Legacy: Book #3, the Fire Chronicles

by Susi Wright

  Watching this unfold, Xandor was mortified. He glanced sideways at his lord, feeling guilty that he had failed in his sacred duty as Lady Espira's mentor while Luminor had been ill; that he had in some way been responsible for this scandal. He expected some form of disapproval. “My lord . . . how can this have happened? She has a position of responsibility!”

  Luminor met Xandor's eyes with a long-suffering look. “It happens!”

  “But . . . they are cousins!” Xandor sounded affronted. “She is only seventeen . . .” There were so many reasons against it. “But, he is human!” He winced, regretting the instant that was out. Racism should be beneath a Gaian warrior. “I am sorry, my lord! I just feel it is my fault – she was under my protection!”

  “I know what you mean, brother! Take heart, as indeed, have I! Firstly, you know as well as I, that they are only cousins by adoption. Secondly, it is common for young people to marry at sixteen, is it not? My beloved Fralii is human – and was even younger – when I courted her!” Luminor glanced at the couple and back to Xandor, trying to ignore that they were still locked in passionate embrace just a little too long.

  Xandor nodded. He had taken Serafina to wife at a similar age. His brow furrowed anew, watching the lovers, though they engaged in nothing more than a passionate kiss. He wasn't quite convinced the scene before them was acceptable, especially with such a large audience. “Do you not, my lord, as her father . . . have a say?”

  Luminor's voice was resigned, tinged with raw grief. “No, brother, I have given up thinking that I could influence the choices taken by either of my children . . .when they really set their minds on something!”

  To Espira and Ji, their reunion excluded all else. Espira felt her heart would explode from her chest, joy replacing despair. Here and now, she cared no longer for appearances. Life was too short. Ji lived! Nothing could stand in the way of their love!

  Ji could hardly believe his dreams were coming true, even knowing he was worthy, now more than ever before. They belonged together and always had, soul-mates.

  Eventually, the embarrassed coughs and shuffles of their watchers filtered through the passion, and the couple pulled apart, still holding hands. Espira reached out with her free hand to stroke Ra's hide. “Thank you, dear friend!” She smiled back at Ji.

  Unabashed, they faced the crowd, to a rousing cheer and applause, finishing the spectacle with a cheeky bow, before the two walked hand-in-hand towards Luminor; his stern eyes were riveted on them from the opposite side of the clearing.

  On the way, suddenly nervous, Ji whispered, “Is he angry or upset?”

  “Not about this!” Espira replied, squeezing his hand.

  Fifty paces on, they stood before Luminor. He immediately reached out to shake Ji's forearm.

  The young man was pleasantly surprised and relieved. This was going much better than he had imagined!

  “Ji, I am glad you are alive! Dak and I do not have to search tomorrow, after all. I am truly grateful for your bravery, brother. You are worthy of more than simple praise, I think! There are many here, who live by your hand!” After a short pause, succinct as always, Luminor went on, “And now, I suppose, you want the hand of my daughter!”

  Ji stared mutely, before collecting his wits enough to nod.

  Luminor had an admonition and a condition to deliver; he was entitled to both.

  “I hope you know what you are taking on – what she is meant for . . . Life with her will never be easy, I warn you!” His eyes searched Ji's eager gaze for a long moment. “Now, I only ask that you wait until we return to the Capital, for Fralii. She will sorely need this wedding . . . to help mend her grief!”

  There was no argument.

  Luminor and the couple returned to sit by a fire, while many bystanders took to their bedrolls. Ji exclaimed that he was ravenously hungry, Espira's appetite was beginning to revive and even Luminor felt peckish. A portly Morvian woman from the crowd offered them what she had managed to scrape from a roasted carcass, seeing they needed it more. It was modest, but sufficient, and they ate quickly.

  Once finished, Luminor admitted to being tired, but before he left to find sleep, he had a request for Espira. “Essie, you know Shuul was seriously hurt in the battle. I have seen him, but he has need of a little more attention before the night is over, or I fear he will deteriorate! His injury reminds me too much of another time. Head wounds like this need a very skillful touch. But Churian was an old man . . . Shuul is young and I am certain he wants to live.

  “I am too tired now, you are rested. I thought you could go, Essie. You have come of age and it is time for you to take on more. I know you can do it!”

  “Of course I can, Papa! You rest. I'll go now.” She exchanged a look with Ji and the two hurried off to visit Shuul.

  On the way, Ji whispered anxiously, “I hope your father never knows of my mistake, with Shuul. I regret it now!”

  “Don't forget, it was mine too! But, I think it turned out alright and I can make more amends for it now,” she assured him, adding mysteriously, “Just remember . . . sometimes love and healing are intertwined.” She pulled him to a stop and Ji turned eagerly to her embrace. Her eyes shone with love. “Ji, Father loves you and he knows you are a good man, otherwise he never would have agreed.” They shared a brief but tender kiss, and Espira whispered, choked once more with emotion. “Ardi is not coming back, Ji! He sacrificed himself to save Father . . . and there was nothing I could do!” She buried her face in Ji's chest.

  Ji was shocked and saddened; he pulled Espira close to console her with the warmth of his love. So much to bear . . . and more to come! Our love, sweet Essie, will carry us through!

  They clung desperately for a few moments until Espira regained the strength to continue to Shuul's tent.

  He was still unconscious when they arrived at his side; his complexion was sickly and sallow. The ugly gashes on his temple were congealing, but it was obviously a near-fatal wound. A Zorg mace was a ghastly weapon.

  Espira knelt to touch Shuul's head with both hands, closing her eyes to concentrate.

  Ji gave her space, watching quietly. Espira was the most gifted person he knew, besides his uncle. He guessed something must be happening, but it was all invisible to him. Despite their rivalry, he hoped for the best. Shuul had proven his courage. He did not deserve to die.

  A few moments passed in silence. Slowly, Shuul stirred and groaned. His eyes opened and he muttered groggily, in broken Morvian, “My Angel-Princess . . . this is two times . . . I think you make habit . . . to save this one's life!”

  Ji was frowning, wondering about the other time.

  Espira sat back on her heels, satisfied with her work. “Dear Shuul, I must tell you, it was Ji who carried you from the battlefield!”

  Shuul struggled to sit up, his feline gaze intent on Espira, seeming deaf to what she had said. “My Princess Espira, I am sworn to you – till death!”

  Ji stepped forward, a warning in his voice. “That is not necessary, Shuul – she has me to protect her! ” He gritted his teeth. “I told you before!” He wondered why he'd ever wished the man well.

  The Cymbian's expression remained locked on Espira, intense, passionate, totally devoted.

  Ji felt his hackles rise, staring angrily at the man he'd saved. He felt betrayed.

  Uneasy seconds ticked on, as Ji was gripped by an almost overwhelming desire to throttle him, once again. He glanced guiltily at Espira, surprised how calm and patient she appeared. Was she enjoying Shuul's amorous attention?

  Espira heard Ji's thoughts and smiled benignly.

  At that moment, Shuul's handsome dark face broke into an audacious grin and he met Ji's stare and nodded slowly. A flash of sad regret flickered in his tawny eyes. “Yes, my friend . . . she does have you. I concede!”

  There was an awkward moment of silence, before Shuul rose shakily to his feet, straightened resolutely and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

  Ji's hand hovered dange
rously near his own blade, but Espira stayed him with a thought, No, Ji!

  Shuul threw his head back and laughed. “Ha! I am alive! I am Cymbian. I am Shuul . . . and I can easily protect two at one time!”

  Ji continued to frown.

  *

  It was freezing, damp and dark.

  The mist had clung to clothes and blankets, slowly soaking in during the remainder of the night to deepen the chill. It was a reminder to move south, to reach the Impossible Mountains without delay if they were to traverse the passes before winter set in. Beris and Lor had turned up without fan-fare sometime during the night, slept for an hour or two and were up again with the others.

  Every man and woman moved with brisk purpose. Unfortunately, the speed of this group was limited by those walking, apart from Gaian scouts who flew slightly ahead. The need to keep warm and the air of urgency had spurred the company of hundreds to a departure well before daybreak.

  Luminor flew as usual, in formation with his warriors. Espira rode the dragon, just above them.

  Down on the road, Ji rode at the head of his company on a samblar that had lost its master in battle. He held La-poo before him in the saddle. All of his men, likewise, carried orphans with them on their mounts.

  Other cavalrymen led their animals, women and children aboard in twos, sometimes three at once. Ever grateful for the superlative strength of the samblar, many handlers had loaded their steeds with people and harnessed an additional travois to carry the injured. Those trusty animals plodded stolidly on for hours without the slightest resistance.

  The first rest break was not until late morning. It was drizzling when they stopped at a crossroads. The cold, tired and hungry travellers huddled in groups, trying their best to keep warm and not be miserable, but it was difficult.

  Luminor met Espira as she brought Ra down and dismounted. He wasted no time in calling the captains together.

  He spoke quietly. “We all assume the Zorg horde is no more, but I sense some danger. Perhaps we should not be complacent!”

  There was a mumbling of agreement.

  Ji joined the group in time to hear the comment. He gave Espira a secret smile, before grinning at the others. His voice, tinged with pride, also teased. “Well, now Lady Espira has her father's great-sword, I don't think any of us need to worry about Zorgs!” There were a few chuckles at that. Espira gave him a look of mock-reproach.

  Luminor regained their attention. “The first priority is food! Our rations are finished so this rest stop will be a hungry one, but it is not too far to the barley farm. We can make camp there. However, we also need arrows to hunt and defend ourselves!” He turned to Jimbu. “How far is the nearest city or large town?”

  Jimbu considered for a moment before he answered. “Strorn is perhaps a hundred furlongs, along that road.” He pointed westwards. “I visited as a boy. It is a large settlement – there will be an armoury. I advise caution . . . this land has been plagued by invaders for years and the giants might not have killed everyone. Mercenaries or scavengers could have moved into the town after the Zorgs left and laid claim to the armoury. I cite only the possibility, nothing clear.”

  “I will go, with two others.” Xandor raised his eyebrows and looked around, inviting volunteers.

  Espira stepped forward. “You may need my swordsmanship! As Father said, there could be trouble from Zorgs, among other things!” Her smile held a hint of pride. “I will not need the dragon for this. He can guard these people.” She looked askance at Luminor, and he nodded without hesitation, shrugging off his cloak and handing it over to replace her ruined one.

  It needed no discussion. He would ride Ra until she returned.

  “That settles it – you are not going without me!” added Ji.

  “Nor me!” chimed in Shuul. “I made oath to protect you both, and no raid or theft goes well without a Cymbian!”

  Xandor was straight to business. “We will need four pack animals and at least two to ride. Unfortunately, more people must walk. If we do not find trouble, my lord, we should return to join you at the farm by nightfall.”

  Luminor nodded his agreement and the group dispersed.

  Espira, Ji and their self-appointed bodyguard, Shuul, went to organise their mission to Strorn, but Xandor hung back. He pitched his voice very low to Luminor, as he watched Espira move away with the others. “Why do you allow it, my lord?”

  “Dear friend, it is time for her to fly free . . . if I can let go . . . so can

  you!”

  Ji and Shuul had their samblars ready quickly. Xandor and Espira organised the pack animals. For the samblars, a brief rest, a nibble on autumn tussock grass and a drink from the local stream was all they needed to revive their energy for the journey to Strorn.

  After drinking their fill of cool clear water, Xandor and Espira took to the air and the other two mounted up. Each of the four volunteers carried a spear in addition to their swords; Espira and Xandor also had their bows, slung across their shoulders, though at the moment their quivers were empty. With luck, they would have arrows on the way back.

  Luminor watched for long moments, a silent prayer in his heart for the safe return of all four; squinting through the misty drizzle, he craned his neck to follow their progress along the rutted lane, as he climbed the ridges of scales on to Ra's back.

  In attendance to their duties on the ground, Commander Stolis and Captain Jimbu rallied the people to their feet, out of their huddles and got them all moving down the road which led south.

  Luminor's eyes continued to hover protectively on Espira, as she flew abreast of Xandor. She was in good company but he felt unreasonably worried about her safety. His mind-sight was too capricious. The fear that something could happen to her dug at the raw wound of Ardientor's death. Pain sliced his heart. Despite the fact that he had long-known Love was the key to the future, when viewed through the eyes of attachment, it sometimes appeared to be a fickle ally.

  His gaze lingered, even as he felt the intimate connection between Ra and himself buzz to life for the first time since the Battle of the Fires. The poignant memory of his spirit-flight in Ra, so long ago, came vividly to mind. In this moment, Luminor felt blessed, cherishing this rare chance to ride the flesh-and-blood creature here in Existence. There was so much more power in the dragon now . . . the ride would be beyond glorious! In it he would find a small seed of healing.

  Finally, he focussed fully on that.

  It has been a long time, my friend!

  Chapter 43 : RAID

  The road to Strorn was deserted.

  Deep ruts scored the entire width of it, suggesting this route had a busy history. The main road to the crossroads was that no longer; the evidence of any passage, by cart or foot, was weeks old.

  Three hours into their journey, the companions had not crossed paths with a single living thing, not even an animal. To each side of the by-way, the hillsides were forested, with the lower slopes and tracts of level ground cleared for farming, but every homestead they passed so far had been abandoned. Everywhere, it seemed, Morvian settlers who had not escaped had suffered the same grisly fate. Here again, produce rotted in the fields, having held no interest for the flesh-eating Zorgs; none of it could be salvaged. The only item of use they found, was a cross-bow and a dozen bolts, hidden in a tool shed of one such farm. Shuul was allowed to claim that, since he had no long-bow.

  The constant drizzle turned the ruts to deep mud and the samblars began to labour in the heavy going. It came as relief when, before too long, the time came to leave the road so they could approach the settlement under the cover of woodland.

  Ji and Shuul took the samblars off into the trees and the other two air-cloaked overhead, hiding their flight amid the canopy.

  Xandor called a halt a few furlongs outside the town and he and Espira came to ground while the riders dismounted.

  “We do not have the cover of darkness and we cannot wait for it, to find out what we need to know. Here, we have an obvious
advantage!” He smiled at Shuul. “I take it you are fully recovered from your injury?”

  Shuul gave his infectious grin and handed his reins and lead ropes to Ji, quickly disappearing from view.

  Xandor spoke to the empty space. “Brother Shuul, we will wait for your news. Be swift. Good luck! Espira and I will watch from edge of the forest. Ji will keep the animals here.”

  Without question, Ji hobbled and tied the samblars, pulled his cloak tightly around his body and seated himself on the ground nearby to wait; left with this relatively mundane task, he was just a little disappointed, but knowing Shuul's speed and skill, he expected the wait would not be a lengthy one.

  His expectations were correct, when not half an hour later, his friends were back with news, and it was not good.

  Shuul recounted his mission a second time for Ji's benefit. “Our guess was right! There are scavengers – frager and walleen, from over the border. My clan fought their kind many times for raiding rights, even before the Zorgs came. They are fierce fighters! There are frager guards on the armoury.”

  “According to Shuul, there are about two dozen of them in the town,” added Xandor. “Apparently, these invaders have a loose alliance. They are an ill-organised and unruly bunch. A number of them appear to have been drinking the town's abandoned wine-stores, perhaps for days! Many, except the leaders and a couple of guards, are extremely drunk. Shuul even saw several lying unconscious in the street. That leaves fewer to bother us, if we make our move before they sober up!”

  Espira took a turn to speak. “The days are shorter now; it is only two hours until sunset. We will not make it back to the camp by nightfall. Shuul cannot be successful, alone. Together, it is still four against a dozen or more! We have only our swords and one cross-bow; they have an arsenal of weapons. It makes sense to wait – use darkness and the element of surprise. Shuul might be able to pick off a few before we take the others on.” She raised her eyebrows for approval, although she knew the suggestion was sound.