Blood of Fire

by Marlow York

  When I stepped into the wide circle glowing with lanterns and torches, his dark eyes fell on me. “Fiero!” he barked, gesturing for me to come closer.

  “Ysolda was right, you are like a celebrity in this village. Everyone knows who you are,” Saven observed.

  I glanced at the other young Warriors-in-training as I crossed the clearing. They all stopped chatting and stretching to watch me as I passed. Some, like Anza and the tall boy from the path, sneered and pointed at me, whispering behind their hands. Most stared at Saven in awe, but a few looked at me like I was something amazing. I quickly noticed that Anza and I were the only females present.

  I approached the tall Warrior, and no matter how much I straightened my spine or pulled my shoulders back, the top of my head still didn’t reach his shoulder. I realized suddenly that he was missing his left arm.

  “What is your name?” he asked.

  “Valieri.”

  “Valieri Fiero.” He spoke my name slowly, as though it felt strange in his mouth. “I am Vondak, and I will be the head instructor during your training. Irlav will be assisting me.” He nodded to a blonde man standing near a collection of weapons, and at the sound of his name, the man looked up. I recognized him immediately by the tattoos around his eyes. He was the man who had come to raid my village with Tarek.

  Irlav froze when he saw my face, a machete in one hand and a sharpening stone in the other. He looked more astounded than anyone when he realized the girl from the burned village was not only alive, but had a god at her side and was training to become a Warrior. A flash of anger passed his face, and I wondered if it was because he had wanted me as a slave too.

  Vondak appeared not to notice the recognition that passed between us and continued. “I am sure you are aware that training has already begun, and therefore you are several weeks behind the other recruits. They have spent their entire lives preparing for this, and many of them find it very insulting that you are even permitted to set foot in this training area.”

  I was a little hurt by the bluntness of his words, but not at all surprised. “What do you think about it?” I asked.

  Vondak stared at me, and for a moment I wondered if there was a protocol I was missing, like to say, “Sir” after every sentence, or to say nothing at all while he was talking to me. “That all depends on your ability to learn and grow strong,” he answered. He turned to the group of trainees. “Smaller trainees than you have surprised me by completing the Warrior training when I wouldn’t have pegged them as Scouts. It is not my place to decide the power of one’s resolve, nor to assume they do not have hidden strengths.” He lowered his voice and looked me hard in the eyes. “However, if you should fail, it will bring greater shame upon you and your household than if you had been born Grakkir and earned your place here.”

  Before I could respond, Vondak stepped away and addressed the entire group, explaining to them how I would be joining training for as long as I could. Much of what he said hardly reached my brain, as my ears were burning with prideful anger. It was clear how difficult training would be, aside from the physical aspect. Not only did I have no friends or allies among the group, I was also considered someone who had been wrongfully placed in a position I didn’t deserve. If the training itself didn’t push me out of the running, then surely the other recruits would make it their goal to force me to quit.

  “You have many reasons to quit,” Saven told me. “Perhaps you should think of them as reasons not to fail.”

  I took a deep breath and set my jaw, forcing the Ancient Fire burning through my veins to calm itself. “That is exactly what I aim to do.”

  Training began simply enough. First, we ran through the forest trails, hopping over logs, dodging branches, and avoiding sprained ankles on the wet, uneven terrain. More than once, someone tried to trip or shove me as they passed. Eventually, I gladly took a spot towards the back of the group. I was never a fast runner, so it didn’t take long for me to fall behind. If it hadn’t been for large “X’s” cut into the trees, I would have lost my way when everyone disappeared into the forest.

  By the time I returned to the training area, the others were already busy doing various activities in stations. Some were doing pull-ups on tree branches, some were doing push-ups and sit-ups, and others were punching and kicking burlap sacks filled with sand. One station required us to climb a tall tree to grab a red strip of fabric at the top, then climb down, all while racing another trainee in a second tree. After a certain amount of time had passed, Irlav called for the stations to switch.

  When Vondak saw me re-enter the clearing gasping for breath, it only took a sharp glance before I hurried to join the trainees doing push-ups. I noticed Saven’s concern. He was afraid I’d gotten lost in the forest without him.

  The push-ups and sit-ups were a little easier than running, but other trainees were doing more reps at a faster rate, and it didn’t take long for my muscles to sting and shake with exhaustion.

  “No matter how few you can do right now, just don’t stop, no matter what,” Saven encouraged. “Strength comes from perseverance.”

  And he was right. Even if I could only do twelve push-ups while another trainee was on their thirtieth, I had to keep going. I was embarrassed by how weak I was compared to everyone else, but I never complained or asked for help. If nothing else, they couldn’t deny that I had determination. However, willpower could only go so far until I gained the physical strength to go along with it.

  When it was my turn to climb the tree, my arms were already shaky and sore from push-ups and clumsy punches on the punching bag. I glanced at the recruit I was going to be racing: the small boy from earlier that morning. The other trainees chuckled and pushed him to the front of the line. Yes, I’m sure they thought it was hilarious to have the smallest boy race the weak Fiero girl. However, maybe he was quick and nimble. Perhaps he had spent his childhood climbing trees for fun.

  What they didn’t know was part of my job as a Harvester was to climb trees all day.

  “Go!” Irlav shouted, and without a moment’s hesitation, we both jumped for the lowest branches and gripped the rough trunks with our feet.

  The tall pine had several dead, delicate branches, which I avoided as best I could. The trunk, though rough with deep grooves, was still damp from the morning dew. It was not the ideal climbing tree, but I suspected that was part of the reason it was chosen. I was used to climbing trees with smoother trunks, and this activity was a game for Harvesters. For a moment, I nearly forgot where I was, and half expected to see Jenassa when I peeked at the tree beside mine.

  Instead, the small boy was a few feet above me, closing in on the strip of fabric. Rather than focus on what he was doing, I reached and pulled, reached and pulled, gripping the bark with my feet and thighs, and focused on nothing else. Within seconds, I was at the top of the tree, and quickly grabbed the cloth. I looked at the boy and noticed he hadn’t climbed as high as I did. He was about a foot below the cloth, reaching his hand as far as he could. He glanced at me, and I saw it in his eyes. He was afraid of heights.

  I grinned, somewhat relieved there was at least one skill I had that the boy didn’t. He was fast, small, and had obviously climbed trees before. The very thing he feared only spurred me forward. If he had such a disadvantage, surely there were other Warrior recruits who had weaknesses where I had strength.

  I stuck the fabric in my mouth and shimmied down the tree as fast, if not faster, than I had climbed up it. When my feet hit the ground, I turned the other tree. It took at least a full fifteen seconds for the small boy to reach the ground after I did, fabric in hand. Fifteen seconds wasn’t much, but I could see from the looks of disappointment on the other trainees’ faces that it was long enough.

  I placed the fabric in the hand of the trainee behind me, who would then race the next boy to the top of the tree to place the fabric at the top. When our eyes met, I saw the look of surprise on his face. There were a few similar expressions among the trainees, and w
hen I looked at Irlav, he was perhaps most surprised of all that I had done so well.

  Rather than stand around and gloat, I quickly moved to the next station. One small victory meant nothing in the long run; only several victories would earn me respect among the ranks.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  The sun was high above us, and though the thick foliage blocked much of its rays, it was still humid and hot in the dense forest. Bugs and beetles hummed all around, warm and active in the sunlight, as we sat down to eat lunch. My arms were so sore and exhausted I could barely lift my hand to my mouth, but I tried not to show it.

  Saven was sprawled out contentedly, basking in the sun, and I leaned my back against his warm side. The two of us sat far from the other trainees, who clustered in distinct cliques, though easily discernible as a large group that separated us from the rest of them. Vondak and Irlav sat away from all of us, talking quietly as they ate.

  “I don’t imagine they will always turn their backs to you,” Saven assured me, his mind hazy with relaxation.

  “Perhaps,” I said doubtfully. “But I suppose that all depends on how far I can make it in the training.” I tried to shift my legs to a more comfortable position, and even that took more effort than it should have.

  “Do not doubt yourself before you have even truly begun training!” Saven chided. “If all else fails, you can set them all on fire and be done with it.”

  I glanced at him with a concerned smile. “You say things like that much too easily.”

  If Saven had shoulders to shrug, he would have. “All this training is ultimately about survival, isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” I agreed. “And hopefully I can become a Warrior who can do more than just set things on fire.”

  Saven lifted his head and looked at me with an unblinking eye. “You will be the first Warrior in Grakkir history to be able to set things on fire. You will be a legend among the gods.”

  I couldn’t fathom ever being so important, but he was right in many ways. I owed it to my bloodline, my clan, my family, and Saven to use the blessings I had been bestowed with to become strong. The rare combination of Ancient Fire and an Animal God’s blessing couldn’t be just a fluke, and neither should be squandered.

  A shadow fell over me, and when I squinted up, I was surprised to see the small boy from the tree race standing there. His face was expressionless, revealing none of his feelings. Perhaps he was angry because he had lost the race.

  He took a large bite out of the apple in his hand. “Bjorn,” he said, his voice muffled behind the food.

  “What?”

  He swallowed. “My name is Bjorn.”

  “Oh,” I said. “I’m Valieri. This is Saven,” I jabbed my thumb over my shoulder at the snake.

  “Valieri and Saven.” Bjorn nodded, his face still impassive. “Nice to meet you.” Without another word, he turned and walked back towards the other trainees.

  I stared after him, a little confused but also relieved.

  “Why would he do that?” Saven asked. “Do you think it is a trick?”

  I pursed my lips. “It could be, but I think it is a sign of respect.”

  “He respects you for beating him at the race? He seemed angry.”

  “I’m sure it’s both.” The Grakkir had many traditions and social cues I still didn’t fully understand, but I was certain if Bjorn had only been angry with me for beating him, he wouldn’t have told me his name. “Let’s consider it a good sign until we know otherwise.”

  Saven agreed.

  After we had finished eating, we all gathered around a sandy patch of ground on the far end of the training area. The ring was enclosed with a length of rope lying on the ground, signifying a boundary.

  “Now we will work on our sparring,” Vondak announced.

  My heart fell into the pit of my stomach, but everyone else looked excited and eager to fight each other. Irlav called two names, and the young men stepped into the sandy ring. They were given no armor or protection of any sort. The others cheered when a successful punch or kick was landed, and voices called out the boys’ names. One boy’s lip split open, dripping blood on the pale sand, but neither of the trainers stopped the fight. The only time Irlav said anything was when one of the boy’s feet stepped outside the rope, and a spectator leaned forward to shove him back into the ring.

  The fight lasted five minutes at most, but it felt much longer. My heart thumped with a mixture of excited adrenaline and fear. It was exhilarating to watch the two battle each other, but terrifying when I remembered that I would soon have to step into the ring with no fighting experience.

  The match ended when one of the boys picked the other one up and slammed him to the ground, knocking the wind out of his opponent. The loser couldn’t catch his breath enough to stand up, and Irlav declared a victor.

  “Think you understand the rules?” Vondak looked at me.

  “Rules?” I asked.

  Several of the other trainees burst out laughing.

  Vondak pointed to the rope on the ground. “The fight must stay inside the ring at all times. You may not try to kill your opponent, such as by strangulation, nor may you gouge eyes. Other than that, there are no rules. You fight until you lose.”

  I bit my lip, knowing as well as everyone else that losing was my only option. “Okay,” I mumbled.

  “Good. Then it is your turn. Raerek, in the ring!” Vondak called.

  I looked around until I saw my opponent step forward. He eyed me like a hungry wolf spotting an orphaned lamb. It was the tall boy who had thrown the axe at me.

  My mouth popped open and I looked at Vondak, hoping he was kidding. He obviously wasn’t.

  I tried to hide my quivering knees as I joined Raerek inside the circle. He sneered down at me, as my eyes were level with his chest. Did anyone seriously think pairing us together was a good match, or was this just a sick joke?

  “I must be the first to sully myself?” Raerek complained. “Making me touch the Shunned Fiero girl. Disgraceful.”

  Saven gave a warning hiss from the sidelines. The other trainees shuffled nervously away from him.

  “Are you afraid?” I taunted. I hoped my nerves didn’t show in my voice, but I couldn’t seem hesitant in front of them.

  A murmur of jeers and chuckles drifted from the onlookers. Raerek scowled and took a fighting stance. “You won’t sound so confident lying on the ground, Fiero.”

  “Ready?” Irlav asked.

  I did my best to copy Raerek, lifting my fists to my face and widening my stance.

  “Begin!” Irlav shouted.

  Raerek circled me, and I mirrored him. He stared at me with venomous eyes, smirking like an arrogant child. He had plenty of reasons to be arrogant and everyone knew it.

  He stepped toward me, and I flinched backward out of instinct. He chuckled, a sound that was echoed by every recruit surrounding me. “You want to hit me?” Raerek dropped his arms. “Go ahead. I’ll make it easy.”

  I furrowed my brows. It was bad enough everyone knew I didn’t know how to fight, but did he really have to add humiliation to the mix?

  I leapt forward, hurling my fist at him. Raerek sidestepped, kicking my legs out from under me and shoving me to the ground at the same time. My face slammed into the sand, scuffing rough against my chin.

  The crowd roared with laughter. Only Vondak and Irlav were silent. When I glanced at Vondak, he looked disgusted with me, as though I were somehow a disgrace to his fighting ring, and that’s exactly how I felt.

  “Behind you!” Saven called.

  I rolled out of the way and jumped to my feet as Raerek’s foot sailed through the air and missed me by inches.

  “Enough playing around!” Anza’s voice was distinct amongst the male voices. “Just end it already so we can all get a chance in the ring!”

  “Fine!” Raerek shouted.

  And before I knew it, he had plowed into me, lifting me off my feet like I was a rag doll. Rather than body slam me, he threw me on
to the ground. He was going easy on me, and I was still losing. Frustration and anger boiled in my chest, and it took more effort to suppress the Ancient Fire than it did to recover my breath.

  When I looked up, Raerek was already walking out of the ring, assuming he had won. Something about it angered me more than the fact that he was the better fighter. I leapt to my feet and sprinted across the ring. Raerek turned around just in time for my clasped fists to swing into his cheek, like an axe chopping wood. He stumbled but didn’t fall. I panted, glaring at him. For a moment, it didn’t occur to me to be afraid. I was just angry at how easily he assumed I would go down.

  A titter of amazed voices lifted from the crowd.

  “You’re done for,” someone muttered.

  “Stupid move, Fiero!” another voice called.

  “Isn’t there a rule about not turning your back on your opponent?” I asked.

  A red mark was forming on Raerek’s cheekbone, and this time he didn’t smirk at me. “You’re about to discover there are many rules you don’t know,” he hissed.

  He barreled towards me, and I dodged as best I could, but he was as fast as he was strong. He turned and kicked my side. I barely had time to raise my arm to protect my ribs when a fist smashed into my face. My blocks were useless, as punches and kicks found their way through. In a last-ditch effort to attack, I dropped my guard to punch him as fast as I could, but he either dodged or blocked all my attacks, and their impact wasn’t nearly as devastating as his were.

  I was already exhausted by the time he was ready to take the offensive again. He threw another punch, and there was nothing I could do but watch the world turn black.