Flicker of the Flame: A YA Epic Fantasy

by Evelyn Puerto

  “Da, it’s too dangerous.” Tereka rubbed the tense spot over her eyes. “Kaberco already suspects you.”

  He took her hands. “If we go back now and manage to convince him we didn’t kill his guards, which we didn’t, then I’ll still be able to help you, from a distance. If not, well— ” He shrugged. “If I don’t go back, he’ll believe I found you and am hiding with you somewhere in these mountains. I won’t risk that.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll see you in a few weeks. I promise.” He gave her a last squeeze, and he and Waukomis set off down the trail, then disappeared into the dark.

  Peering up the steep trail, Tereka listened. The rain had stopped and the only movement was a passing breeze. The moon had shifted to the west, illuminating the path. “Well, then, here we go.” She stepped ahead without looking at the others and started the climb.

  Relio, apparently, thought he was still in charge. “Naco, Savinnia, you next. Then you, trader.”

  That meant Poales. Good. That put Naco and Poales between her and Sebezh. She’d have to thank Relio later.

  “Sebezh, go. Alikse, then Hinat.” Relio barked like he was commanding a squad of guards. The corners of Tereka’s mouth turned up. Maybe that’s what he did before he was taken. Some day she’d ask him. He’d done a good job separating Sebezh and Hinat, and making sure he was behind them, a person strong enough to keep them from running. Tereka ducked under a branch and kicked a stone off the path. She hoped they hadn’t made a mistake, letting Sebezh live.

  An alloe rat scurried across the path. Somehow she had to keep Sebezh and Hinat with them. She wrinkled her face. Not the people she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Relio and Alikse would probably agree to kill them, at least Sebezh. She hoped it didn’t come to that.

  Tereka continued to brood for the next hour or so, her thoughts chasing each other like a dog chases a flock of geese, her ideas scattering in all directions. How to manage Sebezh. What kind of life they’d be able to build. And what would she do if a third amulet turned up.

  “Go no further.”

  The harsh command startled Tereka from her musings and she jolted to a stop. Please, let it be a Risker, not a bandit.

  62

  Other than heavy breathing brought on by the climb, her companions were silent behind her.

  Gulping, she watched the silhouette of a tall man approach, his features impossible to read in the dim light. Moonlight glinted off the metal tip of the arrow nocked in his bow and pointed at Tereka’s face.

  “If you please, we’re looking for Chen and Lilio.”

  The man froze.

  Convinced the man was a bandit about to kill her, Tereka’s hands shook. “Are we near to Mikkeliad?”

  He nodded, keeping his bow trained on her.

  A twig snapped and another man appeared behind the first, also holding a bow with a nocked arrow. “You seek Chen and Lilio? What brings you here in the middle of the night?”

  “If you please, my da, Tarkio Sabidur, sent me. He wouldn’t have done that had it not been urgent.”

  “And he sent how many others with you? Five? Six?” Suspicion laced his question.

  She winced. “Seven, actually.”

  One of the others pushed his way in front of her. “You might know me. P-poales, a trader from the south.”

  The two men looked at each other, then the second one nodded. “I’ll send word to Chen and Lilio. You will all stay here. Sit.” He pointed with his arrow to the ground.

  “Thank you.” Tereka lowered herself to lean against a tree.

  Poales sat next to her. “For a few heartbeats, I thought we might have survived the mines and the pirates only to be killed by Riskers. But maybe not.”

  “Silence.” The Risker’s voice was harsh. “Do you want a tayuz to come hunting?”

  Tereka gulped. No, she did not want a wild cat with sharp, raking claws anywhere near them. She leaned her head against the rough bark of the tree. From the scuffling noises and muffled grunts, she assumed the rest of her friends had seated themselves. Now all they had to do was wait.

  And worry. Tereka twisted her hands together. She could tell her uncles that Sebezh was trouble. That he groped her and was a danger to them all. They might have no problem killing him.

  But they might need him to survive, they were so few. She would have to give him a chance. For now. She pulled her knees up and rested her head on them. The cool breeze blew the scent of pine over her and she let her fatigue lull her into a doze.

  Voices interrupted her sleep, voices that were vaguely familiar. “Where is this girl who says she’s Tarkio’s daughter?”

  She knew that voice, with a hint of music in the smooth tenor. A weight lifted from her and she scrambled to her feet. “Chen?”

  A man strode toward her, his dark hair shining in the moonlight. “Tereka? Is that you?”

  Holding out her hands, she stumbled toward him. He caught her up in a tight embrace. “Your grandparents have been distraught. We all were.”

  Another man approached. “Tereka.”

  “Lilio! I’m so glad to see you both.” She stepped back from Chen and into Lilio’s arms. After a brief hug, she turned and pointed to Poales, still seated on the ground. “Do you know Poales?”

  They nodded. “But who,” Chen asked, “are all the rest?”

  “Well, we escaped prison together.”

  “Hmm.” Chen shook his head. “We prepared a place for you and Poales, supplies for two. Not more.”

  “But—.”

  Lilio stepped up the slope, pulling Tereka by the hand, Chen following. When they were several yards away, he bent down to speak into her ear. “Can you trust them all?”

  “Other than Poales, you mean? Most of them. The two a bit apart from the rest, dozing near that tree.” She pointed to Sebezh and Hinat. “I don’t think I can trust them.”

  Lilio frowned. “You know we are violating the treaty by helping you. That alone could mean trouble with the Prime Konamei. If word of your parentage got out it would mean war, no question.”

  Tereka shuddered and pressed a hand to her mouth. She hadn’t thought of that. If Sebezh were to ever flee back to the village, he could use what he knew about her to bargain for his life. And then it wouldn’t just be Kaberco after her. The Prime Konamei would send troops of guards to punish the Riskers, and probably take everyone she knew. That wouldn’t be fair to Da, or Aito, or even Tirk. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if anything happened to them on her account. Now, if they went after Juquila...

  “I am so sorry to bring this on you.”

  Chen crossed his arms. “We can’t help them. It’s chancy enough with you and Poales. You have no idea what your grandparents went through to get the elders of Zafrad and Mikkeliad to agree just to that.” He shook his head. “I can’t even imagine trying to get them to agree to six more, two of whom you admit you can’t trust.”

  If any Riskers died, it would be Tereka’s fault. “But what should we do? Some of them have become friends, have saved my life. We can’t just turn them away.”

  “Why not?” Chen asked. “We’ll give them supplies, let them find their own place to live. It’s not like they know why we’re willing to help you.”

  “Umm— ” Tereka scrunched her face up. She’d been so stupid.

  “Or do they?” Lilio asked in a stern voice.

  “I did mention I have Risker relatives.” Tereka swallowed the fear in her throat. “They don’t know exactly who.”

  “No. Tell me you didn’t.” Tereka wasn’t sure if the tremor in Lilio’s voice was anger or shock.

  She pressed her trembling lips together and nodded. “I did. It was stupid.”

  “How could you?” Chen growled the words. “Your life has always depended on keeping that secret. And you blurted it out to six people?”

  Her stomach cramped and she wrapped her arms around it. “I’m so sorry.” What would they do? She knew so little about the Riskers. Were they go
ing to kill them all to keep her secret?

  “Enough.” Lilio spoke quietly. “What’s done is done. Now we have to think. If we let them go, they’ll most likely die. Whether by warboars or bandits is anyone’s guess. If they go back to the villages, they’ll be taken again. But they could try to bargain for their lives, knowing what they do about you. We can’t risk that.”

  “You’re saying we have to keep them?” Chen asked.

  “I don’t see any other way.” Lilio sounded defeated.

  “Do you have a prison?” Tereka asked. “Or—.” She choked on the words, feeling soiled as she uttered them. Bile rose in her throat. “It was suggested that we kill them.”

  Lilio shook his head. “Kill them? What do you think we are, barbarians?”

  The knot in Tereka’s stomach eased. What had she been thinking?

  “And no, to your question. We don’t have prisons. If people commit crimes, they either make restitution or are banished.” He paced a few steps away, then returned. “Chen, what do you think?”

  “We can’t let them go. And we can’t kill them.”

  “Agreed. Tereka, listen carefully. We’ll show you the way to the place we have for you and Poales. We’ll see what we can do about getting more supplies. But if anyone tries to leave, you’ll have to kill them. There’s no other way.”

  She sucked in a breath and rubbed her sweating hands over her arms. Lilio was making the fairest offer he could. But to kill Sebezh, or anyone else? She’d killed bandits and pirates and even a few guards. But could she kill someone for wanting to be free? Even if it put others in danger?

  That’s what she’d have to do, because it wasn’t about her. It was about Poales, and Savinnia, and Naco. Da and her family. And the Riskers. She couldn’t endanger them. She swallowed hard. “You’re right. That’s how it has to be. But I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep them against their will.” She tipped her head to the side. “Couldn’t you threaten them a little? They think you’re savages, anyway.”

  Chen snorted. “Leave it to me.” He stalked back to the group, Tereka and Lilio following. “Now hear this. We are taking you to a place you can live. It won’t be in a Risker camp, but it will offer shelter. We’ll provide you with food to get you through the winter, and next year you can start earning your keep.” He pulled his bow from his shoulder and plucked the string. “But once we take you there, you cannot leave.”

  “Why not?” Sebezh asked.

  “That’s the one. Sebezh,” Tereka whispered to Chen.

  “Well, Sebezh.” Chen dragged out the harsh zh sound at the end of the name. “Because we say so.” He pulled an arrow from the quiver on his hip. “Because the eight of you will have a better chance of surviving if you work together.” He nocked the arrow. “Because there are warboars and tayuz and other hungry beasts who roam these mountains and they’d be delighted to have something other than skinny alloe rats to eat this winter.”

  Lilio stepped to his side, holding his own bow with a nocked arrow. “Not to mention the bandits who camp not too far from here. They might like some new clothes. Or just some sport.”

  Chen brought his bow to his shoulder. “And we have taken a liking to Tereka here. We’ll be merciless to anyone who causes her pain or puts her in danger in any way.” He drew back on the bowstring. “There’s a reason we’ve been called savages. Don’t make us prove it.” He released the arrow. It struck the tree less than the width of a finger above Sebezh’s head. “Understood?”

  Sebezh shrunk into himself. His “yes” was nearly drowned out by five others murmuring the same response.

  Tereka stifled a grin. She didn’t mean for Chen to scare the others, but it couldn’t hurt. And for now, it was settled. They’d have to see how long it would last.

  “Then let’s go.” Chen pointed with his chin toward the rising slope of the trail. “We’ve got a long walk ahead of us.”

  63

  Kaberco cursed and crumpled the message in his hands as if by destroying the words he could eradicate their truth. If he could, he’d choke the scribe who penned it and strangle the bird that carried it.

  He poured himself a glass of Porrimian whiskey and downed the lavender spirits in one gulp. He clunked the glass on his worktable. A patrol on the headland to the north of Zaliv Bay had seen a pirate ship drop off eight people. All wearing gray, except two in brown. The pirates sailed off and the castaways trudged up the mountain.

  The patrol didn’t confront them because they seemed to be neither pirates nor bandits. The fools. Stupid duraks. Had those useless guards the sense of an alloe rat they would have captured them. It should have been obvious that no safety-loving subject of the Prime Konamei would have had dealings with pirates.

  That group had to include Tereka. He unrolled his map of Tlefas and studied it, chewing on his lip. What would I have done in her place? Exactly what she did. Use the pirates to travel north, then head for the mountains and hide out there. She’s seeking sanctuary with her Risker relations. He drummed his fingers on the table. Just when he’d hoped the Tereka problem was solved, she popped up again. Getting rid of her was worse than trying to put out a campfire in the dry season. Just when it seemed the flames were doused, one would flicker back into life, ready to light a fire that could destroy everything in its path.

  He poured more whiskey, swirling the pale purple liquid in his glass before taking a sip. Was he being paranoid? Not everything was about Tereka. Or her rebel of a mother.

  Perhaps he needed to enlist Boreje, who’d been useful in the past and had proved to be a capable ephor of Gishin. Have Boreje keep an eye out for Tarkio, see what he was up to. Just in case the girl got in touch with him.

  Then he could bring some of his spies home. Strange, he hadn’t heard from them. Their last message said Tarkio had headed north from Gishin. That was days ago. He needed to know what Tarkio did up north. And it was time to recall his men. Mostly to keep an eye on his questor and syndic. Especially that snake Juquila. Surely, by now, she was wondering about his obsession with the events in the desert.

  Not that he could stop. If Tereka was Iskra’s daughter, she had to die. Now. Along with everyone who knew the truth. Tarkio did, most likely. Kaberco ran a finger around the rim of his glass. Juquila, as much as he’d like to be rid of her, probably not. The sister, Groa, maybe. Tirk, not likely.

  So, what should be his next move? He rubbed his hand over his chin. Best to send someone to interrogate the guards who saw the landing. That’s a job for Boreje. Then send someone to the pirates. Someone with lots of sheaves and trees to barter for safety. Find out who those eight people were, and if Tereka was among them. If she was, he’d hunt her till he found her. And this time, he would make sure she was dead.

  Juquila shuffled the stack of documents to be signed, looking for anything urgent. No, nothing that couldn’t wait for morning. Good. She leaned back in her chair. With an imperious wave of her hand, she sent her clerks home.

  A Konament meeting had been held a few hours earlier. Kaberco had been preoccupied, not his usual sharp domineering presence. He seemed oddly disconcerted by news of a pirate ship landing north of Zaliv Bay. Why would he care? There were no villages there to be plundered, no farms to raid. Most likely the pirates just wanted to refresh their water supply.

  She tapped her fingers against her lips. Kaberco had also received another messenger bird from the south. That used to happen once a month. Now it was several times a week. What was he up to? On top of that, a bird came from Gishin. What was so urgent it couldn’t wait half a day for the news to be brought on foot?

  Maybe he was involved in a plot to overthrow the Prime Konamei. Kaberco was ambitious enough to want to do that, but she didn’t think he was stupid enough to try. Something was making him nervous. If only she could find out what it was. She shifted the turban on her head, the ridiculous thing. So hot, it was only bearable in winter. She smirked. A small price to pay for power.

  But Kaberco had become an ir
ritant. He used to rarely appear in court, usually only when the questor asked him. Now, he showed up every time she had a turn as a judge. More often than not, he disagreed with her judgments. When he wasn’t scowling at her in court, he dogged her footsteps, sending his guardsmen to watch the loading and unloading of trade goods, checking the paperwork.

  Bah. She was sick of him. Time to make her move. There had to be a way to bring him down. She toyed with the quill on her desk, searching her memory.

  Something had happened eighteen years ago, back when Kaberco was ephor of Gishin. Valday had been so agitated over it, he’d threatened to remove Kaberco from his post. Then suddenly it all went away. No matter what seductive moves she’d tried, Valday had refused to tell her what Kaberco had done. And the secret died with him.

  This secret could be just what she needed. Once she’d uncovered the scandal, she would have a weapon against her rival. She smiled. She’d either bend him to her will or remove him and take his place. Either way, she’d be the real power in Trofmose.

  64

  A few weeks later, Tereka leaned over a clay oven and banked the coals. Breathing deeply, she savored the aroma of roasting acorns. She laid down her poker and walked across the rooftop of the stone structure built into the south face of the mountain to the man staring over the parapet. She slipped an arm around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. Silently, she surveyed the landscape that spread out on three sides below her. To the east, range after range of mountains pierced the vivid blue sky, the leaves turning into a rippling mosaic of bold reds, oranges, and yellows. A few streaks of white clouds spun in the gentle breeze. Below her, a hawk soared, and below that, a dove.

  She turned her face to the west and the setting sun. More mountains tumbled below her, lower elevations spilling down to the plain. And somewhere out there was the ocean. She wondered where the pirates were now.