by Marc Secchia
“Like a living statue of flame,” he said, rubbing the small of her back, thinking that she moved as if her person remained intact, only her whole being had been transformed to flame. “You still seem solid, but even that feels different right now. Silken flame is the best I could describe the sensation of your skin. There are some particulars, mind –” he looked her over in a way that made her every fire shiver “– which are simply breathtaking. Alright. Ah, how’s your wooden leg-bit-thing, still fine?”
She peered down at her left leg in obvious startlement. “Magic is so illogical! How’s it that my clothes burn to cinders but that – and the harness – are spared?”
“Maybe your mind assumes it’s intrinsic to your body, whereas clothing doesn’t function in the same way?”
He spoke in gasps, thrilled and alarmed by the magic they had unleashed.
“That makes no sense at all.”
“Perfect sense. Besides – ha ha ha – am I unappreciative? I think not. Problem? Where’s the problem? I don’t see any problem. What I do see is flaming nudity –”
“Jakani!” She slapped his arm with a resounding smack. “You are so out of order. Plus, I’m a trained scientist.”
“As opposed to a brainless beauty? Never thought you were anything else.”
“Narrow escape.”
He considered playing the tease, since his statement could actually be taken either way, but decided not to spoil the mood. Jakani said, “Mind back on the job, as if that’s even possible around you – and that is pure logic, I’ll have you know. So, I’ve got the hands, right?”
“Aye. And I’m going to try to run my flame through you, or around you, or something. Whatever works. Scientific method being so overrated, anyhow.” She placed her hands upon his. “Can you handle the heat?”
“You or the bars?” He clasped the metal experimentally, directly on what appeared to be the hottest areas. “It hurts, but not as badly as you’d expect. I really do seem to be fireproof, don’t I? Want to kiss me again?”
“I need to.”
* * * *
If this was what happened when she felt passionate, he might be the only man in the Island-World that she could kiss at all! Wow. Imagine having to get undressed every time they wanted to kiss? That could lead to some interesting situations. And a clothing bill that would kill her father even if their liaison didn’t. Still, given he was nice enough to express his needs so clearly, she would have to be a good girl and oblige. Moreover, since it was not like her to leave a job half-baked, and he wasn’t half cute either with his silly jokes and nonsensical posturing, Tytiana made sure he was kissed as thoroughly as a girl with literally flaming hot lips could manage. Maybe magic could be fun after all.
He certainly seemed distracted.
Her, too. Every sensation tingled through her body in fresh and unexpected ways. It was clear that her nervous system was still functioning, she thought dazedly, even when she was wholly afire. Her fingertips could trace the veins upon his right biceps and even sense the pulse of life there – just, her senses were altered from the norm, and she did not understand. The feedback was overwhelming. Every impression, exquisitely immediate.
Besides, all the kissing did not help a scientist draw very many rational conclusions.
After a very lengthy hiatus, Jakani apparently remembered that he ought to be doing something about the cage, and she felt his hands clench upon the yellow-white, gently smoking bars. His body tensed. The muscles of his back, shoulders and arms corded powerfully, and then he began to bend the metal, fraction by painful, sweating fraction of an inch. She yelled in his ear. Nibbled his ear. Yum. She tried to add her relatively pitiful strength to his. Her vision started to draw in around the edges, black and white, tunnelling … she was going to faint!
She heard Jakani cry out; next she knew, she was lying on warm stone. Outside the bars?
Aye, outside.
Her flame was spent. His shirt lay atop her torso and hips, covering her modesty. There was a hole in the cage where they had contrived to turn two bars into a wide metallic smile, complete with finger marks where he had squeezed the overstressed metal so tightly, it had taken on the imprint of his hands.
“Excorion’s going to love that effect,” she said weakly.
“Huh. Let that thug rage all he wants,” said Jakani. “More importantly, are you alright, Tytiana? How are you feeling?”
“I’m alive. I need to – would you turn your back, please?”
He did so, saying, “Just remember, that’s our only shirt, alright? I’ve absolutely no desire to –”
“Liar.”
“Aargh, can’t you just let me tell my lies in peace? Look, by way of clothing we basically have one shirt, a pair of raggedy trousers and my loincloth, alright? So if you’re feeling feisty, remember to strip off first.”
“And give you another eyeful? I think not,” she shot back. “Say, since we’re on the subject, would you take off your trousers for me?”
“Eh? Now who’s being improper?”
Saccharine sweet, she added, “So, exactly how were you planning to wade across that lava pool wearing our only pair of trousers, Jakani?”
He threw his hands into the air with a huge belly laugh. “Have I ever told you that you’re one aggravating woman, Tytiana? Right again. Naturally. But ever so aggravating!”
“Read my lips, boy. Strip down. Now.”
“Mmm. I did just read your lips, girl, and a hot and spicy read it was too!”
* * * *
A few experiments later, Jakani had to concede that Tytiana was right. He did not know how to intentionally preserve clothing through fire, so he would have to strip off to wade through the lava. She was so methodical. Giggly, but cogent, as they performed a quick series of tests. One, lava did not burn his skin. Two, it hurt like the blazing hells, but no actual damage could be detected. Three, his clothing could be burned. No apparent guarantees there unless he mastered his magic. Four, he was apparently heatproof, or at least highly resistant to the heat searing his feet and calves. Much like a Dragon.
Walking through lava was pretty darn awesome.
Being admired by that girl while doing so …
“Right, I’m ready,” he said, wading back to the shore and kicking the molten rock off his legs. Like walking through boiling syrup, he supposed. “Close your eyes.”
“Oh no, I plan to enjoy this part.”
“Well, to save you from suffering the sight of my phenomenal manliness, you could use my loincloth as a blindfold.”
“Ew! No way. There’s no telling where that’s been.”
“I could tell you exactly where it’s been. But aye. I wouldn’t want to wrap it around my face either. Not after what we’ve been through.” He made a circling motion with his fingers. “Go on.”
Her smile broadened. Clearly, this was a challenge and she wanted to see what he would do. Very well. Two could play at this game. Had he not swum naked in the river since he was a child? Yet, being watched by those vibrant violet eyes made everything different. Gathering the dregs of his fading courage, he whirled about and dropped his trousers.
“Ew!”
Good, she was covering her eyes. Peeking through a crack between her fingers? He did not trust a woman that could turn herself into pure flame. Nor did he trust himself around her either. Tytiana made his sense of honour wobble, for want of a better word. Yet on any other Island in the world, how would a young couple falling rainbows over Isles for each other be seen as dishonourable? How could he return and look his father straight in the eye and say he had acted with honour toward the Choice of House Cyraxana?
Tossing his loincloth atop his trousers at the side of the lava lake, Jakani waded in for a little paddle. Hoping not to have to paddle, mind.
“I’m still not looking!” came from behind him.
“Liar.” He whirled rapidly. A squeal and a laugh. Her eyes were firmly shut this time, but he was quite certain they had not been.
Tytiana made a shooing gesture with her hands. “Go on, you rascal. I’m not looking … not much. What’s that scar on your buttock? You weren’t fireproof before?”
“I guess not.”
Her laughter followed him as Jakani waded deeper into the lava pool. What worried him was the fact that the lava must come from somewhere – likely underground. That meant vents or cracks which could easily swallow him up if he was not careful, and if he was carrying Tytiana at that point, well, for her a dousing would prove fatal. Soon he felt an upwelling near his feet, but by checking around carefully he learned that the crack was about three feet wide and he could step over it. Soon, he was chest-deep and having to force his way onward.
“That looks dangerous.”
“Aye – I … yiee!” And now, he was swimming. “Need to find another way. Unholy caroli, this hurts! Wait. I think there are some underwater – under-lava, that is – boulders around here. Let me see if I can work this out.”
“Try farther around to your right.”
He did, but could not find a bottom there at all. “Too deep.”
“You know, you might think my flames are weird,” Tytiana called, “but watching someone swim through lava does even weirder things to my brain.”
Jakani affected a leer over his shoulder. “Mmm, flaming breasts!”
Ah, he had been waiting all his life to say something like that. Tytiana began to say something, and then she leaped to her feet. “Someone’s coming. Quiet.”
He sank down into the lava.
Boots scuffling. Now a gruff male voice, saying, “Old cage hasn’t been used – Dragon slave? You certain?”
“Good gold in that,” another man said.
“Definitely that Brown again.”
“Wonder what he brought us.”
Tytiana mimed hiding. He gestured, ‘Where?’ She indicated the lava. He pretended to fire a crossbow at her. ‘Oh,’ she mouthed, and shrugged. No way he wanted to see that beautiful skin stitched full of holes, never mind what these notorious barbarians up here might do to a girl. Shaking the lava off his hands, he waded back as quickly as he could. Tytiana was ready. Clothes and misbehaving egg in hand. Scrambling onto his shoulders. He waded out quickly, trying not to make any splashing sounds. Safely over the crack. Keeping her high. Her feet were close to the surface. Now, on to the area he did not know.
It was hard to tell with the echoes, but the voices emanating from his left – perhaps from another Human-sized entrance Excorion had not known about – must be close to the cave. Too close. At least four or five men, he estimated from the sounds of the footfalls.
“Won’t make it,” she whispered.
Jakani coiled as low as he could. “Tytiana, forgive me – I need you to distract them.”
Then he threw her as hard, far and low as he could in the hope that she would not break something upon landing, and ducked beneath the surface. Please Fra’anior let her know I’ll be there just as soon as I can swim through this burning mush.
* * * *
Tytiana realised his plan as she flew through the air. She landed hard and fast, skinning her knees and palms as she slithered helplessly across the slick rock. Her magic immediately went to work, dulling the pain, but as the Herliss contingent marched out into the cavern, she had no need of pretence to sink to the ground with a low, anguished cry. Having caught in a crack, her right ankle was either broken or badly sprained.
Five short, stout men stopped in surprise as they saw her lying there. She stared in surprise too. They were so swaddled in furs and thick beards that it was hard to discern their faces, and their exposed skins were heavily tattooed, leaving almost no trace of their natively pale Northern complexions.
Check the lava pool. Maybe a dozen feet away.
She tested her ankle, wincing. “Oh, could one of you nice men help me? I’m all lost, and a Dragon left me here …”
This business of trying to look weak and helpless was really galling. Tytiana knew she was not very talented at drama to begin with, and knowing she could toast their hairy chins did not hurt either, but the men seemed not to notice. There was a certain meaningful clearing of throats and hitching up of rough leather trousers as they fanned out to surround her. They bore serrated, curved swords and long daggers at their thick belts; two men carried loaded crossbows as Jakani had suggested they might. Another two carried lanterns that they now put down, given as the lava gave good light.
One, the leader judging by his strutting, said, “Where ya from, missy?”
“Helyon.”
“An’ a Dragon done leave you here?”
“Aye. My daddy said he’d pay good gold for ransom.”
“Aww. Sweet.” The men laughed roughly, and the leader added, “What’d men like us want with gold? Freakin’ Dragons just steal it off us anyways. Nah. Y’ good lookin’ wench. Ya’ll do right proper servin’ us all good-like, y’hear?”
“Serving at table?” Ugh. She managed to put a quaver in her voice! How demeaning.
“Nah – ha ha ha!” He put his hands to his belt and made a suggestive motion with his hips. “Servin’ me snake, more like!”
She glared at them. Jakani, hurry up, you imbecile!
“Huh. Bad foot, but the rest of you sure is sweet-like, eh?”
No more of this. Tytiana said, “So, I chop off your snake and serve it up how, diced and fried? With vegetables?”
Four of the men roared with laughter, but the leader was less than amused. “Tie her up! Smart-mouthed tart, I’ll teach ya some lessons ya never gonna forget.” He cussed horribly. “Last wench got so as she took her own life. Few months back that was. Me snake been lonely since. Hope ya’ll last longer – though ya looks a soft thing withal, poor little rich girl.”
No sign of movement in the lake. She did not want to ruin his only shirt. But as a couple of the gang grabbed her arms, she tried to focus her fire only in her hands, like she did when she was healing.
The men howled and leaped back.
The leader roared, “What the matter, ya two scurmungrous slugs?”
“She done bit us, she did!”
Tytiana was about to chuckle when a seething, dripping, vaguely Human form heaved itself out of the lava lake. Jakani was trying to clear his eyes so that he could see. Oh dear. They had not reckoned upon that problem.
She said, “Don’t look, but there’s a monster behind you.”
The men were still hooting and slapping their knees when Jakani, having sighted his targets at last, launched himself at their backs. Slap! Splot! Two of the men went down shrieking as he slapped cooling lava against the backs of their heads. A third tried to grapple with him, only to discover that his opponent was covered in red-hot lava. He hugged the man, leaving him writhing in agony as the lava burned through his clothes with a terrible stench and then sizzled against his skin.
Mister Four folded over Tytiana’s flaming fist as she pounded a low right into his gut. She had been aiming lower. The leader had his crossbow out; it twanged unhappily as he fired too hastily, but Jakani jerked and cried out. Tytiana tried to jump up and help him, but collapsed over her hurt ankle and ended up catching herself with the help of the archer’s very full beard.
“Sman-shoo!” Jakani yelled.
Jerked down into a doubled-over position by her full weight, the leader had no chance as Jakani felled him with a powerful chopping motion of his hand to the back of the neck. Krack. Dead.
The lava monster wiped his mouth clean. “Thank you, I meant to say.” Helping himself to one of the swords, he used it to slam Mister Four to the ground. He reversed the blade, and pounded his skull twice. “There we go. He’ll be sleeping a while. Sorry I was so slow.”
“Why didn’t you kill him?”
One of the others was still rolling on the ground screaming.
“Probably for the better, aye – but I couldn’t. He was helpless.” Jakani knelt painfully again and checked for a pulse. “Uh, actually, I did hit him
too hard. I’ll finish this one as well. He won’t survive.”
Tytiana looked aside as Jakani cleanly finished the man he had hugged. Those screams! She realised that his honour came with mercy. Admirable. He did not just kill for the sake of it, though the way he moved assured her that the lamko dance they had once joked about was no dance. Jakani was a trained warrior. Comforting. Once she learned how to use her fire …
“Jakani?” she said, as he wiped himself down as best he could.
“Aye?”
“Could you teach me how to fight?”
“That was a pretty decent punch you threw back there,” he said. “And the trick with the beard was more than effective.”
“You mean the accident.”
“It worked.” His dark eyes considered her. “Given as you have natural strength and grace, plus your fire – if you could learn to shape it around your body as you did before, you’d be a freaking amazing martial artist.”
A freak. There’s that word again.
Jakani’s eyes glinted with furious emotion. “Who taught you that you’re anything less than amazing, Tytiana? I’ll tell you what’s a lie around here. It’s that when I compliment you – when I make an honest appraisal, say of your beauty or capabilities or the way that you move my soul, you get this wounded look in your eyes and I just can’t bear it!”
Suffering caroli! That was straight to the heart.
“Same as you when you think so little of yourself,” she said quietly. “I want to take our entire Helyon culture and slap it beyond the Moons for teaching you that you are less than any other Human being. You don’t believe it, do you? You can’t.”
He lowered his head. “No. I don’t believe … anything of the sort.”
“Well, for the record, Mister Sakazi, I think you’re a respectable dancer, and a freaking amazing kisser. Process that with your honour culture, why don’t you?”
