The Girl Who Walked Through Fire

by Dana Gricken

  Hadrian put his hands in the air after he pulled himself out of the tunnel. He was relieved he had made it to the surface, but he’d hoped for a better welcoming committee. Once Aria realized it was him, her eyes widened in shock.

  “Don’t hurt me!” He pleaded, desperately. “I’m not here to cause a fight!”

  Elara rushed over to him with Tavia closely behind. “It’s all right! I know him.”

  The witches slowly lowered their weapons after Aria nodded at them. She knew Hadrian would mean them no harm.

  “What are you doing here?” Tavia asked.

  “Well, it’s nice to see you too, Tavia,” Hadrian replied, rolling his eyes. “Oh, Elara. I almost didn’t recognize you. Nice outfit.”

  “How does my daughter know you?” Aria asked, angrily.

  Tavia sighed, realizing she’d better tell the truth. “The night I left the Veil, it was for the New Dawn. We help dragons and witches in whatever way we can – sometimes they want to live normal lives in the outer-world, sometimes they want to go back home. We use underground tunnels that lead us to Andora and Nerennia,” She replied before she glanced at Hadrian. “It’s all because of Prince Hadrian. I heard about what he was doing from the witches he’s saved. He’s not the bad guy here – not like his father.”

  The witches were shocked. Aria stood there, dumbfounded. Tavia turned towards her mother.

  “I know you’re going to tell me what I’m doing is dangerous, and you’re right - but I don’t care. I know this is what I was meant to do.”

  Instead of yelling at her like Tavia thought she would do, Aria embraced her in a hug. “It is dangerous, Tavia – you already know this. But... I’m proud of you.”

  Prince Hadrian cleared his throat and Tavia and Aria pulled away from their hug.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I came here with information,” He said, looking towards Elara. “The Knights came for your father. He escaped on my horse to a small cabin for refugees. It’s in the Bluefrost Mountains...and he doesn’t know exactly where it is.”

  Elara was livid. “You sent my Dad to look for some stupid cabin in the coldest region of Galea? Are you serious?”

  “There was no time. The Knights would’ve captured him,” Hadrian replied before he shook his head. “But that isn’t all. David decided to join the New Dawn. I sent him on a rescue mission, but he was caught. The King knows about everything. He threw David out into the Beyondlands as punishment. He’ll never survive out there.”

  Elara sighed. “That’s just great. My Dad and David are missing, and we have no idea where they could be!”

  “I’m sorry. I came here as fast as I could. You needed to know.”

  She huffed. “What else could go wrong?”

  With those words, the ground rumbled and shook. A deafening cry, which sounded like thunder, reverberated off of the trees around them. The witches began to panic and murmur amongst themselves.

  “What now?” Aria asked as she held her daughter close.

  A large dragon came into view, roaring and flapping its wings. Elara knew exactly who it was. The witches perched their staffs in the air for the second time, but Elara smiled and gestured for them to lower their weapons.

  “He’s with us,” Elara said, and the witches hesitated but listened to her.

  Fane hovered above the city before setting himself down behind a cluster of red trees, shielding his naked body from the witches’ eyes. With the clothes he had brought, he quickly changed and walked out of the forest area. His eyes found Elara immediately.

  “I’m glad you’re all right, Bria,” Fane said before he paused for a moment. “Is that a new outfit?”

  Elara rolled her eyes. “Can we stop talking about my outfit and focus instead?”

  Fane turned to Aria and Sheba, bowing to each of them. “Thank you for keeping her safe. I have some bad news you need to hear.”

  “Oh, great. More problems,” Tavia muttered, under her breath.

  “Advisor Colrek, who has served my father for decades, has been revealed as a Fallen One. He’s not just any Fallen, either. He’s their Lord. I found the body of his wife. He killed her, most likely because she found out his true identity. Both Colrek and his daughter, Mayliss, are missing.”

  “It makes sense. He hated me because he’s a Fallen One. I just hope Mayliss is okay,” Elara said, before turning to Fane. “Colrek isn’t our only problem. My Dad’s lost somewhere in the Mountains, running from the Knights – and a good friend of mine was left in the Beyondlands to die.”

  “Then we have a lot of work to do. Where should we begin?” Fane asked.

  “It’s all up to you, Elara,” Hadrian said. “We trust you.”

  Elara thought for a moment. “We’ll start in the Beyondlands. The Knights wouldn’t take David too far into the forest. It would be too risky for them. Hopefully, we’ll find out more about my Dad and The Fallen in the meantime.”

  “You’re going with them, Tavia,” Aria said, and Tavia’s eyes widened.

  “Why me? Why aren’t you going?” Tavia huffed.

  “I should stay here, in case any more trouble comes looking for us. Besides, they might need your help. With Knights around every corner, we need more people to protect Elara.”

  “What about me?” Jordaine asked, but Tavia shook her head.

  “No way – you’re staying here. I’m not risking my best friend’s life.”

  Jordaine nodded reluctantly, realizing he would do the same in her position. Tavia got onto the back of her Tiburon and ushered for Hadrian to join her.

  “Tavia?” Jordaine called out. “Be careful, okay?”

  Tavia laughed. “Careful is not my style. If you mean ‘stay alive and come back’, I will.”

  Jordaine smiled, although he hated letting her go alone. Fane transitioned again and Elara jumped on his back.

  In the blink of an eye, the group took off – with Elara and Fane into the air, and Tavia and Hadrian galloping down the pathway towards the dangerous Beyondlands.

  The Beyondlands

  In front of David, there stood an unusual-looking individual, quite tall at seven feet with a large, muscular body. It was ogre-like, with red skin, black horns, and glowing crimson eyes. The creature had decorated himself with gold-plated armor, and a fearsome black sword was attached to his belt – although the size of his fists could’ve probably done a lot more damage. A whistle hung around his neck, the same one used to scare off the pack of wildhounds. It knew how to survive out here in the Beyondlands, and David was sure of one thing – it wasn’t human.

  The brute approached him cautiously, staring at him for a few moments. He seemed to be as unsettled as David was.

  “I am Vrukang,” He said, suddenly, and his voice was a raspy rumble. “I am the Orkin. Do not be alarmed. I will not hurt you. Promise.”

  Before David could reply, Vrukang untied his restraints and helped him to his feet.

  “Thank you,” David managed to reply, before massaging his wrists.

  Vrukang pointed at the whistle around his neck, which he tore off and held in his large hands. “The beasts do not like noise. Here.”

  Vrukang grabbed David’s hand and placed the cold whistle in his palm. “Take it. You may need it.”

  David nodded. “I appreciate it.”

  “Why have you come? No one does. Not anymore. Beyondlands not safe.”

  “It wasn’t by choice. The Grey Knights kidnapped me and left me here to die.”

  “Grey Knights? What are they?” Vrukang asked, and David couldn’t believe the question. Who hasn’t heard of the Grey Knights?

  “They’re an organization which patrols Galea, although one day they hope to control the rest of the world. Saying they hate dragons and witches would be an understatement. They claim they’re too powerful. They’ve tried to oppress them, although they’ve never gotten too far. They’ve done horrible things,” David replied, frowning. “You really don’t know about the Knights? Everyone does. Th
ey’re the law.”

  “Orkin isolated. Our kind not accepted. Society afraid. We stay here,” Vrukang grunted, gesturing towards the path he had taken. “Come. You need food. Shelter. Warmth. My people are welcoming.”

  David paused. “You know, I’ve heard rumors about your people...”

  Vrukang sighed. “Rumors untrue. We never eat humans. Only wildhounds. Occasional fire spider.”

  “Well, who am I to refuse free food? Lead the way,” David joked, although he was still nervous.

  He followed the strange Orkin down the road and said a silent prayer to his Creator that he wouldn’t end up as dinner. That would be the worst luck ever – and he’d had enough of it.

  HIDDEN BENEATH THE trees, there was a secret tower that The Fallen had claimed as their base of operations. It was a secluded spot - a place that saw no trespassers. With miles of forestry overlooking the Imperial Ocean, no one would’ve guessed they were even there.

  Colrek transitioned and landed on the balcony of his bedroom in the tower. He entered his room through the glass chamber doors and quickly changed into a long, hooded robe. After he was finished dressing, he heard a few knocks at his door.

  “You may come in!” He yelled, not even bothering to turn around.

  Calianna Emrand, the sister of Fane and daughter of the Palarri Emperor, entered the room. She was beautiful, with flowing locks of white hair, and big, golden eyes. She was graceful and poised and had just the sort of innocence that made you believe she could never hurt a fly - let alone become a Fallen One.

  “I’m sorry if I’m bothering you,” She began, quietly, “But I wanted to know if my father listened to the warning you gave him about the Dragonwitch. You told me you’d inform him when you returned to Camena. Have you made any progress?”

  “He didn’t listen. Everyone refused to see the danger of that girl. Your brother’s taken quite a liking to her, you know. I think he might even...love her,” Colrek replied, shaking his head. “That isn’t the worst part, I’m afraid. My wife found out about my involvement with The Fallen and she threatened to expose my identity. I had no choice but to kill her so I could escape.”

  Calianna was silent for a moment. She knew better than to question his actions. “I trust you made the right decision. What will we do now?”

  “I can’t go back to Camena. Someone will discover her body and the letters and find out who I really am. What’s the point in hiding it now? Besides, Mayliss has fled. I have no reason to return,” Colrek replied before he paused for a moment to think. “I want the Dragonwitch dead. She’ll destroy all of our efforts if she lives.”

  “I know my brother. If he’s chosen her as his Bria, he won’t let anyone harm her.”

  “She’s visiting the witches from Deniva as we speak. She should be returning back to Camena today, and I think we should attack the city. It’s time to act.”

  Calianna sighed. “This will result in a lot of deaths, you know - deaths of our own kind. This is a line we’ve never crossed before. We’re no better than the humans if we wage war against our own people.”

  Colrek gently placed a hand on Calianna’s shoulder. “I know that my dear Cali, but sacrifices have to be made. I don’t like hurting my own kind, but it’s a chance that must be taken if it means a possibility of killing the Dragonwitch. Instruct the other Fallen Ones to keep bloodshed to a minimum. Our main target here is the Dragonwitch – but we will act in self-defense if necessary. For whatever reason, the Emperor seems to like the girl. They won’t shy away from a fight – and neither will Fane.”

  “I understand, Colrek. I’ll tell the other Fallen Ones about our plan immediately.”

  Colrek nodded. “Thank you. After she’s taken care of, we can get back to the other task at hand – eliminating all Grey Knights. And then finally, humanity.”

  Calianna smiled. “It’ll be my pleasure.”

  MEREK WOKE UP SLOWLY, expecting to feel the bitter cold and falling snow again. He was pleasantly surprised by the warm radiance he soon felt surrounding him. He opened his eyes and looked around at the rustic cabin room he was in, which was hidden beneath the mountains and piles of snow. He was lying on a wooden floor, covered in several thick blankets, near a crackling fireplace.

  “Oi, you finally woke up! Took you long enough, eh?” An Irish voice said, and Merek turned his head to see the speaker better.

  “Who are you?” Merek asked, wondering how he’d ended up here. It wasn’t every day he’d wake up next to a strange man by a fireplace.

  “The name’s Alby Duggan. Saw you struggling out in the snow and thought I’d do you a solid by bringing you here.”

  Merek struggled to sit up, fighting the blankets that held him in place. He groaned as he reached for his back. It would never heal after the fall he had.

  “I’m Merek Everly. I’m looking for a place Prince Hadrian told me about.”

  “Looking for the safe house, eh? You’re in luck, lad – you found it,” The red-headed man paused, thinking for a moment. “You a witch? You have to be. Don’t look like a dragon to me. The horns always give them away. I’m a witch if it makes you feel better.”

  Merek shook his head. “No, I’m human. My daughter is...one of your kind. I’m looking for her.”

  Alby gasped. “Now I know why you look familiar! Your mug’s on every screen in the country. Your daughter’s the Dragonwitch, eh? No wonder you’re out looking for a safe house. Knights will be all over you looking for her. A lassie I used to work for rhymed with witch; that’s the truth. She found out what I was and threatened to cut my head off herself!”

  “Who did you used to work for?”

  “Lived in Orana - you know, the snooty city? Did mostly gardening and tried to lay low. Worked for a lassie named Lilian Belmont and her rich husband. Real crank, that one is.”

  “Lilian of Orana? She’s my wife’s cousin.”

  “Sorry lad. Didn’t mean to insult your family.”

  “None taken,” Merek replied as he looked towards the door, which was covered in snow and ice. “Any idea when I could get out of here?”

  “No can do, I’m afraid. Blizzard’s bad out there. We should be safe if we stay in here.”

  “My daughter needs to know I’m okay. Prince Hadrian probably told her what happened by now. Is there any way I can get a message to her? Is there a phone or computer I could use?”

  Alby chuckled. “Any tech up here would’ve had its wires frozen off a long time ago, let me tell you. Besides, who you gonna call? The dragons and witches don’t like that kind of stuff. I ain’t got a clue how to use the Internet.”

  Merek sighed. “There has to be some way to get out of here.”

  Alby nodded. “Well, there’s the tunnels of course. Ole’ Hadrian built a few more for dragons and witches. Good fellow, he is.”

  Merek stood up. “That’s perfect.”

  “Hold your horses there, lad. The tunnels ain’t safe. Built into the mountains only makes them worse. No directions down there, either. I have no idea how to use them.”

  Merek shook his head. “I have to get to my daughter no matter what. I need to know she’s safe.”

  Alby shrugged, nodding to a specific spot on the floor. “Fine. I ain’t gonna stop you. The tunnel’s through that floorboard. But I ain’t gonna rescue you the second time ‘round.”

  “Thank you for all of your help,” Merek replied before he grabbed a nearby flashlight.

  “I hope you find your girl,” Alby began. “And tell her I said to keep sticking it to the Knights. They deserve all the heat they’ll get – literally.”

  Merek nodded. “I will. Be safe up here, Alby.”

  He took a deep breath as he opened the weak floorboard. He slowly lowered himself into the cold, underground tunnels, feeling the breeze blow by him. If he had survived death once, he’d need the same amount of luck this time.

  FANE SET ELARA DOWN near the shrubbery entrance to the Beyondlands, quickly transitioning and fumbling int
o a new set of clothes as Elara looked away and explored the area. Once he caught up to her, he noticed she was crouched low on the ground, examining metal cuffs that had been left behind.

  “Look,” Elara said, pointing towards them. “These look like handcuffs. I think David was tied up with these. But where did he go?”

  Elara looked over at Fane, and chuckled once she saw his new clothing. “You dragons must go through a lot of clothes.”

  Fane shrugged. “It comes with the territory, I guess.”

  Tavia rode up on her Tiburon seconds later, with Hadrian behind her. She scoffed, getting off of her creature. “I really wanted to beat you guys here. Too bad.”

  Hadrian got off of Tavia’s animal just as Elara was showing them the cuffs on the ground. “I bet they used these on David. I can just feel it.”

  “He couldn’t have gone very far, then,” Hadrian replied, looking in various directions into the forest. “What could’ve happened to him?”

  Fane sighed. “The Orkin.”

  “The what?” Elara asked, befuddled.

  “You haven’t heard the legend of the Orkin?” Hadrian asked, quizzically. “They say flesh-eating creatures called the Orkin live in the Beyondlands. They only eat humans. It’s the reason many Knights refuse to patrol the forest, and that’s why it’s so empty all of the time. Though, the Orkin have never been seen.”

  Tavia chuckled. “The big, bad Knights are afraid of some ancient fairy tale? Oh, that’s rich.”

  “If he’s been taken by them, we only have a few hours at best. The Orkin like to feast as soon as possible. We don’t have much time left,” Fane replied, grimly.

  “We’re already fighting the Grey Knights and The Fallen, and now we have to add hungry, human-eating beasts to the list? Ones that may or may not be real? That’s just perfect,” Tavia snapped, shaking her head.

  “What are you so upset about? They eat humans, not witches!” Hadrian replied.