing tails and the soft tearing of grass accompanied my midnight black horse, along with the other horses as they grazed.

  I made my way to the cottage and knocked on the door. Pearl’s eyes lit up when she saw me. “Lady Auriella. I’m just about finished pressing your new dress.”

  “New dress? Oh, Pearl.” I sat down. “You didn’t have to—.”

  “Oh yes I did. I’ll not be ‘aving the Lady of Neviah wearing. . .” She paused as if trying to figure out what I was wearing.

  “Thank you,” I said to break the awkward silence. “It will be nice having something less tattered and charred to wear.” I stared at the dress. It was green—Azrael’s favorite colour. There were so many things I knew about Azrael now—things he had never told me. Azrael’s memories replayed in my mind. I couldn’t get him out of my head and that frightened me.

  “What’s troublin’ you, Lady Auriella?” Pearl sat beside me. I let out a long sigh and shook my head. Did she really want to hear about my absurd worries? She smiled at me. “I may not have the powers of a Watcher, but I’m still a woman and can sense when something’s wrong.”

  I gave her a soft smile. “My problem is complicated. I’m not sure how to explain it.”

  Pearl gave my hand a reassuring pat. “Try.”

  I crumpled. I couldn’t hold this in. I needed someone to talk to, and not just anyone. Pearl was another woman who wouldn’t judge me, who didn’t care about politics and who understood my position as a Neviahan. I took in a deep breath and began, “I was engaged to a man several years ago. I got word he was killed in battle and moved on with my life. Then he returned, but things weren’t the same.

  “When I met Azrael, I felt this connection I’ve never felt with anyone before.” I let out a long sigh. “When our hands touched, sparks literally flew from our fingertips as if drawing us together. I have no doubt that we knew each other in Neviah.” I shook my head and glanced at Pearl. Her face was filled with kindness and compassion. I continued, “The situation got complicated because I’m still engaged to Lucas.�
�� I tried to blink away the melancholy haze from my eyes. “It’s still hard to believe this isn’t just another dream. I swear I’ll wake up and he’ll be gone again.” I stopped and looked away. “Even if I marry Lucas, I will have to see Azrael, feel his soul, and combine my powers with his. It’s an intimate connection that I can never have with Lucas. Is what I’m feeling for Azrael more than just Starfire?”

  I looked to Pearl and welcomed any advice.

  “Do you love Lucas?” she asked.

  I answered with a nod.

  “Do you love Azrael?”

  I broke my regal composure and wrapped my arms around my stomach. “I don’t know.” I pressed my hands against my face. “I don’t know if I’m in love with him. I don’t know if I’m in love with either of them.”

  Pearl took my hands in hers. “Sometimes the hardest decisions are when we have to choose between two good things. If Lucas loves you as much as you say he does, he will hold off the engagement until you know for sure. Don’t try to complicate this more than it already is. Open your heart and the man you are destined to be with will naturally fill that void.”

  I paused, frozen with fear at the thought of opening my heart and letting someone in. It was easy and safe to go through the motions, doing what everyone expected me to do.

  “You’re awake,” Ruburt’s voice came from behind us.

  I spun around and forced a cheery smile on my face. “Good morning, Ruburt.”

  “It’s almost evenin’,” he mumbled. “The boys are debatin’ if you’re in survival sleep.”

  I laughed. “Tell them yes. I desperately needed that sleep.” I leaned forward and said in a more serious tone, “How is Korban?”

  Ruburt shook his head. “Still unconscious. You won’t be travelin’ with him in that condition.”

  I lowered my head. As long as we stayed in the Golden Valley, all the dwarves were in danger. The Shadow Legion didn’t give up easily. Even a small pack of Shadow Wolves could destroy the tiny village.

  Pearl put the freshly pressed dress in my arms. “You’ve slept through breakfast and lunch. I expect you to make up for it. I’ve fixed oatmeal, honey wheat bread, scones, and rabbit stew.”