The Flames of Arathia

by Jordan Liberatore

  Nathan stood in the center of a burning field. Shouts and cries surrounded him, the scent of blood thick in the air mixing with the smoke. To his far left Adam knelt on the ground, cradling a woman who looked to be Drusilla, something sticking out of her. The flames obscured the object too much for Nathan to be able to figure out what it was. In front of him there was burning trees and men fighting to the death. It was chaos… War. Then he saw her. She was beautiful, her curly hair a deep red. She reached out towards him. “Nathan,” she called out. The captain recognized the voice, but it couldn’t be. No. He started to run forward, to run towards her. The flames grew though, devouring all.

  Adam set down his cup, studying Annloe. “Beings above, Annloe, what age do we live in?” the prince mused. Annloe chuckled.

  “One where the parties only help us forget for a moment,” Annloe sighed. Adam smiled.

  “Those were the care free days, my friend. Dancing in the great hall just happy to have the life we did… Now my own wife has betrayed us all,” Adam mourned.

  “Thou art still in love yet, Aldarathi,” Annloe pointed out. Adam glared sharply at him.

  “I love what cannot be mine. She’s suffering loss as it is,” Adam argued.

  “The man. Malcolm the Dark,” Annloe muttered. Adam nodded in confirmation.

  “Any news on your mother?” Adam required.

  “I fear I shall never have an answer to that,” Annloe winced. He got up and walked to the window. “Still, what’s done is done. There are greater threats and questions needing answered.”

  “She came to Drusilla. Mother. She sought out Sill and not Nathan,” Adam pointed out. Annloe sharply turned.

  “How queer,” Annloe breathed. “Hold on to thy feelings, Aldarathi. There may be hope yet for you. Even the most peculiar of matches are destiny’s touch.”

  “Says one who would know,” Adam winked. Annloe simply glared.

  Nathan’s eyes shot open as he gasped, sitting up quickly. He got up and walked over to the window, steadying his breath. In the distance was a glistening lake almost like a teardrop on the land. There was a garden of roses and other flowers below in the courtyard, their bright colors reaching out to try and soothe him. They mingled with his troubled mind, reminding him of summer days. Nathan took a deep breath, fixing his clothes and walking back downstairs. The building was larger than one would guess by looking from the outside, but it held within its halls ghosts of history. It echoed a time of righteous kings and Galdirr’s pride. There was justice then, and Elves lived in harmony with mortals. Then the war came, and the Elves were cast out. The flames of Arathia had been reduced to small candles hidden away. However, Nathan understood that it would take only one spark to set things right again.

  There was laughter coming from the dining room as Nathan walked in. Sitting by the fireplace, Drusilla sat on the floor playing with the fox. Annloe and Adam sat at the table still as they discussed something in Elvish. Valtari sat near Drusilla, watching her and the fox. The Free Strider looked so happy, so at peace. She wore not what she wore before, but a dress of a soft light green. Her hair hung in waves around her, and she tried to interact with Valtari despite the language barrier. She was a natural mother, Nathan could see. She was stunning and beautiful, queenly even. Nathan couldn’t believe this was the same stubborn Free Strider who captured Malcolm’s heart.

  It suddenly began to settle on Nathan’s mind that maybe there was a difference. Drusilla the Free Strider was not the same as Melody Kloy. Though perhaps a harmony, a balance between the two could be met. Nathan looked over at Adam. Drusilla Kloy could be a woman that Adam would be well honored to have over Lu. She’d make a perfect partner for the prince, the same prince who now noticed Nathan. “Ah! Our sleepy captain!” Annloe exclaimed. Drusilla looked up half startled, slipping into the Free Strider Nathan knew. Annloe stood to stretch. “I hope thou hast slept well.” Nathan smiled and nodded, pushing aside all thoughts of his dreams as he went to sit. Annloe, however, glared at him, placing a hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “Do not lie to the great Annloe, Captain Rodrick,” the sorcerer warned in a low voice. “I can sense that you are troubled.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Annloe,” Nathan insisted in a whisper. He looked up at Adam and Drusilla. “It was just a dream.”

  “I do not believe so,” Annloe argued, shaking his head. “Few dreams in Annloe’s home are ever just dreams. I would beware if I were thee.” Nathan simply nodded, taking a seat as Annloe released Nathan’s shoulder. The flames still stayed on Nathan’s mind.

  “Reddari is so well behaved, Annloe,” Drusilla remarked, changing the subject. She smiled brightly as she pet the fox’s fiery fur. The Free Strider had that mysterious feminine charm to her, and it seemed that all three of the men were captivated by it.

  “Oh she very well is! I raised her from a kit I did! I hope you are well enjoying her company. Are you, dear Melody? Thou dost not mind if I call thee that do thee?” Annloe inquired. Drusilla winced, looking down.

  “I am very much enjoying her, but I’d rather not be called Melody, if it isn’t too much trouble,” Drusilla coughed. They were all quiet for a moment, the air still with mourning.

  “That is all well my dear,” Annloe agreed. He looked over at Valtari and nodded. The boy jumped and ran off to what must have been the kitchen. “Let’s all sit. We have very much to discuss.” Adam helped Drusilla up and the group sat down once again at the table. The fun had ended, and the real work was about to begin. It was time to discuss the Dinthlayi Amarca.

  Chapter 8:

  “I am sure we are all quite aware of what must be discussed,” Annloe began, looking thoughtfully at each of them. This was not the cheerful man who was easily distracted. A change had come over him. They all felt it. The games were over. The real work was beginning. There was so much history in those eyes. Hundreds of years Annloe had lived, and in them seen so much. Yet even then he was so young for his kind. All three of them knew it.

  “Show him,” Nathan urged Drusilla. The woman who was sitting on the floor had also disappeared, leaving behind the Free Strider. It was as though the moments before had not existed at all. The woman reached into her bag, shoulders drawn back, and set the Fireblood Gem down carefully on the table, her eyes looking up to meet Annloe’s. The sorcerer just gazed at the object in wonder as Valtari stepped back into the room. One look at the Gem, though, and the boy froze and gasped.

  “Nath Dinthlayi Kitarana!” Valtari exclaimed, pointing at the gem. “Tathe tana nath Dinthlayi Kitarana, Minoro Annloe!” Annloe turned to the boy with a frown, glaring sharply.

  “Lok, Valtari, tathe ata tana ro. Alnata afoy nar,” Annloe ordered sharply. Valtari nodded, looking down as he brought in the food before leaving again. Annloe sighed. “Excuse the boy. In his culture, this is a sacred thing lost to time. He is a fair boy, but likes to speak out,” Annloe apologized. Nathan was shocked that the boy liked to talk, considering he hadn’t said a word the entire time they’d been there. However, it was clear that the language barrier was the cause. “I myself haven’t seen it within my long life. The Great Lady kept it well hidden, she did.” Annloe reached out and picked up the gem, carefully examining it. “This is the very Fireblood Gem. Pray tell me how you obtained such a mystery,” Annloe inquired, setting it back down. Nathan simply looked to Drusilla, urging her to tell the story.

  “We entered the Fireblood Temple at Outcasts’ Cove. Once we reached the room in which it was kept, time froze. The Elven queen came to me and told me to take it. She said to come here and showed me a woman saying some prophecy,” Drusilla explained. Annloe looked from her to Adam.

  “It is rare that Avariana comes and speaks with anyone. She is quiet even among her own people. The woman you said you saw, what did she look like? Did she have black hair and violet eyes by any chance?” Annloe asked, his eyes shooting back to Drusilla. The Free Strider leaned back, somewhat shocked.

  “Yes, I believe she did,” Drusilla muttered. An
nloe tensed, leaning back. Something pained him, a dark memory. He let out a heavy sigh.

  “’Twas only a vision then,” Annloe replied. He studied all of them for a moment. “For my mother disappeared long ago. What she said, I think I may be able to repeat. However I shall not waste my time, for it is long. Repeat just what she said, my dear.”

  “Darkness shall fall over the land. Doom shall prevail at enemy’s hand. Arise with three a new dawn bright, led first by an heir, followed third by a betrayer of light. Flames shall leap at the end of the night,” Drusilla stammered. Adam shivered at the words.

  “Dathan anasit eathi uktani nath dirron. Danor anasit pavara ka nath entata maki. Vainaya aslë tor efna naraithan, fayata torko bay efna xanala yal sesath. Dinsal anasit lethor ka nath delno efna nath dalthra,” Adam repeated in Elvish, chanting absentmindedly. There was such a power in his voice that the flames of the candles flickered at the very sound of it. Even Nathan, who knew the words, felt a chill run down his spine. He could only imagine what Drusilla had felt.

  «That,” Annloe sighed, “is the Dinthlayi Amarca, the Fireblood Prophecy. It was told long ago to King Latorro of Galdirr by Elliana the Great before King Anikarra called for war. However, that is just the first stanza of the first part. This part talks of a great an evil power that will take over Galdirr. I believe that that power is the Brethren, whose elvish name is Dathoy, or Shadow. The word finds its origin in the word for dark, ‘datha’. It continues on to speak of four heroes who will defeat the darkness, though the third of the party is a Brethren them self.”

  “The leader,” he paused, looking over at Nathan, “was to be the last living blood descendant of Latorro, the true heir of Galdirr. It is said in this prophecy that the heir is to obtain the Fireblood Gem and Fireblood Sword. Meanwhile, a fireblood army is to be raised up. It doesn’t quite specify, however, how this is all to be done at once.”

  “How are they supposed to know who the heir is?” Drusilla questioned. Annloe smiled.

  “Ah, yes, I did forget that part. They are to know for only the heir can truly use the sword,” Annloe chuckled, once again looking at Nathan. Nathan simply scratched his chin, still piecing together everything. Though he had been raised knowing the prophecy, there was still much he was trying to understand. Only so much of the story had been passed down.

  “Perhaps, if we are these chosen four,” Adam offered, “two of us should go to stir an army while the other two search for the sword.” Everyone nodded at the idea. Nathan, though, began to narrow his eyes.

  “The only problem is,” the captain mused, “that no one knows where most of the firebloods have gone, and the sword has been hidden for ages. It could be anywhere, or even destroyed. Where would we even begin to search for these things? Are they even still in Galdirr?” He looked up at Annloe.

  “Do not fret over such things!” Annloe chuckled. “I happen to know the general location of both and would be ever more than willing to aid thee in thy search. Thoust just tellith me who is to go where and I shall reveal my knowledge.” Nathan looked around the table.

  “May we discuss such things in private?” he asked. Annloe simply nodded, gesturing towards the stairs.

  “Just come back down when thou art done,” Annloe instructed. With that the three walked up and stepped out of the room. Everything from there on out would be up to the hands of fate.

  “You know what is to come,” the Queen sighed, staring out at the courtyard. The woman behind her had the most emerald eyes, and curling red hair. She had her arms crossed behind her.

  “Well of course,” the woman sighed. “What else is there to be done?” The Queen smiled softly. “I am sorry for your loss.”

  “It’d been many years I had almost forgotten his face,” the Queen mused coldly.

  “If I may be so bold, I am acquainted with loss. I understand that it hurts all the same,” the woman countered.

  “Be bold. The Beings themselves have chosen you,” the Queen allowed. The woman smiled. “I suppose you are right. It does hurt, though more for my son.”

  “It’s a hard thing, to lose a father,” the woman winced. She sighed, walking towards the window. “Is Annloe prepared?”

  “His mother raised him to be prepared,” the Queen assured. The woman slowly nodded.

  “Then we need only hope that the Free Striders are timely,” the woman sighed.

  “I suppose so,” the Queen agreed. “Now go on. I know you have work farther north.” The woman simply nodded, walking away into the shadows. She then paused at the edge of the room.

  “Not north quite yet. I have some friends to see first,” the woman winked with a smile, taking her leave.

  Annloe watched as the three left the room. He sighed, standing to look out into the garden he had worked so hard to maintain. There wasn’t much to do on the isle, so he took pleasure in what was there. All his life and he knew this moment would come. He only wished his mother was able to stand with him, watching the words she spoke come to life. Still, she’d been missing so long. There was no hope left in finding her. The sorcerer frowned. He was destined to be alone, so it seemed. Looking up, he saw something small falling from the clouds. It was a feather, a golden red. So he’d be visited again tonight. Perhaps he could talk some information out of the Wise. Still, that was a long shot. It always was. The Beings’ second in command, she was called. Well, at least by the very select few who knew of her. Annloe chuckled. If she was coming, it was to talk about the next steps in the Dinthlayi Amarca. Reddari walked up and rubbed her fur against Annloe’s leg.

  “Well, dear girl, she’ll be coming again tonight,” Annloe muttered. The fox looked up at him. “Let’s see what the Wise has in store for us after we take care of our three guests.” The sorcerer winked as the fox stretched herself before walking back over to the fireplace.

  Chapter 9:

  “Who is going to go where?” Nathan asked as soon as they reached the safety of his room. Adam sat down on the bed, Drusilla leaning against the window looking outside.

  “I think it would be better if you and I were separated,” Drusilla suggested, a chill in her voice as she refused to turn her gaze. Nathan could feel the bite from her words. She still didn’t want to trust him. Perhaps distance would fix what was left of their friendship, if even it was that.

  “I can agree to that,” Nathan coughed. “I myself would rather look for the sword. Adam, what say have you?” Adam sighed, looking up at Drusilla and then down at his arms.

  “I believe I should go with Drusilla to raise an army. I’m not sure if she and Lu would get along well enough. I also know how to talk to people well,” Adam remarked. Nathan thought for a moment.

  “I’ll be keeping an eye on Lu then. After what I’ve learned today, she may need it. I’m not saying she’s the traitor, in fact I doubt she is, I doubt anyone is, but it would be wise to keep her in line. She holds many secrets for each she shares,” Nathan sighed. Adam frowned, looking at the ground. Nathan could see it clearly now. Adam firmly believed his wife was a traitor to them all.

  “She would be the most likely of us, wouldn’t she?” Adam inquired, looking up again.

  «I›m afraid to say so, but it may just be that,» Nathan sadly confirmed. He wasn’t going to fight at least that much.

  “My only question is which one of us is the heir,” Drusilla remarked, walking away from the window. “I know little of all of you, but I’m certain that it isn’t me.” The room went silent for a moment.

  “She does bring up a good thought,” Adam mused, narrowing his eyes. “You know as well as I, Nathan, that the heir isn’t me.” He was surely trying to urge Nathan out, but the captain wasn’t having it. Until they knew for certain who the traitor was, Nathan would remain in the grey zone. It was safest that way.

  “I’m not quite sure of my family, or of Lu’s,” Nathan coughed. “I suppose we’ll learn that in time. We should be heading back down now, and let Annloe know of our decision.” Adam stood and
ushered for Drusilla to go ahead of him. The three walked down the stairs again to find Annloe staring at the gem, Valtari cleaning away the food and dishes. Reddari was resting next to her owner, sound asleep. Her coat shimmered in the light of the gem.

  “We have reached our decision,” Nathan announced, standing a little straighter. Annloe looked up, studying him.

  “What be thy choice, Captain Rodrick? Tell me,” Annloe inquired.

  “Lu and I shall go for the sword, and Adam and Drusilla shall raise the army,” Nathan explained. Annloe sighed, but slowly nodded. It seemed clear that Annloe was wary of Nathan going with Lu.

  “Very well then. I shall give you some food and drink to leave. You, Nathan, are to head for Anikarra. Beware, lad, for there are great perils along the road. I have given you my warning against Lu, and I enforce it once more. However I shall bless you before you go,” Annloe replied. He rested a hand on Nathan’s shoulder as he motioned for Valtari to go to the kitchen. “I wish for you two to stay the night. Thy journey must only begin with rise the rise of dawn. I caution thee to prepare and sleep well. Worry not over finding clothes, for I have some that will be of better use to both of thee. I know not what you shall face, but I wish it good,” the sorcerer instructed to Adam and Drusilla. The two nodded. “Now go ahead and enjoy the fresh air, after, of course, you have exchanges your parting words.” They walked over to the main doors.