Scales and Flames

by Catherine Banks

  The troll grunted, steam bursting from its nostrils as it stomped to the other side of the cave and disappeared around the corner.

  Julian’s heart raced as she peeked around the edge of the tunnel. Its wide shoulders squeezed through another narrow doorway. At least it would be slowed in reaching her, if only she could find that flower.

  As she turned back to her hiding place, something shined from the other cave the troll had emerged from first. Some kind of treasure or metal glinted from within. Beyond it was a glowing indigo blossom with dark green leaves circling the long petals and sharp thorns sticking from the center.

  Her breathing quickened as she glanced back around the corner. The troll was nowhere to be seen. This was her chance. All she needed to do was quietly cross the room, grab the flower and flee.

  Julian’s fingers tightened and her breaths quivered from her numb lips. She had to escape before the cold became too great. She wasn’t dressed for winter.

  After taking one last look at the hole the troll had disappeared inside, Julian stepped from her hiding place. She held her breath, refusing to make a sound.

  Nothing.

  Not a sound came from the other cave. She took another step, and then another. Her heart raced as she came into the open. Cold light brushed the hair curling against her chest. She pushed her hair behind her ear and took another step.

  She froze. The troll’s hairy shoulder emerged from the corner of the doorway. His back was turned to her.

  Julian exhaled softly, thanking whatever gods might be listening that it hadn’t seen her. Carefully, she continued across the cave until she reached the opposite wall. The curved door was just tall enough for her to step inside without hitting her head. She couldn’t believe the troll could squeeze through, not with its shoulders the width of a whale’s neck.

  The glint of metal caught her eye. A shield leaned against the small ledge where the flower sat. The edge was trimmed with steel, and a red serpent was painted across the wood in between.

  A smile quirked her lips as she stepped closer to the flower. The room was wider than she had first thought and stretched deeper before widening. At the back of the cave, a mountain of bones climbed the wall, dozens, maybe even a hundred sets of human remains piled against the frosted interior. Teeth marks scoured the bones and pieces of armor lay torn to pieces beside them.

  How many men and women had lost their lives at the hands of this troll? How many had died trying to kill it?

  Her heart pounded painfully against her ribs as she backed into the wall. Her heel slammed against the shield, knocking it over. The clang of metal echoed through the cavern, reverberating in the hollow again and again.

  Julian stopped breathing. What had she done?

  A sound between a roar and a growl filled her ears. The troll was coming. Her entire body shook as she looked around the room, her first instinct to hide.

  But there was no hiding, nothing to protect her from the beast about to devour her. Her mind raced and every bit of heat left inside her fled. Her fingers went numb and her knees shook, threatening to dump her onto the floor.

  Claws scrapped the ice outside as the troll thrust itself back into the main room.

  She was going to die in this cave. She was going to die not having found the magic girl or saving her mother.

  Her eyes burned and her hands shook at her sides. The scrape of claws grew closer and the growl of the troll filled the room.

  Beady eyes met hers. A snarl pulled its lips away from its enormous mouth, revealing rows and rows of sharp teeth. Its clawed hand reached for her, inches away from her arm. Those claws would tear right through her, leave her a bloody mound, only bones to be picked clean, just like the skeletons in the corner.

  No, she couldn’t go down like this. She couldn’t die without a fight. So much counted on her getting this flower and getting out alive.

  Julian snapped back and grabbed the shield on the floor before the claws could reach her. The troll’s hand swung through open air, and it growled in frustration as it reached for her again.

  Gripping the metal handle, Julian swung the shield in front of herself. Another roar rocked the cave. The beast opened its mouth wide. Cold and heat flashed through her gut. Magic.

  She brought the shield up to protect her head and shoulders, dropping to one knee as she did.

  Frost flew from the mouth of the beast, pushing her across the floor and coating the shield in ice. Cold burned her fingers, and she let go just as the blast stopped.

  The shield clattered to the ground as the troll squeezed inside.

  “You’re going to regret coming after a dragon, troll.” Julian’s nostrils flared as she stared down the beast, her hands splayed at her sides.

  She had no other choice. Use her magic, and risk it overcoming her, or die in the cave. It wasn’t much of a choice at all.

  Orange, red and yellow flames burst from her palms. Heat ran from her hands up her shoulders and into her chest until it burned through her belly, awakening the dragon.

  The troll growled at her threat and leapt forward with claws extended. Julian dodged close to the wall, letting the troll slide past. It turned on its heels, far quicker than she expected.

  Julian ran for the main cavern. If she was going to fight this troll, she’d at least like the space to manoeuvre.

  She slid through the door seconds before the troll crashed against it. It roared and snapped its teeth, narrow beady eyes at her. The troll slammed its hands against the walls beside the door, sending ice shards flying in every direction. Julian held up her hands to protect her face. Ice died within the flames embracing her hands and wrists.

  The troll pushed through, flying at her mouth first. Julian raised her hands, throwing fire from her open palms at the troll’s chest.

  The scent of burnt hair filled the cave and the troll reeled back, screeching in pain. It crashed against the wall, shaking the entire cavern. Icicles fell free, shattering against the frosted floor inches from her feet.

  Again, Julian pulled fire back into her palms. The troll snarled and fell to its hands, using its fists like the front paws of a lion, and racing across the cavern at her with its short legs.

  Julian’s eyes widened and her heart stopped as its head rammed her chest. Air exploded from her lungs as she grabbed its shoulder with flaming fingers. Burned hair fell onto her jacket as the beast roared and slammed her against the wall.

  Pain speared her arm as its teeth sunk through her jacket and into her flesh. She gasped, eyes burning and arm going numb. All heat fled her left arm. Frost burned her jacket sleeve and quickly numbed the wound. Hot and cold warred inside her arm while she slammed her fist against the beasts face.

  “Let me go!” she screamed. Agony flared through every inch of her.

  The troll reared back as her flames passed before its eyes. It cried out, a sick sound like a dying animal.

  Julian slid to the ground, unable to move her left arm. Her breaths were ragged as she fought the cold filling her mind. The witch’s words returned to her:

  A frost troll’s bite isn’t something even one such as yourself wants to endure.

  She gulped and pushed herself back to her feet. No matter what the bite might do, she still had a job to do.

  Fire filled the air with crackling heat. She held up her hand before the beast. “I will kill you, troll.”

  The beast narrowed its eyes as if accepting the challenge. Its lips pulled back and it stepped forward, again on all fours.

  Julian stepped away from the wall. The troll launched across the room. A battle cry ripped from her throat as she pushed forward, flames erupting from her fist.

  White fire tore through the trolls hair and flesh. Its pained roar filled the cavern for a long moment, echoing painfully in her ears. She thrust her hand forward and forced the burn hotter. Darkness wrapped around her belly, but still, she pushed until the cries stopped and the beast collapsed, a burnt giant.

  Julian breathed
heavily and lowered her hand. The flames disappeared, and the frosted floor began to melt, leaving a puddle of water around the black beast she’d never believed herself capable of killing.

  “I did it.” She stared wide-eyed around the cavern as if expecting another foe to present itself. “I… I did it.” Her racing heart slowed and the corners of her lips pulled up. “I did it!”

  Her shout echoed in the hollow cave. She could hardly believe it. The frost troll may have almost eaten her alive, but she’d won the day. She’d defeated the beast and she’d reap the rewards.

  Julian rushed across the cavern as fast as her feet would take her. The same magic flower glowed on the sill of the ice cave. Carefully, she plucked it. It continued to glow, even after she snapped the base of the stem. Unable to hide her grin, Julian laughed, her head tilted back to the ceiling.

  “I wish you were here to see this, Mother,” she said. Sighing, Julian spied the frosted shield across the floor where she’d left it. She might not know how to use it, or a blade, but the shield saved her life.

  She plucked it from the ground and hoisted it across her shoulder. Her left arm was still numb, and she could scarcely move her fingers, but even still, she managed her way back out of the cavern and atop her horse.

  “Let’s go see your mum. We have something unbelievable to show her.”

  The city was quiet when Julian arrived just after dawn. Her shoulders slumped with fatigue and her arm burned hot and cold like she’d never experienced before, dampening the excitement from her victory. Her face was hot, and her forehead slick with sweat, but she pushed the mare until they arrived back at the witch’s home.

  Julian slid from the horse’s back, nearly toppling to the ground as she did. Her knees shook and her entire body ached.

  “It’s about time.” The witch emerged from the side of the house. “Oh, my. You’re a sight now aren’t you? Didn’t heed my words about the troll’s bite.”

  Julian narrowed her eyes. She left the shield leaning against the edge of the house and thrust the reins out to the witch. “Here.”

  The old woman’s lips twisted, but she didn’t laugh, only smiled ruefully. After tying her mare to a post, the witch ushered her back inside, her hand gently resting on Julian’s back.

  “Come this way, dear. Let’s get you fixed up.” She led the way, Julian slowly trudging beside her.

  Once they’d returned to the darkness and foul stench of the witch’s inner sanctum, Julian sat down hard on the same stool she’d sat upon the day before. The same instruments lay upon the wide table, though they were much more organized this time, sitting in a row, with no metal scraps or jewel fragments in sight.

  The witch busied herself getting fresh water, a cloth and plucking ingredients from her wall of horrors.

  Julian hardly paid attention as she leaned on the table, her head in her hands. She was just so tired, drained from whatever the frost troll’s bite was doing to her.

  When the witch returned, she handed Julian a cold compress for her head and instructed her to remove her jacket. Julian obeyed, leaving her rucksack and jacket on the floor.

  “Be still while I clean the wound.” The old woman ripped open the sleeve of her blouse.

  Julian hardly felt a thing as the witch dabbed a wet cloth on her arm. The bowl of once clear water beside her turned red. Julian hadn’t even realized she’d been bleeding.

  “This is going to sting.”

  “What?” Julian looked over.

  The witch pressed a poultice to the teeth marks marring her bicep. Pain burst through the numb she’d slowly gotten used to, sending heat burning through her.

  “Damn!” she hissed. “What is that?” Julian clenched her fist, her mind buzzing as she squeezed her eyes shut.

  “It’ll help stimulate the healing process. A mere mortal would have died from such a bite,” the witch chastised. “You’ll live, but this arm will never be the same. You should be more careful next time.”

  She finished layering the bite marks in the sticky substance then wrapped her wound in a thick bandage. By the time she was done, the burning pain had dulled and Julian’s mind cleared. This woman really was magic.

  “Now drink this.” The witch handed her a cup of dark liquid.

  Julian narrowed her eyes. “What is this?”

  “Wine.” She laughed. “It’ll help numb the pain.”

  “Oh.” Julian blinked in surprise. “Thank you.”

  The witch waved her off and began cleaning up while Julian sipped at the surprisingly sweet beverage. It was the least unpleasant thing she’d encountered yet because of the witch.

  “All right, now that you’re fixed up––” The witch stopped at the other side of the table, her hands on her hips. “––Do you have it?”

  Julian set the goblet down and reached for her bag. Her arm ached, but she got it onto her lap where she pulled out the glowing plant. “This?”

  The witch gasped and clapped her hands together. “Yes, it’s perfect.”

  Julian handed the witch the flower and watched as the woman danced across the room. She plucked an empty glass jar from the shelf, opened the lid and dropped the flower inside. Her hands hovered over the jar and she closed her eyes, muttering something under her breath before replacing the lid. Then she returned to the table.

  “What is the flower for anyway?” Julian asked.

  The witch tilted her head back and laughed, a long raspy sound. “My girl, it was never the flower I desired.” Julian raised a brow. “I just wanted you to overcome your fear. Your belief is far more precious than any plant.” She giggled and waved her hand at Julian as if she were the ridiculous one.

  “How can you use my belief?”

  “Magic, of course. Your belief is sealed inside that flower. It’ll be very useful in my potions.” She waggled her thin eyebrows before reaching inside the large pockets of her black dress. She pulled out a long silver chain with a large crudely crafted amulet attached. The red jewel seemed to almost glow, even in the low light. “You’ve earned this.”

  Julian held out her hands, and the witch placed the cool metal on her palm. She drew it back to her and flipped the amulet over in her fingers. It appeared to be a simple necklace, with nothing special about it other than the enormous ruby.

  “This will help me find who I’m looking for?” Julian looked up at the witch.

  “Yes.” She nodded, her veil dipping further over her forehead. “Put it on and you’ll see.

  Julian took a deep breath. This was it. If she put the pendant on and nothing happened, she’d have travelled across the kingdom, killed a troll and run from guards all for nothing.

  She slipped the chain over her head, pulling her hair out from around it. The piece settled against her chest, heavier than she expected. Julian felt the edge of the metal, rough, but not jagged. The stone was smooth, and hot to the touch.

  The burn of magic flared through her stomach and up into her chest. It was faint, but it was there.

  Julian looked up at the witch, her eyes wide and her heart pounding. “I can feel her.”

  The witch nodded and smiled before standing and moving back to her shelf of ingredients.

  Julian turned the jewel over in her hand before clasping it tightly. The burn grew stronger, calling her in every direction, pushing for her to find the ashen and save herself and her mother. Julian smiled. “I’ll save us yet, Mother.”

  THE END

  ABOUT KATHERINE BOGLE

  Katherine Bogle's debut young adult novel, Haven, came second in the World's Best Story contest 2015. She currently resides in Saint John, New Brunswick with her partner in crime, and plethora of cats. She can be found at www.katherinebogle.com.

  CROSSING WORLDS BY T. M. DAVIS

  Crossing Worlds by T.M. Davis

  Dyka and her twin brother Asyl are Dragons who must discover both the reason they were taken from their home world and the cause of Dyka feeling like she's being ripped apart by an all-consumin
g rage. They believe they might have found a place to discover these answers but Dyka's reality gets even more confusing with the appearance of two new men in her life: Samson, a young attractive human she feels a strong pull toward, and Abraham, an older gentleman who travels the country killing off creatures of legends, spreading fear and chaos in his wake. Can she allow herself a small bit of happiness and discover the truth of what happened to their home world without being discovered, or will she die trying?

  Crossing Worlds © Copyright 2018 T. M. Davis

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Created with Vellum

  One

  It has been three months since darkness opened a void in the sky. The void sucked my twin brother and I onto a different plane of existence. This plane holds many parallels to home, but where we have magic, they have technology. The biggest problem we have had is trying to figure out why the darkness pulled us in. Back home seeing races like Elves, Vampires, and Fae was normal. Here, however, the only other beings we have encountered are Humans. My brother and I are Dragons, and since these Humans don’t believe Dragons are real, it has made it difficult to find anyone to help us.