Fire and Gold (Sisters of the North Book 1)

by Mara Amberly

  Alexa laughed. “Sure we do.”

  “I do,” Cassia said, grinning at her sister.

  Alexa’s lips curved into a smile. “I wonder if it’s true that the Arch-Magister can scry in her mirror, to watch us when we leave the temple. That’s what the novices say.”

  Cassia waved her hand, dismissively. “Lies. All lies to keep us on the straight and narrow. You worry too much, my sister. Oh look, there’s the forest up ahead. Josef will be waiting for us. He’s quite handsome, you know? He offered to take me away from here and marry me.”

  Alexa drew a quick breath. Dallying was one thing, but she hadn’t considered Cassia might actually leave.

  “You’ve got nothing to worry about,” her red-haired sister assured her, but there was a look in Cassia’s eyes that left her uncertain. A sense that Cassia didn’t quite know just yet what she would do.

  ***

  It only took a few minutes more to reach the woods. It was an area populated with pine and yew trees, the ground cushioned by pine needles and fallen leaves that were almost springy beneath the priestesses’ sandaled feet. It was rather lovely out here, but Alexa in particular didn’t feel safe in the woods, even with her sister. If any trouble befell them out here, they were dependent on their ability to protect themselves. Their life in the temple was a safe one, but neither sister had forgotten that there was a darker side to life.

  Sometimes Cassia dreamed of the night their aunt and uncle were killed, but the rest of the time she tried to lose herself in more pleasant thoughts. If her conscience troubled her, she tried not to show it.

  “Josef?” Cassia called, venturing further into the woods and closer to a small cabin nestled amongst the trees. It looked to have been there for some years. Its roof was thatched, with patches thinning and others bare. The walls were made of timber from the nearby woods; logs cut and bound together in sections, with the rounded curves to the outside.

  “Must you be so obvious?” Alexa asked, glancing around in a way that she truly hoped appeared less suspicious than she thought it was.

  “Yes I must,” her sister said.

  There were no windows in the cabin, just open shutters. It had a door to the front and this was closed. There was no response from Josef, nor was there sign of anyone else. The women appeared alone here. Cassia hurried forward to open the door and poked her head inside.

  The cabin was cast in shadow, the lanterns unlit. The cabin had a slightly damp and musty smell about it, as it normally did, which mingled with the scent of pine. She couldn’t see anyone in the small room, either hiding or in the open. The cabin only contained one room, which held an old stuffed armchair, a fireplace – now cold, and a single table.

  “Uhh, Cassia?” The red-haired priestess heard her sister’s voice, urging her to turn around. When she did, Cassia saw Josef approaching from the trees with a happy-go-lucky manner about him.

  “Don’t worry, that’s him,” Cassia reassured Alexa.

  Josef was around the same height and age as Cassia, with dark hair and tanned skin. This placed him at around nineteen years of age. Alexa was twenty-four.

  Josef approached in a respectful manner, and he and the ladies filed into the cabin, closing the door behind them. Once inside, Josef embraced Cassia, holding her tightly against him, grateful to have her close after the time they’d spent apart.

  Alexa glanced away as they kissed. It would’ve been scandalous for an unmarried woman, let alone a priestess. As reckless as it seemed to Alexa, she also felt a little jealous. No man had ever kissed her like that before and more than likely, none ever would.

  It was romantic, the way they held each other, as if fighting to maintain their closeness when the world itself was trying to pull them apart.

  “You two have to be very careful. You’re placing yourselves in danger,” Alexa said.

  Josef held Cassia, his expression showing Alexa that he was already quite aware of the fact.

  “If they catch and imprison us, it will have been worth it. We’ll do what we can to ensure they don’t. I’m glad Cassia told you. We’ve been discussing it for a while,” Josef admitted.

  Alexa sighed and sat down in the armchair. “They’d beat her bloody and lock her in the cells beneath the tower for months on end. You could spend years behind bars.”

  She could see neither of them wanted to hear this. The look in Cassia’s eyes begged her ‘please don’t make me regret telling you’.

  “Despite that,” Alexa said to Josef, “you make my sister happy, and her happiness is important to me.”

  His quick smile showed his thanks, but she wondered if he truly understood the full implications of his choice.

  Has Cassia considered what may happen if she gets pregnant? She wouldn’t be allowed to raise her own child. It’s a path of sadness for those who walk it.

  It might never happen or Cassia might run away, but Alexa didn’t want to lose her sister either. It might have seemed selfish but having her at the temple made life better there. Cassia was family – real family, and without her Alexa would’ve been more alone, like every other sister she knew.

  Sometimes Cassia doesn’t think but it’s how she is – who she is.

  Cassia could be mercurial and changeable, independent and passionate. She was quick on her toes and able to change direction at a moment’s notice, just like she did in the training hall. Alexa wasn’t like that at all. More solid and grounded, she was a thinker and a worrier.

  Now she’s given me more to worry about. It seems like sometimes Cassia doesn’t care about her future, and she’s so intent on living life her way that she’d throw it all away. I envy her – that she can do that, because I know I never could, but I worry for her as well.

  Josef glanced toward Alexa and reached out to shake her hand, then stopped when he realised it wasn’t the thing to do.

  “I don’t think I’ve introduced myself. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alexa. You know who I am: Josef.”

  Alexa found Josef polite, at least in a conversational way. He stood while Cassia sat down beside her sister on the chair’s arm.

  “As it is to meet you, Josef,” Alexa said. She straightened her dress, glancing at her sister as she noticed the changes in Cassia with Josef nearby.

  “You should know, we have to meet with the Minister of Justice soon,” Alexa added.

  Josef didn’t seem to know this already, but he nodded.

  Cassia reached out a hand to him, and he touched her own.

  Alexa could tell how much they both valued these moments.

  How long has it been since they last saw each other? Weeks? Maybe months? Cassia must feel lonelier at the temple because of it. I know I would. How didn’t I notice?

  “I’d go with you if I could,” Josef said, gazing at Cassia.

  Alexa smiled, if only because of his eagerness.

  “Sister,” Cassia asked, a small smile forming, “perhaps you could take a walk and give us some time alone?”

  Alexa’s eyebrow rose as she wondered what her sister was planning.

  “Oh,” Cassia said, blushing. “Not like that. We just haven’t seen each other in so long.”

  Alexa nodded, rising from her seat. She took a careful glance outside before she left the cabin, so the two could have some privacy together.

  The day was warm and the woods blocked the view from the road, but Alexa still felt uncomfortably visible here. She walked around the side of the cabin and nearer the trees. It was good to be out in the open for a change and she found the area peaceful. While the temple shared that trait in common, Alexa got tired of staring at the same walls – day in, day out. She loved being a Sister of Destiny and didn’t regret the life she’d chosen. They offered a good, safe existence and they’d taught her to harness and use her magick for good. It felt like a life she was made for.

  She avoided looking back at the cabin. Alexa didn’t want to draw attention to it if someone out of sight was watching her. The pine trees drew her int
erest, and she ran her hand along the rough bark of the nearest tree. Immediately she had a sense of the tree, its energy and the life force that flowed through it, from its roots to its branches, and pine cones close to falling. Alexa could feel the energy of any living being if she touched it and focused. It was one of the lesser magicks, but it gave the Sisters of Destiny a better knowledge of the workings of the world, its plant life, creatures and people.

  It had come innately to her – this empathic magick, as it did for some people. Alexa could remember using it from a young age, watching the wonder in her mother’s eyes as she told her things and tried to explain where they came from. Alexa thought her mother was being silly at first, pretending that she couldn’t see or sense what felt obvious to Alexa, but as she grew, Alexa learned that many people lacked this particular sense.

  Among the temple sisters, to lack this magick was known as sense blindness. Half the order never learned the skill, even with practice. Cassia had learned, but it wasn’t of great interest to her. She preferred fire and showy magick; the type that could wreak change. She always was intense and dynamic. It didn’t surprise Alexa that her favourite magick was too.

  Alexa noticed movement among the trees. She paused mid-step and leaned surreptitiously around the tree trunk. There was a man out there on the other side of the cabin. His hair was dark and long, and the rugged clothes he wore were dirty. He wasn’t someone that Alexa recognised. She watched silently, remaining still among the trees as the stranger walked up to the side of the cabin. She saw him gather up a pile of cut wood that she hadn’t noticed before. It must’ve been left from an earlier time, either by Josef or someone else.

  The front door opened and Alexa saw Cassia standing inside the cabin. No, don’t step out! Alexa wanted to call out to her sister, but it would’ve given away their presence. She hung back silently, and she was relieved to see Cassia close the door. A few moments later, the man strode back into the woods beyond the cabin, carrying logs under each arm.

  Eventually the door opened again and Cassia ventured out and walked calmly over to where her sister was waiting. There was no sign of Josef, so he must have been waiting in the cabin to leave at a later time.

  “That was close!” Cassia exclaimed, brimming with energy and a ready smile.

  “You saw him?” Alexa asked nervously.

  “We heard him out there. Who was he? A farmer or someone?”

  Alexa shrugged. “It’s possible. He wasn’t very clean. Maybe he lives out this way. It seemed like he was gathering or stealing your firewood.”

  “That’s funny. It’s not like there’s a shortage of trees. At least he’s likely to keep it to himself, if he saw us,” Cassia said.

  Cassia seemed sure of herself. Alexa thought her lack of nervousness would discourage others from forming suspicions.

  “It’s a bit odd but I don’t think we need to worry. We’ve never noticed anyone at the cabin before, but we know others stay there. I think perhaps it’s not a very secret place,” Cassia said.

  Alexa was curious now. “How many times have you been here?”

  The red-haired priestess grinned. “Six times now. It’s usually when I’ve gone out for errands. It might’ve been better to sneak out under cover of darkness but the opportunities are limited when they’ve got us locked up in the temple.”

  That made sense to Alexa, but Cassia’s boldness never failed to surprise her.

  “It’s our home and it’s to protect us, and keep us together; that and keep us chaste, which you’re doing very well at by the way.”

  Cassia beamed a smile at her sister. “Thank you.”

  Alexa shook her head, but there was a smile for Cassia. She knew she should’ve tried harder to keep Cassia on the straight and narrow, but what was she going to do? Cassia was a woman, fully grown and she needed to make her own decisions.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The road uphill grew steeper as Alexa and Cassia made their way toward the judicial district. It only took the sisters around twenty minutes to reach it from the cabin, but the road was rocky and not ideal for sandaled feet. They had to stop more than once to remove pebbles. The priestesses passed several buildings and more houses as they approached the complex of buildings that included the provincial guard house, barracks and prison. Four guard towers overlooked the main prison yard and were visible outside. Most prisoners were awaiting trial or execution; few prisoners were held long-term. Cassia and Alexa had visited the prison before to perform last rites. It was expected of the Sisters of Destiny, so that the condemned could make peace with the gods.

  Alexa had been taught that a priestess should understand a wide cross-section of the populace. This included convicted criminals and those they had harmed. Before an execution was carried out, priestesses were called to confirm the gods’ verdict. It was just one reason many priestesses hated this duty so much. A prisoner might also be spared if a priestess crossed their path during their transport. It was perceived as a sign from the gods that they wanted the prisoner freed. While this only happened rarely, it had spared the lives of several men in the city.

  Alexa and Cassia soon reached the prison’s main gates, which were built of heavy-reinforced timber. Guards in blue uniforms manned the gates, each wearing a sash indicating rank. The more ornate the sash, the higher rank the guard was. Cassia looked slightly hesitant as she approached the nearest guard at the gate. He was tall, with a gruff look about him. Cassia thought his sash indicated a sergeant.

  “I’m Sister Cassia and this is Sister Alexa from the Sisters of Destiny. We’ve come to meet with the Minister of Justice, Elio Terell, and perform the sacred rites.”

  The guard looked both women over carefully, which made Alexa uncomfortable. It seemed like he was trying to find something guilty about them.

  “Good morning Sisters. Are you carrying any weapons?” he asked.

  Alexa shook her head, “no.”

  The guard turned to Cassia. Other guards watched on from a distance. “And you?”

  Cassia grimaced slightly, and retrieved a small knife from her pocket.

  “Hand it over, please?” the guard asked, holding out his hand. She did.

  “The Minister has already taken the prisoners to the execution ground,” he stated.

  Cassia gasped, “But we haven’t had time to meet with them yet!”

  Alexa noticed the guards traded glances.

  “If you hurry, you might catch them in time. Janus, show the sisters to him, will you?”

  The second guard nodded and gave the gate a tap. “Open it.”

  It was unbolted from the inside.

  “Follow me,” he said quickly, leading the way through, while Cassia and Alexa hurried after him.

  It was suspicious that they would start early. It was outlawed to kill a criminal in the city without a priest or priestess attending, but the King could overrule this, as could a Minister if acting in his stead. Either Elio Terell wanted to deny these men a chance at a reprieve or he was impatient. It was at the very least rude that the Minister hadn’t waited for Cassia and Alexa to arrive, when two priestesses were undoubtedly on their way. As Alexa and Cassia followed the guard toward the old killing ground, Alexa was surprised they hadn’t stopped in the courtyard instead. That was where executions were normally held. What on Aesteria is going on?

  “Did the Minister say why he wanted to execute the condemned there?”

  Alexa wondered how far she should trust this guard. It might be prudent not to ask too many questions.

  “Orders from the King,” Janus explained.

  Alexa wondered if the Minister should be immediately taken at his word. She reined in her curiousity for now, but she wondered if there was something different about these criminals.

  Could they be nobles or have done something to cross the King?

  The priestesses and Janus the guard reached the old execution ground in the nick of time. There were four prisoners, each bound to a separate post with their ar
ms tied behind their back.

  They don’t look like nobility.

  The condemned didn’t appear well-dressed, tidily groomed or soft-skinned in the way nobility often did. On first sight, they appeared much as seafarers or pirates might to Alexa’s eyes. Their clothes were ragged and heavily-stained. She tried not to pay too much attention to the details, but they had likely been left to rot in cells for some time.

  The look Cassia gave her seemed to imply ‘thank you for bringing me all the way out here so I can watch these poor bastards die.’

  A man in a fine suit strode nearby, watching the prisoners with a wary and distrustful eye. Elio Terell was not a pleasant-looking man. His eyes were dark like the midnight sea and he stared at Alexa in a way that made her uncomfortable. The Minister was almost entirely bald, with tufts of trimmed hair protruding from the sides of his pale head. He had somewhat hollow cheeks and a square chin dark with stubble. A prison guard with red hair stood nearby, along with two others with darker hair and similarly chiselled features – they might be brothers. Waiting close by was a conspicuous-looking man clad and masked in black, and armed with a long-handled axe: the executioner.

  The priestesses noticed that three of the condemned watched them, almost drinking in the sight of them. The prisoners’ eyes held hope, when it was likely none had a chance. Alexa felt ill at the sight and she could tell that Cassia was faring no better. Alexa felt guilty now for bringing her sister along.

  “Good morning,” the Minister offered. He inclined his head towards the priestesses, though his manner was curt and barely polite. “I am pleased to see you made it here on time.”

  Alexa sensed that he wasn’t.

  “I have very important matters to attend to and it was the King’s request that the executions not take longer than necessary,” he stated in a lecturing tone.

  Yes, you seem to be a very important little man, Alexa thought to herself, smiling within.