Girl of Fire

by Gabrielle Mathieu

  “How did she take over Delphine?” Berona asked.

  “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions.” As someone with metal affinity, Oberin organized all the facts before making up his mind.

  “Meaning, what if Delphine just slipped, as she claimed?”

  He nodded. “One of my concerns. That’s why I asked you to join me after lunch. I can defend the camp against outside influences, but not against those inside.”

  “How would I recognize an agent? Would that person lie or do things that didn’t make sense?”

  “Possibly. The Demon exerts her influence subtly.”

  Berona brushed some hair out of her eyes. “It might be Ilse.”

  Oberin hesitated. Naturally, jealousy would play a role in Berona’s statement, but he shouldn’t discount it out of hand. Ilse and her brother, Alse, had appeared in early spring at the hut of a Mannite healer, who referred them to Hirschi after hearing Ilse’s plea to join the sect. Based on Ilse’s ability as a Finder, Hirschi agreed to take them. The siblings came from a minor noble house close to the border of the Duchy of Ducat; only Hirschi knew their history.

  Berona said, “Perhaps you don’t believe me. But she does lie.”

  “Tell me.”

  “When Hirschi tries to teach her self-defense, she acts as if she doesn’t know how to hold a dagger. But one time when she thought no one was around, she took it out, sharpened it, and practiced. She’s good. She doesn’t need tutoring.”

  Oberin thought that Ilse might have other reasons to conceal her ability. He’d observed Kea’s pride at being able to help her.

  “You think I’m jealous,” Berona challenged. “But that’s not it. Kea’s set her aside.”

  This was too much. Oberin banished his natural caution. Better he said his piece now than wait until it came out at an inopportune time. “Kea and you have taken matters too far. I’ve even heard talk of a trothing. It’s a distraction you don’t need.”

  Her head came up sharply. “I’ve learned all the lore you shared, and I’ve heard no complaints from Kendall.”

  “You bear a great responsibility. You must remain focused on your challenge.”

  “Kea and I are in love.”

  He felt like a man ripping apart a flower in the first flush of bloom. “You are in love, Berona. Fire types fall in love easily. He’s your first. He won’t be your last.”

  Her eyes flashed. “I’m not like Kendall, easily entertained by anything that comes along.”

  “But he’s like that.” He sighed. “I stay with them now, in the Yellow hut. Kea visits Ilse’s bed some nights.”

  Her mouth quivered. “How could you say that? He loves me.”

  “Did you tell him he could continue his liaison?”

  Slowly she shook her head.

  “Then he is deceiving you, getting what he can from both of you.”

  She saw the truth on his face. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I’d like to go practice now. May I be dismissed?”

  “I told you for your own good,” he cried out after her, stung. He would have never treated her like that. Even worse, he might have had a chance with her himself. He was well-favored, he knew; women had made that clear.

  Now he would become the stern mentor who crushed her heart. He almost followed her, wanting to offer comfort. And lovemaking. He had been chaste for a long year, but Oberin knew his way around a woman’s body.

  His father’s words of advice, imparted in the last letter, held him back. “You have a special destiny, son. Wait for this destiny to find you, and then you will understand. It will require everything of you: your heart and your body. Whatever you do, do not give in to temptation with Berona.” It was a very specific warning.

  His father had sacrificed his life among the Mannites for Oberin. He’d returned to his estranged wife to raise his son properly and ready him for this future.

  Oberin sat down, and held his head in his hands, letting himself remember Berona’s full lips and expressive eyes. It was a small consolation.

  CHAPTER 36

  Berona

  I spent the afternoon holding back my tears.

  On the training field, I whirled around in a battle frenzy, only to find that Moab had stepped out of reach. Kendall rapped me smartly on the ribs with the flat of her sword. “You’re not concentrating. Take a break, gather your thoughts.”

  I stalked off the field, feeling humiliated and surly. Kilgad and Moab parried. Nearby, Hirschi, weaponless, had disarmed Ilse once again.

  I eavesdropped, taking pleasure in Hirschi’s frown as he held the dagger out to her. “You must learn. All Yellows are required to master a weapon, in case an enemy should seek to capture you.”

  “My wrist hurts. Couldn’t I go study the crystals with Alse and Kea?”

  “You’ll practice till you get it right.” They began again.

  Kendall moved to my side. “Hirschi is the best we have at unarmed combat. That girl will never keep her dagger, even with another year of practice.”

  “She’s a liar and a whore,” I muttered.

  “Feeling spiteful today?”

  I moved away from her.

  “I’m talking to you.”

  I walked deliberately toward the trees, not responding to Kendall. I could feel her eyes boring holes into my back. Though her silence accused me, I needed to tend to my hurt alone.

  * * *

  I stayed out way past supper, until I heard Kendall calling me. My hands were numb from the cold, though I’d been curled up in the shed behind a woodpile, on a sheep pelt. I left my hiding place, moving like a sleepwalker.

  “You missed supper,” she said.

  “Just leave me be.”

  “We have a full day of training tomorrow. Do you know how big those Elementals are? As big as a cave bear. And swords don’t kill most of them. Even magic ones.”

  When I didn’t answer, she raised her torch and looked at me searchingly. “You’ve been crying. Upset over Kea?”

  “Does everyone but me know about Ilse?”

  “He’s with you most of the time.”

  “Why does he go to her?”

  “Why did I sleep with someone else while Hirschi risked his life traveling to the Elementals’ Keep? Because life is short and lovemaking sweet?”

  I must have glared.

  “Ah now. Don’t take it like that. Perhaps we should have a drink. Let’s go to the dining hall. It should still be warm from the fire. I’ll find us a wineskin.”

  * * *

  Never one to waste time, Kendall handed me a pile of leeks to slice for tomorrow’s soup and took out her knife to tackle the carrots.

  We drank our first glasses hastily and in silence. After a bit of time, Kendall noticed the hill in front of me.

  “Berona, stop. We have enough cut leeks to last us a month.”

  “Why does he lie with Ilse?” I said, slightly drunk.

  To my surprise, Kendall answered. “She says he’s the best she’s ever had. He loves hearing that.”

  Anger blazed up in me. “Unlike you both, I can’t make that claim. He’s the only one for me.”

  Kendall gave me a considering look. “I was two years older than you before I had my first lover, and my heart still belongs to him. I know you’re upset. I’ll ignore your hostile remark…this time.”

  A sob shuddered through me. “Why am I not enough?”

  “Think about it. Yesterday, I whetted your magic sword, while Oberin took you off for another one of those secret conferences. Namur made you a potion of clary sage and mandrake root while Rheyna mended the torn batting on your fighting vest. Moab grilled you some lamb, and Kilgad groomed your beater so you’d have more time to study. You’re more than an acolyte. You’re our champion.”

  “Are you saying Kea resents me?”

  She took a sip of wine, frank eyes studying me. “Sometimes I resent you. I never got this much attention when I was training.”

  “Kea lied to me,” I muttere
d.

  “Did he? He told Ilse he loves you.”

  “I don’t want to share him.”

  “Then you’d best go talk to him. I don’t want to see you on the training field in this state. Someone’s likely to get hurt.”

  * * *

  I’d managed to hold off till the next morning, though I hadn’t slept most of the night. After sunrise, I drank a cup of calming valerian tea and took a seat by the hearth, where I could watch as everyone fetched their tea.

  I was surprised and relieved to see Hirschi carrying his travel pack when he stopped in for a bowl of gruel. I didn’t want witnesses to my misery. “Merry meet. Will you be gone today, Master?”

  His eyes were opaque when he turned to me, a darker shade than usual. “One of the horses needs a shoe. I’m going to the village smith.”

  Next in was Oberin. He dipped his cup into the cauldron of sweetly smelling tea—Rheyna’s favorite blend of mint, lemon balm, and mountain thyme—and brought it to his lips. His bright eyes flickered with green as he studied me. I squirmed under his gaze.

  “As Biruac would say, you look like hell.”

  “Hell is a construct created by Intercessors to frighten the illiterate population.”

  He smiled. “Shandon’s pupil to the end.” Then he became more serious. “I’ll be gone today, but I think you’ll be pleased when I return.”

  I tried to smile. “Are you bringing me a gift?”

  “In a way. We’re low on lamp oil, and we still have so much to study.” He gave me a sad look. “I’m sorry I hurt you yesterday. But someone had to tell you.”

  A bitter taste filled my mouth. “Goodbye, Oberin.”

  * * *

  I stood in front of the Yellow hut, shaking with nerves. Kea, Ilse, and Alse were all inside. I had hoped to find Kea alone, but he hadn’t come for his tea, and I couldn’t sit still any longer.

  I sighed and slammed open the door. All three looked up at me, startled. Ilse smirked. Maybe she really was the Demon’s surrogate?

  Even as I had that thought, I had to face the truth. There was nothing unnatural about her. Her lust, her need, were purely human.

  But I still hated her in this moment. It was a good thing I hadn’t brought my sword.

  “Get out,” I said, through gritted teeth.

  She pulled on Alse’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”

  My intended sat in a relaxed posture, a smile softening his perfect features. Only his blue eyes betrayed his uneasiness. “Are you not feeling well?”

  “I know that you visit Ilse’s bed,” I said.

  He didn’t deny it. Instead, he said, “I love you. I’ll be so honored to have you as my consort.”

  My fist went flying out, banging on the table, making us both jump. “Consort? Who do you think we are? The Duke and Duchess of Ducat? Are you trothing to me for prestige?”

  “I always hoped we’d be together.” Like a lie from those shabby fairytales.

  “And Ilse?”

  “It makes her happy. You displaced her, after all.”

  Now I’d gone full tilt from nervous to furious, and my temper rocketed out of control. “Happy? You want to make her happy? You shallow boy! It’s all about you, the attention you get. It’s not enough for you to have one woman. You need more. You know why that is? Because under that fair face and facile cleverness, there isn’t much there.”

  If I had struck him, I couldn’t have hurt him worse. Tears welled up in his eyes. “I didn’t mean any harm. It was only a night here and there.”

  We stared at each other, the words I’d said slowly replaying in my mind.

  What did I really think of him?

  “I’m a good person. Loyal. Why would you say such awful things about me?” he said slowly, his voice thick with sorrow.

  “Because I don’t trust you anymore. And I won’t troth with you either.”

  “I’ll prove I love you.”

  It was the last thing he ever said to me.

  CHAPTER 37

  Berona

  I was jumpy as a skinned cat after our fight. My thrusts went wild, and I nearly fell when I lunged. Kendall pulled me to the side but didn’t start her lecture. Instead, she wrinkled her nose. “I smell smoke.”

  I did too. It was late morning, and the Greens’ hearth fire should have been banked until lunch. I looked around, shocked to notice the thatch roof of the Red hut burning. Where had that come from?

  I quested with my mind, seeking out a connection with the wisps. I received a confused impression of grim faces under red knobbed helmets from our ethereal guardians.

  The blood drained from my face, and I grabbed my sword.

  Moab and Kilgad swarmed to me. “What is it?” Moab demanded.

  “Amur’s Chosen.” My breath came tight. “They must have a catapult. They’re burning down the camp.” Another pitch-soaked torch soared through the air and landed nearby as I spoke.

  “Get your shields. Berona, fetch the Yellows. Moab, bring the Greens to me,” Kendall barked. “Kilgad, grab the war hammer for yourself, daggers, swords, and shields for the others.”

  I sprinted to the Yellow hut. Kea stood outside, sniffing the air. “We’re under attack,” I yelled. Kea, Ilse, and Alse ran after me to the practice field, where Kendall had most of the horses saddled.

  Kendall stuck the bit in the mouth of the last one and helped Namur, the elderly Green Master, climb up. “What a day for both Hirschi and Oberin to be gone.”

  “Oberin might know what’s happening,” I pointed out. “He rode off not too long ago.”

  “What can he do? On horseback, there’s only the carters’ road out, and the Cherry Tops must be waiting there. They’re forcing us to flee.” She turned to the others. “We fight our way through but wait for my signal. Try not to kill anyone. The Priest-King can have all the Mannites hunted down if he chooses.”

  As we fled down the carters’ road, we saw ten fighting men and an Intercessor. Three men had bows trained on us; the rest were armed with swords. Before catapulting the torches onto our thatched roofs, they had dug a deep trench between the road and the trees, in case the fires spread to the forest. Kendall frantically waved a white rag and the Intercessor gave a tiny nod. She drew ahead of us. “Why do you attack our camp? We’ve made no trouble for you, broken no laws.”

  The Intercessor, a large man with shrewd eyes, said, “We received information that the girl, Berona, is here. She’s wanted for the death of the Southern Intercessor.”

  “What makes you think she’s with us?”

  “We know she’s with you.”

  I shivered. I had always expected the traitor would kill me himself or hand me over to the Water Demon. I didn’t think I’d have to deal with men from my own land.

  The Intercessor narrowed his eyes. “Be reasonable. Hand her over. We’ll let the rest of you go. We don’t want a slaughter any more than you do.”

  Kendall stared back at the Intercessor, thinking. I had no doubt she would fight to protect me, but we were outnumbered. I craned my neck, hoping to see Oberin. Instead I saw a flash of faded green rags as a figure crept along the ditch by the side of the road. Georsi was heading into the camp, despite the fires.

  “I’m losing patience. What’s your choice?” the Intercessor said.

  A throwing knife thunked into his chest. He slumped over, then tumbled off his mount. Shocked, I turned to see that Kea had dismounted, using his horse as cover from attack. He had thrown the knife.

  “Ya-a-h,” he screamed, and ran. Most of the soldiers gave chase. Three remained, stunned, by the body of their fallen commander.

  In the resulting confusion, Kilgad and Kendall rammed through, Kilgad whirling the war hammer and Kendall using the flat of her sword to batter at the soldiers. I spurred my horse into the gap. The rest followed, as far as I could tell. We rode harder and faster than the Greens. Moab fell behind to protect them. We had hurriedly agreed on a plan before riding out. We would split up, to avoid all of us getti
ng captured. There was a well-hidden cave on the way to Yassin where we would all meet. Those who arrived first would wait for the others.

  Kendall rode with me.

  * * *

  Shortly before midday, we reached the cave.

  Kendall and I drew our steeds toward the opening, whispering the soothing words that Hirschi had taught us so we could pull them into the dank enclosed space. Inside, there were a few supplies stored for exigencies: blankets, a bale of hay, two wine bags, and some dried jerky. There was also a crystal that could be spelled to glow with light, but Kendall and I didn’t know how to do that.

  I heard her take a slug of wine, and then she felt in the dark for my hand. The wine was old and sour, but I drank half the bag at one go. My breath still labored like the bellows of a forge, and I was close to tears.

  I had ridden ahead because I was the one chosen by the prophecy, but right now I hated being special. I’d been forced to desert my friends. My heart ached for Kea. His desperate act of bravery gave us the chance we needed, but what would happen to him? My anger at him drained away. I just wanted him alive, even if I had to share him with Ilse. Let him be alive, please let him be alive.

  Deep inside, I knew the Water Demon had made good on her promise again.

  When Kendall pushed the dried meat to me, I tried to chew and started retching. “Who betrayed us?” I whispered.

  “Probably one of the idiot carpenters. Our circus troupe story was flimsy.”

  “No. It’s too much of a coincidence, Hirschi and Oberin being gone.”

  Her voice seemed to come from far away, as if the words cost her dearly. “Hirschi said Amur’s Chosen set on them, and he got away with a blow to the head while they killed Shandon. What if they let him go in exchange for information?”