The Blaze Ignites

by Nichelle Rae

  It seemed to take forever, but I reached Forfirith at last. He hadn't moved from his spot on the ground, but he was alive. He even lifted his head to nuzzle my face as I approached. “I'm glad to see you too,” I whispered, stroking his neck. Forfirith whined at the sight of me bleeding from the mouth and head. “I'm okay,” I lied. “It’s you I'm worried about.”

  I began to examine the arrow wound in his chest, though at various times I had to close my eyes when the ground and sky began spinning. After a moment, when it passed, I continued examining the wound. “It's not in any vital organ,” I whispered. “I can mend this.”

  I groggily got to my feet as blood still dripped down my chin and forehead; I had to close my left eye to keep the stinging blood from seeping into it. My knees wobbled and my body teetered, forcing me to hold my arms out to my sides until I was steady. I wiped the blood from my eye with my sleeve and fought to keep my lids open as I continued walking forward, despite the battle going on around me.

  “Lady, stay down!” an unfamiliar male voice called. His voice was loud, but sounded like it was underwater. My hearing was failing; the Gods know my sight was failing! Everything was a black hazy mush.

  I slowly turned in the direction from which the voice came, but I couldn't make out anything. “I can't!” I called into the night. “I have to save Forfirith!”

  The shadow of a man on horseback came into my watery vision. I couldn't make out any details of his face as he dismounted and quickly came towards me. As he approached, the ground and sky began spinning again. My pain seemed to increase ten folds and the dizziness made me nauseated. Before I could see anything, I fell forward into the stranger’s arms. Everything went black.

  The foul smell of flesh burning and a splitting headache brought me to an unpleasant awakening. As soon as the light entered my eyes, I had to snap them shut to spare myself from the searing pain. The sun was pretty high in the sky, so it must have been at least eleven in the morning.

  “Oh Lords of Casdanarus.” I groaned and rolled onto my back. I gazed about as best I could, having to squint and shield my eyes to somewhat protect them from the blazing sun. I was still in the clearing, but in a well constructed bed of many blankets. Peering around, I tried to recall the events of last night. As they came back to my memory, I brought my fingertips up to feel my lip. There was only a slight swelling and a small split now, which surprised me given how hard I’d been hit. I reached to feel my forehead, only to find a cloth wrapped around it.

  When my eyes adjusted better to the light, I saw many men scattered around the field. Some were atop horses, others were walking on their feet, and all of them were clad in the most beautiful bright metal suits of armor I’d ever seen. The metal was shaded in more colors than I could name. I wondered in awe how they managed to not only create such a vast array of colors, but dye metal to display those colors. I’d never heard of dying metal. As I looked on, I realized that I’d seen them somewhere before. I couldn’t place where, but then again that hit on my head probably knocked away half of my life’s memories.

  My attention was drawn to where a bonfire had been made. It wasn’t wood that fueled this fire, but the bodies of Gibirs. I curled my lip; that explained the grotesque smell. Burning flesh, especially Gibir flesh, was probably the worst smell known to mankind.

  I looked around the field for Reese with a slim hope that he survived last night’s assault. I didn’t see him right away, but there were 100 people wandering the clearing and 100 tents, so he could be anywhere if he was alive. I attempted to get to my feet to find him, so we could get back on the road. Ortheldo was still way ahead of me, and being passed out for as many hours as I’d been had put me even farther behind him.

  I thought I had my feet planted firmly as I stood, but my legs wobbled and my body swayed awkwardly, as if the ground were made of liquid. I held out my arms to steady myself. It was useless. I yelped as I began to fall backwards, but a pair of arms caught me from behind before I hit the ground.

  “You don't seem to know when you are incapable of walking,” a kind voice said. “Don’t know whether it’s stubborn bravery or sheer stupidity, but I’ll keep from guessing until I know you better.” The arms lowered me back onto my bed.

  “Thank you,” I said as he moved to squat in front of me. I almost choked on my breath when I saw him. I had to stop myself from gasping and flinching so I didn’t look like a fool. I took in the sight in front of me and barely believed what I was looking at. All time seemed to stand still as I gazed upon the amazing—and I would go as far to say unnatural—beauty that displayed before me!

  His face was even more flawless then a Salynn’s, which I hadn’t thought possible! I almost thought he was a Salynn but he didn’t have any Sallybreath Flowers in his long blonde hair. He had very sharp, well-defined cheekbones chiseled into his creamy, fair skin. His pink lips were so perfectly shaped that I felt envious for a moment. His big eyes were a very clear, shining blue. They peered at me gently from under thick blonde lashes and perfectly shaped eyebrows. The top of his fine blonde hair was pulled into a braid at the back of his head while the rest of it came down to gracefully fan out against his broad shoulders. His hair shone brightly, as if the sun’s very rays were bursting out of every strand, caressing his handsome features, making him look absolutely angelic and unworldly.

  I couldn’t bring myself to speak or look away. This made him break into a smile that would blind the Light Gods. His suit of armor was a deep blood red color that covered him from shoulders to toes. He looked to be Ortheldo’s age, but with more wisdom in his eyes than one at that age should possess. For the first time, I noticed the crown of leaves and berries upon his brow.

  I could barely make myself speak the next words. “I beg your pardon, Your Majesty.” I tried to control my voice and recover from the shock of seeing such a beautiful creature, but I failed miserably.

  He surprised me by laughing. The melodic sound was light and airy and just as beautiful as the rest of him. “No, my Lady. This”—he tenderly touched the crown—“only allows me to be recognized as a leader. I’m no majesty, so it’s okay that you fell on me. I won’t behead you.” I smiled. “My name is Yarin. I’m the leader of this group you see before you. We are known as The Metallic Riders, or Gleo`gwyns.” He smiled. “Choose our name as you like, Fair Lady.”

  That’s who they were! I remembered having passed them by when Beldorn and I were traveling. These were the men who had saved Ortheldo twice and now had just saved me.

  “I apologize,” I said and placed a hand on my bandaged forehead. “I must have been a troublesome burden for you and your men to save and mend.”

  “Troublesome burden?” He said with a cheeky smile. “If it hadn't been for your distant scream, that band of Gibirs may have barreled down on top of us as we slept. You probably saved a lot of my men’s lives last night. For that, any trouble you may cause will not be considered a burden.” Both he and I laughed softly. “Please, may I have your name? Many of my men have been asking,” he said with a wink. I felt my cheeks turn crimson. “They wish to know about the fair and valiant lady who took on a band of Gibirs by her lonesome.” Yarin’s tone was half joking, half genuine.

  “I’m Azrel,” I said, “and I wasn’t alone. I had a Salynn friend with me, a Salynn of Rocksheloc Mountain.” I swallowed heavy. “Is he alright?”

  “Well met, my lady Azrel,” he said cheerfully. “Yes, Reese is fine. He went to gather your and his arrows from the enemy corpses.”

  I nodded and breathed out in relief. “Thank you.”

  His smile could have set stone on fire. “I would like to check your wounds now. Then I'm afraid I must parade you around to meet my riders. They’ll never forgive me and probably disown me as their leader if I don’t.” Both he and I laughed again. “After that, I ask to have the pleasure of your company when we sit to eat and you tell us your tale.” He began unraveling the bandage around my head. “I’m curious to know why you were riding
so late, especially in that odd darkness last night.”

  Yarin dropped the bandage to the ground and placed his soft hands gently on my cheeks, drawing his face very close to mine. He examined the cut just above my left eyebrow, then the one on my lip. I felt no pain, just his warm breath on my face. He gently ran his thumb over the cut on my lip, sending fires licking down my spine.

  I ignored the sensation and turned to a thought that was nagging in the back of my mind. Something clicked and I gasped. “My horse!” I cried, suddenly remembering he had been hurt. “Is he all right? Where is he?”

  Yarin rested his hands on my shoulders to comfort me. “He is perfectly fine. His wound was easily mended.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief and looked down. “Thank you for taking the time and effort to save a stranger’s horse.”

  He smiled. “Well, I saw how you can wield a blade and I witnessed you shooting arrows in a night that would blind the sharpest Salynn and not missing a single target. I also saw you walk carelessly among a battle field, though injured and unsteady, to aid your horse. Factoring all these elements together, I figured I had better save him if I valued my life.” I burst into hearty laughter. The sound of it caused him to burst into laughter with me.

  “Your cuts look well, my Lady. Come, I’ll aid you to your feet.”

  He took my arm and draped it behind his neck, then gently placed his other arm around my waist. He counted to three and we both stood up. I leaned on him a great deal as I tried to find my footing. I was still weak and unsteady.

  As I walked with him through the camp, I noticed many of the men’s eyes and heads followed me. Many smiles were shot in my direction and some even pointed and whispered among others nearby. I blushed as we passed a group of seven who all smiled and bade me a fond good morning. Then they all laughed gently at making the “Lady Warrior” blush and cast her eyes downward. I wasn’t used to such positive, friendly treatment from men. It felt rather nice.

  When I looked up again strength surged through me! There was Forfirith walking tall and strong as a Metallic Rider, clad in a metal suit of an odd yellowish color, led him forward. Forfirith caught site of me and reared up on his hind legs, neighing and kicking his front feet.

  “Forfirith!” I cried. I left Yarin's side and lightly jogged to my horse. He touched back down as I approached and I affectionately wrapped my arms around his neck. “I'm so happy you’re okay.” I stroked his neck and face as Yarin came up and pet him as well.

  There was something special about the leader of the Gleo’gwyns, yet something strange. The energy about him was strong and familiar, but what it was I couldn't recognize. It was almost as if we’d met before, or should have met before if that made any sense. It was…it felt like I knew him somehow.

  Glancing at him occasionally, I wondered how it was possible that someone so painfully handsome didn’t have a woman dangling at his heels. Or more curious, why didn’t he have every woman in Casdanarus dangling at his heels? He must have broken so many hearts when he left from wherever he’d come from. Women, no doubt, must have flocked to his door. I believe I could safely say that he was actually perfect. I didn’t know such beauty existed.

  “Come,” Yarin said after a moment. “You must meet my riders. Then we will eat and be off together or on our separate ways.”

  I turned back to look at his face of impossible radiance. “Can I ask where your travels bring you next?” I was hoping to get a hint as to whether Ortheldo and everyone with him was in danger at all, since the Gleo’gwyns did nothing but ride Casdanarus to help travelers in need.

  “Our travels bring us wherever we wish or wherever we are needed.”

  I gazed at him, narrowing my eyes. “How is it you know when and where you’re needed?” I meant it as a simple curious question, but my tone came out more suspicious than I intended.

  He smiled. “That’s a secret I cannot share with you just yet.”

  I smiled and followed him away. It took him more than an hour to introduce me to all his men, and I was anxious and impatient the entire time. Every moment I lost was more distance Ortheldo put between us. I tried to be pleasant and gracious because two of their comrades had been lost in the battle with the Gibirs and because these men had also saved Ortheldo twice.

  Finally he took me to where the food was. I saw a familiar figure standing by conversing with a few riders. “Reese,” I said in relief.

  He turned, smiling that heart-palpitating smile. “Azrel,” he said, also relieved, and closed the few steps between us. He embraced me fully, even picking me up off my feet for a moment. He put me down and looked at my face, particularly my two injuries, his smile fading. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you properly,” he said softly. “I hope you can forgive me.”

  I grinned in disbelief. “Reese, you jumped on top of me and took an arrow for me. There’s nothing to forgive.”

  He smiled appreciatively. “Well, at least I can repair the damage done to your beauty.” He dragged his fingertips down my entire face. I closed my eyes and felt the tingle of his magic on my lip and the gash on my forehead. By the time he reached my chin, the lingering pain was gone and so were my cuts.

  My eyes opened and I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” he said, his grey eyes twinkling.

  “Alright, let’s eat. We have to get going. We are so far behind.” Reese nodded and both of us sat down around a small table. A Gleo`gwyn in cream colored armor set a bowl down in front of each of us. I looked up at him and smiled my thanks. He replied with a smile of his own and a wink.

  “Tell me, what’s your hurry, my lady?” Yarin asked as he sat down across from us.

  I looked in his eyes as I chewed, wondering silently how much I should tell him. He seemed trustworthy and the way he was looking at me now made me want to tell him my whole life story if he wanted to know it. There was something magical about the leader of the Metallic Riders. The things I was feeling for him weren’t natural. They couldn’t be natural, could they?

  I swallowed my food. “I left something of great value with a friend of mine and I need to get it back.” I quickly realized he could ask about the valuable thing, and I wasn’t so sure I could lie to him if he asked me right now. It was like my entire soul was bare to his eyes and I couldn’t hide anything even if I wanted to. So I changed the subject. “You know him actually.”

  “Who?”

  “My friend.”

  “I do?”

  “His name is Ortheldo. You found him once in winter, nine years ago, probably close to the bank of the Ambuel River. More recently you saved him from two Legan’dirs in the far west.”

  He looked perplexed for a moment, then smiled at me. “We save many beings my lady. I’m sorry, but Ortheldo doesn’t stand out in my memory.”

  I nodded and went back to eating, though I thought that was a little odd. Ortheldo said that he had spent some time with the Gleo’gwyns when they first found him. I supposed, though, that they did save a lot of people, and that was nine years ago after all. Nine years was probably an eternity to this group.

  “Can I ask you something?” Yarin asked. I nodded. “If Ortheldo is such a dear friend, where is he? Why isn’t he with you and Reese?”

  I gave him a soft smile. “It’s a long story.”

  “One that we can’t make time for,” Reese said beside me. I nodded my agreement.

  A few minutes later, Reese and I finished the last of our stew and rose from the table. “Thank you for everything. I’m sorry I can’t explain right now, but we really have to go. My friends are in danger.” With a smile I turned and started walking away towards Forfirith.

  “From what?” Yarin called from behind me.

  I looked at him over my shoulder, “Everything Evil.”

  Yarin then stood, too, and jogged to my side. He gently took my arm to stop my retreat. “What valuable item is he bearing?”

  I pressed my lips together not wanting to say anything. “Som
ething I never should have given him. It was my responsibility.”

  A look of genuine concern came over his face. “Azrel, if your friends were in danger we would know about it.” He looked at some of his men nearby who nodded their agreement. “Please take that to heart. Our point of existence is to know these things. Your friends are safe. Please sit and finish eating with us.”

  “I can’t. I’m sorry.” I gently pulled away from his grasp. “I need to find him before danger does. I couldn’t live with myself if something happen to him. I thank you all very much for helping us and I’m sure we’ll meet again. Goodbye.”

  As Reese and I started off again, Yarin’s high-pitched whistle from behind made us stop and spin around. Suddenly the entire camp was in commotion all around us! Some men attached bags to horses, others packed dishes, some ran to horses and mounted calling out commands, a few put out fires, some pulled down and packed up tents, others collapsed tables and packed them up as well. In the time it would have taken Reese and I to get to our horses and mount, all one hundred Gleo’gwyns were packed up and mounted waiting to depart.

  “Light Gods Almighty!” I cried, my jaw practically touching the grass.

  “Did that really just happen?” Reese chimed in.

  Both of us turned to face Yarin, whose hands were clasped behind his back. A smug smile on his lips said it all.

  Reese and I looked at each other and then started laughing. Yarin even joined in as he walked up to us. “I hope you won’t mind us tagging along, my lady.” He bowed at the waist to me.

  “Not at all!” I laughed. “Just don’t keep me waiting so long next time.”

  All of us laughed again. I was having a genuinely good time with the Gleo’gwyns. I couldn’t remember the last time I had fun like this.