The Blue Flame [Book 1 of the Daradawn Series]

by Barbara M. Hodges

  Regan turned to Peter. “Where did he go? Is he coming down?"

  He pointed. “Look."

  She saw Dirkk scramble around one of the path's switchbacks. “He took the bait,” she said.

  Dirkk rounded the last curve. He stumbled, pitched forward, then fell and rolled out onto the valley's floor in a small avalanche of dirt and rocks. Regan's gaze went to the pocket of his robe. No notebook was outlined there. It must be in the cave.

  Dirkk tumbled to a halt in a cloud of dust only a few feet from their hiding place. She pressed her back closer against the rock. If he turns his head, she thought, but Dirkk only had eyes for Da'kar as he pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. A wave of contempt from Da'kar blasted into Regan's consciousness.

  "Don't get cocky,” she warned and then gasped as Dirkk rose up onto his knees, gripped his amulet and pointed his hand in the unicorn's direction. Red fire streamed from his spread fingers and Regan's heart jumped into her throat. Da'kar whirled and ran. The ground just beyond his rear hoofs blasted skyward in grassy chunks. The unicorn retreated only a few yards, then stopped and faced Dirkk again. Dirkk screamed and flung his hand out. Da'kar wheeled to the right and dodged another crackling ball of flame.

  That was close, Regan thought, as the acrid smell of singed hair reached her nose. The unicorn and Dirkk stood in a frozen tableau for a long moment, then Da'kar turned his back and trotted away. Dirkk scrambled to his feet, howling with rage, and charged after the unicorn.

  Regan turned her attention to the cave and Thomas. The young mage stood in the shadowy entrance of the cave and watched his master stumble along in pursuit of the unicorn. What do you think of your master now? she thought with a tight smile. Thomas looked down and her heart leapt into her throat; he held her notebook. She grabbed Peter's arm and jerked them both behind the boulder. “He has the notebook."

  Peter inhaled sharply. “Then we must take it from him,” he said. He inched forward and looked around the boulder.

  "He's gone?"

  Peter stood. “Now it is our turn."

  * * * *

  Peter hugged the mountain's side and motioned Regan up close behind him. “The ledge is around the corner."

  "How...?"

  "I counted them the last time we were here."

  She nodded. “Now what?"

  "I will go first. Count to fifty, then follow.” He stared at her for a moment, then started to walk away. Fear choked her heart with its icy hand. She reached out and grabbed his shoulder. Without turning, he reached up, covered her hand with his and gave it a squeeze. Then he continued on. Regan watched until he rounded the curve, then counted slowly. “One ... two..."

  "Forty-nine ... fifty.” She held her breath and listened, but all was silent except for the occasional curse that drifted up from Dirkk.

  * * * *

  The ledge outside Thomas's cave was vacant. Regan closed her eyes and looked for magical wards, but the entrance was clear. She took a deep breath and walked in.

  * * * *

  Coals in the brazier glowed red. Regan started toward it, then stopped as a shadow moved. She felt inside, found the Power, and pulled it up and out into the palm of her hand. On trembling legs, she moved forward. Her hip bumped a table and toppled it sideways. It hit the cave's floor with a loud crack and the figure whipped around.

  "Peter.” She rushed forward. He pulled her close and she laid her ear against his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart.

  "He was standing at the door of a gate as I entered. He met my eyes and smiled as he stepped through.” Peter's voice held controlled rage. “It closed before I reached it."

  She pulled away from him. “Could you tell where he was going?"

  "No."

  Regan went cold. “Did he take my notebook?"

  "His hands were empty."

  "We have to find it. A little light would help."

  Peter mumbled a few words and a mage globe lit above their heads.

  "You'll have to show me how to do that someday,” she said. “You search that side of the cave. I'll take this one."

  She knelt and looked under a bed. Nothing. Not even a cobweb. She stood and glanced at Peter. He shook his head and her stomach churned. What if Thomas took it with him? Along with those other books ... no, Peter said his hands were empty.

  The books ... She ran to the near wall and moved her hands along the smooth surface. “Where?” Her right hand slid into a hole. “Peter, I've found something."

  She felt him come up behind her as she fumbled with the top book and drew it out. She glanced at it, then handed it over her shoulder to him.

  Her fingers closed around the last of the books and her heart sank. It was too big to be her notebook. She gave it to Peter and then extended her arm in as far as she could reach. Tears filled her eyes as she pulled out her empty hand.

  "Let me try. Maybe your arm is not long enough."

  She sighed and wiped her hand across her eyes. “Be my guest."

  She watched him reach in the hole, then twist his shoulder so he could reach further in still. His mouth tightened and she lowered her head into her hands, fighting tears. She heard the scrape of Peter's boots as he walked toward her.

  "It was in the back, pressed flat against the wall. Your arm was not long enough."

  She jerked her head up. He held the notebook toward her, smiling. With shaking fingers she opened it to the last page. The words of the spell were still there, faint now that the ash-ink had dried, but still legible.

  "Peter, you have to write your words to the spell in the book.” She looked around the cave. “Damn, I can't believe I'm without a pen and ink again."

  "Thomas is bound to have both here.” Peter walked to the tipped-over table and righted it. He opened a small drawer, then turned back to her, holding a small round bottle high.

  She scrambled to her feet and ran to him. Trembling, she laid the open book in front of him. “The words are already there. Try tracing over them."

  He picked up a quill pen and traced over the words she had written. As he shaped the last word, the pages glowed, the words flared scarlet, and then dulled to black.

  "Yes!” She pumped her fist, then wrapped her arms around his neck.

  He remained staring down at the words for a long moment, then gently untangled her arms from his neck.

  "You're right,” she said. “It's too early for a celebration."

  "How do we get the pendant from him?"

  She looked down at the notebook. “We write another spell."

  * * * *

  They watched the words fade to black. With a wry smile, she closed the notebook and handed it to him. “I think you should keep it."

  He took the small book and tucked it into his trouser pocket. “We have nothing to fear. The spells have been awakened, but only you or I can cast them."

  She shrugged and started toward the cave's opening. “I'd just feel better if someone else carried it for awhile."

  He followed her. “Now we must find Dirkk and...” Da'kar's trumpeted scream drowned out the rest of his words.

  They exchanged a quick gaze. “He's leading him back."

  Peter's face tensed. His mouth curved in a cold smile. “This time I will have him."

  The two of them rushed through the cave's mouth and out onto the ledge. Dirkk's howls filled their ears.

  "I don't see them,” she said.

  He brushed by her. “They are on the far side of the mountain. We must go down."

  * * * *

  Peter ran out onto the valley floor and hesitated.

  "Which way?” she asked, halting beside him.

  The unicorn's shrill scream answered her.

  Da'kar and Dirkk faced each other across a field of grass.

  "By the Dark God, I will kill you. No more piddling spells of power. I will send you to hell,” Dirkk cried, shaking his fist at the unicorn.

  Regan and Peter stayed in the mountain's concealing shadow and ci
rcled nearer to the screaming man. Glazed green eyes blazed from his black leather mask. Sensuous lips were drawn back into a feral snarl. White spittle sprayed with each curse he shouted at the unicorn. Dirkk's long fingers gripped the eagle pendant, then released and gripped again. Through his clenching fingers, Regan saw a speck of light appear in the eagle's emerald eyes. The ember grew until the entire green surface glowed.

  Her gaze flew to Da'kar and frantically she mind-sent, “Run. Run.” The unicorn's head jerked up and he whirled and raced away.

  Dirkk fell to his knees. His fists beat into the valley's floor as he wailed. “No ... o ... o ... o ... !"

  Peter clasped Regan's hand.

  It was time. She stirred the Power that fear had already set asimmer, drew it up along her arm, and out to her palm. She felt Peter jerk as it flowed into him. Together they lifted their entwined hands toward Dirkk, who still knelt. For a moment, Regan felt pity course through her, and then she heard Peter say the first word of the spell and blended her voice with his.

  "Against your heart lays evil's tool, to mad darkness you call, for man's mind to rule.

  Frozen in time you will remain, until free all are from your tainted stain."

  The ranting wail cut off and Dirkk's back arched as if a puppeteer pulled his strings. Regan shot a glance at Peter. He nodded and she pulled the Power back. Peter unlaced his fingers from hers and they circled to face Dirkk.

  The spell had paralyzed the mage with the snarl of hate still curling his lips. His green eyes flicked to her and blazed with hot rage. She gasped and stepped back from the force of his rage. Peter yanked the pendant over Dirkk's head.

  Dirkk's gaze moved from Regan to the pendant dangling from Peter's fingers. Understanding dawned in his eyes. Peter backed from Dirkk, then walked to a flat rock. He placed the pendant on it, picked up a fist-sized rock, and raised it high over his head.

  "No!” Regan yelled.

  He froze, the rock still gripped overhead.

  "The spell will be broken if you crush the pendant. Ru'taha and vipers first. Then we destroy it."

  Peter looked across the wide, empty valley. “And how will you find them?"

  "I won't. They'll find me."

  "You will call them to us?"

  She nodded.

  He still hesitated. “We are but two. Can you control them?"

  She took a deep breath. “I guess we'll find out."

  He lowered the rock. “How will you destroy them?"

  Her lips curled in distaste. “From what I've seen, it shouldn't be hard to get them to destroy each other.” She walked to Peter and stared down at the pendant. The eagle's eyes stared back at her, challenging, daring. Her stomach heaved and tried to climb into her throat. She swallowed. “I think I have to put it on."

  "I will not let this filth touch you."

  The eagle's emerald eyes flared and then dulled. Regan stared at them. “Did you see that?"

  "What?"

  "The eagle's eyes, they...” Sudden pain pricked the back of her neck. She whirled and fastened her gaze on Dirkk. His emerald eyes flared briefly, mirroring the eagle's.

  "Regan, what is wrong?"

  "Is his mind as frozen as his body?"

  "Yes."

  She frowned, her hand rubbing the back of her neck. “Nothing ... I guess."

  "What were you saying about the eagle's eyes?” he asked.

  She glanced again at the pendant. “It's not important.” Her look returned to Dirkk. “Peter, I know I have to put that thing around my neck."

  He looked skeptical. “How do you know?"

  "It's something Dirkk taunted me with at his castle ... about blocking the Ru'taha and Black Vipers’ minds from me.” She saw Dirkk's eyes flare again. “I've got to break his hold first.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. With trembling fingers, she picked up the pendant and placed the chain over her head. Gripping the eagle pendant in the palm of her hand, she waited. For what she did not know. Maybe for some reaction from the pendant itself. But the eagle remained a piece of cold metal in her cupped hand. Releasing her breath, she let the eagle pendant drop between her breasts.

  "Regan?"

  "Nothing."

  "We can wait no longer. We will have to try another way. Call to the Ru'taha and vipers."

  She closed her eyes and gasped. In her mind the chain and eagle pulsed, and surrounding it was a glowing aura of blue. Her eyes snapped open and she looked down at the eagle. It looked the same as before.

  "What is wrong?"

  "In my head, it's different,” she said. “It pulses and it's surrounded by a blue glow."

  Peter cursed under his breath. “It is warded. You will have to break the ward."

  "But how..."

  "Trace it with your mind. Dirkk is paralyzed. The ward has to be weakening."

  She closed her eyes again and mentally swept them along the length of chain and the eagle itself. “There's no break in the blue line."

  "Look closer,” he urged. “Take your time."

  She examined the pendant and chain, link by link.

  "There's no break. It's solid."

  "There is a break ... there has to be."

  Temper flared and her eyes flew open. “Then you find it."

  "I am not strong enough.” He said it reluctantly, as if he did not want to admit it.

  She felt pain stab the back of her neck. “Damn it, Thomas. Cut it out.” She swatted at the air behind her.

  Peter grabbed her arm. “What did you say?"

  "I said, damn it..."

  "Thomas,” he finished for her. “But why?"

  "The pain.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “It's the same thing he did when I was training with him."

  "Wherever Thomas is, he is watching. It is why you cannot find the weak link in the pendant.” He stepped away from her and raised his hands over his head. She felt her stomach heat. “That will block him for awhile. Now find the break in the ward."

  She closed her eyes and searched the pendant again. There it was, a gold speck in the otherwise blue line, where the eagle joined the chain. “I've found it. I'm going to widen the break.” She touched the broken link with her mind and gasped as pain tingled through her. Gritting her teeth she stretched the gold speck to two, then three links.

  The pain intensified and she felt sweat bead on her forehead. “You ... will ... not ... win,” she ground out between clenched teeth. The blue line wavered. She heard Dirkk's voice shriek defiance in her mind as the blue glow vanished. She opened her eyes and rubbed her temple with a shaking hand. “It's done."

  "Now call to the Ru'taha and vipers,” Peter said.

  "Just a minute.” Regan jerked the pendant from her neck and dropped it back onto the slab of rock. She closed her eyes and sent the command. Her thoughts touched red hatred. Defiance flared. She pressed harder—and received grudging acceptance. “I've got the Black Vipers."

  She searched with her mind, flittering across a roiling mass of pain and self-loathing. Tears filled her eyes. “I've got the Ru'taha. They're all coming."

  He looked at her glistening eyes, but remained silent.

  "I can't have them kill each other,” she said with a choked voice. “The Ru'taha don't deserve to be viper's prey."

  He nodded. “We will make their end honorable."

  She glanced at Dirkk. “What will we do with him?"

  "Queen Tessa will decide."

  "Let's hope she'll be more merciful to him than he planned to be to her.” Regan frowned and shuddered. “They're coming."

  He reached toward her. “Give me your hand. It will end now."

  She stepped back from him. “We haven't changed the spell."

  "There is no time.” The sound of marching feet grew loud. “My heart aches for them, but I have to think of the living.” He reached for her hand again.

  She backed from him. “I won't let the Ru'taha die in such a way."

  "Look.” He pointed across a tilled field. Th
ey came in a steady stream, Ru'taha to the left, writhing vipers to the right. Their hate and pain flowed over her.

  "God!” Regan lifted her hands and pressed them against her head. She stumbled to the rock, grabbed the pendant and placed it over her head. Fighting waves of emotion, she sought and found the vipers’ minds. “Stop.” They halted, but hissed and squirmed in impotent rage. The Ru'taha, looking neither right nor left, continued on.

  Leaving the command burned into the viper's minds, she faced the Ru'taha. Her stomach clenched as the pain and self-loathing washed over her. “Stop.” The solid lines of Ru'taha stumbled to a halt. In the back of her mind, she felt the vipers pressing the boundaries of her control. She shifted her glance to them and reinforced the command.

  "Now what will you do?” Peter said. “You cannot hold them forever."

  I don't know, she wanted to scream, but bit back the useless words. Her gaze shifted to Dirkk. Amusement lurked in his eyes and anger flowed through her. She gripped the pendant and crossed to stand in front of him. “You made them.” She pointed at the Ru'taha. “How do I release them?"

  Dirkk's green eyes flared. She met his stare and leaned closer. Still gripping the pendant in her right hand, she grasped his left hand and joined her mind with his.

  Demented laughter rolled over her and she cringed. Through a red haze she saw a black dot flare. She pushed her way through a swirling current of resistance, and stopped before the dark speck. “I know this is what remains unfrozen of your mind.” The speck flared and pain like the sharp stings of wasps pierced her mind. “Show me how to release them. One way or the other, they'll be destroyed. Let me give them a death with dignity.” The pain fled and the speck dulled. “No. Don't you die before you tell me."

  Dirkk's dry voice filled her mind. “If I release them, will you come to me?"

  "I'm going home."

  Dirkk laughed. “You are mine, Regan. You have been since the first time in the cave. When will you see?"