Fireweaver

by Ryan W. Mueller

  "Faina, are you sure you're all right?"

  "I'm sorry," Faina said. "Bad memories again. I'm listening now."

  "Do I make you uncomfortable?"

  "You've done nothing to make me uncomfortable. I'm just uncomfortable being alone with any man."

  "Ah, I see." He didn't need to say anything more. She could see the realization in his eyes, and she was glad he didn't press her for details. Maybe that could lead her to trust him. Surely a man who didn't pry into her personal life wouldn't violate her in any other ways.

  "What were you going to tell me?" she asked, hoping to return to a more comfortable topic. She was already sweating and wringing her hands together.

  "I'm not here to serve the Church. I'm here to destroy it."

  * * * * *

  Kadin was growing restless. He paced in his chambers in the Temple of Aralea, marveling at the grand place where he lived now. Back home, he never could have guessed that anyone lived in such luxury. Sure, he'd heard about the excesses of Sunweavers, but now he could see them firsthand. It was disgusting.

  Sunlamps ringed the entire room. Lush red carpets ran along the floors. Between the two, he could walk barefoot in his room and not feel cold at all.

  Today, Kadin was pacing because he had grown tired of trying to decipher the words in the book Father Alvin had given him. In their lessons, Kadin had learned to sound out a few simple words, but anything longer than a few letters confused him.

  How could anyone ever learn to read?

  No, it's only been a few days, he told himself. You'll learn it in time. After all, these lessons couldn't go any worse than his Sunlord weaves. He could weave all the colors together, but he still could not strengthen his weave at all. Even Sunlord Zaren was confused as to why Kadin was struggling so much. For most Sunlords, performing the weave in the first place was the most difficult part. Kadin was an oddity.

  As he always had been.

  He stepped out of his chamber, hoping he could distract himself from his troubled thoughts. Exploring the temple often helped him think. It was a large place, much larger than it looked from the outside, with countless levels buried underground. Many of these levels were closed off by the Sun Guard, leading Kadin to wonder what was hidden there.

  He was a Sunlord after all. How much trouble would he really face if he explored forbidden places? He needed to do something. If he sat around with nothing but his thoughts for company, he would go insane.

  As he walked through the halls, people greeted him warmly. He usually nodded in return, praying that they wouldn't engage him in conversation. No matter how people treated him, he felt as if he didn't belong here. He was sure that he would wake one day to find that all of this had been a dream. He would be back on the farm with his father.

  His father. The man Kadin had murdered.

  No. He couldn't let his thoughts wander down that path. If he wanted any chance of mastering the Sunlord's weave, he needed confidence. He needed to believe that he was a good person despite what he'd done.

  His steps carried him to one of the stairwells that led downward to the lower levels. A few of the Sun Guards gave him curious looks as he passed the doors they were guarding, but they didn't say anything to him. How much would they let him get away with?

  At the bottom of the stairs, he found a corridor that was normally guarded. Today, however, it appeared to be empty. He hesitated in the archway, trying to decide if it was worth the risk. It didn't take him long. He wanted to explore this place.

  Down here, the temple was darker. The walls were fashioned of dull gray stone, and only a few Sunlamps dotted the corridor. Kadin made his way down the corridor with soft steps, passing countless stone doors. He peered into rooms at random, finding nothing all that interesting. Most of the rooms looked like offices of some kind, though they were dusty, as if no one had touched them in years. Strange place.

  At the end of the corridor, more stairs led farther down. Kadin hesitated a moment, checking that no one could see him, then started down the stairs. The next level he entered contained no Sunlamps. A damp chill hung in the air, as if he were standing in a cave, and he couldn't see more than five feet in front of him.

  As he started walking, he cast Yellow. The light of his spell filled the hallway, casting ominous shadows against the wall. The air down here smelled old and dusty, as if no one had been here in a long time. What was this place?

  Despite his misgivings, he continued along the corridor. It felt too empty, and the skin on Kadin's arms prickled. He wasn't supposed to be here. That much was clear.

  He stepped through the first door on his right. The room beyond held a sight he hadn't expected. It was a cavernous chamber illuminated by scattered Sunlamps, and in a pit in the center of the chamber were cages containing animals unlike any he'd ever seen.

  Some had leathery wings. Others had twenty legs. All of them were at least as large as a man, and some of them were much larger than that. Fire came from the mouth of one of the leathery-winged creatures. Spikes adorned its back, and it had to be at least thirty feet long.

  Despite his nervousness, Kadin stepped closer to the caged animals. What kind of place was this, and where had these animals come from?

  The beasts watched him curiously, but they didn't fear him, certainly not as much as he feared them. He kept a safe distance from the fire-breathing creature as he made his way along a clean stone path that wound deeper and deeper underground, passing countless cages.

  The path zigzagged, and the world grew darker. Soon Kadin had to cast Yellow again. Some of the animals shrieked at the sudden light. Others hissed and growled. He felt their predatory gazes on his back, and knew they'd kill him if they weren't in cages.

  A man's voice came from the darkness. "I was wondering how long it would take you to find this place."

  Kadin turned toward the voice but could only see someone hiding in the shadows at the far end of the chamber.

  "Who are you?" Kadin asked, fighting to keep his voice from trembling.

  "Come closer, Sunlord."

  "Not unless you tell me who you are."

  "I am a friend."

  "You've given me no proof of that," Kadin said. "Unless you tell me something, I am going to turn around."

  "And lose the opportunity to learn some of the world's deepest secrets?"

  "I don't care about any secrets," Kadin said, though he knew that was a lie. A part of him wanted to stay here and find out what this man wanted. Perhaps it was dangerous, but Kadin still had little regard for his life. Though he no longer wished to kill himself, he didn't fear dying. Deep down, he felt he deserved death, and that made his self-hatred all the worse.

  Shoving these dark thoughts aside, he took a few steps toward the voice. Perhaps he should see what this man wanted. Kadin was a powerful Sunweaver. He could surely hold his own in a battle.

  But what if this man was even more powerful?

  And why would he lurk in the shadows like this?

  It was a risk, but Kadin continued toward the man. "I'd still like to know who you are and what you want from me."

  "I'm the only man who could have made the Sun Guards defending this place leave their posts."

  "And why would you do that?" Kadin asked. He didn't like something in the man's voice.

  "Interesting. You don't ask who I am but rather why I would lure you here."

  "You didn't lure me here," Kadin said. "I came here on my own." He still couldn't make out the man, though the voice was coming from much closer now.

  "Your exploring has not gone unnoticed, so I thought I'd give you the perfect opportunity to explore a bit. I knew you wouldn't pass up the opportunity."

  "Why do you care?" Kadin asked.

  "Because some people are getting too close to my secrets."

  "And what do I have to do with that?"

  "Come closer and I'll tell you."

  Kadin's chest felt tight as he moved closer, his steps echoing in the darkness. All tho
ughts of the caged creatures had left him. Now he focused all his attention on the man in the shadows. Kadin had the feeling he was walking into a trap, but he had to know who this man was.

  "That's close enough," the man said, and Kadin stopped.

  A few soft steps sounded, and the man emerged from the shadows. There was something familiar about him, as if Kadin had seen him once or twice in passing. He wore luxurious furs and had a sun pendant around his neck.

  "It seems I need to introduce myself," he said. "I am Teravin, High Priest of the Church of Aralea. Most around here would recognize me in a moment."

  "Well, I haven't been part of this world very long."

  "No, you have not, and that's why I've been keeping an eye on you."

  "What do you want from me?" Kadin demanded, hoping his tone wasn't too sharp. He probably should show more respect toward the High Priest, but he didn't care. This man was acting suspiciously, and Kadin had never liked authority figures anyways.

  "I think a little more respect is in order. You may be a Sunlord, but your powers are still raw and untrained. I, on the other hand, am one of the world's most powerful Sunweavers. I could kill you with little difficulty."

  "If you wanted to kill me, you wouldn't be talking."

  "Correct. I do not wish to kill you. That would not suit my purposes."

  Kadin's heart was pounding. "Then what are your purposes?"

  "You have been seen in the company of a young priest called Father Alvin. He is a dangerous man. I have no proof as of yet, but I suspect that he wants to see me cast out of my position. In fact, he may wish to see the demise of the entire Church. I cannot let that happen. Without the Church, our land would fall into chaos."

  Kadin leaned against a nearby wall, trying to steady his trembling. There was something strange about all this, but he couldn't figure it out.

  "I need you to discover Alvin's plans and then report them to me. If you can find hard evidence of his wrongdoing, I will reward you."

  "I'm a Sunlord. I've got all kinds of privileges. What could you offer me?"

  "Your sister."

  A wave of cold washed over Kadin. "Tyrine? You know where she is?"

  "She is my prisoner."

  "But my mother told me she became one of the Turned."

  "That's what we told her to tell you."

  Kadin felt a mixture of relief and terror. "Then she isn't Turned?"

  "No, she is perfectly healthy. For now."

  "And if I don't do as you ask?"

  Teravin shrugged. "Then we will kill her."

  Chapter 20: Secrets and Threats

  Kadin felt as if his insides had turned to ice. That was the answer he'd expected, but it still hit him hard. He stared at Teravin, unable to say anything in response, feeling as if the darkness of the chamber were closing in and suffocating him.

  At last, Kadin said, "I want to see her."

  "I knew you would say that. Very well. I will take you to where we have her imprisoned. Otherwise, you wouldn't believe that we truly have her." Teravin took a few steps, moving beyond Kadin. "Please follow me."

  Kadin's heart was still pounding. He didn't want to think of his situation, of his sister dying if he did the wrong thing. He'd already failed her once by running away. He couldn't fail her again. Feeling sick to his stomach, he followed Teravin through the darkness.

  They passed the cages containing all the monsters, the chamber gradually growing brighter around them. Kadin felt tense as he watched the monsters, which looked back at him with strange expressions, almost as if they were pleading with him, asking him for something. Perhaps he was thinking of his sister, who was trapped in a cage somewhere, just like these monsters.

  "What is this place?" Kadin asked, hoping to distract himself from his worries.

  "Isn't it obvious? It's where the Church keeps monsters."

  "But why would the Church have all these monsters?"

  "I’m afraid I cannot tell you that."

  Kadin closed his mouth, knowing he would get no more answers out of the man. Teravin was not an imposing man, standing an average height with a clean-shaven face and dark hair. His expression was a bit stern at times, but he didn't look like an evil man. But there was no doubt about it. This man was evil, or at least as close as you could get to it.

  He would kill Tyrine if Kadin made it necessary. At that thought, a chill ran through Kadin. How could he betray Father Alvin, a man who'd been kind to him? Kadin had no choice, though. He could not be the cause of Tyrine's death.

  Soon they reached the corridor through which Kadin had entered the room containing all the cages. Teravin turned to the right, leading Kadin farther down the corridor, and then they both stepped through a door on the right. The corridor they entered was brighter, with Sunlamps positioned on each side of the corridor at roughly ten-foot intervals.

  On each side of the hallway were small prison cells, reminding Kadin of the time he and Faina had spent in the prison in Hyrandel. This was a different kind of prison, though. It was the kind of place the Church put prisoners, where the rest of the world would forget they existed. Deril had told Kadin a little about the Church and how it didn't follow the same rules as everyone else. In name, the Church and the Sunweaver Council were equal entities, but the Church had a way of exerting its dominance when it felt the need.

  Teravin stopped before a cell on the right side of the dungeon corridor. Kadin peered into the cell.

  And saw his sister.

  She sat on a bed in the corner of the cell. When she saw Kadin, her eye widened. She hopped off the bed and moved to the front of the cell.

  "Kadin, I'm so glad to see you," she said.

  Kadin fought against tears. "Tyrine, I didn't want this to happen to you."

  "It's not your fault." Her gaze settled on Teravin, her eyes narrowing with hatred. "I don't know what you want from me, but I've committed no crime."

  Teravin smiled. "Not all prisoners are criminals."

  Tyrine's gaze became murderous. "Then you know you've falsely imprisoned me?"

  "It is necessary. In the end, it is up to your brother. If he does as I ask him, you will go free. If he doesn't it, you will die. It's that simple."

  "You're a monster," Tyrine said.

  "I am a man who does what must be done."

  In some ways, that was almost scarier. Kadin's father had been a monster, a man who'd been a servant to his anger. Lord Andric had been a monster, a cruel man who'd abused his slaves. But Teravin was different. Unlike Kadin's father and former master, he would not be needlessly cruel. To him, it was a matter of getting what he wanted, whatever the costs.

  Kadin peered through the bars, feeling sick. "Have they treated you well?"

  "I am fed three times a day," Tyrine said. "The bed is comfortable enough. They clean out my chamber pot before it gets too disgusting."

  "There is no need to treat her poorly," Teravin said. "Not yet." He took Kadin by the arm and led him away from the cell. Kadin shared one last look with his sister, knowing this might be the last time he'd see her alive, wishing he could say something to comfort her.

  Near the entrance to the dungeon, Teravin released Kadin and faced him with a stern and commanding expression. "Now, will you do as I've asked?"

  "I don't have any choice."

  * * * * *

  Faina sat in a chair across from Father Alvin. "Why do you intend to destroy the Church?"

  She had no problem with that goal, of course. The Church was foremost among the entities that persecuted her kind. As far as she was concerned, the world would be a much better place without the Church. Besides, it was a false church. She'd heard the truth during their mission to stop Halarik's return. Aralea was dead.

  The people of Tarileth worshipped a goddess who couldn't hear their prayers.

  "You're a Fireweaver," Alvin said. "You know why I hate the Church."

  "Is that the only reason?"

  Alvin leaned forward in his cushioned chair, hi
s expression pensive. "Before I tell you this, you must know that I've never revealed this information to anyone before. I'm putting a lot of trust in you because I think you've earned that trust."

  Faina wasn't sure what she'd done to make him feel so confident about her. She hadn't known him for long. It seemed that he was taking a huge chance here.

  "Thank you for your trust," she said, trying not to fidget in her chair.

  "The Church is not what you think it is."

  She shook her head. "I don't think I understand."

  "As a member of the Church, I have gained access to secrets that High Priest Teravin would not like me to know. Once, the leadership of the Church had more trust in me. Now, I'm worried that they're starting to learn the truth about me. That's why I need someone like you, someone who can carry on my mission should they kill me."

  Faina leaned forward with interest. "Are you talking about the fact that Aralea is dead?"

  "That's what some Fireweavers would have you believe, but that is not the truth. Aralea is still alive, but she is with Halarik in the Realm of Shade. At the end of the war so many years ago, Aralea did not imprison Halarik. No, there was a third godlike figure, who imprisoned both of them there. I can't say I know much about this god, or whatever he might be. Everything about him is shrouded in secrecy. I've found only hints about him in the Church's secret texts."

  Faina tried to absorb all this information. Was everything she'd ever known about the world wrong? It was hard to accept this, but she saw no deception in Alvin's eyes. In her time in the criminal underworld, she'd learned to spot deception. Either Alvin was telling the truth, or he was a remarkably talented liar. She leaned toward the former.

  "According to these secret texts, his name is Vardin. Beyond that, I don't know much about him. He's said to be more powerful than Aralea and Halarik. Some of these texts even say that he's the one who weakened the sun, and then he blamed it on Halarik. In some descriptions, he is both a Sunweaver and a Fireweaver. I don't know how that's even possible."

  "Where is he?" Faina asked. "If there's another god out there, then why don't we know about him? I'm sorry, but it doesn't make much sense to me."