by I. B. George
They clapped, immensely impressed by the ability of the young Eremon prince who hadn’t been taken very seriously until then. Nobody believed now that King Tyreas didn’t have a good reason to fear the power of this child. Focused, Robert thought about adding something more to the show he was putting on for his hosts in Akros.
He closed his eyes and focused his senses to unleash the Inner Fire, the supreme weapon of the Eremon House.
He could feel the warmth of the fire running through his veins and he guided it towards his arms. He did all these things so naturally that it felt like forever since the last time he’d tried it for the first time to discover this ability.
Small, yellowish flames appeared in his palms, which made everyone gape.
“That’s magic,” whispered one of them, charmed by the apparition of the flames in Robert’s hands.
“The prince would be very useful on a rainy hunting day when I struggle to light the fire,” added another humorously.
Robert closed his palms together one more and gathered the two flames into a ball of fire which he then threw at the fallen scorched target.
After a few moments’ silence caused by this magical moment, the Khalari nobility started cheering again. They saw the young prince differently now. For the majority there, it was the first time they had seen one of the capabilities of those in Elementis. A long time ago, during the war between the two realms, it was these abilities that had decided the outcome.
Even those who still nurtured warrior feelings towards the people from the Lower Realm, knew now that these kind of powers could pose a real threat against conquering Elementis.
After the euphoric response caused by the prince’s demonstration had eased off, the usher announced in a serious voice the start of the party. The doors to the palace were opened, allowing the servants to carry the plates loaded with all sorts of goodies to the white clothed tables on the left hand side of Nargor Castle.
As if by magic, all the guests headed towards the banquet and started a party which was destined to last until dawn.
Aryana stood down from her throne, went over to Robert and placed her arm across his shoulders, accompanying him to where the party was taking place.
Later on, she was going to answer all her nephew’s questions, as she had promised. However, the time they had together was short. Robert and his companions were going to continue their journey to the Border on the eve of the third phase of the moon. Now though, they were going to enjoy their few moments of peace.
***
Aryana and Robert strolled along the paths of Nargor gardens. Giant rose bushes and azaleas lined the cobbled alleys of the park, creating a wondrous sight. The explosion of colours was contrasted by the vibrant green grass.
Robert felt somewhat intimidated by Aryana’s presence. Her warrior temperament and her proud gait made him feel a bit uneasy.
Aryana sensed that Robert was holding something back. She looked tenderly at this little boy who she only heard of a few days ago and who reminded her of the sister she had loved so dearly.
She wished with all her heart to support him as much as she could to fulfil the prophecy. She held Tyreas responsible for her sister’s death who had given birth in dreadful conditions while Sardar Castle was being sieged.
Right now, all she had left in the world was this child who had the blood of the Eremons running through his veins. Azar, the dear master who had taught her how to hold a sword had told her so many good things about him.
She had had a chance to see some of his qualities during the competitions which had finished half an hour ago. She noticed the pride as heir of Ga’al breathing through the pores of this child when he demonstrated his ability as a Fire Chosen.
Aryana had been impressed by the speed with which Robert had initiated the Inner Fire. She used to be Master Azar’s favourite student and she knew that he wasn’t going to bestow praise on just anyone. Now, however, the master was simply thrilled by the quick progress Robert had made.
She went over to one of the rose bushes and picked one flower with big velvety petals.
“You won’t find such roses as these in Akros anywhere else, Robert. Their fragrance is famous all over Fantasmagoria,” she said giving him the flower.
Robert breathed in the powerful yet delicate perfume, his senses awakened.
“I remember the garden at Sardar Castle,” continued Aryana “and my childhood. When I wasn’t busy training with Master Azar, I used to roam around every corner of the castle and the garden with Neri.”
“What was my mother like?” asked Robert shyly.
“She was a good child… better behaved than me. I was always the black sheep of the family and because of that father loved my sister more,” said Aryana dreamily, thinking back to times long gone. “It never bothered me though. Father would leave me to it because he thought I was a bit wild and he didn’t want to have much to do with whatever I was up to. He thought I was a lost cause, too wild to be disciplined. Poor daddy… he couldn’t see that I was craving adventure more than the rest of my family. I believe that through my veins ran the blood of Lord Zarak, an old adventurer on our mother’s side. He was the first to venture into Akros during the times when people were so superstitious that they crossed themselves if they even glimpsed the mystical darkness of the Misty Passage.”
“But why?” asked Robert in wonderment.
“Because people used to think that this was where the Gods of Fantasmagoria lived,” answered Aryana with a chuckle. “If you even dared to look towards their realm, some serious harm would come upon you. Zarak was the first who dared to go on the road of the Misty Passage. Aren’t these azaleas wonderful?” she asked suddenly, changing the subject.
Robert watched her with a smile and agreed, but all he could think of was what had happened next in the story. Aryana gave him a long look, prolonging the wait. At last, she resumed.
“The day Zarak started for the Passage, every soul in Sardar went with him to the gates of the castle, everybody sobbing as if he was going on his last journey. A few months later, he returned and told everybody about the Upper Realm and about the peoples that had been living there for hundreds of years.”
She stopped and sat on a bench in the shadow of a tall tree, urging Robert to join her.
“I guess that hundreds of years on, I inherited some of his spirit because I never obeyed rules or followed customs. On the other hand, my reputation as a black sheep helped my little sister.”
“How?”
“Well, if she did something naughty, I would take the blame for her because I knew that father was used to me always getting into trouble. I always protected Neri… she was a gentle and delicate being.”
“I’m sorry aunt, but as the first born, were you not supposed to inherit the throne according to custom?”
Aryana watched him dreamily.
“Yes… but I believe that deep down, father always knew that I wouldn’t be his successor, although he was aware of my abilities to protect the kingdom in case of conflict. However, my temperament was rather more suitable to running the army than governing the Kingdom of Fire. I don’t regret anything I did. I’m happy, I am a queen and above all, I know that Neri was a far better queen to the people in the kingdom.”
Aryana’s eyes became wet when thinking about her family, something she hadn’t done in a long time. Robert watched her in silence, not daring to disturb her. Surely, reminiscing about those times was bringing back memories long buried.
At last, Aryana broke the silence.
“Anyway, those times have long passed. Now I must see to what we can do to fulfil the prophecy. I’m guessing your visit is not just a matter of courtesy, am I right?”
“You’re right,” agreed Robert. “The prophecy states that ‘the Blue Light’ will bring down Tyreas. Professor Radius thinks that that refers to the Blue Flame which is emblazoned on the Eremon House’s coat of arms and which is said to be the family’s secret weapon.”
> “I know all about the prophecy. Up until the news of your arrival in Fantasmagoria reached us, I always thought it was about me, as the last descendant of our forefather Ga’al. I felt helpless thinking that the destiny prophesied by the Oracle of Konaar was never going to come true. Now I know that the prophecy was in fact about you, the last born in the family, the last descendant of Ga’al. Everybody interpreted the prophecy wrongly, myself included, and those who didn’t even know of my existence had probably lost all hope that anyone will be able to fulfil it.”
Aryana stood up from the bench.
“Let’s stretch our legs for a while,” she said, heading to one of the alleys.
Robert stood up too and followed her closely. What his aunt was saying made sense. Until now he had thought that he was the only descendant of the Eremon House who was still alive. Once he’d found out about Aryana, he had started doubting that the prophecy was correct. Now, that feeling had vanished. Without doubt, this was the correct meaning of the prophecy. All that was left to decipher was the secret of the Blue Flame, the most important piece of the great puzzle that the stars had planned for the destruction of Tyreas’s reign.
“Professor Radius and Master Azar think you might be able to tell us the secret of the Blue Flame,” resumed Robert. “Master Azar says he once was a witness to the power of the Blue Flame. Grandfather was showing my mother how to use this power. The Master thinks that Grandfather has also instructed you into the secrets of the Blue Flame.”
Aryana went quiet for a few moments, trying to remember that day when her father, King Neron showed her the might of the Blue Flame for the first time. She was then only eight years old, but it felt like it had all happened yesterday.
Her father had taken her into the inner courtyard of Sardar Castle which was specially designated for the training of those in the royal family. Then the king had taken out a little pouch he kept hanging on his belt where his big sword normally was.
He had then shared with her the secret of the Blue Flame, the family’s most treasured inheritance and told her about its power. He opened the pouch and poured over her tiny hands some kind of powder, finer than the sand on the beach and blue in colour and asked her to call her Inner Fire.
The moment the flames appeared in the cup of her hands, the blue powder lit up and became part of the fire, turning it into an azure fireball.
Her father had watched in delight. It had been one of the few moments when she could see a trace of pride in her father’s eyes. She then listened to his voice telling her to spread her palms a little wider and then clap them together with all her might.
She had seen a blue wave stretching over like a wave getting bigger and bigger, flying like the wind across the courtyard and through the castle walls. She had been surprised as she caught her breath from all the effort and emotions she had experienced when she had seen that release of energy.
The king had explained that the alchemists of Sardar discovered that dust by accident, hundreds of years before and since then the secret of how to produce it was only taught to the heir to the throne.
“Aunt Aryana,” dared Robert, cutting short her thread of thoughts.
“What is it?” answered Aryana as woken up from a dream. “Oh, I’m sorry Robert. I was just remembering the day when father shared with me the secret of the Blue Flame for the first time…”
“So you do know the secret,” uttered Robert full of hope. “The Professor and the Master were right…”
Aryana watched him with saddened eyes, knowing that what she was about to tell him was going to disappoint him.
“Sadly not, my dear. I know very little about the Blue Flame. All I know is that it is a blue powder which father always kept with him and which I held in my palms for a few moments. Unfortunately, I think that the secret of how this dust is made has been lost forever when my father and my sister passed away.”
Robert was speechless. He refused to believe that their last hope of finding out the secret of the Blue Flame had been crushed. He was overcome with the feeling of not knowing where to go to from now on.
“I always hoped that Neri had left the secret as a legacy to you,” continued Aryana. “I believe that on the day she took over the throne, father showed her the secret of the blue dust. Normally, Neri would have done everything in her power to pass on this privilege to you. I know she passed away almost as soon as you were born, but I always cherished the hope that somehow she told the secret to your father.”
Robert cleared his voice. He felt his mouth dry with the news that had befallen him like a thunder.
“No… I don’t think she did,” he said at last. “Maybe she ran out of time… or maybe she didn’t want to share the secret with someone outside the Eremon House. I’ve searched through my father’s journal for any reference to the Blue Flame, but I didn’t come across any clues. And if the key to how to produce the blue dust has indeed been shared with my father, then I’m afraid all hope is lost.”
Robert sighed bitterly. He couldn’t believe all was lost. Every sign that had been shown to them, everything they had been through… It could not have been in vain. Luck had been on their side so far, but it seemed that now, when they were so close to fulfilling the prophecy, it had run out, leaving them in despair.
There was something troubling him though.
“Unless…” he heard himself thinking out loud.
Aryana turned to face him, full of hope.
“What?”
“I was thinking,” continued Robert, “about why my father’s journal has such an elaborate lock. I mean, it’s true that amongst my father’s notes there are some hidden secrets… some buried tunnels and rooms in Sardar, names of people and trusted friends who are now in hiding, or some short reference to the family’s treasures… Still, that doesn’t explain why the journal has such a complex lock, with such a complicated mechanism which could only be opened by my touch.”
“Do you think it might hide something more?”
“I hope it does,” continued Robert. “After all, I heard that the Oracle of Konaar was never wrong before in its predictions. So far, everything we’ve been through made us believe even more in the prophecy. That makes me think that all is not lost.”
“You might be right,” agreed Aryana. “We’d better look through your father’s journal together tonight and see if there is some hidden secret you might have missed.”
“I agree, aunt,” replied Robert with a smile.
Aryana returned his smile and hugged him, drawing him close to her.
“Now, I think we should return to the party. Our guests must have missed us. As for the prophecy… I think it can wait for a few more hours. Right now, I want to enjoy my time with my nephew.”
Robert put this arm across Aryana’s waist and together they walked to the party.
Behind them, the moon continued to caress the fragrant rose bushes.
***
The party lasted well into the night. Countless barrels of wine from Akros and the Kingdom of Clouds were devoured by the warriors of the Upper Realm who proved to be as skilled at drinking as they were at fighting on the battlefield.
Later, the castle’s courtyard emptied as the guests started taking their leave and heading noisily home.
There was a single light glowing in the right wing of Nargor’s tower which unveiled to the curious that a meeting was taking place at that time of night.
Sat around a big table made from karan – a type of wood often used for furniture by those in Akros – the seven companions, together with Queen Aryana, were gathered to discuss the future of their journey and to look more closely into the secrets of Aidan Anderson’s diary.
“It is possible that the young prince is right,” said Akura as soon as Robert had explained his theory.
“It could make sense,” said the Professor, agreeing with the words of the royal counsellor. “Otherwise, why would the wise men of Sardar go to such pain to hide the pages of the journal from pry
ing eyes?”
Somewhere at the back, Rolan’s voice rang out:
“Perhaps we’re talking about a code… something hidden within the sketches in the journal… or maybe something which put together could give us a clue about the formula for the blue dust or about the location of the recipe.”
From her chair on the other side of the table, Aryana shared out loud an idea which had been bothering her:
“Gentlemen! I’m sorry to interrupt the flow of your conversation, but there’s something that concerns me…”
She placed a hand on Robert’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes.
“Robert, are you certain there wasn’t anything else in the box apart from the items you’ve shown us and your father’s journal?”
“I’m quite sure,” answered Robert without hesitating. “I looked carefully inside the box and I took with me everything I could find in there. But why do you ask, aunt?”
Aryana gazed ahead, seemingly trying to remember something.
“I would have expected you to find a small leather pouch containing the remaining blue dust from Sardar. There was always a small quantity hidden in the castle, in case of an unexpected attack. The ruler of the kingdom would keep this pouch with them. I was thinking that in those days, before Neri gave her last breath, this pouch could have been given to your father.”
“It is highly possible,” added Azar to Aryana’s thoughts. “Queen Neri died before she had the chance to use the Blue Flame and she would have been too weak to do it anyway. The dust was much too precious to be given for safekeeping to anyone other than your father and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t hidden in the castle. Neri couldn’t take the chance that the secret of the blue dust could be obtained by the enemy. Are you entirely sure, Robert, there wasn’t anything else in that box?”
“Master,” replied Robert, “I’m telling you for the hundredth time: there was nothing else in the box. I’ve searched carefully… I even looked for any hidden drawers… there was nothing. If this pouch really existed, then surely Grandma Abigail hid it somewhere else or threw it away without realising how important its contents were.”