by Jordan Baker
"I am sure of that, for if you take away our titles, the years of court politics, the war and the differences between us, he is a man of honor and he is my friend. I have always known this, even when Borrican would irritate me with his ridiculous jokes, or when his uncle would try to put us together, hoping for a match, I still knew that he was of a true heart and would defend me in an instant. Would I not do the same for him? I do not know the meaning of the gift his father gave me, and truth be told, I am a little angry with King Eric for not telling me about it, though I suppose he did in his own way, but this gift can help him somehow. I know it as surely as I know my own name, and I must get to him and soon. You say I am not permitted to know of the secrets of your order, and I am glad you have decided to trust me. I promised Borrican's father that I would not speak of this gift, but I have trusted you with the truth of it, as much of it as I understand. So, no matter what is between us, no matter what difficulties we face, we have shown trust to one another. I will put aside the hurt that I have not been invited to know of this order of yours, and trust in your wisdom in that, but I am asking for you to trust me about the gift of fire. Perhaps there was some bargain in it from King Eric, but it did not matter then nor does it matter now. If this gift can help save Borrican, then I will use it."
"Ariana, you honor us with your words," Margo said. "We have not known one another long, but we have fought side by side in battle and I have observed your actions and found you to be honorable and true. I would gladly recommend you to the order."
"I have already made such a recommendation," Keira said. "If Margo were to do the same, and others as well, then you would be invited to join the circle. I suspect you would already have been given a ring bearing the symbol of the leaf were not for the chaos of the war and the fact that we left on this journey so quickly."
"Thank you, Keira, Margo," Ariana said, looking at the two women who sat on either side of her. "I am sorry I have been such a difficult burden of late and I truly am grateful for your trust."
Both of them nodded, smiling tiredly at her and Ariana was relieved that some of the tension between them was now gone. She felt a flood of warmth run through her, as powerful as the anger that burned within her, and though she was surprised and confused by the intensity of her emotions, she did not fight them, for they were truly glorious. Her tears began again as she reached out to both of them and pulled Keira and Margo into a joyful embrace.
"I do not know what is happening to me," Ariana said, smiling and crying. "But I do know that I must find Borrican or he will die."
"Then we must find a way to get you out of here," Keira said as Ariana released her from her arms.
"I am not afraid," Ariana said. "And this power I have gives me strength. I can fight."
"Dala is too fast and too strong, and her people share her abilities," Margo said. "I do not know how they are able to move so quickly, and from their movements I can tell that they are very skilled fighters."
"There is an aspect of magic that makes it possible to change one's strength and speed," Keira said. "Most elven warriors can do this, much the same way that we can affect the world around us, especially living things. It is part of elemental power to be able to do such things, and it takes many forms. There are even stories of a people in the desert, called the Ansari, who have perfected this way of power, and not only can they become strong, or move quickly, they can even change their shape and become fearsome creatures in battle."
"Shapeshifters?" Margo had heard of such a thing, but had always thought of those stories as old legends, though after what she had seen at Kandara, with the Akandra family and their ability to shift and change to dragon form, it only stood to reason that others might be able to do the same. "I have heard of the Ansari, but did not believe they had such power."
"The desert people have kept to themselves for many years, but we elves have very long memories," Keira said. "Perhaps the people who live in this desolate place are like the Ansari, warriors of power, who live away from the rest of the world. If Dala and her people are Rangers, and it appears that they are, perhaps it has something to do with their oath. Perhaps they are watching these lands. It did not occur to me before, but is also possible that they are Watchers."
"Watchers? There haven't been any watchers in the order for generations," Margo said.
"Watchers?" Ariana was confused. "What are watchers and what are they watching for?"
"Fire and shadow," Keira said. "Such things take many forms."
"You speak of fire and shadow, and watchers and both of you know what you know because of your secret Ranger order, but I don't understand." Ariana said.
"The ancient stories tell of fire and shadow, and the battle between them. We keep watch for signs of fire and shadow, but not simple fire or normal shadows, it is truefire and the dead shadows, with which we are concerned," Margo told her. "Long ago, there were three parts to our order, Rangers, Watchers and Defenders, and they did exactly as they are named. Rangers traveled the lands, searching for signs, Watchers kept watch over things that might need watching and the Defenders defended places that were to be kept safe."
"That is correct," Keira said, smiling at Margo. "You have true knowledge of the order."
"I have learned much but still seek wisdom," she replied, and Ariana got the impression that her words meant something more among the members of the order, something Keira would understand.
"Before you only spoke of Rangers," Ariana said. "Why didn't you mention Watchers and Defenders?"
"The order is not as powerful as it once was," Keira said. "To my knowledge, there are only Rangers now, though now I am not sure about these people."
A gust of wind blew into the dark chamber and the three women rose from the bed of furs as Dala entered.
"Come," she said to Ariana. "You are to be given that which you seek."
"What do you mean by that?" Ariana asked.
"Come," Dala said. "The fire awaits."
"I will not go with you," Ariana said.
Dala drew her dagger from the strap on her leg.
"You are powerful, but do not think to challenge me, for it is your power that now flows within this blade," she said and she flipped the dagger over and showed them the large jewel embedded in its pommel. The stone pulsed and swirled with energy and Dala's eyes took on the same look for a moment. "That power is now mine, should I choose, and thus you would die by your own hand. I have already killed you once."
"Then why did you save me?" Ariana asked.
"You were not yet judged," the woman said, flipping her dagger back around and sliding it back into its sheath. "Your life was not my decision to make."
"And whose decision is it?" Keira asked.
"You should know the answer, if you seek the truth," Dala said.
"What does that mean?" Ariana asked.
"It means that Dala does not know," Margo said.
"That is as it is," Dala replied. "Come. The truth of fire awaits."
"What do you mean by that?" Margo asked.
"Do you seek truth?"
"Yes, we all seek truth," Keira answered.
"Then come."
Dala pushed back the heavy curtain at the entrance to the chamber and led them out into the cold. They walked through the collection of stone dwellings, past the circle at the center of the habitation, where many of the people were waiting, who then followed along as they made their way out of village toward a dark haze of smoke nearby. After a time, Ariana noticed the air growing much warmer and she felt the ground growing hot under her bare feet as well. The path upon which they walked was smooth and well worn, apparently from years of people walking upon it and it led between high rocky crags that rose up before them.
They passed between high cliffs and broken rocks that loomed on either side of the path and came to a wide, open flat rock that ended with a sharp, sheer drop that overlooked a sight that struck Ariana and her companions with both fear and wonderment. Beyond the edge of
the rock plateau was a sea of red, orange and black, of heat and fire, of molten rivers of lava flowing among rocks, paths through what looked like mountains of black stone. Dala led them toward the far side and stood near the edge of the cliff, then she turned to the three women.
"The truth of fire," she said. "Here, in this place, where the blood of the earth flows, where stone bleeds hot, as the rock holds the fire, the truth of fire is kept from the world. Those who would seek the fire, thinking to control its flame, can learn the truth of fire among the flames."
"I have heard of this," Keira said, stepping back, away. "A sea of fire. It is horrific to behold."
"What is this place?" Ariana asked the elven woman.
"It is a crack in the world," Margo said, answering for Keira, whose expression had gone stark with fear and revulsion. "The histories of the order mention it, but I never imagined what it might look like."
"Then this is the truth of fire?" Ariana asked.
"I do not know," Margo said. "The way Dala speaks it is difficult to understand her meaning, but I think she and her people believe it is."
Ahead, through the smoke, on the horizon between the rocky cliffs, Ariana saw something move, a familiar shape, moving through the sky. A moment later, a screech echoed across the lake of molten rock, the unmistakable call of dragon. Ariana felt her heart pounding in her chest and she could almost feel herself being drawn in the direction of the mountainous rocks and the rivers of fire. She stepped forward, moving closer to the edge of the cliff.
"Princess," Margo said, her voice urgent.
The dragon roared again in the distance.
"Hear the dragon's call," Dala said. "Creatures of fire they are, chaos and destruction embodied in flesh. In this, their domain, where they devour the fire and kill without mercy, we stand watch, ever mindful that they shall not return. We will watch their way."
"We will watch their ways," said the gathered people, their voices in almost perfect unison.
It was strange to hear the villagers speak when then had been so silent, and it caught Ariana, Keira and Margo off guard. Suddenly, they felt hands grip their arms as several of Dala's people appeared beside them, holding Keira and Margo in place while Ariana was pushed forward, toward the edge of the cliff by a man and a woman, one of them on either side of her.
"It is decided," Dala said to Ariana. "You are a seeker of fire and thus you will be consigned to flames, that you may know the truth of them."
"What?" Keira was appalled. "What decision is this?"
"It is the decision of the three," Dala said, turning to her with an accusing look.
"The three?" Keira asked. "You are Watchers. You are but one of the three."
"We are the three," Dala said.
"We are the three," the people intoned her words.
"Like the roots of the tree, we are many yet one. By the order of the three, we seek, we watch and we defend," Dala said.
"That is not the way of the order," Margo said. "That is not truth."
"It is the truth of fire," Dala replied. "This one seeks fire. There is no doubt of this."
"I do not seek fire," Ariana said. "I already have the gift of fire, and you will unhand me."
Ariana channeled the burning power within her into her limbs, giving herself strength and speed, throwing off her captors. She focused her power on moving faster, mimicking the way Dala had shifted from place to place, with abrupt but deliberate steps. On the way to the lava flows, she had noticed that one of the villagers carried her belongings and she grabbed the jeweled dagger, then she turned and made for Dala. Ariana stopped a few paces short of the woman when she saw Keira and Margo being moved toward edge of the cliff by the villagers, and the anger within her burned hotter still.
"Release them," she said, calling the fire from within her.
"You endanger them with your fire," Dala said. "You endanger us all."
"You think I fear you?" Ariana said, her question almost a growl. "You think I fear the fire? You have no quarrel with Keira and Margo, for they are of your order. I am not, but I am the rightful Queen of Maramyr, Princess of Solari and yes, I have the gift of fire. That is my truth and you would kill me for it?"
"The fire must be watched," Dala said. "The fire must never return, for it will bring the shadows, and the burning of the world."
"You have been breathing too much of this noxious smoke," Ariana told her and she raised her voice so the other villagers could hear. "The world already burns and the shadows have returned while you sit here, idle at the edge of the world."
"Lies," Dala said. "We have watched the fire."
"Ask them," Ariana said, glancing over at Keira and Margo. "They know the truth. You might learn from them, those of your order, those who seek the truth, what truly goes on in the world."
"It has been decided," Dala said, advancing on her. "You seek the fire, and you shall know it truly."
"You wish to send me to the flames?" Ariana asked, and she disappeared from the spot where she had stood then reappeared, standing at the edge of the cliff, looking over the burning sea of lava. "Then you shall have your wish, for I do not fear the fire. It will not harm me."
She looked over at her friends and smiled, then with only her dagger in her hand, she dove off the cliff, and disappeared into the wavering heat and the dark red glow of the lava below.
CHAPTER THREE
Cerric walked through the streets of the city, surrounded by a contingent of soldiers and observing the revelry of the people as night fell. The tournament had proved a successful attraction, especially with the plentiful fare on offer to the contestants and the arrangements that had been made that food and drink be sold cheaply to any and all who came to the city. Warriors had traveled from across the land and half of the surrounding countryside had flocked to Maramyr to watch the countless matches taking place. The treasury was bleeding coin at the cost of it all, but such things mattered little to Cerric. Soon, none of it would matter, and it amused him that so many had willingly walked into his trap.
The entourage of soldiers approached the large, stone temple that had recently been built at the center of the grand square, surrounded on all sides by the temples of old gods that had fallen from memory, relics of an irrelevant age. The mage priests had offered to tear down the other structures, but Cerric wanted them to remain for a short while longer, that they should stand witness to his supremacy as the one, true god. He left the soldiers outside walked in through the great doors of his temple, entering the grand chamber.
Inside the temple, the mage priests paused in their tasks, turning to bow their heads to him in respectful obeisance as he passed them, each of them bound to him and subject to his will. He felt their energy flowing through the lines of power that connected them to him, like an ever present vibration, and he felt the far stronger pulse and hum of the crystals that had been affixed throughout the large chamber and linked with others that were in the process of being placed throughout the city. At the center of them all, in the middle of the chamber, suspended above a pedestal was a much larger crystal that glowed like a star in the night sky, a focal point of power. Already infused with the energy of numerous mage, it would be further augmented by the rest of the crystals that would soon gather energy from the city and its people. Cerric walked toward the crystal and could feel the immense power collecting inside it and though he hungered impatiently for it, he knew it was only a portion of the greater power that would soon be his to control.
"Your grace," said one of the mages as she approached him.
She was a woman Cerric vaguely recognized as one of the first of his followers, recruited by Dakar many years ago. Through the thread of power that tied her to him, he peered into her mind and discovered a vague emptiness, her thoughts short and simple, as though she was little more than a set of simple questions to be asked and answers to be given. He looked deeper into her consciousness and found echoes and fragments from a time not long past, when her thoughts were clea
rer, with purpose and determination, and he remembered her name.
"You are called Yanick," he said.
"Yes," she replied.
"You are one of my most faithful."
"Yes, your grace."
"All of this, you have overseen, from the start."
"Yes, your grace."
"You shall be rewarded for your devotion."
"Thank you, your grace," she said, nodding tiredly.
Cerric walked up to the pedestal and looked down at the book that lay open atop it. He recognized its pages for the represented aspects of his own shifting thoughts. The image on the open page was of the crystal and a pair of eyes with the empty look of unquestioning obedience, lovely eyes that belonged to the mage who stood silently next to him, awaiting his command.
Cerric reached his hand up toward the large crystal that hung above the book and an arc of pure energy leapt to his fingertips and began to flow. The power that poured into him was exhilarating and he fought the urge to take more of it. As powerful as he was, such raw spirit was still seductive and tempting but it was necessary for the ritual, one that would bring him far more power than this, and with it he would forever change the world. He lowered his hand and took a deep breath, releasing the connection and looked down at the book. Cerric was surprised that it still showed the image of the woman's eyes, which had left his mind more than a few moments ago, and he watched as the page shifted to a different view of the crystal with an arc of power and his hand reaching toward it. He thought it strange that the images would change so slowly.
Cerric focused his power through his connection to the book and sent an image of utter darkness to it, a glimpse of the power within him. The change should have been immediate, but once again, it took several moments to shift. Cerric reached out toward the book and touched its pages, feeling its power and he immediately knew that it was not the same book that had been there on his previous visits to the temple. This book was only a copy.