Flameseeker (Book 3)

by R. M. Prioleau

  Kaijin arched an eyebrow. So, Za’thaak cannot even travel the mortal realm on his own. He requires a host—a master.

  Tachus confronted Vargas. “If that is true, than it is possible for this portal to take us straight to Ghaeldorund?”

  Vargas shook his head. “No, all of the portals he has made are attuned differently. This one is attuned to the oasis near the Harran.”

  Tachus scowled. “The Harran? I do not wish to see Amil.”

  “You have little choice in the matter, Shak’ha,” Jarial said flatly. “But I will ensure that any conflict between you and Amil is diffused.” He nodded to Kaijin for him to continue.

  Kaijin lifted his charm. He concentrated on Za’thaak, and tried to communicate with him mentally. “All right, Za’thaak. Open this portal. No tricks now, understand?”

  The heat from the charm intensified, and fire leapt from it and landed on the ground in the circle. The fire grew in size, taking Za’thaak’s shape and likeness. The fire burning around his feet created small ripples in the sand, like a rock does when thrown into a lake.

  Everyone but Kaijin backed away. The animals cried out in fear, and Jahi and Haas tried to calm them.

  Za’thaak stared at Kaijin, but unlike before, the afriti’s intense turquoise gaze did not faze him. Za’thaak turned his back and knelt down. Golden flames erupted from his body, then traveled down to the rings in the sand. The flames dissipated, and the rings began to give off a warm, golden glow.

  Za’thaak stood and turned back to Kaijin. “It is done.” Afterward, he became a blaze of fire and returned to the charm.

  Kaijin heard a series of gasps behind him.

  “By the goddess!” Zarya exclaimed.

  “I saw it, an’ I still don’t believe it!” Nester said.

  Kaijin placed one foot into the glowing circle. He felt the ground, but there was no heat from the light. Afterward, he placed his other foot in the circle and walked toward the center. He looked back to his friends. “It seems all right, I think ...” He paused, and an image of the other portal they had encountered not far from the Harran appeared in his mind.

  Zarya approached the circle cautiously, followed by Jarial. She examined the circle for a moment, then stepped in the light. Jarial hesitated before following.

  “Come on, everyone,” Kaijin beckoned the rest of the group.

  Omari, Nester and Aidan drew near and entered the circle. Jahi and Haas followed with the camels. When everyone stood inside the lighted circle, Kaijin concentrated on the image he saw in his mind.

  “It’s not gonna ’urt, is it?” Nester said.

  “I hope this thing works, Kaijin,” Omari muttered.

  Not responding to his companions, Kaijin tried communicating with Za’thaak again. “Send us safely to our destination.”

  The circle’s glow brightened and blinded Kaijin. He squeezed his eyes shut. The brightness subsided, and he opened his eyes again. He and his companions stood under the shade of date palms in the oasis they had first visited.

  Kaijin asked the group, “Is everyone all right?”

  Everyone appeared shaken, but was physically unharmed.

  “What just happened?” Nester asked, scratching the side of his head.

  Jarial looked around curiously. “The portal seems to have worked.”

  Tachus’s gaze fixed on the small mountain in the distance, where the lighted outline of the Harran could be seen on the orange horizon. A growling sound rumbled in his throat. “And now, we must go to that place.”

  * * *

  It was mid-afternoon when Kaijin and his group reached the path leading up the mountain. They were stopped by Leilanna, who let them pass, but not without a displeased look at Tachus and Masrah. Miele, who flew above the group, alerted Kaijin of more people ahead. As Kaijin ascended the long mountain path, he discovered some of the mages already waiting for them at the Harran’s front entrance. Kaijin and his group dismounted the camels, gathered their belongings, and Jahi and Haas headed to the stables with the animals. With scowls and glares on their faces, the mages at the entrance reluctantly let Kaijin and his group in and escorted them through the main hall. Unlike the first time he walked through here, Kaijin heard scornful whispers about Tachus from some of the mages.

  Kaijin looked over his shouder at Tachus, wondering if he had heard some of what was being said, but Tachus’s face was expressionless.

  Omari, who was walking at the head of the line with one of the mage attendants, stopped and faced the group. “Just a minute,” he said, prompting the rest of the group to halt. “I will get my father.”

  The attendant opened his mouth to say something, then promptly closed it and nodded curtly to Omari. “Of course, Young Master.”

  Omari spun on his heel and marched toward the east hallway where the staircase going up was located. He returned several minutes later with Amil.

  Amil stopped before the group and fixed his gaze first on Masrah, and then on Tachus. “So, you are here.”

  Masrah stared back and kept silent.

  Tachus lifted his head haughtily. “Indeed. And my son will rule in my stead.”

  “Saris?” Amil blinked. “The new shak’ha?”

  “For now, at least.” Tachus narrowed his eyes. “Why? You do not think my son is capable of ruling?”

  Kaijin cleared his throat, sensing unnecessary tension building. “Good news, Uncle! Shak’ha Tachus has given me his blessings to marry Ranaiah!”

  “If she agrees to it,” Tachus added sharply, shooting a glare at Kaijin.

  Amil’s face softened. “Ah! That is wonderful news! I am glad you agree with this union, Tachus.”

  “Yes, well ... if it will make my sister happy ...”

  Gaping, Omari whipped his head back and forth. “What! Marriage? Kaijin? No one has informed me of this!”

  Kaijin frowned. “I didn’t say anything to you, Omari, because I knew you would react this way.”

  “Confound it! Of course I would! It was bad enough to find out that you were my cousin. But now you are going to marry the sister of that murderer?” He pointed at Tachus, who slowly crossed his arms.

  Kaijin looked at the rest of his friends, who—except for Jarial—looked equally shocked of the news. A wistful expression quickly overtook the shock on Zarya’s face.

  “Soddin’ ’ells, Kaijin!” Nester piped. “You’re really gonna get married?”

  “Well ...” Kaijin smiled. “I might.”

  “All right! I didn’t know you ’ad it in you, mate!”

  Beaming a menacing set of fangs, Aidan stuck out his giant clawed hand. “Congratulations, Kaijin. Marriage is wonderful thing.”

  Kaijin cringed and shook the giant’s hand. “Ah, thanks, Aidan. But nothing is really official yet until she accepts.” If she accepts. He looked at Zarya again, who appeared lost in her thoughts. She caught his gaze, then looked away.

  Kaijin looked back at Omari, who was still fuming. “I am going to marry her, Omari. Nothing you can say will come between her and me, so deal with it.”

  Omari scowled but said nothing more.

  “Well said, Kaijin,” Jarial muttered to him. “You really do love her.”

  Kaijin acknowledged his master with a half-smile. That, I do.

  Amil placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Let the matter rest, Omari. Tachus is here. And Masrah. They will serve out their punishment however the Council sees fit.” He looked at Jarial for confirmation. “Will they not?”

  Jarial nodded quickly. “Yes, though I do not know what sort of punishment will be in store for them.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Jarial looked to the rest of the group. “Let’s not delay any more than we have. It is a long journey back to Ghaeldorund.”

  “It’ll take us a few weeks, at least, by foot,” Nester said. “We don’t ’ave access to a boat this time.”

  Kajin stroked his fiery charm in thought. Maybe ... He turned to his friends. “What if Za’tha
ak sends us back?”

  “We should not push that creature any more than we already have, Kaijin,” Jarial said.

  Kaijin shook his head. “He will have to deal with me if he intends to betray me now.”

  “Do not do it, Kaijin!” Omari barked.

  Ignoring Omari and the rest of his friends who called out to him, Kaijin began walking toward the exit. “I will prove to you all that he is bound to me.” He gently pushed past the attendants who stood at the door and left. He walked a short distance down the mountain path, then stopped and looked down at his charm. He felt the heat of Za’thaak’s presence within it, and the heat emanated from the charm to his hand. He heard his companions behind him.

  “Kaijin! Wait!” Jarial called, but Kaijin didn’t acknowledge him.

  “This is not wise, Kaijin!” Amil shouted.

  Kaijin kept his back turned to the group.

  “I’m going to summon you again,” Kaijin said mentally, rubbing his thumbs along the glowing golden surface of his charm. “Stay loyal to me, or I will kill you.”

  Kaijin heard a low, guttural growl in his head, then Za’thaak’s voice followed. “Yes, Master.”

  The brand on Kaijin’s back singed, and he winced. The charm glowed eerily, then burst into white flames. The fire traveled from the charm to the ground, then began to increase and rise into a pillar of swirling, white flames. Za’thaak appeared within the pillar, and the flames slowly dissipated. He knelt before Kaijin, his head lowered.

  Kaijin turned and looked at his awestruck companions, and some of the mages who had exited and watched. “It’s all right,” he assured. “Za’thaak is under my control. Please come. He will take us back.”

  The group hesitated before slowly proceeding.

  “Kaijin?” Amil kept his eyes on Za’thaak as he drew nearer. “What have you done?”

  Kaijin shook his head. “I cannot explain right now, Uncle. But know that Za’thaak obeys me.”

  Za’thaak remained silently kneeling, keeping his head lowered.

  “Can Za’thaak really take us all back again?” Zarya inquired.

  Kaijin nodded. “Do you remember before, at the Pyre, when the flames sent you all back to Ghaeldorund? Well, I feel a similar power from Za’thaak. He is certainly more than capable of performing the same deed.”

  Vargas gawked, clearly fear-stricken. “We ... We cannot go back. Not without a dais at both points.”

  Zarya looked thoughtful. “Kaijin, what about the brazier at the Pyre? Would that suffice as a dais?”

  Kaijin nodded. “It might. That was how you were all sent back before, after all.”

  “And the teleportation circle outside the Citadel,” Jarial added. “Though it can only be activated by specific enchanted items.”

  “Za’thaak is probably capable of overriding that.” Then Kaijin added mentally, “If you are as powerful as you appear.”

  Za’thaak didn’t respond.

  “I dunno ’bout this, mates,” Nester said. “All this fiddlin’ an’ someone’s gonna get ’urt, I know it!”

  Aidan, who had his arms crossed, nudged the brownie with his thigh. “Think of it as another adventure, Nester. Besides, this seems like only way to get home right now.”

  Jarial looked at Kaijin carefully. “Kaijin. Are you certain about this? Are you certain he will not harm us?”

  “I cannot say that I am entirely certain, but I doubt he will be foolish enough to try and attack us again, after what we all did to him before. Besides, I feel very much in control of him.” He turned to Za’thaak. “Rise, Za’thaak.”

  The afriti let out a small growl and slowly stood. He faced the group, his turquoise eyes scanning each member.

  Jarial’s hand glowed with magic, prepared for an attack. He waited a few moments, then turned to the rest of the group. “It seems okay.”

  Tachus exhaled. “If the creature is non-hostile, then perhaps it is safe to allow it to transport us back.”

  Omari shuddered. “This is insane!”

  “Perhaps it is,” Jarial said. “But if we can get back to Ghaeldorund sooner and get this over with ...”

  Amil patted Omari’s shoulder. “Go on, my son.”

  Omari looked at his father pleadingly, then shrugged off his hand. In a huff, he went to Jarial and stood beside him.

  “Za’thaak, you will send them all to Ghaeldorund,” Kaijin ordered.

  The afriti complied, and his hands began to give off a fiery glow.

  “What about you, mate?” Nester asked Kaijin.

  “Vargas and I are retuning to the Pyre.”

  Vargas cringed.

  “So this is it?” Zarya frowned. “We part here?”

  “So it seems, Zarya. Thank you for all your help,” Kaijin said.

  Nester rushed over to Kaijin and hugged him around his waist. “Wait, mate! We can’t up an’ split like this! What if I never see you again?”

  Grimacing, Kaijin pried the brownie off of him. “Hey, this isn’t good-bye forever. I will be at the Pyre. You are always welcome there. And who knows? Maybe in a few months, you will all be at me and Ranaiah’s wedding.”

  Nester cast a half smile. “Aye? Well I’d like that. Don’t forget about us, mate.” He returned to the rest of the group.

  Kaijin looked at each of his friends in turn. He stared at Jarial the longest, his master and mentor. Jarial smiled at him. It seemed he didn’t have to say anything. Now that Jarial knew where Kaijin would be, there was no need for good-byes. He would probably come visit Kaijin very soon, perhaps once he’d taken care of his business in Ghaeldorund.

  Kaijin also noticed Zarya’s wistful stare, but it quickly faded once Jarial had held her hand. They seem quite happy together. I hope their happiness will be lasting.

  Aidan stood in the mdist of the group, towering over everyone. Kaijin was grateful for the giant’s help and wisdom, and he hoped that one day Aidan would find the answers that he had been seeking about himself.

  Lastly, Kaijin stared long and hard at his cousin, Omari. Kaijin was ecstatic to know that he had more family and he was not truly alone after the deaths of his parents and brother. Despite Omari’s pompous attitude, Kaijin couldn’t help but still love him like family, for he regretted not being as close to his immediate family as he had wished. He vowed to not make that same mistake again.

  Finally, Kaijin nodded to Za’thaak.

  The fire intensified in the afriti’s hands, and he surrounded the group in bright, white fire. Everyone inside cowered in fear, but they were otherwise unharmed. Za’thaak extended his hands toward the sky, and sent the flames rising higher and higher, and then they disappeared. Kaijin’s friends and Tachus and Masrah were gone.

  Kaijin bit his bottom lip. Good-bye, everyone.

  Za’thaak lowered his hands and the flames disappeared from them. “It is done.”

  Kaijin nodded and turned to Vargas and Amil, who stood dumbfounded by the ordeal.

  “Absolutely amazing magic,” Amil whispered under his breath. “I’ve not seen anything like this before.”

  “Uncle,” Kaijin said. “Thank you for everything. But now I must leave, as well.” He called for Miele and tucked her safely in his haversack.

  “Of course,” Amil said. “Today has been a day that I will never forget, and neither will you. You have done a great service, Kaijin. You have brought great honor to our family.” He went over to him and hugged him. “Until we meet again, Nephew,” he said with a smile.

  Kaijin smiled as well, holding the embrace as he thought about his parents and brother. To know that he wouldn’t be truly alone made his heart swell with hope.

  After saying their good-byes, Kaijin left Amil and gathered Vargas. Kaijin willed Za’thaak to return them to the Pyre, and the afriti did so without hesitation. As before, White fire surrounded Kaijin and Vargas, emitting an intense heat but keeping them unscathed. The world around them disappeared in a wall of swirling flames. Kaijin no longer saw Za’thaak, but he could st
ill sense his presence. The white flames became blinding bright for a moment, then subsided from around them and converged around Za’thaak’s body.

  Za’thaak became one with the flames, and the fire traveled back into Kaijin’s necklace and disappeared.

  “Where are we?” Vargas asked groggily.

  Kaijin looked around a moment, trying to assess his surroundings. They were no longer in Ankhram’s vast desert, but they stood before the massive, ornate, golden doors of the Pyre.

  “Home,” Kaijin replied.

  XXXIV

  Kaijin knocked on the Pyre’s massive doors, and moments later, an orange-robed acolyte answered it. His hazel eyes widened, and he gasped.

  “Kaijin! You’re back!” He turned toward Vargas, and his expression hardened. “What is that traitor doing here?”

  “He is not a traitor,” Kaijin said. “Let us pass, and I will explain everything.”

  The acolyte nodded curtly and opened the door further for them. “I will fetch the priestess.”

  The mention of the priestess made Kaijin’s heart flutter. I can’t wait to see her again!

  Kaijin and Vargas made their way through the main hall and into the atrium, where the massive, golden brazier sat. Orange flames danced within, producing a soothing heat. A pillar of smoke rose from the brazier and escaped through a large circular opening of the high ceiling. The clerics gathered around Kaijin and Vargas and whispered amongst themselves.

  The acolyte hustled out of the eastern wing and returned to the circle of priests, and Ranaiah emerged from the hallway and strode to the gathering, her face taut with concern.

  She is even more beautiful than when I last saw her, Kaijin thought, smiling. “Priestess, it is wonderful to see—”

  “Vargas,” she said, ignoring Kaijin. She strode over to the old man and glared. “You were wise to return. Perhaps the guilt of your atrocious actions has made you see reason. But your deeds will not go unpunished.”

  Vargas lowered his head. “Priestess, I swear to you, I did not know what had come over me. I do not remember all that happened, but I assume it was not pleasant. My actions are inexcusable, and I apologize for the problems I’ve caused. I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit for me, Priestess. I am at the Firelord’s mercy.”