Feel the Burn

by MacDonald, Nicole

  Loushka and I sat dumbfounded.

  ‘Holy hell, was that a smile? At Rashid?’

  ‘I don’t know…Maybe she had gas.’

  I pressed my hands flat to my mouth when giggles threatened to erupt.

  ‘Loushka!’

  ‘I’m just saying! Seems more logical.’

  Rashid stood there like he’d been stunned, rooted to the spot, until another soldier climbing the ledge gave a shout for help. Then he shook it off and hurried over to help before joining us back in the line.

  When the army gathered to make camp, Ignatius took the opportunity to join the Halenine fae in checking the tunnels that adjoined the cavern.

  ‘I’ll take those larger ones,’ he instructed and waited a moment for the fae to disappear into the smaller tunnels. The first few he tried ended in dead ends. Climbing into another, he thrust the torch out while making his way along it, on hands and knees. The smell stopped him and he quickly shuffled backwards, looking for the orange spotted lizards he’d seen on the way in. A grumble echoed down the tunnel.

  ‘Hold on,’ he said, spotting a lizard. Compared to the vorks, dispatching the orange ones took no effort. A sharp swing by the tail and the hard smack onto the rocks killed them instantly. He ran his blade down the back, removing the poison filled spines in one sweep. Quickly he killed and de-spined five lizards then crawled back down the tunnel. The ardwyr had crept further along, its long black whiskers bristling while it sniffed the air.

  ‘Here you go.’

  It eagerly accepted the five lizards then froze at a shout from outside the tunnel, a low growl slipping out. Ignatius made an overt expression of wariness at the shout, hoping it would emphasize the idea to stay out the way. The ardwyr collected the five lizards in its large jaws and backed up, disappearing into the depth of the tunnel as Ignatius watched.

  That evening, while he played cards with Catherine, and the others laughed over the story of Rashid and Leseach, he kept an eye on the tunnel entrance. When his hour to watch came up, Ignatius moved quietly around the sleeping bodies, collecting a few more lizards and dispatched them like before, throwing the bodies down the tunnel. The faint click of nails against stone suggested the ardwyr found them and when he checked the tunnel, before waking the next on watch, the lizards had gone.

  *~*~*

  Chapter Twenty Two

  The last days passed remarkably fast and it felt scary to wake and know that tonight was our last night in these caves. Tomorrow, by midday perhaps, we’d be above ground.

  I lay there in the dark, eyes wide and heart racing at the thought of it all and reached for the chain around my neck, tracing along to the weight of the ring. I’d given up trying to wear it in the caves, too worried I’d damage it but I would wear it into battle. I wanted to have something of his near to me when I died.

  My wrists throbbed and panic constricted my chest when I considered the next few days, the darkness making everything feel far more real at the moment.

  All you can do is fight, fight to win. At the best you’ll see him sooner rather than later, I thought, trying to quell the fears. At the worst, a voice in my head thought ironically, you’ll live centuries without him.

  Ugh.

  I closed my eyes against that, trying to coax sleep. I knew I’d woken far too early. My mind refused to shut up and I lay there listening to everyone sleep, waiting for the time to rise; loud breathing, quiet sighs, snoring and rustles, the mumbles while people dreamt. The soft, hushed sound of a couple making love then a flash of citrine energy, making me blush. But it gave way to pleasanter thoughts.

  Knowing my friends, the three girls whom I’ve lived with on Earth for years and then fought alongside with here on Gar’nyse, had found their soul mates lightened my heart and I amused myself, imagining what their lives would be like. Loi and Sab would squabble and have decent yelling matches like Loi and I had on Earth. Often just for fun too, the more ridiculous the topic the better. Kassie liked to fling in various points when Loi and I debated and Sian would sigh then disappear to bake something; a sure fire way to distract us all.

  Sian. Well she was sure to confuse the heck out of poor Daron. A complete contradiction—the perfect homebody and then when bored of playing Martha Stewart she’d have a whole planet to explore.

  Kassie—such a sweetie.

  I gulped back tears while I remembered all the things she’d done for us girls over the years, hardly ever complaining. I could just see her setting up home with Rumal and having a troop load of crazy curled, mocha skinned kids with golden eyes. I giggled at that, thinking of the flash of energy I’d just seen. They could be on the way to their troop already!

  The sound of people waking, lighting torches, and the clank of armor put those thoughts on the backburner and I sat up, wriggling into the chainmail. Leseach only occasionally wore hers and didn’t bother today, beating me out of the tent while I finished dressing. I hurriedly tied the bedrolls up while she demolished the tent around my ears.

  Ignatius made sure to keep a calm, even, countenance with Leseach and drew as little attention to himself as possible. It wasn’t difficult with everyone excited at the prospect of seeing sky tomorrow; even the griffons and Sito made more noise than usual, grumbling, whining and pushing their riders. He watched when Loushka teased Catherine, catching the end of the bedroll the girl tried to lift into the saddle pack. Watching the redhead laugh and swat at the griffon caused a rush of desire when he realized tonight would finally be the night. It would require a delicate touch and need to be played out carefully but if he succeeded, no, when he succeeded the crown would be his. All he had to do was make sure that southern witch died and to get Catherine home alive. Then everything would be in place.

  Ignatius grinned and shook his head at the thought of entering the castle in Elion with her after all this. So many victories to be had in these next few days!

  I rode Loushka most of the day until the increasing numbers of stalactites made it too awkward.

  ‘Looking forward to getting out?’ I thought while walking alongside.

  Loushka huffed then turned her massive head, lovely eyes regarding me solemnly.

  ‘Sort of. For so long this had been the plan. Alek and I were meant to be here together.’

  Her words caused a pang and I realized then how selfish grief could be, I frequently forgot how many years Loushka had loved Alek for.

  ‘I’ll try not to let you down.’

  Loushka hummed a soft purr before gently pushing me with her beak.

  ‘Not to worry, Cat. I’ll get you there, then just let loose. No holding back.’

  ‘I promise.’

  We walked in silence, listening to the conversations around us. Leseach and Rashid still walked together and most soldiers had money on when she’d deal to him. The favorites at the moment; during battle (when no one would notice), prior to battle (he simply wouldn’t be there), or dumped overboard on the way home (providing that even came about).

  ‘What’s your bet?’ I thought to Loushka.

  ‘She’ll do it sneaky. Plant a kiss on him when he’s balanced on a high edge or something.’

  ‘Ahh, creative. But what if he actually succeeds?’ I wanted to give poor Rashid some chance.

  Loushka snorted in derision and shook her head, bits of mane frizzing out beneath the armor plating on her neck and shoulders.

  ‘Not possible! If that happens then my theory is she’ll eat his head after sex.’

  That made me laugh and I reached a hand out to steady myself.

  ‘Walking and laughing at the same time shouldn’t be that difficult,’ Loushka thought, making me laugh more.

  ‘You know what I’m like.’

  ‘I do. I’m amazed you haven’t accidentally killed yourself yet.’

  ‘Oh come on! I’m not that bad.’

  A multitude of images flashed through my mind—all of me tripping.

  Huh, do I really look like that from behind, I thought in bemuseme
nt. I’d never observed myself in motion from that angle, then I flinched.

  ‘How do I do that? I seem to trip over nothing.’

  ‘I know. I’m quite impressed you haven’t speared yourself on one of those yet,’ Loushka nodded at a sharp tipped stalagmite.

  ‘Gee thanks,’ I thought dryly.

  It made the day pass quickly and we found numerous things to tease each other about. Anytime a slightly serious topic approached we both shied away. With the end approaching I had no interest in topics that just didn’t seem that important any more. The caves offered a talking point when the rock changed. From dense black and tan shades to beautiful striations in varying shades of blue with white intermixed like an exotic marble. The texture got smoother, more glass like and the creatures changed too. The orange spotted lizards had fairer hides and the bugs the Halenine fae liked to eat grew larger.

  Ignatius kept at the front of the line today, walking behind Laura, Sabyn, and Tomiar, keeping company with Larvaste and Chaieth. It made it easy when Laura selected the cavern they would sleep in, to be one of the first to check the tunnels. The Halenine fae happily left the larger tunnels for him to check, having more success at finding their dinner in the smaller ones. Unfortunately he couldn’t spot the ardwyr in any of the narrow corridors.

  ‘All clear?’ Belsesus asked when he crawled out the last one.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Don’t look so disappointed, plenty of time for that tomorrow.’

  Ignatius gave a snort of pretend amusement but anxiety clenched his gut.

  Give it a little more time, he reassured himself. It’ll turn up. Perhaps the tunnels don’t link up? No that can’t be it, he thought with a frown, tracing the tunnels in his mind. A couple appeared to go on and on, possibly even to the surface as the occasional breeze of fresh air wafted through the chamber. Needing a distraction, he looked around for a suitable spot for Catherine’s tent.

  The cavern Loi picked had those beautiful striations all through the rock, following up and over the ceiling, the blues and whites like an abstract sky.

  ‘Pretty isn’t it?’ Loi smiled at me.

  ‘Very. Nice choice.’

  Loushka and I wandered around the outer edge, admiring a tiny spring that pooled then traced across a portion of the cavern. The fresh clean water lent a lovely smell to the cave. The rest of the army squeezed in, commenting on the colors and smell. I went to greet the other girls and we found a spot to sit clear of all the hustle and bustle. The cave crackled with an excited, anticipatory atmosphere. Soldiers sharpened weapons, practiced combat skills, and checked armor. The men of the Griffon Guard carefully worked over each griffon, checking the armor plates for any issues.

  ‘I guess we should do that,’ Sian said. ‘Come give me a hand with Sito?’

  It delighted Sito to have us scrambling about, his deep voice constantly entering our minds while he questioned us.

  ‘We kill the mean dragons, right?’

  ‘I don’t know if there will be any mean dragons,’ Sian answered aloud for our benefit. ‘We need to get to the castle. There might be harpies.’

  ‘Oh.’ A growl rumbled through his chest and Kassie and I, who stood beneath him checking the armor on his underside, exchanged a glance; it was one heck of a sound when it rumbled right overhead.

  ‘I don’t like those.’

  ‘Agreed,’ Loi, Kassie, and I chimed in at the same time, and laughed.

  ‘Do you think it’ll take long to get there?’

  ‘I don’t know. Loi, do you?’ Sian asked.

  From her perch high on his back, Loi called, ‘A day, maybe two. The plants say the distance is easy, it just depends how many creatures we have to get past.’

  Convincing Leseach that the spot he’d picked for Catherine’s tent was the most suitable proved surprisingly easy, and after offering to help put it up, which the Northerner refused as anticipated, Ignatius sidled off. An idea occurred to him and he climbed back into each of the tunnels. Lizards crawled around these tunnels making it easy to kill a few out of sight and throw them further down the tunnels, far enough that no smell would linger in the camp. With that task out the way he took a moment in the last tunnel to pull the two vials out of a pocket. Examining the one with Elena’s poison, Ignatius tapped out the excess, just wanting enough for tonight. Enough to put Catherine into that deep sleep with the waking dreams.

  Then all I need do is give her exactly what she wants, Ignatius thought with a smirk. It’s very convenient that Alek looked so similar to me. No one will have a reason to suspect a thing. Once that witch is dead it’ll take some time to travel home, plenty of time to establish myself as a solid confidant.

  He rested back against the tunnel wall and took a moment, seeing the future he so desired playing out. Catherine, finally able to let go of her fleeting lost love would see him there, steady, dependable, and constant. The one she fought alongside and the one who would act the doting father to the child who in her mind was Alek’s, not Ignatius.

  And then out with the old, he thought in malicious delight, and in with the new. No more would that greedy, grasping Mestarn line, lay claim to the throne. Instead his blood, mixed with that of the fire Elemental and that ancient, revered Thalian line. With centuries to rule, maybe even millennia—who knew how long an Elemental could live—and the world at their feet.

  A loud shout of laughter drifted his way and Ignatius turned his attention back to the vials, putting each in separate pockets. Wouldn’t do to mix them up, he thought, then quickly crushed the remaining poison against the stones and with a strong breath blew the remnants away.

  That evening everyone crowded noisily around the large fire I’d created at Rashid’s request, the flames giving off just enough heat to warm the room but not smother it.

  ‘Does it not feel sacrilegious to utilize the legendary fire Elemental’s gift in such a manner?’ Oomoth’s voice boomed in the cavern, the humor evident while everyone hooted with laughter.

  ‘Ahh it’s our last night, the least she can do is provide a good light,’ a goblin cheekily called out and another voice hollered, ‘Tomorrow we fight!’

  I don’t know who yelled that but the answering roar from all around the fire made me glance nervously at the ceiling. Not a rock shifted, and apparently taken with the ravenous echo the cave created, the soldiers and allies made extravagant declarations and toasts, before those gave way to performances. Loushka moved to my side, the crowd giving way to her and the other griffons, then Sito, when they moved close wanting to be part of it.

  It felt utterly invigorating to watch after the weeks of pent up tension from the journey this far.

  The cave echoed while the Nyjens performed a battle dance. The warriors ditched their unusual armor, just wearing the dark shorts from underneath it, holding their evil looking curved blades while they performed the awe inspiring dance. Ducking, lunging, and leaping, before a blade could penetrate flesh. They didn’t hold back and everyone sat tense, knowing a sudden motion or distracting noise could result in serious injury. With only the fire lighting the cave, the scars on their arms and their violet eyes glowed vividly against the dark. Their ebony skin blending with the shadows, creating a striking effect.

  The goblins moved into their respective troops; those from the mountain tops, those from the giant forests in the lands west of Elion, the pale gray skinned goblins from the caves of Tas’sal—who could possibly be the only ones not looking forward to seeing sky. Goblins were fascinating creatures. Exceptionally hardy and adaptable, living in almost every part of this world. Ignatius explained them to me one long afternoon on the ship.

  The desert goblins from the dry-lands in Pervadrha kept the beat for the Nyjens with round shallow drums covered in dense green leather that doubled as their shields. The sound the drums produced vibrated through the air, deep and rhythmic, and the goblins kept a constant, urgent beat, gradually increasing the speed to challenge the dancing warriors. The forest goblins punctu
ated the heavy rhythm with their own instruments, made of short solid lengths of wood that curled around, creating a sharper, higher sound when rapped with the single drumsticks they casually wielded, drumming so fast they blurred.

  A touch to my shoulder made me jump, so focused on the dancers, and Ignatius smiled down at me then squeezed in amongst those crowded around to sit beside me.

  Ignatius hadn’t factored this into his evening plans. Inwardly he chewed on his liver as the cave nearly throbbed with noise. It would very likely scare the ardwyr off.

  Or anything else with half a brain, he thought. No matter, I’ll create a diversion. As long as it seems believable and I broach it in the right manner, I know she’ll rise to the bait.

  With that in mind it felt easier to smile at Cat while she watched the battle performances. He moved an arm behind her and bent to her ear, explaining the various parts of the dance. After the Nyjens’ display, the goblins performed and it was one of the few times Ignatius had been privileged to watch the different troops perform together. Many of those watching exchanged impressed glances, and he saw the men of the Griffon Guard explaining it to the other girls. The Northerner sat near Rashid, listening to the Lieutenant and watching his gestures. Having known Rashid for decades, Ignatius felt uneasy at his obsession with Leseach. It could make his plans difficult to execute.

  Though, he reasoned to himself, as soon as I get Cat back to the castle it won’t matter. She’ll be preoccupied with the baby and all I need do is play the protective, understanding, advisor. Even my divorce will be useful, for another sympathy play. With Cat so irresistibly close he lost himself in the vision for a moment. A loud huff from Loushka caused him to straighten up, twisting to smile and nod at the griffon.