Blood of Fire

by Marlow York

  Ysolda finally looked up, and for the first time she appeared ruffled, not calm and collected. “Sarrenke,” she said, her voice relieved.

  “Ysolda, how are you?” Sarrenke asked.

  “I have seen better days,” the old woman replied. “But, I have also seen worse, if you can believe it.” Her eyes fell on me, but they didn’t appear angry or amazed after seeing the Ancient Fire firsthand. Perhaps she had been taken someplace safe during the attack and had missed my display of power.

  “We need to speak to the Council,” Sarrenke said. “It is urgent, and it is something that will affect the entire village.”

  Ysolda looked hard at Sarrenke, then at me. “Are you sure it cannot wait? We have many things that need to be taken care of immediately. We have reason to believe the City is torturing the hostages, and I have a half-destroyed village full of terrified, wounded, and dead Grakkir who need instruction.”

  “We understand, Elder Mother; however, this is also something that requires immediate attention,” I chimed in. When she looked at me, I didn’t turn away. I was no longer a small slave girl, but a member of the Grakkir clan, a Warrior. However, my guilt made me swallow hard, worried what she might say or do when I told her about myself.

  Ysolda nodded. “Very well.” She turned and addressed the other members of the Council who were standing nearby, listening to our conversation. “Everyone, we must call to meeting.”

  The other members of the Council took their places around Ysolda’s chair. The animals sat beside their companions. Sarrenke and I knelt before Ysolda, with Saven curled at my side.

  “Tell me, my friends, what is troubling you?” Ysolda asked.

  Sarrenke and I spent the next several minutes giving our sides of the story. First, Sarrenke professed her guilt for the City’s attack, but even Ysolda pointed out that her device had been abandoned a long time ago. If the City had known where she was, they wouldn’t have waited so many years to come find her.

  When Sarrenke was finished, Ysolda acknowledged her guilt, but she didn’t seem convinced the attack was her fault. By the time she was done speaking, even Sarrenke didn’t seem believe she was the cause anymore.

  “And what troubles you, young Valieri?” Ysolda said. I felt all the eyes in the room turn to me. Saven nudged me gently with his snout.

  “We will let the Council decide if I am to blame, then we must bear the consequences, my friend,” I told him.

  “I will not let them harm you,” he responded.

  I believed him, though I didn’t like the idea of fighting our way out of the Grakkir village, even with so many Warriors missing or incapacitated.

  Come hell or high water, I told them everything. I told them about my hand catching on fire as a child, and how I had to hide it. I recalled in detail the City’s attack on my village, recounting the deaths of my loved ones until tears were blinding me. As I spoke, I looked around at the many faces watching me. Some of them were in awe, some showed sympathy for my loss, while others seemed angry or frightened to learn I could control fire. Everyone remained silent, even the animals, until I was finished.

  “I strongly believe the City attacked your village to find me,” I concluded. “I don’t know if they know my identity, or if my existence is just a rumor come to light. I don’t know what they intend to do with me, but I don’t want anyone else to be hurt or killed because of me. If they aren’t sure I’m here, then this village will be only the second of many attacks as they try to find me. They will destroy more villages and capture and torture more people to get what they want. That’s why, if you wish to give me to them, I will accept my fate.”

  I bowed my head to let them know I had nothing more to add and relinquished my life to their decision.

  The room was eerily quiet for a long moment. One of Ysolda’s Warrior guards gently touched his axe and waited patiently for orders. The animals turned to their companions, no doubt discussing my fate with each other. Only Ysolda kept her eyes on me. Even her vulture stared at her with a curious look.

  “I must ask the three of you to wait outside while we discuss this new information,” Ysolda finally said. “Our Warriors will wait with you.”

  We stood and the guards escorted us from the building. They stood close, no doubt ready to pounce on us if we tried to run away.

  “What do you think they will decide?” Saven asked.

  “I expect the worst,” I said aloud.

  Sarrenke frowned at me. By now it was obvious I was the reason for the attack, and it was likely I would be punished. “We will stand with you,” she told me.

  “It is not your punishment to bear,” I said. “The Elder Council must do what is best for the village, and I think we both know what that is.”

  Sarrenke was silent, unable to argue with my logic.

  Moments later, Ysolda called for us to come back in. The guards took their places in front of the doors. Normally, there would be more security at a time like this, but an alarming number of Warriors were either dead, wounded, or had been taken hostage.

  We knelt in front of the Elder Council once again, and their stony faces gave no hint as to what their decision was.

  “Sarrenke,” Ysolda said slowly. “Refugee of the City, daughter of the Grakkir, former Scholar and Healer. The Council finds you to be innocent. You are not to blame for the attack on the village.”

  “Thank you, Elder Mother.” Sarrenke bowed deeply. She sat up and looked at me, her brows creased with worry.

  “Valieri Fiero.” Ysolda turned to me. “Survivor of the Fiero Attack, former slave to the Grakkir, blessed by the Goddess of Snakes, Grakkir Warrior, and the last of the Fire Bringers.” She paused and took a slow breath. “Tell me, young Valieri, do you know what it means to be a Fire Bringer?”

  I was taken off guard by the question. “It means I possess the Ancient Fire, brought to our people by the Goddess of Fire many centuries ago.”

  “Show us,” she commanded.

  I glanced around the faces of the Elder Council, suddenly embarrassed. I lifted my hand and concentrated until a small flame glowed in my palm. The Elder Council broke their masks and whispered to each other. Only Ysolda’s face remained impassive.

  “So, it is true,” she said. “Many people have come to me, saying they saw you pull fire off the buildings and throw it into the lake.”

  “It’s true,” I admitted.

  “As you have surely read in the books, there were once many others like you. Fire Bringers, Wind Walkers, people who lived in water and those who sang to trees. The Grakkir are among them. Our people have found favor with the Animal Gods and are honored with Beast Blood and accepted into a creature’s family. It may surprise you, but our world was perhaps more peaceful when these people were among us.”

  “With all those powers in the world? How did they not destroy each other?” Even in such a tense situation, Saven couldn’t hide his desire for knowledge.

  “The clans kept each other in check,” Ysolda continued. “All powers were equally important and equally deadly. Wars did happen, but eventually the clans agreed it was in everyone’s best interests to live peacefully and help each other survive.

  “And then came the Powerless Ones. Some ancient religions speak of ‘sinners’, people who do terrible things and are punished by the gods. The Powerless Ones were a close equivalent. Because their corrupt hearts were filled with anger and greed and the desire to harm others, the gods stripped them of their powers. The Powerless Ones became frustrated and angry. They began to hate the ones who were still blessed by the gods. However, they were smart and learned to adapt. Their capacity for invention would astound a village girl like yourself.”

  “The City,” I breathed, unable to stop myself from speaking.

  “Yes,” Ysolda said. “The Powerless Ones created monstrous instruments for destruction, and made it their mission to destroy the Ancient Ones. If they used their powers, they would be found and killed, and so the powers began to die out. Wi
th each generation, the bloodlines weakened, until there were no people left who had Ancient Power, like the Fiero clan. Only the ones who were especially good at hiding managed to survive the genocide.”

  “What?” I exclaimed. “You mean, there are others like me out there?”

  “Others like us, you mean,” Ysolda corrected.

  Kalon flapped his massive wings. The other Animal Gods snorted and growled, offended by my ignorance.

  “We are not just forest people who happened to tame giant beasts, as the City would lead you to believe,” Ysolda said. “The Grakkir is an ancient clan as well, though our powers are not as strong as they used to be. In centuries past, everyone had a companion sent to them from the Animals Gods. We could control ordinary animals, and some could even transform into their companion animal. For a long time, our weakened state allowed us to remain hidden and appear unthreatening. It was only a matter of time before the City discovered us and tried to destroy us.”

  “Why are you telling me all of this?” I said. “Aren’t you going to hand me over to the City?”

  “Some of us felt like that was the easiest and most obvious choice,” Ysolda replied. “But, in doing that, we would only be helping them destroy our people. The Fiero and the Grakkir are distant cousins, in a sense. We do not want the Ancient Bloodlines to be destroyed. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

  “You think the Ancient Ones can be brought back to power?” I asked.

  “I believe so now, but before you arrived here I did not think so. You are proof that the powers can lie dormant for many generations before awakening again. The City seems to have discovered this as well. If we wish to return the world to the peaceful distribution of power we once had, then you cannot die. You must live, young Fiero, and help us take down the City.”

  I stared at her. Even Sarrenke and Saven were in disbelief. “How can I do that? You said they have instruments for destruction. How can one person, or even a clan of people, possibly destroy them?”

  “To put it simply, they cannot.” She glanced around at the other Council members. “Our numbers are too few, and even our collective powers are not strong enough for what lies on the other side of the wall. That is why I have a proposition for you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Our people are no longer safe here,” Ysolda said. She stroked Kalon’s feathers distractedly. “It has been many generations since we have been a nomadic people, but in ancient times, we used to be. For that reason, I believe we can do it again. I have already alerted our people that we must leave.”

  I glanced at Sarrenke, who looked deeply saddened by this. She and I had lost two homes now, which stung like rubbing salt into a wound. Our days working in the garden and washing up at the stream were gone. We would no longer kneel at the table and share a meal with Tarek, our god companions standing like sentinels outside. Activities that had once felt burdensome had become my stability. And it was all turned to ash.

  “You were right that your presence is what prompted the City’s attack,” Ysolda said. “And for that reason, you will not be permitted to come with us.”

  My heart sank, but I was not surprised by such a punishment. I couldn’t decide what was worse: to be turned over to the City, or to live the rest of my life as an outsider, like Tarek. My heart sank further as I thought of him and the other hostages taken into the City.

  “I understand,” I finally said. “But what will we do about the hostages?”

  “The Grakkir do not abandon their people,” Ysolda said. “We have already sent Scouts to look for possible ways inside the wall. We have also sent birds and bats into the City to spy for us. Even with the information given to us by Sarrenke and her sisters, we still have little to go on.”

  “The City is nearly impenetrable,” Sarrenke said, more to me than anyone else. “If you are not from the City, you do not go within the walls. Unless you are a prisoner,” she added glumly.

  “In the unlikely event that the Scouts return with new information, then we will do everything we can to rescue our people. If not, we will prevent them from giving any knowledge about us and Valieri to the government,” Ysolda said.

  “How will you do that?” I asked.

  Ysolda paused before answering. “We must kill them.”

  “Kill your own people?” I exclaimed.

  “A mercy killing,” Saven murmured.

  “Yes,” Ysolda replied solemnly. “Each of our people understands what you are just now learning. Our location and who lives among us, particularly the number of Warriors and those blessed by the Animal Gods, must remain a secret to outsiders. Our people are trained never to reveal information, but they are only human. It is possible they may give in to torture. That is why I need your help, Saven.”

  The snake twitched, not expecting to be called upon. He tilted his head questioningly, something I hadn’t seen him do since he was a tiny snake who could fit in my lap.

  “Saven, you are not to blame for what has happened here today, nor are you under any obligation to obey anyone except Valieri,” Ysolda began. “With that said, there are very few animals that can slip into the cracks in the City walls. Snakes, particularly venomous snakes, are among them. If you order it, Valieri, Saven could send his brothers and sisters through the wall, find our imprisoned people, and put them down before they reveal any information or endure more torture at the hands of our enemies.”

  Saven turned to me. “What she is saying makes sense to me.”

  “It makes sense to me too,” I admitted. I didn’t like the idea of killing our own people, but it was unlikely there would be any way to rescue them, and even less likely the City would return them in one piece.

  “After we do this, you want us to leave?” I asked. “Where should we go?”

  “That is entirely up to you,” Ysolda said coldly. “But, I ask you to think about what I have said. There must still be Ancient Ones hiding somewhere. If we can find them, together we may be able to bring the City down.”

  My mind was spinning with information, and I was exhausted. The City was my enemy, but to think I had any power to stop them was ridiculous. The only way I could stand a chance was to recruit others like myself who were tired of living in secrecy. It would not be an easy task; I didn’t even know where to begin looking.

  “Perhaps Jenassa is with them,” Saven suggested.

  My heart leapt. There was always the slim chance she had managed to run away from the Fiero village and had found refuge with another village, one with Ancient Powers. No matter how unlikely it seemed, it was still an idea worth investigating.

  “We are at their mercy,” I told Saven. “The Grakkir could have killed us or handed us over to the City at any point, and we owe them for that.”

  “It would not be respectful to leave them to die in the City,” he agreed. “I will call upon my brothers and sisters if you wish it.”

  “I do.”

  Saven gave a nod and we both looked to Ysolda. “It will be done,” I told her. “If the birds can tell us where they are being kept prisoner, we will send the snakes to end their suffering.”

  Ysolda nodded. I knew she must have been relieved to hear that, but it was difficult to be happy given the present circumstances. “Do it as soon as possible. You must go to the edge of the forest, but do not let yourselves be seen. The birds will be waiting there for you.”

  “I thank you for your mercy.” I bowed deeply.

  “As I said, we do not turn our backs on our own kind. However, you must leave by tomorrow.”

  I nodded again and stood. The three of us made our way outside. Smoke still hung over the village, greying out the sky. When I looked around, the bodies of the dead Grakkir had disappeared, likely to be buried at the edge of the forest. All around us, people were slowly tearing down their houses and preparing their belongings to be moved. Only yesterday I was made an official Warrior of the Grakkir clan, and the Warrior Shield had been etched into my chest. How was it that as soon as I w
as accepted into a new clan, it was destroyed by the City? Would a life of solitude be a better alternative?

  A low humming sound caught my attention. The season for cicadas was still several months away, and yet the sound was remarkably similar to their repetitive buzz on a hot summer’s day. The hum continued, slowly getting louder. I looked to the sky and felt my blood run cold.

  A dark shape was approaching from the south, coming quickly from the City. It was much smaller than the destructive War Ships, but I knew it couldn’t be good.

  “Airship!” I shouted.

  The villagers stopped what they were doing immediately and ducked for cover. Some cried out in fear, while others helped the young and injured, never forgetting to stay level-headed. The remaining Scouts and Warriors raised their bows to the sky. I felt fire heating my palms until they were both in flames. I was glad my powers were getting easier to call upon, but I feared for how long I could use them before I became exhausted.

  There was something unusual about this small aircraft. I didn’t see any large opening in the bottom where a bomb could be dropped, nor any weapons on the front. It didn’t seem prepared to attack us at all. I took in its small size and quick movements. Was it the equivalent of a Scout? Was this machine the same that had hunted Sarrenke and her sisters?

  “The sound is so much like a bug,” Saven said. “If it had been the middle of summer, it may have been able to approach in the night and no one would even know.”

  “I’m sure they have been doing that all along.”

  We waited for the ship to get close enough to for the Scouts to attack, but it never did. Instead, it streaked overhead, then turned sharply and headed back towards the City before we could even move. As it disappeared, my eyes were drawn to several strange objects falling to the ground. They looked like dead birds, but as they came closer, they appeared to be ropes. They fell heavily all around us, but we managed to dodge them.