The Flames of Arathia

by Jordan Liberatore

  “Thanks,” Drusilla sighed, walking over to him. “How did you know my heart feels for any?” Adam smiled, leaning in right next to her ear.

  “I pay attention, Sill,” Adam whispered, his lips brushing lightly against the shell of her ear as he pushed past, walking away. Drusilla took a moment to catch her breath before setting aside her plate and walking to the railing. Herto walked forward, a bottle of rum in his hand, his blue eyes piercing Drusilla. She saw herself in him, in a strange way. He joined Drusilla, looking over by the wheel where Adam now stood.

  “I would approve of him, if ever you were to ask me,” Herto remarked. Drusilla could tell he wasn’t that drunk. Drusilla looked over at Adam as well.

  “Is it even for me to choose?” Drusilla questioned, looking back at her father. He is a married man, after all.” Herto sighed heavily, taking a drink of rum before offering it to Drusilla. She thought a moment and took a swig. She usually wasn’t one to drink, but she didn’t mind a glass or two every once in a while. Being drunk was what she hated. Right now though she just needed something to calm her after what had just happened, and not even the last few minutes. No, the last few weeks had clearly earned a drink or two.

  “Poyro’s mother said somethin’ alike to that once. I told ‘er that our hearts know more’n we do. Don’t you go on doubtin’ yer heart now, Drusilla. ‘E’s a good a man as any I ever seen in these waters. Don’t you miss out on the chances life ‘as to offer,” Herto advised. Drusilla slowly nodded, looking back at Adam. She sighed. She wanted more than anything to run up and kiss him as he stood staring out at the sea, but something stopped her. She felt as though the timing just wasn’t quite right.

  Not even an hour later, as the sun was just finishing setting, land was seen on the horizon. At first it was the stretch of valley and sand, but soon they saw port in the distance. As they drew closer and the lamps of the ships hit the ground, along with the little bit of sunlight still left, ruins of ashes could be seen. What was once a village was now a shell. Bits of breeze from the sea air brushed ashes back and forth, a quiet heaviness over the land. The streets were dark, and door frames could still be seen, the doors burned away. Moans could be heard, almost like the crying of souls lost. The ships docked and Drusilla soon found herself standing on the dock. The air was heavy and stiff, whispers of death all around her. Adam, Caleb, and Lillian soon joined her, walking out onto the ash covered streets. Some was human, and some not, though they couldn’t tell the difference even if they tried.

  One step off the dock lead them straight into ashes, crunching under their boats and puffing up into the air. The ashes blown by the breeze made them cough, and it wasn’t that far from their minds that some of it was human. Lillian and Caleb would have known those people, those innocent firebloods. Nothing around them was alive, and there was a strange presence in the air that they just couldn’t shake. This wasn’t a harbor village anymore. This was a grave, and the souls that died there could still be felt. The phantom shadows of the flames could still be seen, or so it seemed, the flames that killed so many people. Drusilla had never felt so numb in her life. Even the trees on the edge of the village were dead, just a shell of what once was. They could hear the cries of children on the breeze calling out for parents. Lillian walked over to the ruins of one of the houses, kneeling on the ground in front of it as she began to shake. “This was my home,” she whispered breathlessly as Adam and Drusilla looked at each other. “This was where my father died.”

  Drusilla sighed, walking up to Lillian and placing a hand on her shoulder. She squeezed, hoping to be reassuring and comforting. She knew what pain that was. She didn’t even have to imagine it. “Come on, let’s find a place to set up camp,” Drusilla muttered, swallowing hard, her mouth dry. She looked over at Caleb who was pale, tears forming in his eyes. Drusilla helped Lillian to her feet, shouldering all of the girls’ bags as she led Lillian to the edge of the town, finding a rock for Lillian to set on. The rest of the ships soon began to join them, all of them touched by the land around them, or rather wasteland.

  The Wise was a shimmer in the cell. The woman on the floor looked up at her. “Now,” the Wise muttered.

  “How?” the woman asked.

  “Use what strength you have and make sure it is done. The time has come. It all starts now,” the Wise urged, fading away. The woman sighed, leaning back against the wall. She looked down at the object in her hand. It was the most dangerous thing she’d ever done, but she had no other choice. It was time.

  Night soon fell, a fire made to protect against the breeze which had now turned into a cold wind. No one was coming until morning it seemed. No one wanted to speak. Adam seemed in a daze, staring at the nearby meadow. Lillian and Caleb had wandered back into the village. The rest of the ships had taken off what they needed to before returning onto ship. Herto said his men refused to sleep in a haunted place. Even now in the darkness Drusilla felt watched, not wanting to take a hand off her dagger. “Did you have a home here?” Drusilla asked. Adam looked over at her.

  “No,” Adam sighed. “I always stayed on Nathan’s ship. There weren’t many of us on crew. Nathan, though, he lived here. His whole life.” Drusilla slowly nodded. The other two returned and they all tried to sleep. Even as they did Drusilla kept hearing whispers all around her. They seemed to beckon to her, calling her name.

  “Chosen,” some of the whispers would call out. Drusilla felt more than uneasy. This wasn’t just a graveyard, it was a village, a large trade village. She could still remember the shock of her own village when news spread of what had happened. Norto was one of the best trade villages in all of Galdirr, focusing on farming. Drusilla sighed, turning over away from the fire. She had just started drifting to sleep when the whispering got louder. She opened her eyes, looking out in front of her. Two figures of light stood there, almost like a dream. Curious and cautious, Drusilla stood, walking towards them slowly with a hand on her dagger.

  One figure was a small child, a little girl. The other was older, tall and slim. She seemed so vaguely familiar, and different from the other somehow. “Chosen,” the taller one called out. She wore tattered clothes and had matted black hair. “I have called upon you. You and your children shall be of great need.” As she spoke, the smaller figure glided towards Drusilla. She tried to scream, but her voice was silent. She was paralyzed, her eyes locked on the figures, the hairs on her arms standing up. She kept staring at the taller figure. She knew she’d seen her somewhere before.

  “You know my brother,” the girl remarked. She looked sad and lonesome. Tell him I still care for him. Tell him I love him, and that it’s okay to cry.” With that she disappeared. The taller woman stepped forward.

  “I am not of them. Follow your heart, Chosen. I am still very much alive. My magic shall fade, so hear my words. The High Elf sleeping yonder shall guide you. Takeith thy dagger and pass it to thy future children, for they shall have need of it. Fearith not what is to pass. The Elven tears are life giving. Their power is great. Save me,” the woman pleaded. She looked around. “My name- my name is-” Before she could finish, the figure disappeared, a necklace left in her place. Drusilla stepped forward, picking up the golden chain. It was old, older than anything Drusilla had seen. There was a pendant on it with a red phoenix carved into the surface. She took it back to the fire, sitting down and examining it. She put it on and, unable to sleep, took to the village again. She walked into one of the ruined homes that still had some walls left.

  Drusilla noticed something on the wall. Curious, she used her flames to take a closer look at the flame fringed drawing. It was of a family: parents with their little girl and son. The girl was the very one Drusilla had just seen, but that wasn’t what caused her to stumble back. The son was Nathan, a Nathan of seven years ago, a Nathan that had lived in that very house. Drusilla slowly returned to camp, dawn threatening on the horizon. Drusilla sat back down, watching the land in front of her. She soon saw a large group of Free Striders march
ing towards them. The rest of the army had arrived. War had officially begun.

  Chapter 4:

  Lu and Nathan wasted no time in starting their travels the next morning. They didn’t have much longer before reaching Anikarra, and Nathan was determined to reach their destination today. “I wonder what the others are up to,” Nathan casually remarked as they walked along. Lu sighed, shaking her head.

  “I refuse to think of them, for that means thinking about that Free Strider,” Lu growled. Her hair was back in a pony tail. She was still a creature of habit. Nathan sighed. He couldn’t help but begin to wonder if he could kill her if he had to. He figured Drusilla would jump at the chance, and Adam would if he absolutely had to. Nathan still had hope for Lu though, wanting more than ever for her to be good. Not every word of prophecy came true, did it?

  “She’s not all bad, Lu. She’s just her own being. I’ve only ever known one other like her,” Nathan argued. Lu looked over at him.

  “You miss her, don’t you? The woman you lost? Adam’s mentioned her once or twice,” Lu inquired. Nathan sighed heavily. The closer they got to Anikarra, the more Nathan found himself thinking of Lillian.

  “I do. Her name was Lillian. She was… a dear friend,” Nathan replied. They come upon a dark and dense forest. The trees seemed sad, the sun struggling to push through them. The air was different there, older it seemed. More sacred. Nathan realized that this was the old capital of Galdirr, the one King Anikarra ransacked after killing Latorro. It was said that the first Queen of Galdirr had chosen this land for a capital because of the power it held. Nathan could feel that power now. Remnants of stone would show up every now and again as the two walked. Nathan could feel the spirits of those that died on that land.

  By midday they had reached the edge of the forest, the walls of Anikarra just beyond them. Nathan and Lu looked at each other and smiled, hearing the birds above and the sounds of the city that was so close. “If we can reach the back, we can climb up into the castle. My mother used to work in the castle before I was born. She told me where the sword would be hidden,” Lu informed Nathan with a smile. She seemed much happier now, and something felt off. Nathan just pushed it aside though, nodding at her suggesting as they pushed forward. They made their way to the back walls where Lu began looking around. She finally stopped near a window.

  “That’s the pantry. We can enter through there,” Lu pointed out. She and Nathan then began to use a nearby tree to climb into the window. As they climbed, something seemed off. Nathan felt it strange that so far they had not seen a single guard as they traveled. He hadn’t thought too much of it at first, but as they entered the pantry, Nathan was more than aware of it. He looked around the room at the shelves filled with fruit. Lu grabbed a nearby apple, still without much of a care. “We’ll want to make our way to the throne room to get the sword. It shouldn’t be hard,” Lu assured. Nathan just glared at her, unable to figure out what she meant. Weapons drawn, the two slipped out into the hall, making their way down and over to the throne room. The castle was too empty and quiet. Something was definitely off, Nathan could feel it. There were still no guards. Lu slowly opened the throne room door with a sinister smile. Nathan’s gut screamed at him to run. Two guards greeted them, weapons drawn only to drop them at the sight of Lu.

  An old man sat on the throne staring with beady eyes peering out beneath a heavy brow, staring right at Lu. He had one arm resting on the arm of the throne, the other hand clutching a jewel encrusted staff. He smiled, standing to greet them. “Eknar, you have returned,” the Galdirrian king welcomed. He bowed, ushering for Lu to step forward. And all too late it clicked in for Nathan. He should have trusted Annloe. Lu wasn’t just a traitor, she was, indeed, the Eknar of the Brethren.

  Norto felt different as everyone began bustling around, securing things to horses and mounting. Drusilla had braided her hair again, staying close to Adam as the sun finished rising. She hadn’t said a word yet about what had happened to her, about what she’d seen. She didn’t understand it herself, but felt as though she had to heed the advice given to her. Within an hour they were starting to ride though, led by the Free Striders. Drusilla began to wonder about what was going on with Nathan. Each step brought them closer to Anikarra, closer to war. “What if we don’t get there in time?” Drusilla inquired, looking over at Adam. He looked back at her with sad and fearful eyes. It’d obviously crossed his mind, and probably Lillian and her people had considered it as well. How could they not? They knew him.

  “I’d rather not think about that,” Adam sighed, “but in that case we may as well dig our own graves.” Drusilla slowly nodded. He was probably right. Without the heir, they had no chance. There would be no claim to the throne. The war would be over with the end of Latorro’s line.

  “I’d want to die fighting,” Drusilla remarked. It was already afternoon by the time the open meadows broke into lines of trees. They were passing into Northern Galdirr now, into territory Drusilla knew. These trees were home, or as much of home as she’d had in the last four years. She began to look around at the Free Striders. She recognized some from passing by, but was keeping an eye out for Luther. It was hard to find anyone though, as their small army had just about tripled or so since Lillian’s village. It wasn’t until they stopped for some lunch that everyone began to break out in their own groups. Lillian’s people were huddled to one side, and the Free Striders formed their own groups.

  “You know, I’d die fighting by your side,” Adam mused, handing some food to Drusilla. The two were sitting towards the edge of the groups. Drusilla slowly nodded.

  “A few weeks ago I didn’t think I’d ever have anyone say that,” Drusilla pointed out. Adam smiled.

  “There was no need, was there?” he inquired. Drusilla laughed.

  “I guess you’re right,” Drusilla agreed with a sigh. She looked around. “It’s strange. Lokko’s only about an hour’s ride east, maybe a bit more.”

  “And you know that offhand?” Adam questioned, raising an eyebrow.

  “I taught her well,” a voice replied from behind them. Drusilla turned, seeing Luther sitting down to join them. She smiled.

  “I was wondering if I’d see you,” she laughed.

  “I was wondering if I’d see the day Drusilla joined a war,” Luther teased. “Who’s the Elf?”

  “Adam Brightheart,” Drusilla replied. “Adam, this is Luther, the man who made me a Free Strider.”

  “You’ve done well by her,” Adam pointed out. Luther smiled.

  “I only gave her nudges in the right direction. She’s a natural, Mr. Brightheart,” Luther argued. Drusilla just rolled her eyes.

  “It’s been too long, Luther,” Drusilla sighed.

  “I’d say. I know that cloak, and I wonder why you’re wearing it,” Luther remarked.

  “Ride with me when we get moving again. It’s a bit of a long story,” Drusilla suggested. Luther nodded.

  “Sounds fair. Will your Elf friend join us?” Luther asked. Adam and Drusilla looked at each other.

  “I was actually going to check on mother’s men,” Adam sighed, getting up to walk over to his people.

  “Mother’s men?” Luther questioned, raising an eyebrow.

  “He’s the son of Queen Avariana,” Drusilla explained. Luther slowly nodded.

  “Getting in with a prince,” Luther chuckled. “It makes sense.”

  “Except he’s married,” Drusilla argued. Luther studied her a moment.

  “Do me a favor, Drusilla. If I die in battle and you happen to end up with that prince, name your son after me,” Luther instructed. Drusilla laughed.

  “Maybe you should have named Declan after yourself then,” Drusilla teased. Luther smiled.

  “He’s a good boy, Drusilla. Now. Let’s clean up and you can tell me that story of yours. I’m dying to hear it,” Luther winked, getting back up. Drusilla joined him with a smile, ready to tell her story for once.

  Lu began to pace the room, letting down her
hair. She shook her head, eyes locked on Nathan. “You didn’t actually think I’d let the heir to the fireblood throne come and steal the fireblood sword, did you?” she questioned with a smile. “Oh Nathan, Nathan, Nathan! You can be so naive sometimes! I never was going to let you live! You were the first one I wanted dead, boy.” She turned to the king, one hand on her hip. “Have your men take him away after I finish this,” she ordered before spinning back around with a sigh. “You know, I faked the poison. I only gave myself a bit of it. The Alatarik listen quite well to my commands, as well. Yes, I did kill my brother by the way. He deserved it. He let you and that other girl, Drusilla, live. He was going to leave the Brethren for her. He suddenly found he had a heart for a Free Strider and a boy he saw in passing. Still, I have to ask. You never guessed about me, did you?”

  “I never had reason to,” Nathan growled. Lu frowned, shaking her head in disappointment.

  “I know that Adam was starting to figure it out. I’m sure the old bat of a sorcerer warned you as well. You’re just naive. You constantly grieve the loss of Lillian, but could you ever live with yourself for hiring her indirect killer? How about that sister of yours, Alyssa? Could you live with that? Take him,” Lu commanded sharply. The guards came forward, dragging Nathan off. Lu looked down at her nails with a sigh.

  “Will there be anything else?” the king inquired. Lu looked back at him.

  “Are my chambers prepared?” Lu sighed. The king nodded. “Then I suppose I should go change. Find the boy. Throw him in with the heir. I’ll deal with them later.” She stormed out of the throne room, making her way through the halls. “Beings, it’s good to be here,” Lu muttered, running her fingers through her hair.