Wildfire: Book Two of the Everealm Series

by J. D. Wright

  ~*~

  Finn could not believe it. Had he actually been summoned to welcome the entire tribe of Sabras? Here, in Junacave? He was sure that the guards must have made a mistake. However, as he rounded the castle wall, he found himself face to face with over a dozen Sabras, scantily clad in their typical animal hides and furs. Adelphie was standing in front. She smirked at him as he approached.

  “I knew you couldn’t stay away,” he teased. “But I didn’t expect you to bring all of your ladies to see me.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself, little boy,” Adelphie replied.

  “I would never.”

  “My family and I would like to request refuge in Junacave, with the queen’s blessing, of course.”

  “Unfortunately, the queen is not present to hear your request. You would need to appeal to the Steward.”

  “And where can I find this, Steward?”

  Finn smiled and winked at her, much to Adelphie’s annoyance. He summoned servants to escort the Sabras inside, along with the small trunk that they had brought with them. It contained the few items that they had been able to save or salvage from the fire.

  Dahlia handed the reigns of the last two of the Sabra’s horses to a stable boy, then walked over to Finn as the Sabras were led into the castle.

  “I know it isn’t any of my business, but this seems like a terrible idea to me,” she said.

  “Yes. This is a terrible idea. And no, it wasn’t any of your business, but it is now.” He turned to her. “I now declare you First Attendant of the Steward.”

  Dahlia’s face fell flat and unamused.

  “That isn’t a real title.”

  “It is now.”

  “This feels like a punishment.”

  “Does it?” Finn smiled. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction for tormenting the woman who poisoned his best friend, among other things. “You were looking for a way to atone for your mistakes and prove to the queen that you can be trusted. This is your chance.”

  Dahlia scowled, but she didn’t argue.

  “I will fetch the chamberlain to ready the guest wing,” she said, unenthusiastically.

  “Good girl.”

  ~*~

  After parting with Leitis and Zander outside of Taten, it had taken Dagan and Sidonie two full days to reach her Sabra home. To Sidonie’s dismay, her sister and the rest of the tribe were gone. They had ridden as far into the encampment as they could before the ground became too hot for their horse’s hooves to bear.

  Dagan bent down to examine the burned ashes of all that remained of the wooden huts, still smoldering after four days. He tried to use magic to cool the embers, but it was of no use.

  “How is this possible?” Sidonie said. “It’s been several days since the fire. How can the ground still be hot?” She tried to step further on the scorched dirt, but the heat was just too much, forcing her back.

  “I have never seen anything like this before.”

  “I have.” A soft voice from behind made Dagan and Sidonie jump. They thought they were alone but turned to see a woman standing a few feet away. Behind the woman, Rowan was dismounting his horse.

  “Sorry to startle you,” Rowan said, signaling to Dragon to stay close by.

  “I forgot just how quiet your horse is,” Dagan replied. “You must have heard the news, too, then?”

  “We received a message two days ago and left soon after.”

  “All of you?”

  Rowan nodded. “Bree and the others are close behind. I rode ahead.”

  “Do you know where my sister is?” Sidonie asked, hopeful that Adelphie survived.

  “The message we received was short, but it said that the Sabras were planning to seek refuge in Junacave. We figure that they may have already arrived there.”

  Dagan and Sidonie had all but forgotten about the woman standing just a short distance from them, examining the ground below.

  “Is she who I think she is?” Dagan pointed to the woman in question.

  “Yes. That is Rhea, the fairy I rescued years ago, who as it turns out, is a fairy princess.”

  “How did that go? The fairies didn’t burn you alive, I see.”

  “It was… interesting. How was the summit?”

  “Also interesting.”

  As much as Sidonie wanted to sit around and exchange stories of their travels, she was intrigued by what the fairy said when she arrived.

  “Did I hear you, right?” Sidonie asked, stepping closer to Rhea. “You said you’ve seen this before? This fire?”

  Rhea stood up and turned toward them.

  “I haven’t seen it, personally. I am too young. My mother and older sisters have. This isn’t just fire,” Rhea said, nearly growling. “This is the vilest form of magic that any wizard could conjure. A magic that is forbidden.”

  “Oh, hell.” Dagan stiffened. “It can’t be. Who would risk losing their powers, just to burn down a few huts in the middle of the forest? When regular fire magic would have sufficed?”

  “Could someone explain just what you’re referring to?” Sidonie asked.

  Dagan bowed his head. “Wildfire.”

  He didn’t need to elaborate. Sidonie knew that wildfire had been used by wizards during the Shadow War. The same wildfire had killed Dagan’s grandmother, just days after she had given birth to Dagan’s father, Edmund. It was an extremely dangerous magic that was nearly impossible to control.

  “I thought your grandfather forbid the use of wildfire,” Sidonie said.

  “He did,” Dagan replied, “but obviously someone has decided to take advantage of the fact that the Elder Mage is gone.”

  “Gone!” Rhea shouted, unable to control her anger. “How could he be gone? Who will protect the land? The animals?” She stomped her feet, outraged at the idea that another war could be possible without an Elder Mage to oversee the wizards of the realm. It had taken many years and a tremendous amount of fairy power to heal the land and its inhabitants after the war had ended.

  “The summit,” Rowan interjected. “Wasn’t the summit supposed to name a new Elder Mage? Who is it?”

  “We left before he was named.” Dagan glanced at Sidonie, unsure if he should share what actually happened that night, in front of the fairy. He knew Rowan could be trusted, but he didn’t know how the fairies would feel about Sidonie being a sorceress. Especially if they knew who her mother was.

  Just then, the sound of hooves caught their attention. They turned to see Sir Nicholas and Sir Luthias approaching, followed by the royal carriages.

  “There’s Bree,” Rowan said, turning and whistling to Dragon. “Princess Rhea, if we leave now, we should be able to reach Anestas before nightfall.”

  “No,” Rhea said, immediately. “I will remain with you and the wizard.”

  Rowan shook his head.

  “I don’t think that would be wise. You have already been gone for several days. If your mother suspects that you’ve been taken again—“

  “If there is a lunatic wizard spreading wildfire about the realm, you will need my assistance. I have made my decision.” To avoid any further conversation, Rhea turned to walk toward Dragon, leaving the others gaping after her.

  “I wouldn’t argue with a fairy,” Dagan said. “They already let you live once. I wouldn’t push your luck. ”

  “I believe I will follow that advice.”

  ~*~

  Finnley had never been one to pace when he was anxious. But somehow he found himself constantly walking by the courtyard, looking for any sign of the queen. The past four days had been utter chaos in the castle. Planning and executing a royal ball for hundreds of guests was nothing compared to caring for fourteen Sabras. He almost volunteered to leave today and rebuild their homes, himself, if there was a chance that he could rid himself of the disorder that had fallen on the castle.

  He had expected there to be a few snags along the way, especially seeing as how th
e Sabras were so abruptly forced to leave their homes and settle into a foreign place, completely opposite of how they were used to living in the wilderness. Inside a castle, there was order and structure to the daily lives of the people, as well as a certain expectation of behavior. It was blatantly obvious that the Sabras did not meet or understand this level of expectation.

  The first major hurdle came within hours of their stay when Dahlia took the women to the wardrobe to change into something more suitable to wear inside the kingdom. The women absolutely refused every piece of clothing that was offered. Even though Adelphie attempted to persuade them, it was no use. And so supper that night had been a disaster. Every man in the hall couldn’t help but stare at the mostly bare women, drawing evil glares from the ladies in attendance.

  Then there was the food, in which comments were made that the meat was overcooked, there were too many herbs used for seasoning, among other things. Trying to please the Sabras in regards to their chambers was difficult, as well. The women balked at the beds, stating that the mattresses were stuffed with too many feathers. Something that Finn couldn’t fathom. How can a bed be too comfortable?

  But the worst of their behavior arose when the Sabras became bored and decided to practice shooting their bows and throwing knives at their pillows. Then there was the time that one Sabra challenged another to scale the side of the castle wall, drawing all sorts of gasps from the servants and guards below. It seemed that there would be no end to his guests’ unruliness.

  “Please, Finn. Please send me back to the stables!” Dahlia was almost pleading at this point. She would rather shovel manure any day than answer another question about whether her bodice was cutting off circulation to her head. She thought she had seen it all, growing up in Sire, but the amount of rudeness that came out of the mouths of these women was astonishing.

  “Absolutely not! If I have to endure, so do you.” Tending horses was beginning to look like the ideal occupation to Finn, as well.

  Suddenly they heard it—the trumpet, announcing the return of the queen.

  “Finally!” Dahlia nearly shouted. She gathered the bottom of her dress and almost sprinted out of the hall. Finn couldn’t help but laugh as he followed her into the courtyard.

  Chapter Eight

  It had taken two days to put the castle back into working order after the Sabras left to return home. The queen ordered a troop of soldiers to accompany them and assist in rebuilding their huts and barriers. Dagan had offered to place a protective shield around their home, but of course, the Sabras would not entertain the idea, especially having just been attacked by magical fire.

  Dagan and Sidonie had spent the past few days in the wizard tower, pouring over every book and parchment available, trying to find any information they could about wildfire. Rhea stayed close by, observing at first, then finally deciding to assist. So far, however, their search had turned up little information other than what they already knew.

  Dagan sent a message to Leitis, informing him of the situation. He hoped that the wizard may know something useful, seeing as his father had been present during the Shadow War. Even though he sent the message by eagle, it would still be several days before they could expect a reply.

  Meanwhile, the planning had begun for Junacave’s annual tournament, held in early spring. The tournament was a legacy that Breestlin was determined to continue, despite the fact that she knew very little in the way of planning such an event. With Rowan continuing his work with Sir Raymun, training the guard, this left Bree to do most of the planning, herself. Thankfully, the members of the kingdom council had spent many years preparing for the event and offered guidance. Unlike the winter ball, which was mostly limited to Junacave’s more prominent and noble families, the tournament would be attended by people from the entire kingdom and spectators from neighboring kingdoms and townships, as well.

  The tournament was a very important event for the people of Junacave. Boys and men of all ages, could participate during the first week, competing in all manners of sport from hunting, fishing, archery, sword fighting, and the like. Girls and women did compete in the archery and fishing portions, occasionally. The second week was reserved for the squires, who would complete a list of challenges to test their agility and endurance. Finally, the remaining competitors would battle each other in front of the queen.

  There were typically only two ways to become a royal knight, either by heroic deeds performed in battle or through training and selection during a tournament. At this time, Junacave had thirteen knights and all thirteen were chosen from previous tournaments.

  If you were lucky enough to be born as the son of a current knight, you would automatically become a page for your father around the age of six or seven. For the many young men in the kingdom without a birthright, fathers would begin training their sons from birth. If a young boy was able to impress a knight when competing during the first week of the tournament, he may be chosen to page for him, leaving his family behind to live and train in the castle. There he would work for many years under the knight and the knight’s squires, if any. At the age of thirteen, if sufficient skills have been learned, the boy would become a squire and would then be able to accompany the knight during their travels.

  Squires would continue their training and could begin competing in the tournament at the age of sixteen. While it was unlikely that a squire would be chosen for knighthood at such a young age, it was a chance for a knight to boast of his skills at training by flaunting his squire. For any young man, hopeful at becoming a royal knight, this was usually their only chance to show their skills to the king or queen.

  Bree looked across the hall at the furthest table and eyed the squires carefully, wondering which would be the next to wear the royal colors of Junacave--blue and gold. Her seat on the throne was rather lonely this morning. Her mother and Sarita had yet to come downstairs for breakfast. Dagan and Sidonie were sitting across the room with Rhea, discussing magic, she presumed. And Finn and Rowan were off assisting with preparations for the tournament. So Bree was left to her thoughts, which were unfortunately depressing at the moment. She couldn’t help but frown.

  “Your Majesty,” a voice said, taking Bree out of her daydream.

  “Yes?” Bree looked over to find Dahlia, tying her curly blonde hair back with a piece of ribbon. “Oh, Dahlia. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were standing there.”

  “No apology necessary, Your Majesty. You seem deep in thought.” Dahlia nodded toward the fairy, noticing Bree had just been staring in her direction. “I can return later…”

  “I just don’t understand why she seems so at ease with them. She won’t speak a word to me.”

  “Perhaps, it’s because they are alike.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, they have magic, just like she does.”

  “Perhaps… I wondered if I had done something to offend her. What did you come to ask me?”

  “I was sent by Garret to see if I may return to my work in the stables? Unless you require my assistance, elsewhere.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, Dahlia, for assisting Finn during my absence. Of course, you may return to the stables. But I must ask, if given the option, would you rather be doing something else?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, what would you choose to do if given the choice of any work? Anything at all?”

  “I’ve never been given a choice. Not by my father…” For a moment, Dahlia thought of her father, the controlling and vindictive man who had stolen her childhood and convinced her to use her gift of song to spy on other kingdoms. It was the same man who had chosen his love for his dead brother’s wife over his own daughter, leaving her to hang for doing his bidding.

  “Dahlia?” Bree said, softly. She could tell that just the mention of King Silas had affected her cousin’s mood.

  “I would go back to what I did… before,” Dahlia replied.

  “The si
nging or the spying?” Bree hoped that joking about what happened would ease any tension between them.

  “Either, actually. Or both.” Dahlia laughed, surprised at her own response. “I was really rather good at both.”

  “You would choose to be a spy?” Bree hadn’t even considered that Dahlia might actually have enjoyed it.

  “I would if you will allow it.”

  Bree considered Dahlia’s request for a moment.

  “Very well,” she said, finally.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Dahlia replied, giving a quick curtsy to the queen.

  ~*~

  Later that night, Sidonie escorted Rhea to her chambers in the guest wing. As she had during the past few nights, Sidonie stayed with the fairy until she was asleep, then she snuck out of the room. Only this night, instead of going to her own chambers, Sidonie tiptoed down to the first floor and quietly slipped down the hallway, toward the courtyard.

  Rounding the corner, she saw him, dressed in his silver wizard robes. Even though she had seen him in the same robes once before, there was something different about the way he looked tonight. His hair was down and almost seemed to glow in the moonlight. He smiled when he saw her, which made her even more nervous than she already was. Tonight was a special night for her. This would be her first time casting a terra circle. The same circle that had revealed her powers to Dagan and changed the course of her future, forever.

  “Ready to go?” His voice was smooth, which calmed her nerves a bit.

  “Ready as I could be.”

  “You’ll do fine. I’ve seen you practice the spell over a dozen times.”

  “I know…” She just wished she believed the words she was saying.

  Letting Dagan lead the way, Sidonie followed him into the forest. He lit an orb of light in his hand to guide them through the trees. After walking for a while, they finally stopped at a small clearing. Dagan took his robes and shoes off, while Sidonie removed her cloak and slippers, leaving her in just an underdress.