Fire and Gold (Sisters of the North Book 1)

by Mara Amberly

  “Let’s stop here for a while and take a break,” Brigita said. She was relieved to sit down on a nearby log and rest her aching feet. She wasn’t used to this kind of walking and her age didn’t help.

  “Are you alright, Brigita?” Cassia asked, sitting down beside her and kicking off her sandals. Her feet were painfully blistered and she’d fantasised about submerging them in an ice-cold river.

  “Oh yes, quite alright,” Brigita answered painfully.

  “I‘ve been talking with Knave,” Cassia said, noticing he was listening as he sat down on the ground nearby.

  Knave took a swig of something from his canteen; more than likely not water this time.

  “It looks like we’ve decided to stick to the walking tracks as much as possible and join the main road before it leads into the pass,” she said.

  With a nod, Brigita confirmed this. “It seems logical but hopefully it isn’t too predictable. Let’s see what we’re facing as we make our way up there, and I would suggest we be wary of ambushes. Knave, would you be open to scouting ahead to ensure the way is clear? You’re less likely to encounter an immediate response if the Nemorans are there because you’re a man.”

  Knave read the situation differently. “I’m happy to scout ahead but I might still be attacked by them. As far as I understand it, they’ll kill people they consider in the way. If they know I’m travelling with you, then I would be. Nevertheless, it may be for the best.”

  Brigita opened her bag and retrieved her canteen of water, taking a much needed drink. She was trying to preserve it, but she could only do that for so long when they were walking much of the day.

  “Cassia, I want you to prepare to cast fire spells if they’re needed, and Alexa, what is your forte again? Air?”

  The blonde sorceress grimaced. “I don’t really have that much of a forte, Sister Brigita. I would say lore and history, but that’s of little use here. Air would be the closest element as I have attained mastery. It reminds me I still need to teach you both the message spell. Magister Kelcedone is also waiting to hear from us. Knave, are you a sorcerer?”

  It may have been tactless to ask straight out, but Alexa shared the trait of directness with her sister.

  “Not much of one,” he said simply, giving a shrug of his shoulders. “I prefer to leave matters of magick to those who are more inclined that way and know what they’re doing. There’s probably only one thing I use it for and that’s to help my stealth along a bit at times that I need it. I prefer a reliable weapon or the element of surprise.”

  Cassia recognised it immediately. “That’s air magick, because you’re changing the air to hide yourself or mask your footsteps. Alexa can do that too.”

  Even though they’d been through so much, Alexa could see changes in Cassia already. Being consigned to the temple had dampened her sister’s spirit, but like immutable flame, Cassia had reclaimed her passion and her strength, as well as her anger.

  Alexa saw the burning of the temple as a turning point for Cassia – a way out, if she chose to take it, but Alexa believed that sooner or later, Cassia would’ve left the temple anyway. She was born to be a warrior and she valued her freedom. Alexa felt that once this fight was done, her sister might no longer find meaning in remaining with the Sisters of Destiny. Knowing what she did now, Alexa was surprised that Cassia had remained a sister of the order for as long as she had and that she still was. It makes me wonder what else I might be wrong about.

  Alexa was sure though that Cassia would never leave like Hermea had done. If she was going to go, she’d make it known and she wouldn’t choose a time like this when she was needed. It was hard to see things clearly when such a grievous injury had been dealt to the Sisters of Destiny, but she was sure of this all the same.

  Anger and a desire for vengeance had taken root in Alexa’s heart in ways she wasn’t entirely comfortable with, as she was normally such a calm and peaceable person. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she blotted them away. She tried to control her emotions but there was no stopping the tears. She sank down on the ground and cried her heart out for the life she’d known and loved, for her sisters – so many of whom were now dead, and for those who mourned them, just as she did. She cried for Cassia, and for the uncertain future that lay ahead for them all.

  Alexa didn’t understand how or why the malice of strangers could do this to their lives, to something that enriched so many people – not just the sisters at the temple, but the lives of those people they helped and like Knave, those people they saved. It was sickening.

  Alexa rubbed her eyes, kneeling on the dirt and leaves, feeling them almost fresh and calming beneath her as she cried out her rage, hurt and all of the pent up anguish that until now had remained trapped inside. She felt a hand on her shoulder and knew it was Cassia. Alexa only cried harder at this. Alexa wasn’t sure what her sister would do, but then she heard Cassia start to cry.

  Cassia sat down with her, where she wrapped her arms around her sister in a hug. There, the two sisters cried together, while Knave averted his eyes and Brigita watched them in sadness. Alexa didn’t think they’d be the same again after what they’d seen and done – nothing would be; the world was a different place now, as were they.

  Their tears slowly lessened, but not before Brigita had blotted away many of her own.

  They took the time to recover and regain their composure before Alexa tried to contact Magister Kelcedone again. She stood between trees, with the other priestesses beside her.

  Alexa smiled at the ladies, much more calm and at ease now. “I’d suggest you try to remember the words of the spell as I say them.”.

  “Indeed I will,” Brigita answered with an encouraging smile.

  “Me too.” Cassia was feeling impatient but tried not to show it.

  Alexa breathed and began to recite the spell. “Element of air, spirit of the world’s breath, hear my plea. My words are borne on the wind, our breath is as one and my words carry on your currents. My message is thus: Magister Kelcedone, this is Sister Alexa. We’re near the bottom of the mountains and should reach the city in due course. Trainee Hermea has left us,” she hesitated, choosing not to mention Knave. “Has there been more news? How do things stand in the city?” She broke the communication there and waited.

  The sisters traded glances, unsure of what the Magister might ask of them, though they yearned for news.

  They waited quietly, giving the Magister time to respond. She might not be available to communicate with them presently but the only way to know was to wait.

  Knave helped himself to some of the remaining food, which he was sure hadn’t been poisoned.

  The reply from Magister Kelcedone took a few minutes but Alexa glanced meaningfully at the others when she heard the Magister’s voice.

  “Sister Alexa, the political climate of the city has changed and it’s dangerous out there. Kelbani is supposed to be a free city but it hasn’t been that way in a long time. A segment of the population has chosen to re-assert its freedom. I don’t believe they are allied with the Nemorans, but you will need to be careful reaching the temple. It’s worrying that Trainee Hermea has gone. Is it a reason for concern?”

  It took time for Alexa to repeat the message to Cassia and Brigita, and send another message herself, but she thought it important to do so quickly.

  “We will bear the political climate in mind. I don’t see that we have much choice unless we meet our Kelbani sisters on the road instead. Hermea told us she was returning to her family. She left in the night and we found a note she left for us. As for the risk, I don’t know.”

  There was another wait before she heard again from the Magister.

  “That is troubling. If you see Trainee Hermea again, I would encourage you to be wary of her. Several trainees at our temple have been implicated in the attack. They let the enemy in, so it’s possible that she was working with them as well. Farewell and check in again when you’re closer to the city.”

  As soon
as Magister Kelcedone cut the message, Alexa repeated the Magister’s message to the others.

  “That’s not good. Hermea probably was working with them,” Cassia said.

  Brigita looked upset but she was reluctant to jump to conclusions.

  “Hermea – you know, I’m sure I’ve heard that name before,” Knave said, after he’d finished off his meal.

  “I think it was someone at the inn. A young woman. She ordered a meal and socialised a bit before she went on. I remember, because I thought ‘that’s a real religious-sounding name’ and now I know why.”

  A look of worry passed between Cassia and Alexa.

  “We don’t know that she would ever help the enemy,” Brigita said, but there was no denying that she had doubts too.

  Cassia’s calm demeanour evaporated. “We should leave immediately. It will increase our chances of making it there safely.”

  “If we’re going to be travelling through the woods, we need to pay attention to our surroundings. We’d stand out like a sore thumb if we’re hurrying along the trade road so we avoid it. If you want my advice, I’d say travel over land further west and steer clear of Kelbani for the time being. Chances are they’ll be waiting for us or following us. Spend a few weeks living out in the countryside, find somewhere to stay – a farmstead perhaps, and keep out of trouble until things settle down. I can’t see it would do a lot of good putting yourselves at risk, and is there any hurry to reach Kelbani? What is there to gain by getting back to your sisters that much sooner?”

  Brigita gave him a nod of respect – Knave was a voice of reason, but there were real risks to living out in the countryside as well. It would give the enemy time to find them, especially if the Nemorans already knew they’d come this way.

  “Kelbani is our home now. We may not remain there, but we need to re-group with our people,” Alexa said.

  “Do you?” Knave asked.

  “Have you considered that if you’re all together, you’re easier to kill?”

  That didn’t make sense to Cassia. “Isn’t the conventional wisdom that people alone are more easily picked off?”

  Knave gave an exaggerated shrug, “maybe, but look what happened to your own temple. What did strength of numbers get you there?”

  Cassia wondered if he had a point, but this was different.

  “It was a coordinated attack,” Alexa said, “and we didn’t anticipate it. There hadn’t been trouble in so many years. Our people will be more vigilant now.”

  I’ll bet they will, Knave thought to himself.

  “I still think our best chance is with the others. If we stay out here, even way off the trade road, the enemy is likely to find us,” Cassia said, worriedly. “If the mountain is as rugged as they say, it may also be dangerous to try and make our way up there at night. I think we’re going to have to chance travelling during the day more often.”

  It seemed to Knave that the priestesses had made up their minds. “The Nemorans know how to reach the temple in Kelbani now and they could again. In fact, I’d be surprised if they don’t still have spies in the city, if not soldiers. Out here, each of you could be any woman, not necessarily a priestess. That said, I was never one who liked to be driven away from those places where I felt it was my right to be. If you feel you should be there, then I will help you get there. It’s probably about time that I mention I have some history with people in the city.”

  Cassia smiled, “here we go.”

  Alexa looked him in the eye and was surprised when Knave blushed. She hadn’t meant to do that. The scoundrel was obviously working his charm on her without realising it. It seemed odd that she could make Knave uncomfortable; like she’d gained some power over him.

  “What do you ladies feel is best?” Brigita asked, knowing that their lives might depend on the decision.

  Cassia voiced her thoughts. “If returning to Kalle isn’t an option – sorry, I would prefer to go to Kelbani. We can disappear into a crowd of people in the city there much more easily than we would out here, and we wouldn’t be reliant on water from the inns, even if we could catch our own food out here.”

  Alexa could see reasons for either decision, but she agreed with Cassia. “It makes sense to meet up with the other sisters, either in the city or on the road. I think we need to go there and find out the full situation for ourselves. It will give us the opportunity to properly plan for the future in an informed way, and see what measures we can take to reclaim and repair the Temple of Solitude. We know more about what happened than anybody else and we could be of use to Magister Kelcedone and the others from the Temple of Victory in helping to secure the future of the order. I would not be content living out in the countryside when our sisters may need our help.”

  Brigita smiled proudly at Alexa’s explanation, because she respected the way Alexa spoke out of loyalty. “It is settled then,” she said, glancing in Knave’s direction.

  “Well I think you’re all crazy,” he said with a smile, “but I will help you. As for the people I know there, chances are you’re looking at part of the rebellion.”

  Surprisingly, Brigita looked pleased. “Oh good.”

  Her reaction drew amused glances.

  Alexa found some comfort in the decision to continue on course, though it left her feeling at risk as well. She resolved that whatever happened, they would get through it one step at a time together.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Time passed in the forest, light filtering through the dappled foliage as the priestesses re-packed their dwindling food. Cassia could tell they weren’t the best at rationing, especially when they’d started out a bit hungry the day before.

  Alexa swung her sling bag over her shoulder and approached Cassia. If her sister hadn’t come with her that day to the prison, perhaps neither of them would be alive.

  “Do you remember the words of the message spell?” Alexa asked both ladies, though some time had passed since she’d last cast it.

  “Yes,” Brigita answered, and Cassia nodded too.

  “That’s good. Would you repeat them back to me, without the intent behind it?”

  They both spoke at the same time, their words not quite overlapping.

  “Element of air, spirit of the world’s breath, hear my plea. My words are borne on the wind, our breath is as one and my words carry on your currents. My message is thus.”

  Alexa smiled approvingly, “that’s it exactly.”

  Cassia grinned, “You’ve said it over and over again, every time you send Magister Kelcedone a message. It isn’t that hard to remember. I imagine, given enough time I’d get sick of hearing it – and saying it.”

  Alexa was already there. “I think each of us will need to be apart when we learn the spell, rather than just walking together. It’s distracting if we can hear each other when we communicate. I don’t like the idea of our being too far apart out here when danger may be headed our way, but a small distance would be all we need Maybe you could each move into the woods a small way and try it before we go. Send me a message one at a time, and then I’ll try sending one to each of you.”

  Knave found the idea interesting. “I’m going to watch this. Maybe try it for myself as well.”

  Cassia raised an eyebrow at him, “I thought you didn’t like magick?”

  He shook his head, “nah.”

  Alexa grinned. The mysterious Knave confuses me again. “Cassia, why don’t you go out there first, just a small way?”

  Cassia shrugged, “alright.”

  Alexa called after her, “just far enough that we can’t hear each other and for goodness sake, watch out for cultists!”

  She heard Cassia’s cackle as her red-headed sister strode away.

  The trees were sparse enough that Cassia could walk a fair distance before moving out of view. Magick was her ally, just as it had been a pain in the ass in its own way throughout her life. The classes, the training and the memories attached to it made her want to avenge her fallen sisters all the more
. Arch-Magister and High Priestess Orelle would’ve lectured her on her thoughts had she chosen to voice them, but the Arch-Magister was almost certainly dead.

  Cassia reached the edge of a small gully – which disappointingly lacked any water, and decided that was far enough. She paid attention to her surroundings and tried to soak up the serenity of the woods. She also looked for places the bastards she wanted to kill might be lurking, but there was no sign of enemies or even friends.

  Eventually she calmed and centred her thoughts. Her mind began to clear; it was more of a challenge than usual because her emotions were stirred up. As she breathed easier, she almost didn’t want to kill any more Nemorans. Almost.

  Cassia wanted to speak with Alexa, so she said the words of the spell calmly, holding on to her sense of Alexa, as if she was holding the chain of connection that bound the two of them together. It may have been her imagination but she could feel its strength.

  “Element of air, spirit of the world’s breath, hear my plea. My words are borne on the wind, our breath is as one and my words carry on your currents. My message is thus.” She smiled as she considered what to say. “My sister, Alexa. What do you say we hunt down some Nemoran scoundrels together and kill them with our wickedly sharp blades?” She tacked on a quick, “did that work?” then let the message drop.

  She waited for a minute, then decided that was quite long enough when they should leave in a hurry. There was no reason it should take any longer than that for Alexa to respond. She was sure it hadn’t worked when she heard a familiar voice in her head.

  “We will kill them together, sister. Yes, that worked. Well done!”

  It was odd – Alexa sounded close, but Cassia wouldn’t have confused her voice with one in her surroundings because it was inside her mind. Cassia started to respond, then remembered she had to cast the spell again.