Flameseeker (Book 3)

by R. M. Prioleau

  Kaijin looked up at his uncle, the man’s soft hands cold against his cheeks. Thoughts of Ranaiah flooded Kaijin’s mind.

  Amil dismissed him, and Kaijin, still shocked about it all, left the room without another word. Miele followed him outside the room, just as he shut the marble doors closed and landed on his shoulder. Kaijin leaned his back against the doors, and rested the back of his head against them. He exhaled and lifted his right hand, staring at Ranaiah’s ring on his fourth digit.

  Marry ... Ranaiah? He couldn’t believe what had just happened, that Amil had suggested marriage, of all things. He’d never considered marriage before, but now the thought of being able to unite with Ranaiah and be with her forever sounded heavenly. But what if she didn’t feel the same way about him? What if she hated him for planning such things without her knowing?

  XXVI

  After a relaxing bath and a hearty meal, Jarial lounged in his quarters on his bed, thumbing through his spellbook. Sable was curled up at his side, purring. Her warm fur soothed some of the aches in his old body.

  She lifted her head, one ear swiveling toward the door, and she looked toward it. A knock soon startled Jarial from his reading. Sable meowed softly and conveyed calmness in Jarial’s mind. She seemed to already know who was beyond the door.

  Oh, right. Kaijin.

  Jarial bookmarked a page in his spellbook with a ribbon, slid out of bed, and, as he shuffled to the door, assumed his youthful disguise. The lingering aches in his old bones disappeared once his body had taken on the new form, and his slow steps became lively strides. He opened the door and smiled. “Hello, Kaijin.”

  Kaijin smiled back and bowed his head in greeting. “Hello, Master. I’m sorry for coming so late. I wanted to make sure I had a chance to see everyone else, first.”

  “It’s all right,” Jarial said with a wave of his hand. He stepped forward to exit the room, and waited for Kaijin to move aside. “I’m in the mood for a little walk to stretch these legs. And maybe explore more of this place—or as much of it as we’re permitted. We can talk meanwhile.”

  Kaijin nodded and stepped aside. Jarial shut the door behind him and started down the corridor toward the end, where light from the main hall had been cast.

  “Everyone here seems genuinely nice and hospitable,” Jarial began in a low tone, admiring the intricate carvings in the corridor’s gold-colored ceiling baseboard. “I did not expect this sort of treatment, being a ‘foreigner’ and all.”

  “Well it did help that we were friends of Omari,” Kaijin said. He paused, and Jarial could tell that he wanted to say something further. There was probably a lot on the young man’s mind that he hadn’t the inclination to share, and Jarial decided not to probe.

  When they reached the main hall, Jarial noticed two robed attendants—a man and a woman—leaving the library. They traveled down a short corridor to a door. When they opened the door, Jarial glimpsed what looked like a courtyard beyond.

  Ah, now that looks like a nice place for a stroll, Jarial thought, crossing the main hall to the corridor.

  The attendants came back through the door, the man now holding a terracotta pot, in which a miniature desert rose plant was growing. Its flowers had not yet bloomed. The attendants looked toward Jarial and nodded in greeting.

  “Are you two lost?” the woman asked in a polite tone.

  “Oh, no, m’lady. We were just out for a walk. May we visit the courtyard?”

  The woman smiled. “Of course.”

  “But please stay on the path,” the man added. “There are some plants out there that are toxic if you are pricked by their thorns or needles.”

  “Thank you for the warning,” Jarial said, nodding. Probably plants used for alchemy.

  Jarial waited until the attendants were out of sight, and then he started for the door.

  “Master,” Kaijin mumbled. “There’s something I must ask you. Something that has been bothering me after that talk with Uncle Amil.”

  Jarial reached for the door handle, then stopped. Uncle? He spun around, staring at him in shock. “What?”

  Kaijin blinked, perhaps realizing he let a secret slip. “Ah ...” He swallowed and hung his head.

  “Amil?” Jarial persisted. He looked toward the hall to ensure no one had heard him, and then he turned and headed out the door, beckoning Kaijin. After Kaijin closed the door behind them, Jarial asked, “So Shak’ha Amil is your uncle?” Maybe my ears are deceiving me.

  Kaijin lifted his head. “He is. My mother’s brother.” He went on to tell Jarial about his discovery.

  When Kaijin finished, Jarial exhaled, mostly in relief. It’s good to know that Kaijin found more of his family. He began to stroll along a gravel path that snaked through a tangle of trees and flowers, and Kaijin walked beside him.

  It was hard for Jarial to believe that they were still in a desert, with the magically created environment that enchanted the Harran inside and out. The fresh scents and cactus blossoms and jasmine overpowered the courtyard as he walked. Jarial admired this place, which looked like a botanist’s paradise. Various types of plants, some Jarial had not seen before, grew freely, some displaying their bright colors and unique shapes.

  “Uncle Amil wants to go with me to Zebi and talk to Tachus Beshara,” Kaijin said, not seeming to pay much attention to the courtyard’s beauty.

  “Does he, now?” Jarial rubbed his chin. “Well, we should all go. Omari and I are still looking for clues about Na’val’s murder.”

  Kaijin stopped walking. “There is something else, Master.”

  “I assume it is what you really wanted to talk to me about?” Jarial stopped as well, and he admired the perfectly angled fronds of an exotic palmetto bush.

  “Yes, Master. My uncle ... he ... He wants me to marry Ranaiah.”

  Jarial tore his gaze from the frond and gawked at Kaijin. “The priestess at the Pyre?”

  Kaijin nodded. “I don’t know what to do. I thought you of all people would be able to offer some advice.”

  Jarial scoffed. “What makes you think that I could offer you advice? I’m not married.”

  “Well, no, but you’ve lived a long time. Seen and experienced many things. Has there never been a time when you considered marriage?”

  Jarial gave him a warm smile and resumed walking down the path, at a slower pace. “Not really. Most of my time was spent at the Citadel, as a member of the Nine. After that, I was teaching you and your brother. Marriage seemed inconsequential for someone like me.”

  Kaijin frowned. “You’ve never met someone before? Never been in love?”

  “It was never anything serious.” He looked up at the stars and sighed. “I caught the interest of quite a few girls, during my younger years. But one thing led to another, and ... well. Things just never worked out. But back then, I imagined I’d remain the handsome young buck I was forever and pick up any girl whenever I wanted. I never thought that I would actually grow old one day.”

  “But you have your illusion spells to keep you young.”

  “Yes, but illusions aren’t real. And I could never lie to the one I love. As much as I hate it, she would have to know the truth.” Jarial crossed his arms and pinned Kaijin with a piercing stare. “Kaijin, what is it you want me to say to you?”

  With a sigh, Kaijin slouched his shoulders and lowered his head. “I don’t know, Master. What would you do if you were given the option to marry the one you loved?”

  Jarial pondered the question. His mind drifted to the beautiful Zarya, who seemed to accept him, despite what she knew of him. “Well, Kaijin, if she reciprocated that love, then I would marry her. It’s something that I would cherish forever, to know that this old man can still experience true love.”

  Kaijin lifted his head. “You’re not old, Master. You’re just ... very experienced.” He chuckled.

  Jarial rolled his eyes. “Cut the flowery hogwash, Kaijin. I’m older than dirt.” He laughed, too.

  “I care for Ranaiah very
much,” Kaijin said. “My uncle believes that if she and I were to marry, then the two families will be at peace.”

  Jarial narrowed his eyes slightly. He was persuaded into this? “So that is why you truly want to marry her? Out of obligation to stop an age-old family feud?”

  “Oh, no, Master! Of course not! I love her very much, and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She is such a wonderful and caring woman. She truly understands me. So many others don’t.”

  “Well, then. I think you have made your decision. If you truly love her and she reciprocates that love for you, then there should not be a problem.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. What if she doesn’t want to marry me? What if she doesn’t love me?”

  Jarial shrugged lightly. “That is the chance one takes in the name of love. The question is: how far are you willing to go to find out?” He paused and realized the irony in his own words.

  * * *

  After his walk with Kaijin, Jarial tossed and turned in bed. Sable had long since gotten tired of his constant movement and found a more peaceful spot, on the velvet chaise lounge by the tall window.

  He lay on his back and stared up at the shadows of the ceiling. His mind raced over the conversation he and Kaijin had had earlier that evening. I never thought I’d be the one to be giving Kaijin love advice. What in the hells do I know about love? With a sigh, Jarial sat up and ran his hands over his smooth wrinkle-free face. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Sable meowed from the chaise. Her ears swiveled toward the door, and she turned her head.

  Sensing concern from her, Jarial got out of bed and approached the door, buttoning his pants as he walked. He opened the door, but no one was there. “What’s wrong, Sable? There’s no one there.” He closed the door and approached his familiar. He looked out the window, into the darkness of night with only the stars above twinkling in the desert’s clear sky.

  Sable meowed, leapt off the chaise and padded to the door.

  Frowning, Jarial followed. He opened the door again and Sable slipped out. She sat in the hallway and looked straight ahead, in the direction of the main hall. She conveyed another concerned feeling in his mind.

  “Who’s out there? Kaijin? ... Zarya?”

  Sable sniffed the air, and then licked her upper lip and purred.

  “Zarya? What is she doing awake this late?” he muttered, then went back inside his room and grabbed his robe from the back of a chair and slipped it on. “Stay here,” he ordered, ushering Sable back in the room before closing the door.

  Jarial hastened down the hallway, and when he emerged in the main hall, he spotted a few servants who were up and about, sweeping and scrubbing the floors and dusting the library. One servant, who had been polishing a bronze nameplate on the wall, stopped and acknowledged Jarial with a nod before resuming his work.

  Jarial continued to the short, narrow hallway that led to the courtyard. Opening the door, he was greeted with the cool, dry desert air, sending a chill down his spine. He stared out into the courtyard and noticed the silver-edged silhouette of a lone woman, moving along the winding gravel path amongst the shadows of palm fronds and ivy with a familiar grace.

  She stopped before a cluster of what Jarial discerned was a certain type of primrose. She knelt down and examined one of the tightly-closed blossoms with the aid of a small ball of light in her hand.

  Jarial hurried over to her. “Do be careful, Zarya,” he said softly. “Some of these plants are toxic.”

  Zarya gasped and glanced up at him. “Oh! Jarial!” She stood.

  Jarial smiled warmly at her. “Please forgive me for startling you, my dear. Sable sensed that you were out here. Are you all right? What are you doing out here all alone at this hour?”

  “I’m okay. I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to go for a walk.” She half-smiled at him.

  Jarial took a moment to admire her features. “I’m sorry you couldn’t sleep. Is there something on your mind? Care to talk?”

  Zarya looked away and sighed. “Since we arrived, I have sensed a strong divine presence. It’s nothing like Kaijin’s power. This one is much ... darker.”

  Jarial arched an eyebrow. “Darker? Like an evil god? A fiend?”

  “I do not know for certain, but it bothers me. And Kaijin asked me to investigate a circle of sand not far from here. I fear what I might discover.” She clasped her hands together under her chin.

  “Don’t worry, my dear. You will not go about this task alone. I will make certain of that.”

  She smiled warmly and unclasped her hands.

  “You are important to all of us, Zarya,” Jarial continued. And to me, especially. “There is much to do and we will definitely need your help. A murderer is still on the loose, as is a rogue priest. Both must be found, and justice must be served.”

  She nodded slowly. “I will continue to pray that we will be successful in our endeavors.”

  Jarial lowered his gaze to her hands. Almost unconsciously, his left hand drifted toward her empty one. “Should we succeed, what do you intend to do afterward?”

  She hesitantly extended her hand to his until their fingers touched. “I will go out on my own, and perhaps explore more of this beautiful country. I am seeking a greater understanding of myself, my kind, and my purpose as a Celestrian priestess.”

  Jarial slowly pressed his fingers against hers until they interlocked. He smiled at their clasped hands. I will take that chance. He gazed into her eyes and gave her hand a soft squeeze. “I wish to join you, Zarya. I want to see you fulfill your dreams.”

  Zarya’s smile brightened, and she inclined her head slightly. “I would like that very much, Jarial. Thank you.” She let go of his hand, extinguished the ball of light in her other hand, and embraced him.

  Closing his arms around her, he shut his eyes, feeling a sense of contentment. He nuzzled her snow-white hair and inhaled. He relished the warmth and softness of her perfect, goddess-like body against his. She is truly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. He took a step back and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

  Blushing, Zarya pulled away from the embrace. She started for the courtyard entrance.

  Jarial walked alongside her. “Shall I escort you back to your room?”

  Zarya gave a light laugh. “If you wish.”

  They left the courtyard and crossed the main room, which was now devoid of servants, and quietly made their way down the hall of sleeping quarters. They reached the end of the hall and went through a door that led to another where the females’ quarters lay. They stopped in front of Zarya’s door. Zarya stood there for a moment, her hand resting on the handle.

  “Jarial.” She didn’t look at him. “I just want to thank you for being a true friend, and someone I hold dear in my heart.”

  Jarial stepped closer. He brushed his hand down the side of her cheek and gently tilted her head toward him. “You are an incredible woman, Zarya. I don’t care what you are or how old you are. I only care about you.” He felt her cheek grow hot beneath his palm, and he slowly brought his face to hers. He glanced down at her full lips.

  Take the chance.

  Before he could lower his head further, Zarya leaned forward and kissed him softly on his lips.

  XXVII

  The next morning after breakfast, Kaijin and his friends saw off Clarice and and the rest of the survivors, as they had set out southward to Sinan under the guidance of a small escort of apprentices. Afterward, Kaijin and his friends joined Amil and two of his assistants in the summoning chamber as he prepared to scry for Vargas’s whereabouts.

  Kaijin and his friends stood at the foot of a set of shallow stairs that led up to a raised platform in the center of the chamber. Kaijin looked on in silence and awe, having never before seen such extensive preparation for a single spell.

  Amil stood in the center of the raised platform, in a decorative circle of runes and glyphs that were etched on the stone floor. Thanks to Jarial’s extensive tutelage, Kaijin was able to easil
y recognize the symbols as each of the five elements, the five senses, and the nine classes of magic.

  The two robed assistants, who wore sashes of red, black, and gold and appeared to be of a higher rank than some of those that Kaijin had seen, stood on the outer edge of the circle, each carrying a tray. Between them, the trays held a large silver mirror, a jar of eyeballs, vials of a tannish liquid, small amounts of raw copper ore, and a bowl of a greyish, powdery substance.

  Kaijin looked beside him at Jarial, who stood with his arms crossed, staring up at the platform intently.

  Omari, standing on Jarial’s other side, seemed nervous as he watched his father. His eyes darted about the area. He leaned forward slightly, as if he would rush up the stairs to his father at the slightest sign of trouble.

  Kaijin glanced over his shoulder to Nester, who kept craning his neck around, as though he were searching for something, Aidan and Zarya. Beyond them, near the chamber’s only exit, Sable was curled up against the wall, and Percival nestled beside her. The two of them slept, though their ears were continuously flicking and swiveling toward the sounds of the chamber. Though Kaijin couldn’t see Miele, he could sense her hiding somewhere in the shadows above him.

  Kaijin turned and looked back to Amil, when moments later, he heard Nester whisper, “This is th’ strangest kinda fiddlin’ I’ve ever seen, Aidan.”

  “It is magic, Nester. Why would it not be strange?” Aidan said.

  “It ain’t nothin’ like Kaijin’s strange fiddlin.’ I mean— Ugh! What’s ’e gonna do with those eyeballs? Yuck!”

  “Shh!” Zarya said. “He’s starting!”

  Amil knelt down before one of the runes—the rune that denoted ‘sight’—and ran his hand over it as he began chanting arcane phrases. His eyes closed for several moments, and then he opened them again and looked up to one of his assistants, who approached. Amil took the jar of eyeballs from the tray. He uncorked the jar, fished out a single eyeball, and placed it on the ‘sight’ rune. He replaced the jar and selected a piece of copper ore, which he placed on the rune. The ore began to give off a faint, golden glow. He sprinkled a pinch of the white-grey powder into the glow. Lastly, he plucked the vial of tannish liquid from one of his assistants’ trays, carefully uncorked it, and poured it over the pile. The strange substance gave a hiss when it came in contact with the other ingredients, and small plumes of white smoke rose as the components melted into the crevices of the rune. He continued his chanting for several minutes as the mixed substance bubbled and sizzled, the blue glow coalescing around the ‘sight’ rune, then turned white.