Key of Living Fire (The Sword of the Dragon)

by Appleton, Scott

  He let her question remain unanswered until they sat inside before the fireplace. Seivar and Hasselpatch flew out of the kitchen. As he sat in the hammock, the birds plopped in with him, cooing. He stared into the flames, letting their mesmerizing dance of color and energy calm the turmoil in his heart. He could not shake the face of the massive Cromlin out of his mind. What if creatures such as that lived beyond the sea? He would be sending the voyagers to their deaths.

  “Father, is something else bothering you?” Oganna sat on the hearth, and the viper coiled beside her.

  He continued to stare into the flames. “You remember what I told you about the enormous creature that broke the black dragon’s back? It did that with ease, as if the dragon were nothing more than a doll. But the dragon was—well—the most vicious creature and the most powerful adversary I have ever faced. What if I send people that we love across the sea, and they encounter something like that?”

  For a little while she was silent, then she lowered her voice. “No, Father. Don’t send them. They have done so much already.”

  “It is not by my choice,” he said. “Caritha volunteered and”—he hung his head—“I cannot refuse. The crew of the Maiden Voyage will go with them. The Warrioresses will only be there to protect and defend the crew should a situation arise. There is no one under my command whom I trust more.”

  Oganna rose and faced him; her gaze touched his soul with fire born of uncommon strength of will. “Then I will go too.”

  “No,” he said. “The construction of Fort Gabel is your task. No other’s. You will remain in the Hemmed Land and tend to your duties.”

  Her shoulders relaxed a bit, then she shook her head. “I cannot explain this, Father. But I do not support your decision. However, for your sake and the peoples’, I will.” She kissed his forehead and sat back on the hearth.

  “Will you be accompanying us?” Caritha glanced sidelong at Ilfedo as he walked beside her in the forest in the dim morning hour.

  He stopped and shook his head with a sigh. “I wish I could, but Vortain would like nothing better. During my absence on this last expedition I fear I lost some of my hold on the council. Vortain is quick and cunning. Though I respect him, I fear that he is dividing the people in what should be a concerted effort to plan for relocation to a larger territory in which future generations can stretch their arms without touching another human being.”

  Caritha stared up at him. “Ilfedo, in my absence, promise me you will rely more heavily on Oganna.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes.” She glanced at the ground as if deep in thought or recollecting something. “She is skilled with more than her sword, and I believe she has the complete support of the politicians, including Vortain. We both know that you do not. I fear difficult times still lie ahead of us, especially for you. But if you share the burden with Oganna and with Ombre, you will come out stronger.”

  “Why do you sound as if you are saying farewell forever?” He chuckled as they rose onto the muddy hill in front of his home. The ground sloshed beneath his boots as he pointed east at the rising sun. The animal skin around his shoulders felt cozy. “I have great confidence in the Maiden Voyage, her captain, her crew, and you with your sisters to handle anything you may face.”

  “No one can plan for every contingency,” she said. “We will not know what is on the other side of the sea until we cross it. It may be all that we hope for, or it could be something unsuitable.” She sighed and patted his shoulder, then walked into the house. He watched her go and hoped that he was doing the right thing.

  When he strode into his house, Laura and Levena rose out of their chairs beside the fireplace. Evela remained seated on the hearth, and Caritha gave him a gentle smile.

  Rose’el stood in the kitchen. She chopped a potato in two, sticking the knife into the cutting board. She stamped her foot and walked away from it. She faced him and crossed her arms across her chest. “I still say you should go with us, Brother.”

  “How could I do that?” He made a fist and punched his other hand. “How could I drop everything and leave at a time like this? Vortain is breathing down my neck. I will have all I can handle just effecting some kind of rescue for the people of Dresdyn. That is, if the city is not destroyed by now, with all its inhabitants. I made them a promise. I must return and bring those people home.”

  Her face softened and her eyes widened. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. The remaining sisters glanced at one another, and he gasped. “Rose’el, what has happened to you?”

  “Sorry!” She pulled back and stared hard at him. “You are so right, and I was so wrong. Please, please, please forgive me! Some nights I dream that you die, and then I think what I fool I’ve been to be so harsh with those I love.”

  “You dream that I die?” he asked.

  “In a very horrid manner,” she said. “But, humph! That is not relevant. Please accept my apology and know that whatever happens I am fully behind this mission.”

  He took her hand, leaned over, and kissed it. He smiled up to find her frowning down at him.

  “Umm, well, I guess we are good now. You can release my hand, Brother.”

  And he did so with a bow.

  That day he mounted an Evenshadow and rode to the city of Gwensin. As the tall buildings rose into view, he braced himself. Vortain would have an argument, one Ilfedo felt less than competent to rebut. He pulled his horse to a standstill and collected his thoughts and willpower.

  Ombre rode out of the forest and joined him. They stared at each other as their horses shifted beneath them and the sun warmed the ground. A clear blue sky filled the horizon.

  “You are the Lord Warrior, Ilfedo.” Ombre smote his chest in a salute. “Do you remember that?”

  Ilfedo wearily nodded his head.

  Ombre leaned in his saddle and grasped Ilfedo’s shoulder, gazing into his eyes with brotherly affection. “Then today is not Vortain’s. Today is yours. Vortain did not slay the sea serpents, nor did he conquer giants in Burloi. Stand tall, my brother. This day is yours.”

  “Nay, this day is God’s!” said another.

  Ilfedo and Ombre faced up the road, toward the city gates, and a familiar figure ran toward them. “Brother Hersis, what are you doing in Gwensin?” Ilfedo said.

  “Ah, my lords.” The monk’s short black hair waved back and forth as he huffed. He stood in front of the horses and stroked their noses. Dust had stained the hem of his white robe. He scratched his own nose and upturned his beady eyes.

  “Brother Hersis,” Ilfedo said, “have you cut your hair?”

  The monk chuckled. “Yes, and it was a poor execution, my lord.” His beady eyes stared into Ilfedo’s. “Welcome home, though I sense another mission is weighing on your mind.”

  “You are perceptive, Monk.”

  “Lord Ilfedo, do you believe all things are ordained by the Creator?”

  Ilfedo was taken aback by the abrupt question, but caught himself. “I believe God has a plan we cannot thwart, if that is what you mean. But also I believe that we each make our own choices, upon which he judges us.”

  “Then I must ask, are you certain of the path you are leading this people down?”

  “Certain? No. But I see no better way, and all other doors are closing, leaving the one option: relocation.”

  The monk turned his back to Ilfedo and led the horses by their bridles toward the city. Over his shoulder he said, “Stand by your decisions, my lord. If you do what you believe is best, if you follow the Creator’s guidance as best you are able, then let nothing and no one cause you to doubt yourself.” The monk laughed. “I don’t know why I came out here to ask these things and say these things; however, I have, and I hope they glorify the One I serve.”

  “Hmm.” Ombre leaned forward in his saddle. “Are you turning into some sort of prophet, Brother Hersis?”

  “Prophet!” The monk laughed and led them beneath the city gates.

  The white-and-gray cit
y rose and stretched before them. The monk bade Ilfedo his best wishes in the coming days, then shuffled into the crowds filling the city sidewalks. People knelt as his Evenshadow trotted forward. From the horse’s back he gazed upon the throng, and strength flowed into his heart, giving him the will to face the council and guide it down the path he had chosen.

  When he rode up to the castle-like residence of the mayor, he pulled his horse to a stop in front of the grand entry doors. The doors swung open, and a retinue of green-clad house servants and guards marched out. They helped Ilfedo off his horse, did the same for Ombre, and ushered them up the steps and into the hall.

  Vortain stepped into the hall, and, raising an eyebrow, he bowed to Ilfedo. He was attired in a cream-and-red suit, resplendent with a gold collar and cuffs. His long blond hair flowed over his shoulders. Ilfedo had to admit that this man knew how to present himself. “Lord Ilfedo, it is both a surprise and an honor to receive you into our city. I trust your journey into Resgeria was successful, and the Living Fire is secure—”

  Ilfedo felt the need to keep the man off balance, so he eyed him up and down.

  Vortain’s eyes narrowed. “You have come to evaluate me, or to meet with the council?”

  “Yes, Vortain, to both. For I sense a wariness in your posture, but have no fear. What I have come to do will require your cooperation.”

  The man bowed low and ushered Ilfedo through the mansion and into the long dining room. Several doors opened along the wall opposite the large windows that looked over the gardens and the city, and uniformed men carried in silver platters of food.

  Vortain whispered something to a man standing beside the door. The man nodded and rushed out. “The council will assemble soon, my lord.” Vortain bowed again to Ilfedo. “Is there anything you wish to discuss first with me?”

  “No, but thank you, Mayor. I wish you to remain with Lord Ombre and me until the other councilors arrive.” Ilfedo sat at the head of the table and gestured for the man to do likewise.

  As the mayor sat, Ombre remained standing next to Ilfedo.

  “My lord, this meeting will be pleasant?” Vortain asked.

  “If you allow it to be.” Ilfedo did not meet the man’s gaze until he chose to, then he looked straight into Vortain’s eyes. “The search for a new land is about to begin in earnest. I desire nothing less than your full cooperation. More than that, I know how strongly you oppose this decision, yet I expect your full backing.”

  Vortain leaned forward, hands on the thick table. “My lord, I will stand by you so long as you are lord of this land. But if you move elsewhere—”

  “You have a tongue that needs taming, Vortain.” Ilfedo remained in his seat, though he desired to cross the room and shove the man out of it. He decided to unnerve him instead. “You put your rank in society, your position as mayor, and your seat on my council in jeopardy when you pull yourself from under my authority. By hinting at an end to my station as Lord Warrior, you tread the very edge of treason.”

  The man did not retort, nor did he appear disturbed by Ilfedo’s words. He smiled instead.

  “I value you, Vortain.” Ilfedo shook his head. “I value your cool. I value your counsel concerning domestic affairs. Yet when it comes down to it, you would rather see me gone. And for that I am watchful of you.”

  Ombre strode across the room and gazed upon Vortain. “Do not seed any more dissension. Your Lord Warrior will give commands and you . . . you will follow his orders and wishes until he dies of old age.”

  “Well, I must say this is a strange moment for me.” Vortain glanced from Ombre to Ilfedo and back again. “Is liberty of mind and freedom of choice to be removed from the equation? Do you value a militaristic state over the support and affirmation of a people who love you, Ilfedo? For they do love you, but if you force them to do this thing—if you force us to leave behind everything we have known and fought to protect—then you are no longer our protector but our dictator. If that is what you want, then speak of it to me.” He swept his hand over the table. “Do not address issues that have not yet arisen. Instead, be the leader you were asked to be.”

  “Why, how dare you—” Ombre grabbed the mayor’s collar.

  But Ilfedo stood and stopped him. “He is right, Ombre.” He punched the tabletop. “Though I hate to admit it, he is right. What kind of leader do I want to be? Vortain has today done what I have said I value in him. He has given me an honest evaluation. He is being the counselor I long ago asked him to be.” Ilfedo stode across the room, then bowed to the mayor as Ombre backed off. “Vortain, I beg your forgiveness. Though I disagree with your opposition to relocation, I value your strength of will. I will not stand in the way of your choices. They are between you and God.”

  The mayor rose from his seat and knelt. He gazed at the floor. “I have never been more proud to call you my Lord Warrior than I am at this moment. I fully accept your apology.”

  For a while the three men shared an awkward silence, then Vortain roused a smile and called in the servers. Food soon filled the table, and the three sat to eat together.

  Before long the missing councilors paraded into the room. They seated themselves around the table, and Ilfedo told them of his trip to the Hidden Realm. He described in detail the city of Dresdyn, then the pyramids leading into the Hidden Realm and the cathedral. He told them of Cromlin and how that creature had so easily slain the mighty black dragon. Then he paused to catch his breath. “My lords,” he said, “I must return to Dresdyn and free those people, then bring them home.”

  Vortain rose from his seat and bowed. “My lord, with respect, at our last meeting you told us to prepare for an exodus. Yet now you propose adding to our population, significantly.”

  “As your Lord Warrior, I have made this decision,” Ilfedo said. “And as Lord Warrior I stand by it. In the meantime, our search for a suitable new land will continue.”

  A short councilor by the name of Horvin cleared his throat. “Continue? How long has the search been underway?”

  Vortain closed his eyes and heaved a sigh, then looked at his fellow councilors. “My lords, Ilfedo chose to search for this Key of Living Fire instead of spending his efforts in search of a land suitable for settlement. Do you see the conflict that troubles me? Our Lord Warrior has become a man of varied goals—goals which do not meld with the future of his people.”

  “Vortain, take your seat.” Ilfedo let his voice fill with authority as he pointed at the man. “You know nothing of what I have done. Listen and you will soon learn that I am not as inept as you purport. Lord Ombre is here to report on the first expedition to find a land for resettlement. An expedition that was undertaken at my request to further the needs of our people while I searched for the Key of Living Fire.”

  Ombre then related how he, Caritha, and Oganna had journeyed west in search of a new land. After detailing for them everything except the Palm of Heaven, he said, “We have now eliminated northern and western territories as options for resettlement, unless we search farther. I have proposed, and Lord Ilfedo agrees, that we should next sail across the Sea of Serpents. There must be territories beyond the sea, and if there are, in all likelihood some of them will be suitable for human habitation.”

  The councilors looked at one another, then at Ilfedo. He could see the query in their eyes. And he didn’t blame them for their fears. The sea seemed to have been tamed. The sea serpents had not returned to the Hemmed Land’s shores after he’d slain the monstrous king of those creatures. But the fishermen still kept within sight of the shore. They had yet to press farther into the unknown waters where other serpents might still exist. To make matters worse in the council’s eyes, only a single ship out of all the vessels in the Hemmed Land was capable of making such a brave journey. The Maiden Voyage was large enough to withstand a storm on the open sea, and her captain was just the sort of man who would jump at the chance to put out her sails.

  Discussion broke out as to whether the Maiden Voyage should be risked so ea
rly in her career, but Ilfedo raised his hand. The table chatter died and he spoke. “A small band of soldiers should be attached to the Maiden Voyage, to ensure the safety of the crew if they encounter a hostile force.”

  “My lord,” said another man, “you will need volunteers for such a mission. We cannot order people to risk their lives on this venture.”

  Ilfedo raised his hand for silence as the chatter rose. The table quieted, and he dreaded the announcement he had to make, for though he could think of no one he’d rather send, he would rather keep the Warrioresses close. The councilors would be overjoyed to know that the sisters were going, but he couldn’t help feeling as if he was saying good-bye for a long while to five women whom he deeply loved.

  It was two days after the council meeting. Night shadows stole through the thick stone walls of Gabel Castle as Caritha tiptoed along a beam spanning the moat. The sliver of a crescent moon lent its light to that of the stars above. She hugged an oblong package to her chest and glanced at the water beneath her. Her tears dribbled on the water’s surface, and she blinked her eyes.

  She stepped down on the other side of the moat and glanced into the shadows. Only one guard stood watch, yet he kept his hands busy carving a block of wood and his sword relaxed at his side as he sat on a bench. She crept past him, walking between heaps of unfinished building stones, wood planks, and tools. The cylindrical base of the keep stood behind the materials.

  She hardly glanced at the tall structure, instead making her way to the doorway in the keep’s base. As she stepped inside and drew her rusted sword from beneath the folds of her skirt, the blade glowed orange. The modest light painted the high wall of stone and the columns that buttressed it, as well as the broad stone steps leading into the darkness above.

  Climbing the stairs took a lot of energy, for the stairway proceeded up fifty feet before leveling off in a chamber. Another stair rose on the room’s opposite side. She walked up to it and knelt. With one trembling hand, she pulled the oblong package from under her cloak and laid it on the floor. She opened its box top and gazed upon the beautiful sword laid therein, then drew an envelope from her pocket.