Bound by Fire

by Ronald Craft

Chapter 5

  The cold night air nipped at Karena's throat as she moved through the thick brush. Armor squeaked and iron clanked as guardsmen patrolled their routes along the edge of the forest. On the other side of the village of Waterford stood the Dor River bridge.

  “There are more guards than I remember,” Karena whispered to herself. She couldn't risk being discovered before they passed over the mountains. A wave of nausea swept over Karena's body and her legs shook beneath her.

  Blasted Hamma. I was a fool to use it on the boy. It's weakened me too much.

  Karena pressed her back against a tree and squeezed her eyes shut. Whatever was following her was still close by. She needed to pick up the pace.

  The words of her mentor echoed in Karena's mind.Is this as far as you can go, Karena? Is this the best you can do? I should've left you to die. Someone like you isn't worth my—

  “Get out of my head,” Karena hissed. “You're dead and gone. Nothing you say can affect me now.”

  Karena took a deep breath and pushed herself to her feet. It was time she returned to the boy.

  She knew what she had to do.

  The boy sat where she had left him. Ilian fought against the Hamma even now, but his effort was wasted. It took years of training to reinforce one's spark enough to resist the technique. She released the Hamma and sighed as the drain on her body lessened.

  Ilian had been quiet aside from the occasional curse since they had set off. The quick pace she had set had kept him too breathless to speak much. Under normal circumstances she might have toyed with the boy a bit, but they didn't have time to waste right now.

  “It's more heavily guarded than I had anticipated.”

  Ilian glared at her. “You won't get past them, Karena.”

  She smiled. “You continue to underestimate me, boy.”

  “One of these days,” Ilian started, “I'm going to kill you for what you've done. You had better pray this—this spell you cast on me doesn't break.”

  She eyed him warily. He would definitely try something here if she allowed it. She'd have to invoke the Hamma once more to ensure he didn't cause trouble.

  “Why don't you just kill them like you do everyone else?” Ilian scoffed.

  Karena shook her head. “Direct confrontation would slow us down. We cannot delay.”

  Ilian shrugged. “Why should I care? You're the one that dragged me here.”

  “It's simple, really. You belong to me now. If I say we need to hurry, then we hurry. Now, as for the village...” She pointed towards the center of Waterford. “We'll burn them out.”

  “B—Burn them out? What kind of madness resides within you, woman?” Ilian gestured around them. “Winter is nearly upon us and you're going to set their town on fire?”

  It was her turn to shrug. “I do what is needed.”

  Ilian gritted his teeth and smashed his fist against a tree. “Not tonight you don't. I won't let—“

  “I'll be right back. Stay here.” Karena invoked the Hamma and directed its flow towards Ilian's legs. The boy froze in mid-step and toppled to the ground. The invisible weight returned and her vision swam.

  Ilian pushed his back against a tree stump. “Would you stop doing that? I'm not going to run off, damn it.”

  Karena placed a hand on her hip. “You're a poor liar. You brought this on yourself by trying to flee back in Lochden.”

  The mention of Ilian's home city brought despair to his eyes. Ilian's lips pressed together into a thin line and he wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

  “Ilian of Lochden is dead.” She turned towards Waterford. “You have a new life now.” Karena slid past a bush and crept silently into the night.

  —

  Ilian shivered and wrapped his arms around his chest. Winter was approaching and here they were heading into the heart of it.

  “Damn her.”

  He tried to move his legs to no avail. Every time she had gone off to scout ahead she always did this to him.

  “She'll pay for what she's done to me.”

  Rays of moonlight pierced through the barren trees and illuminated the forest around him. The plants had already gone dormant for the year. This was no time for them to be traveling. Frost covered the ground at night and with each passing day the temperature dropped a little more.

  Ilian cocked his head, but the only sound he could discern in the forest was his own breathing. Even the guardsmen patrolling from earlier hadn't returned. They were no doubt warming themselves around a fire while he lay freezing on the ground.

  Well, they'll have plenty of heat soon enough if Karena gets her way.

  Ilian had considered calling for help, but soon shook the thought from his mind. He had no wish to see the scene from the alley repeated here.

  His mind wandered back to the day they had left Lochden. He could still remember the taste of the vile thing she had shoved down his throat. And later, her sudden rush to get to the Dor River. Also, for all her skills, he had found her to be somewhat restless. She rarely slept and when she did it was usually accompanied by her whispering in a language that was unknown to him.

  During their hike through the woods he had studied Karena, looking for any weakness that might give him an opportunity to strike her down. She was always cautious; always careful. She moved lightly through the forest, her progress never impeded by the thick brush around her. Her eyes were always moving, her ears always listening.

  Ilian sighed and his breath misted in front of him. She was too skilled. Too perfect. Day by day, he felt his resolve weakening.

  The cold ground beneath Ilian drew the warmth from his body. Thoughts of freshly baked bread and spiced cider taunted him. He suddenly found it difficult to keep his eyes open.

  He tried to resist, knowing the danger of falling asleep in the cold, but his eyelids were so heavy. Unable to fight the downward motion, his eyes closed and his breathing slowed.

  lian was enveloped in a sea of darkness, his mind at peace.

  “...Ilian”

  He ignored it, content to continue drifting. The darkness called him back.

  “What are you doing?”

  Ilian's eyes fluttered open. He found himself in a dark lit room decorated with lavish tapestry. Standing before him was a man and a woman next to a blazing fireplace. The warmth beckoned to him, yet he felt no heat. The voices became clearer as he drifted closer to the fire.

  Lilith, please. You shouldn't be here.” The man laid his hat on a nearby table.

  Her riding leathers creaked as she crossed her arms. “He told me what you're planning. You can't go through with it.” She looked away, eyes glistening in the firelight.

  The man placed a hand on her shoulder. “If I don't do this, we'll continue suffering. Our people will continue suffering. You must understand.”

  She pulled away, wiping her eyes. “But to kill him? How can you, sworn as you are, go against your liege?”

  He turned his back to her. “You're right. I once swore allegiance to him. What he has done to our people is unforgivable. I cannot carry his sins anymore, Lilith.”

  Ilian's eyes widened as she silently drew a knife from her belt. He tried to warn the man but his shouts fell on deaf ears.

  “Then, I have no choice.” She plunged the knife into the man's back. He gasped and stumbled forward. The man whirled around and grabbed her by the throat.

  “It's too early for me to die, Lilith.” A dark mist seeped from his wound and pushed the knife from his body. The knife clattered onto the floor next to him.

  Her eyes widened. “Y—You used the skiima! Stop this pl—“ There was a sharp crack as the man snapped her neck. The man tossed Lilith's body onto the floor with a loud thump.

  Her lifeless eyes stared into Ilian's own.

  “It didn't have to end like this, Lilith. I'm sorry.” The man picked up a sword adorned with a golden hilt from the table. “It's too late for me to go back now.”

  The fire roared. Ilian tried to retreat to the
safety of the darkness, but he couldn't escape. The heat was burning his skin, blinding him. His clothes caught fire and engulfed him in flame.

  “Help me, please!”

  Ilian's eyes snapped open, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

  “Help—“

  Flames shot from the roofs of several buildings in Waterford. He was back in the forest. The cold had sunk into his bones while he slept

  How long was I out?

  Ilian rubbed his arms and legs, trying to work the blood back through them. The bushes next to him parted and Karena stepped through them. She grabbed Ilian by the arm and yanked him to his feet.

  Karena looked pale. “We cannot delay. It won't take them long to douse the flames.” Her icy blue eyes pierced into him.

  The spell that bound him had been released once more and he stumbled behind her as she headed towards the bridge. They edged along the dark side of Waterford until at last reaching the cover of a large house. Karena peeked around a corner of the building.

  He could hear cries for more water throughout the village. “What did you set afire? The whole village is in an uproar.”

  She glanced back at him. “Their food stores.”

  He gulped. Does this woman have no heart?

  Karena slid through the shadows towards the next building. She scanned the area ahead of her and then waved Ilian forward. He crept as carefully as he could.

  Whatever hope I had of getting help from these people is gone now. If they see me they'll think I had a part in starting the fire. Damn you, Karena.

  He could hear the river now. The water crashed against the rocks beneath the bridge. Torches burned dimly to either side.

  There were no guardsmen to be seen.

  Karena nodded. “Good, it seems to have worked. We should be able to cross while they're distracted.”

  He followed her and tried to mimic her movements. She was much more graceful than he. She stopped just outside of the torchlight and scanned the surrounding landscape.

  Looking satisfied, she slipped onto the bridge. Ilian's shoes thumped off the wooden planks as he walked behind her.

  Karena halted in the center of the bridge and cocked her head.

  “What are you doing?” Ilian whispered. He waited several moments and took a step forward.

  “No!” She spun towards Ilian and raised her hand. He felt the spell burn through his legs once more, but it felt different this time.

  Ilian shouted in surprise as his body slammed onto the planks. An arrow whizzed past his ear and buried itself in the bridge's railing.

  Ilian tasted blood in his mouth.

  Several guardsmen rushed at them from the direction the arrow came.

  “Halt right there.” A burly man pointed a sword towards them. “Do not move from the bridge.” he shouted again.

  The guardsmen were nearly upon them now.

  Ilian pushed himself to his feet.

  I can move again... how? No matter. Maybe I can talk some sense into them and—

  Karena screamed behind Ilian, and he glanced back.

  She was on her knees, head held between her hands. The air around her shimmered with the same pale-green glow that had enveloped her blades. She turned her head and her eyes met his. He took an involuntary step back.

  Her eyes were blood red.

  —

  I—I can't. Get out of my head!

  Karena slammed her head onto the wooden planks. Her head throbbed and blood trickled down her face. After invoking the Hamma she had lost control. Something thrashed inside of her mind. Ilian's spark flailed wildly. He took a step back, fear in his eyes.

  “...come back. Don't go that way...he will betray you.” The words were not her own. Another voice was speaking through her.

  The pain flared anew.

  “Who are you? Get out of my head. This is my body!

  Karena's eyes burned as if two hot coals had been shoved into the sockets. Her back arched, and she cried out. The voice ripped her, tore her to shreds. It wound its way through her body, up and up before escaping her with one last burst.

  “...all my fault. Please forgive me. I wasn't there for you.” There was a long sigh, and then silence.

  Karena gasped and withdrew the container holding Ilian's spark from her satchel. It shook and rattled in her hand.

  Is it...

  The container cracked and burst into pieces. A green mist spread from the ruined container and drifted towards Ilian. It floated in mid-air for several moments and coalesced into a likeness of the boy once more. Then, with a flash of light, it flew into Ilian and vanished into his chest.

  Ilian's eyes glazed over, and he fell face first onto the bridge.

  She wiped the blood off her face. The pain inside of her had receded to a dull ache. Her vision swam as she tried to stand. She heard shouts around her.

  They were out of time.

  The guardsmen were almost upon them and Ilian was out cold. She spotted a trickle of blood running from his nose.

  “Damn it. I won't last long in a fight. And I won't get far trying to lug you around.” She heard footsteps on the bridge.

  “Archers, at the ready.” a voice shouted. “Do not let them get to the other side!”

  The river rushed beneath them. Karena crawled over to Ilian and ripped a pouch from her belt. She dumped the contents out onto the wood and sifted through them.

  Where is it? It's in here somewhere.

  Karena's fingers wrapped around a small bag of herbs.

  At last!

  She held her breath and extracted several of the herbs from the bag. Karena rolled Ilian onto his side and jammed several into his nose.

  This was all she could do for him.

  “Don't move.” The burly man from earlier stood across the way, the tip of his sword pointed at her. “On your feet. And don't even think about going for your weapons.” He glanced behind him and motioned towards Karena.

  Two guardsmen approached.

  She stood slowly and raising her hands. Ilian coughed and sneezed next to her.

  The herbs are working.

  The burly man nodded. “Good. Now take her weapons.”

  It seemed to Karena as if the river was louder now. The water surged and splashed against the rocks.

  Her body tensed. Just a little more.

  “Aye lass, off with your weapons now. Just give me—”

  She grabbed a dagger and ripped it from its sheath. The wind gathered around her an burst outward with a howl.

  Knocked off balance, the guardsmen fought to right themselves. Karena brought her knee up and kicked one of the guardsmen in the chest. He stumbled backwards, tripped over Ilian's body and rolled down the bridge into the burly man.

  The burly man fell backwards and roared as his foot was sliced by his own sword. Karena used her momentum and drove her blade into the remaining guardsman's neck. She yanked the weapon from his neck and his body slumped onto the planks.

  The wood turned crimson beneath him.

  Karena tightened her hold on the dagger and summoned her winds once more. She bent down and threw Ilian over her shoulder.

  He's lighter than I thought.

  With one more burst of power, Karena jumped onto the bridge railing and landed lightly.

  “Only a fool would attempt the waters of the Dor River at this time of year!” The burly man shouted from behind. He limped towards her, using his sword to prop him up.

  “I guess I'm a fool, then.” Karena sent all of her power to her feet and jumped. Arrows soared past as she glided through the air.

  Ilian groaned and opened his eyes.

  Karena slid the dagger back into its sheath. The wind dispersed and they descended towards the icy river below.

  “Hold your breath,” she shouted. “It's about to get rough.”