Dawn of Fire

by Anna LaVerne

  “I don’t need to be a part of a harem either.” He gives me a little wink and then walks back into the trees. I let him go, trusting he will be back. Nothing feels deceitful about this warrior.

  “I don’t like this, Dina.” Bee is always the over cautious one.

  “I don’t either, but it is better for him to be with us than running to Yardel telling everyone my plan.” Bee nods and pulls out bread, cheese, and smoked meat to eat from a bag.

  We sit there eating in silence as I keep running my hands through my short hair. It is so short my ears are visible. I wish I had had the foresight to bring a mirror. It feels so unreal. I think about the remarks from the stranger and Bee about my appearance. I am quick to brush them off as not true.

  Only a moment passes before the handsome trainer leads a big beautiful black horse into the clearing. He has a pack of supplies attached to his saddle.

  “What is your name?” I ask, staring him down trying to make it clear I am not intimidated by him.

  “Trey, I am your trainer now.” Damn, he isn’t lying, or my little sensors would've gone off.

  “Like hell you are!” Leave me to argue for the sake of arguing, "I will train with the women.”

  Trey shakes his head, smiling at me. It gives me this weird tingling in the pit of my stomach. When I realize it is butterflies, my cheeks turn pink.

  "I found you, I train you. This means I will have to bring in a second trainee, or it will raise questions, and no offense, bunny." He looks at Bee, "You won’t do. Though, there might be room for more archers. It is hard work, but you will get to stay close to Di."

  “Works for me. I was worried how I would fit into this grand master plan of Dina’s.”

  “Di, you will have to call her Di,” Trey says.

  “Okay, well enough chit-chat. Cal will be waiting for us on the road, and we need to get moving soon. I grab my things and make my way through the trees. I can hear the other two following close behind. True to my word, Cal is already standing there waiting, but he didn’t have his wagon. Instead, he has three large sorrel horses. I give him a questioning look as I wait for him to dismount and explain.

  “Don’t look at me like that. My ma needed the wagon, but she had extra horses. So, I gave her some coins, and we made the trade. We will travel faster this way.”

  Trey comes out from the brush behind me and then mounts his horse, "He is right, and I think I found my second trainee.”

  Cal’s eyes go real big real quick, "No idea who you are, but I am leaving Aster."

  “Even if you get to train at Cargil with Di here?” Trey asks.

  Bee comes to stand in the middle, grabbing the reins of the spare horse. "Cal is a little clumsy. It's why he never made it to training before.”

  “I can fix clumsiness. Come on Cal, I choose you.” Trey smiles and pats Cal on the back.

  “Who are you?” Cal asks.

  “Trey, and I am your Cargil trainer. Now mount up, my little warrior to be,” Trey gives me a wink that makes my stomach do another flip. "We need to get moving.”

  Chapter Three

  We have three days worth of travel under our belts. I know that everyone in Yardel will know I am missing at this point. Trey has insisted we stay on smaller side roads which has increased our time of travel by two full days. It has been a long journey. I’m not used to being in a saddle for such a long period. Every time I have ever traveled from Yardel it was within an enclosed carriage. I have no worries about any of them recognizing me for what I am, a mystic and a princess of Aster.

  Bee hasn’t revealed my gifts to Cal or Trey, but she has talked me up to them. Telling them all the stuff she is proud of. Like how I had the most potential out of all six of the princesses. I have rolled my eyes and told her to shut up many times along the journey.

  “We will stop here for the night,” Trey says as he rides his horse off the road into the trees. We keep going for awhile until we come to a natural spring the horses can drink from. This area of Aster has plenty of trees which has kept our travels in the shade most of the way.

  Trey has teased me about how beneficial it is to my princess-white skin. He teases me as much as Bee does. It is a big change. I am used to everyone but Bee stumbling over their words around me and treating me like the princess I am.

  “We will make Cargil tomorrow?” I ask Trey as I dismount from my horse and stretch my legs before unsaddling him. Cal taught me how the first night on the road. I want to be sure to pull my own weight.

  “Yeah, nervous princess?” His smile sends a shiver through my core that I try to shake off and ignore.

  “I'd be stupid to not be nervous. How I am supposed to act?” I'll not lie to myself about the challenges tomorrow.

  “Be your sassy self, Di, and you will fit in fine. Work on waking up in a timely fashion. If you want to be a warrior, you need to learn to sleep light.”

  I smile at Trey and run my hand through my short dark hair before turning back around to finish taking care of my horse. If something bad were to happen at Yardel, I would have struggled to survive, and it's a shame. Survival techniques need to be taught to all mystics. Aster is always facing outside attacks, and we rely on the warrior class to defend us. If enemy forces made it to places like Yardel they would have to go up against hundreds of powerful mystics. That would be difficult for any encroaching army, but anything is possible and mystics are not prepared for it.

  “Why are mystics never warriors? Wouldn’t Aster benefit from having magical power in the warrior class?” I ask as I lay my bedroll on to the hard ground.

  “You would know the answer to that better than I. You're the one who has studied the ways of Aster and the mystics your entire life. I only fight for them.”

  “They never told us the why. Only that mystics need protecting, so they can reproduce to restore our population following the Great Wars. There are thousands of us now, but not every girl child born to a mystic will also be a mystic. Those who aren't are often warriors. Why can’t we also be warriors?”

  Cal comes forward and dumps a pile of sticks in the center of our camp. I bend forward and make them ignite with my breath.

  “I think it is because a mystic’s life is more valuable. We are all taught from a young age we need to protect them. Mystics heal and teach. Because of them, Aster has thriving agriculture, science, and economy. Everyone in Aster can read, yes there are poor, but they are few,” Bee speaks up.

  “More valuable because why? Because I can start a fire? Because I can mutter a few spells and things happen? What makes my life more valuable than yours? Nothing. We all play vital roles for Aster, and so we should treat them the same as everyone else. Plain speak, my gifts are not common to the average person. Big deal. We still need regular people, men, and women, to keep Aster running smooth. As a warrior I will be an equal with those around me. There are some real crappy mystics. Everyone has flaws.”

  Looking across the fire, I see Trey staring at me. I drop my gaze to the ground and secretly hope he isn’t in this just for entertainment. I want him to help me because he understands my reasoning and supports it.

  I notice Cal and Bee are sitting next to each other again. I'd have never guessed they liked each other before this trip to Cargil, but now it is clear. Cal and Bee are a couple. This is a problem for Cal, he is going into training, and if he is selected to a harem by a royal, he can't turn it down. He has no choice, and it is a crime against humanity. If the roles were reversed, how would a woman feel being forced into a bed they didn't want to enter?

  “Have you ever turned down being chosen, Trey?” He moves closer to sit next to me like how Cal and Bee are sitting.

  “No, not yet. I've been chosen. However, I am still not a member of that harem.” I am surprised by the ache those words send through my heart. I don’t want Trey to be a part of any harem, I want him to be mine. He is the first guy I have ever been interested in, and I didn’t even get a chance.

  “Do you want to
be a part of a harem?” I ask.

  “At first, I didn’t because I like my free life. I didn't know who had chosen me or why. I'm scared to be in a palace for the next ten years getting soft. I am a warrior, I've never led a pampered life, and I don’t want one. Pampered people die young. If I am to die young I want to die on the battlefield, otherwise, live a long life full of experiences.”

  “What has changed your mind?”

  “The person who I was chosen for.” His hand reaches up and strokes my cheek. I sucked in too much air and coughed. Wow, I ruined a perfect moment. Wait, the person he was chosen for?

  “Wait, wait, you were chosen for someone? That is not how it works.”

  “It was this time. Chosen for the sixth daughter of Queen Maris. Her name is Dina. I was told she was young with extraordinary beauty and power. Imagine my luck when I found her running away from Yardel the morning I was to arrive.”

  I can’t breathe. I can’t be sitting here with my trainer who is also my betrothed first husband I have never met. My mother threatened me by saying she would pick for me if I didn’t choose, but I did not expect her to actually do it.

  This means she knew the morning I left. I jump to my feet and pace around the fire before walking down to the stream rubbing my hands through my short hair. What am I going to do? I feel Trey’s presence behind me and turn on him.

  “You should've told me the first day! You'll get in trouble for helping me!” I snap.

  “I want to help you. I don’t think I will get in too much trouble. Will the Queen guess where you are? She already knows, to be honest.”

  “Why do you think that?” I quipped.

  “Think, Dina, she is one of the most powerful mystics in Aster, you don’t think she knew you would run?”

  He has a solid point. I considered that, but I thought if she thought I would run she would stop me. “So, what is your plan now then? Marry me and be the first husband of the sixth daughter and share me with however many men I add to my harem?”

  Trey chuckles. That ass hat has the balls to laugh at me. “No, I plan to take you to Cargil and train you, and then I plan on marrying you and becoming your first husband. I hope I will also be your last, but I realize fate often has other plans for renegade mystics like yourself.”

  “I am not a renegade!”

  “Then what are you, princess?”

  I don’t bother to answer him, instead, I stomp to my bedroll and lie down, seething. How dare Trey keep this a secret from me? I like him. I can’t believe I am falling for him. He is handsome, funny, smart, a warrior, and taller than me. That is a tough combination, but now he is also a liar, and I won’t marry him. I will train with him because I want to be a warrior, and he is my path to that. If my mother knows I am in Cargil then what game is she playing at?

  “What is her problem?” I over hear Bee asked Trey.

  “She found out I am the warrior the Queen had chosen for her first husband.”

  “Shut the door! Wow. Wow. So, did you know we were running away?” Bee asks.

  “No, I was to arrive in Yardel that day, and I saw my princess getting all her hair cut off in the clearing.”

  “Why didn’t you take her home? You will be in trouble.”

  “I went through this with Dina. I won't be in trouble, and you two are naïve if you think the all-powerful mystic Queen didn’t know what her daughter and her friend were up to. She let you two run away. The sooner you accept that, the sooner we can go about with training. I agree we shouldn’t flaunt she is a princess, but we also need not continue to hide in the bushes.”

  “Why did you take us the long way around? What was the point?” Bee is demanding answers, and I like that. I continue to lay with my back to them pretending to not listen.

  “Because I wanted to learn more about my betrothed,” Trey responds, directing his voice towards me. I have had enough. I spring to my feet and walk right up to him sticking my finger in his handsome face.

  “I'm not your betrothed, and I didn’t choose you! You will train me, and that is it!” The nerve of this man. I never want to get married. I never wanted a harem, and I have no plans starting one now.

  “Oh, sit down Dina! You are being ridiculous. Sure, if you don’t want to marry Trey, fine don't. End of story. Stop acting like the only purpose for a harem is to be a broodmare. I read your books and did most of your homework for you. The true purpose of the harem is because mystics need to couple frequently. It feeds their power. To be Queen or High Mystic, you need a harem. To be of any major use to Aster you need a harem. Otherwise, you will continue to do little party favors like starting tiny fires. If you don’t want to have babies, I can make you a tea for that.” Whoa, what got into Bee?

  “I'm not being overdramatic, I am realistic. As the sixth daughter the best I will ever hope for is a position on the council.”

  “That is what Celeste always told you because you're good at everything.”

  “She is my sister and has always been honest with me,” I retorted.

  “Um, no she may be your sister, but she is a first class cunt that has done nothing but break down your self-worth. She wanted you to run away. You are her competition. Why else would she waste her time with the sixth daughter twelve sun cycles younger than her? Like everyone else in Yardel she saw your potential, but her goal was to squash it!”

  I walk over to Bee, pull back my arm, and slap her. I hear the crack of my hand hitting her face and see the red imprint it leaves upon her cheek. I have never hit my friend before, never. Tears well up in her eyes. What have I done?

  Cal steps in front of Bee and shoves me to the ground. Cal takes Bee to the stream as I continue to lay on the hard cold earth letting all my selfish tears pour out of me. I am selfish. Raised as a princess, it is no excuse, but everyone catered to my every whim. Bee has always been my sense of reason, and Celeste was the sister I always wanted.

  I didn’t get to see her often once she married and had babes. I pull myself back up into a sitting position. Trey is watching me, causing my cheeks to flush red. My poor behavior embarrasses me. Trey brings me my cloak, wrapping it around my shoulders.

  “Let Bee cool off, and she will forgive you.”

  “I have always been a screw-up, but I never laid a hand on Bee before.”

  “She was honest, telling you how she saw your life, and I shouldn’t have told you about me. I was feeling connected with you from across the fire and wanted to share.”

  “I felt it, too, but you know this means I will fight any connection with you with every fiber of my being. It is how I work.”

  Trey chuckles and lies down next to me, "Maybe the Queen will end up hating me for helping her daughter escape?”

  I slam my fist down on his thigh, “I was a fool to think I was sneaking away to be a warrior and getting away with it. She may have picked you because of her knowing. No, I don’t think she will be mad at you. I think she will expect you to lead me to my fate. Cargil is where I am meant to be.” I am certain of it.

  I lie back onto my bedroll ignoring that Trey is only inches from me. My body drifts off to sleep with ease even though I have the weight of all that was spoken hanging heavy upon my shoulders.

  Chapter Four

  “Wake up, sunshine, we will arrive in Cargil by noon if we can leave soon.” Trey’s boot nudges my shoulder causing me to roll over and stretch my long limbs. My mind goes over the events from the night before. I need to find Bee. I get to my feet slowly and take a look around. I find her being the busy bee she always is, gathering our supplies in a bag.

  “Bee wanted to let you sleep in,” Trey said.

  “Bee did?”

  I want to go talk to Bee even though I had no idea what to say. I want to apologize, but I have no idea how. I reach into my bag and pull out the last ration of cheese breaking it in half and attempt to hand a piece to Bee who shakes her head no.

  “It was wrong of me to hit you, and I'm sorry for it.” The words rush out. Be
e doesn’t immediately respond, so I turn to mount the horse Cal had saddled for me.

  “I am sorry, too, Di.” I whirl around at Bee’s words. “You were dealt an unexpected blow, and you were not ready to hear what I had to say.” I nod to her with an understanding. I don’t know how to respond, so I finish mounting my horse and start towards the road. She told me the truth as she has seen it, and I can’t fault my friend for that.

  If anyone has a clear view of my life, it is Bee. I always looked to Celeste as a mentor. She is the only sister of mine that ever gave me the time of day. She always encouraged me to do what I wanted. Celeste always said my place in the family is as an extra, and I should use that to follow my dreams. Realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

  “Ooh, Bee, you are right. Celeste always told me I was an extra, and I should follow my dreams! I won’t lie it is what I always wanted to hear. And I've never considered myself special in terms of mystics.”

  “I've tried to tell you for years, you refused to listen,” Bee remarks

  “I had a lot tossed at me at once yesterday, and I am not coping well. Give me a break, please,” I snap back at her.

  After that, we ride in silence. The trees have dispersed and the road now runs through the center of hay fields. Farm houses are speckled throughout the distance. There is the occasional intersection with a sign that points to the nearest town.

  Finally, we come to an intersection that points to Cargil. That is when the nerves hit. I’m not aware of the game my mother is playing, but I will take it. If you dangle a carrot in front of a hors,e the horse does not stop until they get the carrot. I am the horse, and the carrot is Cargil. My body is made to be a warrior. I'm strong and a solid six-foot tall, what else could I possibly be made for? I am a poor excuse of a mystic. My main gift is fire. What kind of gift is that? It isn’t even useful.

  I don’t understand what the Queen wants from me. My mother and I never had a good bond like she has with her eldest child, Claire. Claire will be Queen someday, not Celeste. She has a full five years with my mother before any more children came along.