Emerald Fire

by Kathryn Blade

  “Have you thought about our proposition?” Kaegan asked as he gnawed on a piece of dried meat.

  Garyson nodded, nibbling at the piece of dried meat clutched between his fingers. “I’m sorry for your loss. There’s no way a man can know the pain of another unless he’s felt something like it. We will join your cause. I’d wager a few good archers would benefit the warriors you already have.”

  “Splendid!” Kaegan gave a vigorous nod. He reached a hand to Loriann, smiling as she placed her own within his grasp. “It would be an honor to fight alongside your men.”

  She spoke without emotion. “Thank you for your kind words, Garyson. If your display last night was any sign of the skill of your archers, Cedric and Jarin have a problem on their hands.”

  “We did not intend to harm you last night, Lady Loriann. We merely wanted to get your attention,” Garyson replied after swallowing a well-chewed bite of the tough dried meat.

  “I did not intend to harm you either. Thank you for your allegiance to our cause. King Derek will be pleased to hear the news.” She shook her head as Kaegan offered a piece of the dried meat. “Will we see your people today?”

  “It would be an honor to introduce you to my people. They’ve been watching curiously since last night.” Garyson pointed overhead.

  The canopy overhead contained an intricate number of walkways leading from tree to tree. The light of the new day revealed houses built well above ground in the tops of each tree.

  “How do we get up there?” Loriann inquired, eyes widening at the sight of the village living in the treetops.

  “We have our ways, good lady. We’ll go up if you and Kaegan would join me. My men will stay here with yours.” Garyson beckoned for Kaegan and Loriann to stand.

  They walked through the trees for at least a hundred paces. A robin’s bright trill came from Garyson’s mouth. An answering trill came from above. Three braided ropes with a loop tied in the ends slithered downward from the foliage above their heads.

  Garyson placed his foot in the loop at the end of one rope. His hands tightened around the rope. “Hold on tight.” Garyson was lifted off the ground into the air. He disappeared within the foliage.

  Kaegan and Loriann mimicked their host’s actions. The ropes moved upward as soon as their hands locked tightly in place. An entire world spread out before them in the tops of the trees. Children peeked from the doorways of homes, timid smiles brightening their faces. Men and women walked along the intricate suspended walkways. The smell of food cooking wafted through the air.

  “This is amazing!” Kaegan’s eyes darted around the village. It reminded him of Froudown. “Loriann, have you ever seen such a thing?”

  “Come with me. I’d like you to meet someone,” Garyson said with a wave toward the center of the village.

  Kaegan and Loriann followed Garyson through the walkways. Men and women greeted them with polite nods. The children were bolder, waving and giggling at the passing visitors.

  Garyson stopped in front of a home. “This is it.” The door opened to reveal a modestly furnished home. A beautiful young woman, heavily pregnant, rose from the table and came to greet them. “This is my wife, Brea. We’re expecting our first child soon.”

  Loriann’s face came to life upon seeing Brea. She stepped forward, grasping the woman’s hand in her own. “I’m Loriann. This is my husband, Kaegan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Likewise, Lady Loriann. Would you care to join us for some breakfast? We have fresh berries.” Brea smiled at the guests, one hand resting on her swollen belly.

  “Has he kicked you yet?” Loriann asked.

  “He kicks often and keeps Garyson up at night. I sleep like a baby through it all. I guess you get used to it.” Brea beckoned for Loriann to join her at the table. The two women sat talking as Kaegan and Garyson stepped outside for their own conversation.

  “It’s a boy,” Loriann said with a smile.

  “How could you possibly know?” Brea asked. “I mean no disrespect. I saw your fire and ice last night. Do you have other powers?”

  “I do, my lady. Sometimes I know things. I don’t know where it comes from. Most often if I touch someone, I sense things about them.”

  Brea smiled as she clasped Loriann’s hands between her own. “Thank you for telling me it’s a boy. Garyson says he doesn’t care as long as the baby and I are healthy. I think every man wants a little boy first though, don’t you?”

  “Indeed, they do,” Loriann agreed. “I’m sorry I don’t have a gift for you. When we return, Kaegan and I will bring something special.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Lady Loriann. We have all we need here.”

  “Please call me Loriann.”

  The men stepped inside at that moment. Kaegan smiled as he saw Loriann’s face. She smiled, and the dark circles were gone from beneath her eyes. “We should go now. Stratly Wilds is a long way from here. Garyson, we thank you for your hospitality. Congratulations to you and your wife on the babe.”

  Loriann stood and hugged Brea. She held her left hand out, palm up. The forefinger of her right hand made circular motions over the upturned hand’s palm. A bootie made of ice appeared in Loriann’s hand. She placed it in Brea’s hand. “It won’t last long. When we return, you’ll have a proper gift for the baby,” Loriann promised.

  They exchanged farewells and plans for a second visit. Garyson’s people lowered Loriann and Kaegan to the forest floor once again. The party continued their journey south as the sun rose higher in the sky. The chaotic lands of Stratly Wilds awaited them.

  ***

  Chapter 14

  Twisted Fates

  “Loriann Astus came to me in a dream, your grace. I feared she would kill me,” Petyr Remfried murmured. He glanced at the floor, terrified that someone would learn his secret. Thankfully only Cedric and Willem Jarin were present in the throne room. He could not bear the thought of others being here as he delivered Loriann’s message.

  “Was this before or after you spent your day at Wailedge Manor?” Cedric retorted as he paced the floor. His mottled jowls quivered as he spoke. “What do you have to say about this, Willem? Are you not prepared to send the king’s guard marching south to end this hellion’s threats? Is there anyone in my court who can do as they are commanded to do? You said you ended that girl, and now here she is again!”

  Willem glanced at Cedric with bloodshot eyes. He launched himself at the king with a roar. His hand caught Cedric by the throat, pinning the king against the wall. “I did as you commanded once, Cedric, or have you forgotten? Hmm? Her mother’s blood was supposed to end this. That’s what you said that day in Landow. Kill the woman and end the prophecy once and for all.” His fingers dug into Cedric’s throat even as the man sputtered and spit, struggling to escape. “Instead of ending it, we set it in motion. Now, this girl torments us at every turn. She torments my dreams so that sleep is always just at arm’s length, beckoning like a welcoming whore. So now you want to launch an all-out-war on Loriann Astus. She has powerful allies by her side, Cedric. It is rumored even the daerveth come to her aid. If it’s war you want, then war you’ll get. I’ll have the king’s guard march south and try to find her.” His hold loosened on the king’s throat until the man stumbled away, coughing and spluttering as he sought to breath.

  “I could have you held for treason for that!”

  Willem turned to glance at the king one last time. “She’s coming for us, Cedric. You don’t seem to understand. She’s coming after you and me and the gods only know how she’ll end us. I pray I take my last breath before I face her. What do you pray for, dear king?”

  Petyr stood watching as the two most powerful men in the Olde World fought. He trembled as Willem marched from the throne room then slammed the door with enough force to rattle paintings hanging on the walls. Cedric took a seat on the throne, raised a shaky hand to his throat.

  “Hire every sellsword you can find, Petyr. Every assassin, every cutthroat. I want
them all. If that girl wants a war, I’ll bloody well give it to her!”

  “At once your grace,” Petyr murmured. He was thankful to leave the throne room. He was less than thankful to know Loriann Astus was coming. He knew she was coming for them all.

  ***

  Petyr

  Petyr placed the coin purse filled with gold in the mercenary leader’s hand. “Will this be enough to retain your services?”

  The mercenary was a large man with rippling muscles displayed by the sleeveless, open-necked shirt he wore. Several heavy gold neck chains hung low on his chest. His swarthy skin glistened with perspiration. Several missing and rotten teeth appeared when he grinned. The man grinned often.

  The man hefted the purse as he tapped the side of his head with a forefinger. “For now it is. Now suppose you tell me what kind of job this is. My men want to know more.”

  “King Cedric requires your services with a threat to his reign. How many men will you bring?”

  Five hundred men with weapons and their mounts.” The man sat up, leaning closer to Petyr, elbows propped on the table. “Tell me more about this threat. Word has it that some crazy witch in Riverpoint has a vendetta.”

  “Yes, there is a woman who threatens King Cedric and this world. Is there anything else you or your men need?” Petyr stood up, hoping the man would take the hint that the meeting was over. His legs trembled as he stood there. A sick feeling filled the pit of his stomach. The door suddenly seemed very far away.

  The mercenary pulled a dirk from a sheath on the wide belt worn at his waist. He grinned, methodically cleaning from beneath each grimy fingernail with the dirk’s razor sharp point. “Rumor says it’s Loriann Astus. If that’s the case, dear Petyr, we may need to renegotiate the terms.”

  “There will be no renegotiation,” Petyr replied as he drew himself up to his full height. “Now if you will excuse me…”

  The mercenary grabbed Petyr and slammed his head into the table. The movement happened so quickly there was no time for him to react. The tip of the dirk pressed against his temple just enough to draw blood.

  “That tells me the answer I needed to hear, Grand Seneschal. Make sure you have as many whores and as much wine as you can find at the city’s south wall by tomorrow. If it’s not there,” the man paused, pressing down on the dirk until it pierced the skin, “your pretty little arse will pay. Don’t disappoint me, seneschal.”

  Petyr was released as quickly as he was captured. He straightened his clothing with a jerk before leaving with as much dignity as he could muster. A second noose had just tightened around his neck.

  ***

  Chapter 15

  Stratly Wilds

  Garyson Dwighte granted the party safe passage through Torgough Woods. The forest provided an easier journey than Manswall Glades. The men could hunt and provide the party with fresh venison. They camped on the southern outskirts of the forest before continuing south. The githok circled overhead, crying loudly as the party left the forest.

  Kaegan glanced at the leather-winged beasts overhead. “I can’t say I missed them.”

  Loriann laughed at her husband’s sarcasm. “They are loud. They keep watch for what lies ahead. Torg told me they dip downward thrice if they spot danger. We should tell the men, so they will know what to watch for.”

  Kaegan called back to the men riding behind them. The men passed word of the githok’s behavior to the others. They stopped near a waterfall feeding a wide stream as the sun rose high in the air. Scouts rode ahead to survey the area. They returned with news that the land ahead had little cover to mask their travels.

  Stratly Wilds was a flat land with little vegetation other than prairie grass and an occasional shrub that broke the monotonous plain. An arid breeze blew continuously across the land. Sources of water were few. Wild horses roamed in herds. Predators roamed freely as they searched for prey. The weak would not survive here.

  Loriann and Kaegan agreed to camp at the waterfall for the night. The routine that always followed their preparations to camp went forth smoothly. The men knew what was expected of them. They fell to their duties without question. Sentries took their posts as the githok circled overhead. Loriann elected to settle against the cliff where the waterfall spilled into the stream. She remained quiet, brows drawn together pensively.

  “What ails you, love?” Kaegan queried as he settled beside her, leaning against the rock face. An arm pulled her close to his body. He was surprised as her head found his chest. He was uncertain how to take the moments when she was vulnerable.

  “After all this ends, when the war is over, and Derek rules the Olde World,” she paused, fingers curling into the fabric of the shirt covering his chest. “I want a child, Kaegan.” Her shoulders shook as she fought back a sob. Memories of their first child tore through the strong control keeping her emotions in check. “Being parents, it was taken from us. I saw how happy Garyson and Brea are. I want that for us.”

  He placed a finger beneath her chin, lifting the tear-stained face upward. A soft kiss touched her lips. “Shush, of course, we can have a child. I want that as much as you do, Loriann. We can have a dozen if you like.”

  “Not a dozen. Too many to keep up with,” she admitted with a laugh. She rubbed the tears from her face, fingers knuckling both eyes until traces of the salty vulnerability was gone. “We should rest.”

  “You should rest, my lady. Let me hold you as you sleep. I will keep watch over you.” A large hand stroked her hair, fingers massaging the place at her temples that ached. A soft sigh came as she accepted his offer. Within moments her deep breathing served as evidence that slumber had claimed her. Kaegan dozed fitfully throughout the night.

  They broke camp the next morning as fingers of greyish purple hailed the dawn. Twin suns peaked above the horizon. Loriann stood silently watching until the brightness of the orbs forced her gaze away. The men astride their horses waited until she urged her mount forward, splashing through the stream’s cold depths. Githok circled overhead, screeching and cawing before floating south.

  The climate grew more arid the farther south they traveled. The midday meal was taken while riding. Everyone was grateful for the tough bread and dried meat. Their first day passed without incident. The men grew nervous as scouts could find no promising sites for camp, a site that offered some camouflage from unknown threats.

  Kaegan noticed a change in Loriann’s behavior as they sat around the central campfire with some of the men. She glanced skyward, watching as the githok circled overhead in the light of the twin full moons. A githok dipped low in the sky once, twice, and thrice. Without speaking she stood, eyes darting about the perimeter of camp.

  “Something is out there, isn’t it?” he asked, rising to join her. Light glimmered from his broadsword as it hissed out of the leather sheath. “Everyone at the ready, weapons drawn!” he called out.

  “We are being hunted,” she replied.

  The horses nickered nervously, stamping and pawing at the sandy earth. Loriann called for a few of the men to manage the growing discontent demonstrated by the herd. “Tend the horses. We can’t afford to lose them.” She moved past the shifting mass of horseflesh, leaving the perimeter of the camp to stand at a rise not far from camp. It was the only high ground near the camp.

  A strangled solitary howl called from the darkness. It was answered by a chorus of howls. The men became as nervous as the horses, milling about, circling each other with swords drawn. “Stand your ground!” Kaegan commanded. “Form a line of men around the camp. Weapons ready, be ready for anything.” He joined them at the perimeter, broadsword held in one hand.

  The men obeyed Kaegan without question. They were loyal to both leaders, the bond of trust forged over time as they learned both were intuitive and more than capable. Loriann effortlessly lit a ring of emerald fire around the camp. It flickered and danced, rising well over a rod in height. The acrid smell of its smoke filled the air.

  The strangled chorus of howls came
again, closer than before. Loriann remained outside the circle of fire, eyes fixed on something in the darkness. Chaos erupted as a pack of xalthiess appeared and began circling her. At least two dozen beasts hunted the woman.

  The massive, slavering beasts ruffed and growled, maws open, slick strands of foaming saliva indicating their hunger. They resembled dogs mixed with the mythical fenrir of old. Their thick hides were covered by mottled grey and yellow fur that grew in sporadic patches. Short, stumpy tails graced their hindquarters. Their bodies were covered in rippling muscles gliding beneath the mottled hides as they circled Loriann. Yellowed, razor-tipped teeth waited to rip into her flesh.

  Kaegan called out to her, nearly frantic that he was separated from her. The flames held him and the other men hostage. “Loriann! Let me come to you!”

  She turned and smiled before again facing the circling pack that grew closer with each passing moment. A juvenile xalthiess leapt at her, teeth snapping. The youngster gave its life as she raised a hand and an icy spire torpedoed from her fingers before it ripped into the beast’s chest. The remaining xalthiess retreated a dozen paces. Their whimpering, chuckling calls resembled a conversation. They chattered for a few moments before returning to the hunt.

  As they neared, Loriann lost patience with the lumbering beasts. Her head lowered briefly, then raised as both hands came palm out to face the xalthiess. A roaring inferno of emerald flame consumed those not quick enough to escape. A cacophony of death cries filled the air as did the smell of burning flesh. Five older males, conditioned to long hunts across the plains of Stratly Wilds, remained.

  Loriann knelt, waiting and watching as they began circling yet again. Kaegan called out, his voice much calmer than before, “Let us help you! Where’s all the fun if you kill them all.” He was rewarded with a grin and the lowering of the flames. “Come on boys, let’s have some fun!”

  The men charged at the pack, swords slashing at the tough hides. The xalthiess yipped frantically as they jockeyed for position. They were not prepared to be attacked by Kaegan’s pack. The stench of blood and entrails filled the air as first one, then a second xalthiess fell to the ground. The three that remained retreated, yipping and howling at the sky as they fled.